Characterization of new diesel-degrading bacteria isolated from freshwater sediments.

As the result of diesel's extensive production and use as fuel for transportation, pollution with such complex mixtures of hydrocarbons is a major concern worldwide. The present study's focus was to investigate the presence of diesel-degrading bacteria in different Danube Delta freshwater sediments. Ten bacterial strains capable to grow in a minimal medium with diesel as the sole carbon source were isolated and characterized in this study. Based on the phenotypic and molecular characteristics, the ten strains belong to four genera and seven species, such as Pseudomonas (P. aeruginosa, P. nitroreducens, P. resinovorans, P. multiresinivorans), Acinetobacter (A. tandoii), Bacillus (B. marisflavi), and Stenotrophomonas (S. maltophilia). All these bacteria were excellent biosurfactant producers, and they were able to tolerate saturated hydrocarbons, like n-heptane, n-decane, n-pentadecane, and n-hexadecane. The ten strains possess at least one alkane hydroxylase gene in their genome, and they were also able to tolerate and degrade diesel. Higher biodegradation rates of diesel were acquired for the strains from the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, compared with that obtained for the Bacillus strain. Due to their remarkable potential to degrade diesel and produce biosurfactants, the ten isolated bacteria are attractive candidates for bioremediation of diesel-polluted environments.

Maladaptive Personality Traits in a Group of Patients with Substance Use Disorder and ADHD.

Background and Objectives: the comorbidity of personality disorders in patients who use psychoactive substances is common in psychiatric practice. The epidemiology of disharmonious personality traits in patients with ADHD and addictions in adulthood is still insufficiently researched. The study investigated the typology of personality traits in a group of adult patients consuming psychoactive substances, in whom symptoms of ADHD were identified. Materials and Methods: the study evaluates a group of 104 patients with chronic psychoactive substances abuse, in whom symptoms of ADHD were identified in early adulthood, in terms of comorbid personality traits. Results: statistically significant data have been obtained regarding the presence of clinical traits characteristic for cluster B personality disorders, the patients presenting lower levels of self-control, self-image instability, difficulties in the areas of social relationships and own identity integration. Conclusions: ADHD symptomatology precedes the clinical traits of personality disorders in patients with addictions, negatively influencing chronic evolution and quality of life.

Construct validity for the self-reported competency and sub-construct associated characteristics of Romanian physicians in autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Lack of physicians' knowledge regarding mental health, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could have adverse effects on affected individuals' health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to provide construct validity for a modified questionnaire in order to determine the self-reported competency for underlying sub-constructs in ASD, make inferences on perceived competence in ASD based on a sample of Romanian physicians, and identify physicians' characteristics associated with these sub-domains of competency. METHODS: For this survey, we modified a questionnaire that was used in Pakistan and Turkey, and administered it to a sample of 383 practicing physicians in Romania to assess their perceived competency regarding ASD. Exploratory factor analysis on 12 knowledge questions revealed five sub-domains: stigma, potential causes, children's behavior, misconceptions, and educational needs associated with ASD knowledge. Using General Linear Models, we determined physicians' characteristics that predict the total competency score and various competency sub-scores. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the responding physicians were female and 30% had over 30 years practicing medicine. The majority (73-94%) of physicians have correctly responded to some basic questions regarding knowledge about ASD. We also found that younger physicians were more knowledgeable about potential causes of ASD than older physicians (Adjusted Mean Score (AMS): 2.90 vs. 2.18, P < 0.01), while older physicians knew more about the behavior of children with ASD (AMS: 0.64 vs. 0.37, P = 0.02). We found a significant interaction (P < 0.01) between television as source of ASD knowledge and city where the clinic is located in relation to knowledge of the physicians regarding stigma related to ASD. However, the total score was not associated with the variables associated with sub-domains. CONCLUSION: Using factor analysis, we demonstrated construct validity of five sub-domains related to Romanian physicians' knowledge about ASD that include stigma, potential causes, behavior in ASD children, special education needs, and misconceptions related to ASD. The lack of significant association of the knowledge of physicians on ASD neither with the Psychiatry nor the Pediatric ward rotations at medical school may support the need for improving the curriculum on ASD in Romanian medical schools.

Response Mechanisms in Serratia marcescens IBBPo15 During Organic Solvents Exposure.

Serratia marcescens strain IBBPo15 (KT315653) which possesses serratiopeptidase (ser) gene (KT894207) exhibited good solvent tolerance. During the exposure of S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells to 5 % organic solvents, n-decane was less toxic for this bacterium, compared with n-hexane, cyclohexane, ethylbenzene, toluene, and styrene. The exposure of the S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells to n-hexane, cyclohexane, ethylbenzene, toluene, and styrene induced the formation of large clusters, while in control and n-decane-exposed cells, only organization into small clusters was observed. The data obtained suggested that S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells produced some secondary metabolites (i.e., surfactant serrawettin, red pigment prodigiosin) which are well known as valuable molecules due to their large applications. The exposure of the bacterial cells to organic solvents induced secondary metabolites profile modifications. However, S. marcescens IBBPo15 possesses only alkB1, todM, rhlAB, pswP, mpr, and ser genes, the unspecific amplification of other fragments being acquired also when the primers for alkM1, xylM, ndoM, and C23DO genes were used. Modifications of DNA patterns were not depicted in S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells exposed to organic solvents.

Characterization of some bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented foods.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from different sources (dairy products, fruits, fresh and fermented vegetables, fermented cereals) were screened for antimicrobial activity against other bacteria, including potential pathogens and food spoiling bacteria. Six strains have been shown to produce bacteriocins: Lactococcus lactis 19.3, Lactobacillus plantarum 26.1, Enterococcus durans 41.2, isolated from dairy products and Lactobacillus amylolyticus P40 and P50, and Lactobacillus oris P49, isolated from bors. Among the six bacteriocins, there were both heat stable, low molecular mass polypeptides, with a broad inhibitory spectrum, probably belonging to class II bacteriocins, and heat labile, high molecular mass proteins, with a very narrow inhibitory spectrum, most probably belonging to class III bacteriocins. A synergistic effect of some bacteriocins mixtures was observed. We can conclude that fermented foods are still important sources of new functional LAB. Among the six characterized bacteriocins, there might be some novel compounds with interesting features. Moreover, the bacteriocin-producing strains isolated in our study may find applications as protective cultures.

Physiological cellular responses and adaptations of Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1 to toxic organic solvents.

A new Gram-positive bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1 (KF059972.1) was isolated from a crude oil-contaminated soil sample by enrichment culture method. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 was able to tolerate a wide range of toxic compounds, such as antibiotics (800-1000µg/mL), synthetic surfactants (50-200µg/mL), and organic solvents (40%-100%). R. erythropolis IBBPo1 showed good tolerance to both alkanes (cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane) and aromatics (toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene) with logPOW (logarithm of the partition coefficient of the solvent in octanol-water mixture) values between 2.64 and 5.98. However, alkanes were less toxic for R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells, compared with aromatics. The high organic solvent tolerance of R. erythropolis IBBPo1 could be due to the presence in their large genome of some catabolic (alkB, alkB1, todC1, todM, xylM), transporter (HAE1) and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (otsA1, KF059973.1) genes. Numerous and complex physiological cellular responses and adaptations involved in organic solvent tolerance were revealed in R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells exposed 1 and 24hr to 1% organic solvents. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells adapt to 1% organic solvents by changing surface hydrophobicity, morphology and their metabolic fingerprinting. Considerable modifications in otsA1 gene sequence were also observed in cells exposed to organic solvents (except ethylbenzene).

Antibacterial Activity of ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO2 and TiO2 Particles Tailored by Lysozyme Loading and Visible Light Irradiation.

ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO2 microspheres and nanostructured TiO2 obtained by hydrothermal and sol-gel methods were tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Micrococcus lysodeikticus ATCC 4698 before and after lysozyme (Lys) loading. Morphological characterization of inorganic matrices and hybrid organic-inorganic complexes were performed by microscopy techniques (SEM, AFM and Dark Field Hyperspectral Microscopy). Light absorption properties of ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO2 and TiO2 powders were assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy and their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (•OH and O2•-) under visible light irradiation was investigated. Antibacterial activity of ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO2, TiO2, Lys/ZnSe, Lys/ZnSe-TiO2 and Lys/TiO2 samples under exposure to visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus and correlated with ROS photogeneration.

Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in adults: feasibility, safety, and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablations are traditionally performed using fluoroscopic guidance, exposing both patients and medical staff to the risks of radiation. Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation has been used successfully to treat limited types of arrhythmias in children, but whether this approach has broad application in adults is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of fluoroless catheter ablation in adults being treated for a range of arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis was performed in 2 patient groups (both n = 60): (1) the nonfluoroscopy (NF) group consisting of consecutive adult patients, in which catheter positioning was accomplished exclusively with intracardiac electrograms (IE), electroanatomic mapping (EAM), and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE); and (2) the fluoroscopy (F) group, in which catheter positioning was additionally guided by fluoroscopy. The patients in the F group were selected to match the types of arrhythmias in the NF group. All ablation procedures were performed by one operator. The total procedure time did not differ between groups for any specific type of arrhythmia ablated. Acute procedural success was similar in both groups (NF, 59/60 [98%] and F, 60/60 [100%]). The complications were limited to a groin pseudoaneurysm in the NF group, and pericardial effusion and groin hematoma in the F group. CONCLUSION: Catheter ablations were efficiently and effectively performed in adults with a variety of arrhythmias using only IE, EAM, and ICE for catheter guidance. This nonfluoroscopic technique was feasible, posed no additional safety concerns, and should be readily implementable in most electrophysiology laboratories.

Role of Indigenous Bacteria in Corrosion of Two Types of Carbon Steel.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in a water sample collected from a nuclear power plant and establish if the indigenous bacteria or the products of their metabolic activities could initiate the corrosion of two different types of carbon steel (i.e., A570, 1045). The aerobic (heterotrophic, iron-oxidizing) and anaerobic (sulfate-reducing) bacteria were detected in low numbers in the water sample. Three bacterial strains were isolated by the enrichment procedure from this sample. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the isolated bacteria were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia IBBCn1 (MT893712), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia IBBCn2 (MT893713), and Bacillus thuringiensis IBBCn3 (MT893714). The bacteria existing in the water sample were able to initiate the corrosion of carbon steel A570 and 1045. The sulfate-reducing bacteria were detected in higher numbers than the heterotrophic bacteria and iron-oxidizing bacteria at the end of the biocorrosion experiments. The carbon steel coupons revealed macroscopic and microscopic changes in the surface characteristics, and these changes could be due to biofilm formation on their surfaces and the accumulation of the corrosion products. The corrosion rate varied from one type of carbon steel to another, depending on the incubation conditions and the chemical composition of the coupons.

Diagnosis stability and outcome of psychotic episodes in a Romanian group of children and adolescents.

Studies on early onset schizophrenia are limited because of their low prevalence but the reported results stated that early onset is associated with a poorer outcome. The present research analyzed the stability rate of the psychotic-related disorders from childhood to adult life. The study was based on an observational, retrospective, descriptive analysis study. The subjects were selected from patients admitted to the pediatric psychiatry ward of "Alexandru Obregia" Psychiatry Hospital between 2009 and 2018 for a psychosis-related disorder, who were 18 years or older at the moment of data collection and who also had admissions into the adult's psychiatry wards of the hospital. Of the 115 subjects, 93, representing 80.87% of the total, maintained a diagnosis of psychotic spectrum disorder into adulthood. The diagnosis was maintained in 82.4% of cases with onset before 13 years old and 80.6% of cases with onset after the age of 13 years of age. Of the 42 subjects who presented affective symptoms during childhood, 71.43% also presented affective symptoms into adulthood. These findings indicate an important stability rate of psychosis from childhood and adulthood and come in accordance with the theory of overlap between psychotic and affective disorders. The results underline the importance of an accurate diagnosis of early and very early onset schizophrenia (VEOS), the need for early and multimodal intervention, but also the need for long-term management of these patients and continuing research regarding psychotic-related disorders in children and adolescents.

Biosurfactant production by a Bacillus megaterium strain.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of Bacillus megaterium IBBPo17 (GenBank KX499518) cells to produce biosurfactant when the growth was done in the presence of long-chain n-alkane n-hexadecane on medium supplemented with yeast extract, proteose peptone, starch, or cellulose. B. megaterium IBBPo17 revealed a higher growth in the presence of n-hexadecane when the medium was supplemented with yeast extract, proteose peptone, or starch, compared with cellulose. Biosurfactant production was higher when B. megaterium IBBPo17 was grown in the presence of n-hexadecane on yeast extract, proteose peptone, or starch supplemented medium, compared with biosurfactant produced on cellulose supplemented medium. A direct correlation between cell growth and biosurfactant production was observed. When the growth of B. megaterium IBBPo17 cells was higher, the decrease in pH values of the medium was higher too, and more amount of CO2 was released. Changes in cell morphology, aggregation of the cells in clusters, and biofilm formation were observed when B. megaterium IBBPo17 was grown in the presence of n-hexadecane on medium supplemented with yeast extract, proteose peptone, starch, or cellulose. Due to its physiological abilities, this Gram-positive bacterium could be a promising candidate for the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted environments.

Adult ADHD symptoms in a group of patients with substance abuse.

Background . Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has a high degree of heritability and recently has become a challenge not only for clinicians evaluating children and adolescents but also for adult psychiatrists. The latest studies and diagnostic manuals show that the ADHD symptoms are not "overgrown" in adulthood, the way they are expressed merely changes. METHODS: The present study investigates the presence of ADHD symptoms in a group of 104 adult patients admitted to psychiatric services, with chronic substance abuse. The subjects selected for the study were evaluated using the DIVA 2.0 instrument, a scale designed to diagnose ADHD in adulthood. RESULTS: The study results showed that 46% of the drug users, included in the study, have specific symptoms that can be diagnosed as ADHD in adults. Of the 54 subjects who met ADHD criteria in childhood, only 6 did not meet these criteria in adult life, resulting in 89% of ADHD patients maintaining symptoms in adulthood, causing dysfunction in certain life areas. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ADHD diagnosis in the selected group, has been shown to increase the vulnerability of up to twice the chronic consumption of psychostimulants, an observation of great therapeutic and prophylactic importance for clinical practice. The research also confirms the fact revealed in the latest data from the international literature regarding the consumption of psychoactive substances from young ages, with multiple comorbidities and recurrent behavioral disorders secondary to drug use and major difficulties in following the recommendations of treatment and to get the remission that put their mark on the failure of education and personal development.

Hormonal imbalance and pituitary adenoma during antipsychotic treatment in an adolescent with bipolar affective disorder.

In this paper we present the case of a female teenager patient who was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and during psychotropic treatment with risperidone, the prolactin levels ranged between 55 ng/mL and 85 ng/mL at monthly repeated dosing. During this period, the patient presented somatic alterations in her state of health. The patient benefited from brain imaging, which revealed that in sella turcica is distinguished a well-defined and relatively homogeneous formation, measuring approximately 11/8 mm, suggestive of a pituitary adenoma. After changing the antipsychotic treatment, the pituitary formation resolved to a subsequent imaging re-evaluation.

Response of Rhodococcus erythropolis strain IBBPo1 to toxic organic solvents.

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the utilization of rhodococci in the bioremediation of petroleum contaminated environments. This study investigates the response of Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1 cells to 1% organic solvents (alkanes, aromatics). A combination of microbiology, biochemical, and molecular approaches were used to examine cell adaptation mechanisms likely to be pursued by this strain after 1% organic solvent exposure. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 was found to utilize 1% alkanes (cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane) and aromatics (toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene) as the sole carbon source. Modifications in cell viability, cell morphology, membrane permeability, lipid profile, carotenoid pigments profile and 16S rRNA gene were revealed in R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells grown 1 and 24 h on minimal medium in the presence of 1% alkanes (cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane) and aromatics (toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene). Due to its environmental origin and its metabolic potential, R. erythropolis IBBPo1 is an excellent candidate for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with crude oils and other toxic compounds. Moreover, the carotenoid pigments produced by this nonpathogenic Gram-positive bacterium have a variety of other potential applications.

Highly Solvent Tolerance in Serratia marcescens IBBPo15

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the solvent tolerance mechanisms in Serratia marcescens strain IBBPo15 (KT315653). Serratia marcescens IBBPo15 exhibited remarkable solvent-tolerance, being able to survive in the presence of high concentrations (above 40%) of toxic organic solvents, such as cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane, toluene, styrene, and ethylbenzene. S. marcescens IBBPo15 produced extracellular protease and the enzyme production decreased in cells exposed to 5% cyclohexane, n-hexane, toluene, styrene, and ethylbenzene, as compared with the control and n-decane exposed cells. S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells produced carotenoid pigments and alteration of pigments profile (i.e., phytoene, lycopene) were observed in cells exposed to 5% cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane, toluene, styrene, and ethylbenzene. The exposure of S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells to 5% cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane, toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene induced also changes in the intracellular (e.g., 50 kDa protein) and extracellular (e.g., 39, 41, 43, 53, 110 kDa proteins) proteins profile. Significant RAPD, ARDRA, rep-PCR and PCR pattern modifications were not observed in DNA extracted from S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells exposed to 5% cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane, toluene, styrene, and ethylbenzene. Though only HAE1 and acrAB genes were detected in the genome of S. marcescens IBBPo15 cells, the unspecific amplification of other fragments being observed also when the primers for ompF and recA genes were used.

Multidrug resistance in hydrocarbon-tolerant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

New Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from Poeni oily sludge, using enrichment procedures. The six Gram-positive strains belong to Bacillus, Lysinibacillus and Rhodococcus genera. The eight Gram-negative strains belong to Shewanella, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella genera. Isolated bacterial strains were tolerant to saturated (i.e., n-hexane, n-heptane, n-decane, n-pentadecane, n-hexadecane, cyclohexane), monoaromatic (i.e., benzene, toluene, styrene, xylene isomers, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene) and polyaromatic (i.e., naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, fluorene) hydrocarbons, and also resistant to different antimicrobial agents (i.e., ampicillin, kanamycin, rhodamine 6G, crystal violet, malachite green, sodium dodecyl sulfate). The presence of hydrophilic antibiotics like ampicillin or kanamycin in liquid LB-Mg medium has no effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria resistance to toxic compounds. The results indicated that Gram-negative bacteria are less sensitive to toxic compounds than Gram-positive bacteria, except one bacteria belonging to Lysinibacillus genus. There were observed cellular and molecular modifications induced by ampicillin or kanamycin to isolated bacterial strains. Gram-negative bacteria possessed between two and four catabolic genes (alkB, alkM, alkB/alkB1, todC1, xylM, PAH dioxygenase, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase), compared with Gram-positive bacteria (except one bacteria belonging to Bacillus genus) which possessed one catabolic gene (alkB/alkB1). Transporter genes (HAE1, acrAB) were detected only in Gram-negative bacteria.

Response of Rhodococcus erythropolis strain IBBPo1 to toxic organic solvents

Abstract Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the utilization of rhodococci in the bioremediation of petroleum contaminated environments. This study investigates the response of Rhodococcus erythropolis IBBPo1 cells to 1% organic solvents (alkanes, aromatics). A combination of microbiology, biochemical, and molecular approaches were used to examine cell adaptation mechanisms likely to be pursued by this strain after 1% organic solvent exposure. R. erythropolis IBBPo1 was found to utilize 1% alkanes (cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane) and aromatics (toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene) as the sole carbon source. Modifications in cell viability, cell morphology, membrane permeability, lipid profile, carotenoid pigments profile and 16S rRNA gene were revealed in R. erythropolis IBBPo1 cells grown 1 and 24 h on minimal medium in the presence of 1% alkanes (cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-decane) and aromatics (toluene, styrene, ethylbenzene). Due to its environmental origin and its metabolic potential, R. erythropolis IBBPo1 is an excellent candidate for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with crude oils and other toxic compounds. Moreover, the carotenoid pigments produced by this nonpathogenic Gram-positive bacterium have a variety of other potential applications.