Potential assessment of probiotic Cystobasidium benthicum LR192 strain in mice.

Antibiotic bacterial resistant is a huge concern worldwide and probiotics offer an alternative to mitigate it. This study explores Cystobasidium benthicum LR192 as possible probiotic through microbiological and immunological analyses in mouse model. C. benthicum LR192 was isolated from lichens in a hyperarid environment in Baja California Sur, Mexico. First, microbiological analysis was assessed using 1 × 105 CFU/mL in YM broth: resistance to 1% of bile salts and pH of 2, 3 and 5 (control). Then, yeast capacity to adhere onto the intestinal mucosa and safety to mouse splenocytes were tested. Finally, immunological parameters (phagocytic ability, respiratory burst and myeloperoxidase activities, nitric oxide and IgG production) and immune-associated gene expression (IL-1ß, IL-6 and INF-γ) were determined in daily supplemented mice with the yeast (1 × 108 CFU) at days 10 and 15. The results indicate that C. benthicum LR192 has medium resistance to bile salts and low pH, can adhere to the intestine and did not cause cytotoxicity in splenocytes. Immune parameters and immune-related gene expression indicated immunomodulation at day 10 and 15, specially in leucocytes challenged with Escherichia coli. In conclusion, C. benthicum LR192 showed safe potential probiotic properties, but further studies should be performed to confirm it as a probiotic prospect for humans.

[Surgical management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la mediastinitis necrosante descendente.

INTRODUCTION: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious infection which occurs as a complication of oropharyngeal infection. Its surgical management and the routine transthoracic approach remain controversial. In this article we report our experience in the management of this disease, and review the different surgical approaches that have been reported in the medical literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was made of the clinical records of 29 patients treated between 1988 and 2009. Several demographic variables were analyzed, origin of the initial infection, stage of the disease according to Endo's classification, surgical technique and outcome. RESULTS: Surgical treatment consisted of both cervical and mediastinal drainage and radical debridement. The mediastinal drainage was made through a transcervical approach in 10 cases and transthoracic in 19, depending on the extent of the mediastinitis. The outcome was satisfactory in 24 patients and 5 died (mortality 17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results and the conclusions of the main authors, we recommend a prompt and aggressive surgery with a transthoracic approach in cases of widespread DNM.

Probiotic Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 8339 yeast enhanced immune responses in mice.

This study aimed to examine the effect of Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 8339 on innate immune responses in mice. Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (control) and two D. hansenii (Dh) doses: Dh 10ˆ6 CFU (colony forming units) and Dh 10ˆ8 CFU daily for 15 days. Spleen, blood, and gut samples were taken on days 7 and 15. Mouse splenocytes were isolated and challenged with Escherichia coli. Immunological assays and immune-related gene expressions were performed. Serum was obtained from blood for total IgA and IgG antibody titer determination. Gut samples were taken for yeast colonization assessment. Phagocytosis, respiratory burst activity, and nitric oxide production in mice were mainly enhanced (p < 0.05) upon 7 days of D. hansenii intake at a concentration of 10ˆ8 CFU before and after bacterial challenge. Moreover, oral D. hansenii in mice upregulated (p < 0.05) gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (INF-γ, IL-6 and IL-1ß) before or after E. coli challenge on day 7 but downregulated (p < 0.05) on day 15. Furthermore, total serum IgG and IgA titers were higher (p < 0.05) in Dh 10ˆ8 CFU at days 7 and 15, and only at day 7, respectively, than that in the other dose and control groups. Finally, D. hansenii was detected in the gut of mice that received the treatments, suggesting that yeast survived gastrointestinal transit. Altogether, a short period (7 days) of D. hansenii CBS 8339 oral delivery improved immune innate response on mice.

A Geometry-Based Welding Distortion Prediction Tool.

The prediction of welding distortion requires expertise in computer simulation programs, a clear definition of the nonlinear material properties, and mesh settings together with the nonlinear solution settings of a coupled thermal-structural analysis. The purpose of this paper is to present the validation of an automatic simulation tool implemented in Ansys using Python scripting. This tool allows users to automate the preparation of the simulation model with a reduced number of inputs. The goal was, based on some assumptions, to provide an automated simulation setup that enables users to predict accurate distortion during the welding manufacturing process. Any geometry prepared in a CAD software can be used as the input, which gave us much geometrical flexibility in the shapes and sizes to be modeled. A thermomechanical loosely coupled analysis approach together with element birth and death technology was used to predict the distortions. The automation of the setup enables both simulation and manufacturing engineers to perform welding-induced distortion prediction. The results showed that the method proposed predicts distortion with 80-98% accuracy.

Diagnosis efficacy of structural (CT) and functional (FDG-PET) imaging methods in the thoracic and extrathoracic staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of FDG-PET in the definition of tumour lung node lesions and to compare the diagnostic validity of CT and FDGPET in the staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of potentially resectable NSCLC (n = 108) were studied by standard procedures in our setting, including fibrobronchoscopy, transthoracic fine-needle aspiration, thoracoabdominal CT and FDG-PET. PET images were analysed by researchers blinded to results of other imaging modalities. Definitive tumour diagnosis was by histopathological study in patients who underwent surgery and by specific imaging methods and biopsy, when available, in patients who did not. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by comparing CT/PET results with the definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: In 13% of patients, no FDG-PET findings were observed and the histological study was negative for tumour. In 22% of patients, FDG-PET detected metastatic disease (M0 by CT). For mediastinal involvement, global diagnostic accuracy was 0.90 with FDG-PET and 0.59 with CT. False positive FDG-PET findings were produced by inflammatory conditions and false negative findings by the small size or proximity of lymph nodes to primary tumour. Mediastinal staging by CT and FDG-PET was correct in 56% and 87% of patients, respectively. CT indicated mediastinal invasion in 17% of patients with no FDG-PET finding of mediastinal involvement. Conversely, mediastinal spread was undetected by CT in 14% of patients with FDG-PET findings of mediastinal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although complementary, the functional method (FDG-PET) is significantly superior to the structural method (CT) for detection of mediastinal tumour disease.

Association of circulating tumour cells with early relapse and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography uptake in resected non-small-cell lung cancers.

OBJECTIVES: More than 20% of lung cancer patients develop a recurrence, even after curative resection. We hypothesized that relapse may arise from the dissemination of circulating tumour cells (CTCs). This study evaluates the significance of CTC detection as regards the recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in surgically resected patients. Secondly, we investigated the association between CTCs and the uptake of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by the primary tumour on a positron emission tomographic (PET) scan. METHODS: In this single-centre prospective study, blood samples for analysis of CTCs were obtained from 102 patients with Stage I-IIIA NSCLC both before (CTC1) and 1 month after (CTC2) radical resection. CTCs were isolated using immunomagnetic techniques. The presence of CTCs was correlated with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured on preoperative FDG PET/computed tomographic scans. Recurrence free survival (RFS) analysis was performed. RESULTS: CTCs were detected in 39.2% of patients before and in 27.5% 1 month after the operation. The presence of CTCs after the operation was significantly correlated with SUVmax on PET scans, pathological stage and surgical approach. Only SUVmax was an independent predictor for the presence of CTC2 on multivariate analysis. Postoperative CTCs were significantly correlated with a shorter RFS ( P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, the presence of CTC2 was associated with RFS, independent of disease staging. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of CTCs 1 month after radical resection might be a useful marker to predict early recurrence in Stage I-III NSCLC. The SUVmax value of the primary tumour on preoperative PET scans was associated with the presence of CTC 1 month after the operation.

Circulating Tumor Cells Identify Early Recurrence in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Radical Resection.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages I-IIIA. However, more than 20% of these patients develop recurrence and die due to their disease. The release of tumor cells into peripheral blood (CTCs) is one of the main causes of recurrence of cancer. The objectives of this study are to identify the prognostic value of the presence and characterization of CTCs in peripheral blood in patients undergoing radical resection for NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 56 patients who underwent radical surgery for previously untreated NSCLC were enrolled in this prospective study. Peripheral blood samples for CTC analysis were obtained before and one month after surgery. In addition CTCs were phenotypically characterized by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. RESULTS: 51.8% of the patients evaluated were positive with the presence of CTCs at baseline. A decrease in the detection rate of CTCs was observed in these patients one month after surgery (32.1%) (p = 0.035). The mean number of CTCs was 3.16 per 10 ml (range 0-84) preoperatively and 0.66 (range 0-3) in postoperative determination. EGFR expression was found in 89.7% of the patients at baseline and in 38.9% patients one month after surgery. The presence of CTCs after surgery was significantly associated with early recurrence (p = 0.018) and a shorter disease free survival (DFS) (p = .008). In multivariate analysis CTC presence after surgery (HR = 5.750, 95% CI: 1.50-21.946, p = 0.010) and N status (HR = 0.296, 95% CI: 0.091-0.961, p = 0.043) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. CONCLUSION: CTCs can be detected and characterized in patients undergoing radical resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Their presence might be used to identify patients with increased risk of early recurrence.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la mediastinitis necrosante descendente / Surgical management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis

Introducción La mediastinitis necrosante descendente (MND) consiste en una infección grave que aparece como complicación de una infección orofaríngea. Aún existe controversia a propósito del tratamiento quirúrgico y si está indicado un abordaje transtorácico rutinario. En este artículo presentamos nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de la mediastinitis necrosante descendente y revisamos en la bibliografía las diferentes opciones de abordaje propuestas. Material y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de los pacientes con mediastinitis necrosante descendente intervenidos entre 1988 y 2009. Se analizan variables demográficas, origen de la infección, estadio de la enfermedad según la clasificación de Endo, técnica quirúrgica realizada y evolución. Resultados En dicho periodo se intervino a 29 pacientes. El tratamiento quirúrgico consistió en el drenaje y desbridamiento radical a nivel cervical y mediastínico. El drenaje mediastínico se realizó por vía transcervical en 10 casos y transtorácica en 19, en función de la extensión de la mediastinitis. De ellos, 24 presentaron buena evolución y 5 fallecieron (mortalidad 17,2%).Conclusiones De acuerdo con nuestros resultados y las conclusiones de los principales autores, se debe realizar un tratamiento quirúrgico precoz y agresivo que incluya un abordaje transtorácico en casos de mediastinitis extendida (AU)

Introduction Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious infection which occurs as a complication of oropharyngeal infection. Its surgical management and the routine transthoracic approach remain controversial. In this article we report our experience in the management of this disease, and review the different surgical approaches that have been reported in the medical literature. Material and methods A retrospective review was made of the clinical records of 29 patients treated between 1988 and 2009. Several demographic variables were analyzed, origin of the initial infection, stage of the disease according to Endo's classification, surgical technique and outcome. Results Surgical treatment consisted of both cervical and mediastinal drainage and radical debridement. The mediastinal drainage was made through a transcervical approach in 10 cases and transthoracic in 19, depending on the extent of the mediastinitis. The outcome was satisfactory in 24 patients and 5 died (mortality 17.2%).Conclusions According to our results and the conclusions of the main authors, we recommend a prompt and aggressive surgery with a transthoracic approach in cases of widespread DNM (AU)

Implantación de un método para detectar microalbuminuria con los recursos del laboratorio clínico de un hospital general de segundo nivel en el modelo de albuminuria inducida por el ejercicio en voluntarios sanos / Implementation of a method for detecting exercise induced microalbuminuria using the resources of a second level general hospital, in healthy volunters

La microalbuminuria es un rasgo de la enfermedad renal incipientes, que tiene valor pronóstico y puede reflejar alteraciones sistémicas del endotelio vascular. Su determinación requiere tecnología fuera del alcance de muchos hospitales en nuestro medio. Se describe un método para medir la excreción urinaria de albúmina con los recursos propios de un laboratorio de hospital general. Pre y posergometría en 17 voluntarios sanos, se determinó la excreción urinaria de albúmina por electroforesis en placa de acetato de celulosa, con elución posterior y medición densitométrica óptica en espectrofotómetro. El método detectó niveles de albuminuria aún por debajo de 20 mgc/min. Hubo una relación directa entre la carga de ejercicio realizado y la excreción urinaria de albúmina. Se propone el método como una alternativa para la detección de microalbuminuria con fines asistenciales y de investigación clínica