Highly hydrophobic nanofibrous surfaces genearated by poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Lotus-leaf-like nanofibrous surfaces were prepared by electrospinning hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) from a mixed solvent of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone. PVDF fibrous mats with a bead-on-string morphology were generated because the nonpolar acetone decresed the viscosity of the PVDF solution and promoted the evaporation of the solution during electrospinning process. The morphology of the nanofibirous surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Micron-sized beads were introduced to the electrospun PVDF mats, resulting in enhanced hydrophobicity of the electrospun mats. The addition of a small amount (0.05 vol%) of acetic acid to the polymer solution effectively improved the bead-on-string morphology of the electrospun mats, and led to a higher water contact angle (WCA). The electrospun PVDF fibrous mat showed a maximum WCA of 148.5° due to the appropriate surface roughness.     

Prediction and interpretation of hydraulic permeability for nonwoven fabrics considering hypothetical 2-D layer

The permeability defined by Darcy’s law indicates the degree of ability that a fluid can flow through nonwoven media under a differential pressure in laminar flow. The permeability generally indicates the specific permeability or absolute permeability. On the other hand, if the fluid is water, the permeability indicates the hydraulic conductivity or permeability coefficient. The permeability is one of the important properties for nonwoven media and a prediction of the permeability acts as a bridge between the manufacturing technology and performance requirements. Because capillary channel theory aims to make the flow of fluid easier and more understandable, many models are based on capillary channel theory. On the other hand, the theory has a limitation in that it is unsuitable for high porosity media. In this study, a very thin downstream layer, which was suggested by Lifshutz [9], was introduced to derive a prediction model of hydraulic permeability. Needle-punched and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics with various basis weights were used in the cross-plain water permeability test. From this ‘thin layer’ model, reasonable agreement between the predicted and experimental results was obtained.     

Anti-Microbial,Anti-Biofilm Activities and Cell Selectivity of the NRC-16 Peptide Derived from Witch Flounder,Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Previous studies had identified novel antimicrobial peptides derived from witch flounder. In this work, we extended the search for the activity of peptide that showed antibacterial activity on clinically isolated bacterial cells and bacterial biofilm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained from otitis media and cholelithiasis patients, while Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from otitis media patients. We found that synthetic peptide NRC-16 displays antimicrobial activity and is not sensitive to salt during its bactericidal activity. Interestingly, this peptide also led to significant inhibition of biofilm formation at a concentration of 4–16 μM. NRC-16 peptide is able to block biofilm formation at concentrations just above its minimum inhibitory concentration while conventional antibiotics did not inhibit the biofilm formation except ciprofloxacin and piperacillin. It did not cause significant lysis of human RBC, and is not cytotoxic to HaCaT cells and RAW264.7 cells, thereby indicating its selective antimicrobial activity. In addition, the peptide’s binding and permeation activities were assessed by tryptophan fluorescence, calcein leakage and circular dichroism using model mammalian membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), PC/cholesterol (CH) and PC/sphingomyelin (SM). These experiments confirmed that NRC-16 does not interact with any of the liposomes but the control peptide melittin did. Taken together, we found that NRC-16 has potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities with less cytotoxicity, and thus can be considered for treatment of microbial infection in the future.     

CPRMethicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from South Korean ducks exhibiting tremor

Background

We describe coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolates collected from ducklings exhibiting tremor in South Korea over the period of 2010 to 2011. Screening of antimicrobial susceptibility and analysis of SCCmec elements of CoNS were also investigated.

Results

Staphylococcus cohnii was the most frequent staphylococcus (9 isolates) and S. sciuri (4 isolates), S. lentus (3 isolate), S. simulans (1 isolate) and S. epidermidis (1 isolate) were also detected. Among the 15 antimicrobials tested in this study, resistance against oxacillin (15 isolates, 83.3%) was most frequently observed, but only one isolate (SNUDS-1) possessed mecA. This isolate was shown to possess SCCmec type III; the type 3 ccr complex and the class A mec complex.

Conclusions

Based on these results, isolate SNUDS-1 was shown to possess SCCmec type III; the type 3 ccr complex and the class A mec complex. Although the SCCmec type III is not predominant in human, MR-CoNS (Methicillin resistance Coagulase-negative staphylococci) in food animals should be monitored to prevent the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes and resistant pathogens to the community.     

Dissimilarity of ccrAB gene sequences between methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among bovine isolates in Korea

The sequences of the ccrAB genes from bovine-, canine- and chicken-originating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis (MRSE) and bovine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) were compared to investigate the frequency of intra-species horizontal transfer of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) complex. Nineteen MRSE strains were isolated from bovine milk, chickens, and dogs, and their genetic characteristics were investigated by multilocus sequence typing and SCCmec typing. Among the animal MRSE strains, the most frequent SCCmec type was type IV, which consisted of the type B mec complex and ccrAB type 2. The ccrA2 and ccrB2 genes were sequenced from the bovine, chicken and canine MRSE strains and compared with those of the bovine MRSA strains. The sequences generally clustered as MRSA and MRSE groups, regardless of the animal source. Additionally, no bovine MRSE sequence was associated with the bovine MRSA groups. Although most of the bovine MRSE and MRSA isolates possessed SCCmec type IV sequences, our results suggest that the intra-species gene transfer of the SCCmec complex between bovine S. aureus and bovine S. epidermidis strains is not a frequent event.     

饲粮精粗比和添加硫胺素对奶牛体外瘤胃发酵参数及菌群结构的影响

本试验采用体内逐渐提高奶牛饲粮精料水平与体外批次培养相结合的方法建立亚急性瘤胃酸中毒模型,旨在研究不同精粗比饲粮对硫胺素微生物净合成量的影响,以及添加硫胺素对亚急性瘤胃酸中毒状态下奶牛体外瘤胃发酵参数和菌群结构的影响。试验采用2×4因子完全随机试验设计,因素1为硫胺素添加水平,设0和180 mg/kg 2个水平,因素2为饲粮的精粗比,设4个水平,分别为40∶60、50∶50、60∶40、70∶30。试验共设8个处理,每个处理3个重复,于体外培养0、3、6、9、12 h后采集样品。结果表明:随着精料水平的提高,培养液中硫胺素的微生物净合成量呈先升高后降低的趋势,其中精粗比为40∶60、70∶30的饲粮组培养液中硫胺素的微生物净合成量在3、9、12 h时均显著或极显著低于精粗比为50∶50和60∶40的饲粮组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。在12 h时,随着精料水平的提高,培养液pH极显著降低(P<0.01),精粗比为70∶30的饲粮组发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒;与未添加组相比,添加硫胺素组培养液pH极显著提高(P<0.01)。在6、9、12 h时,精粗比为60∶40和70∶30的饲粮组培养液中乳酸浓度极显著高于精粗比为40∶60的饲粮组(P<0.01);在3、9 h时,添加硫胺素可极显著降低培养液中乳酸浓度(P<0.01)。饲粮精粗比对培养液中溶纤维丁酸弧菌和反刍兽新月形单胞菌的数量无显著影响(P>0.05),但可显著或极显著影响培养液中牛链球菌、乳酸杆菌和埃氏巨型球菌的数量(P<0.05或P<0.01);与未添加组相比,添加硫胺素组培养液中牛链球菌的数量降低了3.84%(P<0.01),埃氏巨型球菌的数量提高了4.02%(P<0.01),但乳酸杆菌、溶纤维丁酸弧菌和反刍兽新月单胞菌的数量未发生显著变化(P>0.05)。由此得出,在高精料饲粮条件下,瘤胃中硫胺素的微生物净合成量降低,发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒;添加硫胺素可通过提高瘤胃pH,降低乳酸浓度,以及调节瘤胃菌群结构来缓解亚急性瘤胃酸中毒。     

The susceptibility of modern tomato cultivars to blossom- end rot in relation to salinity

Three cultivars, Counter, Calypso and Spectra, were grown in NFT at a range of salinities (electrical conductivities of 5,10 and 15 mS cm^-1) in two successive crops during the year. The incidence of blossom-end rot (BER) in ‘Calypso’ and ‘Spectra’ was substantially higher than in ‘Counter’ at all salinities. In the early crop, ‘Calypso’ had the highest incidence of BER at 10 mS cm^-1, of which the proportion of international BER was greater than in ‘Spectra’. In the late crop, ‘Spectra’ had a higher incidence of BER than ‘Calypso,’ and a higher proportion of external BER. In the early crop, the incidence of BER in both cultivars grown at 10 mS cm"1 was higher than those at 15 mS cm^-1, mainly due to an exceptionally high incidence of internal BER. In the late crop, however, the reverse was true. ‘Counter’, which is not susceptible to BER, had a higher shoot dry weight than the two BER susceptible cultivars. Nevertheless, ‘Calypso’ and ‘Spectra’ set more fruit in the lower and upper trusses respectively. A high incidence of BER was related to a high number of fruit set in the susceptible cultivars. Both the Ca content and the daily rate of Ca accumulation in the fruit were reduced by salinity, but no differences between cultivars were observed. The distal placenta and locular tissues had the lowest Ca content in the whole fruit and appeared to be the site of the earliest symptoms of BER. The interaction between cultivar and salinity affecting the Ca content of these tissues was not significant. The causes of susceptibility to BER in tomato are discussed.     

Identification and development of molecular markers linked to Phytophthora root rot resistance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Phytopthora root rot in pepper (C. annuum) is caused by Phytophthora capsici L., which exhibits a high level of pathogenic diversity. Resistance to this disease is conditioned by a number of quantitative trait loci. Pyramiding resistance alleles is desirable and could be simplified by the use of molecular markers tightly linked to the resistance genes. The purpose of this study was development of molecular markers linked to Phytophthora root rot resistance. An F₈ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between YCM334 and a susceptible cultivar ‘Tean’ was used in combination with bulk segregant analysis utilizing RAPD and conversion of AFLP markers linked to Phytophtora root rot resistance into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. In conversion: one marker was successfully converted into a co-dominant SCAR marker SA133_4 linked to the trait. In bulked segregant analysis (BSA): three RAPD primers (UBC484, 504, and 553) produced polymorphisms between DNA pools among 400 primers screened. Genetic linkage analysis showed that the SCAR and RAPD markers were located on chromosome 5 of pepper. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis showed that the SA133_4 and UBC553 were linked to Phytophtora root rot resistance. These markers were correctly identified as resistant or susceptible in nine promising commercial pepper varieties. These markers will be beneficial for marker-assisted selection in pepper breeding.     

Long-Term Changes in the Bioaccumulation of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in Macroinvertebrates from the Elbe River (Czech Republic)

The Elbe River was extremely loaded by heavy metals and arsenic during the second half of the 20th century as a consequence of intensive chemical industry activities. To assess long-term contamination trends in the Elbe after socio-economical changes in 1989, selected macroinvertebrate species were used to identify biotic accumulation levels in the period from 1993 to 2005. Concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were determined in Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea), Bythinia tentaculata (Mollusca), Erpobdella spp. (Hirudinea), and larvae of the family Chironomidae (Diptera) over a 3-year period along the longitudinal profile of the Czech part of the Elbe River and the lower Vltava (the main Elbe tributary). In this study, new evaluative approaches were used to assess these multiparameter data sets. The results showed that the most contaminated Czech sites were located in the industry-heavy middle Elbe region between Valy and Ob?íství. Surprisingly high concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were observed in the upper stretch near the headwaters. Probably as a consequence of former mining activities and the metallurgic and glass industries, the lower Vltava was loaded with Cd and Pb. Despite substantial improvements in the water quality of the Elbe River within the studied time period, we found no general decreasing trend of As, Cd, and Pb in macrozoobenthos. A significant decrease of Hg was revealed, however, occurring already between 1993 and 1996. The results of interspecies comparisons showed that the investigated elements were most accumulated by chironomid larvae and Erpobdella spp.     

Effect of diallyl sulfide on in vitro and in vivo Nrf2-mediated pulmonic antioxidant enzyme expression via activation ERK/p38 signaling pathway

Increasing oxidative stress is intimately involved in the pathogenesis of lung failure. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key element in redox homeostasis. Nrf2 regulates antioxidant-associated genes that are often the target of phytochemicals in chemoprevention. This study evaluated the effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS), which is present in garlic, on the expression of antioxidant enzymes in the rat lung and the Nrf2 modulation in MRC-5 lung cells. DAS increased the activities of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and catalase as well as the GSH/GSSG ratio compared with the lung of untreated control rats (p < 0.05). The pulmonic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and catalase mRNA levels were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) after DAS treatment. Following DAS treatment, DAS level was measured in the plasma after 7 days of oral administration, and the C(max) value was 15 ± 4.2 μM. The total amount of pulmonic Nrf2 and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were elevated in DAS-treated rats, clarifying the effect of DAS on the modulation of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, DAS could induce nuclear translocation of Nrf2 via ERK/p38 signaling pathway in lung MRC-5 cells. This study demonstrates that DAS administration can significantly induce the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rat lungs and suggests a possible use for DAS as a dietary preventive agent against oxidative stress-induced lung injury.