Mineral elements content of wild growing edible mushrooms from the southeast of Spain

Wild-growing mushrooms could be a potential source of mineral elements The aim of this study was to analyze the mineral composition of 18 species of wild-growing mushrooms collected in a natural park from the Spanish southeast (province of Granada). Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn, were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and P was analyzed colorimetrically by the vanadomolybdate procedure; the accuracy of methods was assessed by the use of certified reference materials. The contribution of mushrooms consumption to the mineral daily recommended intakes was calculated. Although large variations were observed between species, the most abundant mineral elements in the analyzed mushrooms were K and P, with average contents of 29.3 ± 8.1 and 8.60 ± 4.8 g/kg dry matter (dm), respectively. Low Na concentrations were observed (26.5–579 mg/kg dm), with the only exception of Amanita ovoidea, and high Fe values, exceeding in some cases 1000 mg/kg dm (such as in Lactarius deliciosus and Morchella conica). Mushrooms may be significant contributors of K and P in the human diet and also good sources of trace elements, especially Cu and Fe, providing negligible quantities of Na. Strong correlations were observed for Ca/Mg and Cu/Zn contents in the mushrooms analyzed.     

Mobile genetic elements associated with carbapenemase genes in South American Enterobacterales

IntroductionCarbapenem resistance in members of order Enterobacterales is a growing public health problem causing high mortality in developing and industrialized countries. Its emergence and rapid propagation worldwide was due to both intercontinental spread of pandemic strains and horizontal dissemination via mobile genetic elements (MGE) such as plasmids and transposons.ObjectiveTo describe MGE carrying carbapenem resistance genes in Enterobacterales which have been reported in South America.Search strategy and selection criteriaA search of the literature in English or Spanish published until 2019 in PubMed, Google Scholar, LILACS and SciELO databases was performed for studies of MGE in Enterobacterales reported in South American countries.ResultsSeven South American countries reported MGE related to carbapenemases. Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae belonging to clonal complex 258 were the most prevalent pathogens reported; others carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales such as Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Providencia rettgeri also have been reported. The MGE implicated in the spread of the most prevalent carbapenemase genes are Tn4401 and non-Tn4401 elements for bla_KPC and ISAba125 for bla_NDM, located in different plasmid incompatibility groups, i.e. L/M, A/C, FII and bacterial clones.ConclusionThis review indicates that, like in other parts of the world, the most commonly reported carbapenemases in Enterobacterales from South America are being disseminated through clones, plasmids, and transposons which have been previously reported in other parts of the world.     

Major and trace elements levels in multifloral and unifloral honeys in Croatia

Different honey types were collected in Croatia during 2010 and 2011: 7 multifloral orchard honeys, 7 multifloral meadow honeys, 19 black locust, 9 chestnut, 11 lime and 6 sage honeys. Elements were measured using graphite (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Se) and flame atomic absorption spectrometer (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn) and by mercury analyser (Hg). Significant differences in Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Zn, As and Hg levels were observed between honey types. In chestnut honey were determined (K, Ca, Mg: mg kg⁻¹; Hg, Ad, Cd: μg kg⁻¹): the highest concentrations of K 2824.4, Ca 486.7, Mg 59.1 and Hg 2.52; the lowest of As 24.1 and Cd 2.52. Lime honey has been shown the highest content of Cu (20.6 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (6.78 mg kg⁻¹), Cd (2.14 μg kg⁻¹) and Pb (810.3 μg kg⁻¹). The lowest levels of following elements were determined in black locust honey (Fe, K, Mg: mg kg⁻¹; Hg: μg kg⁻¹): Fe 2.77, K 304.7, Mg 8.02 and Hg 0.82. Sage honey had the lowest Ca and Na content (173.9 and 31.8 mg kg⁻¹). Among the multifloral honeys, the following was determined (Fe, Na, Cu: mg kg⁻¹; As, Pb: μg kg⁻¹): orchard honey – highest of Fe 5.17 and As 276.1, lowest Pb 301; meadow honey – highest Na 36.1, lowest Cu 4.38. The average Ca, Cu and Pb levels found in multifloral honey types were much higher than those reported in other European countries. Calcium levels in lime, chestnut and black locust were higher than those from other countries.     

Efficacy of Oral Zinc Sulfate Supplementation on Clearance of Cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV); A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Aim: Human Papillomavirus is one of the most crucial infectious disease in gynecology disease. To assess the efficacy of supplemental zinc treatment in clearance of HPV infection. Methods: Eighty zinc-sufficient women between 21-55 years, with positive HPV DNA testing, and abnormal cervical cytology in Pap test (ASCUS or LISL) were randomly divided to case (n=40) and control group (n=40). Case group received oral tablets of zinc sulfate twice a day for 3 months while control group received no placebo. During follow-up patients underwent repeat HPV DNA test and PAP test and were evaluated for clearance/persistence of HPV infection and regression/progression in the lesion grading. Results: As far as demographics, serum zinc levels and the relevant risk factors for persistence of HPV were concerned, there was no significant difference between two groups, except for the frequency distribution of HR-HPV which was significantly higher in case  group. Zinc treatment for 3 months reduced the risk of persistence of HPV infection and progression from baseline cytology (OR = 0.130) (CI 95% 0.04-0.381; p <0.001) and 0.301 (95% CI 0.777-0.116; p = 0.012), respectively. Age, initial cytology, HPV type, and contraceptive method were not related to persistence of HPV. Serum zinc levels increased in the casr group as a result of oral zinc consumption for 3-month period, though without any statistical significance (p = 0.407). Conclusion: The results of the following study suggested that oral intake of zinc sulfate supplement for 3 months increases the rates of HPV clearance and resolution of pre-existing cervical lesion.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定柏树叶中Zn Mn的含量

目的:测定柏树叶中Zn、Mn元素的含量。方法:HNO3∶HClO4(4+1)分解样品,火焰原子吸收光谱法测定柏树叶中微量元素Zn、Mn的含量。结果:柏树叶中含有丰富的微量元素Zn、Mn,含量分别为37.25μg/g,21.75μg/g,RSD<2.2%,加标回收率88.90%～108.00%。结论:柏树叶中含有丰富的微量元素且Zn的含量大于Mn。     

甲醛染毒对雄性大鼠脏器及血清微量元素的影响

目的探讨甲醛染毒对雄性大鼠脏器及血清微量元素的影响.方法选用体重(110～130)g Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为4组, 染毒浓度分别为,高浓度组:(119.6±15.4) mg/m3、中浓度组:(25.2±4.6) mg/m3、低浓度组:(4.8±1.3) mg/m3和对照组;室内空气,采用静式吸入法,每天染毒1h,连续染毒9w后处死,测定大鼠各脏器的脏器系数、甲醛浓度、及大鼠血清中Fe,Cu,Zn的含量.结果高剂量组雄性大鼠肺、肾和肝脏中甲醛浓度明显高于对照组,各染毒组雄性大鼠体重明显低于对照组(P<0.05),高剂量组雄性大鼠各脏器的脏器系数与对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05),雄性大鼠血清中锌含量明显降低、铜含量显著升高(P<0.05).结论长期高剂量吸入甲醛可影响雄性大鼠的生长及其血清Cu、Zn水平,并可损伤雄性大鼠的肝、肺、肾、心、脑、睾丸.     

论中医和希腊医学哲学理论的异同

中国和希腊,看似遥远的两个国家在古代哲学思想方面却近乎一致。古人一直在探寻自然现象的本质问题,并一直在试图回答这些系统联系的基础。在诸多问题中,他们最感兴趣的是天体运动,健康与疾病的相互关系,以及物质运动的原理。通过探究两种不同文化背景基础哲学理论的异同。     

不同产地冻干地黄中5种重金属及有害元素的含量测定

摘 要 目的： 用火焰原子吸收分光光度计和原子双道荧光光度计分别对不同产地冻干地黄中的Pb、Cd、Cu、As和Hg 5种重金属和有害元素进行检测。方法: 采用硝酸-高氯酸对样品进行消化后,采用原子吸收分光光度法测定Pb、Cd和Cu含量,采用原子荧光光度法测定As和Hg的含量。 结果: 各元素线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.997 4,平均回收率为97.88%～100.90%,RSD为0.019%～4.20%（n=6）,同时发现10批样品中的4批样品部分重金属和有害元素超过《中国药典》限量标准。 结论:该方法准确度高,操作简便,快捷,适用于冻干地黄中重金属和有害元素的测定。     

Advances in hepatitis C: What is coming in the next 5 years?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous advances have been made in the understanding of HCV replication, including detailed molecular characterization of its viral proteins and genomic RNA. The inability to grow HCV in cell culture had impeded the development of antiviral agents against this virus. To overcome this obstacle, a number of unique tools have been prepared, such as molecular clones that are infectious in the chimpanzee animal model of infection, and the development of a subgenomic replicon system in Huh7 cells. In addition, the major non-structural proteins have been crystallized, thus enabling rational drug design directed to these targets. Current developments in antiviral agents are reviewed in the context of these potential new viral targets for the future treatment of HCV in chronically infected individuals.