Antimicrobial activity of enterocin obtained from Enterococcus durans on Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli / Atividade antimicrobiana de enterocina produzida por Enterococcus durans sobre Escherichia coli produtora de toxina Shiga-like

ABSTRACT: Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important source of food contamination that presents risks to human health. Several industrial food processes eliminate this microorganism; however, these processes can alter the characteristics of the product. Alternative methods of preservation have been identified as an option to control these foodborne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the action of bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus durans MF5 in STEC cells. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) containing enterocins from the MF5 isolate was tested over different time points (6, 18, and 24 h). Enterocins present in the crude CFS showed inhibition against STEC at all time points. In the investigation of cell integrity, using propidium iodide and fluorescence microscopy, considerable cell death was observed within 6 h of the cells being in contact with the enterocins, which was also observed at the 18 and 24 h time points. These results showed that the enterocins produced by the MF5 isolate have potential use in the control of STEC.

RESUMO: Escherichia coli, produtora de toxina Shiga-like (STEC), apresenta riscos à saúde humana, constituindo uma importante fonte de contaminação na indústria de alimentos. Diversos processos industriais eliminam esse microrganismo, contudo podem alterar as características do produto. Métodos alternativos de conservação tem sido uma opção para controlar esse microrganismo de alimentos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a ação de bacteriocinas produzidas por Enterococcus durans MF5 em células de E. coli STEC. Foram utilizados sobrenadante livre de células (CFS) contendo enterocina, nos tempos 6, 18 e 24 horas de incubação. A enterocina presente no CFS bruto apresentou inibição contra E. coli STEC em todos os tempos testados. Na observação da integridade celular utilizando iodeto de propídio e observação em microscópio de fluorescência, observou-se que em 6h da célula em contato com a enterocina, já havia considerável morte celular, estendendo até os tempos de 18 e 24 horas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a enterocina produzida pelo isolado MF5 apresenta uso potencial no controle de E. coli STEC.

Nitrogen dose and type of herbicide used for growth regulation on the green coloration intensity of Emerald grass / Intensidade da coloração verde das folhas da grama esmeralda submetida a doses de nitrogênio e ao uso de herbicidas como reguladores de crescimento

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen (N) is the main nutrient responsible for the green coloration of lawns but also stimulates the growth of the aerial portion of grass, thus increasing mowing expenses. Therefore, herbicides may be used as a growth regulator. The ideal herbicide will reduce lawn height without affecting esthetics. Toward this end, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the green coloration of Emerald grass ( Zoysia japonica Steud.) under the effect of different N doses or herbicides used as growth regulators. The study site consisted of randomized blocks containing 20 treatments arranged in a 5×4 factorial design with four treatment groups: four herbicides (glyphosate, imazaquin, imazethapyr, and metsulfuron-methyl, accounting for 200, 420, 80, and 140g ha-1 of the active ingredient, respectively) and the control sample (no herbicide); and three doses of N in the form of urea (5, 10, and 20g m-2), divided into five applications per year, in addition to a treatment without N. Leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) was assessed and the aerial portion of the lawn was measured with digital image analysis. Doses of N ranging from 10 to 20g m-2, divided into five applications a year, provided the lawn with intense green coloration, and the herbicides glyphosate (200g ha-1), imazaquin (420g ha-1), and imazethapyr (80g ha-1) were reported to be suitable for use as growth regulators of the study species, considering maintenance of esthetic quality (green coloration). The digital image analysis of the aerial portion provided more accurate results than use of a chlorophyll meter with regard to the recommendation of both N dose and herbicides to be used as growth regulators of Emerald grass.

RESUMO: Embora o nitrogênio (N) seja o principal nutriente responsável pela coloração verde dos gramados, o mesmo estimula o crescimento da parte aérea, resultando em maior dispêndio com cortes. Assim, a utilização de herbicidas como reguladores de crescimento seria alternativa, sendo ideal aquele que reduzisse a altura sem afetar a estética do gramado. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se avaliar a coloração verde da grama esmeralda ( Zoysia japonica Steud.) sob o efeito de doses de N e do uso de herbicidas como reguladores de crescimento. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com 20 tratamentos dispostos num fatorial 5x4 com quatro repetições, sendo quatro herbicidas: glyphosate, imazaquin, imazethapyr e metsulfuron-methyl (200, 420, 80 e 140g ha-1 do ingrediente ativo (i.a.), respectivamente) e a testemunha (sem herbicida); e três doses de N na forma de ureia: 5, 10 e 20g m-2, parceladas em cinco aplicações ao ano, além do tratamento sem N. Avaliaram-se o índice de clorofila foliar (ICF) e a análise por imagem digital da parte aérea do gramado. Doses de 10 a 20g m-2 de N, parceladas em cinco vezes ao ano, propiciaram coloração verde intensa do gramado e os herbicidas glyphosate (200g ha-1), imazaquin (420g ha-1) e imazethapyr (80g ha-1) foram adequados para utilização como reguladores do crescimento da espécie estudada, considerando a qualidade estética (cor verde). A análise por imagem digital da parte aérea forneceu resultados mais precisos que o uso do clorofilômetro, quanto à recomendação da dose de N, bem como dos herbicidas a serem utilizados como reguladores de crescimento da grama esmeralda.

Changes in the Clinical Manifestations of Ocular Injuries Induced by Power Lawn Mowers

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in the clinical manifestations of ocular injuries induced by power lawn mowers. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 172 patients with ocular injuries induced by power lawn mowers in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the time of presentation and 6 months after trauma, age, sex and seasonal distribution were analyzed. We assessed the degree of injury using slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, and computed tomography and analyzed the prognoses according to open/closed injury and, anterior/posterior segment injury. All patients underwent medical or surgical treatment, and the factors affecting final BCVA were analyzed. RESULTS: The ratio of closed injuries increased significantly (p = 0.027), as did the ratio of corneal erosion (p = 0.020), and, the ratio of corneal laceration decreased significantly (p = 0.014) over time. In the multivariate analysis, initial BCVA was the only risk factor of poor visual outcome in both open and closed injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of open globe injury has decreased over time. In contrast, the proportion of simple injuries such as corneal erosion has increased in ocular injuries induced by power lawn mowers. Lower initial visual acuity was the only risk factor of poor visual outcome in both open and closed injuries.

Clinical Analysis of Ocular Trauma Induced by Lawn Trimmers

PURPOSE: Lawn trimmers are widely used to cut the weeds around graves in South Korea, but they can cause ocular injury. We investigate at the emergency room the incidence and the clinical features of ocular trauma induced by lawn trimmers. METHODS: The authors analyzed 106 patients who visited Konyang University Hospital's emergency room from March 1, 2007, to October 31, 2011, because of ocular trauma caused by a lawn trimmer. Patients were sorted into two groups, severe ocular injury and mild ocular injury. RESULTS: Over a 5-year period, 106 patients with ocular trauma caused by a lawn trimmer underwent clinical study. Most of the patient (103 patients) were males, and the average age of the patients was 51.75+/-11.66 years. The incidence of ocular trauma peaked in the sixth decade of life. Most injuries occurred between July and September. Severe ocular injury developed in 46.2% of all patients. As age increased, so did the severity of the ocular injury. The impacting object was a small stone in 43.4% of all patients. Nobody wore protective gear. The most common diagnosis were corneal abrasion, followed by intraocular foreign body, corneal laceration, and sclera laceration. Fifty-four patients were followed up, and thirty-six patients of them had severe injury. The most common complication was a traumatic cataract. CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma induced by a lawn trimmer is more severe than general ocular trauma. We suggest that everyone using a lawn trimmer should wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines.

A Case of Penetrating Cardiac Injury by Foreign Body / 대한법의학회지

Cardiac injury is fatal in most cases. To save the life of patient with cardiac injury prompt treatment is necessary. For this to know the situation that fatal cardiac injury has occurred is mandatory. We report an unusual case of penetrating cardiac injury by a foreign body - wire - which has occurred during the work of lawn mower.

Intraocular Foreign Bodies: Clinical Characteristics and Visual Prognosis

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical characteristics and visual prognosis of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). METHODS: We analyzed the patients with surgical removal of IOFB and follow-up of 4 months or longer. RESULTS: Of all 126 eyes of 126 patients, 118 patients (93.6%) were men and mean age was 42.7 years. The cause was lawn mower in 49 eyes (38.9%). Metal composition was in 114 eyes (90.5%), corneal inlet was present in 101 eyes (80.2%) and posterior location was in 97 eyes (73.0%) were there. Visual acuity was worse than 0.04 in 77 eyes (61.1%) before operation and in 36 eyes (28.6%) at the final visit. The final visual acuity was significantly related with initial visual acuity (criterion: 0.1, P=0.001), wound length (criterion: 3 mm, P< 0.001), location (anterior vs. posterior location, P< 0.001) and size (criterion: 3mm, P< 0.001) of IOFB, traumatic cataract (P=0.011), vitreous hemorrhage (P=0.001) and retinal tear (P< 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Lawn mower is the main cause of IOFB and the countermeasure should be needed for it. Initial visual acuity, location and size of IOFB, wound length, vitreous hemorrhage and retinal tear may be the important factors on visual prognosis of IOFB.

Clinical Analysis of Ocular Injuries induced by Power Lawn Mowers

The authors analysed 22 patients who were admitted to Gyeongsang National University Hospital because of ocular injuries induced by Power lawn mowers from March 1, 1991 to December 31, 1994. All of the patients were males. The average age of the patients was 43.3(range 15-69). Most injuries occured between June and September. Perforating injuries were developed in 8(36.4%) of 22 eyes and non-perforating injuries in 14(63.6%) eyes. The type of injuries were lens damage(10/22), vitreous hemorrhage(8/22), iridodialysis(4/22), intraocular foreign body(3/22), endophthalmitis(2/22), retinal detachment(1/22), and choroidal rupture(1/22). The prognosis was poor when the eyeball was perforated. Therefore safety goggles are absolutely needed for prevention of ocular injuries induced by Power lawn mowers.

Intraocular Foreign Bodies by Power Lawn Mowers

Power lawn mower is a useful equipment for landscape, but it can introduce a new eye trauma. These ocular injuries are recently increasing in Korea. To inform the possibility of visual loss, we reviewed medical records of 11 patients with intraocular foreign bodies by power lawn mowers. All of patients were men and lawn mower operators themselves. Nature of foreign bodies was metallic in 10 eyes(91%), Inlet was through the cornea in 10 eyes(91%), and intraocular location was at the vireo retina in 8 eyes(73%). At final follow-up, best corrected visual acuities were worse than counting fingers in 4 eyes(36%). Safety cover or halmet is needed for prevention of eye trauma caused by power lawn mower, however, more important, operators themselves should follow the ordinary safety rules.