Characterization of Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila NCW-702 biofilm for implication in the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

AIMS

Biofilm formation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation by a marine bacterium Stenotrophomonas acidaminihila NCW-702 was investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The biofilm structure was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Both planktonic and biofilm cultures were used for PAHs (phenanthrene and pyrene) degradation. In 7 days, Sten. acidaminiphila biofilm culture efficiently degraded 71·1 ± 3·1% and 40·2 ± 2·4% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively, whereas 38·7 ± 2·5% of phenanthrene and 29·7 ± 1% of pyrene degradation was observed in planktonic culture. The presence of phenolic intermediates in the culture supernatant during degradation process was evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The average thickness and diffusion distance of Sten. acidaminiphila NCW-702 biofilm was found to be 23·94 ± 2·62 μm and 2·68 ± 0·7 μm, respectively. Bacterial biofilms have numerous metabolic features that aid in the degradation of hydrophobic organic pollutants.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofilm of Sten. acidaminiphila NCW-702 was able to degrade PAHs more efficiently as compared to planktonic cells. The findings support the efficacy of biofilms over planktonic culture in bioremediation applications.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The study provides a constructive application of bacterial biofilms for the bioremediation of hydrophobic organic contaminants. The biofilm mode remediation process has the advantage of reusability of bacterial biomass and is also a low cost process as compared to cell immobilization techniques.

A metal-free tandem approach to prepare structurally diverse N-heterocycles: synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and pyrimidinones

N-heterocycles, namely 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 2,6 disubstituted pyrimidin-4-ones, have been synthesised in one pot via carboxamidation of amidines with aryl carboxylic acids and aryl propargylic acids under metal-free conditions.

Effect of short-term practice of pranayamic breathing exercises on cognition, anxiety, general well being and heart rate variability

There has been an increasing interest in pranayamic breathing exercises which have been known to improve the quality of life. Present study was conducted to find out the effect of Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom Pranayam and yogasana on heart rate variability, general well being, cognition and anxiety levels of the medical students. Ninety-six medical students were randomly divided into two groups. One group performed Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom Pranayam and the second Suryanamaskar for six weeks. The subjects were made to fill in PGI memory scale, Hamilton- anxiety scale and psychological general well being schedule and recording of heart rate variability parameters was done, before and after six weeks of pranayam practice. The results showed highly significant increase in high frequency (HF) components of heart rate variability and decrease in low frequency (LF) components and LF/HF inthe group practising pranayam. There was also highly significant improvement of cognition, general well being and anxiety as shown by the PGI memory scale, Hamilton- anxiety scale and psychological general well being schedule scores in this group. In the yogasana group no significant changes were observed in the heart rate variability, cognition and anxiety although psychological general well being schedule scores significantly improved after six weeks practice of yogasana. The study shows that practice of slow breathing type of pranayam for six weeks improves cognition, anxiety and general well being and Increases the parasympathetic activity. Whereas there was no effect of the yogasana on the above parameters except improvements in the general well being.

Predictors of survival in hepatitis B virus related decompensated cirrhosis on tenofovir therapy: an Indian perspective

Decompensated cirrhosis has low survival rate compared to compensated state. Effective viral suppression due to antiviral therapy (tenofovir) has been shown to slow disease progression and may delay the burden of liver transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of various prognostic indicators in predicting the 24-months survival in HBV related decompensated cirrhosis after tenofovir therapy and to evaluate the post-treatment outcome. Ninety-six HBV related decompensated patients on antiviral (tenofovir) therapy were prospectively studied for 24months survival and mortality. Cutoff levels for several prognostic indicators were generated by ROC. Prediction of overall probability of mortality was also calculated. The overall probability of survival observed at 12months was 0.947 whereas at 24months it was found to be 0.833. According to Cox proportional hazards model, the univariate analysis revealed cutoff of >7.4logcopies/ml for HBV DNA, >1.2mg/dl for serum creatinine, >3.7mg/dl for total bilirubin, ⩽0.75 for platelets count, >10 for CTP and >20 for MELD as predictors of poor survival. Multivariate analysis showed MELD score of >20 was the most robust predictor of mortality, with 58 times higher risk (HR: 58.73, p<0.001). Post-treatment response with tenofovir for 24months significantly improved the hepatic functions and reverses decompensation and showed incredible efficacy in improvement of hepatic functional status with reduced viremia in a great majority of decompensated cirrhosis subjects having high MELD and HBV DNA level.

A new approach of real time polymerase chain reaction in detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and its comparison with other methods

BACKGROUND

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are third leading cause of nosocomial infection. Therefore, an effective, accurate and early detection of VRE along with their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) is required to initiate appropriate therapy and thus better patient outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To detect VRE by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and to compare the results with chrom ID (C-ID) VRE and PCR. Further the study also determined the fold change of vanA gene by Q-PCR in different groups of VRE isolates classified on the basis of glycopeptides MIC range.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 145 (80 VRE and 65 vancomycin-susceptible enterococci) clinical isolates were included in the study. After the screening of VRE isolates MICs were determined by E-test and agar dilution method. Further VRE was confirmed by vanA and vanB specific PCR and Q-PCR.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of C-ID VRE was 100% and 95.38%. However, sensitivity and specificity of conventional and Q-PCR were found to be 100%. Conventional and Q-PCR confirmed that our all isolates were vanA type. Mean R value was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in group I (MIC > 1024 μg/ml) when compared to group II (MIC 512-1024 μg/ml) and group III (MIC < 512 μg/ml) isolates. The mean R was also significantly higher in group II when compared to group III isolates ( P = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

Q-PCR is a rapid technique to detect vanA in enterococci along with their MIC range, thus it might be helpful to decide the treatment modalities of infections caused by VRE.

Blood biomarkers in metal scrap workers accidentally exposed to ionizing radiation

The detrimental effect of nuclear accidents due to localized or whole body radiation exposure results in severe cellular damage. The current study was carried out to evaluate radiation-mediated variability in blood components of metal scrap workers exposed accidently to cobalt-60 source. Blood samples collected initially from five hospitalized patients, coded P1–P5, were processed for total leukocyte counts (TLC), platelet (PLT) counts, haemoglobin, estimation of DNA double strand breaks by measuring phosphorylated form of H2AX (γ-H2AX) and chromosomal aberrations (dicentrics). Blood cells count (TLC), in all the patients except P2, was found decreased. Dicentrics increased in all the five patients. γ-H2AX was found significantly elevated in patients P2 and P4. After 3 days, 21 subjects working in close vicinity of accident site were evaluated for the above-mentioned markers to confirm their possibility of radiation exposure; however, all the parameters in these subjects were found within normal limits. Blood from patients P1–P5 was collected again after 11 days. Studies revealed exorbitant increase in γ-H2AX in lymphocytes and monocytes of patients P1, P4 and P5. TLC and PLT count in these patients had fallen further. Dicentrics declined with time in all the five patients. Based on the studied blood biomarkers, we conclude that the five subjects showed signs of radiation exposure. Measurement on radiation dose could not be performed in the current study; however, the generated data particularly on dicentrics provide ample evidence of radiation exposure.

Expression profile of latent and lytic transcripts of epstein-barr virus in patients with gastroduodenal diseases: a study from northern India

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been shown to be associated with gastric cancer. However, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the EBV reactivation in gastric cancer and non-carcinomatous gastric epithelium. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of clinicopathological findings on the expression of different transcripts of EBV in patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, and dyspepsia. A total of 200 adult patients (dyspepsia [120], peptic ulcer [30], gastric cancer [50]) undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled. EBV infection was diagnosed with non-polymorphic Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen1 (EBNA1) gene based PCR and confirmed by real-time PCR. The transcripts of EBV were detected by real-time RT-PCR. In patients with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, EBV DNA was detected more often than in those with dyspepsia (P < 0.05). EBNA1 transcript was detected in all EBV positive cases and its expression was neither associated with disease nor with histopathological findings. The expression of BZLF1 was significantly associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer compared to dyspepsia (P < 0.01). BZLF1 expression was also found to be higher in Helicobacter pylori infected patients (P = 0.058). Expression of BARF1 and BcLF1 were significantly higher in gastric epithelium of patients having severe grade chronic inflammation (P = 0.05) and gastric atrophy (P = 0.02), respectively. In conclusion, increased expression of lytic transcripts in patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, gastric atrophy, chronic inflammation and H. pylori infection suggests the association of these factors with EBV reactivation.

One pot efficient diversity oriented synthesis of polyfunctional styryl thiazolopyrimidines and their bio-evaluation as antimalarial and anti-HIV agents

An efficient one pot synthesis of a series of pluripotent (E)-1-(3-methyl-5-aryl-7-styryl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)-3-arylprop-2-en-1-ones is reported. It involves reaction of 5-acetyl-6-methyl-4-aryl-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiones, propargyl bromide and aromatic aldehydes in presence of ethanolic KOH. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and as HIV-RT inhibitors. Most of the compound displayed potent antimalarial activity with IC(50)<2 μg/mL. Compounds 6, 11 and 20 showed better activity against P. falciparum K1 strains in comparison to standard drug chloroquine. Compounds 6, 11, and 16 exhibited 73.44, 66.92, and 70.81% HIV-RT inhibition at 100 μg/mL.

The oral-systemic personalized medicine model at Marshfield Clinic

Periodontal disease and diabetes, two diseases that have achieved epidemic status, share a bidirectional relationship driven by micro-inflammatory processes. The present review frames the current understanding of the pathological processes that appear to link these diseases and advances the hypothesis that reversal of the epidemic is possible through application of interdisciplinary intervention and advancement of oral-systemic personalized medicine. An overview of how Marshfield Clinic's unique clinical, informatics and bio-repository resources and infrastructures are being aligned to advance oral-systemic personalized medicine is presented as an interventional model with the potential to reverse the epidemic trends seen for these two chronic diseases over the past several decades. The overall vision is to engineer a transformational shift in paradigm from 'personalized medicine' to 'personalized health'.

Quantitation of Helicobacter pylori ureC gene and its comparison with different diagnostic techniques and gastric histopathology

Numerous diagnostic assays for Helicobacter pylori detection are available. However, these techniques have their own advantages as well as limitations. Here we tried to develop a real-time quantitative (Q) PCR assay to measure ureC copy number to detect H. pylori, based on the fact that there is only one copy of the ureC gene per bacterium. We enrolled 120 adult patients [non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) 60, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) 20, gastric cancer (GC) 40] undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. During each endoscopic examination, antral biopsies from normal region of the antrum were obtained and subjected to the following tests: RUT, culture, histopathology, H. pylori-specific ureC PCR and ureC Q-PCR. Calculation of H. pylori copy number was based on the standard curve generated using 10-fold dilutions of DNA extracted from the H. pylori control strain varying from 10(5) to 10(1) copies. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study population was 54% with no significant difference among disease and control population. The sensitivity of Q-PCR was found to be 100% which was highest among all diagnostic tests. The established Q-PCR is around 10 times more sensitive than the conventional PCR method. The copy number of H. pylori DNA was significantly increased when overall gastritis, H. pylori density, chronic inflammation and intestinal metaplasia were present. In summary, we developed a rapid and sensitive Q-PCR method for detecting H. pylori. This technique offers a significant improvement over other available methods for detecting H. pylori in clinical and research samples.

Prevalence of chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) in commercial poultry flocks of northern India: a serological survey

Globally, the chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) has gained much importance as an immunosuppressive and economically important emerging pathogen of poultry. In recent years, the virus has been detected and isolated from poultry flocks of India. The present study reports the first sero-epidemiological investigation of the presence of CIAV infection in poultry flocks of the country. A total of 404 serum samples were collected from chicken flocks of eleven poultry farms, which contain a total of 0.34 million birds from four Northern states, suspected of having chicken infectious anaemia (CIA). Screening of the sera samples using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit revealed 351 serum samples (86.88%) to be positive for CIAV antibodies. A high CIAV prevalence rate recorded in the present investigation, along with earlier virus detection reports, indicates the widespread distribution of the virus and that CIAV should be considered an economically important poultry pathogen affecting poultry industry of India. Extensive nationwide epidemiological studies are suggested for revealing the economic impact of CIA and to initiate further research along with devising and adapting suitable prevention and control strategies especially the use of suitable vaccines for safeguarding poultry health and production in the country.

Inhibition in radiation mediated cellular toxicity by minimizing free radical flux: one of the possible mechanisms of biological protection against lethal ionizing radiation by a sub- fraction of Podophyllum hexandrum

The study has focused on exploring the mechanism of action of Podophyllum hexandrum sub-fraction (G-001M) exhibiting >90% protection in lethally irradiated mice. Currently, G-001M was assessed for antioxidant characteristics by evaluating DPPH, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical formation, anti-lipid per oxidation, metal chelation and total flavonoid content. To affirm cytoprotective efficacy of G-001M, plasmid DNA protection, blood WBC counts, marker for lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant status (GSH) in mice splenocytes and thymocytes were studied. G-001M, having high amount of total phenolic contents (200±10mg, w/w), exhibited dose dependent inhibition in DPPH and superoxide radical formation. Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging was higher than standards. With pre-treatment of G-001M, plasmid DNA was also maximally restored to supercoiled form. Radiation modulated MDA and GSH values in splenocytes and thymocytes of mice altered significantly after 24 hrs and at later intervals, values were close to the controls. Radiation mediated losses in WBC counts were significantly regained (p<0.001) in G-001M pre-treated irradiated mice. The above findings explicitly conveyed that G-001M has successfully minimized radiation inflicted free radicals generation and their multiplication. This activity of G-001M could be undoubtedly among one of the major modes of action in extending whole body survival in lethally irradiated mice.

Screening of counterfeit cephalosporin and discrimination from penicillins by high-throughput chemical color tests

To combat the global upsurge in counterfeiting of antibiotics, rapid screening tests offering identification and binary (yes/no) information are required. Cephalosporins are susceptible to counterfeiting due to high prescription rates and prices. We propose a scheme consisting of a pair of chemical color tests for the screening of cephalosporins. The first test is based on the reducing behavior of cephalosporins towards iodate and iodine under strongly acidic conditions. The second test involves alkaline desulphurization and makes the scheme highly selective for cephalosporins. Penicillins and other antibiotics do not interfere with the proposed scheme. The tests have virtues of simplicity, ruggedness, and high-throughput.

Structural determinants of host defense peptides for antimicrobial activity and target cell selectivity

Antimicrobial host defense peptides (HDPs) are a critical component of the innate immunity with microbicidal, endotoxin-neutralizing, and immunostimulatory properties. HDPs kill bacteria primarily through non-specific membrane lysis, therefore with a less likelihood of provoking resistance. Extensive structure-activity relationship studies with a number of HDPs have revealed that net charge, amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, and structural propensity are among the most important physicochemical and structural parameters that dictate their ability to interact with and disrupt membranes. A delicate balance among these factors, rather than a mere alteration of a single factor, is critically important for HDPs to ensure the antimicrobial potency and target cell selectivity. With a better understanding of the structural determinants of HDPs for their membrane-lytic activities, it is expected that novel HDP-based antimicrobials with minimum toxicity to eukaryotic cells can be developed for resistant infections, which have become a global public health crisis.

Exploring fiber optic approach to sense humid environment over nano-crystalline zinc oxide film

A novel humidity sensor made up of nano-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) film, coated onto the U-shaped typical glass substrate as a wave guide, conjugated with an optical fiber and He-Ne un-polarized laser source. The nano-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized using single molecular precursor method. The resulting material was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the thin film, ZnO particles exhibited the wurtzite phase structure with the particle size in a diameter range of 70-80 nm. The humidity sensing characteristic has been estimated by measuring the optical permeability (OP) as a function of percentage relative humidity (%RH) in the ranging from 5 to 90 inside a closed chamber. The OP decreases linearly with increase in %RH with a respond time of about 30 and recovery time of 35s. The sensor exhibits the sensitivity of 0.45 in the %RH range 5-50 and 0.30 from 50 to 90.

Stability Study of Fluoxetine in Formalin-Fixed Liver Tissue

In the present work, we report conversion of fluoxetine (Prozac), a novel anti depressant to N-methyl fluoxetine in formalin fixed liver tissue. Earlier studies indicate that drugs containing secondary amino group will react with formalin to form corresponding N-methyl derivatives. Even though embalming cadavers is common, it may create problems for forensic toxicologists if a case was not previously suspected. In formalin solutions, fluoxetine is methylated producing N-methyl fluoxetine. N-Methyl fluoxetine standard was synthesized by treating fluoxetine in formaldehyde solution. The structure confirmed by (1)HNMR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in electron impact ionization mode. Randomly chosen rat liver pieces (200-250 mg) were injected with 100 microg of Fluoxetine. The liver pieces were covered with three different concentrations of formalin, 5%, 10%, and 20%, and at three different pHs, 3.0, 7.0, and 9.5. The reaction was studied for a total period of 30 days, and the reaction products were monitored on days 0, 4, 14, and 30 days. The study indicates that the rate of conversion of fluoxetine to its N-methyl derivative increased with increase in the concentration of formalin and pH of the solution. The conversion is rapid at higher pH values. Fluoxetine was totally converted to its N-methyl derivatives after 30 days in 20% formalin at pH 9.5. Therefore, analysis for parent drug or its N-methyl derivative in embalmed tissues may provide data that will reduce the likelihood of false negatives.

Instability and dynamics of thin viscoelastic liquid films

The instability, rupture, and subsequent growth of holes in a thin Jeffreys-type viscoelastic film under the influence of long-range van der Waals force are investigated using both linear stability analysis and nonlinear numerical solutions. The linear stability analysis of full governing equations valid for arbitrary wave numbers shows that although fluid rheology does not influence the dominant length scale of the instability, it significantly affects the growth rate. It is shown that neglect of inertia and solvent dynamics results in a nonphysical singularity in the growth rate beyond a critical value of relaxation time. We further carry out numerical simulations of a set of long-wave, nonlinear differential equations (also derived in Rauscher et al., Eur. Phys. J. E 17, 373 (2005)) governing the evolution of the free surface. The nonlinear simulations, in their domain of validity, confirm the results of the linear analysis. Interestingly, results from nonlinear simulations further show that both for Newtonian and viscoelastic liquids, the shape and the dewetting dynamics of a hole are identical when examined in terms of a rescaled time which depends on rheological parameters. Thus, viscoelasticity of Jeffreys type merely accelerates the growth rate, without however affecting the important morphological characteristics.

An analysis of PAX1 in the development of vertebral malformations

An analysis of PAX1 in the development of vertebral malformations. Due to the sporadic occurrence of congenital vertebral malformations, traditional linkage approaches to identify genes associated with human vertebral development are not possible. We therefore identified PAX1 as a candidate gene in vertebral malformations and congenital scoliosis due to its mutation in the undulated mouse. We performed DNA sequence analysis of the PAX1 gene in a series of 48 patients with congenital vertebral malformations, collectively spanning the entire vertebral column length. DNA sequence coding variants were identified in the heterozygous state in exon 4 in two male patients with thoracic vertebral malformations. One patient had T9 hypoplasia, T12 hemivertebrae and absent T10 pedicle, incomplete fusion of T7 posterior elements, ventricular septal defect, and polydactyly. This patient had a CCC (Pro)-->CTC (Leu) change at amino acid 410. This variant was not observed in 180 chromosomes tested in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) database and occurred at a frequency of 0.3% in a diversity panel of 1066 human samples. The second patient had a T11 wedge vertebra and a missense mutation at amino acid 413 corresponding to CCA (Pro)-->CTA (Leu). This particular variant has been reported to occur in one of 164 chromosomes in the NIEHS SNP database and was found to occur with a similar frequency of 0.8% in a diversity panel of 1066 human samples. Although each patient's mother was clinically asymptomatic and heterozygous for the respective variant allele, the possibility that these sequence variants have clinical significance is not excluded.

X-Ray Powder Diffraction Patterns for Certain .BETA.-Lactam, Tetracycline and Macrolide Antibiotic Drugs

X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data for eight beta-lactam viz., ampicillin sodium, ampicillin trihydrate, penicillin G procaine, benzathine penicillin, benzyl penicillin sodium, cefalexin, cefotaxime sodium and ceftriaxone sodium; three tetracyclines viz., doxycycline hydrochloride, oxytetracycline dihydrate and tetracycline hydrochloride; and two macrolide viz., azithromycin and erythromycin estolate antibiotic drugs were obtained using a powder diffractometer. The drugs were scanned from Bragg angles (2theta) of 10 degrees to 70 degrees. The obtained data were tabulated in terms of the lattice spacing (A) and relative line intensities (I/I(I)). This new information may be useful for identifying these drugs from confiscated materials, which has been frequently encountered in forensic laboratories.

Biological warfare--an emerging threat

As we approach the 21st century, there is an increasing worldwide awareness and threat regarding the use of biological warfare agents both for war and terrorist attack. Biological agents include microorganisms or biological toxins that are used to produce death in humans, animals and plants. They are characterized by low visibility, high potency, substantial accessibility and relatively easy delivery. Biological warfare agents are unconventional weapons that can be delivered by unconventional means like aerosol sprays, food and water contamination, conventional explosive munitions or by covert injections. Because of their concealed delivery, easy transportation and difficult identification they are readily adaptable for terrorist operations or to gain political advantages. The detection of such attack requires recognition of the clinical syndromes associated with various biological warfare agents. Diagnosis can be made on clinical grounds and on investigations. Protective measures can be taken against biological warfare agents. These should be implemented early (if warning is received) or later (once suspicion of agent use is made). After the confirmation of diagnosis emergency medical treatment and decontamination are performed in rapid sequence. Patients are then evacuated and specific therapy is given according to the agent involved. Appropriate emergency department and hospital response could significantly limit the morbidity and mortality of biological warfare agents.

Endoscopic and histological changes in upper gastrointestinal tract of patients with chronic renal failure

To evaluate the endoscopic and histological changes in upper gastrointestinal tract of patients with chronic renal failure 50 patients and 50 controls were studied. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done and 2 biopsies each were taken from oesophagus, corpus and antrum of the stomach and duodenum. Sections were stained with haematoxylin & eosin, Alcian blue--Periodic acid Schiff's (pH 2.5), and Loeffler's methylene blue stains. Oesophagus was endoscopically normal in most of the patients. Predominant histological finding was chronic oesophagitis which was significantly higher in patients than controls (47.1% Vs 26%; p<0.05). Significantly higher (p<0.001) number of patients had gastritis, oedema and pale mucosa on endoscopic examination of stomach. Predominant histological changes were mucosal oedema (82.35%), gastritis (23.5%) and increase in number of bi- and multinucleated parietal cells with vacuolation and fragmentation of the cytoplasm (29%). Prevalence of H. pylori was less in patients as controls (35.2% Vs 54%; p< 0.01). Endoscopic examination of duodenum mainly showed duodenitis, pale mucosa, oedema and nodularity. Brunner's gland hyperplasia (82.4%), duodenitis (70.6%) and gastric metaplasia (29.4%) were the main histological features. H. pylori was seen in 5.9% cases of gastric metaplasia in duodenum. Patients with CRF have significant upper gastrointestinal tract abnormalities which mainly occur due to metabolic changes in response to high urea concentration in gastric juice and are not related to H. pylori infection.

Isolation of etiological agent of hydropericardium syndrome in chicken embryo liver cell culture and its serological characterization

The virus causing hydropericardium syndrome was isolated in chicken embryo liver (CEL) cell culture from livers obtained from naturally infected broilers. The cytopathic effects characterized by rounding and degeneration of cells were visible 36 hr post infection in first passage. At 4th passage level, the infectivity titre was 5.24 log10 TCID50/ml. In May-Grunwald and Giemsa stained cells, basophilic intranuclear inclusions ('bird eye' inclusion), typical of aviadenovirus infection, were observed. The specificity of inclusion was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence. Various serological tests, such as agar gel precipitation test, counter immuno electrophoresis, micro serum neutralization test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were also standardized to confirm the isolation of etiological agent of hydropericardium syndrome in CEL cell culture and to diagnose the disease in poultry.

Isolation and characterization of a black-pigmented Corynebacterium sp. from a woman with spontaneous abortion

An unusual black-pigmented coryneform bacterium was isolated from the urogenital tract of a woman who experienced a spontaneous abortion during month 6 of pregnancy. Biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses demonstrated that the unknown bacterium belonged to the genus Corynebacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences (GenBank accession no. AF220220) revealed that the organism was a member of a distinct subline which includes uncultured Corynebacterium MTcory 1P (GenBank accession no. AF115934), derived from prostatic fluid, and Corynebacterium CDC B8037 (GenBank accession no. AF033314), an uncharacterized black-pigmented coryneform bacterium. On the basis of chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic evidence, this organism probably represents a new species and is most closely related to the uncharacterized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention group 4 coryneforms. Our strain is designated CN-1 (ATCC 700975).

The hydropericardium syndrome and inclusion body hepatitis in domestic fowl

Hydropericardium syndrome, an emerging disease of poultry, has recently been detected in some countries of Asia and America, particularly in broiler birds aged 3-6 weeks. The disease is characterized by its sudden occurrence with high mortality of up to 80% in broilers and low mortality of under 10% in layers, associated with hydropericardium. Its course is of 7-15 days under natural conditions. The causative agent is probably fowl adenovirus serotype 4, belonging to group I aviadenovirus genus of the family adenoviridae, which can be cultivated in primary cell cultures of chicken kidney and embryo liver cells. The transmission of disease occurs laterally by the oral-faecal route. The livers of affected birds show necrotic foci, and basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies fill the entire enlarged nucleus of some of the hepatocytes. The disease can be diagnosed from its gross lesions, histopathological changes in the liver and by serological tests, such as agar gel diffusion, counter immunoelectrophoresis, indirect haemagglutination and ELISA. It has been brought under control by inactivated liver organ vaccines (0.25 ml/bird) or inactivated cell culture vaccines (10(3.5) LD50/bird) given by the subcutaneous route at 10-15 days of age. The vaccine is effective in the face of an outbreak and significantly reduces the mortality.

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans bacteremia in a dog

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans was isolated from the blood of a dog presenting with fever, anorexia, and rear limb stiffness. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in a breeding colony of African clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis)

More than 90% of a breeding colony of clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis) imported to the United States from western Africa died in an epizootic of chlamydiosis. Chlamydial inclusions were observed by light and electron microscopy in the liver of an infected frog. Chlamydia pneumoniae was isolated in cell cultures from four frogs. A cutaneous infection by a chytridiomycete fungus observed in two frogs could have been a cofactor in the die-off.ous Diseases

Decreased sensitivity of the ultrarapid urease test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic renal failure

Fifty patients with chronic renal failure and 50 asymptomatic healthy volunteers were studied to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the two groups and to compare the results of ultrarapid urease test (URUT) and gastric histology for detecting H. pylori infection. Four gastric antral biopsy specimens were taken. Two specimens were used for the URUT and two were processed routinely. Sections were stained with H&E and Loeffler's methylene blue. Histological examination showed presence of H. pylori in 56% of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and in 78% of the controls. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The URUT was positive in only 16% of patients with CRF compared to 74% in the controls (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and overall diagnostic accuracy of the URUT to diagnose H. pylori infection were 94.8 and 96%, respectively, in controls but were only 29 and 60%, respectively, in patients with CRF. It is concluded that the prevalence of H. pylori is significantly less in patients with CRF and that the URUT is less sensitive than gastric histology for diagnosing H. pylori infection in these patients.

A process for the recovery of strontium from the urine of patients injected with 89Sr

89Sr is a beta emitter used for palliation of pain in patients with metastatic bone cancer. After each intravenous administration, up to 80% of the isotope is eliminated in the urine. A simple chemical process is described, which permits the recovery and purification of the 89Sr from the urine.

[Kinetics of receptor-mediated radiotoxicity of 16alpha-[125I]-iodostradiol-3,17beta]

AIM

The radiocytotoxic effects in estrogen receptor (ER) containing MCF-7 cells of a mamma carcinoma were investigated following incubation with [125I]E ranging from 1 h to 24 h.

METHODS

The receptor status of the cells was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. The accumulation of [125I]E in MCF-7 cells was tested in the presence and absence of radioinert E and [127I]E and in ER-negative cells in comparison to ER-positive cells. The subcellular distribution was investigated in 0.25 M Saccharose by ultra centrifugation. The radiocytotoxicity was assessed in ER-positive and negative cells by a standard colony forming assay after incubating with [125I]E (1.85 kBq/ml-55.5 kBq/ml) for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h.

RESULTS

A significant cytotoxicity was observed only when ER-rich MCF-7-cells were incubated with [125I]E alone. The maximal cytotoxic effect was a reduction of survival fraction to 20-25%. This was achieved at radioactivity concentrations > 37 kBq/ml. Maximal effect was seen after 8 h incubation, extension of incubation time did not further increase toxicity.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the radioactivity was bound to ER. Through their nuclear localization radioestrogens tagged with radionuclides emitting very low energy electrons (Auger electrons) bear potential for therapy by ER-mediated deposition of lethal doses of ionizing radiation to single cells without affecting neighbouring cells. But, instead of 125I the shorter-living 123I shall be used for labelling because the deciding radiation effectes occur within the first 8 h.

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in India: a preliminary study on the causative agent and control of the disease by inactivated autogenous vaccine

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in broiler birds of 3 to 6 weeks of age was recorded for the first time in the Haldwani area of Nainital district (UP) in India in November, 1994. The overall mortality in 6 poultry farms was 61.62 per cent. The disease was experimentally transmitted by bacteria free infected liver homogenate extract passed through membrane filters of 0.22 and 0.1 mu APD. The aetiological agent was inactivated by heat treatment at 56 degrees C for one hour and 80 degrees C for 10 min. A precipitin band was demonstrated in agar gel immunodiffusion and counter immunoelectrophoresis using infected liver homogenate extract as antigen and homologous antisera raised in the laboratory. The disease was effectively controlled by formalinised and heat inactivated autogenous vaccine prepared from the infected livers of birds which died of natural infection.

Advanced prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy with gallium-67 and yttrium-90, respectively

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy remains so far the mainstay of advanced prostate cancer treatment. Although it improves the quality of life of the patient for some time, the disease progresses and soon it becomes hormonally unresponsive. The object of our research has been to find a systemic therapy for prostate cancer patients whose disease no longer responds to hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one advanced prostate cancer patients with intense bone metastasis pain, bed ridden, and with permanent urinary catheter were first examined with Ga-67 and then treated with Y-90 solutions which were chromatographically and electrophoretically analysed for the presence of both cationic and anionic species of the radionuclide. The quality of life and prostate specific antigen (PSA values) values were followed for testing the success of the therapy.

RESULTS

Prostate cancer-affine Y-90 cured the advanced prostate cancer patients who regained their normal life. The uptake of the radionuclide in the primary cancer and its metastases responsible for the treatment has been confirmed by scintigraphy.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer-affine Y-90 solution, containing stable cationic and anionic species of the radionuclide, is effective in the cure of advanced prostate cancer patients.

Renal cell carcinoma detection and systemic therapy with tumour-affine gallium-67 and with yttrium-90 citrate solutions

BACKGROUND

There have been no major advances in the systemic detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its unpredictable metastases. Surgery, thus, remains the mainstay of the curative treatment for the localized disease. The propose of the present study has been to systemically detect and treat advanced RCC respectively with Ga-67 and Y-90 radiopharmaceuticals containing tumour-affine species.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-three RCC patients were imaged with Tc-99m-MDP and then with Ga-67 citrate solution in order to detect RCC and its metastases. Yttrium-90 citrate solution, containing the radionuclide species chromatographically and electrophoretically identical to those in RCC-affine Ga-67 solution, was administered i.v. for systemic therapy of advanced RCC. Total-body distribution of Y-90 was studied with a gamma-camera equipped with an ultra-high-sensitivity collimator. The efficacy of the therapy was studied by the clinical condition of the patient and by the total-body scintigraphic imaging with Tc-99m-MDP and with Ga-67 citrate solution.

RESULTS

Ga-67 detects RCC bone metastases better than Tc-99m-MDP. Systemic therapy of RCC metastasized to bones, lung and brain was obtained with RCC-affine Y-90 citrate solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Third group metal radionuclides, Ga-67 and Y-90, detect and treat advanced RCC.

Rhenium-186-HEDP palliative treatment in disseminated bone metastases due to prostate cancer

Prostate carcinoma is the most commonly associated with osseous metastases malignancy in males. The lesions, being usually of a mixed sclerotic/lytic variety and less often of the pure sclerotic type, need to be treated by a bone seeking radioactive element with an as low as possible radiobiological burden on the surrounding (peritumoral) tissues. Rhenium-186-HEDP was used to treat these osseous metastatic lesions due to its bone seeking kinetics attractive radiochemical properties. Of a total of 16 prostate cancer patients. 3 experiment loss of pain, 8 experienced obvious and 2 some improvement. No change was observed in 3 patients. Ten patients manifested a flare syndrome increasing pain approximately 2 to 6 days, after Re-186-HEDP i.v. application. Six patients showed a definite and 9 a slight decrease in platelet levels and absolute number of polymorphonuclear white blood cells, up to fourth week following treatment. One patient underwent a whole blood transfusion and in 2 peripheral neuropathy was observed lasting about 9 to 12 days. Re-186-HEDP appears to be a promising new metal ion complex for the palliation of painful bone metastases in prostate cancer. Compared to Sr-89 therapy, it shows a longer analgetic efficacy and has the advantage of emitting gamma rays, a fact which facilitates dosimetric calculations.

Palliative therapy using rhenium-186-HEDP in painful breast osseous metastases

The efficacy and toxicity of treatment with 1400 +/- 100 MBq of Re-186-HEDP were evaluated in women with osseous metastatic breast cancer. The follow-up period was fourteen weeks. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by a) a pain and performance questionnaire that patients were asked to complete daily and b) a CT scan comparison of a randomly preselected osseous lesion before and 30 weeks after Re-186-HEDP i.v. application. The response to treatment was also evaluated by using the Kamofsky Index. Two out of fourteen women (14%) experienced loss of pain, 6 experienced obvious and 2 some improvement. No change was observed in 4 patients. Five patients manifested a flare response to treatment, with increase in pain within the first, 4 to 5 days after Re-186-HEDP administration. Five patients showed a decrease in platelet levels and absolute number of polymorphonuclear blood transfusion; no neurologic side effects were observed. Re-186-HEDP appears to be a useful new radiopharmaceutical for pain palliation induced by osseous metastases due to breast cancer. Compared to Sr-89 chloride efficacy, it provides longer-lasting analgesia, and when needed it can be reinjected with less risk due to its improved physico- and radiochemical properties.

[Influence on extratumoral organ activities of tumor-affinity samarium-153 preparations]

AIM

Possibilities to exercise an influence on the biodistribution of a tumor-affine 153Sm-preparation, samarium-153-nitrilotriacetate (NTA), were tested.

METHODS

Animals experiments on tumor-bearing mice after additional application of EDTMP (ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate) for the reduction of extratumorale liver-radioactivity and yttrium chloride for the reduction of unwanted underground radioactivity in bone were carried out. Furthermore, the combination of both measurements was tested.

RESULTS

The biodistribution of 153Sm-NTA showed a rather low tumor-radioactivity of app. 0.72%/g. The additional EDTMP-application caused a dose-dependent decrease of the underground-radioactivity in liver especially if given 2 h in advance or simultaneously. The additional application of the stable yttrium salt reduced the bone radioactivity on simultaneous increase of liver- and spleen-radioactivity and practically unchanged tumor-radioactivity. The combined use of EDTMP together with the bone-affine metal salt led to a reduction of liver radioactivity on simultaneous reduction of bone radioactivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The background radioactivity can be reduced on unchanged tumor-radioactivity by combined Na-EDTMP/YCl3-application. The present results do not allow a therapeutic exploitation because of the low tumor accumulation.