Arsenic speciation and valence / 中国中药杂志

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.

A case of poisoning by oral lime sulfur / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Lime sulfur is a common bactericide with strong alkalinity, and is highly corrosive to humans and animals. It is rare for lime sulfur poisoning clinically. This article discusses the clinical manifestations of a patient who was poisoned by oral lime sulfur. After the poisoning, the mucosa of the lips and pharynx broke, fever, and pulmonary inflammation quickly appeared. The pulmonary CT showed slight interstitial changes in both lungs. Through high flow oxygen inhalation, fluid infusion, drainage, maintenance of water and electrolyte balance, protection of important organ functions, and other symptomatic support and treatment, as well as control of blood pressure, blood sugar, maintenance of circulatory function and other targeted measures, the patient's condition gradually improved.

Realgar (α-As4S4) Treats Myelodysplastic Syndromes through Reducing DNA Hypermethylation / 中国结合医学杂志

DNA hypermethylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Aberrant DNA methylation represses the transcription of promotors of tumor suppressor genes, inducing gene silencing. Realgar (α-As4S4) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of various diseases in the ancient time. Realgar was reported to have efficacy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It has been demonstrated that realgar could efficiently reduce DNA hypermethylation of MDS. This review discusses the mechanisms of realgar on inhibiting DNA hypermethylation of MDS, as well as the species and metabolisms of arsenic in vivo.

A death case of oral lime sulfur mixture poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University treated a patient with oral sulfur mixture poisoning on January 14, 2020. The patient presented with cyanosis and disturbance of consciousness as the first manifestations, accompanied by metabolic acidosis, shock, hypercalcemia and severe liver function and myocardial damage. The patient was given active treatment, including gastric lavage, blood purification, methylene blue application, correction of shock, organ support and other therapies. However the treatment was poor. Finally, the patient's family chose to give up and requested to be discharged from the hospital, and the patient died on the same day after follow-up.

Reacciones adversas a montelukast: de la teoría a la práctica. Serie de casos / Adverse drug reactions of montelukast: from theory to practice. Case report

El montelukast se utiliza ampliamente en el tratamiento de sibilancias recurrentes y/o asma. Están descritas numerosas reacciones adversas medicamentosas (RAM) en niños relacionadas con montelukast; se destacan las neuropsiquiátricas. Realizamos un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, descriptivo, sobre RAM relacionadas con montelukast. Entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2017, en la Unidad de Neumonología Pediátrica se trataron con Montelukast 348 pacientes; de ellos, 20 presentaron RAM. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron insomnio (n = 7), hiperactividad (n = 4), pesadillas (n = 3), dolor abdominal (n = 2) y parestesias en extremidades (n = 2). Se presentaron desde días hasta meses tras iniciar el tratamiento, y desaparecieron tras su suspensión. Se destacan dos pacientes con parestesias en extremidades, síntoma no descrito antes en niños. El 5,7 % de los pacientes tratados con montelukast presentaron RAM que requirieron suspender el tratamiento. Los trastornos del sueño fueron los más frecuentes.

Montelukast is widely used in recurrent wheezing and/or asthma treatment. Several adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been described in children related to montelukast. Neuropsychiatric reactions are one of the most important. We designed an observational, retrospective, descriptive study on ADRs related to montelukast in the Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain. Between January 2012 and December 2017, in the Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, 348 patients were treated with Montelukast; of them, 20 presented RAM. The main symptoms described were insomnia (n = 7), hyperactivity (n = 4), nightmares (n = 3), abdominal pain (n = 2) and paraesthesia in extremities (n = 2). They appeared from the first days to months after the start of treatment and disappeared after stopping it. Two patients presented limb paresthesia, not described previously in children. The 5.7 % of our patients treated with montelukast had ADRs that required treatment discontinuation. Sleep disorders were the most frequent.

The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), as a potential protectant against Anisakis spp. Type II (L3) (Nematoda) infection in Wistar rats / O óleo de alho, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), como potencial protetor contra Anisakis spp. Infecção tipo II (L3) (Nematoda) em ratos Wistar

Abstract The consumption of inadequately thermally treated fish is a public health risk due to the possible propagation of Anisakis larvae. The present study demonstrated the physiological and histopathological changes that accompanied an oral inoculation of crude extracts from fresh and thermally treated Anisakis Type II (L3) in rats. Worms were isolated from a marine fish and examined and identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. The study was performed in 6 rat groups: control (I), garlic oil (GO) inoculated (II), fresh L3 inoculated (III), thermally treated L3 inoculated (IV), fresh L3 + GO inoculated (V), and a thermally treated L3 + GO inoculated (VI) groups. Rats inoculated with fresh and thermally treated L3 showed abnormal liver and kidney functions associated with the destruction of normal architecture. GO produced a protective effect in rat groups inoculated with L3 extracts + GO via the amelioration of liver and kidney functions, which was confirmed by the marked normal structure on histology. Cooking of L3-infected fish induced severe alterations compared to uncooked fish. The administration of garlic before and after fish eating is recommended to avoid the dangerous effect of anisakids, even if they are cooked.

Resumo O consumo de peixe inadequadamente tratado termicamente representa um risco para a saúde pública, com a possibilidade da propagação de larvas de Anisakis. O presente estudo demonstrou as alterações fisiológicas e histopatológicas acompanhadas de inoculação oral de extractos brutos de Anisakis tipo II (L3) frescos e termicamente tratados em ratos. Os vermes foram isolados de um peixe marinho, examinados e identificados por microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. O estudo foi conduzido em 6 grupos de ratos: controle (I), óleo de alho (GO) inoculado (II), L3 fresco inoculado (III), L3 tratado termicamente inoculado (IV), L3 fresco + GO inoculado (V), e um grupo L3 + GO tratado termicamente inoculado (VI). Observou-se que ratos inoculados com L3 fresco e tratados termicamente mostraram funções hepáticas e renais anormais, associadas à destruição da sua arquitetura normal. GO produziu um efeito protector em grupos de ratos inoculados com extractos L3 + GO através da melhoria das funções do fígado e dos rins, o que foi confirmado pela estrutura normal marcada da sua histologia. A cozedura de peixes infectados com L3 induziu alterações mais graves do que os peixes não cozidos. Recomenda-se a administração de alho antes e depois do consumo de peixe, para evitar o efeito perigoso dos anisakids, mesmo que sejam cozidos.

Effects of Arsenic Disulfide Combined with Itraconazole on Proli- feration and Apoptosis and Hedgehog Pathway of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of arsenic disulfide (AS@*METHODS@#The human DLBCL cell OCI-LY3 was treated with different concentrations of AS@*RESULTS@#The DLBCL cell viability was decreased significantly at 24, 48 or 72 h as cultured with itraconazole. Along with the increasing of itraconazole concentration, the DLBCL cell viability was significantly reduced as compared with that in control group, and the results showed statistically significant(r=-0.690，r=-0.639, r=-0.833, r=-0.808, r=-0.578). The inhibitory and apoptosis rates of the cells were significantly increased as compared with those of the single drug-treated group after treated by the combination of itraconazole and AS@*CONCLUSION@#Itraconazole can inhibit proliferation of DLBCL cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. In addition, the combination of AS

Optimization of unnatural amino acid incorporation in collagen and the cross-linking through thioether bond / 生物工程学报

The source of recombinant collagen is clean, and it has the advantages of flexible sequence design, high yield and high purity, so it has a wide application prospect as biomaterials in tissue engineering and other fields. However, how to promote the cross-linking of recombinant collagen molecules and make them form a more stable spatial structure is the difficulty to be overcome in the design of recombinant collagen nanomaterials. Unnatural amino acid O-(2-bromoethyl)-tyrosine was incorporated into collagen by two-plasmid expression system. The results showed that high-purity collagen incorporated with unnatural amino acid could be obtained by induction with final concentration of 0.5 mmol/L IPTG and 0.06% arabinose at 25 °C for 24 hours. The intermolecular cross-linking through thioether bond was formed between collagen molecule incorporated with unnatural amino acid and collagen molecule with cysteine mutation in pH 9.0 NH4HCO3 buffer, which formed aggregates with the largest molecular size up to 1 micrometre. The results pave the way for the design of recombinant collagen biomaterials.

Efficacy and safety of salmeterol/fluticasone compared with montelukast alone (or add-on therapy to fluticasone) in the treatment of bronchial asthma in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Despite the recommendation of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) plus long-acting beta 2-agonist (LABA) and leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) or ICS/LTRA as stepwise approaches in asthmatic children, there is a lack of published systematic review comparing the efficacy and safety of the two therapies in children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of salmeterol/fluticasone (SFC) vs. montelukast (MON), or combination of montelukast and fluticasone (MFC) in children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years with bronchial asthma.@*METHODS@#A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China BioMedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodical, and Wanfang for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to May 24, 2021. Interventions are as follows: SFC vs. MON, or combination of MFC, with no limitation of dosage or duration. Primary and secondary outcome measures were as follows: the primary outcome of interest was the risk of asthma exacerbation. Secondary outcomes included risk of hospitalization, pulmonary function, asthma control level, quality of life, and adverse events (AEs). A random-effects (I2 ≥ 50%) or fixed-effects model (I2 < 50%) was used to calculate pooled effect estimates, comparing the outcomes between the intervention and control groups where feasible.@*RESULTS@#Of the 1006 articles identified, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria with 2643 individuals; two were at low risk of bias. As no primary outcomes were similar after an identical treatment duration in the included studies, meta-analysis could not be performed. However, more studies favored SFC, instead of MON, owing to a lower risk of asthma exacerbation in the SFC group. As for secondary outcome, SFC showed a significant improvement of peak expiratory flow (PEF)%pred after 4 weeks compared with MFC (mean difference [MD]: 5.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57-9.34; I2 = 95%; P = 0.006). As for asthma control level, SFC also showed a higher full-controlled level (risk ratio [RR]: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.24-1.85; I2 = 0; P < 0.001) and higher childhood asthma control test score after 4 weeks of treatment (MD: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.39-3.21; I2 = 72%; P < 0.001) compared with MFC.@*CONCLUSIONS@#SFC may be more effective than MFC for the treatment of asthma in children and adolescents, especially in improving asthma control level. However, there is insufficient evidence to make firm conclusive statements on the use of SFC or MON in children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years with asthma. Further research is needed, particularly a combination of good-quality long-term prospective studies and well-designed RCTs.@*PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER@#CRD42019133156.

The examination of the nephroprotective effect of montelukast sodium and N-acetylcysteine in renal ischemia with dimercaptosuccinic acid imaging in a placebo-controlled rat model

Abstract Purpose To determine the nephroprotective effect of NAC and Montelukast Sodium administration against the development of renal damage associated with long warm renal ischemia. Methods Twenty-seven rats were randomly divided into 3 study groups, which received NAC, montelukast and placebo, and 3 rats were included in the sham-treated control group. Medications were given 3 days before the procedure. DMSA renal scintigraphy was performed before and after surgery. The right renal pedicle was occluded for 45 min to induce ischemia and then subjected to reperfusion for 6 h (I/R groups). Results On pathological examination, the mean pathological scores of the montelukast and NAC groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group. (p <0.05). In biochemical examination, significant differences were found in all parameter levels between the placebo group and the montelukast and NAC groups. (p <0.05) When postoperative DMSA renal scintigraphy measurements and renal function levels were compared, significant differences were found between the montelukast and NAC groups and the placebo and sham groups. Conclusion The administration of NAC and montelukast sodium was seen to have a nephroprotective effect against the development of renal damage associated with warm renal ischemia.

Percepção sensorial do off-odor em carnes bovinas irradiadas em embalagens á vácuo contendo carvão ativado / Off-odor perception in irradiated beef vacuum packaged with charcoal

Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização de carvão ativo na redução de compostos voláteis responsáveis pelo off-odor de carnes bovinas irradiadas. Para tal, contrafilés bovinos, embalados a vácuo, com e sem carvão ativo, e irradiados (1, 2 e 3 kGy), foram analisados quanto a formação de compostos de enxofre e quanto a percepção sensorial de off-odor. O único composto de enxofre identificado nas amostras foi o dimetil sulfeto (DMS), sendo encontrado em menor concentração nas amostras irradiadas com carvão ativo na embalagem. Independentemente da utilização do carvão, os painelistas perceberam o off-odor das carnes irradiadas em qualquer dose quando comparado à carne não-irradiada. Quando foi comparado as carnes irradiadas com carvão em relação àquelas irradiadas sem carvão, os painelistas foram capazes de identificar o off-odor apenas nas amostras irradiadas com 1 kGy. Conclui-se que o carvão ativo reduziu a concentração de DMS na embalagem de carnes irradiadas.

Bioleaching of realgar nanoparticles using the extremophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans DLC-5

BACKGROUND: This paper presents micro- and nano-fabrication techniques for leachable realgar using the extremophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) DLC-5. RESULTS: Realgar nanoparticles of size ranging from 120 nm to 200 nm were successfully prepared using the highenergy ball mill instrument. A. ferrooxidans DLC-5 was then used to bioleach the particles. The arsenic concentration in the bioleaching system was found to be increased significantly when compared with that in the sterile control. Furthermore, in the comparison with the bioleaching of raw realgar, nanoparticles could achieve the same effect with only one fifth of the consumption. CONCLUSION: Emphasis was placed on improving the dissolvability of arsenic because of the great potential of leachable realgar drug delivery in both laboratory and industrial settings

Historia en tiempo real de las bacterias del siglo XXI: gigantes y marcianas / Real time history of 21st century bacteria: giants and martians

Resumen Hemos denominado bacterias del siglo XXI a dos tipos de extrañas y maravillosas criaturas del Reino Protista, descubiertas entre los últimos años del siglo pasado y los días que hoy vivimos: las bacterias gigantes y las de un posible origen marciano. En su búsqueda, audaces investigadores han viajado a tierras distantes y peligrosas, acampando en lugares desolados y descendiendo a las profundidades marinas, actividades que llamamos investigación aventura. Presentamos como ejemplos una expedición al Mar Rojo, buscando el gigantesco Epulopiscium; una temporada en el lago Mono, California, en pos de una bacteria con arsénico en su ADN; un patrullaje en el Ártico, para encontrar bacterias petrificadas en un meteorito marciano; sin olvidar que el tranquilo laboratorio también puede ser un lugar peligroso, porque toda investigación es una aventura.

We denominate "21st century bacteria" two types of strange and amazing creatures from the kingdom Protista, discovered between the last years of the twentieth and the present days: the giant bacteria and those with a possible Martian origin. Searching for them, bold investigators have travelled to distant and hostile lands, desolate places and deep waters, performing a kind of investigation that we only can describe as "investigation-adventure". This paper presents expeditions to the Red Sea, fishing the Epulopiscium; to Lake Mono, searching a bacteria able to growth with arsenic; to the Antarctic Circle, finding a meteorite with petrified alien microorganisms; and… to the quiet laboratory, a not less dangerous place.

Hydrogen sulfide protects H9c2 cardiomyoblasts against H2O2-induced apoptosis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemical species that may cause irreversible tissue damage, and play a critical role in cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that acts as a ROS scavenger with cardio-protective effects. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of H2S against H2O2-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were treated with H2S (100 μM) 24 h before challenging with H2O2 (100 μM). Apoptosis was then assessed by annexin V and PI, and mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using a fluorescent probe, JC-1. Our results revealed that H2S improved cell viability, reduced the apoptotic rate, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. An increased Bcl-2 to Bax ratio was also seen in myocytes treated with H2S after H2O2-induced stress. Our findings indicated a therapeutic potential for H2S in preventing myocyte death following ischemia/reperfusion.

Antiviral activity of nano-realgar against herpes simplex virus Type II in vitro / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To explore the antiviral activity of nano-realgar against herpes simplex virus Type II (HSV-2) in vitro.
 Methods: Acyclovir (ACV) as a positive control, the cytotoxicity of nano-realgar at different concentrations (including 200.00, 150.00, 100.00, 50.00, 25.00, 12.50, 6.25, 3.13, 1.54, 0.78, 0.39 and 0 mg/L) on normal Vero cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. HSV-2 virus titer was determined by plaque assay, and the Vero cells model of HSV-2 infection was established. Subsequently, the antiviral effects of nano-realgar at different concentrations (including 20.00, 10.00, 5.00, 2.50, 1.25, 0.63, 0.31, 0.15, 0.08, 0.04 and 0 mg/L) on infected cells model were evaluated by the observation of cytopathic effect (CPE) and MTT method under the 3 modes including pre-treatment, treatment and direct inactivation.
 Results: The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of nano-realgar on Vero cells was 37.15 mg/L. The titer of HSV-2 was 7.30 log PFUs/mL. In the 3 modes, the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of nano-realgar on HSV-2 infected Vero cells were 0.13, 1.80 and 0.52 mg/L, and the corresponding therapeutic index (TI) were 285.77, 20.64, 71.44, respectively. The TI value of nano-realgar on pre-treatment mode was higher than that of nano-realgar on treatment and direct inactivation modes.
 Conclusion: Nano-realgar can play a good anti-HSV-2 activity in the 3 modes (pre-treatment, treatment and direct inactivation), and the anti-HSV-2 efficacy of nano-realgar on pre-treatment mode is better than that of nano-realagr on other 2 modes.

Research progress in mineral Chinese medicine realgar / 中国中药杂志

Realgar is a mineral traditional medicine with definite efficacy. The function of realgar is detoxicating, insecticiding, eliminating dampness and phlegm, etc. It is widely applied in clinical practice by compatibility medicines. However, the safety and scientificalness of clinical application are questioned because of the toxic effect caused by arsenic compounds. At present, there are still many problems in the research of realgar, which are mainly manifested in three areas: the expression of main components and effective substances are inconsistent; the anti-tumor mechanism is difficult to explain at the molecular level; the mechanism of compatibility is not clear. As a result, realgar and realgar-containing Chinese patent medicines are frequently prohibited from entering the international market, and the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine is also damaged. This paper would analyze the research status of realgar at home and abroad as well as its problems from its main components, effective substances, anti-tumor mechanism and compatibility mechanism. In view of these difficulties, quantum chemical calculation method is proposed to solve them, so as to make up for the shortcomings and limitations of experimental technology and experimental conditions, reduce the cost of realgar research and improve research efficiency. Moreover, it provides inspiration for research of other mineral medicine.

Investigation of Allium sativum's protective effect on ovarian reserve in an experimental ovarian injury model / Investigación del efecto protector de Allium sativum de la reserva ovárica en un modelo experimental de lesión ovárica

We aimed to evaluate the effects of detorsion and Allium sativum (garlic oil) treatment on the ovarian reserve in an ovarian torsion model. Ovarian torsion may lead to loss of ovarian tissue and infertility. It is an experimental rat study that was carried out on 16 sets of ovaries each, one for treatment group and a control group. In the control group, the procedure involved only the surgically opening and closing the abdomen. Bilateral adnexal torsion/detorsion was performed after a 3-hour ischemia period for the detorsion-only group. The detorsion + Allium sativum group received a 5 ml/kg dose of Allium sativum intraperitoneally, 2 hours before surgery. After the second surgery, removed ovarian samples were evaluated for follicle counts, damage scores and other parameters. Primordial, preantral, small antral and large antral follicle counts were significantly higher in the detorsion + Allium sativum group. Degeneration, congestion, hemorrhage ,inflammation and total damage scores were significantly elevated in the detorsion only group compared to those for the detorsion + Allium sativum group. Finally, there was a significant correlation between AMH alterations and postoperative, preantral follicle count (p<0.05). As a conclusion detorsion + Allium sativum treatment may be effective in protecting the ovarian reserve after torsion.

Intentamos evaluar los efectos de la detorsión y el tratamiento con Allium sativum (aceite de ajo) en la reserva ovárica en un modelo de torsión ovárica. La torsión ovárica puede ocasionar pérdida de tejido ovárico e infertilidad. Este es un estudio experimental en ratas que se llevó a cabo en 16 sets de ovarios para cada grupo: tratamiento y control. En el grupo control, el procedimiento involucró solamente la apertura y el cierre quirúrgicos del abdomen. La torsión / detorsión anexial bilateral se realizó después de un período de isquemia de 3 horas para el grupo de solo detorsión. El grupo de detorsión + Allium sativum recibió una dosis de 5 ml / kg de Allium sativum por vía intraperitoneal, 2 horas antes de la cirugía. Después de la segunda cirugía, las muestras ováricas eliminadas se evaluaron para recuentos de folículos, puntajes de daño y otros parámetros. Los recuentos de folículos antrales primordiales, preantrales, antrales pequeños y grandes fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo con detorsión + Allium sativum. Los puntajes de degeneración, congestión, hemorragia, inflamación y daño total fueron significativamente elevados en el grupo de solo detorsión, en comparación con los del grupo de detorsión + Allium sativum. Finalmente, hubo una correlación significativa entre las alteraciones de AMH y el recuento de folículos preantrales postoperatorios (p <0,05). Como conclusión, el tratamiento con detorsión + Allium sativum puede ser eficaz para proteger la reserva ovárica después de la torsión.

Characterization of a hyperthermophilic sulphur-oxidizing biofilm produced by archaea isolated from a hot spring

Background: Sulphur-oxidizing microorganisms are widely used in the biofiltration of total reduced sulphur compounds (odorous and neurotoxic) produced by industries such as the cellulose and petrochemical industries, which include high-temperature process steps. Some hyperthermophilic microorganisms have the capability to oxidize these compounds at high temperatures (N60°C), and archaea of this group, for example, Sulfolobus metallicus, are commonly used in biofiltration technology. Results: In this study, a hyperthermophilic sulphur-oxidizing strain of archaea was isolated from a hot spring (Chillán, Chile) and designated as M1. It was identified as archaea of the genus Sulfolobus (99% homology with S. solfataricus 16S rDNA). Biofilms of this culture grown on polyethylene rings showed an elemental sulphur oxidation rate of 95.15 ± 15.39 mg S l-1 d-1, higher than the rate exhibited by the biofilm of the sulphur-oxidizing archaea S. metallicus (56.8 ± 10.91 mg l-1 d-1). Conclusions: The results suggest that the culture M1 is useful for the biofiltration of total reduced sulphur gases at high temperatures and for other biotechnological applications.

Determination of Sulfide Ion in Blood from Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning Cases / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To establish a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） method for the determination of sulfide ion in blood and apply it to the practical cases.@*METHODS@#The 1, 3, 5-tribromobenzene was selected as an internal standard, and 0.2 mL blood sample was collected and analyzed using GC-MS after α-Bromo-2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentafluorobenzyl bromide derivatization.@*RESULTS@#The mass concentration of sulfide ion in blood had good linearity in the range of 0.2-40 μg/mL with a limit of detection （LOD） of 0.05 μg/mL. The mass concentration of sulfide ion was less than 0.05 μg/mL in blank blood from different sources such as healthy subjects and dead cases. In 3 sulfide poisoning cases, sulfide ion was detected in the blood samples of 6 victims, and the mass concentration range was 1.02-3.13 μg/mL.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study establishes a method for investigation of sulfide ion in blood which has been applied successfully to the cases of fatal sulfide poisonings.