Removal of Pseudomonas putida biofilm and associated extracellular polymeric substances from stainless steel by alkali cleaning.

Alkali (NaOH)-based compounds are commonly used in the food industry to clean food contact surfaces. However, little information is available on the ability of alkali and alkali-based cleaning compounds to remove extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by biofilm bacteria. The objectives of this study were to determine the temperature and NaOH concentration necessary to remove biofilm EPS from stainless steel under turbulent flow conditions (clean-in-place simulation) and to determine the ability of a commercial alkaline cleaner to remove biofilm EPS from stainless steel when applied under static conditions without heat.

Involvement of adenosine A1 receptors in the discriminative-stimulus effects of caffeine in rats.

Rationale: Caffeine is a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist in vitro, but involvement of different adenosine receptor subtypes, particularly adenosine A1 and A 2A receptors, in the central effects of caffeine remains a matter of debate.

Objective: Investigate the role of adenosine A1 and A 2A receptors in the discriminative-stimulus effects of caffeine.

Methods: Rats were trained to discriminate an injection of 30 mg/kg (i.

The clinical significance of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cytokines in patients at risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Background: The predictive role of many cytokines has not been well defined in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We measured prospectively IL-4, IL-6, IL-6 receptor, IL-8, and IL-10, in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in 59 patients who were admitted to ICU in order to identify predictive factors for the course and outcome of ARDS. The patients were divided into three groups: those fulfilling the criteria for ARDS (n = 20, group A), those at risk for ARDS and developed ARDS within 48 hours (n = 12, group B), and those at risk for ARDS but never developed ARDS (n = 27, group C).

Th1 cytokine pattern (IL-12 and IL-18) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) before and after treatment with interferon gamma-1b (IFN-gamma-1b) or colchicine in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF/UIP).

Background And Aim: Characterization of the biologic effects of Th1 cytokines will enhance the understanding of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis and treatment selection. Th1 response is characterized by increased expression of IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18. The present study aims to evaluate the role of Th1 cytokines and their possible changes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), before and after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b or colchicine.

Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in the adenosinergic modulation of the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine and methamphetamine in rats.

Adenosine, by acting on adenosine A1 and A2A receptors, is known to antagonistically modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission. We have recently reported that nonselective adenosine receptor antagonists (caffeine and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine) can partially substitute for the discriminative-stimulus effects of methamphetamine. In the present study, by using more selective compounds, we investigated the involvement of A1 and A2A receptors in the adenosinergic modulation of the discriminative-stimulus effects of both cocaine and methamphetamine.

Enabling role of adenosine A1 receptors in adenosine A2A receptor-mediated striatal expression of c-fos.

When striatal neurons are strongly activated they produce adenosine, which activates nearby adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs) and adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs). Although the effects of A1R or A2AR activation on neural activity in the striatum have been examined separately, the effects of coactivating both receptors has not been investigated. Using c-Fos immunohistochemistry as an indicator of neural activity, we examined the effects of coactivation of A1Rs and A2ARs on neural activity and their mechanism of interaction in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex in rats.

Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in the motor effects of caffeine after its acute and chronic administration.

The involvement of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors in the motor effects of caffeine is still a matter of debate. In the present study, counteraction of the motor-depressant effects of the selective A(1) receptor agonist CPA and the A(2A) receptor agonist CGS 21680 by caffeine, the selective A(1) receptor antagonist CPT, and the A(2A) receptor antagonist MSX-3 was compared. CPT and MSX-3 produced motor activation at the same doses that selectively counteracted motor depression induced by CPA and CGS 21680, respectively.

Interferons and their application in the diseases of the lung.

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokine mediators that are critically involved in alerting the cellular immune system to viral infections of host cells. There are three major classes of IFNs, as follows: IFN-alpha; IFN-beta; and IFN-gamma. IFNs are being investigated and applied in various respiratory disorders, including interstitial lung diseases, lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, malignant pleural effusions, and respiratory infections.

The effects of stress exposure on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thymus, thyroid hormones and glucose levels.

In the present study, an attempt was made to compare three stress models and their effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the thymus, the thyroid hormones and the glucose levels. The three different stress models were the chronic mild stress (CMS), the 14-day and the 1-day cold swim stress model. The CMS procedure caused a decrease in thymus weight and rendered no changes on glucose, the adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) or the adrenals.