Anti-fungal potential of ozone against some dermatophytes

ABSTRACT Dermatophytes are classified in three genera, Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton. They have the capacity to invade keratinized tissue to produce a cutaneous infection known as dermatophytoses. This investigation was performed to study the effect of gaseous ozone and ozonized oil on three specific properties of six different dermatophytes. These properties included sporulation, mycelia leakage of sugar and nutrients and the activity of their hydrolytic enzymes. Generally, ozonized oil was found to be more efficacious than gaseous ozone. Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis were the most susceptible, while Trichophyton interdigitale and T. mentagrophytes were relatively resistant. The study revealed a steady decline in spore production of M. gypseum and M. canis on application of ozonated oil. An increase in leakage of electrolytes and sugar was noticed after treatment with ozonized oil in the case of M. gypseum, M. canis, T. interdigitale, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. The results also revealed loss in urease, amylase, alkaline phosphatase, lipase and keratinase enzyme producing capacity of the investigated fungi.

Total clipless cholecystectomy by means of harmonic sealing / Colecistectomia laparoscópica totalmente ultrassônica sem uso de clipe metálico

BACKGROUND: In traditional laparoscopic cholecistectomy, the cystic duct and artery are commonly closed by metallic clips just before their division. Although the placement of these clips for occluding cystic artery and duct can be considered safe, biliary leaks and bleeding may occur especially by its dislodgement. AIM: To report a prospective case-series in total clipless cholecystectomy by means of harmonic shears for closure and division of the artery and cystic duct as well removal of the gallbladder from the liver. METHODS: Was evaluate a series of 125 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy where the sealing and division of cystic artery and duct was carried out only by harmonic shears. The intact extracted gallbladder was submitted to a reverse pressure test for assessment of the technique safety by means of CO2 insuflation. RESULTS: The most common indication for surgery was gallstones. The mean operative time was 26 min and all gallbladders were dissected intact from the liver bed. There was no mortality and the overall morbidity rate was 0.8% with no hemorrhage or leaks. The reverse pressure test showed that all specimens support at least 36-mmHg of pressure without leaking. CONCLUSION: The harmonic shears is effective and safe in laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a sole instrument for sealing and division of the artery and cystic duct. The main advantages could be related to the safety and decreased operative time. .

RACIONAL: A colecistectomia laparoscópica na técnica tradicional oclui o ducto cístico e a artéria cística por clipes cirúrgicos, que podem se deslocar ou desprender no pós-operatório, possibilitando a ocorrência de fístula biliar ou hemorragia. OBJETIVO: Relato prospectivo de série de casos de colecistectomias laparoscópicas sem uso de clipe cirúrgico, sendo que a ligadura e secção da artéria cística e do ducto cístico foram realizadas por meio de bisturi ultrassônico. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos 125 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica sem utilização de clipe cirúrgico metálico, onde a ligadura da artéria e do ducto cístico e também a remoção da vesícula biliar de seu leito hepático foram realizadas por meio de tesoura ultrassônica. Realizou-se teste de pressão reversa na vesícula biliar removida intacta do leito hepático para verificar a segurança da técnica. RESULTADOS: A principal indicação cirúrgica foi a colelitíase. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 26 min e todas as vesículas biliares foram retiradas intactas do leito hepático. Não houve mortalidade e a taxa global de morbidade foi de 0,8%, sem hemorragias ou fístulas. O teste de pressão reversa mostrou que o ducto cístico ocluído pelo bisturi harmônico suportou ao pelo menos 36 mmHg de pressão sem que ocorresse nenhum vazamento. CONCLUSÃO: O bisturi harmônico é eficaz e seguro em colecistectomias laparoscópicas eletivas como um instrumento único para ocluir e seccionar tanto a artéria cística quanto o ducto cístico. Vantagens podem ser apontadas ao método com relação a sua segurança e diminuição do tempo cirúrgico. .

The effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on growth parameters and carbohydrate contents of sweet sorghum cultivars.

Sweet sorghum is tolerant to high temperature and drought and can be considered as an alternative crop to sugar beet and maize in Iran. In this study, the effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on growth parameters including stem height, stem diameter, stem fresh weight, total fresh weight; carbohydrate contents including total sugar, brix value, sucrose content and purify; and juice extract of two sweet sorghum cultivars were determined. Three rates of N-fertilizer (0, 90, 180 kg urea ha(-1)) and two rates of K fertilizer (0 and 50 kg potassium sulfate ha(-1)) assigned as main plots and two sweet sorghum cultivars (Rio and Keller) as subplots. Growth parameters at soft dough and physiological maturity stages and carbohydrate contents at physiological maturity stage were determined. Results showed that application of 180 kg urea ha(-1) as compared to control at physiological maturity significantly (p < 0.01) increased stem height (12.65%), stem fresh weight (24.57%), total fresh weight (78.22%), total sugar (39.25%), sucrose content (9%) and juice extract (34.96%). Application of 50 kg potassium sulfate ha(-1) increased (p < 0.05) stem fresh weight (24.33%), total fresh weight (25.44%), total sugar (10.50%), and juice extract (9%) at physiological maturity. The highest growth parameters, carbohydrate contents and juice extract were obtained with the application of 180 kg urea ha(-1) and 50 kg potassium sulfate ha(-1) using cultivar (cv) Keller. The best results were taken with the application of both fertilizers.

Effect of salinity stress on growth and carbohydrate metabolism in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars differing in salinity tolerance.

Rice seedlings cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 (salt-sensitive), Luang Anan (moderately salt-tolerant) and Pokkali (salt-tolerant) were exposed to 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCI for 9 d. Salinity stress caused reduction in leaf relative water contents in all cultivars. Shoot length of cv. Pokkali was least affected by salinity stress whereas increased root length in response to salinity stress was apparent in cvs. Khao Dawk Mali 105 and Luang Anan. Increased salinity level also caused reduction in fresh and dry weights in cvs. Khao Dawk Mali 105 and Luang Anan, but had no effect in cv. Pokkali except at 150 mM. Accumulation of total soluble sugars and sucrose in mature leaves were observed in cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 exposed to high level of salinity whereas their concentrations in cvs. Luang Anan and Pokkali remained the same as control plants. Accumulation of sucrose in cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 was suggested to be resulted from the alteration of photosynthate partitioning since the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase were not affected by salinity in this cultivar. On the contrary, salinity stress induced an accumulation of starch in cv. Pokkali. It is suggested that partitioning sugars into starch may involve in salinity tolerance by avoiding metabolic alterations.

Effects of tributyl-tin on a marine microalga, Tetraselimis suecica.

Marine pollutants induce changes in microalgal metabolism. In this study effects of tributyl-tin chloride (TBTCl) on a marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica was studied. The changes induced by TBTCI on growth rate, viability and biochemicals were assessed. In acute exposure to TBTCl, EC50 estimated for 24 hr was 2.02 microg ml(-1), whereas total lethality was observed at 4 microg ml(-1). In chronic exposure to TBTCl, at higher concentrations (0.5-1 microg ml(-1)) growth rate, chlorophyll pigments, carbohydrate and protein contents were reduced. The results of this study indicate that TBTCl toxicity made drastic changes in growth and biochemical composition of T. suecica.

Leaf biochemistry of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. at different stages of plant development as affected by mercury treatment.

The effect of mercury (Hg) on the biochemical parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill leaf was studied. Application of mercuric chloride in varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM HgCl2 kg(-1) sand) caused significant reduction that went up to 89% and 72% chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents respectively (at flowering stage), 69% in carotenoid content, 64% in total soluble protein content and 91% in nitrate reductase activity (all at post-flowering stage). The amounts of nitrate and proline increased maximally (151% and 143% respectively) at the flowering stage, whereas total soluble sugar enhanced by 57% at the post-flowering stage. Changes observed in most of the parameters, were concentration dependent. Such studies seem to be able to discover suitable bioindicators of heavy metal pollution.

Response of wheat seed germination and seedling growth under copper stress.

The experiment was performed to study the seed germination and seedling growth in wheat under the influence of different concentrations of copper. The germination %, plumule and radicle length, and number of lateral roots decreased with increase in copper concentration (5, 25, 50 and 100 mgl(-1)). Total chlorophyll contents declined on 14th day from 1.605 of control to 1.581, 1.242, 1.275 and 1.107 mg g(-1) fresh weight in respective treatments. Similarly, on 21st day the decline in total chlorophyll contents was 1.288, 1.123, 1.077 and 0.985 mg g(-1) fresh weight in respective treatments against 1.724 of control. Likewise the pheophytin contents also declined showing the same pattern. However, carotenoid contents increased in different treatments, ranging between 0.366 to 0.464 mg g(-1) fresh weight in comparison to control (0.328) on 14th day, but showed adverse effects on 21st day as the carotenoid contents decreased in different copper treatments. The activity of amylase was found to be gradually reduced 14th day from 29.73 of control to 27.80, 27.33, 21.86 and 20.00 mg g(-1) and at 21st day from 14.40 of control to 11.46, 11.01, 9.86 and 5.60 mg g(-1) fresh weight with increase in concentrations of copper The catalase activity increased 14th day from 97.33 of control to 134.66, 161.33, 216.00 and 232.00 and on 21st day from 140.00 of control to 245.33, 274.66, 278.66 and 300.66 ml H2O2 hydrolyzed/g fresh weight in different increased concentrations of copper Similarly the peroxidase activity was also increased with increase in copper concentration. Likewise fresh weight and moisture contents decreased with increase in copper concentration. The dry weight was increased with increase in concentration of copper treatment. Total protein contents were initially decreased on 14th day from 80.69 of control to 66.75, 60.41, 56.41 and 48.48 microg/mg and on 21st day 81.37 of control to 67.06, 62.31, 54.92 and 46.47 microg/mg fresh weight in different copper concentrations respectively Sugar contents were significantly decreased in all the doses of copper on both 14th and 21st days i.e. (5.53 of control to 4.76, 3.69, 3.68 and 2.86 microg/mg in different copper treatments on 14th day and 4.81 of control to 4.49, 3.40, 2.79 and 2.15 microg/mg on 21st day respectively.

beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on zinc status, carbohydrate metabolism, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activities in alloxan-diabetic rats fed on zinc deficiency diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on zinc deficiency in experimental diabetes. Male alloxan-diabetic Wistar, albino rats of 10 weeks of age were divided into three groups. The first group received a diet containing 54 mg zinc/kg [adequate zinc group, AZ], the second group received a diet containing 1mg zinc/kg [zinc deficient group, ZD], and the third group received a diet containing 1mg zinc/kg supplemented with vitamin E [500mg/kg diet] [ZD+VE]. Body weight gain and food intake of all rats were recorded regularly over a period of four weeks. On day 28, after overnight fasting, animals were killed and blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum protein, serum urea, serum zinc, femur zinc, pancreatic zinc, testis zinc, liver glutathione concentrations and serum glutamic oxalic transaminase [GOT], serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [GPT] and serum alkaline phosphatase activities were determined on blood and tissue samples. Body weight gain of zinc deficient diabetic animals at the end of four weeks of dietary manipulation was significantly lower than that of zinc adequate diabetic animals. Dietary zinc intake significantly increased blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and serum urea of zinc deficient diabetic rats. In contrast, serum zinc, femur zinc, pancreatic zinc, serum protein and liver glutathione levels were lower. The consumption of zinc deficient diet led also to an increase in serum GOT, GPT coupled with a decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase. Vitamin E ameliorated all the previous parameters. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the severity of zinc deficiency in diabetes mellitus

Phytotoxicity of cadmium on the physiological dynamics of Salvinia natans L. grown in macrophyte ponds.

The objective of this experiment is to study the potential ability of Salvinia natans L. to use in phytoassay for the cadmium toxicity in ecotoxicological studies. It is a simple and cost competitive method. The sensitivity of S. natans in terms of biochemical changes and enzyme activities to Cd2+ was remarkably noticeable. The catalase and protease activity was significantly decreased in the presence of cadmium, with increase of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. The level of protein, carbohydrate and chlorophyll decreased and proline content increased in plants. The maximum permissible concentration of cadmium in different general water quality standards was evaluated and found that cadmium standard is not stringent enough.

Study of carbohydrate metabolism in selected tissues of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis under copper sulphate toxicity.

Sublethal toxicity of copper sulphate on carbohydrate metabolism was studied in selected tissues of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis. Levels of glycogen and pyruvic acid decreased while lactic acid showed an increase. Activities of LDH, SDH and MDH decreased while G-6-PDH activity increased. There appears to be a shift in the carbohydrate metabolism from aerobic to anaerobic type due to toxicity of copper.