Dialister massiliensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from the human gut.

Dialister massiliensis strain Marseille-P5638T (= CSUR P5638) is a new species from the genus Dialister and family Veillonellaceae which was isolated from the gut microbiota of a healthy individual.

Libanicoccus massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from human stool.

Strain Marseille-P3237 was isolated from a stool sample of a healthy 35-year-old Congolese pygmy female. This anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming and non-motile coccus-shaped bacterium is a member of the order Coriobacteriales. It exhibits a 2 009 306-bp genome with a 65.46 mol% G+C content and is closely related to, but distinct from, members of the Olsenella genus. We propose the creation of the new genus Libanicoccus gen. nov. and of the new species Libanicoccus massiliensis sp. nov.

Noncontiguous finished genome sequences and description of Bacteroides mediterraneensis sp. nov., Bacteroides ihuae sp. nov., Bacteroides togonis sp. nov., Bacteroides ndongoniae sp. nov., Bacteroides ilei sp. nov. and Bacteroides congonensis sp. nov. identified by culturomics.

Culturomics is a concept developing different culture conditions in order to enlarge our knowledge of the human microbiota through the discovery of previously uncultured bacteria. This enabled us to isolate six new species of the Bacteroides genus: Bacteroides mediterraneensis strain Marseille-P2644, Bacteroides ihuae strain Marseille-P2824, Bacteroides togonis strain Marseille-P3166, Bacteroides ndongoniae strain Marseille-P3108, Bacteroides ilei strain Marseille-P3208 and Bacteroides congonensis strain Marseille-P3132. Those bacteria are Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli. We describe here their phenotypic features, together with phylogenetic analysis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry spectrum, fatty acid composition, and genome sequencing and annotation.

Dakarella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., strain ND3T: a new bacterial genus isolated from the female genital tract.

Strain ND3T was isolated from the genital tract of a 28-year-old woman with bacterial vaginosis. This strain exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 92.4% with Sutterella wadsworthensis, the phylogenetically closest species with standing in nomenclature. Strain ND3T was a strictly anaerobic Gram-negative rod and member of the family Sutterellaceae. It exhibited a genome of 2 476 884 bp containing 2175 protein-coding and 62 RNA genes. On the basis of these data, we propose the creation of 'Dakarella massiliensis' sp. nov. with strain ND3T (= CSUR P1938 = DSM 100447) as the type strain.

Abdominal CT findings may suggest coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is the most common gastrointestinal immunological disorder in the western countries. Many adult patients present non-specific symptoms and signs of malabsorption such as chronic diarrhoea, anaemia, weight loss and abdominal distention. In non-specific and doubtful conditions, computed tomography is often the first medical examination performed. In a clinical practice, a critical review of computed tomography signs is therefore mandatory. AIMS: To evaluate the abdominal computed tomography findings, which are useful to suggest the presence of coeliac disease in adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The computed tomography studies of 28 coeliac patients were reviewed, looking for any intestinal and extraintestinal abnormality. The computed tomography findings evaluated were: abnormalities of intestinal fold pattern, bowel dilatation, fluid and air excess, duodenal abnormalities, intestinal intussusception, bowel wall thickening, lymphadenopathy, ascites, intestinal stenosis, mesenteric vascular changes. The abdominal computed tomography of a group of 30 normal subjects was also analysed. RESULTS: Intestinal fold pattern abnormalities were seen in 23/28 patients. Intestinal dilatation was seen in 21/28. Fluid excess in 18/28 and lymphadenopathy was seen in 12/28 patients; engorgement of mesenteric vessels in 7/28. Bowel wall thickening was observed in 6/28 patients and transient intussusception was observed in 6/28 patients. Increased air content within the bowel in 4/28 and ascites in 2/28 patients. Bowel dilatation together with fluid excess was observed in 18/28 patients. None of the above mentioned abnormalities abnormalities were seen in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Data of the present study show that several abdominal computed tomography findings may be seen in coeliac adult patients; these findings should be taken into consideration with a high in level of suspicion by radiologists, to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Effect of morphine on Fc-mediated phagocytosis by murine macrophages in vitro.

Acute exposure to morphine has been shown to inhibit phagocytosis in murine macrophages, whereas chronic exposure results in apparent desensitization. We now show that morphine may be either inhibitory or stimulatory depending on concentration and exposure time. Furthermore, under some conditions drug withdrawal from putatively desensitized cells will result in inhibition of phagocytosis, suggesting that a state akin to dependence has developed. Desensitization can also develop with intermittent exposures if the opiate-free period between drug exposures is shorter than 4 h. These effects of morphine on macrophages are important in understanding the role of this drug as an immunomodulatory agent.

[Efficacy of L-thyroxine (L-T4) therapy on the volume of the thyroid gland and nodules in patients with euthyroid nodular goiter (ENG)]. / Efficacia della terapia con L-tiroxina (L-T4) sul volume della tiroide e dei noduli in pazienti con gozzo nodulare eutiroideo (GNE).

The efficacy of treatment with TSH suppressive doses of L-thyroxine was evaluated by echography in 35 patients with euthyroid nodular goiter. Patients have been subdivided in two groups comparable for sex age and size of the goiter. Sixteen patients were treated for nine months with suppressive doses of thyroxine and nineteen were followed without therapy as control. Patients in treatment were then followed up for additional 9 months without therapy. The mean decrease of thyroid volume at nine months was 25% (27 +/- 10 ml vs 20 +/- 8 ml; p < 0.01). After discontinuation of treatment thyroid volume increased and had returned to base line values after nine months of follow up. In the control group mean thyroid volume had increased by 17.7% at nine months (28 +/- 17 vs 33 +/- 19 ml; p < 0.001). Thyroid nodules in response to thyroid hormone treatment showed a variable behaviour: 30.7% (4/13) of the nodules responded to the therapy with a reduction > to 25% at the ninth month; the remaining nodules were insensitive to the therapy. In conclusion suppressive thyroxine treatment is effective in reducing the goiter, nodules instead are only in part sensitive to the treatment. Thyroxine therapy of euthyroid nodular goiter must be followed for long term since upon thyroxine discontinuation there is a prompt reappearance of the goiter.

[Parvovirus B19 infection: the general aspects and gestational problems]. / Infezione da parvovirus B19: aspetti generali e problematica gestazionale.

Parvovirus B19 is a small, heat-stable, single-strained DNA virus (5.5 kb), with 23 nm icosahedral capsid discovered in 1975. Since its discovery, the virus has been shown to be a causative agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease). Under specific circumstances it can cause transient aplastic crisis, chronic anemia, arthritis and fetal death. Laboratory diagnosis of recent or past B19 infection usually relies on the demonstration of virus-specific IgM or IgG antibodies in patient's serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 infection among 87 pregnant patients. Our study on anti-B19 antibody prevalence indicates that about 64% of pregnant women in our country lack specific antibodies and are at risk of B19 infection. One intrauterine death was encountered in a patient with specific IgM antibodies. The authors suggest the detection of IgG and IgM anti-B19 antibodies as a routine screening practice during pregnancy.

[Hypothyroidism in adults: a magnetic resonance study of cerebral and hypophyseal changes]. / Ipotiroidismo dell'adulto: studio con la risonanza magnetica delle alterazioni cerebrali e ipofisarie.

The case of a 55-year-old woman with postpartum (at age of 22) hypopituitarism is reported. The patient, with signs of myxedema, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for hallucinations. In addition to routine tests and measurements of thyroid hormones level, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and pituitary region was performed. The results of MRI showed cerebral atrophy and a large "empty sella". On the basis of clinical, laboratory and instrumental data, a diagnosis of panhypopituitarism with prevalent hypothyroidism was achieved. Many hypotheses could be made regarding its pathogenesis. Initially we considered the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome in which the sella turcica usually presents normal or reduced dimensions. However the presence of a large "empty sella" with thin walls, excludes this diagnosis. The delay of menarche and the short stature suggest the hypothesis of a preexistent pathological condition. It is possible that the patient had liquefied pituitary adenoma as a consequence of the postpartum shock or that she was hypothyroid, a condition in which the "empty sella" is very common.

Functional MRI in the evaluation of oesophageal motility: feasibility, MRI patterns of normality, and preliminary experience in subjects with motility disorders.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to introduce functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with T1-weighted turbo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences in the evaluation of oesophageal motility and morphology, to formulate MRI patterns of normality in healthy subjects and to demonstrate the feasibility of the method by obtaining a preliminary experience in the study of subjects affected by oesophageal motility disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers and seven patients with radiological and manometric diagnoses of oesophageal motility disorders underwent fMRI with dynamic T1- weighted turbo-FLASH (TFL) sequences during the administration of oral contrast material. RESULTS: Evaluation of oesophageal function and morphology proved possible in all subjects, as well as the formulation of normality patterns. In patients with motility disorders, fMRI correctly visualised the typical alterations in agreement with radiological and manometric findings. CONCLUSIONS: Functional MRI sequences acquired during the administration of oral contrast material can evaluate oesophageal transit, providing information on motility and morphology; furthermore, this modality can properly visualise the typical functional and morphological alterations of motility disorders.

[A digital radiology method for assessing vertebral osteoporosis]. / Metodica di radiologia digitale per la valutazione dell'osteoporosi vertebrale.

The radiologic identification of vertebral fractures is usually subjective and reproducibility is poor. This paper describes a new digital radiologic method to perform vertebral morphometry, i.e. osteoradiometry (ORM). Lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained in 50 premenopausal women and digitalized by means of a video camera. A special computer software enables to calculate the anterior (Ha), middle (Hm), and posterior (Hp) heights of vertebral bodies (T4-L5) and the morphometric indices of vertebral fractures. ORM reproducibility was assessed by comparing repeated measurements made by two radiologists: the intra- and interobserver variation coefficients (CV) were respectively 1.5% and 2.3% for Hp; 1.3% and 2% for Hm; 1.4% and 2.1% for Ha. The normal range for vertebral dimensions was therefore established. The anterior and posterior heights increased from T4 to L2, but for L3-L5 the posterior height was lower than the anterior height (Ha/Hp > 1). Vertebral heights positively correlated with the standing heights of the subjects (r = 0.2, p < 0.05). Weight and the body mass index (BMI) were not correlated with vertebral heights. These normal values, compared with those found in osteoporosis patients, will allow to assess ORM diagnostic efficacy in identifying vertebral fractures.

Cyclophosphamide-induced suppressor cells in mice: suppression of the antibody response in vitro and characterization of the effector cells.

It was found earlier that nonspecific suppressor cells obtained from the spleen of mice injected with cyclophosphamide (Cy) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt are nonadherent, surface Ig negative, and Thy-1 negative. It is now reported that Cy-induced suppressor (Cy-S) cells suppress the in vitro primary and secondary humoral responses in a dose-dependent manner. Suppressor activity is a property of a low density cell that is found in the spleen from 5 to 11 days after Cy administration. Cy-S cells are negative for a number of T-cell markers and are nonadherent to plastic. They are not agglutinated by peanut agglutinin and do not acquire the Thy-1 antigen after treatment with thymosin, suggesting that they are not T-cell precursors. While NK activity was detected in the Cy-S cell preparations, this activity was removed by treatment with antibodies specific for the Qa-5 antigen and complement without affecting the suppressor activity. Cy-S cells are, therefore, distinct from B cells, T cells, NK cells, and macrophages.

Intestinal gas in ulcerative colitis.

Intestinal gas was measured planimetrically on plain abdominal films from 25 healthy subjects and 47 patients with active ulcerative colitis (mild, moderate, severe and toxic megacolon). Compared with controls, significant colonic distention was found in toxic megacolon. Gas in the small bowel was significantly increased in toxic megacolon and in severe colitis but was within the normal range in the mild and moderate forms. Two groups of patients with severe colitis were identified, showing either normal or increased gas content in the small bowel. Two of seven patients in the latter group developed toxic megacolon in spite of intensive medical treatment. Intestinal gas values showed a linear correlation with arterial blood pH, ESR and body temperature. No correlation was found between intestinal gas and other features of severity. It is suggested that an abnormal collection of gas in the small bowel loops associated with metabolic alkalosis corresponds to an early stage of a toxic complication ("impending megacolon").

Recovery of Yersinia enterocolitica from patients with gastrointestinal disturbances. Lack of efficacy of alkali method.

Direct plating medium on cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin agar was as effective as 2-day enrichment in peptone-sorbitol-bile salts broth for recovery of Yersinia enterocolitica from fecal samples of patients with gastrointestinal disturbances. Alkali treatment of fecal specimens failed to enhance recovery of Y. enterocolitica through either method.

Aging changes in vertebral morphometry.

We analyzed the vertebral morphometry of healthy premenopausal women and their changes with age and menopause in order to better define the reference population for the clinical and epidemiological evaluation of vertebral fractures. Vertebral morphometry has been performed on lateral thoracic and lumbar spine films from 50 premenopausal and 76 postmenopausal normal women, age range 39-74 years. Vertebral heights and the anterior height/posterior height ratio are significantly lower in postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women. Vertebral anterior height decreases about 1.5 mm/year, whereas middle and posterior height decreases about 1.3 and 1.2/mm year, respectively. A statistically significant reduction of vertebral heights by around 1 mm/vertebra was observed in postmenopausal (n = 16) compared with premenopausal women (n = 20) of the same age (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that vertebral heights are lower with advancing age and menopause and that the vertebral heights difference in elderly people is not only the consequence of a cohort effect. The results also contribute to better defining the reference population to be chosen for evaluating vertebral deformation.