Bacterial Diversity of Sun-Dried Spanish Mackerel in Dalian and Application of Lactobacillus plantarum X23 as a Biopreservative.

ABSTRACT: Sun-dried Spanish mackerel is a common food in Dalian and made by adding salt and sun drying, which has special physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. In this study, the physicochemical properties and microbial composition of commercially available sun-dried Spanish mackerel in Dalian were assessed, and some Lactobacillus strains were screened as a biopreservative for sun-dried Spanish mackerel preparation. The results showed that the total volatile base nitrogen content in the traditional sun-dried Spanish mackerel samples from Dalian was within 30 mg/100 g, the histamine content was 7 to 17 mg/kg, and the dominant bacteria at the genus level were Lactobacillus, Psychrobacter, and Ralstonia. A strain with biopreservative potential was isolated from a sun-dried Spanish mackerel sample, identified as L. plantarum species by 16S rDNA sequencing, and assigned as L. plantarum X23. Fresh Spanish mackerel flesh was treated with 16% brine and L. plantarum X23 at a dose of 107 CFU/mL and then dried in the sun. The sun-dried Spanish mackerel flesh treated with 16% brine and L. plantarum X23 showed a decreased histamine and acid value, increased free amino acid content, and a higher sensory score compared with the sun-dried Spanish mackerel without L. plantarum X23 treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the sun-dried Spanish mackerel purchased from the supermarkets in Dalian were safely edible, and L. plantarum X23 can significantly reduce the content of histamine and putrescine in self-made, low-salt, sun-dried Spanish mackerel and has potential as a biopreservative for sun-dried Spanish mackerel preparation.

[Epidemiological analysis of malaria prevalence in Jiangsu Province in 2015].

Objective To understand the malaria epidemic situation and characteristics in Jiangsu Province in 2015, so as to provide the evidence for malaria elimination. Methods The data of malaria cases in Jiangsu Province in 2015 were collected from China's routine diseases surveillance information system. Results Totally 405 imported cases were reported in Jiangsu Province in 2015, and the cases increased by 14.08% compared with those in 2014. All the malaria cases were imported, and 5 cases (1.23%) were from Southeast Asia and 400 (98.77%) were from 25 African countries or regions. The imported malaria cases were reported in 13 cities across Jiangsu Province, where Taizhou, Lianyungang, Nantong, Huaian and Yangzhou cities accounted for 68.64% of all the cases in the province. Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases (JIPD) reference lab checked all the cases and classified 299 falciparum malaria cases, 13 vivax malaria cases, 18 quartan malaria cases, 71 ovale malaria cases, and 4 mixed Plasmodium infection cases. Conclusions In Jiangsu Province, there are no local malaria cases for 4 consecutive years, but the imported cases are on the rise. Compared to 2014, the imported vivax cases increased significantly in 2015. It should be the key points to strengthen the surveillance of imported malaria cases, improve malaria diagnosis and treatment abilities for all levels of medical institutions, and promote the abilities of Plasmodium check, and focus survey and disposal of all Center for Disease Control (CDC) staffs across Jiangsu Province.

Giant non-functional parathyroid cyst: A case report.

Giant parathyroid cysts (PCs) are a rare entity and possess a benign clinical course. PCs may be functional or non-functional, depending on the ability of the cyst to secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH). The present study reports a rare case of a giant PC in a 56-year-old male who presented to the Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, Henan, China) with a 10-month history of exertional dyspnea, associated with mild dysphagia that had persisted for 3 months. The present study reviews the clinical situation, laboratory examination, radiographic findings, treatment and prognosis of the patient, and provides a brief discussion regarding the associated literature. Giant PCs may manifest with compressive symptoms of the surrounding tissues. The diagnosis of a giant PC is based on increased levels of PTH in the fluid collected during the aspiration of the cyst. Management by surgical excision is recommended for giant PCs that cause local cervical symptoms.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of Krukenberg tumor.

Krukenberg tumor is a rare metastastic tumor of the ovary, characterized by poor prognosis. In order to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors, we retrospectively investigated 128 patients who were diagnosed with Krukenberg tumor between January, 1990 and December, 2010. The median patient age was 48 years. The median overall survival (OS) of Krukenberg tumor for all patients was 16 months (95% CI: 15-19 months). The median OS among patients with Krukenberg tumors of gastric, colorectal, breast and other origins (including appendix, gallbladder, small intestine and unknown primary) was 11, 21.5, 31 and 19.5 months, respectively (P<0.0001). In the univariate analysis, synchronous metastasis, no chemotherapy, ovarian metastasis beyond the pelvis, ascites and no metastasectomy were identified as significant poor prognostic factors. The multivariate analysis suggested that synchronous metastasis (P=0.0080), pelvic invasion (P=0.0138), ascites (P<0.0001) and no metastasectomy (P=0.0060) were independent factors for predicting unfavorable OS. It was suggested that the prognosis of Krukenberg tumor is dismal and ovarian metastasectomy may prove beneficial. Adequate treatment planning is required for this group of patients.