Serum Copper (Cu) Alterations in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Under Treatment with Ethambutol

Ethambutol is an oral anti-tuberculosis agent with chelating effects owing to its chemical structure which is similar to that of penicillamine. Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element that has important roles in physiological function of the body organs. The aim of present study was to determine (1) whether ethambutol usage can alter serum Cu concentration in patients with tuberculosis and (2) whether there is any relationship between age, sex, and smoking habit of patients with changes in serum Cu levels. Sixty patients with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled the study. Blood samples were obtained before treatment (baseline) and 10 days after starting anti-tuberculosis therapy. The amounts of serum Cu were determined in all samples by atomic absorption. Mean ± SD levels of Cu at baseline and on the 10th day of ethambutol use were 0.94 ± 0.24 and 0.64 ± 0.24 μg/mL, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference (p < 0.0001). Also, there was not any relationship between changes in Cu concentration and study variables of age, sex, and smoking habit. Our findings endorse the chelating effect of ethambutol leading to a decrease in serum levels of cationic trace elements, e.g., Cu.     

球孢白僵菌九个菌株对赤拟谷盗成虫的毒效（英文）

球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin是最重要的昆虫病原真菌, 广泛用于防治世界各地的多种害虫。本研究评价了球孢白僵菌9个菌株对赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)成虫的致病性。将15头赤拟谷盗成虫浸入到4个浓度 (1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸ 和 1×10⁹ 个分生孢子/mL)的白僵菌菌株中 20 s, 14 d内每日记录成虫的死亡率。结果表明： IRAN 440C菌株对赤拟谷盗成虫的LC₅₀最低 (5.04×10⁷ 个分生孢子/mL), IRAN 187C菌株的最高(5.05×10⁸ 个分生孢子/mL); DEBI 005菌株对赤拟谷盗成虫的LT₅₀最短(2.88 d), DEBI 014菌株的最长(4.96 d)。根据LC₅₀, LT₅₀和死亡率结果得出IRAN 440C是防治这一害虫的理想菌株。     

Intra-erythrocyte Magnesium Is Associated with Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in Obese Children and Adolescents

This study aims at determining the association between markers of hepatic injury and serum, urinary, and intra-erythrocyte magnesium concentrations and dietary magnesium intake in obese children and adolescents. In a case–control study, 42 obese children and adolescents (8–18 years) and 42 sex- and puberty-matched controls were studied. Serum, urinary, and intra-erythrocyte magnesium levels, indices of insulin sensitivity, and liver enzymes were measured. Dietary magnesium intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Obese children and adolescents exhibited insulin resistance as determined by a higher fasting insulin and the HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and lower QUICKI indices (p = 0.001); in addition these subjects had significantly higher intra-erythrocyte magnesium (IEM) concentrations, than non-obese ones (3.99 ± 1.05 vs. 3.35 ± 1.26 mg/dL of packed cell; p = 0.015). Among liver enzymes, only gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (22.7 ± 9.4 vs. 17.1 ± 7.9 U/l; p = 0.002). A positive association was found between GGT and IEM in both groups; however in multivariate analysis, in obese subjects, only GGT (p = 0.026) and, in non-obese subjects, only age (p = 0.006) remained as significant predictors of IEM. In conclusion, increased IEM concentration was seen in insulin-resistant obese children and adolescents; furthermore, serum GGT was associated with IEM, independently of body mass index and HOMA-IR.     

Ni-hemin metal–organic framework with highly efficient peroxidase catalytic activity: toward colorimetric cancer cell detection and targeted therapeutics

Background

Given the great benefits of artificial enzymes, a simple approach is proposed via assembling of Ni²⁺ with hemin for synthesis of Ni-hemin metal–organic-frameworks (Ni-hemin MOFs) mimic enzyme. The formation of the Ni-hemin MOFs was verified by scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. This novel nanocomposite exhibited surprising peroxidase like activity monitored by catalytic oxidation of a typical peroxidase substrate, 3,3,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, in the presence of H₂O₂. By using folic acid conjugated MOF nanocomposite as a recognition element, we develop a colorimetric assay for the direct detection of cancer cells.

Results

The proposed sensor presented high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and Human Caucasian gastric adenocarcinoma. By measuring UV–vis absorbance response, a wide detection range from 50 to 10⁵ cells/mL with a detection limit as low as 10 cells/mLwas reached for MCF-7 cells. We further discuss therapeutics efficiency of Ni-hemin MOFs in the presence of H₂O₂ and ascorbic acid. Peroxidase-mimic Ni-hemin MOFs as reactive oxygen species which could damage MCF-7 cancer cells, however for normal cells (human embryonic kidney HEK 293 cells) killing effect was negligible.

Conclusions

Based on these behaviors, the developed method offers a fast, easy and cheap assay for the interest in future diagnostic and treatment application.