Decolorization and biodegradation of acid orange 7 by white-rot fungi / 生物工程学报

Azo dyes are widely used in textile, paper and packing industries, and have become one of the research hot spots in dye wastewater treatment because of their carcinogenicity, teratogenic mutagenicity, stable structure and degradation difficulty. In this study, the biodecolorization of acid orange 7 (AO7), an azo dye, by different white rot fungi was investigated, and the effect of different conditions on the decolorization rate of the dye was analyzed. At the same time, the degradation liquor was analyzed and the phytotoxicity experiment was performed to deduce the possible degradation pathway of AO7 and assess the toxicity of its degradation products. The results showed that the decolorization rate reached 93.46% in 24 h at pH 4.5, 28 ℃ by Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor when AO7 concentration was 100 mg/L. The biodegradation pathway of AO7 was initiated by the cleavage of the azo bond of AO7, generating p-aminobenzenesulfonic acid and 1-amino-2-naphthol. Subsequently, the sulfonic acid group of p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid was removed to generate hydroquinone. Moreover, the 1-amino-2-naphthol was de-ringed to generate phthalic acid and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and then further degraded into benzoic acid. Finally, hydroquinone and benzoic acid may be further oxidized into other small molecules, carbon dioxide and water. Phytotoxicity experiment showed that the toxicity of AO7 could be reduced by P. eryngii and T. versicolor.

Establishment of a rat model of premature ejaculation with 8-OH-DPAT / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the feasibility and practicability of establishing a rat model of premature ejaculation (PE) by injection of 8-OH-DPAT into the subarachnoid space of the lumbosacral spinal cord segments.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four male Wistar rats were equally randomized into a PE model and a blank control group. The PE model was established by injection of 8-OH-DPAT in 10 ml normal saline at 0.8 mg per kg of the body weight per day into the subarachnoid space of the lumbosacral spinal cord segments and the control rats were injected with the same volume of normal saline only, both for 4 weeks. Another 24 female Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with benzoic acid estradiol at 20 μg to induce estrus at 36 hours before mated with the male animals. At 2 and 4 weeks, the male rats were mated with the female ones for 30 minutes each time and meanwhile observed for their mating behavior indicators, such as mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, and ejaculation frequency.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the controls, the PE model rats showed a significantly lower ejaculation latency (［712.35 ± 36.77］ vs ［502.35 ± 46.72］ s, P0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#A rat model of premature ejaculation was successfully established by injection of 8-OH-DPAT into the subarachnoid space of the lumbosacral spinal cord segments, which is of great significance for further study of the mechanism of premature ejaculation.

Entre o campo e o laboratório: a dinâmica de produção de conhecimento no Ambulatório de Menopausa do Caism/Unicamp / Between the country and the laboratory: the dynamics of the production of knowledge at the Menopause Outpatients Clinic at Caism, Unicamp

Este estudo investiga as práticas de produção de conhecimento sobre a menopausa no Caism/Unicamp, centro de referência para políticas públicas em saúde da mulher. Foram realizadas observações de consultas ginecológicas, entrevistas com mulheres e médicos e observação de reuniões de apoio psicológico, buscando identificar os discursos que circulam no lugar e o processo de alistamento de diferentes atores para que os conhecimentos ali produzidos alcancem credibilidade e “viajem” além dos limites do hospital-escola, tornando-se “universais”. A análise baseia-se nos “estudos localistas”, alinhados aos estudos sociais de ciência e tecnologia.

This study investigates the practices involved in the production of knowledge about menopause at Caism, Unicamp, a reference center for public policies for women’s health. Gynecological appointments and psychological support meetings were observed, and women and doctors were interviewed in order to identify what discourse circulates there and how different actors are brought in to ensure that the knowledge produced attains credibility and “travels” beyond the boundaries of the teaching hospital to become “universal”. The analysis is based on localized studies aligned with social studies of science and technology.

Study on effect of different processing methods on seven main chemical components of wild and cultivated Paeonia lactiflora / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the effect of different processing methods on the contents of seven major constituents in wild and cultivated Paeonia lactiflora, gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, pentagalloylglucose, benzoic acid and paeonol, in order to provide reference basis for different efficacy and formation mechanism of Paeonia Radix Rubra and Paeonia Radix Alba.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Wild and cultivated P. lactiflora were dealt with by four processing methods, direct drying, drying after boiling, drying after decorticating and boiling, and drying after boiling and decorticating. HPLC was use to simultaneously determine the contents of seven chemical constituents.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Wild P. lactiflora showed notable higher content of paeoniflorin and catechin than cultivated P. lactiflora, whereas cultivated P. lactiflora showed higher content of albiflorin than wild P. lactiflora. Both of them were less affected by process methods in above three constituents. Drying after boiling, drying after decorticating and boiling, and drying after boiling and decorticating methods reduced the content of benzoic acid and paeonol to trace in both wild and cultivated P. lactiflora. Clustering analysis results showed that all processing methods assembled wild and cultivated P. lactiflora in 2 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The content differences of Paeonia Radix Rubra and Paeonia Radix Alba are mainly caused by their own differences and less affected by processing methods.</p>

Urinary Hippuric Acid and trans,trans-Muconic Acid Levels According to Commuting Mode and Duration, Residential Environment, and Intake of Preservative-Added Foods and Beverages in University Students / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Automobile exhaust gases contain benzene and toluene, which are excreted in human urine as trans,trans-muconic acid and hippuric acid, respectively. Sorbic acid and benzoic acid, used as food preservatives, are also metabolized into trans,trans-muconic acid and hippuric acid in the human body. The purpose of this study is to estimate the level of benzene and toluene exposure according to the commuting mode and duration, residential environment, and preservative-added foods intake in university students who are not occupationally exposed to benzene or toluene. METHODS: Spot urine samples were collected from 211 university students who had no occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds. Information about their smoking history, residence type, traffic environments, commuting mode and duration, and their intake of bottled or canned food or beverages was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Urinary concentrations of trans,trans-muconic acid and hippuric acid were measured and statistically correlated to the individual's life style factors. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the urinary concentrations of trans,trans-muconic acid or hippuric acid according to the smoking history. Mean urinary concentration of hippuric acid in females was higher than that found in males. Subjects living in districts with a population density of 1,000~4,999 people/km2 showed the highest urinary hippuric acid level; individuals living in cities of 5,000~9,999 people/km2 population density were next. The mean urinary trans,trans-muconic acid concentration was higher in students who were living where traffic jams are common compared to those who did not, and in subjects whose residence were within 149 m from a 4-lane road compared to those whose residence was not. However, neither mode nor duration of the commute showed any effect on the urinary trans,trans-muconic acid or hippuric acid concentrations of the students. Urinary hippuric acid levels increased when consuming canned fruit or canned coffee, and urinary trans,trans-muconic acid levels increased when consuming fruit juices or pickled radishes. CONCLUSIONS: The inhalation of vehicle exhaust and the ingestion of canned or pickled food may increase urinary hippuric acid and trans,trans-muconic acid levels in individuals who are not occupationally exposed to benzene or toluene.

Produção em condições supercríticas e avaliação do potencial do ácido benzóico microparticulado em alimentos / Production in supercritical conditions and evaluation of the potential of the micronized benzoic acid in foods

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os melhores parâmetros da produção do ácido benzóico microparticulado (mediante aplicação do processo de expansão rápida de soluções supercríticas em diferentes condições de temperatura e pressão) e a efetividade do material obtido na inibição de microorganismos em suco de laranja natural, comparando os resultados obtidos com amostras contendo ácido benzóico comercial e com amostras sem adição de conservador por meio de análises microbiológicas. O resultado das análises indicou que a temperatura não influencia significantemente a morfologia das partículas e que na pressão de 160 bar houve a formação das menores partículas. O crescimento microbiológico foi mais significativo na amostra sem adição de conservador e as amostras adicionadas de 0,01 e 0,02% m/v de ácido benzóico microparticulado apresentaram melhor controle de crescimento que as amostras com conservador comercial nas mesmas concentrações. Os resultados evidenciaram que a micronização de partículas pelo método RESS se apresenta promissora para a produção de conservadores de alimentos, porém estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar seu potencial em outros alimentos, em outros microorganismos e em outras concentrações.

Considerations in the management of hepatitis c virus-related thrombocytopenia with eltrombopag

Thrombocytopenia is a common clinical problem in HCV-infected cases. Multiple studies have consistently shown a rise in platelet count following a successful HCV treatment thus proving a cause-effect relationship between the two. Although, many therapeutic strategies have been tried in the past to treat HCV-related thrombocytopenia [e.g. interferon dose reductions, oral steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, splenectomy etc], the success rates have been variable and not always reproducible. After the cessation of clinical trials of PEG-rHuMGDF due to immunogenecity issues, the introduction of non-immunogenic second-generation thrombopoietin-mimetics [eltrombopag and Romiplostim] has opened up a novel way to treat HCV-related thrombocytopenia. Although the data is still sparse, eltrombopag therapy has shown to successfully achieve the primary endpoint platelet counts of >/= 50, 000/micro L in phase II and III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Likewise, though it is premature to claim safety of this drug especially in high-risk patient groups, reported side effects in the published literature were of insufficient severity to require discontinuation of the drug. Based on the current and emerging evidence, a review of the pharmacologic basis, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy, safety profile and future considerations of eltrombopag in the context of HCV-related thrombocytopenia is given in this articfie. A MEDLINE search was conducted [1990 to August 2009] using the search terms eltrombopag, HCV, thrombocytopenia

RP-HPLC determination of main chemical components in different parts and different harvest periods of Paeonia lactiflora / 药学学报

The contents of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid and paeonol extracted in different growth years, collecting season and of different parts of Paeonia lactiflora were determined. The results showed that the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora collected in autumn are the highest, and the contents of benzoic acid was lower than that of those collected at other time. The longer is the age of Paeonia lactiflora, the higher is the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin. The contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in the root of Paeonia lactiflora were higher than those in other parts of the plant. There is a certain content of paeoniflorin in the leaves of Paeonia lactiflora. Judging from the result, paeoniflorin is synthesized in the leaf and then transported to the root. Catechin is not synthesized in the leaf, but mainly in the root. Paeonia lactiflora should be collected in autumn, and immature plant should not be collected.

Biochemical and biological studies on the interaction of some food colorants and preservatives

This study aims to investigate the effect of some food colorants and preservatives on Sprague-Dawley albino rats. The study was conducted on six equal groups fed on either basal control diet [group 1] or experimental diets [groups 2-6] as following: groups 2, 3 and 4 received a standard diet containing beta-carotene, tartrazine or benzoic acid, respectively at a dose of 200 mg/kg diet, while groups Sand 6 received a standard diet containing benzoic acid [200mg/ kg diet] incorporated with beta-carotene or tartrazine [200mg/ kg diet], respectively. Animals were fed ad libitum for 45 days. Body weight, food intake, feed efficiency and some biochemical analyses were measured, also histopathological examination of liver was performed. Our results showed a significant increase in blood urea, serum creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin in all groups except that received beta-carotene. Liver glycogen showed a significant decrease in rats fed on tartrazine alone or in combination with beuzoic acid. The histopathological results showed no significant toxic effects of beta-carotene alone while when combined with benzoic acid, moderate congestion and necrotic degeneration occurred. Tartrazine also induced slight mononuclear infiltration and benzoic alone showed marked vaculation, while in combination showed marked congestion, vascular infiltration and vaculation. In conclusion, the present study showed that even the permitted doses of colorants [e.g. beta-carotene and tartrazine] and food preservatives [e.g. benzoic acid] when taken together or if taken in excessive quantity may be harmful

[Effect of nisin on decreasing concentration of chemical preservatives]

Because of widespread interests to biopreservatives, several studies have been conducted within last decades that show the nisin has been used as a preservative to control food borne spoilage microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-bacterial activity of nisin and its effect on decreasing concentration of current chemical preservatives. In this experimental study, anti-bacterial activity of nisisn and its effect on decreasing concentration of usual chemical preservatives against Staphylococcus aureus [PTCC 1112] and Listeria monocytogenes [PTCC 1301] were studied. The study was performed in two steps. First, MIC [minimum inhibitory concentration] and MBC [minimal bactericidal concentration] of preservatives, including sodium nitrite, benzoic acid and nisin, were measured in optimum ph [5.5] by serial dilution method. Second, MIC of sodium nitrite and benzoic acid were determined in combination with nisin. Sodium nitrite, benzoic acid and nisin had antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes; MIC was 500, 200 and 25 ppm for Staphylococcus aureus, and 100, 200 and 10 ppm for Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Niacin reduced MIC of sodium nitrite and benzoic acid to 200 and 50 ppm for Staphylococcus aureus, and 25 and 25 ppm for Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. The nisin reduces chemical preservatives concentration required, and it could be used as a safe preservative in food microbiology

Synthesis of some new 2-[[E]-2-furan-2-yl-vinyl]- 3H- quinazolin-4-one derivatives of expected biological activity

A new series of 2-[[E]-2-furan-2-yl-vinyl]-3H-quinazolin-4-ones incorporated into diverse N, O and S heterocyclic moieties of bioavailability as.5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrazole 4, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole 5, 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole 6, substituted thiazolidinones 8 and 1,3,4-thiadiazole 10, were synthesized by cyclization of the starting quinazolinone acid hydrazide 3 or the acid hydrazide Schiff bases 7 using ethyl acetoacetate, acety I acetone, ammoniumthiocyanate, thioglycolic acid and/or phosphorus pentasulphide, respectively. Other related derivatives such as quinazoline thiosemi - carbazides II and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 12 were also synthesized. The acid hydrazide 3 showed moderate antimicrobial activity While the starting benzoic acid ethyl ester 2 showed promising anti-inflammatory activity but has no effect on liver carcinoma [HePG2] or brain carcinoma [U251] cell lines

Determination of salylic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid and anthranilic acid in Radix Isatidis by HPCE / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a simple and rapid capillary electrophoresis (CE) method for the separation and determination of four active organic acids including salicylic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid, and anthranilic acid in Radix Isatidis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The HPCE system consisted of a fused-silica capillary column of 47.3 cm (38.3 cm to the detector) x50 microm i.d. and a mixture ofacetonitrile-borate buffer (15% acetonitrile, 25 mmol L(-1) borate, 15 mmol L(-1) beta-CD, pH 9.10) solution as the operating buffer. The applied voltage was 11.5 kV and the UV detection was set at 220 nm. The effects of the applied voltage, detection wavelength, and the pH of buffer, the concentration of buffer, acetonitrile and beta-CD were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The linear calibration rang was 3.0-90 mg L(-1) (r=0.9994) for salylic acid, 4.0-120 mg L(-1) (r=0.9995) for syringic acid, 2.0-60 mg L(-1) (r=0.9998) for benzoic acid and 5.0-100 mg L(-1) (r=0.9992) for anthranilic acid. The recoveries of salylic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid and anthranilic acid were 95.9%-102.6%, 98.6%-103.4%, 98.7%-104.1%, 96.1%-104.3% respectively. The detection limits of salylic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid and anthranilic acid were 0.7, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5 mg L(-1), respectively.</p>

Drug permeability through buccal mucosa / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of physicochemical properties of drug on its permeability through buccal mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Benzoic acid, caffeine and hydrocortisone were selected as model drugs and their permeability coefficients through isolated porcine buccal mucosa were determined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The permeability coefficients of benzoic acid, caffeine and hydrocortisone through isolated porcine buccal mucosa were (1.01 x 10(-4)+/-1.64 x 10(-5))cm.s(-1)ì(2.75 x 10(-5)+/-1.79 x 10(-6))cm.s(-1) and (2.49 x 10(-5)+/-6.32 x 10(-6))cm.s(-1), which were 14,989 and 389 times as those through human skin, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The permeability of drugs through buccal mucosa seems to be much better than that through human skin.</p>

Chemical constituents from herb of Gueldenstaedtia stenophylla / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Gueldenstaedtia stenophylla.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents and structure determination was mainly based on the analysis of the spectroscopic data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven compounds, including 2', 4, 7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavans (1), genkwanin (2), quercetin (3), rutin(4), 12-oleanen-3beta, 22beta, 24-triol (5), betulinic acid (6), and 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (7) were isolated and identified.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All these compounds were isolated from the genus Gueldenstaedtia for the first time.</p>

Ameliorating Effects of Sulfonylurea Drugs on Insulin Resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats

OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats are characterized by obesity-related insulin resistance, which is a phenotype of type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylurea drugs or benzoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel are commercially available to treat diabetes. The present study compared sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) with one of benzoic acid derivatives (repaglinide) in regard to their long-term effect on ameliorating insulin sensitivity in OLETF rats. Each drug was dissolved and fed with drinking water from 29 weeks of age. On high glucose loading at 45 weeks of age, response of blood glucose recovery was the greatest in the group treated with glimepiride. On immunohistochemistry analysis for the Kir6.2 subunit of KATP channels, insulin receptor beta-subunits, and glucose transporters (GLUT) type 2 and 4 in liver, fat and skeletal muscle tissues, the sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) were more effective than repaglinide in recovery from their decreased expressions in OLETF rats. From these results, it seems to be plausible that KATP-channel inhibitors containing sulfonylurea moiety may be much more effective in reducing insulin resistance than those with benzoic acid moiety. In contrast to gliclazide, non-tissue selectivity of glimepiride on KATP channel inhibition may further strengthen an amelioration of insulin sensitivity unless considering other side effects.

Chemical Constituents of the Fruiting Bodies of Clitocybe nebularis and Their Antifungal Activity

During a continuing search for antimicrobial substances from Korean native wild mushroom extracts, we found that the methanolic extract of the fruiting body of Clitocybe nebularis exhibited mild antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi. Therefore we evaluated the antifungal substances and other chemical components of the fruiting body of Clitocybe nebularis, which led to the isolation of nebularine, phenylacetic acid, purine, uridine, adenine, uracil, benzoic acid, and mannitol. Nebularine showed mild antifungal activity against Magnaphorthe grisea and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and phenylacetic acid potently inhibited the growth of Pythium ultiumand displayed moderate antifungal activity against Magnaphorthe grisea, Botrytis cinerea, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The other isolated compounds showed no antimicrobial activity.

Microcalorimetric studies of the action on four organic acids in Radix isatidis on the growth of microorganisms / 生物工程学报

The actions of four organic acids in Radix isatidis, a traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb, on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae growth were investigated by microcalorimetry. The four organic acids were syringic acid, 2-amino-benzoic acid, salicylic acid and benzoic acid. The power-time curves of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae growth with and without organic acids were acquired, meanwhile the extent and duration of inhibitory effects on the metabolism were evaluated by growth rate constants (k1, k2), maximum heat-output[0] power (P(m)) and peak time (t(m)). The inhibitory activity varied with different drugs. The sequences of anti-microbial activity of the four organic acids on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae were all: syringic acid > 2-amino-benzoic acid > salicylic acid > benzoic acid. And benzoic acid promoted the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. This study provides a basis for the further study on Radix Isatidis.

Studies on chemical constituents from root of Cynanchum atratum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizome of Cynanchum atratum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physicochemical properties.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twelve compounds were obtained and nine of them were identified as 2, 4-dihyroxyacetophe none (1), 2, 6-dihyroxyacetophenone (2), 4-hydroxybenzenemethanol (3), benzoic acid (4), beta-amyrin acetate (5), palmitic acid (6), beta-sitosterol (7), beta-daucosterol (8), glaucogenin C-3-O-alpha-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1 -->4)-alpha-D-oleandropyranoside (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seven compounds were obtained from C. atratum for the first time.</p>

Interferência do consumo de Chimarrão nos níveis de ácido hipúrico urinário / Chimarrão consumption interference and hippuric acid urine levels

O ácido hipúrico (AH) é empregado como indicador de exposição ocupacional ao tolueno, uma vez que é seu principal metabólito na urina. Contudo, o AH pode ser originado também do ácido benzóico, presente em algumas frutas e alimentos. Considerando que a erva-mate apresenta entre seus constituintes precursores do ácido benzóico, este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar a provável interferência do consumo de chimarrão nos níveis de AH urinário. Foram analisadas 70 amostras de urina de indivíduos não expostos ao tolueno ou qualquer alimento rico em seus precursores. O AH foi determinado por cromatografia gasosa e os resultados corrigidos pela creatinina urinária. A média dos resultados foi significativamente maior entre os consumidores de chimarrão (média=1,40+- erro padrão= 0,2953), demonstrando que o consumo recente desta bebida pode interferir nos resultados de AH urinário. São necessãrios estudos adicionais para avaliar a interferência do tipo de erva-mate e do padrão de consumo.

A Case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis due to Propolis Tincture / 대한피부과학회지

Propolis or bee-glue, a resinous bee-hive product, is widely used in foreign countries as a medicinal remedy and in cosmetics. However, it is thought to be the cause of an increasing number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis. More than 180 constituents have been found in propolis and the major sensitizers are 3-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate and phenylethyl caffeate. We report a case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by a propolis tincture that was used in the treatment of a skin wound. Patch test results showed a positive reaction to both propolis and benzoin tinctures, but a negative reaction to fucidic acid. Because benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, esters of cinnamic acid, and vanillin are ingredients common to propolis and benzoin tinctures, these minor sensitizers are suspected as being the cause of allergic contact dermatitis in this case.