Impact of environmental factors on the toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis IPS82 to Chironomus kiiensis

To determine the feasibility of microbiological control of chironomid larvae in water sources for the city of Shenzhen, China, the toxicity characteristics of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) IPS82 on Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga were studied. Tests on fermentation products of IPS82 showed good correlations between toxicity, cell density, dissolved oxygen, and the spore-forming phase. In this study, bioassays were carried out with different stage larvae. Results showed that the LC50s (24 h postexposure) were 8.2, 15.2, 24.7, and 38.6 mg/liter for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instars, respectively. Tests on environmental factors influencing toxicity of Bti to C. kiiensis showed that sunlight is the most important factor, shortening the half-life of Bti from 21 days in dark to 10 days under sunlight. Temperature variations (15-30 degrees C) caused no impact on toxicity, but a 16% increase in larval mortality was observed at 35 degrees C. The toxicity of IPS82 was greatest at a pH of 7. In field trials, dosages above 100 mg/liter were effective in the control of C. kiiensis. Our study indicated that it is feasible to use Bti to control C. kiiensis in city source water.     

Taser penetrating ocular injury

PURPOSE: To describe the presentation and treatment of a Taser penetrating ocular injury. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 50-year-old man with a Taser injury 1.5 cm below the right lower eyelid margin was admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. The case report describes the ophthalmic assessment, investigation, treatment, and outcome of the Taser barb penetrating ocular injury. RESULTS: The Taser has a fish hook barb that caused a full-thickness wound adequately large for vitreous to escape when the Taser was removed. Consequently, the scleral wound was repaired and cryopexy was performed. The affected eye made a satisfactory recovery, and the visual acuity was 6/9 with a pinhole 1 week after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Any Taser injury around the orbits should raise the suspicion of a penetrating ocular injury. In likely cases, removal of the Taser should be performed in an operating theater under general anesthesia.     

Intracellular dopamine oxidation mediates rotenone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Aim: To study the role of dopamine (DA) in rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Methods: Cell viability was assessed by detecting the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the medium. Apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. Caspase-3-1ike activity was measured by fluorescence assay using the probe Ac-DEVD-AMC. The level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide and other peroxides in PC12 cells were quantified by loading cells with 2‘-7‘-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) in fluorescence assay. Lactic acid was measured spectrophotometrically. The DA levels in PC 12 cells weredetermined by HPLC-ECD. Results: A 48-h incubation of PC 12 cells with rotenone caused an apoptotic cell death and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactic acid accumulation. Intracellular DA depletion with reserpine significantly attenuated rotenone-induced ROS accumulation and apoptotic cell death. No change was found in rotenone-induced ROS accumulation when cells were co-treated with deprenyl. Brief treatment with reserpine at the end of rotenone treatment had no effect on rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. However, when cells were first incubated with deprenyl, a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor for 30 min then co-incubated with rotenone plus deprenyl, a brief treatment with reserpine enhanced cell injury. Conclusion: Rotenone-inducedapoptosisinPC12 cells was mediated by intracellular dopamine oxidation.     

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis in the separation and determination of the curcuminoids in urine

The major components of the plant curcuma longa are the curcuminoids that include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It has been reported the curcuminoids have some important activities. A new CZE method with diode array detection has been developed for the separation and determination of the curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Three curcuminoids could be readily separated within 7 min with a 15 mM sodium tetraborate buffer containing 10% methanol (v/v) at pH 10.8, 25 kV and 30 degrees C. The method has been validated and shows good performance with respect to selectivity, reproducibility, linearity, limits of detection and recovery. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the curcuminoids in urine.     

Malignant hypertension secondary to cortisol-secreting adrenal tumour

Adrenal cortical tumour-induced malignant hypertension is rare, except for some documented aldosterone-producing adenomas. Hypertension is a common feature of Cushing's syndrome, whereas malignant hypertension is rarely seen. This case in Taiwan is only the second reported case with malignant hypertension secondary to a cortisol-secreting adrenal tumour. The immunohistochemical study of the excised tumour showed strong positive staining of interleukin (IL)-6. IL-6 can trigger inflammatory vascular damage, which is typical in the malignant phase of hypertension. We hypothesise that IL-6 may have played an important role in this case.     

A pharmacokinetic study of intramuscular administration of bulleyaconitine A in healthy volunteers

The pharmacokinetics of bulleyaconitine A (BLA) after a single dose of 0.2 mg intramuscular injection was evaluated in healthy volunteers. Physical exam, vital signs, clinical laboratory tests and electrocardiogram measurements were monitored to assess the safety and tolerance of the drug. The plasma levels of BLA in serial samples, collected over 15 h, were measured by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) method. It was demonstrated that BLA was absorbed rapidly after intramuscular injection. The pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: the t(max) value was 0.90+/-0.68 h, the C(max) value was 1.13+/-0.76 ng/ml, the AUC(0-t) was 5.16+/-2.05 ng.h/ml, and t(1/2) was found to be 4.88+/-0.97 h. No subject showed any drug-related clinically significant changes on physical examination, vital signs or laboratory tests. Eight of ten subjects reported a distinct feeling of pain at the site of injection starting approximately at the time of their peak plasma concentration and lasting for 2-6 h. The pain was tolerable, and no subject required additional treatment.     

32例新生儿肺透明膜病临床和X线分析

目的探讨分析新生儿肺透明膜病（HMD）临床和X线特征,提高对本病的认识和X线的早期诊断.方法对32例经临床和X线确诊为HMD进行回顾性分析.结果7例表现为两肺内、中带有细小颗粒状或网结状影;28例两肺野肺透亮度明显减低,呈毛玻璃样状改变,伴两肺内、中带有细小颗粒状或网结状影10例,以两下肺较明显;23例出现支气管充气征,多见于右下肺内带及左心影后,这是HMD典型的X线特征性表现;4例呈“白肺”改变;纵隔、心影及横膈轮廓模糊,但膈面位置正常.主要并发症为肺炎18例,肺出血7例,气胸2例,肺动脉高压3例.结论床边摄片是诊断HMD的主要方法;支气管充气征是HMD典型的X线特征性表现.     

Albendazole therapy for coagulation abnormality in children with eosinophilia

Hemorrhage may be associated with eosinophilia. Here, 2 pediatric cases of coagulation abnormality were reported. The 2 children presented ecchymoses and petechiae in the skin. Laboratory investigations revealed hypereosinophilia in the peripheral blood. Moreover, the activity of coagulation factor IX significantly decreased. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to cysticercus was positive in patient 1, and IgG antibodies to cysticercus and plerocercoid were positive in patient 2. These 2 patients received 2 courses of albendazole therapy, at 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses for 10 days for each course. They responded well to the therapy. This report indicates that patients with hypereosinophilia and bleeding abnormalities should undergo evaluation of coagulation pathways, including measurements of coagulation factors.