Bacterial concentration and composition in liquid baby formula and a baby drink consumed with an artificial nipple

ObjectivesTo clarify the characteristics and growth of bacteria that may infiltrate liquid baby formula during feeding and after storage for more than 3 h, the transfer of oral bacteria through artificial nipples, and bacterial survival in liquid baby formula and a baby drink were examined immediately after drinking and after storage at 4 °C for 12 h and 24 h.MethodsThirteen human subjects (aged 19–24 years) were asked to drink approximately 50 mL of liquid baby formula and a baby drink, via the artificial nipple of a baby bottle. Samples of the remaining liquid after storage at 4 °C for 12 h and 24 h were inoculated onto blood agar plates and incubated anaerobically at 37 °C for 7 days. Genomic DNA was extracted from individual colonies, and the bacterial species were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsThe mean concentrations of bacteria in the liquid baby formula were (2.6 ± 2.8) × 10⁴ and (4.1 ± 6.6) × 10⁴ colony-forming unit/mL after storage at 4 °C for 12 h and 24 h, respectively. Streptococcus (43.2%), Veillonella (9.3%), and Schaalia (8.2%) species were recovered from the remaining liquid baby formula after storage at 4 °C for 12 h. In contrast, no bacteria were detected in the remaining baby drink after storage at 37 °C for 24 h.ConclusionsThe levels of bacteria immediately after drinking and after storage at 4 °C for 12 h or 24 h were similar, suggesting that remaining liquid baby formula may be preserved safely in a refrigerator for more than 3 h.     

Skeletonization and Isolation of the Glissonean and Venous Branches in Liver Surgery With an Ultrasonic Scalpel Technology

This study describes a novel technique for skeletonization and isolation of Glissonean and venous branches during liver surgery using a harmonic scalpel (HS). Hepatic resections with HS were performed with the skeletonization and isolation technique in 50 patients (HS group). Variables evaluated were blood loss, operative time, biliary leak, and morbidity. The results were compared with 50 hepatic resections that were performed using a previously established technique: Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator with electric cautery, ligatures, and hemoclips (NHS group). The HS group had shorter total operative times (285 versus 358 minutes; P = 0.01), less blood loss (389 versus 871 mL; P = 0.034), and less crystalloid infusion (2744 versus 3299 mL; P = 0.027) compared with the NHS group. Postoperative liver function and complication rates were similar when comparing the two groups. These data demonstrate that HS is a simple, easy, and effective instrument for the skeletonization and isolation of vessels during liver transection.Key words: Liver resection, Ultrasonic scalpel, Skeletonization, Cavitation effectVarious devices are available for liver transection, but the availability of comparative data for transection techniques is limited by the diversity of operative procedures. Clamp crushing (CC) and a Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator are widely used for splitting the liver parenchyma,^1,2 and hemostasis is achieved by bipolar coagulation, ligatures, or hemoclips. Various coagulating devices, such as Ligasure,³ Tissuelink,⁴ and the Harmonic Scalpel (HS),^5–7 have recently been developed to aid in liver splitting. The choice of instrument is often based on individual surgeon preference. Higami et al^8,9 described a novel technique to skeletonize and harvest the internal thoracic artery with the HS, and the present study capitalizes on their experience to describe a unique method to skeletonize and isolate the Glissonean and venous branches using an HS.     

Effect of stretch on improvement of muscular contractures in rats

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate how a stretching torque affects muscular contractures. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 48 male Wistar rats. [Methods] Subjects were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group 1 was the control; Group 2 had muscles in continuous fixation; Group 3 had muscles stretched in the direction of dorsiflexion by a spring balancer set at a torque of 0.3N for a period of 30 minutes after continuous fixation; and Group 4 had muscles stretched in the direction of dorsiflexion by a spring balancer set at a torque of 3.0N for a period of 30 minutes after continuous fixation. Joint fixation periods were for 2 and 4-weeks. Ankle joint range of motion and soleus flexibility were analyzed. [Results] For the 2-week joint fixation, soleus flexibility in Group 4 showed an increase compared with that of Group 3. For both fixation periods, range of motion in Group 4 showed an increase compared with that of Group 3. [Conclusion] For both fixation periods, stretching improved joint range of motion. In the 2-week joint fixation, soleus flexibility improved. However, soleus flexibility did not improve in the 4-week joint fixation.Key words: Muscular contracture, Stretching, Muscular flexibility     

Up‐regulation of Rac1 in the bronchial smooth muscle of murine experimental asthma

There has been considerable research on the involvement of RhoA/Rho kinase signalling in smooth muscle contractions. However, only a few reports have addressed the specific role of Rac1, which is a member of the Rho GTPase superfamily. Therefore, this study investigated the role of Rac1‐related pathways in bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contractions. Bronchial rings isolated from mice were suspended in an organ bath, and the isometric contractions of circular smooth muscles were monitored. The phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLCs) was analysed by immunoblotting. The Rac1 inhibitor EHT1864 inhibited carbachol (CCh)‐induced BSM contractions, although high K⁺ depolarization‐induced BSM contractions were not significantly attenuated by EHT1864. Moreover, high K⁺‐ and phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate (PDBu; PKC activator)‐induced contractions were not attenuated by Rac1 inhibition, whereas sodium fluoride (NaF)‐induced force development was inhibited by EHT1864. The gene and protein expression of Rac1 was increased in the BSM of a murine model with antigen‐induced airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR). In addition, an increased force of the BSM contractions in AHR was suppressed by EHT1864 treatment, suggesting that the up‐regulation of Rac1 is involved in AHR. These findings suggest that an increase in Rac1‐mediated signalling is involved in the augmented contractions of BSMs in antigen‐induced AHR mice.