Determination of fluoroquinolone residues in animal tissues using Escherichia coli as indicator organism

Three strains of Escherichia coli (ATCC 128, 10536, and 25922) and one strain of Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 3491) were compared as indicator microorganisms in microbial inhibition tests for their ability to detect fluoroquinolone residues. E. coli strains 128 and 10536 were most susceptible to fluoroquinolone residues, with detection limits of 35-50 micrograms/kg for enrofloxacin. Of the 2 strains, E. coli 10536 was slightly less susceptible. Ciprofloxacin was detected consistently by E. coli 128 at 30 micrograms/kg. Other fluoroquinolone drugs of veterinary interest detected by E. coli 128 were sarafloxacin and difloxacin at 100-250 micrograms/kg concentration. E. coli 25922 yielded 100% sensitivity in detection of enrofloxacin only at the 250 micrograms/kg concentration, and ciprofloxacin and sarafloxacin at 200 micrograms/kg. B. subtilis detected only enrofloxacin 100% of the time at 250 micrograms/kg. The E. coli strains tested were insensitive to other antibacterials commonly used in animals, with the exception of ceftiofur which was detected by E. coli 128 and 10536 at 500 micrograms/kg. The B. subtilis strain was not effective in detecting the fluoroquinolone drugs, whereas the E. coli strains were selective for the fluoroquinolones. E. coli 128 was 100% effective in detecting enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in spiked diaphragm homogenate samples at 50 micrograms/kg. Of the microorganisms tested, E. coli strain ATCC 128 was highly suitable as an indicator microorganism in a microbial inhibition assay for selective detection of fluoroquinolone antibacterial residues in animal tissues.     

In vitro inhibitory properties of ferrocene-substituted chalcones and aurones on bacterial and human cell cultures

Two series of ten chalcones and ten aurones, where ferrocene replaces the C ring and with diverse substituents on the A ring were synthesized. The compounds were tested against two antibiotic-sensitive bacterial strains, E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, and two antibiotic-resistant strains, S. aureus SA-1199B and S. epidermidis IPF896. The unsubstituted compound and those with methoxy substitution showed an inhibitory effect on all bacterial strains at minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 2 and 32 mg L(-1). For four of these compounds, the effect was bactericidal, as opposed to bacteriostatic. The corresponding organic aurones did not show growth inhibition, underscoring the role of the ferrocene group. The methoxy-substituted aurones and the unsubstituted aurone also showed low micromolar (IC(50)) activity against MRC-5 non-tumoral lung cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, suggesting non-specific toxicity.     

Influence of the temperature of calcination of bayerite-containing aluminum hydroxide pellets on the water vapor adsorption capacity and acid-base properties of alumina

The paper considers the influence of the temperature of calcination (350–550°C) of alumina-based water adsorbents prepared from bayerite-containing aluminum hydroxide on the static water sorption capacity at high and low relative air humidities and on the acid-base properties of the surface. The acid-base properties of aluminas have been determined by means of IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO probe molecule (Lewis sites) and by the spin probe method, which was used to determine the concentrations of electron acceptor and electron donor sites. It has been demonstrated that, at a high relative air humidity (60%), there is no correlation between the static capacity of the drier and its acid-base properties, while at low relative humidities (1–1.5%), an increase in the concentration of electron donor sites and a decrease in the concentration of electron donor and Lewis acid sites enhance the water sorption capacity of alumina.     

重组内皮抑素的性质表征与生物活性分析

通过SDS—PAGE电泳、基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱、高效液相色谱、地高辛方法、蛋白印迹方法、鸡胚尿囊膜血管生成抑制实验和透射电子显微镜法对重组内皮抑素进行纯度分析、鉴定和生物活性研究。重组内皮抑素纯度达到99％，能够抑制鸡胚尿囊膜新血管生成和人脐静脉内皮细胞ECV304增殖，引发内皮细胞的凋亡。     

Essential oil composition of leaves of Stachys yemenensis obtained by supercritical CO₂

This article reports the composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Stachys yemenensis. The essential oil was extracted by supercritical CO? (90 bar; 40 °C) and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components of the sample were α-phellandrene (13.9%), β-phellandrene (11.7%), elemol (12.0%), spathulenol (6.7%), β-eudesmol (5.0%), α-eudesmol (4.75%) and squalene (4.8%). On the exhausted matrix, deprived of the volatiles, we carried out a high-pressure (250 bar) treatment for the extraction of squalene (49.7%). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils has been assayed by using the broth dilution method on two American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strains, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, and two clinical strains, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.     

Design of donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) type small molecule donor materials with efficient photovoltaic parameters

Four Donor–Acceptor–Donor (D–A–D) type of donor molecules (M1‐M4) with triphenylamine (TPA) as donor moiety, thiophene as bridge, and thiazolothiazole as acceptor unit were designed and its photovoltaic parameters were equated with reference molecule “R.” DFT functional CAM‐B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p) was found best for geometry optimization and TD‐CAM‐B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p) was found suitable for excited state calculations. Among designed donor molecules, M4 manifests suitable lowest band gap of 4.73 eV, frontier molecular orbital energy levels as well as distinctive broad absorption of 455.3 nm due to the stronger electron withdrawing group. The electron‐withdrawing substituents contribute to red shifts of absorption spectra and better stabilities for designed molecules. The theoretically determined reorganization energies of designed donor molecules suggested excellent charge mobility property. The lower λ_e values in comparison with λ_h illustrated that these four donor materials would be ideal for electron transfer and M4 would be best amongst the investigated molecules with lowest λ_e of 0.0177. Furthermore, the calculated Voc of M4 is 2.04 V with respect to PC₆₀BM (phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester). This study revealed that the designed donor materials are suitable and recommended for high performance organic solar cell devices.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Seseli globiferum essential oil

The essential oil from aerial parts of Seseli globiferum Vis. obtained by hydrodistillation with Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, representing 99.4% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were sabinene (38.0%), alpha-pinene (21.2%) and beta-phellandrene (13.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species: Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (clinical isolates), Bacillus cereus (clinical isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Micrococcus flavus (ATCC 10240) and three fungal species: Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), Aspergillus versicolor (ATCC 11730), Trichoderma viride (IAM 5061) and Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 36839). The essential oil showed activity against bacteria P. aeruginosa, followed by M flavus, L. monocytigenes and E. coli, and all investigated fungal species.     

Strongly Emissive and Photostable Four‐Coordinate Organoboron N,C Chelates and Their Use in Fluorescence Microscopy

Six strongly fluorescent four‐coordinate organoboron N,C chelates containing an aryl isoquinoline skeleton were prepared. Remarkably, the fluorescence quantum yields reach values of up to 0.74 in oxygen‐free toluene. The strong B?N interaction was corroborated by the single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of two dyes. The intramolecular charge‐transfer character of the fluorophores was evidenced by solvatochromism studies and time‐dependent DFT calculations at the PCM(toluene)/CAM‐B3LYP/6‐311++G(2d,p)//PCM(toluene)/B3LYP/6‐311G(2d,p) level of theory. The compounds combine high chemical stability with high photostability, especially when equipped with electron‐donating substituents. The strong fluorescence and the large Stokes shifts predestine these compounds for use in confocal fluorescence microscopy. This was demonstrated for the imaging of the N13 mouse microglial cell line. Moreover, significant two‐photon absorption cross sections (up to 61 GM) allow the use of excitation wavelengths in the near‐infrared region (>800 nm).     

Quantum-Chemical Study of the Structure and Reactivity of Pyrazol-5-ones and Their Thio and Seleno Analogs: VI. Tautomeric and Acid-Base Properties of 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazol-5-one, 3-Methyl- 1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thione,and 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-selenone

The relative stabilities of tautomeric forms of 3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one and its 5-thioxo and 5-selenoxo analogs, as well as their acid-base properties in the gas phase, were estimated in terms of nonempirical calculations and density functional theory. According to the results of both calculation methods, the CH tautomer of 3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one is the most stable. The stabilities of the XH and CH forms of its heteroanalogs (X = S, Se) are comparable; the relative stability of the SeH (SH) tautomers increases when thermal corrections, zero-point energy, and electron correlation effects are taken into account. The two methods indicate increase in the gas-phase acidity of the title compounds on variation of the heteroatom in the series O 相似文献   

有机硅改性丙烯酸酯共聚乳液合成方法及胶膜性能的研究

用一次投料法、单体乳液滴加法和引发剂滴加法有机硅改性丙烯酸酯共聚乳液，聚合过程、胶粒形态及乳液稳定性的观测结果表明：单体乳液滴加法是合成该类乳液的最佳方法，研究了单体乳液滴加法中有机硅含量与聚合反及胶膜性能的关系，结果表明：有机硅含量在１５％以下时，聚合反应可以顺利进行，胶膜性能不仅依赖于聚合时有机硅单体的总量，而且还依赖于有机硅单体中活性硅氧烷所占的比例。     

C12A7-O-纳米材料的制备及抗菌活性

利用溶胶-凝胶法制备了C12A7-O-{[Ca24Al28O64]4+·4(O-)}纳米材料. 采用X射线衍射、电子顺磁共振及透射电子显微镜等手段对制备的材料进行了表征. 结果表明, 在最佳焙烧条件(1150 ℃, 6 h)下制备的材料平均粒径为74 nm, 并具有晶胞参数为(1.199±0.004) nm的C12A7(Ca12Al14O33)笼状结构, 材料内包含浓度高达1.2×1020 cm-3的氧负离子(O-). 初步研究结果表明, 合成的C12A7-O-纳米材料具有良好的广谱抗菌作用.     

New role of antibody in bacterial isolation

To eliminate the interference caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the isolation of Salmonella, a rabbit polyclonal antibody against P. aeruginosa was prepared by inoculating four New Zealand rabbits with the pathogen. The antiserum was purified using saturated ammonium sulfate and added into Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium with soya (RVS) broth and Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate novobiocin broth (MKTTn broth) to evaluate whether it could inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa. Observations by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that P. aeruginosa was attacked and destroyed by the antibody when incubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C. The activity of the antibody was also effective against 11 other strains of P. aeruginosa. Twenty-six strains of Salmonella were mixed with P. aeruginosa in RVS and MKTTn broth at 37 degrees C for 12 h, respectively, and the cultures were plated on Salmonella chromogenic medium (SCM; Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK). Only Salmonella grew on SCM; five colonies were randomly selected for identification by VITEK 2 (bioMérieux, Lyon, France). Additionally, when mixed with two strains of Enterobacter cloacae (ATCC 700323 and YG001), the prepared antibody did not affect the growth of E. cloacae. The results demonstrated that the microbicidal activity of the antibody did not affect the tested Salmonella sp. or E. cloacae strains. Therefore, the antibody generated could be used to increase the accuracy of Salmonella isolation.     

Microbial control of food-related surfaces: Na-Chlorophyllin-based photosensitization

The aim of this study was to evaluate efficiency of photosensitization as surface sanitation alternative using model systems when food pathogens, their spores and biofilms were attached to the food-related surface (polyolefine). In addition it was important to compare antibacterial efficiency of Na-Chlorophyllin (Na-Chl)-based photosensitization with conventional sanitizers. Obtained results indicate that Bacilluscereus ATCC 12826 and Listeriamonocytogenes ATCC 7644 as well as their thermoresistant strains B.cereus SV90 and L.monocytogenes 56LY were effectively inactivated (7 log) by Na-Chl-based photosensitization in vitro. Inactivation rate of thermoresistant strains was slower. The number of attached to the surface B.cereus ATCC 12826 and L.monocytogenes ATCC 7644 was reduced from 4-4.5 log to 0 log after photosensitization treatment. To achieve adequate inactivation of thermoresistant strains the higher Na-Chl concentration and longer illumination times had to be used. Comparison of different surface decontamination treatments reveal that photosensitization is much more effective against all surface-attached B.cereus and L.monocytogenes strains than washing with water or 200 ppm Na-hypochlorite. It is important to note, that surface-attached B.cereus spores and L.monocytogenes biofilms can be eliminated from it by photosensitization as well. Our data support the idea that Na-Chlorophyllin-based photosensitization has high antibacterial potential which may serve in the future for the development of human and environment friendly, non-thermal surface decontamination technique.     

Validation of the Soleris E. coli method for detection and semi-quantitative determination of Escherichia coli in foods

The performance of the Soleris E. coli method was compared with that of the ISO 7251 most probable number (MPN) and detection reference methods for Escherichia coli. The Soleris E. coli method is a growth-based, rapid, automated system composed of temperature-controlled incubation chambers and photodiode-based optical detection devices for measurement of color changes in a prepared medium vial. A dilution of the test sample homogenate is inoculated directly into the vial. Products of E. coli metabolism alter the color of the medium over time, and this change is monitored by the Soleris instrument. The test is used in a dilute-to-specification or specification monitoring manner in which the result is positive or negative around a desired cutoff (in CFU/g) determined by the dilution and volume of sample homogenate added to the vial. Alternatively, the test is used for zero tolerance determinations (e.g., absence in 25 g) by performing an off-line pre-enrichment step followed by transfer of a portion of the pre-enrichment culture to the Soleris vial. Six E. coli strains originating from food sources were inoculated individually into six food commodities: frozen green beans, Echinacea powder, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, pasteurized liquid egg, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Uninoculated samples were included in each trial. The results obtained by the ISO 7251 detection method and the Soleris E. coli method were shown to be in agreement by Chi-square analysis when the presence of E. coli was determined in 25 g of sample. Results from the Soleris E. coli dilute-to-specification method and the ISO 7251 MPN method were found to be in agreement by probability of detection statistical analysis. In inclusivity testing, 52 of 53 E. coli strains were detected within 24 h. Only a non-thermoduric strain of serotype O157:H43 was not detected. In exclusivity testing, all 31 strains tested produced negative results. Results of ruggedness experiments show that accurate results can be obtained even when the operating temperature of the Soleris instrument is set beyond normal tolerances. The internal and independent laboratory studies demonstrated that the Soleris E. coli method could be successfully utilized as an alternative to the reference methods, with a significant time savings of 2 to 3 days.     

Is the uniform electron gas limit important for small Ag clusters? Assessment of different density functionals for Ag(n) (n < or = 4)

Twenty-three density functional theory (DFT) methods, including the second- and the third-generation functionals, are tested in conjunction with two basis sets (LANL2DZ and SDD) for studying the properties of neutral and ionic silver clusters. We find that DFT methods incorporating the uniform electron gas limit in the correlation functional, namely, those with Perdew's correlation functionals (PW91, PBE, P86, and TPSS), Becke's B95, and the Van Voorhis-Scuseria functional VSXC, generally perform better than the other group of functionals, e.g., those incorporating the LYP correlation functional and variations of the B97 functional. Strikingly, these two groups of functionals can produce qualitatively different results for the Ag3 and Ag4 clusters. The energetic properties and vibrational frequencies of Ag(n) are also evaluated by the different functionals. The present study shows that the choice of DFT methods for heavy metals may be critical. It is found that the exact-exchange-incorporated PBE functional (PBE1PBE) is among the best for predicting the range of properties.     

Diversity of the surface properties of Lactococci and consequences on adhesion to food components

Bacteria possess surface properties, related to their charge, hydrophobicity and Lewis acid/base characteristics, that are involved in the attachment processes of microorganisms to surfaces. Fermentation bulks and food matrixes are complex heterogeneous media containing various components with different physicochemical characteristics. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether (i) bacteria present in a food matrix, interacted physicochemically at their surface level with the other constituents and (ii) the diversity of bacterial surface properties could result in a diversity of microbial adhesion to components and thus in a diversity of tolerance to toxic compounds. The surface properties of 20 lactic acid bacteria were characterized by the MATS method showing their relatively hydrophilic and various basic characteristics. The results obtained from a set of representative strains showed that (i) the strains with higher affinity for apolar solvents adsorbed more to lipids and hydrophobic compounds, (ii) the more the strains adsorbed to a toxic solvent, the less they were tolerant to this solvent. A diversity of bacterial surface properties was observed for the strains in the same species showing the importance of choosing bacteria according to their surface properties in function of technological objectives.     

Significance of cell electrokinetic properties determined by soft-particle analysis in bacterial adhesion onto a solid surface

The influence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) on bacterial cell electrokinetic properties and on cell adhesion onto glass beads in connection with bacterial cell electrokinetic properties was investigated using 12 heterotrophic bacterial strains. Bacterial cell surface properties such as the softness 1/lambda and charge density ZN were determined by Ohshima's soft-particle analysis using the measured electrophoretic mobility as a function of ionic strength. In 10 of 12 strains, when EPSs covering the cell surface were removed, the softness of the cell decreased, indicating that EPS adsorption enhanced the ease of liquid fluid in the ion-penetrable layer on the cell surface. On the other hand, the negative charge density of the cell surface increased for 9 of 12 strains, suggesting that EPSs covering the cell surface decreased the negative charge density of the cell surface layer. In addition, the characteristics of bacterial cell adhesion onto glass beads were evaluated by the packed-bed method and the data were interpreted to indicate cell adhesiveness. As a result, the efficiency of cell adhesion onto glass beads increased as negative cell surface potential psi0 decreased, whereas there seemed to be no correlation between zeta potential and cell adhesiveness. Cell surface potential psi0, which was derived by taking the bacterial polymer layer with EPSs into consideration, provided a more detailed understanding of the electrokinetic properties of bacterial cells.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some new 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole compounds having a D,L-methionine moiety

New 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 5a-e, and 1,2,4-triazolecompounds 6a-c, containing a D,L-methionine moiety were synthesized by intramolecular cyclization of 1,4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazides 4a-e in acid and alkaline media, respectively. The potential antimicrobial effects of the synthesized compounds were investigated using the Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus antracis ATCC 8705, Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987, Sarcina lutea ATCC 9341 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 strains. The newly synthesized compounds exhibited promising activities against Bacillus antracis and Bacillus cereus.     

The gibbs energies of transfer of glycine and glycinate ion from water into water-dimethyl sulfoxide mixtures

The Gibbs energies of transfer of glycine from water into water-dimethyl sulfoxide mixtures were determined at 298 K by measurements of substance distribution between immiscible phases. The enthalpy and entropy contributions to ΔG° of glycinate ion resolvation in water-dimethyl sulfoxide solvents were analyzed. The destabilization of glycinate ion was found to be largely determined by the energy component mainly. There was a correlation between the enthalpies of transfer of glycinate ion and the autoprotolysis constants of water-dimethyl sulfoxide solvents. The suggestion was made that changes in the Gibbs energies of glycinate ion resolvation in water-dimethyl sulfoxide and water-alcohol mixtures were largely determined by changes in the acid-base properties of the solvents.     

Bioassay-guided purification and identification of antimicrobial components in Chinese green tea extract

The Chinese green tea extract was found to strongly inhibit the growth of major food-borne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and a diarrhoea food-poisoning pathogen Bacillus cereus, by 44-100% with the highest activity found against S. aureus and lowest against E. coli O157:H7. A bioassay-guided fractionation technique was used for identifying the principal active component. A simple and efficient reversed-phase high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method was developed for the separation and purification of four bioactive polyphenol compounds, epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC), and caffeine (CN). The structures of these polyphenols were confirmed with mass spectrometry. Among the four compounds, ECG and EGCG were the most active, particularly EGCG against S. aureus. EGCG had the lowest MIC90 values against S. aureus (MSSA) (58 mg/L) and its methicilin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (37 mg/L). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that these two compounds altered bacterial cell morphology, which might have resulted from disturbed cell division. This study demonstrated a direct link between the antimicrobial activity of tea and its specific polyphenolic compositions. The activity of tea polyphenols, particularly EGCG on antibiotics-resistant strains of S. aureus, suggests that these compounds are potential natural alternatives for the control of bovine mastitis and food poisoning caused by S. aureus.