Thyroid neoplasms: surgical and cyto-histopathological connections on a six year cases study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the percentage of cyto-histologic correlation in patients with a thyroid disease documented through clinical-instrumental, cytological (FNAB), histological and surgical examinations. The purpose of this study is also to determine the percentage of disease incidence and evaluating any surgical indication in relation to biological behavior (benign, malignant or indeterminate lesions, occult carcinomas), sex, and age. BACKGROUND: Almost all of thyroid neoplasms is manifested through thyroid nodule. Therefore, clinical evidence of the thyroid nodule analysis is primarily related to the need to exclude malignant pathology or carcinoma of the thyroid, present in 4-6.5% of cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The trial was conducted analyzing the data including cytological and histology thyroid reports recorded from 1 March 2010 to 1 March 2016, for a total of 5,956 reports. To determine the cyto-histological correlations, have been considered eligible all patients of both sexes, that have performed at least one cytologic exam followed by an histologic exam. Thus, the total number of the cases studied is 554 cases. RESULTS: Cyto-histologic compliance was 93% with a diagnostic accuracy of 4% higher than the literature examined. CONCLUSIONS: The results thus obtained show, furthermore, that there is a non-negligible percentage of thyroid disease with malignant biological behavior and involvement of male individuals. Therefore, the execution of the FNAB is of utmost importance for the purpose of a correct surgical indication.

Antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of a novel bacterial exopolysaccharide of shallow marine vent origin.

AIMS: To evaluate a novel exopolysaccharide (EPS1) from the recently described haloalkaliphilic, thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis strain T14, isolated from a shallow hydrothermal vent of Panarea Island (Italy), for its antiviral and immunomodulatory effects against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). METHODS AND RESULTS: EPS1-T14 hindered the HSV-2 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not in WISH cells, indicating that cell-mediated immunity was involved in the antiviral activity. High levels of Th1-type cytokines were detected in supernatants of EPS1-treated PBMC, while Th2-type cytokines were not induced. CONCLUSIONS: The novel EPS1-T14 is a water-soluble, noncytotoxic exopolymer able to stimulate the immune response and thus contribute to the antiviral immune defence, acting as immunomodulator. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The exopolysaccharide produced by B. licheniformis strain T14, stimulator of Th1 cell-mediated immunity, could be used as therapy in immunocompromised host.

Neurogenic bladder and disc disease: a brief review.

OBJECTIVE: Neurogenic bladder refers to morphofunctional alterations of the bladder-sphincter complex secondary to central or peripheral neurological lesions. Discal etiology can be suggested by clinical observation in patients complaining of classical lower back pain, but not excluded even without musculoskeletal pain. This review provides a brief overview of associations between neurogenic bladder and disc disease, analyzing neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, clinical and urodynamic findings. Therapy is reviewed focusing on etiological treatments. METHODS: The literature search was performed on PubMed, Medline and Google scholar using the following keywords: 'neurogenic bladder', 'disc herniation', 'disc prolapse', 'disc protrusion', 'cauda equina syndrome', 'treatment', 'surgery', 'urodynamic', either alone or in combination using 'AND' or 'OR'. The reference lists of articles retrieved were examined to capture other potentially relevant articles. The search was restricted to articles published between 1970 and 2012. Seventy-nine papers were found, but only 42 were reviewed and summarized. FINDINGS: The literature reviewed confirmed correlations between neurogenic bladder and disc disease. Approximately 40% of patients with lumbar disc disease have abnormal urodynamic testing, and an even larger proportion complain of voiding symptoms. The most common urodynamic finding is detrusor areflexia, but underactive or overactive detrusor can also be observed. Electromyography can show perineal floor muscle innervation abnormalities. Chronic nervous damage induces reduction of bladder sensitivity and detrusor atrophy. An overdistension of the bladder follows, with global and circumferential thinning of the bladder wall. Overactive detrusor is related to early nerve roots stretching causing an irritative state responsible for overstimulation and neurogenic overactivity. Detrusor hypertrophy is the anatomical deformation correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Benefits for neurogenic bladder obtained through disc disease treatment should be studied in more detail, especially conservative therapies, not yet discussed in literature. Spine surgery effectiveness on voiding function should be valued in the light of the latest surgical techniques, considering the controversial results reported after laminectomy.

New bacilli from shallow hydrothermal vents of Panarea Island (Italy) and their biotechnological potential.

AIMS: To characterize bacilli isolated from shallow hydrothermal vents of Panarea Island (Italy) and evaluate their biotechnological potential. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen isolates were characterized by culture and molecular methods. Eleven isolates were thermophilic, six isolates were alkalophilic and four of them were haloalkalophilic. After 16S rRNA gene sequencing, four strains, exhibiting sequence similarity below 95% with deposited strains, may represent novel species of bacilli. One strain was strictly related to Geobacillus subterraneus, but shared phenotypic characteristics for which it could be considered a new strain of this species. Four strains were affiliated with different Bacillus spp. Most isolates produced gelatinase, lipases and amylase, and some were mercury tolerant. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) production was tested adding different sugars (glucose, sucrose, trehalose, fructose, ribose, xylose and mannose, 1% w/v) as a carbon source in a minimal medium. The highest EPS yield (185 mg l(-1)) was reached by strain 1A70 utilizing ribose as a carbon source. CONCLUSIONS: Novel strains of Geobacillus and indigenous ribotypes of Bacillus with biotechnological potential inhabit shallow vents of Panarea Island. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: New strains of thermophilic bacilli from Panarea are producers of useful biomolecules for industrial purposes as well as environmental and biotechnological applications.

Conventional and molecular methods to detect bacterial pathogens in mussels.

AIM: To detect Aeromonas spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in mussels and water samples from a farming area, conventional and molecular methods were applied to enrichment cultures. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aerolysin gene (aero) of Aeromonas spp., the invasion plasmid antigen B (ipaB) gene of Salmonella spp., the enterotoxin secretion protein (epsM) gene of V. cholerae, the species-specific region of 16S rRNA gene of V. vulnificus, the 16S-23S rDNA (IGS) gene of V. parahaemolyticus and the pR72H fragment of V. parahaemolyticus were amplified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on DNA extracted from enrichment cultures. The haemolysin gene (tdh) of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was also amplified. Conventional culture method allowed the isolation of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus from water and mussels. The genes aero, epsM and 16S rRNA of V. vulnificus were occasionally detected in the enrichment cultures. In mussels, the ipaB and IGS genes were detected from June to September and from April to November, respectively. All genes, except aero, were amplified from mussels collected in September, when pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus (tdh+) strains were also isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex-PCR assays were more sensitive and faster than conventional procedures. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results emphasize the need of an accurate and rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in mussels to protect human health.

Specific detection of Arcobacter spp. in estuarine waters of Southern Italy by PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization.

AIM: To evaluate the reliability of culture-independent methods in comparison with culture-dependent ones for the detection of Arcobacter spp. in estuarine waters of Southern Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) procedures were used to detect arcobacters directly in water samples and after enrichment cultures. The samples totally were positive by molecular methods (PCR and FISH) but only 75% were culture positive, confirming the limitation of these latter to detect Arcobacter spp. in natural samples. Culturable arcobacters were retrieved in all times except in July, and isolated species were ascribed only to Arcobacter cryaerophilus. CONCLUSIONS: Culturable and nonculturable forms of Arcobacter in the estuarine environment were present. PCR assays were more sensitive than traditional culture in detecting Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus. FISH comparatively to PCR technique may provide information about cell morphology and viability of single cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our investigation indicates the existence of an environmental reservoir of potential pathogenic arcobacters in an estuarine Italian area, which may survive under a viable but not culturable state.

Molecular detection of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in clinical samples of pet cats from Southern Italy.

Bartonella henselae is considered an emerging pathogen of veterinary and medical interest that can be occasionally transmitted to humans. Cats are considered to be the only reservoir host for B. henselae. In this study, we used a nested-PCR assay to investigate the prevalence of B.henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae DNA in peripheral blood samples, fine needle lymph node aspirate specimens and oral swabs from 85 cats in order to develop an easy diagnostic strategy for the selection of infection-free cats that are being considered as pets, especially for immunocompromised patients. Overall, molecular analysis showed that 71 cats (83.5%) tested PCR positive for the presence of B. henselae DNA. PCR amplification of DNA B. henselae produced positive products from lymph node aspirate specimens (62/85; 72.9%) similar to those obtained from blood samples (60/85; 70.6%) and higher than those from oral swabs (51/85; 60%) of cats. No PCR product was obtained for B. clarridgeiae. The simultaneous analysis of three different clinical samples in our study increased the diagnostic possibilities for B. henselae infection in the examined cats from 60-72.9% to 83.5%. Lymph node aspirates were found to be the most effective clinical samples for the detection of B. henselae and blood samples were the next best. Oral swab samples were used in this study with good results when considered in combination with blood and/or lymph node aspiration. The use of nested-PCR assay on these three clinical samples may enhance the diagnostic sensitivity for bartonellosis in cats irrespective of the clinical status of animals.

Induction and resuscitation of viable nonculturable Arcobacter butzleri cells.

Two strains of Arcobacter butzleri, ATCC 49616 and an environmental isolate, became nonculturable in seawater microcosms at 4 degrees C by 20 days and at room temperature by 14 days. Nonculturable cells were viable for up to 270 days of incubation in microcosms. Resuscitation of A. butzleri cells from microcosms at both temperatures was achieved 9 days after nutrient addition.

[Transverse hemimelia of the lower right limb associated with sysmetrical malformations of the hands in a newborn infant]. / Emimelia trasversa dell'arto inferiore destro associata a malformazioni simmetriche delle mani in un neonato.

The authors report a newborn infant affected by terminal transverse hemimelia of the right lower limb, associated with symmetric malformations of the hands, simulating the "amniotic bands syndrome". The symmetric hand anomalies and the presence of slight malformations of the left lower limb lead us to think that the etiology of this case is genetic, probably related to a new mutation.

Enzyme immobilization on tritylagarose.

A method is described for the immobilization on tritylated agarose or Sepharose columns of a wide spectrum of enzymes, including types useful in contemporary biochemistry/molecular biology, many of which have never before been reported as immobilized. The method involves the formation of noncovalent hydrophobic bonds between the enzymes and trityl groups which are attached to the agarose by means of ether bonds. The immobilization of calf intestinal and E. coli alkaline phosphatases to tritylagarose is reported in detail. Their binding strength, binding capacity, and long-term stability (greater than six months) are described as a function of the salt concentration, pH, buffer type, and degree of agarose substitution. Homologies are noted between tritylagarose-bound and membrane-bound phosphatases. This method compares favorably with other methods, covalent or otherwise, reported to date, in terms of the enzyme immobilization yield (ca. 100%), the mildness of conditions, resulting, in most cases, in the retention of a high degree of activity, the ease and speed of the manipulations, and the long-term stability of the immobilized enzyme. Further, it is noted that highly tritylated and crosslinked Sephadex G10 selectively and mildly removes detergents from enzyme solutions.