Densely Populated Water Droplets in Heavy-Oil Seeps.

Most of the microbial degradation in oil reservoirs is believed to take place at the oil-water transition zone (OWTZ). However, a recent study indicates that there is microbial life enclosed in microliter-sized water droplets dispersed in heavy oil of Pitch Lake in Trinidad and Tobago. This life in oil suggests that microbial degradation of oil also takes place in water pockets in the oil-bearing rock of an oil leg independent of the OWTZ. However, it is unknown whether microbial life in water droplets dispersed in oil is a generic property of oil reservoirs rather than an exotic exception. Hence, we took samples from three heavy-oil seeps, Pitch Lake (Trinidad and Tobago), the La Brea Tar Pits (California, USA), and an oil seep on the McKittrick oil field (California, USA). All three tested oil seeps contained dispersed water droplets. Larger droplets between 1 and 10 µl revealed high cell densities of up to 109 cells ml-1 Testing for ATP content and LIVE/DEAD staining showed that these populations consist of active and viable microbial cells with an average of 60% membrane-intact cells and ATP concentrations comparable to those of other subsurface ecosystems. Microbial community analyses based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed the presence of known anaerobic oil-degrading microorganisms. Surprisingly, the community analyses showed similarities between all three oil seeps, revealing common OTUs, although the sampling sites were thousands of kilometers apart. Our results indicate that small water inclusions are densely populated microhabitats in heavy oil and possibly a generic trait of degraded-oil reservoirs.IMPORTANCE Our results confirmed that small water droplets in oil are densely populated microhabitats containing active microbial communities. Since these microhabitats occurred in three tested oil seeps which are located thousands of kilometers away from each other, such populated water droplets might be a generic trait of biodegraded oil reservoirs and might be involved in the overall oil degradation process. Microbial degradation might thus also take place in water pockets in the oil-bearing oil legs of the reservoir rock rather than only at the oil-water transition zone.

Genome-wide linkage scan of bipolar disorder in a Colombian population isolate replicates Loci on chromosomes 7p21-22, 1p31, 16p12 and 21q21-22 and identifies a novel locus on chromosome 12q.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bipolar disorder (BP) is a severe psychiatric illness, characterised by alternating episodes of depression and mania, which ranks among the top ten causes of morbidity and life-long disability world-wide. We have previously performed a whole-genome linkage scan on 6 pedigrees segregating severe BP from the well-characterised population isolate of Antioquia, Colombia. We recently collected genotypes for the same set of 382 autosomal microsatellite markers in 9 additional Antioquian BP pedigrees. Here, we report the analysis of the combined pedigree set. METHODS: Linkage analysis using both parametric and nonparametric approaches was conducted for 3 different diagnostic models: severe BP only (BPI); mood disorders (BPI, BPII and major depression); and psychosis (operationally defined by the occurrence of at least 1 episode of hallucinations and/or delusions). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For BPI only, the most interesting result was obtained for chromosome 7p21.1-p22.2 under a recessive model of inheritance (heterogeneity LOD score = 2.80), a region that had previously been linked to BP in a study on Portuguese Island families. For both BPI and mood disorders, nonparametric analyses identified a locus on chromosome 12ct-q14 (nonparametric linkage = 2.55 and 2.35, respectively). This locus has not previously been reported as a candidate region for BP. Additional candidate regions were found on chromosomes 1p22-31 (mood disorders) and 21q21-22 (BPI), 2 loci that have repeatedly been implicated in BP susceptibility. Linkage analysis of psychosis as a phenotype identified candidate regions on chromosomes 2q24-31 and 16p12-q12. The finding on chromosome 16p is noteworthy because the same locus has been implicated by genome-wide association analyses of BP.

A narrow and highly significant linkage signal for severe bipolar disorder in the chromosome 5q33 region in Latin American pedigrees.

We previously reported linkage of bipolar disorder to 5q33-q34 in families from two closely related population isolates, the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) and Antioquia, Colombia (CO). Here we present follow up results from fine-scale mapping in large CVCR and CO families segregating severe bipolar disorder, BP-I, and in 343 population trios/duos from CVCR and CO. Employing densely spaced SNPs to fine map the prior linkage peak region increases linkage evidence and clarifies the position of the putative BP-I locus. We performed two-point linkage analysis with 1134 SNPs in an approximately 9 Mb region between markers D5S410 and D5S422. Combining pedigrees from CVCR and CO yields a LOD score of 4.9 at SNP rs10035961. Two other SNPs (rs7721142 and rs1422795) within the same 94 kb region also displayed LOD scores greater than 4. This linkage peak coincides with our prior microsatellite results and suggests a narrowed BP-I susceptibility regions in these families. To investigate if the locus implicated in the familial form of BP-I also contributes to disease risk in the population, we followed up the family results with association analysis in duo and trio samples, obtaining signals within 2 Mb of the peak linkage signal in the pedigrees; rs12523547 and rs267015 (P = 0.00004 and 0.00016, respectively) in the CO sample and rs244960 in the CVCR sample and the combined sample, with P = 0.00032 and 0.00016, respectively. It remains unclear whether these association results reflect the same locus contributing to BP susceptibility within the extended pedigrees.

Oral manifestation of cytomegalovirus associated with herpes simplex virus in renal transplant recipient.

We report a case of a renal transplant recipient who presented with oral lesions associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). This female patient, who underwent a living donor renal transplant 26 months prior, presented with a painful buccal lesion after an episode of leukopenia. The search for CMV antigen was negative. A biopsy incision was made in the mucous membrane and the material collected by scarification was sent for polymerase chain reaction PCR, anatomic, pathological, and cytological exams. The lab results showed infections with CMV, HSV, and Candida albicans. Thus, the treatment involved the use of acyclovir (1 g a day for 10 days), topical Nystatin gargles (six times a day), and an aqueous solution of chlorexidine (0.12%), as well as laser therapy. After the adoption of these therapeutic modalities, there was complete remission of the buccal lesions. The odontological routine follow-up and early treatment of oral complications deriving from the immunosuppressive therapy contributed to a significant outcome.

Immunosuppression with generic tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in renal transplant recipients: preliminary report in Chile.

The association of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in renal transplant patients has diminished the incidence of acute rejection. We evaluated the use of generic TAC and MMF as primary immunosuppression in 6 living related (LR) and 11 cadaveric (C) donor renal transplant recipients (9 men, 8 women) of mean age 37 +/- 12 years (range, 17-56 years) between May 2006 and June 2007. From day 0 all patients received TAC, MMF, and prednisone without antibody induction. They were followed for the development of acute rejection, graft loss, side effects, and mortality. Mean follow-up was 7.6 months (range, 2-15 months). No biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes, graft loss, or recipient deaths were observed. Creatinine levels at the end of the study were 1.90 +/- 1.0 mg/dL (range, 0.62-4.25 mg/dL for C recipients and 1.19 +/- 0.15 mg/dL (range, 0.91-1.35 mg/dL) for LR recipients. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 130/73 mm Hg with 12 patients (70.5%) on antihypertensive therapy with calcium antagonists and beta-blockers. Mean (range) of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were 172 (110-244) mg/dL, 139 (69-277) mg/dL, and 89 (63-129) mg/dL, respectively. MMF was suspended in 1 patient due to diarrhea and 1 other because of leukopenia. We observed that generic TAC and MMF yielded effective and safe immunosuppression in terms of mortality, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and graft loss with a low incidence of adverse effects during the study period.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid in kidney transplant patients: a abbreviated sampling strategy.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) levels have demonstrated a good correlation with clinical outcomes, but with great pharmacokinetic variability between patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended to include a 12-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Since full AUC estimates are not practical for routine monitoring, limited sampling strategies have been suggested. We evaluated MPA pharmacokinetics in 18 stable renal transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as part of their immunosuppressive therapy. The correlation between measured and estimated AUC was assessed using 4 different sparse sampling algorithms. The mean values for C(0) and AUC(0-6h) were 1.8 +/- 1.2 mg/L and 31.1 +/- 14.8 mg*h/L, respectively. The dose-corrected AUC(0-6h) was 35.4 +/- 17.9 mg*h/L. Regarding the single time points, C(0) showed a low correlation with AUC(0-6h) (r(2) = .34); C(1.5), the best correlation (r(2) = .72); and C(3), the worst (r(2) = .07). Sparse sample algorithms used to estimate 12-hour AUC including C(0), C(1), C(2), C(3), C(4), and/or C(6) showed a good correlation with the calculated AUC(0-6) (r(2) = .81-.96). The algorithm that used C(0), C(1), C(2), and C(4) showed the best correlation, but we also found a good correlation (r(2) = .91) with C(0), C(1), and C(2). Based on these results, we have suggested using the 3-point algorithm (C(0), C(1), and C(2)) for MPA TDM in stable renal transplant patients due to the good correlation with drug exposure and better functionality than an algorithm using a 4-hour postdose measurement.

Serological status for Chlamydophila psittaci, Newcastle disease virus, avian polyoma virus, and Pacheco disease virus in scarlet macaws (Ara macao) kept in captivity in Costa Rica.

From 1998 to 1999, a total of 128 blood samples were collected from scarlet macaws (Ara macao), kept in captivity in 11 different aviaries located in six provinces of Costa Rica. The sera were examined for antibodies directed against Chlamydophila psittaci, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian polyoma virus (APV), and Pacheco disease virus (PDV). Testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), showed 16 (12.39%) of the samples (n = 129) exhibited antibodies directed against C. psittaci. Employing haemagglutination inhibition tests for NDV antibodies, all of the samples were found to be negative. The prevalence of antibodies specific for APV was tested with a blocking ELISA and serum neutralization tests (SNT) and 12 of 128 samples (9.37%) were found to be positive with both tests. In SNT, two out of 128 samples (1.56%) were positive for PDV. This is the first description of the serological status in scarlet macaws in captivity in Costa Rica. The study demonstrates the absence of NDV antibodies in the birds investigated on one hand, but also indicates a health hazard for numerous avian species due to the risk of infections with C. psittaci, APV or PDV.

[Severe and recent hyponatremia and hypokalemia associated to the use of hydrochlorothiazide, enalapril and citalopram. Clinical case]. / Hiponatremia e hipokalemia graves, recientes, asociadas a hidroclorotiazida, enalaprila y citalopram. Caso clínico.

We report a 72 years old hypertensive female, treated with enalapril 10 mg/day and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day during three years. She presented a depressive disorder and cytalopram was prescribed in a dose of 10 mg/day. Two weeks before admission, a serum electrolyte analysis disclosed normal results and the cytalopram dose was increased to 20 mg/day. The patient was admitted with a hyponatremic encephalopathy with a plasma sodium of 100 mEq/L and a plasma potassium of 2.0 mEq/L. Cytalopram, enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide were discontinued, hypertonic NaCl and KCl were administered. The patient had a favorable evolution with a remarkable improvement of her symptoms.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phoma cava. Report of a case and review of the literature.

We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis observed in a male patient presenting pulmonary sarcoidosis and submitted to corticosteroid treatment. He presented nodular erythematous-violaceous skin lesions in the dorsum of the right hand. Histopathological examination of the biopsied lesion revealed dematiaceous hyphae and yeast-like cells, with a granulomatous tissual reaction. The isolated fungus was identified as Phoma cava. A review of the literature on fungal infection caused by different Phoma species, is presented. The patient healed after therapy with amphotericin B. followed by itraconazole.

Subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by Acremonium recifei: case report.

We present a case of subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis due to Acremonium recifei, a species whose habitat is probably the soil, first identified in 1934 by Arêa Leão and Lobo in a case of podal eumycetoma with white-yellowish grains and initially named Cephalosporium recifei. A white immunocompetent female patient from the state of Bahia, Brazil, with a history of traumatic injury to the right hand is reported. The lesions was painless, with edema, inflammation and the presence of fistulae. Seropurulent secretion with the absence of grains was present. Histopathological examination of material stained with hematoxylin-eosin showed hyaline septate hyphae. A culture was positive for Acremonium recifei. Treatment with itraconazole, 200 mg/day, for two months led to a favorable course and cure of the process. We report for the first time in the literature a case of subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis due to Acremonium recifei in a immunocompetent woman. Treatment with itraconazole 200 mg/day, for two months, resulted in cure.

Rhinofacial zygomycosis caused by Conidiobolus coronatus. A case report.

A case of rhinofacial zygomycosis with of years duration, caused by Conidiobolus coronatus is described. The patient, a 72-years-old woman, presented with a bilateral distortion of the subcutaneous tissue and disfigurement of the face. Treatment with ketoconazole and potassium iodide did not prevent several relapses. At present she is still under treatment with fluconazole with clinical healing. Histopathological and mycological examination confirmed the dermatological diagnosis. An increasing number of cases of zygomycosis caused by fungi of the order Entomophthorales have also been reported in the Northern and Northeastern States of Brazil.

Paniculite de Weber-Christian tratada com sulfona. Apresentacao de dois casos. / Weber-Christian panniculitis treated with sulfone. Report of 2 cases

Duas doentes com paniculite de Weber-Christian foram submetidas a varios tipos de tratamento, sem sucesso. Tentou-se entao o uso de 4-4-diamino-difenil-sulfona, na dose de 100mg para a primeira doente (mulher de 22 anos) e 50mg para a segunda doente (menina de 8 anos). Os resultados foram quase imediatos com remissao completa do quadro clinico; esta remissao persiste apos 10 e 9 meses de tratamento ininterrupto com sulfona, respectivamente, para a primeira e a segunda doente

Localizacion de la necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum en el cuero cabelludo. / Localization of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum on the scalp

En el presente trabajo se expone la observacion de un enfermo con necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum del cuero cabelludo; a proposito de esta observacion fue hecha una revision de la bibliografia. Fueron encontrados ocho casos ya descriptos, siendo este el noveno caso publicado. Tal casuistica nos permitio poner en evidencia las caracteristicas muy peculiares de la NLD en esta localizacion: a) bajo el punto de vista clinico, las lesiones en el cuero cabelludo habitualmente toman un aspecto esclerodermiforme o cicatricial con acentuada alopecia; b) bajo el punto de vista histopatologico existe gran tendencia a la formacion de granulomas de tipo sarcoidico.Este hecho fue observado con 7 de los 9 enfermos descriptos; c) en la mayoria de los pacientes, quedo en evidencia su relacion con la diabetes; d) en cuanto al sexo, siete de los nueve eran mujeres

Localizacion de la necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum en el cuero cabelludo. / Localization of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum on the scalp

En el presente trabajo se expone la observacion de un enfermo con necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum del cuero cabelludo; a proposito de esta observacion fue hecha una revision de la bibliografia. Fueron encontrados ocho casos ya descriptos, siendo este el noveno caso publicado. Tal casuistica nos permitio poner en evidencia las caracteristicas muy peculiares de la NLD en esta localizacion: a) bajo el punto de vista clinico, las lesiones en el cuero cabelludo habitualmente toman un aspecto esclerodermiforme o cicatricial con acentuada alopecia; b) bajo el punto de vista histopatologico existe gran tendencia a la formacion de granulomas de tipo sarcoidico.Este hecho fue observado con 7 de los 9 enfermos descriptos; c) en la mayoria de los pacientes, quedo en evidencia su relacion con la diabetes; d) en cuanto al sexo, siete de los nueve eran mujeres