Effect of Potassium Permanganate on Staphylococcal Isolates Derived from the Skin of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis.

In atopic dermatitis (AD), Staphylococcus aureus frequently colonizes lesions, leading to superinfections that can then lead to exacerbations. The presence of biofilm-producing isolates has been associated with worsening of the disease. Potassium permanganate is used as a topical treatment of infected eczema, blistering conditions, and wounds. Little is known of its effects against microbes in AD skin. The aim of this study was to explore antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of potassium permanganate against staphylococcal isolates derived from AD skin. Viable count and radial diffusion assays were used to investigate antibacterial effects of potassium permanganate against planktonic staphylococcal isolates. The antibiofilm effects were assessed using biofilm assays and scanning electron microscopy. The Staphylococcus aureus isolates were completely killed when exposed to 0.05% of potassium permanganate. In concentrations of 0.01%, potassium permanganate inhibited bacterial biofilm formation. Eradication of established staphylococcal biofilm was observed in concentrations of 1%. Electron microscopy revealed dense formations of coccoidal structures in growth control and looser formations of deformed bacteria when exposed to potassium permanganate. This suggests antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of potassium permanganate against staphylococcal isolates derived from AD skin, when tested in vitro, and a potential role in the treatment of superinfected AD skin.

The effect of fucoidan or potassium permanganate on growth performance, intestinal pathology, and antioxidant status in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Fucoidans are marine algal sulfated glycans that are widely used as dietary additives in aquaculture. These glycans are recognized as beneficial supplements for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties. Potassium permanganate is another commonly used chemical that is used in aquaculture to treat infections in fish. Despite their widespread use, there are few data available regarding the potential sublethal toxicity associated with fucoidan and potassium permanganate treatments of fish. In this study, we investigated the effect of each compound on the growth, intestinal health, and antioxidant status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Both compounds affected the growth of experimental fish compared with untreated fish. However, while growth parameters were positively associated with the dose of fucoidan administered, growth was negatively associated with the dose of potassium permanganate in Nile tilapia. Fucoidan treatment was observed to improve the intestinal health of fish based upon increases in intestinal villous area, intestinal villous length and width, and the intraepithelial lymphocyte number and decreases in the total intestinal bacterial count compared with untreated fish. Conversely, potassium permanganate induced intestinal epithelium proliferation and villous branching, a histopathological response typically observed with chemical irritants. Both fucoidan and potassium permanganate decreased levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress markers and enhanced the antioxidant status in multiple organs. Taken together, fucoidan dietary application improved the growth, intestinal health, and antioxidant status in Nile tilapia, supporting the use of this compound as a promising feed additive for aquaculture production. Conversely, potassium permanganate baths have negative effects on fish growth at higher doses and appeared to act as a gastrointestinal irritant in tilapia. This study improves knowledge regarding the biochemical and histological responses in Nile tilapia to two widely used aquaculture-related treatments.

Sodium Persulfate and Potassium Permanganate Inhibit Methanogens and Methanogenesis in Stored Liquid Dairy Manure.

Stored liquid dairy manure is a hotspot for methane (CH) emission, thus effective mitigation strategies are required. We assessed sodium persulfate (NaSO), potassium permanganate (KMnO), and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for impacts on the abundance of microbial communities and CH production in liquid dairy manure. Liquid dairy manure treated with different rates (1, 3, 6, and 9 g or mL L slurry) of these chemicals or their combinations were incubated under anoxic conditions at 22.5 ± 1.3°C for 120 d. Untreated and sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES)-treated manures were included as negative and positive controls, respectively, whereas sulfuric acid (HSO)-treated manure was used as a reference. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the abundances of bacteria and methanogens on Days 0, 60, and 120. Headspace CH/CO ratios were used as a proxy to determine CH production. Unlike bacterial abundance, methanogen abundance and CH/CO ratios varied with treatments. Addition of 1 to 9 g L slurry of NaSO and KMnO reduced methanogen abundance (up to ∼28%) and peak CH/CO ratios (up to 92-fold). Except at the lowest rate, chemical combinations also reduced the abundance of methanogens (up to ∼17%) and CH/CO ratios (up to ninefold), although no impacts were observed when 3% NaOCl was used alone. With slurry acidification, the ratios reduced up to twofold, whereas methanogen abundance was unaffected. Results suggest that NaSO and KMnO may offer alternative options to reduce CH emission from stored liquid dairy manure, but this warrants further assessment at larger scales for environmental impacts and characteristics of the treated manure.

In Vitro Synergism between Azithromycin or Terbinafine and Topical Antimicrobial Agents against Pythium insidiosum.

We describe here in vitro activity for the combination of azithromycin or terbinafine and benzalkonium, cetrimide, cetylpyridinium, mupirocin, triclosan, or potassium permanganate. With the exception of potassium permanganate, the remaining antimicrobial drugs were active and had an MIC90 between 2 and 32 µg∕ml. The greatest synergism was observed for the combination of terbinafine and cetrimide (71.4%). In vivo experimental evaluations will clarify the potential of these drugs for the topical treatment of lesions caused by Pythium insidiosum.

Potassium permanganate elicits a shift of the external fish microbiome and increases host susceptibility to columnaris disease.

The external microbiome of fish is thought to benefit the host by hindering the invasion of opportunistic pathogens and/or stimulating the immune system. Disruption of those microbial communities could increase susceptibility to diseases. Traditional aquaculture practices include the use of potent surface-acting disinfectants such as potassium permanganate (PP, KMnO4) to treat external infections. This study evaluated the effect of PP on the external microbiome of channel catfish and investigated if dysbiosis leads to an increase in disease susceptibility. Columnaris disease, caused by Flavobacterium columnare, was used as disease model. Four treatments were compared in the study: (I) negative control (not treated with PP nor challenged with F. columnare), (II) treated but not challenged, (III) not treated but challenged, and (IV) treated and challenged. Ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) and pyrosequencing were used to analyze changes in the external microbiome during the experiment. Exposure to PP significantly disturbed the external microbiomes and increased catfish mortality following the experimental challenge. Analysis of similarities of RISA profiles showed statistically significant changes in the skin and gill microbiomes based on treatment and sampling time. Characterization of the microbiomes using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing confirmed the disruption of the skin microbiome by PP at different phylogenetic levels. Loss of diversity occurred during the study, even in the control group, but was more noticeable in fish subjected to PP than in those challenged with F. columnare. Fish treated with PP and challenged with the pathogen exhibited the least diverse microbiome at the end of the study.

Quantitative evaluation of dermatological antiseptics.

Topical antiseptics are frequently used in dermatological management, yet evidence for the efficacy of traditional generic formulations is often largely anecdotal. We tested the in vitro bactericidal activity of four commonly used topical antiseptics against Staphylococcus aureus, using a modified version of the European Standard EN 1276, a quantitative suspension test for evaluation of the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. To meet the standard for antiseptic effectiveness of EN 1276, at least a 5 log10 reduction in bacterial count within 5 minutes of exposure is required. While 1% benzalkonium chloride and 6% hydrogen peroxide both achieved a 5 log10 reduction in S. aureus count, neither 2% aqueous eosin nor 1 : 10 000 potassium permanganate showed significant bactericidal activity compared with control at exposure periods of up to 1 h. Aqueous eosin and potassium permanganate may have desirable astringent properties, but these results suggest they lack effective antiseptic activity, at least against S. aureus.

Kinetics of cell inactivation, toxin release, and degradation during permanganation of Microcystis aeruginosa.

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) preoxidation is capable of enhancing cyanobacteria cell removal. However, the impacts of KMnO4 on cell viability and potential toxin release have not been comprehensively characterized. In this study, the impacts of KMnO4 on Microcystis aeruginosa inactivation and on the release and degradation of intracellular microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and other featured organic matter were investigated. KMnO4 oxidation of M. aeruginosa exhibited some kinetic patterns that were different from standard chemical reactions. Results indicated that cell viability loss and MC-LR release both followed two-segment second-order kinetics with turning points of KMnO4 exposure (ct) at cty and ctr, respectively. KMnO4 primarily reacted with dissolved and cell-bound extracellular organic matter (mucilage) and resulted in a minor loss of cell viability and MC-LR release before the ct value reached cty. Thereafter, KMnO4 approached the inner layer of the cell wall and resulted in a rapid decrease of cell viability. Further increase of ct to ctr led to cell lysis and massive release of intracellular MC-LR. The MC-LR release rate was generally much slower than its degradation rate during permanganation. However, MC-LR continued to be released even after total depletion of KMnO4, which led to a great increase in MC-LR concentration in the treated water.

Effect of Rap1 binding on DNA distortion and potassium permanganate hypersensitivity.

Repressor activator protein 1 (Rap1) is an essential factor involved in transcription and telomere stability in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its interaction with DNA causes hypersensitivity to potassium permanganate, suggesting local DNA melting and/or distortion. In this study, various Rap1-DNA crystal forms were obtained using specifically designed crystal screens. Analysis of the DNA conformation showed that its distortion was not sufficient to explain the permanganate reactivity. However, anomalous data collected at the Mn edge using a Rap1-DNA crystal soaked in potassium permanganate solution indicated that the DNA conformation in the crystal was compatible with interaction with permanganate ions. Sequence-conservation analysis revealed that double-Myb-containing Rap1 proteins all carry a fully conserved Arg580 at a position that may favour interaction with permanganate ions, although it is not involved in the hypersensitive cytosine distortion. Permanganate reactivity assays with wild-type Rap1 and the Rap1[R580A] mutant demonstrated that Arg580 is essential for hypersensitivity. AFM experiments showed that wild-type Rap1 and the Rap1[R580A] mutant interact with DNA over 16 successive binding sites, leading to local DNA stiffening but not to accumulation of the observed local distortion. Therefore, Rap1 may cause permanganate hypersensitivity of DNA by forming a pocket between the reactive cytosine and Arg580, driving the permanganate ion towards the C5-C6 bond of the cytosine.

TRF2 promotes, remodels and protects telomeric Holliday junctions.

The ability of the telomeric DNA-binding protein, TRF2, to stimulate t-loop formation while preventing t-loop deletion is believed to be crucial to maintain telomere integrity in mammals. However, little is known on the molecular mechanisms behind these properties of TRF2. In this report, we show that TRF2 greatly increases the rate of Holliday junction (HJ) formation and blocks the cleavage by various types of HJ resolving activities, including the newly identified human GEN1 protein. By using potassium permanganate probing and differential scanning calorimetry, we reveal that the basic domain of TRF2 induces structural changes to the junction. We propose that TRF2 contributes to t-loop stabilisation by stimulating HJ formation and by preventing resolvase cleavage. These findings provide novel insights into the interplay between telomere protection and homologous recombination and suggest a general model in which TRF2 maintains telomere integrity by controlling the turnover of HJ at t-loops and at regressed replication forks.

Pre-oxidation with KMnO4 changes extra-cellular organic matter's secretion characteristics to improve algal removal by coagulation with a low dosage of polyaluminium chloride.

Microcystis aeruginosa was used to study the effect of KMnO4 pre-oxidation on algal removal through coagulation with polyaluminium chloride (PAC). KMnO4 pre-oxidation improved the coagulation efficiency of algal at a low dosage of PAC. The optimal KMnO4 feeding period was in the stationary growth phase of Microcystis aeruginosa. KMnO4 traumatized the algal cells and stimulated cellular release of organic matter, contributing to the pool of extra-cellular organic matter (EOM). KMnO4 also decomposed EOM, especially small molecular weight EOM. Lower concentrations of KMnO4, such as 2 mg/L, induced algae cells to produce moderate amounts of new EOM with molecular weights of 11, 280, and 1500 kDa. These relatively large molecules combined easily with PAC, promoting coagulation and removal of algae. High concentrations of KMnO4 lysed algae cells and produced much high-molecular-weight EOM that did not enhance flocculation by PAC at lower dosages.

Enhancement of KMnO4 treatment on cyanobacteria laden-water via 1000 kHz ultrasound at a moderate intensity.

1000 kHz high-frequency ultrasound at 0.12 and 0.39 W/mL intensity was used to enhance the inactivation of suspensions of Microcystis aeruginosa cells using KMnO4. With 10 mg/L of KMnO4, ultrasound at 0.12 W/mL intensity was found to be effective in inactivating the cyanobacteria within 10 min. A Weibull model was found to describes the inactivation well. Its concave shape shows that some cells have a certain resistance to this treatment. Cytometry and microscopic analysis confirm that the treatment damages cell integrity. Despite that the extracellular organic matter in the water was not significantly increased. The concentration of extracellular cyanobacterial toxins even decreased. The filtered suspension of inactivated cyanobacteria was used to cultivate mung beans, and the suspension did not hinder their germination. This provides a new idea for using cyanobacteria-laden wastewater. These findings suggest a technique for speeding up the oxidation of Microcystis cells using KMnO4 with ultrasound at moderate intensity, which provide new insights into the biological effects of ultrasound.

Cartilage labelling for mechanical testing in T-peel configuration.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find a suitable method of labelling cartilage samples for the measurement of distraction distances in biomechanical testing. METHODS: Samples of bovine cartilage were labelled using five different methods: hydroquinone and silver nitrate (AgNO3), potassium permanganate (KMnO4) with sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3), India ink, heat, and laser energy. After the labelling, we analysed the cartilage samples with regard to cytotoxity by histochemical staining with ethidiumbromide homodimer (EthD-1) and calcein AM. Furthermore, we tested cartilages labelled with India ink and heat in a T-peel test configuration to analyse possible changes in the mechanical behaviour between marked and unlabelled samples. RESULTS: Only the labelling methods with Indian ink or a heated needle showed acceptable results in the cytotoxity test with regard to labelling persistence, accuracy, and the influence on consistency and viability of the chondrocytes. In the biomechanical T-peel configuration, heat-labelled samples collapsed significantly earlier than unlabelled samples. CONCLUSION: Labelling bovine cartilage samples with Indian ink in biomechanical testing is a reliable, accurate, inexpensive, and easy-to-perform method. This labelling method influenced neither the biomechanical behaviour nor the viability of the tissue compared to untreated bovine cartilage.

Construction of hematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemistry, and EBER-ISH methodology after trichloroisocyanuric acid treatment in melanin-containing tissues.

This study investigated the effects of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) on the bleaching and morphology of melanin-containing pathological sections. The pathological sections of 27 patients with high melanin content were bleached with 0.5% potassium permanganate, 10% hydrogen peroxide, and different concentrations of TCCA. Significant differences were found among the blank control group, 1% TCCA group (P < 0.0001). The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) score of the "recovery pH" HE staining group after treatment with 1% TCCA was similar to that of the "Conventional HE" scheme group (P > 0.05). The morphological diagnostic scores of 50 cases of pathological sections with different melanin content before and after TCCA bleaching were compared. The results showed a significant difference in the diagnostic score between the middle- and high-melanin content groups before and after 1% TCCA bleaching (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining was performed on meningeal melanoma tissue. For this, 8% TCCA solution was used to remove melanin after Ki67, S100, and ß-catenin immunohistochemical staining. After bleaching with TCCA, the staining and positioning of each marker with different localization were accurate and the background was clear. The same results were also shown with EBER-ISH. This study concluded that 1% TCCA could be used for HE staining of pathological sections containing melanin, and "restore pH" HE scheme as the staining method after TCCA melanin removal. Further, 8% TCCA was used for bleaching after immunohistochemical DAB staining. Melanin can be completely removed, and sections can meet diagnostic needs.

[The research of Valeriana amurensis seed germination characteristics].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different treatments on the Valeriana amurensis seed germination rate. METHODS: Used different chemical reagents and seed soakings on the routine germination test and the orthogonal test of the Valeriana amurensis seed, calculated the germination rate under different germination condition. RESULTS: Valeriana amurensis treated with different chemical reagends had different germination rate. The suitable immersion time could enhance Valeriana amurensis seed germination rate. Different treatment time, different disposal temperature, different germination temperature would have an impact on the Valeriana amurensis seed germination rate. CONCLUSION: In order to raise the Valeriana amurensis seed germination rate, use appropriate treatment on the seed before plant seeds; The seed growing must under suitable time and temperature.

Diversity Assessment of Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms during Oxidation.

Fresh-water sources of drinking water are experiencing toxic cyanobacterial blooms more frequently. Chemical oxidation is a common approach to treat cyanobacteria and their toxins. This study systematically investigates the bacterial/cyanobacterial community following chemical oxidation (Cl2, KMnO4, O3, H2O2) using high throughput sequencing. Raw water results from high throughput sequencing show that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla. Dolichospermum, Synechococcus, Microcystis and Nostoc were the most dominant genera. In terms of species, Dolichospermum sp.90 and Microcystis aeruginosa were the most abundant species at the beginning and end of the sampling, respectively. A comparison between the results of high throughput sequencing and taxonomic cell counts highlighted the robustness of high throughput sequencing to thoroughly reveal a wide diversity of bacterial and cyanobacterial communities. Principal component analysis of the oxidation samples results showed a progressive shift in the composition of bacterial/cyanobacterial communities following soft-chlorination with increasing common exposure units (CTs) (0-3.8 mg·min/L). Close cyanobacterial community composition (Dolichospermum dominant genus) was observed following low chlorine and mid-KMnO4 (287.7 mg·min/L) exposure. Our results showed that some toxin producing species may persist after oxidation whether they were dominant species or not. Relative persistence of Dolichospermum sp.90 was observed following soft-chlorination (0.2-0.6 mg/L) and permanganate (5 mg/L) oxidation with increasing oxidant exposure. Pre-oxidation using H2O2 (10 mg/L and one day contact time) caused a clear decrease in the relative abundance of all the taxa and some species including the toxin producing taxa. These observations suggest selectivity of H2O2 to provide an efficient barrier against toxin producing cyanobacteria entering a water treatment plant.

What is the evidence for the use of potassium permanganate for wound care?

Topics for Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) review articles are selected by DTB's editorial board to provide concise overviews of medicines and other treatments to help patients get the best care. Articles include a summary of key points and a brief overview for patients. Articles may also have a series of multiple choice CME questions.

Comparative therapeutic index, lethal time and safety margin of various toxicants and snake antivenoms using newly derived and old formulas.

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of clinical efficacy and toxicity is very important in pharmacology and toxicology. The effects of psychostimulants (e.g. amphetamine), psychotomimetics (e.g. Cannabis sativus) and snake antivenoms are sometimes unpredictable even at lower doses, leading to serious intoxication and fatal consequences. Hence, there is need to re-assess some formulas for calculation of therapeutic index, lethal time and safety margin with a view to identifying therapeutic agents with remarkable toxicity potentials. RESULTS: The therapeutic index formula [Formula: see text] was derived from T1 = LD50/ED50 and ED50 = [Formula: see text]. Findings have shown that, therapeutic index is a function of death reversal (s), safety factor (10-4) and weight of animal (Wa). However, the new safety margin formula [Formula: see text] derived from LT50 = [Formula: see text] and MS = [Formula: see text] shows that safety margin is a function of cube root of ratio between LT50 and LD50 and ED100th. Concentration (k) of toxicant at the receptor [Formula: see text] derived from D1 × Tn = K and LD1 = [Formula: see text] shows that therapeutic index, lethal time and safety margin is a function of drug or toxicant concentration at the receptor, the drug-receptor interaction and dose of toxicant or drug administered at a particular time.

Strand-specific recognition of a synthetic DNA replication fork by the SV40 large tumor antigen.

The mechanism by which DNA helicases unwind DNA was tested; an "unwinding complex" between the SV40 large tumor antigen (T antigen) and a DNA molecule designed to resemble a replication fork was probed. In an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent reaction, T antigen quantitatively recognized this synthetic replication fork and bound the DNA primarily as a hexamer. The T antigen bound only one of the two strands at the fork, an asymmetric interaction consistent with the 3'----5' directionality of the DNA helicase activity of T antigen. Binding to chemically modified DNA substrates indicated that the DNA helicase recognized the DNA primarily through the sugar-phosphate backbone. Ethylation of six top strand phosphates at the junction of single-stranded and double-stranded DNA inhibited the DNA helicase activity of T antigen. Neither a 3' single-stranded end on the DNA substrate nor ATP hydrolysis was required for T antigen to bind the replication fork. These data suggest that T antigen can directly bind the replication fork through recognition of a fork-specific structure.

Two open complexes and a requirement for Mg2+ to open the lambda PR transcription start site.

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) footprinting in the absence and presence of magnesium (Mg2+) at the lambda PR promoter identified two different open complexes with Escherichia coli E sigma 70 RNA polymerase (designated RPo1 and RPo2). The single-stranded region in RPo1 (formed in the absence of Mg2+) was at most 12 bases long, whereas that in RPo2 (formed in the presence of Mg2+) spanned at least 14 bases. Only in RPo2 did the single-stranded region extend to the start point of transcription (+1, +2). These results provide a structural basis for the requirement for uptake of Mg2+ in the formation of RPo2 from RPo1, as deduced from kinetic studies at this promoter.

Slow-releasing permanganate ions from permanganate core-manganese oxide shell particles for the oxidative degradation of an algae odorant in water.

In this work, potassium permanganate particles (KMnO4) were modified with a manganese oxide (MnOx) shell comprising passages for the slow release of permanganate ions (MnO4-) in aquatic systems. The bare particle (KMnO4) and KMnO4 core-MnOx shell particles (CP-60) were characterized by attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The CP-60 were evaluated as a slow source of MnO4- for the oxidative treatment of pure and lake water containing dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), a water odorant produced by cyanobacteria in many eutrophic waters. XPS and ATR-FTIR results confirmed the presence of MnOx surface shell (diameter ∼ 1 µm) on CP-60. SEM images revealed cracks on CP-60, which serve as outlets for MnO4-. Approximately 0.76 ±â€¯0.07 g KMnO4/g of CP-60 was released from the core of CP-60 after 120 min. The CP-60 degraded 88.9 ±â€¯2.5% and 70.8 ±â€¯6.3% of DMTS in pure water and lake water matrix within 120 min, respectively. The degradation was slightly more effective than the degradation using aqueous KMnO4 (74.2%) reported in literature. The release kinetics of the particles is consistent with a pseudo-first order equation with correlation coefficients of 0.99 and 0.97 in pure water and lake water matrix, respectively. The CP could serve as low cost slow-release particles for the degradation of micropollutants, even in cyanobacteria laden water. Notably, the in situ MnOx formed during the KMnO4 oxidation reaction can facilitate adsorption of organics and metal ions, improving water quality.