Isolation, identification, and screening of biosurfactant-producing and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from oil and gas industrial waste.

Qatar is one of the biggest oil and gas producers in the world, coupled with it is challenging environmental conditions (high average temperature: >40 °C, low annual rainfall: 46.71 mm, and high annual evaporation rate: 2200 mm) harbors diverse microbial communities that are novel and robust, with the potential to biodegrade hydrocarbons. In this study, we collected hydrocarbon contaminated sludge, wastewater and soil samples from oil and gas industries in Qatar. Twenty-six bacterial strains were isolated in the laboratory from these samples using high saline conditions and crude oil as the sole carbon source. A total of 15 different bacterial genera were identified in our study that have not been widely reported in the literature or studied for their usage in the biodegradation of hydrocarbons. Interestingly, some of the bacteria that were identified belonged to the same genus however, demonstrated variable growth rates and biosurfactant production. This indicates the possibility of niche specialization and specific evolution to acquire competitive traits for better survival. The most potent strain EXS14, identified as Marinobacter sp., showed the highest growth rate in the oil-containing medium as well as the highest biosurfactant production. When this strain was further tested for biodegradation of hydrocarbons, the results showed that it was able to degrade 90 to 100% of low and medium molecular weight hydrocarbons and 60 to 80% of high molecular weight (C35 to C50) hydrocarbons. This study offers many promising leads for future studies of microbial species and their application for the treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated wastewater and soil in the region and in other areas with similar environmental conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 was already circulating in Italy, in early December 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identified in China, in December 2019 determines COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19). Whether or not the virus was present in Italy earlier the first autochthonous COVID-19 case was diagnosed is still uncertain. We aimed to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in sera collected from 4th November 2019 to 9th March 2020, in order to assess the possible spread of the virus in Italy earlier than the first official national diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were evaluated in retrospective serum samples from 234 patients with liver diseases (Hep-patients) and from 56 blood donors (BDs). We used two rapid serologic tests which were confirmed by a validated chemoluminescence assay. RESULTS: Via rapid tests, we found 10/234 (4.3%) IgG-positive and 1/234 (0.4%) IgM-positive cases in the Hep-patient group. Two/56 (3.6%) IgG-positive and 2/56 (3.6%) IgM-positive cases were detected in BD group. Chemoluminescence confirmed IgG-positivity in 3 Hep-patients and 1 BD and IgM-positivity in 1 Hep-patient. RNAemia was not detected in any of the subjects, rendering the risk of transfusion transmission negligible. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an early circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy, before the first COVID-19 cases were described in China. Rapid tests have multiple benefits; however, a confirmation assay is required to avoid false positive results.

Randomised clinical study: GR-MD-02, a galectin-3 inhibitor, vs. placebo in patients having non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and resultant liver fibrosis is a major health problem without approved pharmacotherapy. Pre-clinical results of GR-MD-02, a galectin-3 inhibitor, suggested potential efficacy in NASH with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis and prompted initiation of a clinical development programme in NASH with advanced fibrosis. AIM: To evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and exploratory pharmacodynamic markers of GR-MD-02 in subjects having NASH with bridging fibrosis. METHODS: The GT-020 study was a first-in-human, sequential dose-ranging, placebo controlled, double-blinded study with the primary objective to assess the safety, tolerability and dose limiting toxicity of GR-MD-02, in subjects with biopsy-proven NASH with advanced fibrosis (Brunt stage 3). The secondary objectives were to characterise first-dose and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic profiles and to evaluate changes in potential serum biomarkers and liver stiffness as assessed by FibroScan. RESULTS: GR-MD-02 single and three weekly repeated of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg revealed no meaningful clinical differences in treatment emergent adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiographic findings or laboratory tests. Pharmokinetic parameters showed a dose-dependent relationship with evidence of drug accumulation following 8 mg/kg (~twofold). CONCLUSIONS: GR-MD-02 doses were in the upper range of the targeted therapeutic dose determined from pre-clinical data and were safe and well tolerated with evidence of a pharmacodynamic effect. These results provide support for a Phase 2 development programme in advanced fibrosis due to NASH.

The sample of choice for detecting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in asymptomatic dromedary camels using real-time reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction.

The newly identified Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory disease, particularly in people with comorbidities, requires further investigation. Studies in Qatar and elsewhere have provided evidence that dromedary camels are a reservoir for the virus, but the exact modes of transmission of MERS-CoV to humans remain unclear. In February 2014, an assessment was made of the suitability and sensitivity of different types of sample for the detection of MERSCoV by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for three gene targets: UpE (upstream of the E gene), the N (nucleocapsid) gene and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. Fifty-three animals presented for slaughter were sampled. A high percentage of the sampled camels (79% [95% confidence interval 66.9-91.5%, standard error 0.0625]; 42 out of 53) were shown to be shedding MERS-CoV at the time of slaughter, yet all the animals were apparently healthy. Among the virus-positive animals, nasal swabs were most often positive (97.6%). Oral swabs were the second most frequently positive (35.7%), followed by rectal swabs (28.5%). In addition, the highest viral load, expressed as a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 11.27, was obtained from a nasal swab. These findings lead to the conclusion that nasal swabs are the candidate sample of choice for detecting MERS-CoV using RT-PCR technology in apparently healthy camels.

Des travaux de recherche approfondis sont encore nécessaires concernant le coronavirus responsable du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient (MERSCoV), un virus identifié récemment et qui provoque des troubles respiratoires sévères en particulier chez les individus atteints de pathologies multiples. Les études effectuées au Qatar et ailleurs ont démontré que les dromadaires font office de réservoirs du virus ; toutefois, les modalités précises de la transmission du MERS-CoV à l'être humain demeurent obscures. En février 2014, une équipe de chercheurs a évalué l'adéquation et la sensibilité de plusieurs types d'échantillons pour détecter le MERS-CoV en utilisant l'amplification en chaîne par polymérase couplée à une transcription inverse en temps réel (RT-PCR) spécifique pour trois cibles génétiques, à savoir la séquence UpE (en amont du gène E), le gène N (nucléocapside) et le cadre de lecture ORF1a. Pour ce faire, divers prélèvements ont été effectués sur 53 dromadaires destinés à l'abattage. Un fort pourcentage de ces dromadaires (79 % [intervalle de confiance à 95 % compris entre 66,9 et 91,5 %, erreur standard : 0,0625], soit 42 sur 53) excrétaient le MERSCoV au moment de l'abattage, mais aucun ne présentait le moindre signe clinique. Les échantillons dans lesquels le plus de cas positifs ont été détectés étaient les écouvillons nasaux (97,6 %). Venaient ensuite les écouvillons oraux, qui ont détecté 35,7 % de cas positifs, puis les écouvillons rectaux (28,5 % de cas positifs détectés). Par ailleurs, ce sont les écouvillons nasaux qui ont permis d'obtenir l'intensité la plus élevée de la réponse de la RT-PCR, exprimée en une valeur du seuil de cycles de 11,27. Ces résultats permettent de conclure que les écouvillons nasaux sont les échantillons à privilégier pour la détection du MERS-CoV par RTPCR chez les dromadaires asymptomatiques.

Es preciso investigar más a fondo el coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV), recién identificado, que provoca una grave enfermedad respiratoria, sobre todo en personas con afecciones concomitantes. Estudios realizados en Qatar y otros lugares han deparado pruebas de que los dromedarios son un reservorio del virus, pero aún no están del todo claros los modelos exactos de transmisión del MERS-CoV al ser humano. Los autores describen un análisis realizado en febrero de 2014 de la idoneidad y sensibilidad de distintos tipos de muestra para detectar el MERS-CoV mediante una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa acoplada a transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RTPCR) dirigida contra tres genes: el gen UpE (upstream of the E gene: en dirección 5' desde el gen E); el gen N (nucleocápside) y el marco de lectura abierto (ORF) 1a. Para ello se tomaron muestras de 53 animales enviados al sacrificio. Se comprobó que un elevado porcentaje de los dromedarios analizados (un 79% [intervalo de confianza al 95%: 66,9­91,5%; error estándar: 0,0625], esto es, 42 de 53) excretaban virus en el momento del sacrificio, pese a que todos los animales parecían estar sanos. Entre los ejemplares positivos para el MERS-CoV, las muestras que con más frecuencia arrojaban resultado positivo eran los frotis nasales (97,6%). Las segundas, por orden de frecuencia, eran los frotis bucales (35,7%), seguidos de los frotis rectales (28,5%). Además, la carga viral más alta, expresada por un valor de ciclo umbral (Ct) (o punto de cruce) de 11,27, se obtuvo a partir de un frotis nasal. Estos resultados llevan a la conclusión de que los frotis nasales son el tipo de muestra más adaptado para detectar el MERS-CoV en dromedarios aparentemente sanos mediante la técnica de RT-PCR.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA and neutralising antibodies in milk collected according to local customs from dromedary camels, Qatar, April 2014.

Antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were detected in serum and milk collected according to local customs from 33 camels in Qatar, April 2014. At one location, evidence for active virus shedding in nasal secretions and/or faeces was observed for 7/12 camels; viral RNA was detected in milk of five of these seven camels. The presence of MERS-CoV RNA in milk of camels actively shedding the virus warrants measures to prevent putative food-borne transmission of MERS-CoV.

Controlled clinical study on the use of dichloromethylene diphosphonate in patients with breast carcinoma metastasizing to the skeleton.

Thirty-eight normocalcemic patients with bone metastases from breast carcinoma were randomized to receive dichloromethylene diphosphonate (CL2MDP) in addition to their specific antitumor treatment (chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy), at a dose of 300 mg/day/i.v. or placebo for the first 7 dys. The CL2MDP treatment then continued at a dose of 100 mg day/i.m. for 3 weeks and finally at 100 mg i.m. on alternate days for at least another 2 months. In both groups of patients there was a reduction in the intensity of pain (Scott-Huskisson analog), but there was a more frequent reduction in the daily consumption of analgesics in patients treated with CL2MDP (p = 0.02). Unlike the controls, the patients who received CL2MDP presented a significant reduction in urinary calcium (p = 0.003) and in hydroxyproline (p = 0.05) on the 7th day. As regards the clinical evolution, negative events such as the appearance of hypercalcemia, pathological fractures, new bone lesions or a substantial increase in the preexisting ones, were observed in 9 of the 12 evaluable patients treated with placebo and in 3 out of 9 treated with CL2MDP. Thickening of the preexisting osteolytic lesions was reported in 2 patients treated with CL2MDP. Tolerance was excellent: only a few patients complained of pain at the intramuscular drug injection site.