Biodegradation of phthalate esters by Paracoccus kondratievae BJQ0001 isolated from Jiuqu (Baijiu fermentation starter) and identification of the ester bond hydrolysis enzyme.

Phthalate ester (PAE) pollution is an increasing problem globally. Paracoccus kondratievae BJQ0001 was isolated from the fermentation starter of Baijiu and showed an efficient degradation capability toward PAEs. To our poor knowledge, this is the first report of a P. kondratievae strain capable of degrading PAEs. The first complete genome sequence of P. kondratievae was presented without gaps, and composed of two circular chromosomes and one plasmid. The species simultaneously degraded di-methyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), with DMP and DEP as the preferred substrates. The half-life (t1/2) of DMP was only 6.34 h with an initial concentration of 200 mg/L. Combined with gene annotation and metabolic intermediate analysis, a metabolic pathway was proposed for the species. Benzoic acid, the intermediate of anaerobic PAE metabolism, was identified in the aerobic degradation process. Two key enzymes for alkyl ester bond hydrolysis were obtained, and belonged to families IV and VI of hydrolases, respectively. These results will promote the investigation of PAE degradation by P. kondratievae, and provide useful information for improving the quality control of food and environmental PAE treatment.

Enhanced production of ethyl acetate using co-culture of Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The style and quality of Baijiu is greatly influenced by ethyl acetate. Therefore, improving and controlling the ethyl acetate levels in Baijiu is important. This study investigated ethyl acetate production using a co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y3401 and Wickerhamomyces anomalus Y3604. More ethyl acetate was produced in mixed fermentations using both yeasts than in single fermentations. The highest ethyl acetate yield was 6.41 g/L using a Y3401/Y3604 ratio of 3:1. Synergistic fermentation using both yeasts not only improved ethyl acetate production, but also increased the contents of other flavor compounds, such as ß-phenethyl alcohol and phenethyl acetate. Therefore, the co-culture of S. cerevisiae and W. anomalus had a positive effect on ethyl acetate production and provides opportunities for altering the aroma and flavor perception of Baijiu.

Variation of the crystal growth of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and the evaluation to ibuprofen loading and release.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized with variable microwave power in the range of 100-450 W, and the resulting enhancement of MSN crystal growth was evaluated for the adsorption and release of ibuprofen. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the MSN prepared under the highest microwave power (MSN450) produced the most crystallized and prominent mesoporous structure. Enhancement of the crystal growth improved the hexagonal order and range of silica, which led to greater surface area, pore width and pore volume. MSN450 exhibited higher ibuprofen adsorption (98.3 mg/g), followed by MSN300(81.3 mg/g) and MSN100(74.1 mg/g), confirming that more crystallized MSN demonstrated higher adsorptivity toward ibuprofen. Significantly, MSN450 also contained more hydroxyl groups that provided more adsorption sites. In addition, MSN450 exhibited comparable ibuprofen adsorption with conventionally synthesized MSN, indicating the potential of microwave treatment in the synthesis of related porous materials. In vitro drug release was also investigated with simulated biological fluids and the kinetics was studied under different pH conditions. MSN450 showed the slowest release rate of ibuprofen, followed by MSN300 and MSN100. This was due to the wide pore diameter and longer range of silica order of the MSN450. Ibuprofen release from MSN450 at pH 5 and 7 was found to obey a zero-order kinetic model, while release at pH 2 followed the Kosmeyer-Peppas model.

Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on textural and adsorption characteristics of in situ synthesized mesostructured silica.

Carbon nanotubes-mesostructured silica nanoparticles (CNT-MSN) composites were prepared by a simple one step method with various loading of CNT. Their surface properties were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, TEM and FTIR, while the adsorption performance of the CNT-MSN composites were evaluated on the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) while varying the pH, adsorbent dosage, initial MB concentration, and temperature. The CNTs were found to improve the physicochemical properties of the MSN and led to an enhanced adsorptivity for MB. N2 physisorption measurements revealed the development of a bimodal pore structure that increased the pore size, pore volume and surface area. Accordingly, 0.05 g L(-1) CNT-MSN was able to adsorb 524 mg g(-1) (qm) of 60 mg L(-1) MB at pH 8 and 303 K. The equilibrium data were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models, with the Langmuir model affording the best fit to the adsorption data. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-first order model. These results indicate the potential of CNT-MSN composites as effective new adsorbents for dye adsorption.

A thyroid mass that moves with tongue protrusion: An ectopic thyroid gland.

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is a developmental anomaly that usually appears in early childhood. The common presentation is midline swelling of the neck, which moves with both tongue protrusion and deglutition. Diagnosis is usually clinical and radiological. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can be used as a tool for the exclusion of malignancy in adult patients. In some cases thyroid scan is done to rule out the presence or absence of the normal thyroid gland. A complete work-up is mandatory before cyst removal given that it contains only thyroid tissue. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with only thyroid tissue in thyroglossal duct cyst.

Amino modified mesostructured silica nanoparticles for efficient adsorption of methylene blue.

In this work, mesostructured silica nanoparticles (MSN(AP)) with high adsorptivity were prepared by a modification with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as a pore expander. The performance of the MSN(AP) was tested by the adsorption of MB in a batch system under varying pH (2-11), adsorbent dosage (0.1-0.5 g L(-1)), and initial MB concentration (5-60 mg L(-1)). The best conditions were achieved at pH 7 when using 0.1 g L(-1) MSN(AP) and 60 mg L(-1)MB to give a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 500.1 mg g(-1) at 303 K. The equilibrium data were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Harkins-Jura isotherms and fit well to the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second order model. The results indicate the potential for a new use of mesostructured materials as an effective adsorbent for MB.

Impact of seroconversion and antichlamydial treatment on the rate of pre-eclampsia among Egyptian primigravidae.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of antichlamydial treatment and Chlamydia pneumoniae seroconversion on the incidence of pre-eclampsia among Egyptian primigravidae. METHODS: The present prospective study included 600 healthy normotensive primigravidae who attended an outpatient clinic at 10-16weeks of pregnancy. A single venous blood sample was collected to test for C. pneumonia-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seropositive women were randomly allocated to receive or not receive antichlamydial treatment before 20weeks of pregnancy. Seronegative participants had another test at delivery for the presence of C. pneumonia-specific IgG to determine seroconversion. All participants were followed up for up to 8weeks postpartum and observed for the development of pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: The rate of pre-eclampsia among seropositive participants differed significantly depending on whether the women received treatment or not (6.5% and 19.1%, respectively; P=0.014). No statistically significant difference in the rate of pre-eclampsia was detected between seronegative participants who underwent seroconversion and those who did not. CONCLUSION: The present results indirectly support the hypothesis that infectious agents (in particular C. pneumoniae) have a role in the development of pre-eclampsia. The findings also indicate that antichlamydial treatment might help to reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia.

Arteriographic demonstration of coronary artery spasm during thrombolysis.

A 60-year-old man with an acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction was noted, on arteriography, to have an occluded distal right coronary artery. The vessel was reopened with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator; during resolution of the clot, spasm was observed arteriographically but was successfully treated with intracoronary nitroglycerin. Follow-up arteriography showed a normal right coronary artery. The significance of this case lies in the fact that we were able to document the occurrence of spasm during coronary thrombolysis; such documentation supports the hypothesis that spasm may be a factor in the initiation of coronary thrombosis.

Constrictive pericarditis after myocardial infarction. Sequela of anticoagulant-induced hemopericardium.

Hemopericardium developed following adequate (and not excessive) anticoagulation in a patient with acute transmural anterior myocardial infarction and an early pericardial friction rub. Drainage of a bloody effusion by pericardiocentesis did not prevent progression to constrictive pericarditis within one year. The clinical features of this case and of the only two other similar occurrences reported in the medical literature are described and lead to a discussion of therapeutic and preventive measures.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: successful treatment with dantrolene and bromocriptine.

A patient with chronic schizophrenia treated with fluphenazine developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome, characterized by fever, obtundation, rigidity, and tremulousness. Hyperthermia and elevated serum creatine kinase were successfully corrected by parenteral treatment with dantrolene. Obtundation, rigidity, and tremulousness responded to high doses of bromocriptine.

Serum calcium, magnesium and phosphate in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis.

Serum calcium, magnesium, phosphate and albumin were estimated in 74 bilharzial patients and 14 normal individuals as control. A significant hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia was found in bilharzial patients with liver fibrosis and ascites. The authors suggest that these changes may be due to hypoparathyroidism. Both ascitic and non ascitic patients showed hypomagnesaemia. This hypomagnesaemia was more obvious in the ascitic group. The hypomagnesaemia is probably due to excess aldosterone secretion in these patients, combined with hypoparathyroidism in the cirrhotic patients with ascites.