The hedgehog has recently become a fashionable pet in South Korea, especially among the younger persons. However, hedgehogs have been rarely reported to carry fungus that can cause human dermatomycosis. We report such a case. A 12-year-old boy was bitten by his hedgehog one week prior to presentation; he developed two clearly defined erythematous plaques with some pustules on the fingers. Periodic acid-Schiff stain of the biopsy specimen showed long, septated fungal hyphae in the keratin layer. KOH examination and fungus culture showed Trichophyton(T.) mentagrophytes. The subtype was identified as T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of theribosomal DNA. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole (3.3 mg/kg, twice a day for 4 weeks) and topical ketoconazole cream with potassium permanganate wet dressings twice a day, resulting in complete resolution of the skin lesions.
Bandages ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dermatomycoses ; DNA ; Fingers ; Fungi ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Itraconazole ; Keratins ; Ketoconazole ; Manganese Compounds ; Oxides ; Potassium Permanganate ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Tinea ; Trichophyton

This review surveys the recent literature on the neurodevelopmental impacts of chemical exposures during pregnancy. The review focuses primarily on chemicals of recent concern, including phthalates, bisphenol-A, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds, but also addresses chemicals with longer histories of investigation, including air pollutants, lead, methylmercury, manganese, arsenic, and organophosphate pesticides. For some chemicals of more recent concern, the available literature does not yet afford strong conclusions about neurodevelopment toxicity. In such cases, points of disagreement among studies are identified and suggestions provided for approaches to resolution of the inconsistencies, including greater standardization of methods for expressing exposure and assessing outcomes.
Air Pollutants ; Arsenic ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Child ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers ; Humans ; Manganese ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Pesticides ; Pregnancy

Animals ; Manganese ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Organometallic Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; chemistry ; metabolism

cDNA of the glx1 gene encoding glyoxal oxidase (GLX) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium was isolated and expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant GLX (rGLX) produces H2O2 over 7.0 nmol/min/mL using methyl glyoxal as a substrate. Use of rGLX as a generator of H2O2 improved the coupled reaction with recombinant manganese peroxidase resulting in decolorization of malachite green up to 150 microM within 90 min.
Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; DNA, Complementary ; Glyoxal ; Manganese ; Organometallic Compounds ; Oxidoreductases ; Peroxidase ; Peroxidases ; Phanerochaete ; Pichia ; Rosaniline Dyes

Azo dyes containing effluents from different industries pose threats to the environment. Though there are physico-chemical methods to treat such effluents, bioremediation is considered to be the best eco-compatible technique. In this communication, we discuss the decolorization potentiality of five azo dyes by Podoscypha elegans (G. Mey.) Pat., a macro-fungus, found growing on the leaf-litter layer of Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal, India. The fungus exhibited high laccase and very low manganese peroxidase activities under different culture conditions. Decolorization of five high-molecular weight azo dyes, viz., Orange G, Congo Red, Direct Blue 15, Rose Bengal and Direct Yellow 27 by the fungus was found to be positive in all cases. Maximum and minimum mean decolorization percentages were recorded in Rose Bengal (70.41%) and Direct Blue 15 (24.8%), respectively. This is the first record of lignolytic study and dye decolorization by P. elegans.
Azo Compounds ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Citrus sinensis ; Congo Red ; Fungi ; India ; Laccase* ; Manganese ; Peroxidase ; Rose Bengal

OBJECTIVE: It is well established that manganese neurotoxicity is associated with clinical symptoms similar to those of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Recent research has shown that the exposure to manganese (MnCl2) leads to induction of iNOS in BV2 microglial cells via iNOS transcriptional up-regulation and activation of both MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Here, we further investigated the effect and the action mechanism of MnCl2 on iNOS expression in C6 glioma cells. METHODS: Western blot analyses demonstrated that treatment with MnCl2 at 250 micronmeter was sufficient to induce iNOS at both the protein and mRNA levels in C6 cells. RESULTS: These studies demonstrated that the induction of iNOS protein and mRNA was visible after 4h- and 2 h-treatment with MnCl2, respectively. MnCl2 treatment led to strong phosphorylation of JNKs and ERKs, members of MAP kinases (MAPKs), and Akt, a PI3-kinase (PI3K) downstream effector, in C6 cells. MnCl2 treatment had no effect on I kappa B-alpha in C6 cells. Notably, pretreatment with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), which inhibited phosphorylation of Akt by MnCl2, caused strong suppression of MnCl2- induced iNOS protein and mRNA expression in C6 cells. Moreover, pretreatment with SP600125 (an inhibitor of JNKs) and PD98050 (an inhibitor of ERKs), which respectively interfered with MnCl2-mediated phosphorylation of JNKs and ERKs, led to the partial suppression of MnCl2-induced iNOS protein. Interestingly, pretreatment with LY294002 inhibited phosphorylation of not only Akt, but also ERKs and JNKs, in response to MnCl2. Moreover, there was an effective suppression of MnCl2-mediated phosphorylation of AKT by SP600125. CONCLUSION: These results collectively suggest that MnCl2 induces iNOS expression in C6 glioma cells via activation of PI3K/Akt and JNK-ERK MAPK signaling proteins, whose activations seem to be mutually interconnected in response to MnCl2.
Anthracenes ; Blotting, Western ; Chlorides ; Chromones ; Glioma ; Manganese ; Manganese Compounds ; Morpholines ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Parkinson Disease ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Proteins ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation

With the sulfate as the materials and NaOH as precipitator, Mn(0.4)Zn(0.6)Fe2O4 nanoparticles were produced, which are proved to be spinel Mn-Zn ferrite analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD). Their shapes are approximately global examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and their average diameter is 50 nm measured with image analysis-system. The Curie temperature was measured and in vitro heating test in a alternating magnetic field was carried out. The results show that the Curie temperature is 105. 407 degrees C, While its magnetic fluid could rise to 43 degrees C - 47 degrees C due to different concentration in a alternating magnetic field. The result provide theoretical and practical evidence to select an appropriate material and concentration for tumor
Electromagnetic Fields ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; instrumentation ; Manganese Compounds ; chemistry ; Metal Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Zinc Compounds ; chemistry

Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nano-particles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation, their characteristics were observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and thermal analysis system, and etc. The temperature changes of the nano-particles of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 and its magnetic fluid explored in radiofrequency(RF,200 KHz, 4 KW) were measured. The proliferation ratio of L929 cells cultured in soak of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nano-particles were observed. The experiment indicates that the magnetic particles were about 40 nm diameter in average, round, had strong magnetism, and were proved to be consistent with the standard data of chart of XRD. Its magnetic fluid exposed to RF could be heated up to temperature range from 40 degrees C to 51 degrees C due to the amount of the magnetic nano-particles and intensity of the alternating magnetic field. Magnetic nano-particles were found to have no obvious cytotoxicity to L929 cells.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Ferrous Compounds ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Magnetics ; instrumentation ; therapeutic use ; Manganese ; Materials Testing ; Mice ; Nanostructures ; Zinc

OBJECTIVES: Manganese chloride (MnCl2) is one of heavy metals for causing neurogenerative dysfunction like Manganism. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of MnCl2 using different times and various concentrations including whether manganese toxicity may involve in two intrinsic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondria dysfunction and lead to neuronal apoptosis mediated by organelle disorders in neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. METHODS: In the acute toxicity test, five concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 uM) of MnCl2 with 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours exposure were selected to analyze cell viability. In addition, to better understand their toxicity, acute toxicity was examined with 1,000 uM MnCl2 for 24 hours exposure via reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria membrane potential, western blotting and mitochondrial complex activities. RESULTS: Our results showed that both increments of dose and time prompt the increments in the number of dead cells. Cells treated by 1,000 microM MnCl2 activated 265% (+/-8.1) caspase-3 compared to control cell. MnCl2 induced intracellular ROS produced 168% (+/-2.3%) compared to that of the control cells and MnCl2 induced neurotoxicity significantly dissipated 48.9% of mitochondria membrane potential compared to the control cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that MnCl2 induced apoptosis via ER stress and mitochondria dysfunction. In addition, MnCl2 affected only complex I except complex II, III or IV activities.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Chlorides ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Manganese ; Manganese Compounds ; Membrane Potentials ; Metals, Heavy ; Mitochondria ; Neuroblastoma ; Neurons ; Organelles ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Toxicity Tests, Acute

OBJECTIVETo observe the ability of triple helix-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) modified with manganese porphyrin to combine with and cleave HBV DNA fractions.

METHODSTFO were modified with manganese porphyrin and acridines, and then reacted with the (32)P labeled HBV DNA fragments at 37 degrees C in vitro (pH 7.4). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting tests were used to show the affinity and specificity of TFO to bind to target sequences. The ability of TFO to cleave HBV DNA fragments was tested by cleavage experiments.

RESULTSTFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could bind to the target sequence in a sequence-dependent manner, with a Kd value of 3.5 x 10(-7) mol/L and a relative affinity of 0.008. In the presence of potassium monopersulfate (KHSO(5)), TFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could cleave the target sequence where the triplex DNA was formed.

CONCLUSIONIn the presence of KHSO(5), TFO modified with manganese porphyrin and acridine could bind and cleave the target HBV-DNA in a sequence-dependent manner.

DNA ; drug effects ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Manganese ; pharmacology ; Metalloporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sulfates ; pharmacology