Application of specific brain function evaluation by optical topography

Objectives To use the evaluation of a specific brain function obtained by optical topography. This system uses a non invasive method to measure brain function unlike other major systems. Methods Twelve optical fibers were attached to the subject’s head. Hemodynamic changes in the motor cortex were measured during finger tapping before and after alcohol intake for eachALDH2 genotype. Results Different hemodynamic changes in the motor cortex were observed among, theALDH2 genotypes. Conclusions Optical topography is a useful tool for evaluating specific brain functions. Further research is needed on the relations between various environmental factors and brain functions by optical topography.     

海南1例类鼻疽病表现为脑部病变合并继发癫痫的临床特征

本文报告1例类鼻疽病少见的脑部病变病例合并继发癫痫，患者为54岁男性，水泥工，因"右髋疼痛10 d"、"癫痫发作"2次入院，经血培养检出假鼻疽伯克霍尔德菌，确诊为类鼻疽病，药敏试验显示对亚胺培南、复方磺胺甲口恶唑敏感，经头颅MRI证实右侧半卵圆中心、胼胝体及扣带回后部多发脑部病变。采取抗感染、器官功能支持等内科对症治疗，经过6个月的治疗，患者恢复良好。因此，类鼻疽病合并中枢神经系统疾病应及时做相关检查，包括头颅MRI，积极行细菌培养及药敏试验，长期规范的抗感染治疗以避免复发。     

Neuroprotection by extract of Petasites japonicus leaves, a traditional vegetable, against oxidative stress in brain of mice challenged with kainic acid

Summary Background Reactive oxygen radicals have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neurologic disorders and brain dysfunctions. Kainic acid has been used as a model agent for the study of neurotoxicity of various excitatory amino acids, since it induces neuronal damage through excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Petasites japonicus MAX (butterbur), cultivated as culinary vegetables in Eastern Asia, contains various kinds of phenolic compounds as well as sesquiterpenes, such as petasin. In European countries, the extracts from roots of Petasites species have been used in the therapy of headache or asthma. Aim of the study The objective of our study is to examine the neuroprotective action of the Petasites japonicus MAX (butterbur) extract against oxidative damage in the brain of mice treated with kainic acid. Methods Male ICR mice, 6–8 weeks of age, were administered orally the butanol fraction from methanol extract of Petasites japonicus (BMP) or its subfraction (BMP–I or BMP–II) for 5 consecutive days. Thirty min after the final administration, the animals were challenged s. c. with kainic acid (45 mg/kg), and neurobehavioral activities were monitored. In addition, biomarkers of oxidative stress and neuronal loss in the hippocampus for the biochemical, neurobehavioral,morphological evaluations were analyzed 2 days after the kainic acid challenge. Results During 5–day treatment with BMP or BMP–1, the body weight gain was not significantly different from that of vehicle– treated control animals. Administration of kainic acid alone induced severe epileptiform seizures, causing a lethality of approximately 50%, and injuries of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus of mice which survived the challenge. Kainic acid exposure also resulted in a remarkable decrease in total glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase activity, and an increase in the thiobarbituric acid–reactive substance (TBARS) value in brain tissues. In comparison, coadministration with BMP (400 mg/kg) reduced the 54% lethality of mice, administered with kainic acid alone, to 25 % (P <0.05). Moreover, BMP at the same dose restored the levels of reduced glutathione and TBARS to control values (P <0.05). In further studies, BMP–I (200 mg/kg) ameliorated significantly (P <0.05) the kainic acid–induced behavioral signs, such as seizure activity, and all mice administered with BMP–I (200 mg/kg) survived the kainic acid toxicity. Consistent with the above, the administration with BMP–1 remarkably attenuated the neurobehavioral signs and neuronal loss in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. Conclusion On the basis of these results, the butanol fraction, especially BMP–I, of Petasites japonicus MAX extract is possibly suggested to be a functional agent to prevent oxidative damage in the brain of mice.     

成人灰色小克银汉霉侵袭性毛霉菌病1例并文献复习

目的 探讨灰色小克银汉霉感染导致成人毛霉菌病患者的临床特点及诊治方案。方法 总结某院血液内科收治的1例灰色小克银汉霉感染致成人侵袭性毛霉菌病患者的临床诊疗过程,并检索数据库相关文献进行复习。结果 患者男性,54岁,因“反复乏力1年余,加重伴发热1周”入院,肺组织病理检查可见宽大、不规则、无分隔的菌丝,形态学鉴定为毛霉菌,肺泡灌洗液及外周血宏基因组二代测序(mNGS)检测示灰色小克银汉霉,诊断为灰色小克银汉霉感染致侵袭性毛霉菌病,给予脂质体两性霉素B联合泊沙康唑、卡泊芬净治疗后感染获得控制。检索出符合条件的文献37篇,加上本病例,共纳入44例患者,其中男性26例,女性18例,中位年龄52.5(18～79)岁;基础疾病主要为血液系统疾病(65.9%,29例),进行造血干细胞或实体器官移植者14例;最常见的侵犯部位为肺、脑及皮肤,分别为36、9、9例;组织病理学、真菌培养、直接镜检及分子学检测阳性者分别为28、37、29、17例。41例患者接受了抗真菌治疗,其中8例联合手术治疗;30例死亡,病死率为68.2%,抗真菌治疗联合手术者生存率(62.5%,5/8)高于单独抗真菌治疗者(24.2%,...     

Molecular epidemiology of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder causes significant morbidity, affecting people’s ability to work, function in relationships, and engage in social activities. Moreover, major depressive disorder increases the risk of suicidal ideation, attempted suicide and death by completed suicide. There is evidence that chronic stress can cause major depressive disorder. As for genetic factors, only minor susceptibility genes have been reliably identified. The serotonin system provides a logical source of susceptibility genes for depression, because this system is the target of selective serotonin reuptake-inhibitor drugs that are effective in treating depression. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) transporter (5-HTT) has received particular attention because it is involved in the reuptake of serotonin at brain synapses. One common polymorphic variant of the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), which affects the promoter of the 5-HTT gene, causes reduced uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin into the presynaptic cells in the brain. The authors discussed the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and major depressive disorder, with special emphasis on the 5-HTTTLPR polymorphism. As the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder, the 5-HTT gene may be a candidate for a major depressive disorder susceptibility gene. As major depressive disorder is a multifactorial disease, an improved understanding of the interplay of environmental and genetic polymorphisms at multiple loci may help identify individuals who are at increased risk for major depressive disorder. Hopefully, in the future we will be able to screen for major depressive disorder susceptibility by using specific biomarkers.     

一起食源性疾病暴发事件分离的2种血清型沙门菌的病原学分析

目的 对一起食源性疾病暴发事件中分离的2种血清型沙门菌进行病原学分析。方法 采集2022年9月8日某学校暴发事件中病例肛拭子11件、可疑污染食品13件和环境样本10件；对病例肛拭子分别使用亚硒酸盐煌绿增菌液和脑心浸液肉汤（BHI）进行增菌培养，在完成常见肠道病原菌荧光PCR检测后，根据结果开展相应致病菌的分离培养；对可疑污染食品参照食品安全国家标准进行检测；每份肛拭子样本和食品样本均挑取多个疑似沙门菌菌落进行血清学凝集和全基因组测序；根据全基因组测序结果确定沙门菌血清型，基于菌株核心基因组单核苷酸多态性（SNP）进行聚类分析。结果 病例肛拭子和可疑污染食品沙门菌检出率分别为9/11和5/13，其中4例病例肛拭子和4件可疑污染食品样本均分离到2种血清型沙门菌（乌干达沙门菌和伊迪坎沙门菌），其余阳性样本分离沙门菌均为单一乌干达沙门菌血清型或单一伊迪坎沙门菌血清型。11件病例肛拭子样本接种BHI增菌液后12 h和24 h沙门菌荧光PCR检出率均为9/11，与分离培养结果一致。2种血清型沙门菌在基于核心基因组SNP构建的聚类树中形成2个相互独立且遗传距离较远的分支，而每一种血清型沙门菌也表现出基因组多态性，乌干达沙门菌之间SNP差异个数介于0~14个，伊迪坎沙门菌之间SNP差异个数介于0~23个。结论 本次事件为乌干达沙门菌和伊迪坎沙门菌共同导致食源性疾病暴发事件，基于BHI对病例肛拭子增菌并进行沙门菌荧光PCR检测的方案可在暴发中应用。     

Effects of carbofuran on the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): study of biomarkers and behaviour alterations

The objective of this study was to investigate the acute effects of the pesticide carbofuran on the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using parameters at different levels of biological organisation (swimming behaviour and several biomarkers) and possible relationships between alterations found in different effect criteria. In a bioassay, sea bass juveniles were individually exposed to different doses of carbofuran (31, 63, 125 and 250 μg/L) for 96 h. At the end of the bioassay, the swimming performance and 11 biomarkers were determined. Biomarkers were: hepatosomatic index (HSI), lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione and the activities of the enzymes ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione S-transferases, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and muscle cholinesterases (ChE). After 96 h of exposure, carbofuran induced a decrease of the swimming velocity and inhibition of EROD activity at all concentrations tested, and inhibition of muscle ChE and brain AChE activities at 250 μg/L. No relevant alterations in any of the other tested parameters were found. These results show that carbofuran induced adverse effects on fish by interfering with neurofunction, capability of detoxication and swimming velocity. In addition, positive and significant correlations between the swimming velocity and (i) brain AChE activity, (ii) muscle ChE activity and (iii) EROD activity suggest that the inhibition of these enzymes may somehow be related to the behavioural changes observed. Since these functions are determinant for the survival and performance of the fish in the wild, the findings of the present study suggest that adverse effects may occur in populations exposed to carbofuran if a sufficient number of animals is affected.     

Entomophthoromycosis due to Conidiobolus

Entomophthoromycosis due to Conidiobolus coronatus is a granulomatous infection characterized by lesions that originate in the inferior turbinate, spread through ostia and foramina to involve the facial and subcutaneous tissues and paranasal sinuses. The majority of the cases have been described from areas of tropical rainforest in West Africa, agricultural and outdoor workers (aged 20–60 years) being the ones most frequently affected. The fungus is common in soil and decaying vegetation. Infection probably occurs by implantation of the spores of the fungus in nasal mucosa. C. incongruus is a rare agent of the disease, so far known only from two cases with lesions involving the pericardium, mediastinum, lungs, liver, oesophagus and jejunum. C. coronatus is known to cause a clinically similar disease in horses, mules, a dolphin and a chimpanzee. A characteristic histological feature is the presence of thin-walled, broad, often septate hyphae or hyphal fragments with a thick eosinophilic sheath, frequently phagocytosed within giant cells. The fungus is known to produce in vitro several enzymes, e.g., elastase, esterase, collagenase and lipase, which have a possible role in pathogenicity. A concentrated brain heart infusion culture filtrate antigen is useful for immunodiagnosis. Several drugs e.g., potassium iodide, cotrimoxazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole and itraconazole have been tried with varying success. Investigations on the immunology of disease and the role of proteases and lipases in the pathogenesis of infection is an important area of further research.     

Studies on histoplasmosis farciminosi (epizootic lymphangitis) in Egypt

Isolation of Histoplasma farciminosum from five horses, showing typical signs of histoplasmosis farciminosi (epizootic lymphangitis) was successfully attempted. The mycelial form of H. farciminosum was isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar enriched with 2.5% glycerol, brain heart infusion (BHI) agar enriched with 10% horse blood and PPLO dextrose glycerol agar. The last medium proved to be the most effective, both for primary isolation and subculturing of the fungus. It was found that on primary isolation, the lag phase of the mycelial form of the fungus was relatively long, involving 4–8 weeks at 25°C. Colonies of the mycelial form of H. farciminosum appeared on subculture as a yellowish, light brown to deep brown, convoluted, waxy, cauliflower-like growth tending to form scant aerial growth.Conversion of the mycelial form to the yeast form of H. farciminosum was successful by subculturing either on BHI agar with 5% blood or on Pine's medium and incubating at 35–37°C. Complete conversion to the yeast form was achieved only after 4–5 repeated serial transfers onto fresh media every 8 days. The yeast colonies were flat, raised, slightly or deeply wrinkled, white to light gray to grayish brown, and were pasty in consistency.Corresponding author.     

Activity of glutamate decarboxylase in the brain of rats exposed to carbon disulfide

Summary The activity of glutamate decarboxylase in the brain of white rats exposed to CS₂ was measured. The lower activity of the enzyme in rats intoxicated with CS₂ was parallel to the decreased level of -aminobutyric acid. Pyridoxal phosphate did not prevent inhibition of the enzyme activity. It is suggested that the inhibition of the activity of glutamate decarboxylase by CS₂ is responsible for lower level of -aminobutyric acid in the brain of rats intoxicated with CS₂.     

Novel 4-aryl-pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidines with dual SSRI and 5-HT1A activity: Part 2

Derivatives of 4-aryl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine were synthesized. These compounds contain the 3-(4-piperidyl)-1H-indole residue or its 5-methoxy or 2-methyl derivative. In vitro binding tests were performed to determine the affinity of the compounds for the 5-HT_1A receptor and serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins in the rat brain cortex. In vivo studies, particularly the inducible hypothermia test and forced swimming test, were conducted to determine agonistic/antagonistic activity with pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT_1A receptors. Molecular modeling techniques were used to determine the binding modes of the selected compounds at the 5-HT_1A receptor and SERT. The SAR analysis showed that the presence of the 3-(4-piperidyl)-1H-indole group or its 5-methoxy derivative, as well as a para substitution with –OCH₃ or –F in the aryl ring of 4-aryl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine, results in an increased affinity for both the 5-HT_1A receptors and SERT. In contrast, the presence of the 2-methyl-3-(4-piperidyl)-1H-indole group resulted in a considerable decrease in binding affinity.     

The effect of heavy metals on nicotinamideN-methyltransferase activityin vitro relating to Parkinson’s disease

Objective The aims of this study were to determine the effects of heavy metals such as manganese on nicotinamideN-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.1) (NNMT) activity and to consider the possibility of involvement of NNMT activation in the pathogenesis of heavy metal induced Parkinson’s disease. Methods NNMT activity in supernatants separated from brain, liver and kidney homogenates of 5 elderly male Wistar rats by centrifugation were measured by high performance liquid chromatography system with fluorescence. NNMT activity under the conditon of 0.5 or 5.0 mM Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ or Cd²⁺ was compared with control (no metal ion existence). Results NNMT activities in rat brain, liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cu²⁺, and those in the liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cd²⁺. Mn²⁺ reduced NNMT activity only in the liver. Fe²⁺ had no effect on NNMT activity. Conclusions No metal increased NNMT activity in this study, contrary to our hypothesis. Further study is needed to clarify the reason why the effects of Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺ which have a high relevance to Parkinson’s disease on NNMT activity differ from those of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺     

DNA relatedness,karyotyping and gene probing of Candida tropicalis,Candida albicans and its synonyms Candida stellatoidea and Candida Claussenii

Isolates of Candida albicans with varied phenotypes, including sucrose-negative variants (C. stellatoidea, serotypes A and B) and avirulent germ tube-negative forms (C. claussenii) showed significant (> 90%) DNA relatedness to classical C. albicans, but insignificant relatedness to C. tropicalis and sucrose-negative C. tropicalis. A transverse alternating-field gel electrophoresis procedure (TAFE) showed discrete karyotype patterns among the phenotypic variants of C. albicans including the sucrose-negative C. stellatoidea. The number of chromosome-sized DNA bands for C. tropicalis (7 bands) were within the range of bands observed for C. albicans (5 to 10 bands). The general DNA-migration pattern for C. albicans appeared distinct from that of C. tropicalis. An aspartyl proteinase (PrA) gene probe from C. albicans hybridized with chromosomal DNA from C. albicans, C. claussenii and C. stellatoidea but not with that from C. tropicalis.     

Leishmania species identification using FTA card sampling directly from patients' cutaneous lesions in the state of Lara, Venezuela

A molecular epidemiological study was performed using FTA card materials directly sampled from lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the state of Lara, Venezuela, where causative agents have been identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (Leishmania) venezuelensis in previous studies. Of the 17 patients diagnosed with CL, Leishmania spp. were successfully identified in 16 patients based on analysis of the cytochrome b gene and rRNA internal transcribed spacer sequences. Consistent with previous findings, seven of the patients were infected with L. (V.) braziliensis. However, parasites from the other nine patients were genetically identified as L. (L.) mexicana, which differed from results of previous enzymatic and antigenic analyses. These results strongly suggest that L. (L.) venezuelensis is a variant of L. (L.) mexicana and that the classification of L. (L.) venezuelensis should be reconsidered.     

Effects of Pentachlorophenol on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galba pervia</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubifex sinicus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus plumousus</Emphasis> Larvae

The 24-h median lethal concentrations of pentachlorophenol to Chironomus plumousus, Tubifex sinicus and Galba pervia were 0.302, 0.977 and 0.293 mg/L, respectively. Bioconcentration factors of C. plumousus, T. sinicus and G. pervia to pentachlorophenol were 108, 367 and 85 at 0.02 mg/L pentachlorophenol, respectively. As pentachlorophenol concentration increased, the G. pervia egg hatching rates became lower, and the total hatched time became longer. Pentachlorophenol teratogenesis was demonstrated by observing the deformation of C. plumousus larvae mentum.     

Seroepidemiology of rickettsial infections in Morocco

The prevalence of antibodies reactive withRickettsia conorii, Rickettsia typhi, Coxiella burnetii andEhrlichia chaffeensis was investigated using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) test on human sera obtained from 300 blood donors in Casablanca and 126 sera obtained from clinical laboratories in Fez. In sera from Casablanca, antibodies reactive at titers >=1: 32 were found againstR. conorii (7%), andR. typhi (1.7%), but not againstE. chaffeensis. In the sera from Fez, antibodies were also detected againstR. conorii (5.6%),R. typhi (4%), but not againstE. chaffeensis. By Western immunoblotting, seroprevalence forR. conorii was in Casablanca and 4.8% in Fez. Antibodies reactive at titers >=1:50 againstC. burnetii (phase II) were present in sera from Casablanca (1%) and Fez (18.3%).Abbreviations IFA Immunofluorescence assay - MSF Mediterranean spotted fever - PBS Phosphate-buffered saline     

Sub-lethal effects of profenofos on tissue-specific antioxidative responses in a Euryhyaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

The euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus was exposed to sub-lethal concentration (30 μg/L) of profenofos (PF) for 28 days and allowed to recover for 7 days. Responses were evaluated through antioxidant enzyme activities in various tissues of fish. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities showed transient increases in gill, viscera and muscle, but decreased in brain. However, catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were inhibited in gill and viscera. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were depleted in all the tissues and a significant induction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) was observed. Significant recovery in all the studied parameters was noticed at the end of recuperation period. The enhanced LPO in the present study suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage could be one of the main toxic effect of PF. The increased LPO and alterations in the antioxidant defense system can be used as biomarkers in the pesticide-contaminated aquatic streams.     

Distribution and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks of canton Ticino (Switzerland)

Free-living Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from 12 different sites of canton Ticino, south of the Alps (Switzerland). Each tick was examined for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl), the etiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis using direct fluorescent antibody assay, and isolation of the bacteria. Borreliae were characterized by PCR followed by RFLP. The abundance and infection rates of I. ricinus ticks varied greatly between the areas. Two localities were found free of Borrelia. The prevalence of infected ticks ranged from 5 to 19%. Most ticks (96%) were found infected by <50 spirochetes. Three B. burgdorferi sl species were successfully isolated: B. garinii dominated, followed by B. lusitaniae and B. valaisiana. Additionally, a mixed infection with B. garinii and B. valaisiana was observed. The distribution of the various Borrelia species in the different areas was heterogeneous. This is the first report of the presence of B. lusitaniae in I. ricinus in Switzerland.     

Antimicrobial antibodies in Danish slaughterhouse workers and greenhouse workers

Summary As a consequence of contact with animals and animal products slaughterhouse workers might be at risk of infection with pathogenic microorganisms. This hypothesis has been supported by some earlier studies. In this study 217 slaughtermen and a control group of 113 greenhouse workers were investigated for the prevalence of serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter jejuni (IgA and IgG), Yersinia enterocolitica types 3 and 9, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis types I, II, III, IV, and V, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Borrelia burgdorferi. No significant differences were found concerning either frequency of positive tests or magnitude of titers. The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies was remarkably high in both groups.     

Clinical and laboratory evidence of the importance of the tick D. marginatus as a vector of B. burgdorferi in some areas of sporadic Lyme disease in Bulgaria

56 adult ticks D. marginatus and 38 adult ticks H. punctata were sampled by the flagging method, transferred to the laboratory, dissected and tested for infection with Lyme disease spirochetes. 3 (7.9%) of the adult H. punctata and 2 (3.57%) of the adult D. marginatus were infected with B. burgdorferi (Bb). This report also presents the case of a patient, who developed Lyme disease symptoms after he had been bitten by a D. marginatus tick. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by serological testing and by a biopsy, taken from the patient's skin lesion. The skin biopsy was examined under an electron microscope and Bb was found in the sections of the deeper strata of the dermis in two structural forms: (a) cylindrical bodies (protoplasm cylinder) with circular ends covered with a three-layered membrane; (b) granules, situated among the collagenous fibres either closely adhered to them or covered with a membrane. The result of the study demonstrates that in single cases in some ecosystems, ticks D. marginatus might be implicated in Bb transmission to humans as secondary vectors.