Early activation of hepatic stellate cells induces rapid initiation of retinyl ester breakdown while maintaining lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) activity.

Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) is the main enzyme producing retinyl esters (REs) in quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). When cultured on stiff plastic culture plates, quiescent HSCs activate and lose their RE stores in a process similar to that in the liver following tissue damage, leading to fibrosis. Here we validated HSC cultures in soft gels to study RE metabolism in stable quiescent HSCs and investigated RE synthesis and breakdown in activating HSCs.

Biological indicators, tools to verify the effect of sterilisation processes - position paper prepared on behalf of group 1 (biological methods and statistical analysis).

Biological indicators (BIs) are test systems containing viable microorganisms (usually spores of bacteria) providing a defined challenge to a specified sterilisation process. General chapter 5.1.

High-pressure treatment, a potential antimicrobial treatment for pharmaceutical preparations? A survey.

Sterilization by means of heat, irradiation and gas are methods universally used for the production of microbiologically safe pharmaceutical preparations, medical devices, and foods. However, in many cases limited chemical and physical stability, interaction with the sterilizing agent, and legal restrictions prohibit the use of these methods. About two decades ago high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment was introduced as a commercially attractive alternative sterilizing method for the food industry.

Unexpected high risk of contamination with staphylococci species attributable to standard preparation of syringes for continuous intravenous drug administration in a simulation model in intensive care units.

Objective: To determine the risk of bacterial contamination of the infusate in a simulation model of syringes prepared for continuous intravenous drug administration by intensive care unit nurses. Widely accepted standard procedures in the intensive care unit were compared with syringes prepared by pharmaceutical technicians working under standard aseptic conditions according to national guidelines.

Design: Prospective study.

The lactoperoxidase system: the influence of iodide and the chemical and antimicrobial stability over the period of about 18 months.

The lactoperoxidase (LP) system is a natural antimicrobial system, the use of which has been suggested as a preservative in foods and pharmaceuticals. The effect of adding iodide to the LP system, the chemical stability and the change in antimicrobial effectiveness during storage was studied. Addition of iodide with thiocyanate increased the fungicidal and bactericidal effect against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.