A Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, coccus-shaped bacterium was isolated from a rabbit with keratoconjunctivitis. Colonies of the isolate were round, smooth, and exhibited hemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar. Scanning electron microscopy revealed 0.4 to 0.5 µm diameter oval cocci. Partial 16S rRNA gene (1446 bp) sequence analysis demonstrated the isolate had significant homology with the Moraxella cuniculi CCUG2154 strain isolated from a rabbit in Germany in 1973. Our isolate was designated as APQAB1701. Antibiotic susceptibility tests demonstrated that APQAB1701 was sensitive to 24 antibiotics; 3 of the antibiotics (nalidixic acid, spectinomycin, and colistin) had minimal inhibitory concentrations ≥ 32 µg/mL against the isolate.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Genes, rRNA ; Germany ; Keratoconjunctivitis* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Moraxella* ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis ; Sheep ; Spectinomycin

Infectious coryza (IC) is an infectious disease caused by Avibacterium (Av.) paragallinarum. IC is known to cause economic losses in the poultry industry via decreased egg production in layers. Between 2012 and 2013, Av. paragallinarum was isolated from seven chicken farms by Chungbuk National University. We identified Av. paragallinarum, the causative pathogen of IC by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serovar serotype A, by multiplex PCR. Antibiotic sensitivity tests indicated that a few field-isolated strains showed susceptibility to erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, neomycin, oxytetracycline, spectinomycin, and tylosin. A serological survey was conducted to evaluate the number of flocks that were positive for Av. paragallinarum by utilizing a HI test to determine the existence of serovar A. Serological surveys revealed high positivity rates of 86.4% in 2009, 78.9% in 2010, 70.0% in 2011, and 69.6% in 2012. We also challenged specific pathogen-free chickens with isolated domestic strains, ADL121286 and ADL121500, according to the measured efficacy of the commercial IC vaccine, PoulShot Coryza. We confirmed the effectiveness of the vaccine based on relief of clinical signs and a decreased re-isolation rate of ADL121500 strain. Our results indicate IC is currently prevalent in Korea, and that the commercial vaccine is effective at protecting against field strains.
Agriculture ; Chickens* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Communicable Diseases ; Erythromycin ; Gentamicins ; Korea ; Lincomycin ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Neomycin ; Ovum ; Oxytetracycline ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Poultry ; Serogroup ; Spectinomycin ; Tylosin

We investigated the development of an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel composite of poly(trimethylene carbonate)-F127-poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 )loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 for ectopic bone formation in vivo and evaluated its release kinetics in vitro. Then we evaluated P24 peptide release kinetics from different concentration of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel in vitro using bicinchoninic acid (BCA)assay. P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine and ectopic bone formation of the implanted gel in vivo was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE). PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel with concentration more than 20 percent showed sustained slow release for one month after the initial burst release. Bone trabeculae surround the P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was shown at the end of six weeks by hematoxylin and eosin stain. These results indicated that encapsulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 remained viable in vivo, thus suggesting the potential of PTMC11-F127-PT- MC11 composite hydrogels as part of a novel strategy for localized delivery of bioactive molecules.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogels ; chemistry ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Peptides ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rats

Activity losing during the covalent immobilization of enzyme is a serious problem. Here we studied organic phase immobilization by using glucose oxidase (GOD) as a model. After lyophilized at optimum pH, GOD is covalently immobilized onto glutaraldhyde-activated chitosan microsphere carrier under the condition of water, 1, 4-dioxane, ether and ethanol separately. The special activities, enzyme characterization and kinetic parameters are determined. Results show that all of the organic phase immobilized GODs have higher special activities and larger K(cat) than that of aqueous phase. Under the conditions of 0.1% of glutaraldehyde, 1.6% moisture content with 80 mg of GOD added to per gram of carrier, 2.9-fold of the special activity and 3-fold of the effective activity recovery ratio were obtained, and 3-fold of the residue activity was demonstrated after 7 runs when compares 1, 4-dioxane phase immobilized GOD with water phase immobilized one. In addition, kinetic study shows that 1,4-dioxane immobilized GOD (Km(app) = 5.63 mmol/L, V(max) = 1.70 micromol/(min x mg GOD), K(cat) = 0.304 s(-1) was superior to water immobilized GOD (Km(app) = 7.33 mmol/L, V(max) = 1.02 micromol/(min x mg GOD), K(cat) = 0.221 s(-1)). All above indicated GOD immobilized in proper organic media presented a better activity with improved catalytic performance. Organic phase immobilization might be one of the ways to overcome the conformational denature of enzyme protein during covalent modification.
Chitosan ; chemistry ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; chemistry ; Freeze Drying ; Glucose Oxidase ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Microspheres

Biodegradable implants made of co-polymers composed of L-lactide, D-lactide, and trimethylene carbonate were used in the present case. To our knowledge, only one reported tissue reaction has been associated with ankle fracture treated with third-generation implants internationally and none yet domestically. We report a delayed foreign-body reaction of ankle fracture treated with a third-generation biodegradable plate and screws. We suggest that ankle fracture patients treated with biodegradable implants should be advised of this possible complication and should be followed for at least 2 years.
Absorbable Implants ; Animals ; Ankle ; Carbon ; Dioxanes ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans

We prepared Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with the size of 10 nm by chemical coprecipitation. The effects of six aqueous-organic solvents, including tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetone, N, N-Dimethylformamide, methylalcohol, and Dimethyl Sulfoxide, on peroxidase mimetic activity of Fe3O4 MNPs were studied and compared with that of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The relative activity of Fe3O4 MNPs droped sharply as the elevation of organic solvent concentration increased from 30% to 75% (V/V). In 15% organic solutions, the optimum activity of Fe3O4 MNPs was observed around 50 degrees C, under pH 3.6. After being treated at different temperatures and pH in 15% organic solutions, even under 75% concentration, Fe3O4 MNPs still preserved most of the activity when reacting in aqueous phase. The catalytic performances of Fe3O4 MNPs under given conditions were generally more superior to that of HRP. For it costs lower and it is easy to be prepared and segregated magnetically for recycle, to use the magnetic nanoparticles as a substitution for HRP has potential to be applied into organic catalysis.
Acetone ; chemistry ; Biomimetics ; Catalysis ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; chemistry ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Solvents ; Temperature

This study is to explore the possible mechanisms of the antidepressant-like effect of agmatine. By using two traditional "behavior despair" model, tail suspension test and forced swimming test, we examined the effects of some monoamine receptor antagonists (including beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist/5-HT1A/1B receptor antagonist pindolol, alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan and 5-HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron) on the antidepressant-like action of agmatine in mice. Activity of adenylate cyclase (AC) in the synapse membrane from rat frontal cortex was determined by radioimmunoassay. Single dose of agmatine (5-40 mg x kg(-1), ig) dose-dependently decrease the immobility time in tail suspension test in mice, indicating an antidepressant-like effect. The effect of agmatine (40 mg x kg(-1), ig) was antagonized by co-administration of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist/5-HT1A/1B receptor antagonist pindolol (20 mg x kg(-1), ip), alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonists yohimbine (5-10 mg x kg(-1), ip) or idazoxan (4 mg x kg(-1), ip), but not beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol (5-20 mg x kg(-1), ip) and 5-HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron (5-40 mg x kg(-1), ip). Agmatine (5-40 mg x kg(-1), ig) also dose-dependently decrease the immobility time in forced swimming test in mice. The effect of agmatine (40 mg x kg(-1), ig) was also antagonized by pindolol (20 mg x kg(-1), ip), yohimbine (5-10 mg x kg(-1), ip), or idazoxan (4 mg x kg(-1), ip). Incubation of agmatine (0.1-6.4 micromol x L(-1)) with the synaptic membrane extracted from rat frontal cortex activated the AC in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. While the effect of agmatine (6.4 micromol x L(-1)) was dose-dependently antagonized by pindolol (1 micromol x L(-1)) or yohimbine (0.25-1 micromol x L(-1)). Chronic treatment with agmatine (10 mg x kg(-1), ig, bid, 2 w) or fluoxetine (10 mg x kg(-1), ig, bid, 2 w) increased the basic activity, as well as the Gpp (NH)p (1-100 micromol x L(-1)) stimulated AC activity in rat prefrontal cortex. These results indicate that regulation on 5-HT1A/1B and alpha2 receptors, and activation AC in the frontal cortex is one of the important mechanisms involving in agmatine's antidepressant-like action.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Agmatine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Depression ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fenclonine ; pharmacology ; Idazoxan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Pindolol ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Biogenic Amine ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Antagonists ; Swimming ; Synapses ; enzymology ; Yohimbine ; pharmacology

A new compound and twelve known compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Homonoia riparia Lour, which are used in folk medicine for treatment of hepatitis, bellyache and scald, by the method of silica gel column chromatography repeatedly with a gradient of PE-EtOAc, PE-Me2CO, CHCl3-Me2CO, CHCl3-MeOH. Their structures were identified as a new compound 1-oxo-aleuritolic acid (1), and twelve known compounds aleuritolic acid (2), 3-acetoxy-aleuritolic acid (3), taraxerone (4), taraxerol (5), methyl 3-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-oate (6), 3-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-ol (7), ursolic acid (8), lupenol (9), 3beta-acetoxy-lupenol (10), cleomiscosin A (11), chrysophanol (12), and gallic acid (13), which were obtained from this plant for the first time, by the spectroscopic techniques of NMR, HMBC, IR and MS, separately. Among the cytotoxicities evaluation of compounds 1 -3 towards AGZY 83-a (human lung cancer cells) and SMMC-7721 (human liver cancer cells) tumor cells was assayed by MTT methods with cis-dichlorodiamminoplatinum (DDP) used as positive control. Compound 2 exerted weak activity against AGZY 83-a with the IC50 value of 33.055 microg x mL(-1), while 1 and 3 showed no activity to these two cell lines.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Coumarins ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Molecular Structure ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Palmitic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Polylactide is a biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterial. Based on the PLA (Polylactide) membrane, we have produced a new PLA/PTMC (Polytrimethylene carbonate) blends membrane. The biological properties of this membrane were studied by cell toxicity experiment, acute toxicity experiment, skin irritant experiment, sensitization test, hemolytic test, micronucleus test and subcutaneous implantation test. The results demonstrated that the blends membrane has no toxicity and it does not cause skin irritation, hypersensitive reaction and hemolysis. The micronucleus ratio of the membrane is 1.3% +/- 1.0%, being less than 3%. The result of medullary micronucleus test was reported negative. The wounds were free from suppuration and necrosis after subcutaneous implantation in all periods. In the experimental application of this member to preventing adhesion after rabbit intestine operation, the membrane demonstrated good effect. In conclusion, PLA/PTMC blends membrane is a material with good biocompatibility.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Female ; Intestinal Diseases ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Membranes, Artificial ; Mice ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Tissue Adhesions ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the this study was to compare the effects of clonidine (a alpha2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist), yohimbine (a selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and idazoxan (a alpha2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor antagonist) on extracellular monoamines and their metabolites by using the awakening animal microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) in brain regions, which are suggested to have regulatory role in depression. METHODS: We used intracerebral microdialysis in awakening rats by inserting probe through the dorsal hippocampus and occipital cortex especially in primary visual cortex, We studied respective effects of 2.0 mg/kg of clonidine, 5.0 mg/kg of yohimbine, and 5.0 mg/kg of idazoxan on the release of MHPG (a major metabolite of norepinephrine), norepinephrine (NE), DOPAC (a major metabolite of dopamine), and 5-HIAA (a main metabolite of serotonin) by intraperitoneal administration. RESULTS: Clonidine decreased the release of MHPG, NE, DOPAC, and 5-HIAA in both dorsal hippocampus and occipital cortex regions, and there were no significant differences in releasing pattern of all monoamines and their metabolites. Both yohimbine and idazoxan enhanced the release of MHPG, NE, DOPAC, and 5-HIAA in both brain regions, but there were significant differences in releasing pattern of NE and 5-HIAA. Idazoxan induced the delayed and higher efflux of NE and 5-HIAA in the primary visual cortex than yohimbine, but not in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists increase basal monoamine output and enhance the metabolism of them in the hippocampus and primary visual cortex, and the imidazoline receptor has modulatory role in the regulation of monoamine release in primary visual cortex than hippocampus. It also suggests that high turnover rate of serotonin and norepinephrine in primary visual cortex may contribute to the pathophysiological role in depression.
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid ; Animals ; Brain ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Clonidine ; Depression ; Hippocampus* ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; Idazoxan ; Metabolism ; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol ; Microdialysis ; Norepinephrine ; Rats* ; Serotonin ; Visual Cortex* ; Yohimbine