ABSTRACT
Host-specific Bacteroides-Prevotella 16S rRNA genetic markers are promising alternative indicators for identifying the sources of fecal pollution because of their high abundance in the feces of warm-blooded animals and high host specificity. However, little is known about the persistence of these genetic markers in environments after being released into environmental waters. The persistence of feces-derived four different host-specific Bacteroides-Prevotella 16S rRNA genetic makers (total, human-, cow-, and pig-specific) in environmental waters was therefore investigated at different incubation temperatures (4, 10, 20, and 30 degrees C) and salinities (0, 10, 20, and 30 ppt) and then compared with the survival of conventional fecal-indicator organisms. The host-specific genetic markers were monitored by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays with specific primer sets. Each host-specific genetic marker showed similar responses in non-filtered river water and seawater: They persisted longer at lower temperatures and higher salinities. In addition, these markers did not increase in all conditions tested. Decay rates for indicator organisms were lower than those for host-specific genetic markers at temperature above 10 degrees C. Furthermore, we investigated whether the PCR-detectable 16S rRNA genetic markers reflect the presence of live target cells or dead target cells in environmental waters. The result revealed that the detection of the Bacteroides-Prevotella 16S rRNA genetic markers in environmental waters mainly reflected the presence of 'viable but non-culturable' Bacteroides-Prevotella cells. These findings indicate that seasonal and geographical variations in persistence of these host-specific Bacteroides-Prevotella 16S rRNA genetic markers must be considered when we use them as alternative fecal indicators in environmental waters.
Subject(s)
Bacteroides/isolation & purification , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Feces/microbiology , Prevotella/isolation & purification , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis , Water Microbiology , Animals , Bacteroides/genetics , Cattle , Colony Count, Microbial , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification , Genetic Markers/genetics , Humans , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prevotella/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Rivers , Seawater , Swine , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Pharmacokinetic parameters of bromazepam were analyzed by 57 cases. The patients were admitted 7.3 +/- 8.9 hours (mean +/- S.D.) after ingestion of 88 +/- 127 mg bromazepam. Most patients had taken several drugs other than bromazepam and the number was 5.5 +/- 2.6 drugs. The serum bromazepam levels were 1,871 +/- 2,428 ng/ml and the elimination half-lives were 29 +/- 4 hours. Increased serum bromazepam levels were followed by extended elimination half-lives. There was no bromazepam toxic sign under 2,300 ng/ml. One case was treated with direct hemoperfusion and the therapy was effective.
Subject(s)
Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacokinetics , Anti-Anxiety Agents/poisoning , Bromazepam/pharmacokinetics , Bromazepam/poisoning , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Half-Life , Hemoperfusion , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The 68-year-old man took arsenic pasta 1 g (arsenic trioxide 0.45 g) to commit suicide and was admitted 16 hours after ingestion. He developed vomiting and coma, followed by pancytopenia. He was treated with activated charcoal, laxative, dimercaprol, sodium thiosulfate and direct hemoperfusion with good recovery. Total arsenic concentrations in serum and urine were 39 ng/ml and 89 ng/ml on admission, respectively. Urine arsenic concentration showed the second peak around 48 hours after admission.
