Full implementation of the HACCP system and infection control policies in hospital food services is needed.

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The biological activity of eight organic substrates was assessed using different techniques under aerobic and anaerobic environments at different scales. The used substrates included simulated fresh to actual stabilized composts. Experiments included dynamic respiration (with 30 L and 5.5 L reactors), static respiration (with 1 L reactors) and biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests (with 1.1 L flasks). The indices evaluated were: the 24-h dynamic respiration index (DRI 24 ) and the cumulative dynamic respiration indices at 4 and 7 d (DCRI 4 and DCRI 7, respectively) measured with two different methods, the maximum dynamic CO 2 generation rate (D-CO 2 _24) at 24h and a dynamic cumulative CO 2 generation after 7 days (D-CO 2 _7), the maximum static O 2 consumption rate in 12h and 24h (SRI 12 and SRI 24 ), the static cumulative O 2 consumptions after 4 and 7 days (SCRI 4 and SCRI 7 ) and the static CO 2 generation after 7 days (S-CO 2 ) and the BMP after 30 days. The 24-h dynamic respiration index (DRI 24 ) ranged from 25 to 3000 mg O 2 kg -1 VSh -1 in one lab and from 150 to 3500 mg O 2 kg -1 VS h -1 in the other. A positive statistically significant correlation was achieved between the two types of dynamic indices. In addition, the CH 4 production after 30 d showed a strong positive correlation with both DRI 24 indices and the cumulative dynamic respiration indices at 4 and 7 d (DCRI 4 and DCRI 7 ), as measured in both labs. The static respiration indices did not correlate well with the dynamic respiration ones. The practical implications of the use of the biodegradation activity indices were also analysed and discussed.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are particularly exposed to the risk of developing hemorrhagic cystitis (HC), which is characterized by symptoms ranging from macroscopic hematuria to renal failure. Although HC significantly affects the quality of life and in a few cases becomes intractable leading to patient death, its therapeutic management has not been established. Fibrin glue (FG), a hemostatic agent derived from human plasma, has been largely employed in different surgical settings including urologic procedures. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this pilot study we used FG to treat refractory HC. During cystoscopy, bladder distension was maintained at a constant pressure of 12 mmHg by a carbon dioxide insufflator. An endoscopic applicator allowed spraying FG on the bleeding and raw surfaces of bladder mucosa. RESULTS: Five of 221 patients undergoing an HSCT developed a very severe, refractory HC and have been treated with endoscopic FG. The treatment was successful in 3 patients; the response was partial in 1 patient and transient in the last one, whose clinical course was severely complicated by acute graft‐versus‐host disease and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: FG therapy is a feasible procedure and this pilot study suggests that it may be an effective treatment for refractory HC. Its application could be considered also in Grade 1 or 2 HC to prevent progression of damaged mucosa. The use of FG for HC should be prospectively investigated in terms of therapeutic efficacy, transfusion support, length of hospitalization, quality of life, and costs.