Novel spectroscopy method to reveal optimal culture conditions in Escherichia coli fermenter.

Fermentation engineering is critical for mass-producing chemicals, food additives, and medicines, where optimal culture conditions maximize microbial growth and metabolite production. Although monitoring bacterial growth during fermentation is critical, there is a lack of a non-invasive and sensitive method to directly monitor the bacterial metabolism. In this paper, a novel optical monitoring method is proposed based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy.

Study on IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and sIL-1ra in sera of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the serum levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, sIL-1ra and the activity and the severity of Graves' Ophthalmopathy (GO), as well as the therapeutic responses to high-dose IV methylprednisolone.

Methods: Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems, we measured serum concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and sIL-1ra in 18 normal controls, 20 active GO, 20 inactive GO, 18 Graves' disease(GD) on patients without ophthalmopathy and 10 active GO patients after high-dose IV methylprednisolone therapy.

Results: The baseline median sIL-1ra concentrations had no significant differences among active GO, inactive GO, GD and control groups.