[Adsorption Mechanisms of Ciprofloxacin by Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Sludge]

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in microbial sludge, fulfils a key role in removal of micro-organic pollutants during biological wastewater treatment. In this study, the authors evaluated the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) sludge in a sulfate-reducing up-flow sludge bed (SRUSB) reactor, and examined the role of EPS on CIP removal in an SRB sludge system. The results indicated that CIP was removed efficiently through adsorption and biodegradation by SRB sludge, with adsorption the major removal pathway. EPS also played an important role in CIP adsorption by SRB sludge, and the adsorption mechanisms of CIP by EPS were investigated using the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy technologies combined with parallel factor analysis. The functional groups binding CIP onto EPS were identified through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis. The results suggested that the static quenching of EPS following CIP adsorption led to formation of an EPS-CIP complex, and that the CIP was mainly bound with tryptophan and tyrosine-like protein substances in EPS with the binding constants of 1.43×10⁴ L·mol^-1 and 1.02×10⁴ L·mol^-1, respectively. The FTIR results suggested that hydroxyl, amino and carboxyl functional groups were mainly responsible for binding of CIP onto EPS. The results revealed the adsorption mechanisms of CIP by EPS in SRB sludge, and enhanced understanding of the role of EPS in sulfur-mediated biological processes for the removal of CIP and other organic micro-pollutants.

Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of fatty acid synthase gene and meat quality traits in Datong Yak (Bos grunniens)

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme in fatty acid anabolism that plays an important role in the fat deposit of eukaryotic cells. Therefore, in this study, we detected 2 novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FASN gene in 313 adult individuals of Datong yak using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing techniques. SNP g.5477C>T is located in intron 3 of FASN, and 3 genotypes, HH, HG, and GG, were detected in this mutation site. SNP g.16930T>A is located in exon 37 of FASN, and 2 genotypes, EE and EF, were detected in this site. Association analysis of these 2 SNPs with meat quality traits showed that in SNP g.5477C>T, yaks with the HH genotype and HG genotype had significantly higher intramuscular fat content than individuals with the GG genotype (P < 0.01). In SNP g.16930T>A, yaks with the EE genotype also had significantly higher IMF content than individuals with the EF genotype (P < 0.01). The results indicate that FASN may be used as a candidate gene affecting intramuscular fat content in Datong yaks.

A survey on anesthesia for thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery in treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris in Taiwan

Thoracoscopic approach to sympathetic surgery has gained its popularity and emerged as the main stream in the treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris in Taiwan. Different kinds of anesthesia have been practiced and reported in these surgeries. We made a survey of anesthetic methods in twelve medical centers and regional hospitals of the island. It was found out that the choice of the anesthesia was mainly dependent on the mutual trust and the full communication between the anesthesiologist and the surgeon, both based on their skills and the operative methods chosen by the surgeon. Single-lumen endotracheal tube with general inhalation anesthesia is practiced in most of the hospitals surveyed. Sevoflurane and desflurane are the choices of the inhalational anesthetic agents. In short, the anesthesiologists tend to practice the type of anesthesia that is simple but safe enough to secure the airway of the patient throughout the thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery.

Treatment of acute bronchiolitis with Chinese herbs

In a randomised single blind trial the Chinese herbs Shuang Huang Lian were evaluated for the treatment of acute bronchiolitis. Children with acute bronchiolitis and serological evidence of recent respiratory syncytial virus infection were studied in a tertiary hospital in Harbin, China. The 96 children were randomised into three treatment groups: herbs, herbs with antibiotics, and antibiotics alone. The herbs were prepared by the medical school pharmacy and administered daily by intravenous infusion for seven days. The main outcomes, assessed blindly, were symptomatic improvement in cough, fever, wheezing, chest signs, and duration of stay in hospital. The mean duration of symptoms from the start of treatment was 6.2 (confidence interval 5.6 to 6.9) days in the two groups treated with herbs compared with 8.6 (confidence interval 7.5 to 9.8) days in the group treated with antibiotics alone. The mean reductions in duration of clinical manifestations for treatment with antibiotics alone compared with herbs were: from 3.1 to 1.5 days for fever, 9.1 to 6.1 days for cough, 6.5 to 4.1 days for wheezing, and 7.2 to 4.9 days for chest crackles. No adverse effect of Shuang Huang Lian herbal treatment was detected. In conclusion, this study confirms Chinese experience with Shuang Huang Lian that it is safe and effective, and warrants further study.