Aims: This study aims to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on shrimp microbiome in a biodiverse mangrove forest ecosystem, along the Merbok River, Kedah, Malaysia. Methodology and results: To assess the impacts, a microbiome study of wild post larvae shrimps along the river was conducted as a health indicator of the shrimp hosts which in turn would reflect the river conditions. A 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the wild post larvae shrimp microbiomes sampled across areas of varying human activities was conducted. Samples were obtained from four sites ranging from upstream river habitat to downstream brackish water towards the marine coast. Individuals detected from the sequence were then counted and their relative abundance of bacterial diversity were compared. All abundances are up to 100% and the diversity indices were calculated using proportions of each species. The Operational Taxonomy Unit (OTUs) were obtained by using USEARCH and UPARSE software. Twenty-eight bacterium phyla were detected, dominated by phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at each site. Eighteen families were dominant at each site with Streptomycetaceae being the major abundant. At the genus level, the most abundant genera were Streptomyces sp., Mesorhizobium sp., Rhizobium sp., Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Conclusion, significance and impact of study In general, the diversity of opportunistic and coliform bacteria was low. Thus, despite being exposed to various levels of human activities, the Merbok River and its mangrove surroundings still serve as a good spawning and nursery sites of shrimps and presumably other inhabitants.
Biodiversity ; Decapoda ; Wetlands

Eight species belonging to two genera of the Laboulbeniales, parasitic on the family Carabidae and Staphylinidae of the order Coleoptera, were collected from Upo natural swamp in 1996-2001. They are as follows; Laboulbenia anoplogenii parasitic on Platynus daimio, L. cristata on Paederus parallelus, L. egens on Tachys laetifica, L. flagellata on Platynus daimio, L. pedicellata on Bembidion morawitzi, L. philonthi on Philonthus wuesthoffi, L. stenolophi on Acupalpus inornatus and Philonthus longicornis, and Peyritschiella biformis on Philonthus micaticollis. Among these species, the genus Platynus as the host of L. anoplogenii and the genus Acupalpus as the host of L. stenolophi are new to science. Bembidion morawitzi as the host of Laboulbenia pedicellata and Philonthus micanticollis as the host of Peyritschiella biformis are new to Korea.
Beetles ; Humans ; Korea ; Wetlands*

Due to the special geographical location and the complex ecosystem types, plateau wetlands play important ecological roles in water supply, greenhouse gas regulation and biodiversity preservation. Napahai plateau wetland is a special wetland type with low latitude and high altitude, and its microbial diversity was rarely studied. The diversity of microbial communities in the Napahai plateau wetland was analyzed using metagenomics method. Among the microbes detected, 184 phyla, 3 262 genera and 24 260 species belong to the bacterial domain, 13 phyla and 32 genera belong to the archaeal domain, and 13 phyla and 47 genera belong to the fungal domain. Significant differences in species diversity between soil and water were observed. Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were dominant phyla in soil, while Proteobacteria and Bacteroides were dominant phyla in water. Since the carbon and nitrogen metabolism genes were abundant, the pathways of carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism were analyzed. Calvin cycle, reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and 3-hydroxypropionic acid cycle were the main carbon fixation pathways, while Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Crenarchaeota were the main carbon-fixing bacteria group. As for the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction were dominant in water, while nitrification and denitrification were dominant in soil. Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota contributed to the nitrogen cycle. The study on microbial diversity of Napahai plateau wetlands provides new knowledge for the comprehensive management and protection of wetland environment in China.
Carbon ; Ecosystem ; Metagenomics ; Nitrogen ; Soil Microbiology ; Wetlands

BACKGROUND: Only two pharmacokinetic models of propofol are commercially available in the category of target controlled infusion (TCI) pumps: the modified Marsh and Schnider models. Both models were developed using propofol-LCT (long chain triglyceride). Depending on the excipient, the pharmacokinetic properties of fast-acting drugs, such as propofol, vary. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the predictive performances of both models using propofol-MCT (medium chain triglyceride)/LCT, which is frequently used in clinical practice. METHODS: This was a computer simulation study, using data collected in the previous clinical analysis used to evaluate the predictive performance of a pharmacokinetic model of propofol-MCT/LCT. The infusion profiles for each patient were applied as inputs to both models. Simulations were performed using TCI software, and the simulated plasma concentrations of both models were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 217 plasma samples, obtained from 35 patients, were used to determine the predictive performance. The pooled median (95% CI) biases and inaccuracies were 9.6 (−1.7 to 15.4) and 32.1 (22.6–38.2) respectively, for the modified Marsh model, and −5.9 (−8.9 to −0.7) and 26.3 (21.7–27.8) respectively, for the Schnider model. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pooled bias and inaccuracy of the Schnider models were clinically acceptable (< 10–20% and approximately 20–30%, respectively), the Schnider model consistently produced negatively biased predictions. Conversely, even though the pooled inaccuracy of the modified Marsh model failed to meet this criterion, the value did not deviate significantly from the standard. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that both TCI models can be used for propofol-MCT/LCT.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Propofol ; Wetlands*

BACKGROUND: We investigated how one pharmacokinetic (PK) model differed in prediction of plasma (Cp) and effect-site concentration (Ceff) using a reproducing simulation of target-controlled infusion (TCI) with another PK model of propofol. METHODS: Sixty female patients were randomly assigned to TCI using Marsh PK (Group M) and TCI using Schnider PK (Group S) targeting 6.0 microg/ml of Cp of propofol for induction of anesthesia, and loss of responsiveness (LOR) was evaluated. Total and separate cross-simulation were investigated using the 2 hr TCI data (Marsh TCI and Schnider TCI), and we investigated the reproduced predicted concentrations (MARSHSCH and SCHNIDERMAR) using the other model. The correlation of the difference with covariates, and the influence of the PK parameters on the difference of prediction were investigated. RESULTS: Group M had a shorter time to LOR compared to Group S (P < 0.001), but Ceff at LOR was not different between groups. Reproduced simulations showed different time courses of Cp. MARSHSCH predicted a higher concentration during the early phase, whereas SCHNIDERMAR was maintained at a higher concentration. Volume and clearance of the central compartment were relevant to the difference of prediction, respectively. Body weight correlated well with differences in prediction between models (Rsqr = 0.9821, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We compared two PK models to determine the different infusion behaviors during TCI, which resulted from the different parameter sets for each PK model.
Anesthesia ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Plasma ; Propofol ; Wetlands

The Alataw Pass, near the Ebinur Lake Wetland (northwest of China) and Taldykorgan (east of Kazakhstan), is a natural habitat for wild rodents. To date, little has been done on the surveillance of Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. from fleas in the region. Here we molecularly detected Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. in wild rodent fleas during January and October of 2016 along the Alataw Pass-Kazakhstan border. A total of 1,706 fleas belonging to 10 species were collected from 6 rodent species. Among the 10 flea species, 4 were found to be positive for Wolbachia, and 5 flea species were positive for Bartonella. Molecular analysis indicated that i) B. rochalimae was firstly identified in Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and X. conforms conforms, ii) B. grahamii was firstly identified in X. gerbilli minax, and iii) B. elizabethae was firstly detected in Coptopsylla lamellifer ardua, Paradoxopsyllus repandus, and Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps. Additionally, 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were firstly found in X. gerbilli minax, X. conforms conforms, P. repandus, and N. laeviceps laeviceps. BLASTn analysis indicated 3 Bartonella species showed genotypic variation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were clustered into the non-Siphonaptera Wolbachia group. These findings extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution and carriers of B. rochalimae, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, and Wolbachia spp. In the future, there is a need for China-Kazakhstan cooperation to strengthen the surveillance of flea-borne pathogens in wildlife.
Bartonella ; Ecosystem ; Lakes ; Rodentia ; Siphonaptera ; Wetlands ; Wolbachia ; Xenopsylla

Eighteen endophytic fungi with different colony morphologies were isolated from the roots of Nymphoides peltata growing in the Dalsung wetland. The fungal culture filtrates of the endophytic fungi were treated to Waito-c rice seedling to evaluate their plant growth-promoting activities. Culture filtrate of Y2H0002 fungal strain promoted the growth of the Waito-c rice seedlings. This strain was identified on the basis of sequences of the partial internal transcribed spacer region and the partial beta-tubulin gene. Upon chromatographic analysis of the culture filtrate of Y2H0002 strain, the gibberellins (GAs: GA1, GA3, and GA4) were detected and quantified. Molecular and morphological studies identified the Y2H0002 strain as belonging to Aspergillus clavatus. These results indicated that A. clavatus improves the growth of plants and produces various GAs, and may participate in the growth of plants under diverse environmental conditions.
Aspergillus* ; Fresh Water* ; Fungi ; Gibberellins* ; Plants ; Seedlings ; Tubulin ; Wetlands

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation induces clinically adverse hemodynamic changes. Various pharmacological strategies for controlling these reponses have been suggested with opioids being widely used. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect site concentration of remifentanil in blunting the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation according to gender. METHODS: Eighty ASA physical status I or II patients, aged 20-40 years undergoing elective surgery, were classified into a male group (n = 40) and a female group (n = 40). Anesthesia was induced using a propofol target controlled infusion (TCI: Marsh model). A propofol target effect-site concentration of 4microgram/ml was chosen. Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was administered after the patients lost consciousness. Remifentanil TCI (Minto model) was started 1 min after the propofol injection. Initially, an effect-site concentration of 3 ng/ml was chosen. The next concentration was chosen using the up-and-down method reported by Dixon. The non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction (baseline), after the remifentanil injection, immediately after intubation as well as 1 and, 3 minutes after intubation. RESULTS: Probit analysis revealed a remifentanil effect-site EC50 and EC95 in the male group to be 1.94 ng/ml (95% CI, 1.60-2.27 ng/ml ), 3.07 ng/ml (95% CI, 2.65-4.06 ng/ml), respectively. The EC50 and EC95 in the female group were 1.69 ng/ml (95% CI, 1.35-2.01 ng/ml), 2.81 ng/ml (95% CI, 2.39-3.81 ng/ml), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effect-site concentration of remifentanil blunting the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation during propofol TCI anesthesia was between 2 and 3 ng/ml. There were no gender differences.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Consciousness ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Male ; Propofol* ; Wetlands

BACKGROUND: We investigated effect-site concentrations of propofol, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time during anesthesia using effect-site target-controlled infusion, to compare the differences between Schnider and modified Marsh model. METHODS: Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II patients between the ages of 18 and 55 years old and who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized into two groups: one group using modified Marsh model (Group 1) and the other group using Schnider model (Group 2). Effect-site concentrations of propofol, blood pressure, heart rate and BIS at each anesthetic stage were recorded. Time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time were measured. RESULTS: Group 1 showed shorter time to loss of consciousness and eyelid reflex at the lower effect-site concentration of propofol than Group 2 (P < 0.05). The effect-site concentrations of Group 1 were higher than those of Group 2 at eye opening and extubation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of anesthesia is achieved at lower effect-site concentration of propofol and more rapidly in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model. However the effect-site concentrations of propofol for awakening are higher in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Eye ; Eyelids ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Propofol ; Reflex ; Unconsciousness ; Wetlands

Rumex japonicus Houttuyn are ubiquitous plants, which are found in marshes or in wet areas. The root of Rumex japonicus Houttuyn has been used for the treatment of skin diseases including fungal infections of the skin since older times in Japan and China. This study was undertaken to investigate the antifungal activity of the alcoholbenzene extract of Rumex japonicus Houttuyn in vitro. During this experiment the extracts of Rumex japonicus Houttuyn were diluted seriaIly in the Sabouraud's dextrose agar and fungal mats or fungal suspensions of isolated strains of dermatophytes were inoculated into each medium containing different concentrations of test materials. Then their growth was observed for 2 weeks or 10 days at room temperature. (countinued...)
Agar ; Arthrodermataceae ; China ; Glucose ; Japan ; Rumex* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Suspensions ; Wetlands