Antibacterial potential and mechanism of action of dithiocyano-methane as a bactericidal agent for farm disinfection.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against Aeromonas hydrophila, so as to provide a reference for its application in farm disinfection. METHODS AND RESULTS: After exposing the bacteria to dithiocyano-methane, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericide concentration (MBC), activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase and electric conductivity in bacterial suspensions were determined, transmission electron microscope images on cellular structure and SDS-PAGE profile of bacterial proteins were analysed and the expression of genes related to the above experimental observations was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The MIC and MBC of dithiocyano-methane against three tested strains was 1·46 and 2·93 mg l-1 respectively. The results showed that dithiocyano-methane significantly damaged bacterial cell structure, inhibited the biosynthesis of bacterial proteins and changed the integrity and permeability of bacterial cell wall and cell membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Dithiocyano-methane showed remarkable antibacterial ability against three tested strains, indicating it is a potential effective bactericidal agent for preventing animal diseases resulted from Aer. hydrophila. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our best knowledge, this is the first report to examine the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against bacteria. The results demonstrate the great potential of dithiocyano-methane as a disinfectant against Aer. hydrophila in settings such as aquaculture ponds and livestock farms.

[The research advance of small molecules inducing embryonic stem cells to differentiate into corneal epithelial-like cells].

Stem cells are becoming a hot topic of basic medicine and clinical research because of their wide self-renewal and differentiation potential in recent years. A number of small molecules that can be used to control stem cell self-renewal, lineage differentiation, reprogramming and regeneration could regulate stem cell fate quickly and reversibly. If small molecules could induce human embryonic stem cells to differentiate into corneal epithelial-like cells in vivo, corneal cell transplantation therapy will have unlimited source of corneal epithelium. More patients will obtain effective and timely treatment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 230-235).

[An investigation of normal urinary manganese value in healthy adults in different places in Guangxi, China].

Objective: To investigate the normal urinary manganese value in healthy adults in Guangxi, China and its distribution characteristics. Methods: From 2015 to 2016, stratified random sampling based on age and sex was performed to select 1533 healthy adults aged 18-60 years in Nanning,Liuzhou,Guilin,Hezhou,Wuzhou,Yulin,Guigang,Beihai,Qinzhou,Laibin,Hechi Nandan,Bose Jingxi,Chongzuo Daxin,and Fangchenggang.All of them had no history of occupational manganese exposure or acute or chronic liver/renal diseases and had lived in the local area for more than one year. A total of 1417 urine samples with normal specific gravity and complete data were obtained, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure urinary manganese.The distribution characteristics of urinary manganese level were analyzed among adults with different ages,sexes,or presence or absence of smoking habits or among those who lived or did not live in the mining area. Results: The geometric mean of urinary manganese among healthy adults in Guangxi was 0.52 µg/L,and the upper limit of normal was 5.68µg/L. There was no significant difference in urinary manganese level between the healthy adults with different ages, sexes,or presence or absence of smoking habits (P>0.05).The healthy adults who lived in the mining area of nonferrous metal mines had a significantly higher geometric mean of urinary manganese than those who did not live in such areas(1.65µg/Lvs0.34µg/L,P<0.01). Conclusion: The upper limit of normal of urinary manganese is 5.68 µg/L among healthy adults in Guangxi,and the healthy adults who live in the mining area of manganese mine or nonferrous metal mines have a significantly higher urinary manganese level than those who do not live in such areas.

[Investigation on the normal value of urinary arsenic in healthy people in different areas of Guangxi, China].

Objective: To investigate the upper limit of the normal value of arsenic in healthy adult population in different areas of Guangxi. Methods: From 2015 to 2016, 1533 subjects from 14 counties and cities in Guangxi were collected by age, gender, stratified random sampling and questionnaire survey. 1417 urine samples with satisfactory urine quality and complete information were collected.The content of arsenic in urine was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Results: The upper limit of normal arsenic in healthy adults in guangxi was 0.053 mg/L. Male urinary arsenicP(50)(0.011mg/L)was higher than that of the female(0.008mg/L), the difference was statistically significant(Z=5.352,P<0.01). Smoking urinary arsenicP(50)(0.012mg/L) was higher than that of nonsmokers(0.009mg/L), the difference was statistically significant(Z=3.404,P<0.01). GroupP(5)0 urine arsenic in coastal areas(0.012mg/L) the crowd was higher than that in non coastal areas(0.009mg/L), the difference was statistically significant(Z=-7.522,P<0.01). Conclusion: The upper limit of normal arsenic in healthy adults in Guangxi area is 0.053mg/L,and there are differences in the levels of arsenic in healthy adults, such as different genders and regions.

Association between matrix metalloproteinase-9 rs3918242 polymorphism and development of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of one single nucleotide polymorphism of MMP-9 rs3918242 in the development of coronary artery disease. The rs3918242 was amplified with 435-bp DNA fragments using polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. When compared with control subjects, patients with coronary artery disease had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as higher triglycerides (P < 0.05), were more likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus, and had lower total cholesterol and high-density lipopolysaccharides. Using unconditional logistic analysis, we found that individuals with CT and TT genotypes were associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease in a co-dominant model, and the ORs (95%CI) were 1.50 (1.02-2.20) and 6.89 (2.51-23.41) for CT and TT, respectively. We observed that the T allele of rs3918242 was correlated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.39-2.55). In conclusion, we suggest that the TT and CT genotypes and T allele of MMP-9 rs3918242 polymorphism is correlated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.

Measurement of the charged pion electromagnetic form factor.

Separated longitudinal and transverse structure functions for the reaction 1H(e,e(')pi(+))n were measured in the momentum transfer region Q2 = 0.6--1.6 (GeV/c)(2) at a value of the invariant mass W = 1.95 GeV. New values for the pion charge form factor were extracted from the longitudinal cross section by using a recently developed Regge model. The results indicate that the pion form factor in this region is larger than previously assumed and is consistent with a monopole parametrization fitted to very low Q2 elastic data.

[Experimental study on the cardiotonic action of extract from Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.)Nannf].

Extracts of different concentrations from Codonopsis pilosula were administered to the myocardial cells of rats, and the results indicated that the activity of PDE was inhibited in different ways, and that cAMP was less hydrolyzed and increased in contents. When the extract was administered to the PRP of rabbits, the inhibiting rate of CaM activity rose with the increase of concentration in the extract.

Some biochemical characteristics of a partially purified extracellular keratinase from Trichophyton schoenleinii.

A Trichophyton schoenleinii (T. schoenleinii) strain from tinea favus was cultured in a liquid medium, from which an extracellular keratinase extract was obtained. The keratinase was partially purified with carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) column chromatography. Some biochemical characteristics of the keratinase were then examined. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 38,000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimal temperature was 50 degrees C, and the optimal pH value was 5.5. The keratinolytic activity was specifically increased by Fe++ and Fe .

Tinea of the glans penis: report of a case presenting as a crop of papules.

A 27-year-old Japanese male student with tinea of the glans penis was described. The lesion on the glans penis was unique; it developed as a crop of papules.

Clinical and experimental studies of coronary heart disease treated with yi-qi huo-xue injection.

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and the mechanism of Yi-qi Huo-xue Injection (YHI) in treatment of coronary heart disease. YHI consists of Ginseng, Astragalus and Angelicae Sinensis. The 10% dextrose serves as a placebo. The results were as follows: 1. the frequency and severity of angina episodes were reduced by 90.63%; 2. the ischemic ST-T in ECG was improved in 56.25% of cases; 3. the tolerance to treadmill exercise was increased from 348.50 to 503.50 M.; 4. the left ventricular function was strengthened, PEP/LVET ratio reduced from 0.45 to 0.36, the activity of (Na(+)-K+) ATPase in myocardial cell membrane of rats inhibited by 19.2%; 5. the blood viscosity and erythrocyte electrophoretic time lowered; 6. the adhesion and aggregation of platelet in patients with CHD were inhibited by 27% and 59.4% respectively; 7. the plasma TXB2 level in CHD was reduced from 260.28 +/- 164.4 to 139.29 +/- 57.01 pg/ml; 8. the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level in CHD was increased from 33.45 +/- 22.5 to 57.48 +/- 13.1 pg/ml, and in rats from 185.77 to 366.33 pg/ml. The differences were all statistically significant (P less than 0.05-0.01) in comparison with the placebo group.