Purification and comparison of soluble and membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase from potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers.

Enzymatic browning greatly affects the quality of potato products. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is the enzyme mainly responsible for potato enzymatic browning. PPO has soluble polyphenol oxidase (sPPO) and membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase (mPPO) forms. In this study, the properties of sPPO and mPPO were investigated in potato tubers. The molecular weight of potato sPPO and mPPO were estimated to be 69 kDa in the form of homodimers in vivo. The mass spectrometry results showed that the purified sPPO and mPPO protein in potato tubers was mainly tr|M1BMR6 (Uniprot). The optimum pH for sPPO and mPPO was 6.5, and the optimum temperatures were 20 and 30 °C, respectively. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum unit enzyme activity (Vmax) of sPPO were 6.08 mM and 2161 U/S when catechol was used as the substrate, whereas those of mPPO were 2.95 mM and 2129.53 U/S, respectively. The mPPO had stronger affinity to the substrate catechol than sPPO, whereas pyrogallic acid was stronger affinity for sPPO. Ascorbic acid and sodium sulfite were inhibitors of sPPO and mPPO, respectively. After understanding the different binding states of polyphenol oxidase, different inhibitors and treatment methods can be used to treat the enzyme according to different enzymatic properties, so as to achieve a greater degree of Browning control. These results will provide a theoretical basis for regulating PPO activity to reduce enzymatic browning during potato processing.

Attention to pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in a case of transient hypoxemia and cerebral infarction during pregnancy: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is rare during pregnancy. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula presents no pulmonary symptoms in most patients but can be exacerbated by pregnancy. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, pulmonary arteriovenous fistula can lead to respiratory failure, stroke, spontaneous hemothorax, or other fatal complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old healthy pregnant woman presented with a transient drop in blood oxygen level of unknown cause during a routine examination at 34 weeks of gestation and during a cesarean section at 38 weeks of pregnancy. The patient's oxygen saturation quickly returned to normal and was not further investigated. On day 3 postpartum, the patient suddenly displayed slurred speech and right limb myasthenia. A head magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebral infarction in the left basal ganglia. Subsequent computed tomography pulmonary arteriography revealed bilateral pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, which was likely the cause of cerebral infarction. The patient was transferred to the Department of Thoracic Surgery after one month of treatment and successfully underwent percutaneous embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula should not be neglected if a pregnant woman presents with transient hypoxemia and cerebral infarction. A transient decrease in pulse oxygen saturation that cannot be explained by common clinical causes can be an early warning sign of the disease. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management could improve the prognosis.

Can cell salvage be used for resuscitation in a patient with amniotic fluid embolism and hepatic laceration? A case report.

BACKGROUND: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare disease that can lead to profound coagulopathy and hemorrhage, especially when combined with the laceration and bleeding of other organs. Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) has been widely used for treating obstetric hemorrhage, but it remains unclear whether ICS can be used in the treatment of AFE. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 27-year-old woman at 39 weeks' gestation who suddenly developed severe abdominal pain, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and decreased vital signs during labor. Despite an emergency cesarean section being performed, the parturient experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Fortunately, the heart rate spontaneously recovered after effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Further abdominal exploration revealed right hepatic laceration with active bleeding. ICS was performed and the salvaged blood was promptly transfused back to the patient. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with AFE based on hypotension, hypoxia, coagulopathy, and cardiac arrest. The patient was transfused with 2899 mL salvaged blood during surgery with no adverse effects. At 60- and 90-day follow-ups, no complaints of discomfort or abnormal laboratory test results were observed in the mother or the baby. CONCLUSION: ICS was used to rescue patient with AFE, and ICS did not worsen the condition of patients with AFE. For pregnant women who received CPR, clinicians should explore the presence of hepatic laceration which can be fatal to patients.

An aldo-keto reductase, Bbakr1, is involved in stress response and detoxification of heavy metal chromium but not required for virulence in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana.

The aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) belong to the NADP-dependent oxidoreductase superfamily, which play important roles in various physiological functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. However, many AKR superfamily members remain uncharacterized. Here, a downstream target gene of the HOG1 MAPK pathways coding for an aldo-keto reductase, named Bbakr1, was characterized in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Bbakr1 expression increased in response to osmotic and salt stressors, and oxidative and heavy metal (chromium) stress. Deletion of Bbakr1 caused a reduction in conidiation, as well as delayed conidial germination. ΔBbakr1 displayed increased sensitivity to osmotic/high-salt stress with decreased compatible solute accumulation. In addition, the mutant was more sensitive to high concentrations of the heavy metal, chromium, and to oxidative stress than the wild type cells, with impaired ability to detoxify active aldehyde that might accumulate due to lipid peroxidation. However, over-expressing Bbakr1 in either the wild type strain or a ΔBbhog1 background did not cause any obvious changes in phenotypes as compared to their controls. Little effect on virulence was seen for either the ΔBbakr1 or overexpression strains in insect bioassays via cuticle infection or intrahemocoel injection assays, suggesting that Bbakr1 is not required for virulence.

The C-terminal MIR-containing region in the Pmt1 O-mannosyltransferase restrains sporulation and is dispensable for virulence in Beauveria bassiana.

Protein O-mannosyltransferases (Pmts) belong to a highly conserved protein family responsible for the initiation of O-glycosylation of many proteins. Pmts contain one dolichyl-phosphate-mannose-protein mannosyltransferases (PMT) domain and three MIR motifs (mannosyltransferase, inositol triphosphate, and ryanodine receptor) that are essential for activity in yeast. We report that in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, deletion of the C-terminal Pmt1 MIR-containing region (Pmt1∆ 311-902) does not alter O-mannosyltransferase activity, but does increase total cell wall protein O-mannosylation levels and results in phenotypic changes in fungal development and cell wall stability. B. bassiana mutants harboring the Pmt1 ∆ 311-902 mutation displayed a significant increase in conidiation with up-regulation of conidiation-associated genes and an increase in biomass accumulation as compared to the wild-type parent. However, decreased vegetative growth and blastospore production was noted, and Pmt1 ∆ 311-902 mutants were altered in cell wall composition and cell surface features. Insect bioassays revealed little effect on virulence for the Pmt1 ∆ 311-902 strain via cuticle infection or intrahemocoel injection assays, although differences in hyphal body differentiation in the host hemolymph and up-regulation of virulence-associated genes were noted. These data suggest novel roles for Pmt1 in negatively regulating conidiation and demonstrate that the C-terminal Pmt1 MIR-containing region is dispensable for enzymatic activity and organismal virulence.

Low-dose spinal-epidural anesthesia for Cesarean section in a parturient with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxic heart disease.

A 29-year-old woman at 34 weeks' gestation with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxic heart disease was admitted to urgency Cesarean section. After preoperative sedation and good communication, low-dose spinal anesthesia (7.5 mg 0.5 % bupivacaine) combined with epidural anesthesia (6 ml 2 % lidocaine) was performed through L3-4 inter-vertebral. Opioids were given intravenously to the mother for sedation after delivery of the baby. Satisfactory anesthesia and sedation was provided during surgery. The mother and the neonate were safe and no special complication was found after surgery. Our case demonstrated that low-dose spinal anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia with intravenous opioids can provide satisfactory anesthesia and sedation, and reduce the risk of heart failure and thyroid storm.

The lowest effective intracuff pressure of the esophagus obstruction tube to prevent reflux of gastric contents: a study on rabbits.

PURPOSE: To determine the lowest effective cuff pressure of the esophageal obstruction tube to prevent reflux of gastric contents in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-two New Zealand white rabbits (2.0-2.5 kg) were anesthetized. An esophageal obstruction tube, an esophageal observation tube, and a gastric tube were inserted into the esophagus and stomach, respectively. Normal saline containing methylene blue was injected into the stomach for an animal model of gastric contents reflux. Possible saline reflux was observed through the esophageal observation tube. It was considered "regurgitation" when the saline flowed out, and "no regurgitation" when the saline did not. When a "regurgitation" result was obtained in a particular rabbit, the intracuff pressure was increased by 10 cm H(2)O in the following rabbit and vice versa. The trial was not terminated until six crossover points were observed from "no regurgitation" to "regurgitation." A probit regression model was used to analyze the effective intracuff pressure of the esophagus obstruction tube after 50 % and 95 % of the rabbits showed no reflux. RESULTS: The lowest effective intracuff pressure to prevent reflux of gastric contents in 50 % of rabbits from the Dixon up-down method was 61.67 ± 8.16 cm H(2)O. The intracuff pressures at which there was 50 % and 95 % probability of lack of gastric contents reflux from a probit regression model were 61.95 and 74.39 cm H(2)O, respectively. CONCLUSION: The insertion of an esophageal obstruction tube before endotracheal intubation can be an acceptable method for preventing the reflux of gastric contents in most rabbits under light anesthesia.

Giant cranionasal and cystic-solid craniopharyngioma associated with extensive bone erosion and ossification.

Craniopharyngioma (CP), a rare benign and slow-growing epithelial tumor, is mainly located within the sellar/parasellar region. Primary CP involving the nasal cavity and the sellar region with extensive erosion of the skull base and ossification simultaneity has not been described previously. The authors report a 23-year-old man who presented to our institute with complaints of repeated nasal cavity bloodshed, liquid flow, and progressive visual loss. A neuroimaging examination showed a giant cranionasal and cystic-solid CP extending from the suprasellar region to the nasopharynx with inhomogeneous enhancement, which is associated with extensive erosion of the skull base and ossification. The patient underwent a transsphenoidal surgery to resect the nasopharyngeal component of CP and a subfrontal craniotomy with a total removal of intracranial component by grinding 3 months later. A histopathologic examination revealed characteristic features of adamantinomatous CP associated with ossification. The current study demonstrates that CP can exhibit cranionasal growth pattern and arise from residue of craniopharyngeal duct. Extensive erosion of the skull base, calcification, and ossification can present in tumor simultaneity. A 2-stage stratagem is important for its total removal because of the peculiar hardness. Postsurgical course is unevenly and should be dealt with carefully.

[The effect of surfentanyl and fentanyl at rhythmic spontaneous contraction on isolated rabbits uterine smooth muscles].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of surfentanyl and fentanyl on spontaneous contractions of isolated uterine smooth muscles of rabbits. METHODS: Thirty isolated uterine smooth muscles strips of rabbits with rhythmic spontaneous contraction were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 10) fentanyl group (n = 10) and surfentanyl group (n = 10). The effects of fentanyl and surfentanyl on spontaneous contractions intensity, frequency and duration of isolated uterine smooth muscles of rabbits in different concentrationswere monitored. RESULTS: There were no effect on the spontaneous contraction of isolated uterine muscles of rabbits at the concentration of 1 x 10(-8) mol/L in fentanyl group. The spontaneous contraction intensity was decreased significantly when the concentration of fentanyl more than 3 x 10(-8) mol/L (P < 0.05). The spontaneous contraction intensity, frequency and duration was inhibited more than 50% when the concentration of fentanyl more than 3 x 10(-7) mol/L (P < 0.05). And the spontaneous contraction duration was inhibited more than 50% when the concentration of surfentanyl more than 1 x 10(-7) mol/L (P < 0.05). Compared with surfentanyl group, there were significant difference on spontaneous contraction intensity when the concentration of fentanyl more than 3 x 10(-8) mol/L (P < 0.05). Difference on frequency, more than 3 x 10(-8) mol/L (P < 0.05) and difference on duration, at the concentration of 1 x 10(-7) and 1 x 10(-7) mol/L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fentanyl restrained the spontaneous contractions of isolated uterine smooth muscles of rabbits in concentration-dependent manner. Surfentanyl could reduce the spontaneous contractions duration on isolated uterine smooth muscles of rabbits. But there were no effect on frequency and duration.

[Low-dose of furosemide to correct oliguria in gynecological surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficay of low-dose furosemide in the correction of oliguria in the patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. METHODS: A total of 120 patients, aged between 20 to 50 years old, who were scheduled to receive elective gynecological open surgery under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, furosemide 0. 05 mg/kg (F0.5) group and furosemide 0. 1 mg/kg (F1) group (n=40). During surgery, blood volume and blood pressure was maintained in the normal range. The urine volume was recorded every 30 minutes. Oliguria was defined as the urine volume less than 0. 5 mL/(kg . h), When oliguria was observed, flurosemide or saline was given to the patients based on the enrollment status. If the patients were still oliguric 30 min later, the treatment was repeated. The total time of surgery, net fluid infusion volume, urine volume per unit time per body weight at the completion of surgery, the incidence of intraoperative oliguria, the total amount of furosemide and the average specific gravity of urine were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in sex, age, fasting time, the total time of surgery and intraoperative net fluid infusion volume among the three groups (P>0. 05). The urine volume per unit time per body weight in control group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups (P<0. 01). The incidence of intraoperative oliguria in the three groups (control, low dose, high dose groups) were 52. 5%, 12. 5% and 0%, respectively (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: Low-dose of furosemide could maintain normal urine volume and specific gravity of urine during gynecological surgery.

[The application of nasopharyngeal airway in nurosurgery patients during anesthesia recovery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of nasopharyngeal airway used for neurosurgery patients during the anesthesia recovery period. METHODS: A total of 60 patients (ASAI-II), aged between 25 to 67 years old, who were scheduled to undergo elective neurosurgery operation under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into the oropharyngeal airway group (group O) and the nasopharyngeal airway group (group N), with 30 cases in each group. After respiratory recovery was satisfactory at the end of operation, endotracheal tube was extubated under deep anesthesia. Afterwards, oropharyngeal airway was intubated in group O, and nasopharyngeal airway was intubated in group N. BP and HR before induction (T0), before airway intubation (T1), at 1 min (T2) and 5 min (T3) after airway intubation were recorded. Meanwhile, one-time success rate of airway intubation, the airway retention time, the times of airway regulation due to location change and the change of respiration and circulation in each groups during airway retention period were recorded. In addition, adverse reactions during airway retention period and tolerance scores of patients in both groups were recorded. RESULTS: BP and HR in group N at T1 and T2 increased significantly compared with T0 (P < 0.05), Compared with T1, BP and HR increased significantly at T2 in group N (P < 0.05). Compared with T1 and T2, the same index reduced significantly at T3 (P < 0.05). BP and HR in group N were significantly higher than those in group O at T2 (P < 0.05). Airway retention time in group N was significantly longer than that in group O [(137.4 +/- 18.32) min vs. (64.2 +/- 8.25) min, P < 0.053; the times of airway location regulation in group N was less than that in group O (0.34 +/- 0.21 vs. 2.80 +/- 0.54) (P < 0.05). During airway retention period the incidence of BP and HR exceeding the base value by 15% in group O was higher than that in group N (80.0% vs. 46.7%)(P < 0.01), and the incidence of SPO2 less than 95% in group O was higher than that in group N (26.7% vs. 6.7%) (P < 0.05). The incidence of nausea, upper airway obstruction and restlessness in group O was significantly higher than that in group N (P < 0.05). Moreover, airway tolerance score of patients in group N was significantly better than that in group O (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nasopharyngeal airway could better maintain unobstructed upper airway in neurosurgery patients during the anesthesia recovery period with advantages such as small circulatory effect, good tolerance and fewer complications.

Comparative effectiveness of oseltamivir versus peramivir for hospitalized children (aged 0-5 years) with influenza infection.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of oseltamivir versus peramivir in children infected with influenza remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate their effectiveness in young children (aged 0-5 years) infected with severe influenza A virus (IAV) or influenza B virus (IBV). METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 1662 young children with either IAV (N = 1095) or IBV (N = 567) who received oseltamivir or peramivir treatment from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022. Propensity score matching methods were applied to match children who were oseltamivir-treated versus peramivir-treated. RESULTS: Children who were IAV-infected and IBV-infected shared similar features, such as influenza-associated symptoms and comorbidities at baseline. Among children infected with IAV with bacterial coinfection, the recovery rate was significantly greater in children treated with oseltamivir than in children treated with peramivir (15.6% vs 4.4%, P = 0.01). The median duration of hospitalization was also shorter in children treated with oseltamivir. Among children infected with IAV without bacterial coinfection, the recovery rate was greater in children treated with oseltamivir than in children treated with peramivir (21.1% vs 3.7%, P = 0.002). However, oseltamivir and peramivir offered similar recovery rates and duration of hospitalization (P >0.05 for both) among children infected with IBV. CONCLUSION: Oseltamivir and peramivir exhibit similar effectiveness in young children with severe influenza B, whereas oseltamivir demonstrated improved recovery and shorter hospitalization in the treatment of severe influenza A in hospitalized children.

Primary Rathke's cleft cyst in the cerebellopontine angle associated with apoplexy.

Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is a congenital, benign, epithelial tumor and mainly occurs in sellar region and occasionally in suprasellar region; ectopic RCC is exceedingly rare. We report an uncommon RCC in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) associated with RCC apoplexy and investigated the possible hypothesis of its origin. A 12-year-old female student was admitted to hospital for 3-month history of vertigo, headache, nausea, and vomiting and aggravated for 1 week. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a space-occupying lesion with short T1 and long T2 signals in the left CPA and an intracystic floating nodule with hypointensity on T1- and T2-weighted imaging. The patient underwent the total tumor removal via the retrosigmoid approach with a good recovery. Primary RCC was confirmed by pathology. Follow-up MRI showed no recurrence 3.5 years after craniotomy. Primary RCC can occur in CPA and present special neuroimaging features associated with RCC apoplexy. We presumed that a mimicking mechanism of ectopic craniopharyngioma in CPA leads to the formation in the present case. Microsurgical resection is the optimal strategy for management. Further research and longer follow-up are helpful to better understanding the pathogenesis and development history of RCC in CPA.

Preoperative prolonged fasting causes severe metabolic acidosis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Preoperative prolonged fasting may cause starvation ketoacidosis. Herein, we report of a case of starvation ketoacidosis due to long-term fasting before surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report of a case of metabolic acidosis due to prolonged fasting in a previously healthy 44-year-old woman during a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Hyperventilation was observed to occur when the surgery was completed. Metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia were demonstrated by blood gas analysis of the radial artery. DIAGNOSIS: Metabolic acidosis. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received sodium bicarbonate and 5% glucose fluid at the end of the surgery. OUTCOMES: The tracheal tube was successfully removed when the tidal volume of the patient returned to normal after the therapy. However, the patient suffered pulmonary edema when she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). With treatments with furosemide and sodium bicarbonate, acidosis and pulmonary edema were completely corrected at 8 hours after the surgery. On the second day after the surgery, the patient suffered nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting were not completely relieved on the sixth day after the operation; therefore, the patient was transferred to the Department of Gastroenterology for further therapy. LESSONS: This case suggests that although the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been adopted by most physicians because of its positive outcomes, the issue of prolonged fasting still exists, and such patients may be exposed to the risk of starvation ketoacidosis.

[Microsurgical treatment of gigantic dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method of microsurgical treatment for jugular foramen tumor (JFT). METHODS: Ten patients with dumbbell-shaped JFTs who were microsurgically treated by the same group were retrospectively studied, the surgical approaches includes infratemporal approach and modified far lateral approach according to tumors' size, blood feeding, hearing and growth manner. Cranial nerve function, pre- and postoperative complications, follow-up data were presented and discussed. RESULTS: Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 7 patients, subtotal removal in 2 cases, partial removal in 1 case, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaking in 1 cases, postoperative new cranial nerve defects in 1 cases, aggravation in 2 cases. Postoperative deficits of the cranial nerves improved in 80 percent of the patients. Favorable facial function in 6 months postoperatively (House-Brackmann grade system in Grade 1 and Grade 2) was noted in 7 of the 10 patients. The postoperative level of hearing was preserved in 3 of the 6 patients with residual hearing. Recurrence was noted in 1 case during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical total removal of JFT is possible depends on microsurgical operation with the two approaches with lowly additional neurological deficits. The function of preoperative affected cranial nerves can be recovered.

Assessment of tracheal intubation in adults after induction with sevoflurane and different doses of propofol: a randomly controlled trial.

Intubation without prior administration of muscle relaxants is a common practice in children and adults with potential difficult airways. We aimed to investigate the effects of adding different doses of propofol on tracheal intubation and the time to return of spontaneous breathing during inhalation induction of patients. 150 patients undergoing operations were randomly given propofol IV at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg (namely 1.0-propofol, 1.5-propofol and 2.0-propofol, respectively) after inhalational induction with sevoflurane. Tracheal intubating conditions, time to return of spontaneous breathing, postoperative hoarseness, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (PETCO2), and pulse oxygen saturations (SpO2) were assessed. Tracheal intubation was successful in all patients. Intubating conditions were acceptable in 31/50, 42/50 and 47/50 in those subjects given propofol 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg, respectively. Intubation scores were similar in groups 1.5-propofol and 2.0-propofol, and were significantly higher than in group 1.0-propofol (P = 0.013). Time to return of spontaneous breathing in group 2.0-propofol was significantly prolonged compared with groups 1.5-propofol and 1.0-propofol (197.0 ± 49.4 sec vs. 130.4 ± 32.7 sec, P < 0.001; 197.0 ± 49.4 sec vs. 104.8 ± 22.6 sec, P < 0.001, respectively). SpO2 in group 2.0-propofol was significantly lower than group 1.0-propofol and 1.5-propofol. However, PETCO2 in group 2.0-propofol was significantly higher than in groups 1.0-propofol or 1.5-propofol. Propofol at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg provides intubating conditions similar to propofol at 2.0 mg/kg in patients. Time to return of spontaneous breathing followed by a dose of 1.5 mg/kg propofol was significantly shorter than that followed by a dose of 2.0 mg/kg propofol.