The effects of marine farm-scale sequentially integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems on microbial community composition, prevalence of sulfonamide-resistant bacteria and sulfonamide resistance gene sul1.

Aquaculture, one of the most important food production practices worldwide, faces serious challenges of mitigating the detrimental impacts of intensive farming on the environment and increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance. To develop an environment-friendly aquaculture system, a land-based and farm-scale sequentially integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system was established for farming Chanos chanos in southwestern Taiwan. In this system, fishes are cultured in combination with organic extractive shellfish and inorganic extractive seaweed. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sulfonamide-resistant bacteria, microbial community structure, and occurrence of sulfonamide resistance genes in the IMTA and traditional aquaculture systems. Water and sediment samples were collected before raising and after harvesting C. chanos. Our results showed that the occurrence of sulfonamide-resistant phenotypes in the IMTA system was comparable with that in influent seawater, while the traditional system exhibited a high sulfonamide resistance rate. Additionally, the traditional system resulted in a deviation of the bacterial community structure from that of seawater. In the water samples from the IMTA system and influent seawater, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the two dominant phyla, representing approximately 75% and 15% of the community, respectively. In the traditional system, Actinobacteria, constituting 39% of the community, was the dominant bacterial phylum. Thirty-one sulfonamide-resistant bacterial species were isolated. In conclusion, a sequentially IMTA system showed superior ability to maintain the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the integrity of the bacterial community structure compared to the traditional farming system, representing a potentially valuable aquaculture system for preserving the sustainability of the marine environment.

Molecular cloning and differential expression pattern of two structural variants of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family from the mud crab Scylla olivacea.

Two full-length cDNA sequences encoding a crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) precursor were cloned from tissues of the mud crab Scylla olivacea. Sco-CHH (S. olivacea CHH) was cloned from eyestalk ganglia, whereas Sco-CHH-L (S. olivacea CHH-like peptide) was cloned from extra-eyestalk tissues (pericardial organ and thoracic ganglia). Each conceptually translated precursor is expected to be processed into a signal peptide, a CHH precursor-related peptide (CPRP), and a mature CHH or CHH-like peptide. The two precursors are identical in amino acid sequence through the 40th residue of the mature peptide, but different from each other substantially in the C-terminus. Both CHH variants contain the six highly conserved cysteine residues characteristic of the CHH family peptides, and share higher sequence identities with other brachyuran CHH sequences than with those of other taxonomic groups. As determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the transcripts of Sco-CHH and Sco-CHH-L were present in eyestalk ganglia and several extra-eyestalk tissues (the thoracic ganglia, pericardial organ, brain, circumesophageal connectives, and gut). Sco-CHH was the predominant form in eyestalk ganglia, while Sco-CHH-L was the predominant form in several extra-eyestalk tissues. Neither transcript was expressed in the muscle, hepatopancreas, ovary, testis, heart, or gill. Antisera were raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to a stretch of sequence-specific to the C-terminus of Sco-CHH or Sco-CHH-L. Western blot analyses of tissues expressing Sco-CHH and Sco-CHH-L detected a Sco-CHH immunoreactive protein in the sinus gland, and a Sco-CHH-L immunoreactive protein in the pericardial organ. Immunohistochemical analyses of the eyestalk ganglia localized both Sco-CHH and Sco-CHH-L immunoreactivity to the sinus gland, and only Sco-CHH immunoreactivity to the X-organ somata; analyses of the pericardial organs also localized both Sco-CHH and Sco-CHH-L immunoreactivity to the anterior and posterior bars, as well as to longitudinal trunks joining the two bars. The combined data provided supporting evidence that Sco-CHH and Sco-CHH-L are co-localized in the same tissue.

Nursing intervention to enhance efficacy of home practice of pelvic floor muscle exercises in treating mixed urinary incontinence.

This study was conducted to evaluate nursing intervention to enhance the efficacy of a home-based pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) in treating mixed urinary incontinence among a community-based population. Eighty-eight women with mixed incontinence were recruited for this study and were asked to practice PFME at home as instructed. A registered nurse monitored the study group via telephone checkups twice a week. The Symptoms (LUTS) Questionnaire and a disease-specific questionnaire of impact index were used for repeat measurements before intervention, at 3 and 6 months after PFME. Symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, urge incontinence, and urinary stress incontinence improved significantly in the study group at 6 months. Quality of life with regard to worry about pads/towels leakage and getting wet also improved in the study group at 6 months. Nursing intervention can significantly improve the efficacy of a home-based PFME program in community women with mixed storage symptoms.

Establishment of a canine spinal cord injury model induced by epidural balloon compression

A model that provides reproducible, submaximal yet sufficient spinal cord injury is needed to allow experiments leading to development of therapeutic techniques and prediction of clinical outcome to be conducted. This study describes an experimental model for spinal cord injury that uses three different volumes of balloon inflation and durations of compression to create a controlled gradation outcome in adult dogs. Twenty-seven mongrel dogs were used for this study. A 3-french embolectomy catheter was inserted into the epidural space through a left hemilaminectomy hole at the L4 vertebral arch. Balloons were then inflated with 50, 100, or 150 microliter of a contrast agent at the L1 level for 6, 12, or 24 h and spinal canal occlusion (SCO) measured using computed tomography. Olby score was used to evaluate the extent of spinal cord injury and a histopathologic examination was conducted 1 week after surgery. The SCO of the 50, 100, and 150 microliter inflations was 22-46%, 51-70%, and 75-89%, respectively (p 50% for 24 h, and > 75% for 12 h induces paraplegia up to a week after spinal cord injury.

Erratum: Establishment of a canine spinal cord injury model induced by epidural balloon compression

The 150 microl and 50 micol was reversed in the labeled line of the insert box in above article, on page 92, Fig. 4. The correct figure is printed below. We apologize for any confusion resulting from this error.

Ureteroscopic Removal of Stone: Results and Complications / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of ureteroscopic stone manipulation with comparing the success rates and complications rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The manipulation of calculi can be done under the direct vision of ureteroscope using dormia baskets with increasing safety and efficacy. The results of ureteroscopic removal of stones were reviewed in 636 cases. From January 1992 to October 1997, 636 patients underwent ureteroscopic removal of stones. RESULTS: There were 236 female and 400 male patients between 16 and 75 years old. The success rates of ureteroscopic removal of stones were related to location of the calculus: 95.8% in lower ureter, 87.7% in mid ureter and 90% in upper ureter(overall success rate was 95%). 35 cases(5.8%) of complication occurred in 604 cases of success: Severe ureteral mucosal injury in 25 patients, gross hematuria(>48hours) in 4 patients, ureteral mucosal prolapse in 3 patients, flank pain(>48hours) in 2 patients, ureteral perforation in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopic removal of stones can be successful and safe treatment modality for lower urethral stones, especially with plentiful experience and good surgical skill.

A Case of Retroperitoneal Teratoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Retroperitoneal teratoma is a rare tumor composed of tissues from all three germ cell layers - endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm. It is generally known as a disease of baby or children and as 10% of retroperitoneal tumor. Recently, we experienced a case of retroperitoneal teratoma in adult.

A Case of Extra-adrenal Pheochromocytoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Pheochromocytoma is one of the surgically curable hypertensive diseases and can arise wherever chromaffin cells are located. Herein, a case of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma developed in a 51 year-old male is presented with brief review of literatures.

A Case of Female Epispadias / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Female epispadias is an uncommon congenital anomaly in genitourinary tract. We experienced a case of female epispadias with total urinary incontinence which was improved with periurethral injection of Glutaraldehyde Cross-Linked Collagen(GAX-Collagen) into the area of the bladder neck. The procedure was simple to perform and without significant complications. Herein we report a case of female epispadias in 29-year old female.