DNA damage in a solution containing copper(II) ions and ascorbic acid: Effect of the presence of sulfite

Some antioxidant compounds have a pro-oxidant effect in the presence of transition metal ions, due to the reduction of Mn+ to M(n-1)+ with simultaneous formation of free radicals, which then promote DNA damage. In the present study, we evaluated the pUC19 DNA damage in a solution containing Cu(II) and ascorbic acid (AA) or S(IV) saturated with air by agarose gel electrophoresis. Our results showed that this damage decreases if AA and S(IV) are simultaneously added. This study also illustrates the importance of Cu(II) in this process, as no DNA damage was observed when AA or S(IV) were present in the absence of this metallic ion. Our data showed that DNA preservation depends on the concentration of AA and S(IV) and occurs when the [S(IV)]:[AA] ratio ranges from 1:1 to 20:1. Absorbance measurements and thermodynamic data show that no reaction occurs between AA and S(IV) when this mixture (pH 5.5) is added to pUC-19 DNA. The presence of dissolved oxygen may be the cause of AA consumption in the mixture of these two antioxidants, which subsequently decreases DNA damage.

Practical stability of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing using plasma cell-free DNA / 生物工程学报

With the development of liquid biopsy technology, plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) becomes one of the research hotspots. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA has shown great potential medical applications such as cancer detection. However, the practical stability evaluation is still lacking. In this study, plasma cell-free DNA samples from two volunteers at different time were collected and prepared for sequencing in multiple laboratories. The library preparation strategies include pre-bisulfite, post-bisulfite and regular whole-genome sequencing. We established a set of quality control references for plasma cell-free DNA sequencing data and evaluated practical stability of blood collection, DNA extraction, and library preparation and sequencing depth. This work provided a technical practice guide for the application of plasma cfDNA methylation sequencing for clinical applications.

Quantitative analysis and stability of -hydroxybenzyl hydrogen sulfite in sulfur-fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma / 中国中药杂志

Studies on the characteristic chemical markers of sulfur fumigation have become an effective auxiliary way for quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. This study established a quantitative analysis method for the determination of -hydroxybenzyl hydrogen sulfite (-HS) in Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR) based on UPLC-MS/MS. Then, 37 batches of GR were screened, and the results showed that 27 batches of them were sulfur-fumigated. Especially, the GR samples in Yunnan producing areas were sulfur-fumigated more seriously. Based on the stability of -HS after different storage time and heat treatment methods, it was found that the content of -HS was stable and reliable in the storage period of 8 months and under normal heat treatment (50, 60, 70, 80 °C) conditions. In conclusion, this study shows a high sensitivity, good selectivity and good stability of -HS, which can provide reference for the quality control and sulfur fumigation screening of GR.

Research Progress on the Detection Method of DNA Methylation and Its Application in Forensic Science / 法医学杂志

As an important part of epigenetic marker, DNA methylation involves in the gene regulation and attracts a wide spread attention in biological auxology, geratology and oncology fields. In forensic science, because of the relative stable, heritable, abundant, and age-related characteristics, DNA methylation is considered to be a useful complement to the classic genetic markers for age-prediction, tissue-identification, and monozygotic twins' discrimination. Various methods for DNA methylation detection have been validated based on methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease, bisulfite modification and methylation-CpG binding protein. In recent years, it is reported that the third generation sequencing method can be used to detect DNA methylation. This paper aims to make a review on the detection method of DNA methylation and its applications in forensic science.

Anafilaxia tras la administración de amikacina con metabisulfito de sodio a un recién nacido prematuro / Anaphylaxis after administration of amikacin containing sodium metabisulfite in a premature newborn

La anafilaxia es una reacción de hipersensibilidad sistemica y grave, de inicio rápido y potencialmente mortal. En los recién nacidos prematuros, el sistema inmunitario aún no ha madurado y, por lo tanto, tienen menos probabilidades de presentar anafilaxia. La administración de amikacina, que contenía metabisulfito de sodio, a un prematuro de 3 días de vida le indujo anafilaxia casi mortal. Debido a que se sospechaba un caso de anafilaxia, se inició la administración de amikacina en el bebé. Una vez comenzado el tratamiento, se observó una mejoría clínica. Al tercer día de tratamiento con amikacina, el recién nacido tuvo, repentinamente, taquipnea, taquicardia, angioedema y cianosis. Se le diagnosticó anafilaxia y se inició el tratamiento. Una hora después de la mejoría clínica, se produjo una reacción tardía. Inmediatamente, se intubó al recién nacido. La anafilaxia es una emergencia médica; por lo tanto, los médicos deben realizar una evaluación rápida y atenta para detectar esta reacción potencialmente mortal. Incluso después del tratamiento satisfactorio de la anafilaxia, el paciente debe permanecer bajo observación durante 72 horas dada la posibilidad de una reacción bifásica.

Anaphylaxis is a serious systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and can cause death. Premature newborns, whose immunological system is immature, are less likely to develop anaphylaxis. Administration of amikacin, containing sodium metabisulfite, to a 3-day-old premature newborn, induced a near fatal anaphylaxis. After suspicion of sepsis, the baby was started on amikacin. Clinical improvement was observed after initiation of treatment. On the third day of treatment with amikacin, the newborn suddenly developed tachypnea, tachycardia, angioedema and cyanosis. Anaphylaxis was diagnosed and treated. Latent reaction occurred after one hour of clinical improvement. The baby was intubated immediately. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency; therefore the clinicians should have a rapid and careful assessment about this potentially fatal reaction. Even after successful treatment of anaphylaxis, the patient should be under observation for 72 hours because of the possibility of a biphasic reaction.

Improvement and Evaluation on Bisulfite Modification of DNA for DNA Methylation Detection / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rapid and convenient method of DNA modification by bisulfite sodium for the detection of DNA methylation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through increasing the bisulfite sodium concentration and the temperature of treatment, cutting down the modification time, besides using glassmilk to adsorb the DNA in the purification and recovery, to improve the methods of DNA modification. Efficiency of cytosine converted to thymine in MAGE-A3 gene and DAP-K gene fragments were analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR in order to evaluate the DNA modification effect among the improved method, traditional method and kit method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operating time of test was shortened to about 3 hours by the improved method; conversion rate of unmethylated cytosine to thymine was over 99%; compared with the traditional method and kit method, there was no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.0564, P > 0.05); the improved method was only for the unmethylated cytosine conversion modification, and there was no significant difference in process of methylated cytosine converted to thymine comparing with the traditional method (χ(2) = 0.0149, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The improved method has high efficiency of DNA modification and has no significant effect on excessive modification;meanwhile, it has many advantages such as time-saving and easy to operate etc.</p>

Sodium houttuyfonate inhibits virulence related motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中国中药杂志

Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a derivative of effective component of a Chinese material medica, Houttuynia cordata, which is applied in anti-infection of microorganism. But, the antimicrobial mechanisms of SH still remain unclear. Here, we firstly discovered that SH effectively inhibits the three types of virulence related motility of.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., swimming, twitching and swarming. The plate assay results showed that the inhibitory action of SH against swimming and twitching in 24 h and swarming in 48 h is dose-dependent; and bacteria nearly lost all of the motile activities under the concentration of 1 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (512 mg x L(-1) same as azithromycin positive group (1 x MIC, 16 mg x L(-1)). Furthermore, we found that the expression of structural gene flgB and pilG is down-regulated by SH, which implies that inhibitory mechanism of SH against motility of P. aeruginosa may be due to the inhibition of flagella and pili bioformation of P. aeruginosa by SR Therefore, our presented results firstly demonstrate that SH effectively inhibits the motility activities of P. aeruginosa, and suggest that SH could be a promising antipseudomonas agents in clinic.

"El hecho de que sean más mujeres, no garantiza nada": feminización y experiencias de las mujeres en la ginecobstetricia en México / "The fact that there are more women doesn't guarantee anything": The feminization of obstetrics and gynecology and the experiences of female medical professionals in Mexico

En el marco de la creciente feminización de la profesión médica en México, el artículo indaga sobre las características de este proceso para el caso de la ginecobstetricia. Considerando la feminización como un proceso de cambio, que se analiza cuantitativa y cualitativamente, el artículo se detiene en especial en las experiencias de las mujeres ginecobstetras, experiencias que se dan en el seno de una especialidad que, desde sus orígenes, funcionó como un dispositivo de control del cuerpo de las mujeres. Basado en una investigación etnográfica, el artículo combina fuentes estadísticas, de archivo y de observación de campo. El material que surge de las entrevistas muestra las experiencias y tensiones que viven las ginecobstetras en este contexto.

In the framework of an increasing feminization of the medical profession in Mexico, this article explores the characteristics of this process in the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. Understanding feminization as a process of change to be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, the article focuses special attention on the experiences of female obstetrician-gynecologists within a medical specialty that has since its origins functioned as a mechanism of control over women's bodies. Based on ethnographic research, the article combines statistical and archival sources and field observation. The interviews reveal the experiences and tensions women obstetrician-gynecologists encounter in this context.

Re-emergence of Chorioptes bovis (Acari: Psoroptidae) in cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Reemergência de Chorioptes bovis (Acari: Psoroptidae) em bovinos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Here we describe an outbreak of chorioptic mange in cattle, 56 years after its first identification in Brazil. Between the months of June and July 2011, dermatitis characterized by alopecia and crusted and thickened skin at the insertion of the tail and in the ischiorectal fossa was recognized in 40 (35.7%) out of 112 Holstein cows on a farm in the northeastern mesoregion of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After diagnosing mange caused by Chorioptes bovis, the cows were weighed and treated with 0.5% ivermectin, as a pour-on single dose, and were separated into two groups: cows in early lactation and those in late lactation. The survival rate of C. bovis and the healing rate in the two groups of infested cows were monitored every seven days through skin scrapings. After 28 days of evaluation, the cure rate through treatment was greater among cows in early lactation (p <0.0001). The survival rate of C. bovis was higher in cows in late lactation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever um surto de sarna corióptica em bovinos, 56 anos após a sua primeira identificação no Brasil. Entre os meses de junho a julho de 2011, a dermatite caracterizada por alopecia, com crosta e espessamento da pele na inserção da cauda e na fossa isquiorretal, foi observada em 40 (35,7%) de 112 vacas holandesas de uma propriedade rural pertencente à Mesorregião do Nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Após o diagnóstico da sarna causada por Chorioptes bovis, as vacas foram pesadas, tratadas com 0,5% de ivermectina pour on em dose única e separadas em dois grupos: vacas no início da lactação e no final da lactação. A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis e a taxa de cura dos dois grupos de vacas infestadas foram monitoradas a cada sete dias por meio de raspas de pele. Após 28 dias do estudo, a taxa de cura com o tratamento foi maior em vacas no início da lactação (p <0,0001). A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis foi maior em vacas no final da lactação.

Does Maintaining a Bottle of Adhesive Without the Lid Significantly Reduce the Solvent Content?

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maintaining a bottle of adhesive without its lid on the solvent loss of the etch-and-rinse adhesive systems. Three 2-step etch-and-rinse adhesives with different solvents (acetone, ethanol or butanol) were used in this study. Drops of each adhesive were placed on an analytical balance and the adhesive mass was recorded until equilibrium was achieved (no significant mass alteration within time). The solvent content of each adhesive and evaporation rate of solvents were measured (n=3). Two bottles of each adhesive were weighted. The bottles were maintained without their lids for 8 h in a stove at 37 ºC, after which the mass loss was measured. Based on mass alteration of drops, acetone-based adhesive showed the highest solvent content (46.5%, CI 95%: 35.8-54.7) and evaporation rate (1.11 %/s, CI95%: 0.63-1.60), whereas ethanol-based adhesive had the lowest values (10.1%, CI95%: 4.3-16.0; 0.03 %/s CI95%: 0.01-0.05). However, none of the adhesives bottles exhibited significant mass loss after sitting for 8 h without their lids (% from initial content; acetone - 96.5, CI 95%: 91.8-101.5; ethanol - 99.4, CI 95%: 98.4-100.4; and butanol - 99.3, CI 95%: 98.1-100.5). In conclusion, maintaining the adhesive bottle without lid did not induce significant solvent loss, irrespective the concentration and evaporation rate of solvent.

Este estudo avaliou o efeito da manutenção do frasco do adesivo sem sua tampa na perda de solvente de sistemas adesivos convencionais. Três adesivos convencionais de 2 passos com diferentes solventes (acetona, etanol ou butanol) foram usados neste estudo. Gotas de cada adesivo foram colocadas em uma balança analítica e a massa dos adesivos foi registrada até a obtenção do equilíbrio (nenhuma alteração significativa com o tempo). O conteúdo de solvente de cada adesivo e a taxa de evaporação dos solventes foram mensurados (n=3). Dois frascos de cada adesivo foram pesados. Os frascos foram mantidos sem suas tampas por 8 h em uma estufa a 37 ºC, seguido pela mensuração da pera de massa. Baseado na alteração de massa das gotas, o adesivo a base de acetona demonstrou o maior conteúdo de solvente (46,5%, IC 95%: 35,8-54,7) e de taxa de evaporação (1,11 %/s, IC95%: 0,63-1,60), enquanto que o adesivo à base de etanol teve os menores valores (10,1%, IC95%: 4,3-16,0; 0,03 %/s IC95%: 0,01-0,05). Entretanto, nenhum dos frascos dos adesivos exibiu perda significante de massa após ficar por 8 h sem suas tampas (% do conteúdo inicial; acetona - 96,5, IC95%: 91,8-101,5; etanol - 99,4, IC95%: 98,4-100,4; e butanol - 99,3, IC95%: 98,1-100,5). Em conclusão, a manutenção do frasco do adesivo sem tampa não induziu perda significante de solvente independente da concentração e da taxa de evaporação do solvente.

Medicinas tradicionales andinas y su despenalización: entrevista con Walter Álvarez Quispe / Decriminalizing traditional Andean medicine: an interview with Walter Álvarez Quispe

Walter Álvarez Quispe, terapeuta kallawaya y biomédico especializado en cirugía general y ginecología, presenta la lucha de los terapeutas tradicionales y alternativos por la depenalización de estos sistemas médicos andinos realizada entre 1960 y 1990. Bolivia se torna el primer país en América Latina y el Caribe en despenalizar la medicina tradicional antes de los planteamientos de la Conferencia Internacional sobre Atención Primaria de Salud (Alma-Ata, 1978). Los datos aportados por el entrevistado aseguran que los logros alcanzados, principalmente por los kallawayas, responden a un proyecto propio y autónomo. Estas conquistas no se deben a las políticas oficiales de interculturalidad en salud, aunque busquen atribuirse para sí los logros alcanzados.

Walter Álvarez Quispe, a Kallawaya healer and biomedical practitioner specializing in general surgery and gynecology, presents the struggle of traditional and alternative healers to get their Andean medical systems depenalized between 1960 and 1990. Bolivia was the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to decriminalize traditional medicine before the proposals of the International Conference on Primary Health Care (Alma-Ata, 1978). The data provided by the interviewee show that the successes achieved, mainly by the Kallawayas, stem from their own independent initiative. These victories are not the result of official policies of interculturality in healthcare, although the successes achieved tend to be ascribed to them.

La formación y el trabajo del agente indígena de salud en el Subsistema de Salud Indígena en Brasil / Professional education and work of indigenous health agents in the Brazilian health system

Objetivo. Reflexionar sobre la figura del agente indígena de salud en Brasil y sobre el papel que éste ejerce en el modelo de atención diferenciada o intercultural. Material y métodos. Se revisó la bibliografía de investigaciones existentes en el área del trabajo y la formación de los agentes indígenas de salud, del subsistema de salud indígena en Brasil. Resultados. Existe subordinación del agente al modelo médico hegemónico. Los agentes carecen de procesos formativos iniciales, los cursos ocurren con irregularidad y los contenidos se enfocan en la biomedicina. Hay conflictos con el equipo y con la comunidad, lo que genera su desvalorización. El agente no ejerce la función de mediación que se espera entre saberes y prácticas. Conclusiones. La discusión sobre la atención diferenciada debe partir de la relación entre el sector salud y la autoatención.

Objective. To discuss the role of indigenous health agents in the implementation of the model of differentiated attention or intercultural health in Brazil. Materials and methods. We revised the scientific literature about the work and professional education of indigenous health agents in the Brazilian indigenous health system. Results. There is a subordination of the agents to the hegemonic medical model. With regards to professional education, we observe the absence and irregularity of these processes, with a general emphasis the biomedicine. There are conflicts with the health team and community, with devaluation of the agents. The agent does not plays the role of mediator between the different health knowledge and practices. Conclusions. We suggest that the discussion of the model of differentiated attention should strengthen the relationship between the health system and the selfcare.

Risk analysis of sulfites used as food additives in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

This study was to analyze the risk of sulfites in food consumed by the Chinese people and assess the health protection capability of maximum-permitted level (MPL) of sulfites in GB 2760-2011. Sulfites as food additives are overused or abused in many food categories. When the MPL in GB 2760-2011 was used as sulfites content in food, the intake of sulfites in most surveyed populations was lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Excess intake of sulfites was found in all the surveyed groups when a high percentile of sulfites in food was in taken. Moreover, children aged 1-6 years are at a high risk to intake excess sulfites. The primary cause for the excess intake of sulfites in Chinese people is the overuse and abuse of sulfites by the food industry. The current MPL of sulfites in GB 2760-2011 protects the health of most populations.

Effect of sodium houttuyfonate in enhancing imipenem's activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the resistant effect of houttuyfonate sodium (SH) combined with imipenem (IMP) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) biofilms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The two-fold dilution method was used to examine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested drug. The crystal violet staining was applied to detect the effect of the combination of 1/2MIC, 1MIC, 2MIC of SH, single IMP, 1/2MIC of SH and IMP of various concentrations on the clearance rate of adherent bacteria, growth of biofilms and alginate production. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA)-propidium iodide (PI) doubling staining assay was employed to observe the bacterial viability and morphological changes after membrane dispersion of each drug group.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Sodium houttuyfonate could enhance the effect of IMP against pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Particularly, the combination group with the concentration of 2MIC showed the highest effect, with P < 0.001 compared with the negative control group. The above results were proved by the bacterial viability and biofilm morphology under fluorescence microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After being combined with imipenem, sodium houttuyfonate shows a higher effect against biofilms. It is expected that the combination of the two drugs could improve the clinical efficacy of associated infections.</p>

Epigenetic regulation of putative tumor suppressor TGFBI in human leukemias / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Both in vitro and in vivo data have demonstrated the TGFBI gene functions as a putative tumor suppressor and is frequently downregulated in human tumors of different histological types. The hypermethylation of the TGFBI promoter, as one of the main regulatory mechanisms, is associated with TGFBI silencing. In this study, we used a methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method to evaluate the methylation status of the TGFBI promoter in human leukemias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time RT-PCR and methylation-specific PCR approaches were performed to define the TGFBI expression and promoter methylation in human leukemia cell lines and clinical samples. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from leukemia patients, bisulfite-converted, and analyzed by the MSP method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hypermethylation of the TGFBI promoter occurred in leukemia cell lines and demethylation treatment reexpressed TGFBI at a substantially increased level in most of leukemia cell lines tested. Furthermore, a much higher level of CpG island methylation and a significantly lower TGFBI expression were also identified in clinical leukemia samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest an important role of promoter methylation in regulating TGFBI expression in leukemia, which provides a useful diagnostic marker for clinical management of human leukemias.</p>

Evaluation of stress tolerance and fermentative behavior of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sixty six indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were evaluated in stressful conditions (temperature, osmolarity, sulphite and ethanol tolerance) and also ability to flocculate. Eighteen strains showed tolerant characteristics to these stressful conditions, growing at 42 ºC, in 0.04% sulphite, 1 mol L-1 NaCl and 12% ethanol. No flocculent characteristics were observed. These strains were evaluated according to their fermentative performance in sugar cane juice. The conversion factors of substrates into ethanol (Yp/s), glycerol (Yg/s) and acetic acid (Yac/s), were calculated. The highest values of Yp/s in sugar cane juice fermentation were obtained by four strains, one isolated from fruit (0.46) and the others from sugar cane (0.45, 0.44 and 0.43). These values were higher than the value obtained using traditional yeast (0.38) currently employed in the Brazilian bioethanol industry. The parameters Yg/s and Yac/s were low for all strains. The UFLA FW221 presented the higher values for parameter related to bioethanol production. Thus, it was tested in co-culture with Lactobacillus fermentum. Besides this, a 20-L vessel for five consecutive batches of fermentation was performed. This strain was genetically stable and remained viable during all batches, producing high amounts of ethanol. The UFLA FW221 isolated from fruit was suitable to produce bioethanol in sugar cane juice. Therefore, the study of the biodiversity of yeasts from different environmental can reveal strains with desired characteristics to industrial applications.

Perspectives of International Human Epigenome Consortium

As the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC) launched officially at the 2010 Washington meeting, a giant step toward the conquest of unexplored regions of the human genome has begun. IHEC aims at the production of 1,000 reference epigenomes to the international scientific community for next 7-10 years. Seven member institutions, including South Korea, Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), will produce 25-200 reference epigenomes individually, and the produced data will be publically available by using a data center. Epigenome data will cover from whole genome bisulfite sequencing, histone modification, and chromatin access information to miRNA-seq. The final goal of IHEC is the production of reference maps of human epigenomes for key cellular status relevant to health and disease.

Curcumin, the Main Part of Turmeric, Prevents Learning and Memory Changes Induced by Sodium Metabisulfite, a Preservative Agent, in Rats

Sodium metabisulfite is used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent in the food, beverage, and drug industries. Neurons are highly sensitive to sulfite toxicity. Curcumin is the main part of turmeric and has neuroprotective effects on a variety of nervous system damages. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite in rats. The rats were divided into five groups receiving distilled water (solvent of the sulfite), olive oil (solvent of the curcumin), sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), and sulfite + curcumin. All the animals received daily gavages for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, learning and memory were assessed in a partially-baited eight arm radial maze. The animals treated with sulfite showed fewer correct choices and more reference and working memory errors during the learning phase, at the end of the learning phase, and during the retention testing (p<0.001). The study results demonstrated that sulfite-exposure was associated with impaired learning and memory in rats. Adding curcumin to the rat nutrition plays a protective role in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite.