Dextrans of Weissella cibaria DSM14295: Microbial production, structure and functionality.

Lactic acid bacteria of the genus Weissella contribute to spontaneous fermentation in, e.g., sourdough or sauerkraut, but are not registered as starter cultures because of their pending safety assessment.

Quantification of Lung Tumor Motion and Optimization of Treatment.

Background: Mobility of lung tumors is induced by respiration and causes inadequate dose coverage.

Objective: This study quantified lung tumor motion, velocity, and stability for small (≤5 cm) and large (>5 cm) tumors to adapt radiation therapy techniques for lung cancer patients.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective study, 70 patients with lung cancer were included that 50 and 20 patients had a small and large gross tumor volume (GTV).

Capsular Exopolysaccharides from Two Strains Differ in Their Moisture Sorption Behavior.

is a species frequently used in the manufacture of fermented milk. Apart from acid production, some strains additionally synthesize exopolysaccharides (EPS) which contribute to texture improvement and syneresis reduction, both being attributable to the EPS's high water binding capacity. There are two different types of EPS that may be produced, namely free exopolysaccharides (fEPS) which are secreted into the medium, and capsular EPS (cEPS) which remain attached to the bacterial cell wall.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)].

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare tumors with a varying malignancy potential, most frequently located in the stomach and the small intestine. The median age at diagnosis is around 65 years. Standard treatment of localized disease is complete surgical resection.

End-to-end test of respiratory gating radiation therapy for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments.

In this paper, a dosimetric end-to-end test of respiratory gated radiation therapy (RGRT) applied in lung cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) was performed. The test was performed from treatment simulation to treatment delivery using a QUASAR phantom, for regular, slightly irregular and irregular breathing patterns in phase- and amplitude-gated modes. A mechanical and dosimetric verification was performed to evaluate all steps of the proposed treatment workflow.

Does irregular breathing impact on respiratory gated radiation therapy of lung stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments?

The impact of irregular breathing on respiratory gated radiation therapy (RGRT) was evaluated for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments. Measurements in the static mode were performed with different field sizes, depths of the measurements, breathing periods and duty cycles, using the Farmer ion chamber, PinPoint ion chamber, and microDiamond detector. The output constancy (OC) was evaluated between gated and nongated beams.

Cyanobacterial cell-wall components as emerging environmental toxicants - detection and holistic monitoring by cellular signaling biosensors.

Cyanobacterial blooms constitute a recognized danger to aquatic environment and public health not only due to presence of main group of cyanotoxins, such as microcystins, cylindrospermopsin or anatoxin-a, but also other emerging bioactivities. An innovative approach identifying such bioactivities is the application of cellular biosensors based on reporter genes which detect the impact of cyanobacterial cells and components on actual human cells in a physiological-like setting. In the present study biosensor cell lines detecting four different types of bioactivities (ARE - oxidative stress, NFKBRE - immunomodulatory pathogen-associated molecular patterns, AHRE - persistent organic pollutants, GRE - endocrine disruptors) were exposed to concentrated cyanobacterial cells from 21 environmental bloom samples and from eight cultures (Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Planktothrix agardhii and Raphidiopsis raciborskii).

Comparison of Phase-Gated and Amplitude-Gated Dose Delivery to a Moving Target using Gafchromic EBT3 Film.

Introduction: This study compared phase-gated and amplitude-gated dose deliveries to the moving gross tumor volume (GTV) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using Gafchromic External Beam Therapy (EBT3) dosimetry film.

Materials And Methods: Eighty treatment plans using two techniques (40 phase gated and 40 amplitude gated) were delivered using dynamic conformal arc therapy (DCAT). The GTV motion, breathing amplitude, and period were taken from 40 lung SBRT patients who performed regular breathing.

Planning target volume density impact on treatment planning for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Background: To evaluate the impact of the planning target volume (PTV) density on treatment planning for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).

Material And Methods: The PTV coverage was analyzed in two groups of 40 lung SBRT patients. One group had PTV density <0.

Contribution of Imaging to Organs at Risk Dose during Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Background: The use of imaging is indispensable in modern radiation therapy, both for simulation and treatment delivery. For safe and sure utilization, dose delivery from imaging must be evaluated.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the dose to organ at risk (OAR) delivered by imaging during lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and to evaluate its contribution to the treatment total dose.

Evaluation of thoracic surface motion during the free breathing and deep inspiration breath hold methods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate thoracic surface motion from chest wall expansion during free breathing (FB) and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) methods, measured with and without 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) simulation, using equipment developed in-house. The respiratory amplitude and chest wall expansion were evaluated at 5 levels of the thorax, (the sterno-clavicular joint (SCJ), the second level, the intermammary line (IML), the fourth level and the caudal end of the xiphoid process (XP)) using radiopaque wires and potentiometers, with a CT scan simultaneously. This study included 25 examinees (10 volunteers performed FB, 10 volunteers performed DIBH and 5 patients performed FB).

Pilot scale isolation of exopolysaccharides from DGCC7710: Impact of methodical details on macromolecular properties and technofunctionality.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from provide similar technofunctionality such as water binding, viscosity enhancing and emulsifying effects as commercial thickeners at a significant lower concentration. Despite their high technofunctional potential, hetero polysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria are still not commercially used in unfermented foods, as the small amount of synthesised EPS calls for a high isolation effort. This study aims to analyse the macromolecular properties of EPS and cell containing isolates from DGCC7710 obtained by different isolation protocols, and to link these data to the technofunctionality in model food systems.

Degradation of Exopolysaccharides from Lactic Acid Bacteria by Thermal, Chemical, Enzymatic and Ultrasound Stresses.

During isolation, exopolysaccharides (EPS) from lactic acid bacteria are subject of thermal, chemical, enzymatic or ultrasound stress of different intensity that may affect macromolecular properties, for instance molecular mass or (intrinsic) viscosity. These parameters are, however, crucial, as they are associated with the technofunctional potential of EPS replacing commercial thickeners in nonfermented products. The aim of this study was to systematically examine treatments EPS are usually exposed to during isolation and to investigate the underlying degradation mechanisms.

How Capsular Exopolysaccharides Affect Cell Surface Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria.

Some lactic acid bacteria are able to produce exopolysaccharides that, based on localization, can be distinguished in free and capsular or cell-bound exopolysaccharides (CPS). Up to now, the former were the focus of current research, mainly because of the technofunctional benefits they exhibit on fermented dairy products. On the other hand, CPS affect the surface properties of bacteria cells and thus also the textural properties of fermented foods, but data are very scarce.

Production and molecular structure of heteropolysaccharides from two lactic acid bacteria.

In the dairy industry, exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced in situ from lactic acid bacteria are of great interest because of their contribution to product texture. Some EPS cause ropiness which might be linked to specific physical and chemical EPS properties. EPS show a broad variety of chemical structures and, because analysis is rather complex, it is still a major challenge to establish structure-function relationships.

Ion Mobility Spectrometry as a Potential Tool for Flavor Control in Chocolate Manufacture.

Chocolate has a complex flavor profile composed of more than 600 volatile compounds that mainly arise from the thermo-mechanical treatment during roasting and conching. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), as a real-time method for process monitoring in chocolate manufacture. It is evident from the ion mobility (IM) fingerprint spectra that individual processing steps affect the signal intensities at particular drift time regions.

Test parameters and cell chain length of Streptococcus thermophilus affect the microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons assay: a methodical approach.

The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) test is one of the most common method to determine the hydrophobicity of cell surfaces. Despite its prevalence, no standard test parameters are used in literature, making a direct comparison of data almost impossible. Criticism also focuses on test parameters that may mask hydrophobic interactions and hence lead to erroneous test results.

Shear and extensional rheology of acid milk gel suspensions with varying ropiness.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by lactic acid bacteria during fermentation significantly affect the rheology of set-style acid milk gels and that of acid gel suspensions, produced from the gels by stirring. In this study, shear and uniaxial extensional flow of acid gel suspensions made with seven single strains of Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactococcus lactis was investigated. Six strains produced ropy EPS, and maximum filament length determined by using a continuous stretching method was up to four times higher than filament length of an EPS-negative control strain.

Clustering of Strains to Establish a Relation between Exopolysaccharide Characteristics and Gel Properties of Acidified Milk.

In situ produced extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) from lactic acid bacteria are generally known to affect the texture of fermented dairy products; however, the interplay between EPS and product properties is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between concentration and properties of EPS, and gel formation of milk analysed by noninvasive Multispeckle Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy. Twenty strains were classified with respect to EPS concentration (8-126 mg GE/kg) and ropiness (thread length: 15-80 mm).

Exopolysaccharides from Basidiomycota: Formation, isolation and techno-functional properties.

This Mini Review gives an overview of and respective references for the production and properties of exopolysaccharides from Basidiomycota in submerged cultivation. Media and conditions that are usually applied in laboratory culture are summarized, and the lack of studies related to up-scaling is addressed. Procedures for isolation and purification of the exopolysaccharides from the fermentation media are reviewed, and challenges related to exopolysaccharide quantification are discussed.

Shear treatment of starter culture medium improves separation behavior of cells.

A central step in the production of starter cultures is the separation of the cells from the fermentation medium, which is usually achieved by disk centrifuges. In case of microorganisms which produce exopolysaccharides (e.g.

Human Bile Reduces Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Antibiotics against Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli .

It has been known from previous studies that body fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, lung surfactant, and urine, have a strong impact on the bacterial killing of many anti-infective agents. However, the influence of human bile on the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics is widely unknown. Human bile was obtained and pooled from 11 patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Concentration dependent effects of dextran on the physical properties of acid milk gels.

The effect of dextran from Leuconostoc mesenteroides (DEX500), added to milk prior to acidification with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) or Streptococcus thermophilus DSM20259, was studied with respect to polysaccharide concentration. The incorporation of 5-30 g/kg DEX500 significantly affected gelation behavior. Increasing DEX500 concentrations resulted in a linear increase of gel stiffness (GDL gels: R(2)=0.

Microarray analysis of rat immune responses to liver fluke infection following vaccination with Fasciola hepatica phosphoglycerate kinase.

Fasciolosis is a considerable veterinary problem, causing significant economic losses to livestock production and the food industry. Research in the area of Fasciola hepatica infection immunology is necessary to improve our knowledge about immunological mechanism evoked by the parasite and to develop new control strategies against liver fluke. In this present paper we analyzed the expression levels of cytokines in rats infected with F.

Dynamic moisture sorption characteristics of xerogels from water-swellable oligo(oxyethylene) lignin derivatives.

Highly swellable lignin derivatives were prepared by cross-linking of oxidatively preactivated spruce organosolv lignin (OSL) with poly(ethylene) glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE). The lignin gels obtained are considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic hydrogels and superabsorbents and represent a novel type of lignin based functional materials. For their application, it is not only the absorption of water in terms of hydrogel swelling that plays an important role, but also the adsorption and retention of moisture by the corresponding xerogels.