Biodegradation ability of two selected microbial autochthonous consortia from a chronically polluted marine coastal area (Priolo Gargallo, Italy).

The aims of this study were: (i) the characterization of the structure of the indigenous microbial community associated with the sediments under study; (ii) the isolation and characterization of microbial consortia able to degrade the aged hydrocarbons contaminating the sediments, and (iii) the assessment of related biodegradation capability of selected consortia. Samples of surface sediments were collected in Priolo Gargallo harbour (Sicily, Italy). The samples were analysed for physical, chemical (GC-FID analysis) and microbiological characteristics (qualitative (16S rDNA clone library) and quantitative (DAPI, CFU and MPN count) analysis). The sediment samples were used for the selection of two microbial consortia (indicated as PSO and PSM) with high biodegradation capacity for crude oil (∼95%) and PAHs (∼63%) respectively. Genetic analysis showed that Alcanivorax and Cycloclasticus were the dominant genera in both the PSO and PSM consortia. Oil-polluted environments naturally develop an elevated biorecovery potential. The presence of a highly specialized microbial flora (adapted to support the contamination) and their stimulation through favourable induced conditions provides a promising recovery strategy. The chance to identify and select indigenous bacteria and/or consortia with a high biodegradation capacity is fundamental for the development and optimization of bioaugmentation strategies especially for those concerning in situ applications.

Biodegradation potentiality of psychrophilic bacterial strain Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T).

The present study is focused on assessing the growth and hydrocarbon-degrading capability of the psychrophilic strain Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T). This study considered six hydrocarbon mixtures that were tested for 22days at two different cultivation temperatures (4 and 15°C). During the incubation period, six sub-aliquots of each culture at different times were processed for total bacterial abundance and GC-FID (gas chromatography-flame ionization detection) hydrocarbon analysis. Results from DNA extraction and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining showed a linear increase during the first 18days of the experiment in almost all the substrates used; both techniques showed a good match, but the difference in values obtained was approximately one order of magnitude. GC-FID results revealed a substantial hydrocarbon degradation rate in almost all hydrocarbon sources and in particular at 15°C rather than 4°C (for commercial oil engine, oily waste, fuel jet, and crude oil). A more efficient degradation was observed in cultures grown with diesel and bilge water at 4°C.

Substituted tetraazaacenaphthylenes as potent CRF1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Two isomers of the hexahydro-tetraazaacenaphthylene templates (1 and 2) are presented as novel, potent, and selective corticotropin releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor antagonists. In this paper, we report the affinity and SAR of a series of compounds, as well as pharmacokinetic characterization of a chosen set. The anxiolitic activity of a selected example (2ba) in the rat pup vocalization model is also presented.

Shewanella sp. GA-22, a psychrophilic hydrocarbonoclastic antarctic bacterium producing polyunsaturated fatty acids.

AIMS: The effects of different growth media and temperature on production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by Shewanella sp. GA-22 were investigated. The attempts to characterize the GA-22 genes, homologous to those of PUFA biosynthesis gene cluster, was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Physiological and phylogenetic characterization of new Antarctic isolate GA-22 was performed. Total fatty acids were isolated from the cells growing under different conditions and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Using degenerated primers derived from the conserved regions within PUFA fatty acid synthase operons, five fragments of homological genes were amplified from GA-22 DNA, and two of them corresponding to pfaA and pfaC synthase subunits were sequenced. CONCLUSIONS: Strain GA-22 was shown to be able to produce three different PUFA: linoleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The PUFA production was temperature- and carbon source-dependent. The deduced gene products exhibited high similarity to corresponding fatty acid synthases PfaA and PfaC. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The PUFA production was detected on media supplemented with crude oil, gasoline and n-tetradecane. The apparent conservation of PUFA genes may point to the potential utilization of designed primers as functional markers in culture-independent ecological studies, and for initial screening in biotechnological fields.

Domiciliary treatment of febrile episodes in cancer patients: a prospective randomized trial comparing oral versus parenteral empirical antibiotic treatment.

Hospitalization and empirical broad-spectrum, intravenous antibiotics are the standard treatment for febrile cancer patients. Recent evidence supports the suggestion that febrile episodes in a low-risk population can be managed successfully in an outpatient setting, but the optimal drug regimen is unknown. In a prospective randomized clinical trial we compared ciprofloxacin 750 mg p.o. twice a day with ceftriaxone 2 g i.v. as a single daily dose for the empiric domiciliary treatment of febrile episodes in low-risk neutropenic and nonneutropenic cancer patients. A total of 173 patients, accounting for 183 febrile episodes, were enrolled in the study. Overall, successful outcomes were recorded for 76 of 93 (82%) febrile episodes in patients who were randomized to the oral regimen and for 68 of 90 (75%) febrile episodes in patients randomized to the i.v. regimen: this difference was not statistically significant. The success rate was similar in all subgroups of patients: neutropenic and nonneutropenic, with documented infection and with fever of unknown origin. There were 3 deaths in the group of patients treated with the parenteral regimen, and two of these were related to treatment failure. Both treatments were well tolerated, and the cost of the oral regimen was lower. This prospective study suggests that domiciliary antibiotic empiric monotherapy is feasible in febrile nonneutropenic or low-risk neutropenic outpatients in whom a bacterial infection is suspected, and that either an oral or a parenteral regimen can be used. A number of factors may influence the choice between an orally and an i.v.-administered antibiotic, but owing to the easier administration and lower cost, the oral regimen seems to be preferable.

Effect of selected antimutagens on the genotoxicity of antitumor agents.

Cyclophosphamide (CP), bleomycin (BL), doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CISP) are potent antitumor drugs used worldwide against many forms of human cancer. As with most such agents, there can be physiological side-effects and the possible induction of mutations and other genotoxic effects in non-tumor cells. It is common for patients to ingest a host of food supplements to diminish the discomforting side-effects of therapy. Because these food supplements are often also rich in antimutagens that could also affect the biological efficacy of the antitumor drugs, we investigated if such antimutagenic agents were indeed antimutagenic to these antitumor drugs. Using the Salmonella/microsome bioassay, we tested CP, BL, DOX, and CP for mutagenicity in the presence and absence of the antimutagens ascorbic acid (AA), chlorophyllin (CHL) and (+)-catechin (CAT). AA was a very effective antimutagen against CISP and less effective against BL and DOX. It was not antimutagenic to CP. CHL was effective as an antimutagen against all four antitumor drugs, and CAT was a strong inhibitor of DOX mutagenicity, but had little effect on BL, CP and CISP. These data now provide a basis for future in vivo antitumor/antimutagen combination studies to determine if these antimutagens function in a manner to reduce genetic effects without having concomitant effects on intended antitumorogenicity of these therapeutic agents.

The metabolic activation of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine by chlorophyll-containing plant extracts: the relationship between mutagenicity and antimutagenicity.

Chlorophyllin, the sodium and copper salt of chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b were tested for their ability to inhibit the mutagenic activity of the direct-acting mutagen 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NOP) and its plant-activated mutagenic enhancement. All three forms of chlorophyll were antimutagenic against both NOP and its plant-activated product, with chlorophyllin proving most effective. Chlorophyll-containing plant extracts, however, proved very efficient at activating NOP into a mutagen of greater potency. When these extracts were assayed for total chlorophyll content it was found that they contained far less chlorophyll than was required for an antimutagenic effect to occur. Thus, the balance between chemical mutagen activation and/or enhancement by chlorophyll-containing plant extracts and the potential antimutagenicity of these plant extracts is a function of chlorophyll concentration. The data presented here indicate that this balance must be taken into consideration in future studies investigating the efficacy of complex natural plant extracts as antimutagenic substances.

Chronic pelvic pain: psychosomatic aspects and clinico therapeutical reflections.

After describing the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain in women the Authors stress the importance of psychosomatic factors to the pathogenesis of chronic pelvic pain. Bearing this in mind it is easier to understand why the results of pharmacologic treatments often fail to come up to doctor's and patient's expectations. These limitations have often been stressed in the literature and several alternatives, like individual or group psychological treatment or, more recently, acupuncture, have been suggested. The Authors' proposal for treatment envisaged a dozen meetings to carry out skin reflexotherapy. Significant psychological elements came to light on those occasions and were subsequently discussed. The Authors' experience, though covering 15 cases only, is extremely encouraging and confirms the value of this reflexotherapeutical and psychosomatic approach which can really help patients who are chiefly alexitimic to overcome their problems.