Analysis of a microbial community associated with polychlorinated biphenyl degradation in anaerobic batch reactors.

The degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was investigated under fermentative-methanogenic conditions for up to 60 days in the presence of anaerobic biomass from a full-scale UASB reactor. The low methane yields in the PCBs-spiked batch reactors suggested that the biomass had an inhibitory effect on the methanogenic community. Reactors containing PCBs and co-substrates (ethanol/sodium formate) exhibited substantial PCB reductions from 0.7 to 0.2 mg mL(-1). For the Bacteria domain, the PCBs-spiked reactors were grouped with the PCB-free reactors with a similarity of 55 %, which suggested the selection of a specific population in the presence of PCBs. Three genera of bacteria were found exclusively in the PCB-spiked reactors and were identified using pyrosequencing analysis, Sedimentibacter, Tissierela and Fusibacter. Interestingly, the Sedimentibacter, which was previously correlated with the reductive dechlorination of PCBs, had the highest relative abundance in the RCS-PCB (7.4 %) and RCS-PCB-PF (12.4 %) reactors. Thus, the anaerobic sludge from the UASB reactor contains bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum that are capable of degrading PCBs.

Double-balloon endoscopy versus magnet-imaging enhanced colonoscopy for difficult colonoscopies, a randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Studies have estimated that failure of cecal intubation occurs with conventional colonoscopy in up to 10 % of cases. Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) systems, magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI), and transparent cap have been shown to improve success rates for colonoscopy. This study evaluated the utility of DBE for complete examination of the colon compared with MEI plus cap (MEI-Cap) after incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy in a randomized comparative manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 94 patients with incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy were randomly assigned to receive either DBE (n = 47) or colonoscopy with MEI-Cap (n = 47). The primary end point was cecal intubation rate within 30 minutes. Secondary end points included intubation time, pain score using a visual analog scale, abdominal pressure attempts, doses of sedative medication, and changes in patient position during colonoscopy. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were comparable in both groups. Cecal intubation rate within 30 minutes was significantly higher for DBE (45 /47, 95.7 %) than for MEI-Cap (34 /47, 72.3 %) (P = 0.0049). Mean time to reach the cecum was significantly lower in the DBE group (13.0 ±â€Š5.3 minutes) than in the MEI-Cap group (16.4 ±â€Š4.8 minutes; P = 0.0003). No complications were encountered in either group.   CONCLUSION: DBE is more useful for complete examination of the colon than MEI-Cap in patients with incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy.

Evaluation of the anaerobic degradation of black liquor from a Kraft pulp plant with addition of organic co-substrates.

The purpose of this study was to assess the anaerobic degradation of black liquor with and without additional carbon sources. Batch experiments were conducted using black liquor, from an integrated pulp and paper mill adding ethanol, methanol and nutrients. The PCR/DGGE technique was used to characterize the structure of the microbial community. The addition of extra sources of carbon did not significantly influence the degradation of black liquor under the conditions evaluated and the microbial community was similar in all experiments. It was observed an increase in some members of the archaeal in reactors that had the best efficiencies for removal of black liquor (around 7.5%). Either ethanol or methanol can be used as co-substrates because the produce the same quantitative and qualitative effect.

Potentially toxic metal contamination and microbial community analysis in an abandoned Pb and Zn mining waste deposit.

Bioindicators have been widely used to assess the contamination of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) in smelter areas, mining waste disposal areas and in areas containing slags from Pb ore smelting. In this context, the analysis involving microorganisms has gained prominence as a complementary tool in studies aimed at assessing contaminated sites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the contamination of Pb, Zn and cadmium (Cd) in an area where a PbZn smelter operated, using the integration of geochemical and microbial data. The experimental analysis was conducted to characterize the soil collected at three different sites (samples NS, EW and EP). The analysis conducted was physicochemical, metal concentration, metal speciation and analysis of the microbial community through high-throughput sequencing technique. Through the results it was observed that the high concentrations of metals altered the bacterial community present in the soil. Differences were noted between the microbial communities according to the sampling site, especially in sample EP, collected at the margin of the dirt road, which presented higher metal concentrations and microbial diversity. The main phyla detected in the samples were: Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria. Bacteria tolerant to the presence of potentially toxic metals (PTM), such as Rhodoplanes, Kaistobacter, Sphingomonas and Flavisolibacter were identified in the analyzed samples. The phylogenetic groups identified in the study area are similar to those obtained in other studies in metal contaminated areas. The differences between the bacterial communities in each sample indicate that the concentration of PTM may have influenced the microbial community in the soil. Thus, it is noted the importance of the integration of geochemical and microbial data to evaluate the impact of the improper disposal of high PTM concentrated slags in natural soils.

A two-year follow-up of surgical and non-surgical treatments in patients with masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia.

This study re-examined the usefulness of surgery for the management of masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia (MMTAH) through a comparison of the outcomes between patients who underwent surgery and those who did not. The duration of follow-up was 2 years. Twenty-eight patients who attended the study hospital and were given a diagnosis of MMTAH were included. Nineteen patients underwent surgery (surgical group) and nine patients were instructed to open their mouths wide once a day and did not undergo surgery (non-surgical group). Maximum mouth opening, impairment of daily activities, satisfaction, and the status of mouth opening training were evaluated after surgery. The mean increase in mouth opening after 2 years was 20.2mm in the surgical group and 2.4mm in the non-surgical group. Adequate mouth opening training led to satisfactory results 2 years postoperative, and sustained mouth opening training for 6 months after surgery was a key factor for obtaining good outcomes. The general condition and personality of individual patients should be evaluated carefully before surgery to estimate whether or not they can endure the pain associated with postoperative mouth opening training. The results of this study suggest that the surgical procedure is useful for the management of MMTAH.

Inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway by Idax, a novel Dvl-binding protein.

In attempting to clarify the roles of Dvl in the Wnt signaling pathway, we identified a novel protein which binds to the PDZ domain of Dvl and named it Idax (for inhibition of the Dvl and Axin complex). Idax and Axin competed with each other for the binding to Dvl. Immunocytochemical analyses showed that Idax was localized to the same place as Dvl in cells and that expression of Axin inhibited the colocalization of Dvl and Idax. Further, Wnt-induced accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of T-cell factor in mammalian cells were suppressed by expression of Idax. Expression of Idax in Xenopus embryos induced ventralization with a reduction in the expression of siamois, a Wnt-inducible gene. Idax inhibited Wnt- and Dvl- but not beta-catenin-induced axis duplication. It is known that Dvl is a positive regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway and that the PDZ domain is important for this activity. Therefore, these results suggest that Idax functions as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway by directly binding to the PDZ domain of Dvl.

Biofilm adaptation to sulfate reduction in anaerobic immobilized biomass reactors sujected to different COD/sulfate ratios.

Various aspects of biofilm adaptation to sulfate reduction in horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactors subjected to increasing sulfate concentrations and different COD/sulfate ratios are presented and discussed. Four bench-scale HAIB reactors filled with vegetal carbon (R1 and R2) and polyurethane foam matrices (R3 and R4) were utilized. Influent sulfate concentrations ranging from 500 to 3000 mg/L were applied at COD/sulfate ratios ranging from 5.0 to 1.7. Reactors R1 and R4 were operated with higher sulfate loads than those applied to R2 and R3. For the same COD/sulfate ratio, the highest sulfate reduction efficiency (approximately 80%) was displayed by the vegetal carbon reactor (R2) subjected to low sulfate loads. According to the results of our molecular biology analyses, the different support materials provided different biomass colonization conditions. The lowest diversity of sulfate-reducing bacteria was found in the HAIB filled with polyurethane foam matrices operating with high sulfate loads.

Quantification of Lung Perfusion Blood Volume by Dual-Energy CT in Patients With and Without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary vascular alteration is one of the characteristic features. Recently, software has been used for the quantification of lung iodine perfusion blood volume (iPBV) using dual-energy CT, allowing objective evaluation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantification of lung PBV with and without COPD. Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Sixty-two subjects who had undergone a respiratory function test within one month underwent dual-energy CT angiography. The subjects were divided into two groups: with (n = 14) and without (n = 48) COPD. We evaluated the quantification of lung iPBV in the early phase and late phase using Syngo softwarepost contrast. Associations between lung iPBV and respiratory function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity; FEV1/FVC) and the percentage area of emphysema (%LAA-950) were also evaluated. Results: In the early phase, lung iPBV values were 20.1 ± 5.5 and 30.6 ± 7.6 Hounsfield Unit (HU) in those with and without COPD, respectively, with a significant difference between them (p < 0.0001). In the late phase, the values were 12.3 ± 3.7 and 15.3 ± 4.6 HU, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.051). However, this could be noticed as a trend. In the early phase, there was a weak significant correlation between lung iPBV value and FEV1/FVC (R = 0.26, p = 0.047). There were significant and moderate negative correlations between lung iPBV value and %LAA-950 in early and late phases (R = -0.57, p = 0.0002; R = -0.45, p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Quantification of lung iPBV reflects reduced pulmonary perfusion in patients with COPD. It may be useful for objective evaluation of the pulmonary blood flow in patients with COPD.

Efficacy and safety of systemic chemotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy with/without radiotherapy for bladder preservation or as neo-adjuvant therapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a single-centre study of 163 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) often undergo various preoperative treatments to improve survival; however, their efficacy and safety remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-tumour effects and adverse events were evaluated in 163 MIBC patients who received systemic chemotherapy (SC, n = 34), intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC, n = 50), or combined IAC and radiotherapy (IAC + R, n = 79). RESULTS: Pathological complete responses were observed in 17.6%, 22.0%, and 43.0% of patients in the SC, IAC, and IAC + R groups, respectively, with respective 5-year overall survival rates of 42.0%, 46.7%, and 50.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that successful IAC + R protocol administration was a significant predictor for survival (hazard ratio = 0.16, p = 0.028). The incidence of severe adverse events was higher in the IAC + R group (36.7%) than in the SC (9.8%) and IAC groups (16.0%). CONCLUSIONS: IAC + R was useful for patients with MIBC. Successful completion and optimal patient selection were important for this treatment strategy.

Microbial diversity and the implications of sulfide levels in an anaerobic reactor used to remove an anionic surfactant from laundry wastewater.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) from commercial laundry wastewater using an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor with two specific LAS loading rates (SLLRs), 1.0 and 2.7 mg LAS gVS(-1)d (-1). The biomass was characterized using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S Ion Tag sequencing. Higher LAS removal (92.9%) was observed in association with an SLLR of 1.0 mg LAS gVS(-1) d(-1) than with an SLLR of 2.7 mg LAS gVS(-1) d(-1) (58.6%). A relationship between the S(-2) concentration in the effluent and the surfactant removal efficiency was observed. This result is indicative of the inhibition of LAS-removing microbiota at S(-2) concentrations greater than 20 mg SL(-1). By using DGGE, microbial stratification was observed in the reactor in association with granule size, even though the reactor is considered to be a completely mixed regime. The RDP-classifier identified 175 genera, 33 of which were related to LAS degradation.

Cine-magnetic resonance imaging of cor triatriatum.

Two adult patients with cor triatriatum, which was shown by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using both spin-echo and cine-MR techniques, are presented. Spin-echo MRI clearly demonstrated an anatomical relationship between the membrane and pulmonary veins or left atrial appendage, which was not clear on transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, cine-MRI depicted abnormal flow through the fenestration of the anomalous membrane (case 1 and 2) and shunted flow through the associated atrial septal defect (case 2).

Refractory hepatic hydrothorax treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

A 66-year-old cirrhotic woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of refractory pleural effusion and dyspnea. Massive right sided-pleural effusion but no ascites was detected. She had been treated with diuretics and albumin, repeated thoracenteses, and pleural drainage with an intercostal catheter, all of which had failed to relieve her symptoms. The diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax without ascites was made by injection of technetium-99m-sulfur colloid into the peritoneal cavity. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was placed and successfully reduced the pleural effusion, resulting in complete relief of her symptoms. The patient has been free of symptoms for 18 months after the procedure.

Case report: imaging of Takayasu arteritis in the acute stage.

We report a case of Takayasu arteritis (TA) in the acute stage. The case is unique in two points. First, the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis was initially suspected from a subtle finding on plain radiography. Second, thickening of the aortic and pulmonary arterial walls was demonstrated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the acute non-pulseless stage of the disease.

[Establishment and characterization of a new SCC antigen producing cell line (HCS-2) from a carcinoma of the uterine cervix].

The cell line designated HCS-2 established from a squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been subcultivated 77 times since Nov. 8, 1983. The cultured cells appear epithelial in shape, with a pavement-like arrangement and grow without contact inhibition. In electron microscopy, the cells are characterized by desmosomal cell contacts and a few tonofilaments. The cells are transplanted subcutaneously to nude mice and produce tumor which resembles the original tumor of large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The growth rate of subculture has increased gradually, and population doubling time of cells at 17th passage was about 65 hours. The chromosome studies show aneuploidy and chromosomal number was mainly from hypertriploid to hypotetraploid range. The modal number of cells at 33rd passage was 81. Specific marker chromosome is not realized. The production of SCC antigen is detected from the cells and the amount of SCC antigen in cultured media was recorded from 1.5 to 2.0 ng per 1 x 10(4) cells for 48 hours. CEA synthesis is also confirmed immunohistochemically.

Stimulation of retinal pigment epithelial cell growth by neuropeptides in vitro.

PURPOSE: The proliferation of many cell types are regulated by cytokines and neuropeptides by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are also regulated by cytokines. But RPE cells are very close to the neural retina which has some neuropeptides. The present study was to investigate the effects of neuropeptides on the growth of RPE cells. METHODS: RPE cells were obtained from the eyes of 11 day old chick embryos and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. The growth of RPE cells was evaluated by [3H]-thymidine uptake. RESULTS: Substance P, beta-endorphin and calcitonin gene-related peptide markedly stimulated the growth of RPE cells. The effects of methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal peptide were intermediate. The strongest effects of substance P, beta-endorphin and calcitonin gene-related peptide were observed at 10(-6) to 10(-7) M. The stimulation of RPE cells with beta-endorphin was inhibited by naloxone, suggesting that the stimulation with beta-endorphin is mediated by an opioid receptor. beta-endorphin and substance P induced RPE cell growth stimulating activity. Leucine-enkephalin and neuropeptide Y did not affect the growth of RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that neuropeptides play an important role in the regulation of RPE cell growth.

Experimental study of the maternal effects on tumor immunity of infant mice with C1300 mouse neuroblastoma.

The spontaneous regression of neuroblastoma (NB), one of the most common malignant tumors in childhood, is found to occur in 1% to 2% of patients with NB, especially in young infants. An unexpectedly favorable response to therapy is also noticed in infants suggesting the potential presence of an immune mechanism. Monoclonal C1300-S and C1300A-4 cell lines were established from polyclonal C1300 cells in our laboratory. Adult female A/J mice that had rejected 1 x 10(3) NB cells (C1300S-3) or 1 x 10(5)-10(6) NB cells (C1300A-4) were used as immunized mothers. The immunized mothers with C1300A-4 or C1300S-3 were found to have specific antibodies to C1300S-3 cells by 51Cr release assay of complement dependent cytotoxicity. Newborn mice, 24 hours after birth from immunized or nonimmunized mothers, were inoculated with 1 x 10(3) C1300S-3 NB cells. The same antibody that was assayed in the immunized mothers was detected in this offspring by the antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). The tumor incidence in the offspring of the immunized mothers was found to be less than that of the offspring of the nonimmunized mothers. This study suggests that the lower tumor incidence in the offspring of immunized mothers compared with offspring of nonimmunized mothers may be attributed to their ADCC activity. Furthermore, the antibody that has the ADCC activity was proven to be immunoglobulin G by a serum absorption test using IgG absorbant. This study offers insight into the relationship between transported mother-infant immunoglobulins and on its potential control of NB.

Malignant pheochromocytoma with multiple hepatic metastases treated by chemotherapy and transcatheter arterial embolization.

A 62-year-old Japanese male developed multiple hepatic metastases two years after resection of pheochromocytoma of the right adrenal gland. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed for the purpose of the treatment of hepatic metastases resistant to 27 cycles of combined chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine. After TAE, the hepatic metastatic lesions decreased in size and hypertension passed its crisis. The present case suggests the utility of TAE for multiple hepatic metastases under careful blood pressure monitoring.

Pulmonary arterial lesions in Takayasu arteritis: relationship of inflammatory activity to scintigraphic findings and sequential changes.

In order to investigate the relationship between inflammatory activity and pulmonary arterial changes in Takayasu arteritis and the progression of the disease, we retrospectively reviewed 110 perfusion lung scans obtained by using 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin in a total of 57 patients. The scintigraphic findings were compared with the inflammatory activity and clinical course. Inflammatory activity was determined on the basis of the physical findings and laboratory data, i.e., the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) value. Scintigraphic abnormality was seen in 32 (56%) of the patients. The incidence of scintigraphic abnormality in the patients with active inflammation (7 of 21 patients, 33%) was lower than that in the patients in the chronic stage (22 of 32, 69%) (p < 0.02). Six of 22 patients who had undergone more than one scintigraphic examination showed progression in the scintigraphic findings. Four of the 6 patients showed relapse clinically, and corticosteroid medication could not be withdrawn from them. The lower incidence of scintigraphic abnormality in the patients with active inflammation suggests that in the acute phase no stenotic or occlusive changes in the pulmonary artery have yet been produced. Pulmonary arterial lesions can progress. The incidence of progression may be slightly higher in the patients who have had a relapse after corticosteroid therapy than in those who remained in remission after therapy or who were in the chronic stage, although neither difference was significant.

Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm converted from pseudocyst: transcatheter embolization and serial CT assessment.

We present a case of pancreatic pseudoaneurysm converted from a pseudocyst. Contrast-enhanced CT disclosed a round enhancing lesion at the previously identified pseudocyst, and angiography confirmed the diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated by arterial embolization. We believe arterial embolization to be the treatment of choice for pseudoaneurysm as a complication of pancreatitis.

Fibrous adhesions in the joint compartment of the temporomandibular joint associated with experimental opposite drawing mandibular ramus in rabbit.

The purpose of this study was to develop a rabbit model of fibrous adhesions in the joint compartment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without surgical invasion into the joint compartment. A unilaterally elastic force of about 120 grams was applied from the anterior edge of masseteric tuberosity to the posterior part of the zygomatic arch between the masseteric fascia layer and the subcutaneous layer in 14 rabbits. The blocks of nondrawing side TMJ were removed after four weeks. Fibrous adhesions were observed in 13 rabbits except for one rabbit that lost over 30% of its body weight. In eight of the rabbits, the adhesions were detected in both joint compartments. This animal model for fibrous adhesion of the TMJ will be useful in understanding the pathogenesis of adhesion in human TMJs.