Production of added-value microbial metabolites during growth of yeast strains on media composed of biodiesel-derived crude glycerol and glycerol/xylose blends.

A total of 11 yeast strains of Yarrowia lipolytica, Metschnikowia sp., Rhodotorula sp. and Rhodosporidium toruloides were grown under nitrogen-limited conditions with crude glycerol employed as substrate in shake flasks, presenting interesting dry cell weight (DCW) production. Three of these strains belonging to Metschnikowia sp. accumulated significant quantities of endopolysaccharides (i.e. the strain V.V.-D4 produced 11.0 g/L of endopolysaccharides, with polysaccharides in DCW ≈ 63% w/w). A total of six Y. lipolytica strains produced either citric acid or mannitol. Most of the screened yeasts presented somehow elevated lipid and polysaccharides in DCW values at the early steps of growth despite nitrogen appearance in the fermentation medium. Lipid in DCW values decreased as growth proceeded. R. toruloides DSM 4444 cultivated on media presenting higher glycerol concentrations presented interesting lipid-accumulating capacities (maximum lipid = 12.5 g/L, maximum lipid in DCW = 43.0-46.0% w/w, conversion yield on glycerol = 0.16 g/g). Replacement of crude glycerol by xylose resulted in somehow decreased lipid accumulation. In xylose/glycerol mixtures, xylose was more rapidly assimilated from glycerol. R. toruloides total lipids were mainly composed of triacylglycerols. Total cellular fatty acid composition on xylose presented some differences compared with that on glycerol. Cellular lipids contained mainly oleic and palmitic acid.

Endless research II. The genomic era. Neohippocratic Medicine.

The great progress of genetics research, during 2015-2017, will certainly influence all medical specialties including nuclear medicine. In nuclear medicine there are still problems to solve as to differentiate between infection, inflammation and cancer etc. Furthermore, in dosimetry and radiation protection there are worldwide problems. It has been reported that 64 Cu-cetuximab immune-PET represented EGFR expression levels in ESCC tumors and that 177 Lu-cetuximab radioimmunotherapy effectively inhibited the tumor growth. Recent important research findings and few related suggestions for further research are mentioned related to Gastroenterology, Neohippocratic Medicine, the Respiratory System, Neurology and the Hayflick phenomenon. Perhaps we now live in the genetics transformation era, the Genomie's Era.

Laparoscopy or retroperitoneoscopy: which is the best approach in pediatric urology?

The emergence of minimally invasive surgery about 20 years ago revolutionized pediatric urology. Advances in pediatric devices allowed the widespread use of minimally invasive techniques in almost the entire range of pediatric urology. In this context, laparoscopy and later retroperitoneoscopy were developed and applied in a wide spectrum of urological diseases. Both approaches have since presented benefits and disadvantages that have been documented in various series. However, few comparative studies have been conducted. The aim of this review is to compare the two approaches and establish which is preferable in each field of pediatric urology.

An endless research for 2016.

In a moment of reflection of the past year of 2015, as to what we have achieved in medical research and what we need to do in the future we realize that although we have performed an enormous progress in medical research in the past we still have to do much more. In nuclear medicine there are many problems to solve like, how can we differentiate between infection, inflammation and cancer or between lymphomas and adenocarcinomas. In bone scans we need to differentiate traumatic lesions acute or chronic and lesions from another origin. Dosimetry and radiation burden is another problem. In HJNM we have previously published related papers. Not to mention radiation sickness due to modern atomic or hydrogen bombs. Labeling antibodies and genetic material is another issue. Additionally, in general medical knowledge is still unable to solve many unknown, difficult or tragic problems of our lives, like cancer, some viral infections, research in immunology, collagen diseases, genetics, radiation treatment, psychological disorders, anesthetics, the Hayflick phenomenon, hypertension, asthma, the function of the gastrointestinal tract, infectious diseases, physical exercise, all of which are briefly mentioned. We hope that even under the present financial problems and considering that almost 90% of medical truth is still unknown, our research in 2016 will be very important. In this paper we also discuss means for a more genuine and effective research.

Radioisotopic and anatomical imaging approach of a primary non functioning liver paraganglioma.

Paragangliomas, also described as ectopic pheochromocytomas are infrequent neuroectodermal neoplasms that could be found wherever paraganglionic tissue exists. We present a rare case of a manifold non-functional primary hepatic paraganglioma in a 71 years old female. The combination of structural computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and of a functional modality, octreotide scan supported diagnosis. The role of nuclear medicine is crucial because it may help to determine future treatment in cases where there is suspicion of this tumour. However it has certain limitations, largely related to the physiological radionuclidic biodistribution. This case is described because of its relative rarity and also to emphasize the need to be studied by multidisciplinary collaboration.

A giant mesenteric lipoblastoma in an 18-month old infant: a case report and review of the literature.

Infantile lipoma (or lipoblastoma) of the mesentery is an extremely rare benign tumor of embryonal fat, with 15 cases reported in the English literature until today and only three of them arise from the ileum mesentery. We report an 18-month old boy presenting with a palpable intraabdominal mass arising from the ileum mesentery. Histopathologic and cytogenetic studies confirmed the diagnosis of mesenteric lipoblastoma (or infantile lipoma). Complete excision of the mass was performed. A follow-up examination consisting of physical examination and an abdominal ultrasound at 30 months postoperatively revealed no recurrence. We also present a review of the English literature regarding the presentation and management of mesenteric lipoblastomas in children.

Hydrocarbon pneumonitis following liquid paraffin aspiration during a fire-eating performance: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is an acute, intense pneumonitis resulting from aspiration of volatile hydrocarbon compounds with low viscosity and surface tension, most of which are members of the paraffin, naphthene and aromatic classes. CASE PRESENTATION: Six hours after participating in a party for teenagers, a 16-year-old boy developed dyspnea, cough, a fever (39 degrees C) and chest pain. A chest radiograph showed infiltration in the right middle lobe. The patient reported alcohol abuse during the party and an episode of vomiting a few hours thereafter. He also reported practicing a fire-eating performance at the party using liquid paraffin, but was unaware of inhaling any of it. The radiographic infiltration was diagnosed as an aspiration pneumonia and he was treated at the local health center with antibiotics. Five days later, because of clinical deterioration, he was referred to a pulmonary clinic. A chest computed tomography scan was performed which showed consolidation with an air bronchogram in the right middle lobe and areas of atelectasis and ground glass opacities in the middle and lower right lobes. Spirometry revealed severe restriction of lung function. A bronchoscopy revealed inflamed, hyperemic mucosa. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lipid-laden alveolar macrophages, which were detected by lipid staining, and neutrophilia. The patient was finally diagnosed with hydrocarbon pneumonitis and he was treated with systemic steroids and antibiotics. After 6 days of treatment there was complete clinical and significant radiologic regression. CONCLUSION: Hydrocarbon pneumonitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonias. Recent exposure to volatile hydrocarbons provides a basis for clinical diagnosis, as symptoms and radiologic findings are not specific.

Cervical thymic cysts.

Thymic cysts are rare embryonic remnants along the course of thymic migration in the neck or the anterior mediastinum which may result in cervical masses in children, often misdiagnosed. We present the experience gained by three European tertiary care medical centers in the treatment of thymic cysts as well as the current data on the embryology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of thymic cysts. A retrospective study was carried out in nine patients with thymic cysts during the period 1986-2002 at the departments of Pediatric Surgery of Children's University Hospital "Federico II" and "Santobono" Pediatric Hospital of Naples in Italy and "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital of Athens in Greece. All cases were asymptomatic, appearing mainly as masses resembling branchial cyst or lymphatic malformation. Laboratory and imaging investigations were not useful for preoperative diagnosis. In one case the mass extended into the mediastinum. The histological findings of thymic tissue and Hassal's corpuscles in the cystic wall were diagnostic. In all cases, surgery was successful and uneventful. Surgical excision was accomplished by dissection of the cystic masses from the jugular vein, carotid artery and vagus nerve and from the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The presence of a normal thymus in the mediastinum must be documented preoperatively in order to avoid the risk of total thymectomy. If a cervical thymic cyst extends into the normal thymus, attempts should be made to preserve the thymus, especially in younger patients. Thymic cysts should always be included in the differential diagnosis of lateral cervical masses, especially in children.