Botryorhodine J, a new anti-MRSA depsidone isolated from endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata Pas11.

A new depsidone derivative botryorhodine J (1), along with six known compounds (2-7) were obtained from solid rice cultures of Alternaria alternata Pas11 that was isolated from leaves of Phragmites australis. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of combination of NMR spectroscopic data and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against a panel of Gram-positive bacterial strains (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus). Compounds 1 and 6 displayed antibacterial activity against the three bacterial strains with the minimum inhibitory concentration values (MICs) of 14 - 32 µg/mL, while compound 5 showed good antibacterial activity against above bacterial strains with MIC values of 5 - 8 µg/mL.

Quantitative Risk Evaluation of Antimicrobial-Resistant Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated from Farmed Grey Mullets in Singapore.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a causative pathogen for gastroenteritis involving the consumption of undercooked or raw seafood. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the quantitative detection of this pathogen in finfish, while no study reported the enumeration of haemolytic antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) V. parahaemolyticus. In this study, ampicillin-, penicillin G- and tetracycline-resistant and non-AMR haemolytic V. parahaemolyticus isolates were monitored and quantified in grey mullet samples reared locally from different premises within the food chain (farm and retail). Occurrence data for haemolytic V. parahaemolyticus were 13/45 (29%) in farm fish samples, 2/6 (one third) from farm water samples and 27/45 (60%) from retail fish samples. Microbial loads for haemolytic V. parahaemolyticus microbial loads ranged from 1.9 to 4.1 Log CFU/g in fish samples and 2.0 to 3.0 Log CFU/g in farm water samples. AMR risk assessments (ARRAs) for both the full farm-to-home and partial retail-to-home chains in the risk modelling framework were conducted, specifically for ampicillin, penicillin G, tetracycline and haemolytic (non-AMR) scenarios. The haemolytic ARRA predicted an average probability of illness of 2.9 × 10-4 and 4.5 × 10-5 per serving for the farm-to-home and retail-to-home chains, respectively, translating to 57 and 148 cases annually. The ratios of the average probability of illness per year for the three ARRAs to the haemolytic ARRA were 1.1 × 10-2 and 3.0 × 10-4 (ampicillin and penicillin G, respectively) for the farm-to-home chain and 1.3, 1.6 and 0.4 (ampicillin, penicillin G and tetracycline, respectively) for the retail-to-home chain. Sensitivity analysis showed that the initial concentrations of haemolytic V. parahaemolyticus in the gills and intestines of the fish and the cooking and washing of the fish cavity were the major variables influencing risk outputs in all modelled ARRAs. The findings of this study are useful for relevant stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding risk management to improve overall food safety.

MMP-1/TIMP-1 expressions in rectal submucosa of females with obstructed defecation syndrome associated with internal rectal prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the MMP-1/TIMP-1 expressions in rectal submucosa of females with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) associated with internal rectal prolapse (IRP). METHODS: Fifty-six female patients with ODS associated with IRP were enrolled as Case group, and 43 female hemorrhoids of stages III-IV without constipation and IRP were enrolled as Control group. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were performed to test the expressions of MMP-1/TIMP-1 in the rectal submucosa. Western blotting was used to examine protein expressions of MMP-1/TIMP-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the rectal submucosa. EVG staining was conducted to detect collagen and elastic fibers in rectal submucosa. RESULTS: The increased expression of MMP-1 was negatively linked to the decreased TIMP-1 level in the rectal submucosa of patients with ODS associated with IRP. Besides, the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased in the Case group as compared with the Control group. Additionally, ODS severity and the pro-inflammatory cytokines was positively linked to MMP-1, but negatively related to TIMP-1 in Case group. EVG staining showed that the area ratios of collagen and elastic fibers were lower in Case group than Control group. Through Pearson's correlation analysis, the area ratios of collagen and elastic fibers were positively associated with MMP-1 expression, but negatively correlated with TIMP-1 expression in rectal submucosa of patients with ODS associated with IRP. CONCLUSION: Elevated MMP-1 and reduced TIMP-1 were found in ODS associated with IRP, which was related to the ODS severity, inflammation and contents of collagen and elastic fibers.

Identification of prostate cancer LncRNAs by RNA-Seq.

PURPOSE: To identify prostate cancer lncRNAs using a pipeline proposed in this study, which is applicable for the identification of lncRNAs that are differentially expressed in prostate cancer tissues but have a negligible potential to encode proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used two publicly available RNA-Seq datasets from normal prostate tissue and prostate cancer. Putative lncRNAs were predicted using the biological technology, then specific lncRNAs of prostate cancer were found by differential expression analysis and co-expression network was constructed by the weighted gene co-expression network analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,080 lncRNA transcripts were obtained in the RNA-Seq datasets. Three genes (PCA3, C20orf166-AS1 and RP11-267A15.1) showed a significant differential expression in the prostate cancer tissues, and were thus identified as prostate cancer specific lncRNAs. Brown and black modules had significant negative and positive correlations with prostate cancer, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pipeline proposed in this study is useful for the prediction of prostate cancer specific lncRNAs. Three genes (PCA3, C20orf166-AS1, and RP11-267A15.1) were identified to have a significant differential expression in prostate cancer tissues. However, there have been no published studies to demonstrate the specificity of RP11-267A15.1 in prostate cancer tissues. Thus, the results of this study can provide a new theoretic insight into the identification of prostate cancer specific genes.

Persistence of respirator use learning.

Although retraining and repeat fit-testing are needed for respirator users, the optimal frequency is uncertain. The persistence of proper respirator donning/doffing techniques and changes in quantitative fit factor over 6 months after initial training were measured in this study. Initial training was designed for rapid rollout situations in which direct contact with well-trained occupational health professionals may be infeasible. Subjects (n = 175) were assigned randomly to use either a filtering facepiece N95 (FFR) or dual cartridge half facemask (HFM) respirator. Each was assigned randomly to one of three training methods-printed brochure, video, or computer-based training. Soon after initial training, quantitative fit and measures of proper technique were determined. These measurements were repeated 6 months later. In the six-month followup, subjects were randomized to receive either a brief reminder card or a placebo card. Total performance score, major errors, and quantitative fit all became significantly worse at 6 months. An individual's result soon after training was the most important predictor of performance 6 months later. There was a marginal not statistically significant tendency for those initially trained by video to have better protection 6 months later. The study suggests that persons who use respirators intermittently should be thoroughly retrained and reevaluated periodically. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resource: Additional statistical analyses.

Reviewing radiographic images with patients: results of a trial on patient preferences, understanding, and satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient preferences, understanding, and satisfaction regarding visual review of radiographic images during counseling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 101 urologic patients who presented for counseling where images impacted decision making were randomized into group A, shown their images, and group B, shown a diagram. Both completed a satisfaction survey blinded to the study's purpose. A second unblinded survey evaluated patient comprehension of and preferences regarding images. Comparison of intervention and control groups for differences in satisfaction and analysis of patient self-reported preferences and understanding regarding radiographic images was performed. RESULTS: Group A had higher satisfaction scores but did not reach statistical significance. Both groups reported comprehension of images (100%, 97.9%), improvement in understanding of their condition and treatment because of viewing images (98%, 95.8%), and felt images should be shown to all patients (92%, 89.6%). Multivariate analysis identified female sex to independently predict greater understanding of images and belief that all patients should be shown their images. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all patients reported comprehension of images, improvement in understanding because of review of images, and preference for being shown images. Female patients expressed greater understanding and preference for all patients to be shown their images. Review of radiographic images represents a potentially useful additional modality for patient counseling whose usefulness for improving satisfaction will need to be confirmed in further studies.