JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2007
HAN GUNDOGAN
ABSTRACT This study aimed at the isolation and identification of Klebsiella spp. from dairy product to establish their public health significance by determining their virulence factors, antibiotic resistance and extended-spectrum ,-lactamase (ESBL). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis were identified in 25 (58%), 11 (26%) and 7 (16%) isolates, respectively. A high prevalence of Klebsiella isolates had virulence factors such as siderophore production (63%), serum resistance (32.5%) and hemolytic activity (58%). ESBL - producing Klebsiella spp. was detected in 35% of the isolates. Resistance to the antimicrobial agents tested was found to be much higher in the ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp. than in non-ESBL-producing isolates. All ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp. showed high-level resistance to cephalosporins and monobactams. The majority of the serum resistant, siderophore, hemolysin and ESBL producers were K. pneumoniae. [source]

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS ISOLATED FROM FOODS INVOLVED IN HUMAN FOODBORNE OUTBREAKS THAT OCCURRED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL, 1999,2000

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2005
M. P. GEIMBA
ABSTRACT Antimicrobial resistance was determined for 73 isolates of Salmonella enteritidis isolated from foods involved in human foodborne outbreaks that occurred in the South of Brazil, from 1999 to 2000. The isolates were individually tested against 10 antimicrobial agents using a disc diffusion method. Most isolates were susceptible to all drugs tested. No S. enteritidis isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or chloramphenicol. The predominant resistance observed was to streptomycin (S) (37%), gentamicin (GEN) (13.7%) and nalidixic acid (NAL) (13.7%), while intermediate resistance was observed most often for tetracycline (53.4%), neomycin (NEO) (30.1%) and GEN (15.1%). Resistance was verified in 40 isolates (54%), which were grouped in 15 different patterns. Multiple resistance was presented in 17 (23%) of the isolates, and one isolate exhibited resistance to four drugs (NEO, kanamycin, S and NAL), demonstrating the involvement of multiresistant S. enteritidis strains with foodborne outbreaks. [source]

CYTOTOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF BACILLUS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM STREET-VENDED FOODS IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2002
F.M. MOSUPYE
ABSTRACT Twenty-one isolates each of Bacillus (B.) cereus, B. licheniformis and B. subtilis from street foods, collected in central Johannesburg, were randomly selected to test for cytotoxicity against McCoy 5A Mouse cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthizol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and observation by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Forty-eight percent of B. cereus, 33% of B. licheniformis and 19% of B. subtilis strains produced cytotoxic compounds. For B. cereus strains, all supernatants exhibiting cytotoxic effects were inactivated by heat treatment at 121C for 15 min. By contrast, 24% of B. licheniformis and 10% of B. subtilis supernatants exhibited cytotoxic effects following heat treatment. CSLM and SEM showed that McCoy cells treated with cytotoxic supernatants exhibited leakage and necrosis. Presence of B. cereus, B. licheniformis and B. subtilis in street foods in high numbers may pose potetnial safety risks due to production of cytotoxic compounds. [source]

A TUBULAR MASTIGONEME-RELATED PROTEIN, OCM1, ISOLATED FROM THE FLAGELLUM OF A CHROMOPHYTE ALGA, OCHROMONAS DANICA,

JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Takahiro Yamagishi
The phylogenetic group stramenopiles refers to the systematic groups that possess tripartite tubular hairs (stramenopiles) on their flagella. There have been a number of studies describing the fine structure of these mastigonemes and a few studies isolating the component proteins; however, these proteins and their gene sequences have not yet been identified. In the present study, we identified a mastigoneme protein (Ocm1) of the chrysophycean alga Ochromonas danica Pringsh. (UTEX LB1298). Its corresponding gene, Ocm1, was identified by using degenerate primers that correspond to the partial amino acid sequences of a protein (85 kDa) obtained from a mastigoneme-rich fraction of isolated flagella. The polypeptide encoded by Ocm1 has four cysteine-rich, epithelial growth factor (EGF),like motifs, potentially involved in protein,protein interactions. It lacks obvious hydrophobic regions characteristic of transmembrane domains, suggesting that this polypeptide is not likely a protein for anchoring the mastigoneme. In addition, a polyclonal antibody against Ocm1 labeled the area where the tubular shafts of the mastigonemes are located, but not the basal portion or the terminal filaments. [source]

PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF GEOSMIN BY THE CYANOBACTERIUM OSCILLATORIA SPLENDIDA ISOLATED FROM A PHOENIX WATER SOURCE

JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2001
Article first published online: 24 SEP 200
Hu, Q.1, Sommerfeld, M.1 Lowry, D.1, Dempster, T.1, Westerhoff, P.2, Baker, L.3, Bruce, D. & Nguyen, M. L.2 1Department of Plant Biology and 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287; 3Baker Environmental Consulting, 8001 Greenwood Drive, Moundview, MN 55112 Geosmin is a common component of the off-flavors detected in the drinking water supply sources of metropolitan Phoenix (Arizona). A cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria splendida, was isolated from source water during incidents of elevated geosmin production and was implicated as a cause of earthy/musty off-flavors in the drinking water. Production of geosmin was found to be constitutive in O. splendida during all growth stages. Effects of environmental parameters on the growth characteristics, and on production and release of geosmin by O. splendida, was studied under laboratory conditions. The specific growth rate and cell-bound geosmin increased with increasing temperature from 12 to 26 °C, the range of water temperatures that occur in the drinking water supply. On a per-chlorophyll a basis, however, more geosmin was released from the cells at lower temperatures. An inverse relationship was evident between light intensity and O. splendida growth and the release of geosmin. Cell-bound geosmin, however, was higher at higher light intensities. Dark incubation initially stimulated the biosynthesis of geosmin, whereas a prolonged period of darkness (2-3 weeks) resulted in massive release of geosmin into the culture medium from lysis and cellular decomposition. Dissolved nitrogen appeared to be the limiting nutrient for O. splendida in the local water supply source. When nitrate was added to laboratory cultures, both growth and geosmin production increased. These results will be discussed in context with episodes of off-flavors in drinking waters in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. [source]

Right Ventricular Dimensions and Function in Isolated Left Bundle Branch Block: Is There Evidence of Biventricular Involvement?

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2008
Jeroen Van Dijk M.D.
Background: Isolated left bundle branch block (LBBB) may be an expression of idiopathic cardiomyopathy affecting both ventricles. The present study was conducted to evaluate right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function in asymptomatic LBBB patients with mildly depressed left ventricular (LV) function. Methods: Fifteen patients with asymptomatic LBBB in whom coronary artery disease, hypertension, and valvular pathology was excluded were studied. Fifteen healthy volunteers and 15 idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy LBBB patients served as controls. RV long axis and tricuspid annulus diameter were obtained, as were tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and peak systolic velocity (Sm) of the RV free wall annulus. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jets (peak TR jets) were used for RV pressure assessment. Results: RV dimensions were comparable between the asymptomatic LBBB patients and controls. RV functions of healthy volunteers and asymptomatic LBBB patients were similar (TAPSE: 24 ± 3 and 24 ± 4 mm, Sm: 13 ± 2 and 13 ± 3 cm/s, respectively), whereas functional parameters in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients were significantly reduced (TAPSE: 19 ± 5 mm, Sm: 9 ± 2 cm/s, both P < 0.01 by analysis of variance [ANOVA]). For the three groups combined, a significant inverse correlation between RV pressure (peak TR jets) and RV function (Sm) was observed (r =,0.52, P = 0.017). Conclusions: In patients with an asymptomatic LBBB, RV dimensions and function are within normal range. The present study suggests that screening of RV functional parameters in asymptomatic LBBB patients is not useful for identification of an early-stage cardiomyopathy, and RV dysfunction is merely a consequence of increased RV loading conditions caused by left-sided heart failure and does not indicate a generalized cardiomyopathy affecting both ventricles. [source]

Square-Wave Voltammetry as a Tool for Investigation of Doxorubicin Interactions with DNA Isolated from Neuroblastoma Cells

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 3-5 2009
Dalibor Huska
Abstract We investigated ethidium bromide intercalation into DNA molecule as a model system to test square-wave voltammetry (SWV) as a suitable method for this purpose We found that 0.13,,g EtBr intercalates into 1,,g dsDNA in average. Further, SWV was utilized for investigation of doxorubicin-DNA interactions. Intercalated doxorubicin reduced observed dsDNA cytosine and adenine (CA) signal, but also provided new signal called DOXO at ,0.35,V. This phenomenon was observed at both single and double stranded DNA standards. We also employed adsorptive transfer stripping technique coupled with SWV for study of doxorubicin-DNA interactions. Doxorubicin intercalation into dsDNA molecule adsorbed onto working electrode was fast, because we observed considerable changes in CA and DOXO signals after 360,s. Finally, we detected doxorubicin-DNA adducts formed in doxorubicin treated neuroblastoma cells. [source]

Arsenic Binding to Iron(II) Minerals Produced by An Iron(III)-Reducing Aeromonas Strain Isolated from Paddy Soil

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2009
Xin-Jun Wang
Abstract An iron-reducing bacterial strain was isolated from a paddy soil and identified as a member of the Aeromonas group by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. When the cells were growing with dissolved Fe(III) as the electron acceptor in the presence of As(V), Fe(II) minerals (siderite and vivianite) were formed and dissolved. As was removed efficiently from solution. When the cells were growing with the Fe(III) hydroxide mineral (ferrihydrite) as the electron acceptor in the presence of As(V), ferrihydrite was reduced and dissolved As(V) concentrations decreased sharply. The present study results demonstrated first that members of the Aeromonas group can reduce Fe(III) in paddy soils and second that iron reduction does not necessarily lead to arsenic mobilization. However, As immobilization can occur in environments that contain significant concentrations of counterions such as bicarbonate and phosphate. [source]

Asymmetric Synthesis of ES-285, an Anticancer Agent Isolated from Marine Sources

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 35 2009
Ana C. Allepuz
Abstract The asymmetric synthesis of (2S,3R)-2-amino-3-octanedecanol hydrochloride (ES-285·HCl) was achieved in eight steps in ca. 38,% overall yield from the N -benzylimine-derived from (R)-2,3- O -isopropylidene glyceraldehyde, which is easily available on gram scale from the inexpensive precursor D -mannitol. Highly diastereoselective addition of methylmagnesium bromide to the N -benzylimine was the key step to create the vic -amino alcohol moiety with the appropriate configuration. Regioselective ring opening of an intermediate aminoepoxide enabled the introduction of the long hydrocarbon chain at C4.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source]

Stereostructural Determination by a Synthetic and NMR-Based Approach of Three Oxazinins Isolated from Adriatic Mussels

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 32 2007
Patrizia Ciminiello
Abstract Two oxazinins, namely oxazinin-5 and -6, along with a related linear precursor (preoxazinin-7) were isolated from toxic mussels collected along the Northern Adriatic coasts in October 2005. Determination of the planar structure of these novel compounds was achieved through extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, whereas a synthetic approach was crucial for their absolute stereochemical elucidation.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source]

Secondary Metabolites Isolated from an Endophytic Phoma sp.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 19 2007
Absolute Configuration of Tetrahydropyrenophorol Using the Solid-State TDDFT CD Methodology
Abstract The known macrolide pyrenophorol (synonym helmidiol) (1), the new 2,3,10,11-tetrahydropyrenophorol (3), and (4S,7R)-4,7-dihydroxyoctanoic acid (4), the monomeric acid of the sixteen-membered cyclic diolide 1, were isolated from an endophytic Phoma sp. The relative configuration of tetrahydropyrenophorol (3) was confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis and its absolute configuration determined by the solid-state TDDFT CD methodology. Compounds 1 and 4 show antifungal activity and the acid 4 is also an algicide. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source]

First Asymmetric Synthesis and Determination of the Absolute Configuration of a Lignan Isolated from Virola sebifera

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2005
Dieter Enders
Abstract The first asymmetric synthesis of a lignan isolated from the seeds of Virola sebifera, one of the most widely spread Myristicaceae species in Brazil, in four steps (48,% overall yield) and with excellent stereoselectivity (de, ee , 96,%) is described. The key step is the asymmetric Michael addition of a lithiated enantiopure ,-amino nitrile to an enone, followed by ,-methylation and cleavage of the amino nitrile. The absolute configuration of the naturally occurring 1,4-diketone was determined by polarimetry as well as by CD spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source]

Magnetic and Structural Investigation of ZnSe Semiconductor Nanoparticles Doped With Isolated and Core-Concentrated Mn2+ Ions

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2009
Christina Graf
X-Ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) experiments on diluted magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals (2,7,nm) are reported in order to study their local electronic structure and magnetic properties. ZnSe nanoparticles containing either single manganese ions (Mn2+) distributed in the lattice of the entire particle or a MnSe core in the center are prepared using high temperature approaches. The Mn2+ concentration is varied between less than one to several tens of manganese ions per nanocrystal. For all samples it is shown that the Mn2+ is exclusively present in the bulk of ZnSe nanoparticles with no evidence for oxidation to higher Mn-oxidation states. The magnetic ions are highly polarized inside the nanocrystals reaching about 80% of the theoretical value of a pure d5 state under identical conditions for the case of isolated manganese ions. Nanocrystals with a MnSe core ZnSe shell structure reach <50% of this value. Thus, their polarization is significantly more hindered, which is due to the significantly enhanced Mn,Mn interactions and a more distorted crystalline lattice. In contrast, no coupling between the manganese centers is observed in the nanoparticles doped samples with low concentrations of Mn2+, indicating that these ions are isolated in the bulk of the nanoparticles. [source]

Production of oxalates In Vitro by Microbes Isolated from Rock Surfaces with prehistoric paints in the Lower Pecos Region, Texas

GEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008
Darren Hess
Calcium oxalate-rich rock coatings are ubiquitous on limestone inside dry rock shelters and under bluff overhangs along canyon walls in southwestern Texas. Prehistoric pictographs occur in more than 250 such sites, and the ancient paints are encapsulated within the natural rock coating. Previous studies suggest lichens were the source of the oxalate; however, we report here that microbes cultured and isolated from samples of the coating produce oxalate in vitro. Twenty different bacteria species have been identified in samples from eight different sites, with Bacillus the most common genus, represented by five species. HPLC analyses of inoculated R2B medium after eight months of bacterial growth revealed the presence of oxalate ions in the solid phase of the growth medium. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Four New 1,4-Benzoquinone Derivatives and One New Coumarin Isolated from Ardisia gigantifolia

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 2 2010
Hongwei Liu
Abstract Four new 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives, belamcandaquinones J (1), K (2), L (3), and M (4), and one new coumarin, 5, were isolated from the rhizome of Ardisia gigantifolia. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods, and their cytotoxicity was tested in vitro against the cell lines PC-3, EMT6, A549, Hela, RM-1, and SGC7901. In comparison with cisplatin, compound 5 showed strong cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of <30,,M against the cell lines PC-3 and A549. Compounds 1,4 showed no cytotoxicity against all cell lines. [source]

Novel Polyketides Isolated from Streptomyces sp.

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 4 2008
Jian Li
Abstract From the endophytic strain Streptomyces sp. CS of Maytenus hookeri, five novel type III polyketides, compounds 1,5, were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, and by HR-ESI-MS. [source]

Triterpene Esters Isolated from Leaves of Maytenus salicifoliaReissek

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 4 2007
Miranda, Rodrigues, Roqueline, Silva de
Abstract The triterpene ester (3,)-olean-18-en-3-yl stearate (1), together with (3,)-urs-12-en-3-yl stearate (2), and (3,)-lup-20(29)-en-3-yl stearate (3) were isolated from leaves of Maytenus salicifoliaReissek (Celastraceae). The structure of 1, a new compound, including its configuration, was established by 1H, 13C, and DEPT-135 NMR data, including 2D experiments (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, and NOESY). The molecular mass (692 Da) was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (CG/MS). [source]

In vitro antimicrobial activity of several concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate in the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis

INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 6 2001
B. P. F. A. Gomes
Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess, in vitro, the effectiveness of several concentrations of NaOCl (0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 4% and 5.25%) and two forms of chlorhexidine gluconate (gel and liquid) in three concentrations (0.2%, 1% and 2%) in the elimination of E. faecalis. Methodology A broth dilution test using 24-well cell culture plates was performed and the time taken for the irrigants to kill bacterial cells was recorded. Isolated 24 h colonies of pure cultures of E. faecalis grown on 10% sheep blood plus Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar plates were suspended in sterile 0.85% NaCl solution. The cell suspension was adjusted spectrophotometrically to match the turbidity of a McFarland 0.5 scale. One mL of each tested substance was placed on the bottom of wells of 24-well cell culture plates (Corning, NY), including the control group (sterile saline). Six wells were used for each time period and irrigant concentration. Two mL of the bacterial suspension were ultrasonically mixed for 10 s with the irrigants and placed in contact with them for 10, 30, and 45 s; 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min; and 1 and 2 h. After each period of time, 1 mL from each well was transferred to tubes containing 2 mL of freshly prepared BHI + neutralizers in order to prevent a residual action of the irrigants. All tubes were incubated at 37°C for 7 days. The tubes considered to have positive growth were those which presented medium turbidity during the incubation period. Data were analysed statistically by the Kruskal,Wallis test, with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results All irrigants were effective in killing E. faecalis, but at different times. Chlorhexidine in the liquid form at all concentrations tested (0.2%, 1% and 2%) and NaOCl (5.25%) were the most effective irrigants. However, the time required by 0.2% chlorhexidine liquid and 2% chlorhexidine gel to promote negative cultures was only 30 s and 1 min, respectively. Conclusions Even though all tested irrigants possessed antibacterial activity, the time required to eliminate E. faecalis depended on the concentration and type of irrigant used. [source]

Fibrillating Areas Isolated within the Left Atrium after Radiofrequency Linear Catheter Ablation

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2006
THOMAS ROSTOCK M.D.
Introduction: Nonpulmonary vein sources have been implicated as potential drivers of atrial fibrillation (AF). This observational study describes regions of fibrillating atrial tissue isolated inadvertently from the left atrium (LA) following linear catheter ablation for AF. Methods and Results: We report four patients with persistent/permanent AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation with additional linear lesions and who presented with recurrent AF (mean AF cycle length [AFCL] 175,270 ms). Further catheter ablation resulted in the inadvertent electrical isolation of significant areas of the LA in which AF persisted at the same AFCL as was measured prior to disconnection, despite the restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) in all other left and right atrial areas, strongly suggesting that these islands were driving the remaining atria into fibrillation. The disconnected areas were located in the lateral LA, including the left atrial appendage (LAA) in three patients (limited to the LAA in one) and in the posterior LA in one patient. These isolated fibrillating regions represented 15,24% of the global LA surface, as estimated by electroanatomic mapping. Conclusion: Fibrillation can be maintained within electrically isolated regions of the LA following catheter ablation of AF, demonstrating the importance of atrial drivers in the maintenance of AF. Further mapping of these drivers is needed to characterize their mechanism and thereby allow for a more specific ablation strategy. [source]

Optical Mapping of Transmural Activation Induced by Electrical Shocks in Isolated Left Ventricular Wall Wedge Preparations

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2003
OLEG F. SHARIFOV Ph.D.
Introduction: It is believed that electrical shocks interrupt fibrillation by directly stimulating the bulk of ventricular myocardium in excitable states, but how shocks activate intramural tissue layers is not known. In this study, Vm responses and transmural activation patterns induced by shocks during diastole were measured in isolated coronary perfused preparations of porcine left ventricle. Methods and Results: Rectangular shocks (duration = 10 ms; field strength, E = 1,44 V/cm) were applied across preparations (thickness = 14.9 ± 2.5 mm, n = 9) via large mesh electrodes during diastole or action potential (AP) plateau. Vm responses at the transmural surface were measured using optical mapping technique (resolution = 1.2 mm). Depending on shock strength, three types of Vm responses were observed. (1) Weak shocks (E , 1,4 V/cm) applied in diastole induced APs with simple monophasic upstrokes. The latency and time of transmural activation (TTA) rapidly decreased with increasing shock strength. Earliest activation occurred predominantly at the cathodal side of preparations in the areas that exhibited maximal ,Vm during AP plateau. (2) Intermediate shocks (E , 4,23 V/cm) induced monophasic and biphasic upstrokes that were paralleled with predominantly negative plateau ,Vm. Activation was initiated at multiple transmural sites and rapidly spread across the myocardial wall (TTA = 0.6 ± 0.2 ms). (3) Very strong shocks (E , 23,44 V/cm) could cause triphasic upstrokes, likely reflecting occurrence of membrane electroporation, and delayed activation (TTA = 6.7 ± 3.8 ms) at sites of largest negative plateau ,Vm. Conclusion: Shocks applied during diastole cause direct and rapid (within 1 ms) activation of ventricular bulk over a wide range of shock strengths, supporting the excitatory hypothesis of defibrillation. Very strong shocks can cause multiphasic Vm responses and delayed activation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1215-1222, November 2003) [source]

Role of Structural Complexities of Septal Tissue in Maintaining Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated, Perfused Canine Ventricle

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
TAKANORI IKEDA M.D.
Tissue Structure and VF.Introduction: It is unclear how the patterns of wavelet propagation during ventricular fibrillation (VF) vary between structurally different tissues. We hypothesized that the structural complexities of septal tissue influence the maintenance of reentrant wavelets in the ventricle. Methods and Results: Endocardial activation patterns during VF were analyzed in the isolated, perfused canine right ventricular (RV) free wall (n = 9), interventricular septum (n = 5), and left ventricular (LV) free wall (n = 6) using a computerized mapping system (2-mm resolution) with 120-msec consecutive windows. Each tissue sample was cut progressively to reduce the tissue mass until the VF was terminated. More wavelets were seen in the septa than in the RV and LV free walls at baseline (P = 0.004), and VF in the septa displayed a shorter cycle length than in the RV and LV free walls (P = 0.017). As the tissue mass decreased, VF became successively more organized in all regions: the number of wavelets decreased and the cycle length of VF lengthened. Single and "figure-of-eight" stationary, reentrant wavelets often were mapped after tissue mass reduction in the RV free walls and rarely in the LV free walls, but they were not observed in the septa. Less critical mass was required to maintain VF in the septa than in the RV and LV free walls (P = 0.0006). Gross anatomic and histologic examinations indicated that the tissue structure of the septa is more complex than that of the RV and LV free walls. Conclusion: VF activation patterns with progressive reduction of tissue mass differ for the septum and the ventricular free walls. The structural complexities of the septal tissue influence the maintenance of fibrillation in the ventricle. [source]

Chemical Structure and Physical Properties of Mung Bean Starches Isolated from 5 Domestic Cultivars

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2007
S.-H. Kim
ABSTRACT:, Chemical structure and physical properties of starches isolated from 5 domestic mung bean cultivars (Gyungsun, Geumsung, Sunhwa, Eohul, and Jangan) were examined. The granules were jelly bean like in shape and smooth on surface, and the size was within 10 to 30 ,m. Mung bean starches displayed a CA -type crystalline structure when judged by the X-ray diffraction patterns. Branch chain-length distribution patterns of amylopectin (AP) revealed that peak chain length of APs was at either DP (degree of polymerization) 12 or DP13. Apparent amylose contents of 5 cultivars by iodine affinity test were 31.7% to 33.8%. Mung bean APs showed a unique molecular size distribution that has not been observed from other plant-derived starches. Two distinct peaks of AP fraction were identified on the size-exclusion chromatogram, and the ratios of these 2 peaks were different depending on the mung bean cultivars. Weight-average chain length (CLavg) of APs was in the range of 16.9 (Eohul) and 17.5 (Geumsung). The onset temperature (To) and enthalpy change (,Hgel) of starch gelatinization were 54.6 to 60.2 °C and 11.6 to 13.2 J/g. The ,H of the retrograded mung bean starches was 5.5 to 6.6 J/g, which indicated 44.5% to 52.7% of recrystallization. The pasting temperature, peak viscosity, and setback were 66.1 to 69.2 °C, 510 to 579 Rapid Visco Unit (RVU), and 66 to 90 RVU, respectively. [source]

Antibacterial Activities of Chitosans and Chitosan Oligomers with Different Molecular Weights on Spoilage Bacteria Isolated from Tofu

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002
H.K. No
ABSTRACT Seven bacteria were isolated from spoiled tofu and identified as Bacillus sp. (S08), B. megaterium (S10), B. cereus (S17, S27, S28, S32), and Enterobacter sakazakii (S35). In a paper disc test with 6 chitosans and 6 chitosan oligomers of different molecular weights, chitosans showed higher antimicrobial activity than did chitosan oligomers at a 0.1% concentration. Results of inhibitory effects of 6 chitosans on growth of Bacillus sp. (S08) failed to detect viable cells after incubation for 24 hrs at 37 C, even at 0.02% concentration. With B. megaterium (S10) and B. cereus (S27), a 3 to 4 log cycle reduction was found in the chitosan-treated group. The growth of Enterobacter sakazakii (S35) was completely suppressed in the presence of 0.04% chitosan except for 1 chitosan product. The minimum inhibitory concentration of chitosan differed with products and isolates, ranging from 0.005% to above 0.1%. [source]

Expression of a High Mobility Group Protein Isolated from Cucumis sativus Affects the Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana under Abiotic Stress Conditions

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Ji Young Jang
Abstract Although high mobility group B (HMGB) proteins have been identified from a variety of plant species, their importance and functional roles in plant responses to changing environmental conditions are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the functional roles of a CsHMGB isolated from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in plant responses to environmental stimuli. Under normal growth conditions or when subjected to cold stress, no differences in plant growth were found between the wild-type and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing CsHMGB. By contrast, the transgenic Arabidopsis plants displayed retarded germination compared with the wild-type plants when grown under high salt or dehydration stress conditions. Germination of the transgenic plants was delayed by the addition of abscisic acid (ABA), implying that CsHMGB affects germination through an ABA-dependent way. The expression of CsHMGB had affected only the germination stage, and CsHMGB did not affect the seedling growth of the transgenic plants under the stress conditions. The transcript levels of several germination-responsive genes were modulated by the expression of CsHMGB in Arabidopsis. Taken together, these results suggest that ectopic expression of a CsHMGB in Arabidopsis modulates the expression of several germination-responsive genes, and thereby affects the germination of Arabidopsis plants under different stress conditions. [source]

Risk of Serious Bacterial Infection in Isolated and Unsuspected Neutropenia

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010
Elliot Melendez MD
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1,5 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to determine the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) among children without underlying risk factors for SBI who present to the emergency department (ED) for evaluation and have unsuspected and isolated neutropenia. Methods:, This was a retrospective consecutive chart review from October 1995 through September 2003. All patients aged 0,21 years presenting to the ED of an urban tertiary children's hospital, who were documented to have neutropenia (defined as an absolute neutrophil count [ANC] of <1,000 cells/,L) without known underlying risk factor for SBI were eligible for inclusion. SBI was defined as growth of a pathogen from culture of blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Results:, There were 3,179 children with an ANC of <1,000/,L during the study period. Of these, 1,888 had no underlying immunodeficiency or central venous catheter (CVC). Fifteen of 453 (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9% to 5.4%) infants less than 3 months of age had SBI: seven with bacteremia, four with meningitis, and eight with urinary tract infections. SBI was rare among children over 3 months of age (18 of 1,435; 1.3%; 95% CI = 0.7% to 2.0%): one had bacteremia, none had meningitis, and 13 had urinary tract infections. Conclusions:, Children older than 3 months of age without underlying immunodeficiency or CVC presenting to the ED and unexpectedly found to have isolated neutropenia are not at high risk of SBI. Infants less than 3 months of age have similar risk of SBI as febrile infants of same age. [source]

Endothelium-independent Vasorelaxant Effect of Dioclein, a New Flavonoid Isolated from Dioclea grandiflora, in the Rat Aorta

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 11 2000
F. TRIGUEIRO
We have investigated the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of the new Flavonoid dioclein (5,2,,5,-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone) in the rat aorta. In endothelium-denuded vessels, dioclein induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of aortic rings precontracted with noradrenaline (IC50 = 3.5 ± 0.89 times 10,4 M and KCl (IC50 = 5.2 ± 1.2 times 10,4 M). In the absence of extracellular calcium, dioclein reduced the contraction induced by noradrenaline (maximal reduction approximately 33%) but not that induced by caffeine. Dioclein also produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the sustained contractions induced by the phorbol ester 12- O -tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate in normal (IC50 = 4.0 ± 0.2 times 10,4 M) and Ca2+ -free solution (IC50 = 4.0 ± 0.3 times 10,4 M). The results indicate that the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of dioclein may be explained by inhibition of contractions dependent on activation of protein kinase C, voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx and on the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores sensitive to noradrenaline. [source]

Ranolazine Attenuates Palmitoyl- l -carnitine-induced Mechanical and Metabolic Derangement in the Isolated, Perfused Rat Heart

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2000
KAZUYASU MARUYAMA
The effect of ranolazine, a novel anti-ischaemic drug that stimulates the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase, on palmitoyl- l -carnitine-induced mechanical dysfunction and metabolic derangement in isolated perfused rat hearts has been studied and compared with the effect of dichloroacetate, an activator of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Rat hearts paced electrically were perfused aerobically at constant flow by the Langendorff technique. Palmitoyl- l -carnitine (4 ,m) increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and reduced left ventricular developed pressure (i.e. induced mechanical dysfunction); it also reduced tissue levels of adenosine triphosphate and increased tissue levels of adenosine monophosphate (i.e. induced metabolic derangement). These functional and metabolic alterations induced by palmitoyl- l -carnitine were attenuated by ranolazine (5, 10, and 20 ,m) in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, dichloroacetate (1 and 10 mm) did not attenuate palmitoyl- l -carnitine-induced mechanical and metabolic derangement. In the normal (palmitoyl- l -carnitine-untreated) heart, however, ranolazine did not modify mechanical function and energy metabolism. These results suggest that ranolazine attenuates palmitoyl- l -carnitine-induced mechanical and metabolic derangement in the rat heart, and that the beneficial action of ranolazine is not because of the energy-sparing effect or activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. [source]

Anti-leukaemic and Anti-mutagenic Effects of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate Isolated from Aloe vera Linne

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 5 2000
KEYONG HO LEE
Extracts of Aloe vera Linne have been found to exhibit cytotoxicity against human tumour cell lines. This study examines the anti-tumour effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) isolated from Aloe vera Linne, in human and animal cell lines. Its anti-mutagenic effects were examined using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. Growth inhibition was specifically exerted by DEHP against three leukaemic cell lines at concentrations below 100 ,g mL,1. At 100 ,g mL,1 DEHP, K562, HL60 and U937 leukaemic cell lines showed growth inhibition of 95, 97 and 95%, respectively. DEHP exhibited an inhibitory activity of 74, 83 and 81%, respectively, in K562, HL60 and U937 cell lines at a concentration of 10 ,g mL,1. At a concentration of 1 ,g mL,1, DEHP exerted an inhibitory activity of 50, 51 and 52%, respectively, in K562, HL60 and U937. In a normal cell line, MDBK, DEHP exerted 30% growth inhibition at a concentration of 100 ,g mL,1, and showed no inhibitory activity at concentrations below 50 ,g mL,1. It was found that DEHP exerted anti-mutagenic activity in the Salmonella mutation assay. The number of mutant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 upon exposure to AF-2 (0.2 ,g/plate) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of different DEHP concentrations (decreasing to 90.4, 83.9, 75.4, 69.6 and 46.9%, respectively, for DEHP concentrations of 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 ,g/plate). In the case of Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100, DEHP reduced AF-2-induced mutagenicity at 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 ,g/plate to 57.4, 77.5, 80.0, 89.0 and 91.5%, respectively. The isolated compound from Aloe vera Linne, DEHP, was considered to be the active principle responsible for anti-leukaemic and anti-mutagenic effects in-vitro. [source]

Antiplatelet Effect of Marchantinquinone, Isolated from Reboulia hemisphaerica, in Rabbit Washed Platelets

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2000
CHANG-HUI LIAO
Platelet activation is involved in serious pathological situations, including atherosclerosis and restenosis. It is important to find efficient antiplatelet medicines to prevent fatal thrombous formation during the course of these diseases. Marchantinquinone, a natural compound isolated from Reboulia hemisphaerica, inhibited platelet aggregation and ATP release stimulated by thrombin (0.1 units mL,1), platelet-activating factor (PAF; 2 ng mL,1), collagen (10 ,g mL,1), arachidonic acid (100 ,m), or U46619 (1 ,m) in rabbit washed platelets. The IC50 values of marchantinquinone on the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by these five agonists were 62.0 ± 9.0, 86.0 ± 7.8, 13.6 ± 4.7, 20.9 ± 3.1 and 13.4 ± 5.3 ,m, respectively. Marchantinquinone inhibited thromboxane B2 (TxB2) formation induced by thrombin, PAF or collagen. However, marchantinquinone did not inhibit TxB2 formation induced by arachidonic acid, indicating that marchantinquinone did not affect the activity of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase. Marchantinquinone did inhibit the rising intracellular Ca2+ concentration stimulated by the five platelet-aggregation inducers. The formation of inositol monophosphate induced by thrombin was inhibited by marchantinquinone. Platelet cAMP and cGMP levels were unchanged by marchantinquinone. The results indicate that marchantinquinone exerts antiplatelet effects by inhibiting phosphoinositide turnover. [source]

Genetic Variability Analysis and Molecular Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. eustomae Isolated from Eustoma grandiflorum in Northern Italy

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7-8 2010
Yuan Li
Abstract A total of 35 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. eustomae obtained from diseased Eustoma grandiflorum plants in northern Italy, showing typical Fusarium wilt symptoms, were analysed for their genetic variability and molecular identification. Genetic diversity of the isolates was studied by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). This analysis clustered the isolates into three groups at a genetic similarity of 69%. Sequence analysis of RAPD fragments led to the design of a pair of specific primers that amplify a 505-bp SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) marker (SCAR505) which was used to rapidly detect F. oxysporum f.sp. eustomae on Eustoma grandiflorum plants. In a temperature-controlled chamber, detection of the pathogen by PCR was 100% successful in root and stem samples of infected but still symptomless plants. The diagnostic procedure could be completed in 1 day and allowed rapid and reliable detection of the pathogen in asymptomatic plants in the early stages of disease development. [source]