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Ji-Hyun Kang*,1 Jinmann Chon*,2 Young-Il Kim,1 Hyo-Jung Lee,1 Dong-Won Oh,1 Hong-Goo Lee,1 Chang-Soo Han,1 Dong-Wook Kim,3 Chun-Woong Park11College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; 2School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: Tacrolimus (TCR), also known as FK-506, is a biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class II drug that is insoluble in water because of its high log P values. After dermal application, TCR remains in the stratum corneum and passes through the skin layers with difficulty.Purpose: The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with thermosensitive properties to improve penetration and retention.Methods: We prepared TCR-loaded thermosensitive solid lipid nanoparticles (TCR-SLNs) with different types of surfactants on the shell of the particle, which conferred the advantages of enhancing skin permeation and distribution. We also characterized them from a physic point of view and performed in vitro and in vivo evaluations.Results: The TCR contained in the prepared TCR-SLN was in an amorphous state and entrapped in the particles with a high loading efficiency. The assessment of ex vivo skin penetration using excised rat dorsal skin showed that the TCR-SLNs penetrated to a deeper layer than the reference product (0.1% Protopic®). In addition, the in vivo skin penetration test demonstrated that TCR-SLNs delivered more drug into deeper skin layers than the reference product. FT-IR images also confirmed drug distribution of TCR-SLNs into deeper layers of the skin.Conclusion: These results revealed the potential application of thermosensitive SLNs for the delivery of difficult-to-permeate, poorly water-soluble drugs into deep skin layers.Keywords: tacrolimus, thermosensitive, solid lipid nanoparticle, FT-IR imaging, atopic dermatitis, dermal delivery

We present the phylogenetic affinities and DNA barcode of Gila cf. eremica, a geographically isolated and morphologically divergent population from G. eremica DeMarais, 1991. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses of cyt–b, cox1 and nd2 show a clades pattern within the G. eremica lineage, placing G. cf. eremica in a clade of specific identity to and sharing a putative common ancestor with G. eremica from the Mátape River basin. The barcoding analysis using a character–based approach of CAOS showed seven single pure characters discriminating G. eremica from its regional congener G. purpurea, and one fixed character in G. cf. eremica discriminating it from G. eremica. These results and the recent detection of diagnostic morphological differences between G. cf. eremica and G. eremica support the hypothesis of Gila cf. eremica as an significant evolutionary unit within the G. eremica lineage.

Jinmann Chon,1 Moosang Kim2 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, 2Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medcine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea Abstract: Endophthalmitis following intraocular surgery can be devastating. This case report demonstrates successful management of late-onset Streptococcus mitis endophthalmitis treated by vitrectomy, panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and silicone oil tamponade. A 75-year-old man presented with painful vision loss in his right eye. The patient had uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in the right eye at an outside clinic 6 weeks prior. Examination disclosed hypopyon and vitritis, as well as discrete inflammatory collections in the vitreous. The patient underwent vitrectomy with PRP and silicone oil tamponade. Vitreous cultures were positive for S. mitis, a pathogen associated with severe tissue damage and poor clinical outcomes. One month after the surgery, intraocular inflammation was stabilized, and visual acuity was improved from light perception to 20/200. Aggressive surgical management may play a role in improving outcomes in these patients. Keywords: late-onset endophthalmitis, Streptococcus mitis, vitrectomy

This article, published in the journal Endoscopy, discusses the incidence, risk factors, and management of delayed bleeding after endoscopic ampullectomy for ampullary adenomas. The study, which included 113 patients who underwent the procedure, found that delayed bleeding occurred in 22.1% of cases. Factors such as hypertension, an INR≥1.2 without blood thinners, and histology revealing high-grade dysplasia or cancer were associated with a higher risk of delayed bleeding. The study suggests that these factors should be considered when developing strategies to reduce post-ampullectomy bleeding. [Extracted from the article]

White spot syndrome virus ( WSSV) has caused substantial global economic impact on aquaculture, and it has been determined that strains can vary in virulence. In this study, the effect of viral load was evaluated by infecting Litopenaeus vannamei with 10-fold serial dilution of tissue infected with strain WSSV Mx-H, and the virulence of four WSSV strains from north-western Mexico was assessed along with their variable number of tandem repeat ( VNTR) genotypes in ORF75, ORF94 and ORF125. The LD50 of the Mx-H strain was a dilution dose of 10−7.5; the mortality titre was 109.2 LD50 per gram. In shrimp injected with 102.5 to 106.5 LD50, no significant virulence differences were evident. Using mortality data, the four WSSV strains grouped into three virulence levels. The Mx-F strain (intermediate virulence) and the Mx-C strain (high virulence) showed more genetic differences than those observed between the Mx-G (low-virulence) and Mx-H (high-virulence) strains, in ORF94 and ORF125. The application of high-viral-load inocula proved useful in determining the different virulence phenotypes of the WSSV strains from the Eastern Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Experimental, prospective study.Objectives:We evaluated the long-term clinical efficacy of transanal irrigation (TAI) and its effect on the quality of life of spina bifida children and their caregivers.Setting:Republic of Korea.Method:Forty-four spina bifida pediatric patients with constipation, fecal incontinence or both, underwent a TAI program at our spina bifida clinic between December 2010 and October 2013. The children and their caregivers were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire before TAI and at 3 months and 3 years after initiation of the program.Results:Successful treatment outcome was achieved in 38 (86.4%) children after a mean follow-up duration of 33 months (range, 30-36). The mean number of fecal incontinence episodes per week, the number of diaper changes and the total time for bowel care per day before the program decreased at the latest follow-up examination from 7.3 to 0.4 (P<0.001), 1.6 to 0.2 (P<0.001) and 29.2 to 19.4 min (P=0.038), respectively. These results remained constant from short-term follow-up at 3 months to 3 years. Caregivers and children could go out more often (P=0.002), and the emotional impact of bowel care on caregivers decreased (P<0.001). The reported mean overall satisfaction with TAI was 8/10. The common adverse effect during TAI was abdominal discomfort (60.5%).Conclusion:We observed a sustained significant improvement in defecation symptoms and quality of life for 3 years in spina bifida children who underwent continuous TAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the detection of ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) infection that caused mortality in Crassostrea gigas or Pacific oyster cultures in California since 1993. It states that the infection was confirmed using the transmission electron microscopy, sequence analysis and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It notes that observing the new DNA strain of OsHV-1 in healthy C. gigas is found by conducting a prospective sampling before implementing surveillance monitoring.

BACKGROUND: FTY720, an analogue of sphingosine-1-phosphate, has shown potential in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. It prevents development or cure of autoimmune diabetes in animal models. Recently, we reported that FTY720 also prevents development of diabetes in db/db mice by [beta]-cell regeneration in vivo. This study investigated the effect of FTY720 on apoptosis in [beta]-cells in db/db mice treated with FTY720 16 weeks. METHODS: Six week old female db/db mice were divided into control and FTY720 groups. FTY720 (10 mg/kg) was orally administrated daily. Body weights and fasting glucose levels were measured once a week after overnight fasting. After 16 weeks of treatment, oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed, serum insulin levels and insulin contents in pancreas were determined, and then all mice were subjected to physiological and histological analyses. RESULTS: FTY720-treated mice showed normal fasting glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance with normal insulin sensitivity and restored [beta]-cell function to produce and secret insulin. Pancreas histology revealed that FTY720 prevented islet damage and preserved [beta]-cell mass by inhibiting apoptosis and increasing [beta]-cell survival in pancreatic islets. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that early intervention with FTY720 in db/db mice can prevent development of diabetes through preserving [beta]-cell mass by inhibiting apoptosis and increasing survival of islet [beta]-cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compared the effectiveness of 2 types of Bolton broths and 3 selective media for isolating Campylobacter spp. from naturally contaminated whole-chicken carcass-rinse samples. One hundred chickens were rinsed with buffered peptone water, and the rinses were added to 2x Bolton broth (with or without blood supplementation). The samples were incubated and then streaked onto Preston agar, modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA), and Campy-Cefex agar, which was followed by incubation under microaerobic conditions. No statistical differences were observed (P > 0.05) in isolation rate and selectivity between the 2 types of Bolton broths. Among the 3 selective agars, Preston agar yielded a significantly (P < 0.05) better isolation rate and selectivity. The Campy-Cefex agar, which is recommended by many food authorities for its high quantitative detection ability, showed extensive contamination with competing microorganisms and exhibited the lowest isolation rate and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Para evaluar la variabilidad genética de los ostiones suministrados por el Centro Reproductor de Especies Marinas del Estado de Sonora, se analizaron loci alozímicos en Crassostrea gigas triploide (n = 78) y la F1 de un nuevo lote de ostión nativo Crassostrea corteziensis (n = 78). En la muestra de C. gigas se analizaron 10 sistemas enzimáticos que revelaron 16 loci, de los cuales 12 fueron polimórficos. Para C. corteziensis, 9 sistemas enzimáticos revelaron 13 loci, de los cuales 8 fueron polmórficos. Los promedios de la heterocigosis esperada y observada para C. gigas fueron de 0.350 y 0.309, respectivamente, sin diferencias significativas entre ellos. Estos niveles son similares a los reportados para organismos silvestres diploides pero menores a los reportados para organismos triploides. Los promedios de la heterocigosis esperada y observada para C. corteziensis fueron de 0.294 y 0.065, con diferencias significativas (P = 0.001). El análisis de las frecuencias fenotípicas de los 12 loci polimórficos en C.gigas demostró que sólo 3 loci (AKP*, EST-2 y PEP-1*) estuvieron en equilibrio de Hardy- Weinberg, con una endogamia promedio de 0.133. Para C. corteziensis, los 8 loci polimórficos estuvieron fuera del equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg y reflejaron una alta endogamia de 0.777 debido a una gran deficiencia de heterocigotos en todos los loci, sugiriendo que el pie de cría fuente está genéticamente erosionado. Si la variabilidad genética no se considera en la selección del pie de cría, el cultivo de ostión en el noroeste de México será inestable. Se recomienda un programa de selección de un linaje diploide de C.gigas que posea una buena variabilidad genética y un buen nivel de heterocigosis, además de seleccionar las poblaciones silvestres de C. corteziensis con el menor índice de endogamia con el fin de obtener un pie de cría genéticamente saludable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the genetic variability of oysters supplied by the Centro Reproductor de Especies Marinas del Estado de Sonora (Marine Species Hatchery Center of the State of Sonora), allozyme loci of triploid Crassostrea gigas (n = 78) and the F1 generation of a new batch of diploid native oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (n = 78) were analyzed. For the C. gigas sample, 10 enzymatic systems were analyzed, revealing 16 loci of which 12 were polymorphic. For C. corteziensis, 9 enzymatic systems revealed 13 loci, of which 8 were polymorphic. The average expected and observed heterozygosities for C. gigas were 0.350 and 0.309, respectively, with no significant differences between them. These figures are similar to those reported for wild diploid organisms, but lower than those reported for triploids. The average expected and observed heterozygosities for C. corteziensis were 0.294 and 0.065, with significant differences (P = 0.001). The phenotypic frequency analysis of the 12 polymorphic loci of C. gigas demonstrated that only 3 loci (AKP*, EST-2*, and PEP-1*) were in equilibrium according to the Hardy-Weinberg Law, with an average inbreeding of 0.133. For C. corteziensis, the 8 polymorphic loci were found outside of the Hardy-Weinberg Law, reflecting a high inbreeding value of 0.777 because of the large heterozygote deficiency in all loci, suggesting that the source broodstock is genetically eroded. If genetic variability is not considered in the selection of the broodstock, oyster culture in northwest Mexico will become unstable. We recommend a program of selection of diploid lineages of C. gigas with a good genetic variability and a good level of heterozygosis, and for C. corteziensis it is important to choose the wild population with the lowest inbreeding index in order to get a genetically healthy broodstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which determined the contributing role of Perkinsus marinus in the massive mortalities of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in the Gulf of California. The presence of Perkinsus marinus from the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene complex was detected using Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) assays. Histological analyses also revealed alterations in the tissue structure in various organs, changes in the arrangement of the columnar cells in the intestinal epithelia, and gill lesions.

The article presents a study which focuses on the detection of yellow-head virus (YHV) in wild blue shrimps (Penaeus tylirostris) from the Gulf of California. The study conducted four bioassays with the use of certified pathogen-free Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in order to confirm the presence of YHV and its potential transmission to P. vannamei. An analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also conducted to analyze both wild shrimp species for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).

In recent years, the shrimp industry has turned to inland freshwater culture as one method to avoid problems such as the introduction of possible vectors of viral pathogens into seawater ponds. Our experiments evaluated susceptibility to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Litopenaeus vannamei held under different salinity regimens. Juvenile L. vannamei that were conditioned at salinities of 35, 25, 15, 5 and 2 g L−1 were challenged with WSSV. In order to assess the severity of white spot disease, histological analysis and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were carried out on the challenged shrimp every 4 h after 48 h post challenge. The results indicated that significantly more severe infections resulted at 15‰ than at other salinities. Mortality could not be compared due to the sampling design and because severe WSSV infections occurred in all test groups such that few shrimp remained alive in each challenged group at the end of the test. Despite this, the results suggest that salinity may affect the course and outcome of WSSV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To find a relationship between allozyme heterozygosity and body size in cultured white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, a sample was taken at the end of an experimental culture; 72 small organisms of 7.1 ± 1.35 g average weights, and 72 large organisms of 17.5 ± 1.34 g average weights. Ten enzymatic systems were analyzed. Eighteen loci showed good resolution for genetic interpretation. Only EST-2*, EST-3*, EST-4*, EST-5*, and PGM* were polymorphic. Variability values (mean observed heterozygosity, mean number of alleles per locus, and polymorphism) for small shrimp were 0.029 ± 0.020, 1.5 ± 0.20, and 22%, whereas for large shrimp were 0.020 ± 0.010, 1.7 ± 0.20, and 28%. No significant difference was found in heterozygosity for both size-classes. All loci were out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium because of a heterozygote deficiency and high inbreeding values. EST-2* and PGM* showed differences in allelic frequencies among both size-classes, and an Fst value of 1.6% was recorded. Both size-classes have a different genetic population structure. Because of the poor information of the analyzed loci and to corroborate that EST-2* and PGM* are involved in growth, it would be necessary to follow the inheritance of those loci in successive generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We conducted a population genetic analysis of Penaeus stylirostris to describe the genetic variability in two wild samples (Guaymas and Peñasco) and in two cultivated strains (A and B), and to determine the relationship among samples. Seventeen enzymatic systems and general proteins were used to visualize 31 loci. Of the 31 loci, 11 polymorphic loci (35%) were detected in all the organisms, with an average heterozygosity of 0.10 and an average of 1.8 per locus. There were no significant differences among the four samples of observed heterozygosity or percentage of polymorphic loci. According to Hardy–Weinberg, both cultivated strains showed disequilibrium in more loci than the wild samples. Guaymas showed linkage disequilibrium in five pairs of polymorphic loci, Peñasco samples in two pairs, A in seven pairs, and B in nine pairs. Peñasco and both cultivated lineages showed evidence of recent reductions in their effective populations size. Based on the comparisons of F st values, and the distribution of the allelic frequencies, the cultivated strains were significantly different from the two wild populations. There is evidence that strain B originated from A and the discrepancies between the strains are probably the result of genetic drift and a founder effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to analyze the impact of yellow head virus (YHV) on whiteleg shrimp or Penaeus vannamei in Mexican shrimp farms. The infected shrimp were soaked in 2 percent saline solution in a 1:10 ratio and centrifuged at 12000g for 5 min. It was again diluted in 2 percent saline solution in a 1:10 ratio and used to challenge shrimp at different salinities.

Background. The use of neuromuscular block in patients with chronic renal disease is challenging for anaesthetists. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacodynamic effects of rocuronium during remifentanil and desflurane anaesthesia in adults with or without renal disease. Methods. The pharmacodynamic effects of rocuronium 0.3 mg kg-1 were investigated in 20 patients with chronic renal disease (renal group), and in 20 patients with normal renal function (control group) undergoing ophthalmological surgery under anaesthesia with remifentanil and desflurane. Neuromuscular block was monitored by acceleromyography, using the TOF Watch with TOF stimulation every 12 s. At 6 min intervals, tetanic stimulation (50 Hz) was also applied for 5 s, which was preceded and followed by a 15 s period of 1 Hz single twitch stimulation until reappearance of T1. Statistical significance between the groups was determined using the unpaired t-test (SPSS version 10.0). Results. The first response to post-tetanic stimulation was detected later in the renal group than in the control group at 28 (7) vs 19 (8) min, respectively. The first response to TOF stimulation also occurred significantly later in the renal group [70 (9) min] than in the control group [52 (7) min]. The interval between the appearance of a PTC and T1 was longer in the renal group at 35 (7) vs 26 (8) min in the control group. All the times were significantly longer compared with the control group (P<0.05 for all parameters). Conclusions. A rapid recovery from desflurane anaesthesia is well recognized. General anaesthesia with desflurane and isoflurane does not aggravate renal impairment, nor does the use of remifentanil. Even using this ideal combination of drugs, our study showed a prolonged recovery from rocuronium 0.3 mg kg-1 in patients with renal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effectiveness of 2 selective enrichment broths, Rappaport-Vassiliadis Soy (RVS) and Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate with novobiocin (MKTTn), for the isolation of Salmonella from chicken carcasses obtained from 3 different types of retail markets. We also compared a chromogenic agar, chromID Salmonella agar (SM-ID 2), with a classic plating medium, xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD). Salmonella were isolated from 118 of the 180 samples (65.5%). Salmonella were detected in 105 samples (88%) plated on XLD and 111 samples (94%) plated on SM-ID 2 when RVS broth was used for enrichment, and 43 samples (36.4%) plated on XLD and 67 samples (56.8%) plated on SM-ID 2 when the MKTTn broth was used. The highest sensitivity was found in the RVS-XLD combination (0.99), followed by RVS-SM-ID 2 (0.97). The specificity of the RVS-SM-ID 2 combination was the highest (0.89), but that of the MKTTn-XLD combination was zero. The results of this study indicate that the selective enrichment broths had a great effect on the sensitivity and specificity of plating media, and our study confirms that the RVS broth is the most suitable enrichment for the investigation of Salmonella in chicken carcasses. This observation suggests that use of RVS broth for selective enrichment and SM-ID 2 for selective isolation may be the best combination to determine the presence of Salmonella in chicken carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella contamination in chicken samples can cause major health problems in humans. However, not only the effects of antibiotic treatment during growth but also the impacts of the poultry slaughter line on the prevalence of Salmonellae in final chicken meat sold to consumers are unknown. In this study, we compared the isolation rates and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonellae among antibiotic-free, conventional, conventional Korean native retail chicken meat samples, and clonal divergence of Salmonella isolates by multilocus sequence typing. In addition, the distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in ESBL-producing Salmonella isolates was analyzed. A total of 72 retail chicken meat samples (n = 24 antibiotic-free broiler [AFB] chickens, n = 24 conventional broiler [CB] chickens, and n = 24 conventional Korean native [CK] chickens) was collected from local retail markets in Seoul, South Korea. The isolation rates of Salmonellae were 66.6% in AFB chickens, 45.8% in CB chickens, and 25% in CK chickens. By analyzing the minimum inhibitory concentrations of β-lactam antibiotics with the disc-diffusion test, we found that 81.2% of Salmonella isolates from AFB chickens, 63.6% of isolates from CB chickens, and 50% of isolates from CK chickens were ESBL producers; all ESBL-positive isolates had the CTX-M-15 genotype. Interestingly, all ESBL-producing Salmonellae were revealed as ST16 by multilocus sequence typing and had the genetic platform of blaCTX-M gene (IS26-ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-15-IS903), which was first reported in Salmonellae around the world. The Salmonella ST33 strain (S. Hadar) isolated in this study has never been reported in South Korea. In conclusion, our findings showed that antibiotic-free retail chicken meat products were also largely contaminated with ESBL-producing Salmonellae and that their ESBL genes and genetic platforms were the same as those isolated from conventional retail chicken meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Clonidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist, has been used in the perioperative period and in the intensive care for the management of hypertension. The in vivo and in vitro effects of clonidine on the actions of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs are conflicting. This study was conducted to evaluate the potency and time course of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block after prolonged pretreatment with clonidine in rabbits. Methods. Sixty rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (C), normal saline 0.1 ml kg-1 day-1 for 6 weeks; Group A, clonidine 4 µg kg-1 day-1 for 3 weeks; and Group B: clonidine 4 µg kg-1 day-1 for 6 weeks. The dose-response relations of rocuronium were studied in 30 rabbits (10 for each of the three groups) during ketamine-thiopental anaesthesia, while the time course of action of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1 was examined in a further 10 rabbits from each of three groups. Results. There was no difference in mean arterial pressure and heart rate among the experimental groups. The calculated ED50 for rocuronium decreased significantly from 64.1 µg kg-1 (Group C) to 50.3 µg kg-1 (Group A) and 47.8 µg kg-1 (Group B), respectively (P<0.001). There was no difference in the onset and recovery times of rocuronium among the three groups. Conclusions. Rocuronium after pretreatment with clonidine for 3 or 6 weeks has an increased effect, but no difference in the duration of action compared with the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]