PTX3 genetic variations affect the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway colonization in cystic fibrosis patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-threatening autosomal recessive disorder in the Caucasian population, and the gene responsible is the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Patients with CF have repeated bacterial infection of the airways caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), which is one of the predominant pathogen, and endobronchial chronic infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a gene that encodes the antimicrobial protein, PTX3, which is believed to have an important role in innate immunity of lung. To address the role of PTX3 in the risk of PA lung colonization, we investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms of PTX3 gene in 172 Caucasian CF patients who were homozygous for the F508del mutation. We observed that PTX3 haplotype frequencies were significantly different between patients with PA colonization, as compared with noncolonized patients. Moreover, a protective effect was found in association with a specific haplotype (odds ratio 0.524). Our data suggest that variations within PTX3 affect lung colonization of Pseudomonas in patients with CF.

Charmed baryonium.

We reanalyze the published data on the Y(4630)-->Lambda(c) Lambda(c) and the Y(4660)-->psi(2S)pi pi with a consistent ansatz and we find that the two observations are likely to be due to the same state Y(B), produced via initial state radiation (ISR), with M(Y(B))=4660.7+/-8.7 MeV and Gamma(Y(B))=61+/-23 MeV. Under this hypothesis and reanalyzing the e+e- -->J/psi pi pi gamma(ISR) spectrum we find B(Y(B))-->Lambda(c) Lambda(c))/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)pi pi)=117+/-44, B(Y(B))-->J/psi pi pi)/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)pi pi)<0.46@90% C.L., B(Y(4350)-->J/psi pi pi)/B(Y(4350)-->psi(2S)pi pi)<3.4x10(-3)@90% C.L., and B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)sigma)/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)f0)=2.0+/-0.3. These conclusions strongly support the hypothesis of Y(B) being the first observation of a charmed baryonium constituted by four quarks. Analyzing the mass spectrum we show that Y(4350) and Y(B) are, respectively, consistent with the ground state and first radial excitation of the l=1 state.

Is the X(3872) production cross section at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV compatible with a Hadron molecule interpretation?

The X(3872) is universally accepted to be an exotic hadron. In this Letter, we assume that the X(3872) is a D(0)D(*0) molecule, as claimed by many authors, and attempt an estimate of its prompt production cross section at the Fermilab Tevatron. A comparison with Collider Detector at Fermilab data allows us to draw rather compelling quantitative conclusions about this statement.

Ultrasonography and echo-guided fine-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of focal fatty liver change.

The usefulness of ultrasound and echo-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in the diagnosis of focal fatty liver change (FFLC) is stressed, on the basis of a retrospective series of 21 patients (8 of whom with a past history of primary cancer), followed-up for a mean period of 13.7 months. FFLC presented with various echographic patterns, shapes, dimensions and localizations. In 17 patients the diagnosis of FFLC was made by FNB, yielding cytologic and/or histological samples with steatotic, but also normal, hepatocytes. In another 4 patients the diagnosis was made by echographic follow-up. In all patients, clinical, hematological and echographic follow-up excluded the onset of neoplastic disease, confirming the high specificity of FNB in diagnosing FFLC. The possibility of changing appearance over time, and the inconstant correlation of FFLC with known causes of hepatic steatosis are discussed, as well as the hypothesis that the focal defect seen with ultrasound, could be an area of normal hepatic tissue in a fatty liver. The authors affirm the necessity to perform FNB on each doubtful lesion, but certainly when the patient has a history of malignancy.

[Immunologic identification of Streptococcus mutans using microimmunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis technics]. / Identificación inmunológica de Streptococcus mutans por técnicas de microinmunodifusión y contrainmunoelectroforesis.

The St. mutans strains studied were: HS6 "a"; BHT "b"; IB "c"; B13 "d"; LM7 "e"; OMZ175 "f"; OMZ65 "g"; SL1 "SL"; 6715 "d/g". Immune sera and antigen preparation as well as antigen-antibody reactions were performed using the above-mentioned strains. The immune sera were obtained following Knox technique, including formolated immunogen with and without adjuvant. Linzer method was followed for rabbit immunization. The antigen extract were prepared according to Rantz and Randall method. The antigen-antibody reaction were carried out by microimmunodiffusion (MID) Ouchterlony technique and by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) according to De Torres method. A good correlation was found in the antigen-antibody reactions for the serotypes studied. MID and CIE revealed some cross-reactions, as already described by many investigators. The results obtained are compatible with St. mutans antigenic instability. The eight serotypes from St. mutans could possibly be reduced to four related groups: Group 1: serotypes "a-d-g-SL"; Group 2: serotype "e-f"; Group 3: serotype "c" (uncertain position: it can be related with group 1 or 2); Group 4: serotype "b". CIE is a convenient technique to be incorporated for immunological determination.

[Adherence test in relation to caries activity]. / Test de adherencia en relación con la actividad de caries.

The amount of streptococcus mutans in saliva has been suggested as a way of estimating caries activity (Klock; Krasse, 1979; Newbrum et al 1984; Sabelli, 1985; Thylstrop; Fejerskov, 1988). This study was carried out no evaluate the relationship between an adherence test (formation of streptococcus mutans colonies which allows to group individuals according to level of risk) with the caries activity was determine in 137 children and samples of saliva (0.1 ml) were obtained from each of them. They were processed in mitis salivarius sucrose al 37 degrees C. during 48 hours. According to the reaching each child caries activity was recorded as percentage of non-active caries in the mean values in each group were statistically analyzed using Kramer's extension of Duncan's test. Significant differences were found only between high and low level risk groups. In the care of extreme groups the test seems to be valuable form estimation of caries activity.

[Difference between dental plaque formation by Lactobacillus Sp. and Strep. mutans]. / Diferencia entre la placa dental formada in vitro por Lactobacillus sp. Strep, mutans

Human teeth were suspended in a basal medium with sucrose 10%; they were incudated for formation of dental plaques "in vitro". The microorganisms used were: Strep. mutans, Lactobacillus salivarius var. salivarius and a mixture of them. The following aspects were stablishad by scanning electron microscopy: 1) The teeth inoculated with Strep. mutans had coccoid forms, lying on an organic film with spheric spaces in some sectors, and irreguar forms in others (Fig. 1). 2) The teeth inoculated with Lactobacillus salivarius had rod forms attached to the adamantine surface (Fig. 2, 3). 3) Teeth incubated with the mixutre had rod forms over a granular film (Fig. 4). 4) The control teath did not have plaque (Fig. 5). This experience shows that the extracellular polisacharide, reticulated or granular (mutano) appeared only in teeth incubated with Strep. mutans alone (Fig. 1) or mixed with Lactobacillus (Fig. 4). On the other hand Lactobacillus appeared attached on the enamel surfaces, perhaps due to cohesive adhesive forces (Fig. 2). Two different interpretation or the formation of dental plaques that take place on the enamel free surfaces of teeth are presented.

Impaired clearance of cholephilic anions in Rotor syndrome.

The behaviour of some cholephilic anions has been studied in three male patients (two of whom are brothers) affected with Rotor syndrome. The unconjugated bilirubin clearance was markedly reduced with impairment of the plasma-liver transfer constant rate (uptake defect). BSP retention at 45 min. was elevated without late rise of the anion. Transport maximum ("Tm") of BSP was slightly reduced; relative hepatic storage capacity of BSP ("S") was significantly impaired. Plasmatic retention of 131-I-Rose Bengal was increased with a diminished hepatic uptake of the compound. The hepatic excretion of IDA-derivatives was impaired, but less for parabutyl-IDA than for diethyl-IDA. It is concluded that in Rotor syndrome there exists an alteration of uptake and storage of several cholephilic organic anions: the alteration is common not only to substances that undergo intracellular conjugation--such as bilirubin and BSP--but also to substances that are not metabolized--such as Rose Bengal and IDA--derivatives. Finally the authors suggest that the Rotor syndrome and so--called "Hepatic storage disease" are the same condition.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma.

Fine-needle biopsy of hepatic hemangioma is discussed on the basis of a series of 10 biopsies performed on eight patients. The fine needle biopsies were executed because of the atypical sonographic pattern of some lesions, or in order to exclude malignancy for others (five patients were known to have neoplasms). No complication presented during or after the punctures. In six cases cytologic samples included capillary vessels or endothelial cells, supplying the diagnosis of hemangioma. It is concluded that fine-needle biopsy of a hepatic hemangioma is not loaded with complications, and moreover can yield true positive information in 60% of cases.