Radiation sterilization of surgical instruments with a consideration of metal shielding on sterilization efficiency.

The feasibility of the use of radiation for sterilization of surgical instruments was evaluated. Two aspects were considered: radiation biology of relevant microorganisms, that is, bacterial spores and viruses, and shielding and radiation protection by the metal of the instruments. After proper cleaning and hot water machine washing, surgical instruments carry few, if any contaminants; however, subsequent handling increases the contamination load.

Gamma processing of Arabic bread for immune system-compromised cancer patients.

Arabic bread prepared from local Saudi flour contained a total of up to 10(4) organisms per g. Most of these were bacterial spores that survived the baking process (1.3 X 10(2) to 3.

Genetic control of heat resistance and thermotolerance by recA and uvrA in E. coli K12.

Several recA and uvrA derivatives of E. coli K12 AB1157 develop a transient increase in heat resistance, i.e.

Effect of radiation and freezing on [3H]DNA of Yersinia enterocolitica.

Freezing of the enteropathogenic bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica to -18 and -75 degrees C caused 7 and 42% cell death, respectively, and 0.329 and 0.588 single-strand breaks per 10(8) daltons of DNA, respectively, while radiation to one D10 dose (10% cell survival) combined with freezing to 2 to 0, -18, and -75 degrees C induced 0.