Abstract Background: Bivalent freeze-dried neurotoxic (FN) antivenom has been the primary treatment since the 1980s for Taiwan cobra (Naja atra) envenomation in Taiwan. However, envenomation-related wound necrosis is a significant problem after cobra snakebites. In the present study, we analyzed the changes in serum venom concentration before and after antivenom administration to discover their clinical implications and the surgical treatment options for wound necrosis. Methods: The patients were divided into limb swelling and wound necrosis groups. The clinical outcome was that swelling started to subside 12 hours after antivenom treatment in the first group. Serum venom concentrations before and after using antivenoms were measured to assess the antivenom's ability to neutralize the circulating cobra venom. The venom levels in wound wet dressing gauzes, blister fluids, and debrided tissues were also investigated to determine their clinical significance. We also observed the evolutional changes of wound necrosis and chose a better wound debridement timing. Results: We prospectively enrolled 15 Taiwan cobra snakebite patients. Males accounted for most of this study population (n = 11, 73%). The wound necrosis group received more antivenom doses than the limb swelling group (4; IQR:2-6 vs 1; IQR:1-2, p = 0.05), and less records of serum venom concentrations changed before/after antivenom use (p = 0.0079). The necrotic wound site may release venom into circulation and cause more severe envenomation symptoms. Antivenom can efficiently diminish limb swelling in cobra bite patients. However, antivenom cannot reduce wound necrosis. Patients with early debridement of wound necrosis had a better limb outcome, while late or without debridement may have long-term hospital stay and distal limb morbidity. Conclusions: Antivenom can efficiently eliminate the circulating cobra venom in limb swelling patients without wound necrosis. Early debridement of the bite site wound and wet dressing management are suggestions for preventing extended tissue necrosis and hospital stay.

SUMMARY: The Wnt pathway is essential for the initiation of lizard tail regeneration. The regenerated lizard tails exhibit obvious morphological differences compared to the original ones. The expression of Wnt1 and Wnt2b proteins in the regenerating tail of Scincella tsinlingensis was detected by immunohistochemistry and then comparatively analyzed for ultrastructural changes in the original and regenerated spinal cord. The ependymal layer of the original spinal cord was pseudostratified with multiciliated cells and primary monociliated cells, while the cells of the ependymal layer of the regenerated spinal cord were organized in a monolayer with a few biciliated cells. Immunolocalization indicated that Wnt1 and Wnt2b were mainly distributed in the dermis near the original tail stump, spinal cord, and clot-positive migratory cells during Stage I, 0-1 days post-amputation (dpa). Wnt1 and Wnt2b were predominantly detected in the epaxial and hypaxial musculature near the original tail stump, wound epithelium, and spinal cord in the original tail during Stage II, 1-7 dpa. Mesenchymal cells and wound epithelium showed immunostaining during Stage III and IV, 7-15 dpa. The ependymal tubes contained these signaling proteins during Stage V and VI, 20- 30 dpa. Labeling was mainly observed in nearby regenerative blood vessels, ependymal cells, epaxial and hypaxial musculature in the apical epithelial layer (AEC) after 45-160 dpa. These findings indicated that Wnt1 and Wnt2b proteins presented primarily in regenerating epidermis and nerve tissues were a critical signal for tail regeneration in S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMEN: La vía Wnt es esencial para el inicio de la regeneración de la cola del lagarto. Las colas de lagarto regeneradas exhiben diferencias morfológicas obvias en comparación con las originales. La expresión de las proteínas Wnt1 y Wnt2b en la cola en regeneración de Scincella tsinlingensis se detectó mediante inmunohistoquímica y luego se analizaron comparativamente los cambios ultraestructurales en la médula espinal original y regenerada. La capa ependimaria de la médula espinal original se pseudoestratificó con células multiciliadas y células monociliadas primarias, mientras que las células de la capa ependimaria de la médula espinal regenerada se organizaron en monocapa con algunas células bicilicadas. La inmunolocalización indicó que Wnt1 y Wnt2b se distribuyeron principalmente en la dermis cerca del muñón de la cola original, la médula espinal y las células migratorias positivas en el coágulo durante la Etapa I, 0-1 días después de la amputación (dpa). Wnt1 y Wnt2b se detectaron predominantemente en la musculatura epaxial e hipaxial cerca del muñón de la cola original, el epitelio de la herida y la médula espinal en la cola original durante la Etapa II, 1-7 dpa. Las células mesenquimales y el epitelio de la herida mostraron inmunomarcaje durante la Etapa III y IV, 7- 15 dpa. Los tubos ependimarios contenían estas proteínas de señalización durante la Etapa V y VI, 20-30 dpa. El marcaje se observó principalmente en vasos sanguíneos regenerativos cercanos, células ependimarias, musculatura epaxial e hipaxial en la capa epitelial apical (AEC) después de 45-160 dpa. Estos hallazgos indicaron que las proteínas Wnt1 y Wnt2b están presentes principalmente en la epidermis en regeneración y en los tejidos nerviosos y eran una señal crítica para la regeneración de la cola en S. tsinlingensis.

SUMMARY: The cutaneous wounds of trunk and tail healing scar-free or with scar were different in lizard species. Full- thickness cutaneous injuries of tail and body of Scincella tsinlingensis were examined by histomorphological and immunohistochemistrical methods. The results showed that all injuries healed without scarring. The process of the wound healing of S. tsinlingensis involved hemostasis, re-epithelialization, proliferation and remodelling, which also could be further subdivided into six stages. Stage I, 0-2 day post wound (dpw), the blood oozed gradually, no obvious wound contraction, minimal blood loss. Stage II, 2-10 dpw, the wound bed covered by the fibrin clot of blood, tissue fluid and tissue debris. Stage III, 7d-15 dpw, the wrinkled wound epitheliums was gradually stratified, and its surface was keratinized and exfoliated. Stage IV, 10-28 dpw, pigment cells were distributed at the boundary between epidermis and dermis, with few blood vessels and no granulation tissue formation. Stage V, 20-70 dpw, opaque scales covered the wound epithelium with randomly scattered melanophores in the base of the epidermis. Stage VI, 45-135 dpw, the epidermis and dermis restored to the thickness of the original skin. Regenerated scales were similar to scales of the uninjured dermis. The positive immunostaining of matrix metalloproteinases-9, cytokeratin 6, alpha smooth muscle actin, caspase 3 and transforming growth factor-β3 showed the specificity of healing period and different stages, which participated in skin wounds healing of S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMEN: En las diferentes especies de lagartos las heridas cutáneas del tronco y la cola sin cicatrices, o con algún tipo de cicatriz son diversas. En este estudio se examinaron las heridas cutáneas de espesor total de la cola y el cuerpo de Scincella tsinlingensis mediante métodos histomorfológicos e inmunohistoquímicos. Los resultados indicaron que todas las lesiones sanaron sin cicatrices visibles. El proceso de cicatrización de heridas de S. tsinlingensis implicó hemostasia, reepitelización, proliferación y remodelación, que también podrían subdividirse en seis etapas. Etapa I, 0-2 días después de la herida (dph), la sangre filtraba gradualmente, sin contracción evidente de la herida, con pérdida mínima de sangre. Etapa II, 2-10 dph, el lecho de la herida estaba cubierto por el coágulo de sangre, líquido tisular y restos tisulares de fibrina. Etapa III, 7-15 dph, los epitelios de la herida se estratificaron gradualmente y su superficie se queratiniza y exfolia. Etapa IV, 10-28 dph, las células pigmentarias se distribuyeron en el límite entre la epidermis y la dermis, con pocos vasos sanguíneos y sin formación de tejido de granulación. Etapa V, 20-70 dph, escamas opacas cubrieron el epitelio de la herida con melanóforos dispersos al azar en la base de la epidermis. Etapa VI, 45-135 dph, la epidermis y la dermis restauradas al grosor de la piel original. Las escamas regeneradas eran similares a las escamas de la dermis sin herida. La inmunotinción positiva de metaloproteinasas- 9 de matriz, citoqueratina 6, actina de músculo liso alfa, caspasa 3 y factor de crecimiento transformante-β3 mostró la especificidad del período de curación y las diferentes etapas, que participaron en la curación de heridas cutáneas de S. tsinlingensis.

SUMMARY: The microstructure of inner ear in Scincella tsinlingensis was observed by light microscopy and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in membranous labyrinth among the juvenile age group, subadult age group and adult age group were also detected by methods of immunohistochemistry. The inner ear in S. tsinlingensis resembled those in other Scincid lizards in their anatomy and histology. Large and elongate cochlear duct was slightly bowed or arched laterally. There was no hint of limbic modifications and the limbic lip was absent in cochlear recess. The basilar papilla elongated anteroventrally possessed specialized tectorial sallets. GFAP staining was significantly distributed in supporting cells of the sensory epithelia of cochlear duct, while the utricular macula and canal ampullae showed immunopositive for the GFAP antibody, with weaker staining in the saccular macula. The membranous inner ear of three different age groups revealed the similar pattern of GFAP expression, which suggested that the distribution of supporting cells were independent of age in S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMEN: La microestructura del oído interno en Scincella tsinlingensis fue analizada mediante microscopía óptica y por otra parte, fue cuantificada la expresión de la proteína ácida fibrilar glial (GFAP) en el laberinto membranoso, entre los grupos de edad juvenil, subadulto y adulto, utilizándose métodos inmunohistoquímicos. El oído interno de S. tsinlingensis se asemejaba al de otros lagartos Scincid tanto en su anatomía como en su histología. El conducto coclear mayor estaba ligeramente arqueado o arqueado lateralmente. No había indicios de modificaciones límbicas y no se evidenció el labio en el receso coclear. La papila basilar alargada anteroventralmente poseía sallets tectoriales especializados. La tinción de GFAP se distribuyó significativamente en las células del epitelio sensorial del conducto coclear, mientras que la mácula utricular y la ampolla del canal mostraron inmunopositividad para el anticuerpo GFAP, con una tinción más débil en la mácula sacular. El oído interno membranoso de los tres grupos de edad diferentes reveló un patrón similar de expresión de GFAP, lo que sugiere que la distribución de las células de soporte son independiente de la edad en S. tsinlingensis.

SUMMARY: Due to the great change in the morphology of squamate vomeronasal organ (VNO), the histomorphology characteristics of VNO in Scincella tsinlingensis were studied by light and electronic microscopy. The results indicated that the VNO of S. tsinlingensis was located at the base of nasal cavity and consisted of a mushroom body situated anteroventrally and a sensory epithelium (SE) situated dorsocaudally. SE was composed of supporting cells, receptor cells and basal cells, and the supporting cells contained secretory granules near the surface membrane. Most of receptor cells were irregular in shape with long cytoplasmic extensions and characterized by microtubules, vesicles, and mitochondria. The basal cells with long cytoplasmic extensions were also irregular in shape and appeared a greater electron density than others. The thick nerve bundles were found on the dorsomedial area of VNO, and the surface of mushroom body was non-sensory epithelium consisting of ciliated and basal cells, without goblet cells. Epithelial cells were arranged in irregular, with many cilia and microvilli distributed on its free surface. Cells on the basal layer were irregularly circular in shape and arranged sparsely. Taken together, the results indicated that the fine structure of VNO in S. tsinlingensis was similar to other species from scincomorphs.

RESUMEN: Debido al gran cambio en la morfología del órgano vomeronasal (OVN), se estudiaron las características histomorfológicas en la Scincella tsinlingensis por microscopías de luz y electrónica. Los resultados indicaron que el OVN de S. tsinlingensis se localizaba en la base de la cavidad nasal y consistía en un cuerpo como hongo situado anteroventralmente y un epitelio sensorial (ES) situado dorso caudamente. El ES estaba compuesto de células de soporte, células receptoras y células basales, y las células de soporte contenían gránulos secretores cerca de la membrana superficial. En gran parte de la mayoría de las células receptoras se observó una forma irregular con largas extensiones citoplasmáticas, caracterizadas por microtúbulos, vesículas y mitocondrias. Las células basales con extensiones citoplasmáticas también tenían forma irregular y algunas parecían tener una mayor densidad de electrones. Los haces gruesos nerviosos se encontraron en el área dorsomedial del OVN, la superficie del cuerpo de estaba compuesto de epitelio no sensorial y consistía de células ciliadas y basales, sin células caliciformes. Las células epiteliales estaban dispuestas de manera irregular, con muchos cilios y microvellosidades distribuidas en su superficie libre. Las células en la capa basal eran escasas y de forma circular irregular. Tomados en conjunto, los resultados indicaron que la estructura fina del OVN en S. tsinlingensis era similar a otras especies de scincomorpha.

An estradiol templated core-shell magnetic molecularly imprinted cryogel (MMIC) was synthesized to selectively extract and analyze estradiol in milk powder. The microsphere of Fe3O4@SiO2 was firstly prepared on Fe3O4 with ethyl silicate and 3-methyl propyl trimethoxy silane. Then the polymerization of α-methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate was carried out on Fe3O4@SiO2 at −20 ºC for 24 h with estradiol as template. The morphology and microstructure of MMIC were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectrogram. When used as chromatographic stationary phase, MMIC showed good selectivity and chromatographic performance for the template. Spiked milk powder samples were used to examine the adsorption capacity and selectivity of MMIC, giving recoveries of 92-101% and limit of detection 0.8-1.2 ng g−1. Experimental results indicate good reproducibility with relative standard deviation from 2.2 to 4.5% (n = 3) at spiked levels of estradiol 10, 50, and 100 ng g-1.

Methanol extract ofthe marine brown alga Ecklonia cava has been shown to exhibitantimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes. To identify thecompounds conferring this antimicrobial activity, methanol extract wasfractionated using silica-gel column chromatography by increasing solventpolarity, and the antimicrobial activities of each fraction were determined interms of the minimum inhibitory concentration. Hexane, diethyl ether, acetone,ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, methanol, and water fractions were generated, withthe acetone fraction exhibiting the greatest antibacterial activity (minimuminhibitory concentration = 156 μg/mL). The acetone fraction was further purifiedby Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC using an AlltimaC18 column with an H2O-MeOH linear gradient from 30 to 100%. Twopeaks were eluted at 18.1 (P1) and 23.8 (P2) min, both of which exhibitedmarked antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration = 39 μg/mL forboth). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of ¹Hand 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data and, through comparison withpublished data, can be phloroglucinol derivatives dieckol (P1) andphlorofucofuroeckol-A (P2). These results suggest that phlorotannins derivedfrom E. cava have antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, and somay be useful as natural additives in anti-acne cosmetics and pharmaceuticalproducts.

Se conoce que elextracto de metanol del alga parda marina Ecklonia cava presentaactividad antimicrobiana contra Propionibacterium acnes. Para identificarlos compuestos que confieren esta actividad antimicrobiana se fraccionóel extracto de metanol, usando cromatografía en columna de sílicagel, mediante el aumento de la polaridad del disolvente. La actividad antimicrobianade cada fracción se determinó en términos de laconcentración mínima inhibitoria. Las fracciones de hexano,éter dietílico, acetona, acetato de etilo, acetonitrilo, metanoly agua fueron producidas. La fracción de acetona presentó lamayor actividad antibacteriana (concentración mínima inhibitoria= 156 μg/mL). Con base en este resultado, la fracción de acetona sepurificó por cromatografía en columna en LH-20 Sephadex y HPLC defase inversa usando una columna Alltima C18 con un gradiente lineal de H2O-MeOHde 30 a 100%. Dos picos se eluyeron a 18.1 (P1) y 23.8 (P2) min, ambos tuvieronactividad antibacteriana marcada (concentración mínimainhibitoria = 39 μg/mL para ambos). La estructura de estos compuestos sedeterminó sobre la base de ¹H y 13C de resonanciamagnética nuclear y, mediante la comparación con valorespublicados, éstos pueden ser derivados de floroglucinol diecol (P1) yflorofucofuroecol-A (P2). Los resultados sugieren que florotaninos derivados deE. cava tienen actividad antimicrobiana frente a P. acnes, y porlo tanto, pueden ser útiles como aditivos naturales en loscosméticos anti-acné y los productos farmacéuticos.

The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the growth curve parameters for live weight of standard black, brown, mahogany, Hedlund white and sapphire minks. The data were collected from five colour types in the period from seven days to 24 weeks of age. Three hundred mink (about 60 of each colour types) were used. Six different non-linear models, namely Logistic, Gompertz, Brody, Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek were used to define the growth curves of the mink. Models were compared using coefficients of determination (R² values), the Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The R² were high for all models, ranging from 0.923 to 0.985 for different breeds of mink. Comparing the models by AIC, BIC values and the residuals showed the following results. Three of the models fitted the growth curves very well. Colour type differences were observed in the growth parameters of mink. The brown, mahogany and sapphire was observed to be late maturing and lighter at maturity, while the standard black and Hedlund white had a higher growth rate, reached maturity earlier and attained a heavier mature weight

Este trabalho descreve a obtenção de 14-aril-14H-dibenzo[a,i]xanteno-8,13-dionas, com excelentes rendimentos e em um curto tempo de reação, a partir da reação de condensação do β-naftol com aldeídos aromáticos e 2-hidroxinaftaleno-1,4-dionas na presença de sílica suportada em ácido perclórico em um meio livre de solvente. A reação é muito simples e o catalisador pode ser separado facilmente da mistura reacional e, ainda, ser reutilizado por muitas vezes em reações subseqüentes.

The condensation of β-naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione in presence of silica supported perchloric acid under solvent-free media to afford the corresponding 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,i]xanthene-8,13-diones in excellent yields and short reaction times is described. The reaction work-up is very simple and the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused several times in subsequent reactions.