Anti-obesity effect of the bacterial product nisin in an NIH Swiss mouse model

Obesity is a life-threatening metabolic disorder that predisposes individuals to other diseases. In this study, the effect of nisin, a bacteriocin produced by some bacteria, on an animal model of obesity based on selected parameters was investigated. Forty Swiss NIH mice were randomly divided into four groups and received either a placebo (saline) or nisin (25, 50, or 100 μg/kg, ip) daily for 8 weeks. The mice in all groups were fed a high-sugar diet throughout the experiment. Bodyweight and food intake were measured weekly, and at the end of the experiment, the levels of FBS, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and hepatic enzymes were tested, and red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were determined. Finally, the expression levels of some obesity-related genes, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), zinc finger protein 423 (zfp423), 422 (ap2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were assessed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). After the experiment, the body weights, abdominal fat, and body mass index were significantly lower in the nisin-treated groups than in the control group. The highest effect was observed with 50 μg/kg nisin. The expression of SCD-1, GLUT4, 422(ap2), and TNF-α decreased significantly following treatment with nisin. No significant differences were observed in the other studied parameters, and no toxic effects were observed for nisin under these experimental conditions. The results suggested that nisin could have antiobesity effects.

Species identification and in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of Aspergillus section Nigri strains isolated from otomycosis patients

INTRODUCTION

Aspergillus niger is the most commonly reported etiology of otomycosis based on morphological characteristics. This fungus is a member of Aspergillus section Nigri, a set of morphologically indistinguishable species that can harbor various antifungal susceptibility patterns. The aim of this study was to accurately identify and determine the susceptibility pattern of a set of black aspergilli isolated from otomycosis patients.

METHODS

Forty-three black Aspergillus isolates from otomycosis patients were identified by using the PCR-sequencing of the β-tubulin gene. Furthermore, the susceptibility of isolates to three antifungal drugs, including fluconazole (FLU), clotrimazole (CLT) and nystatin (NS), were tested according to CLSI M38-A2. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 15).

RESULTS

The majority of isolates were identified as A. tubingensis (32/43, 74.42%) followed by A. niger (11/43, 25.58%). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were observed for NS with geometric means (GM) of 4.65μg/mL and 4.83μg/mL against A. tubingensis and A. niger isolates, respectively. CLT showed wide MIC ranges and a statistically significant inter-species difference was observed between A. tubingensis and A. niger isolates (P<0.05). FLU was inactive against both species with GMs>64μg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Species other than A. niger can be more frequent as observed in our study. In addition, considering the low and variable activity of tested antifungal drugs, empirical treatment can result in treatment failure. Accurate identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates is, however, recommended.

The Prevalence of fungal infections in children with hematologic malignancy in Ali-Asghar Children Hospital between 2005 and 2010

BACKGROUND

A fungal infection represents a growing problem in children with hematologic malignancies, during chemotherapy induced neutropenia. Fungal colonization is considered a major risk factor for subsequent fungal infections. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate prevalence of fungal infection among children admitted to hospital between 2005 and 2010 in Tehran, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

617 hematological patients in the age range of neoteric to 19 years old were enrolled and 87 cases with invasive fungal infections were extracted from patients' files and documented. Diagnosis of fungal infections was based on the local biopsy and pathology for mucormycosis, blood culture, urine culture and clinical examination for candidasis and galactomannan for aspergillus.

RESULTS

the mean age of cancer diagnosis was 6.33 years old and the mean age of fungal infection was 7.95 years old. The majority of the infections was caused by candidia spp (74.7%), followed by aspergillus spp (17.2%) and zygomycetes (11.5%). Among candidiasis patients, oral infection had the highest manifestation (92.3%) whereas in 10 of 15 patients with aspergillus, the infectious site was the lung. There was a significant association between mortality and the type of fungal infection (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our finding suggests that there is a high rate of fungal infections in children receiving remission therapy for onco-hematology. These results help improve the management of these patients, however Further studies are needed.

Screening and Recording of Patients' Alcohol-use Habit by Clinicians in a Tertiary Accident and Emergency Unit in Ireland

Background:

Alcohol is widely consumed in Ireland; more so in major urban centers. Alcohol-related problems account for a significant number of Accident and Emergency (A and E) department presentations in Ireland. As a result, the national alcohol policy calls on doctors to be proactive in screening for and addressing alcohol misuse.

Aim:

The aim of the following study is to determine if patients presenting to a tertiary North Dublin A and E were asked about their alcohol use habit and if it was recorded.

Materials and Methods:

This was a descriptive observational study involving the retrospective review of case-notes for all patients who were assessed at the A and E Department of a North Dublin general hospital over a 1 week period for screening about their alcohol use habit. Data was entered into and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results:

Only 17% (106/613) of the A and E attendees over the study period were asked about their alcohol use habit or had it recorded. No case-note examined documented use of alcohol screening instruments.

Conclusion:

This study has revealed an inadequacy of enquiry about alcohol use habit. In light of high rates of alcohol misuse in Ireland we suggest the need for improved enquiry/screening and recording of alcohol use among all patients attending A and E's.

Hematology and serum chemistry reference values of stray dogs in Bangladesh

Hematology and serum chemistry values were obtained from 28 male and 22 female stray dogs in Chittagong Metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The goal of the study was to establish reference value for hematology and serum chemistry for these semi wild animals in relation to age, sex, reproductive stage and body condition. No significant differences were found for mean values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, differential leukocyte count, total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, phosphorus and potassium among or between sexes, ages, reproductive states or body conditions. Significant differences were noted for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.02) between sexes. Among different age groups significant differences were found for total red blood cell count (p<0.001). Different body conditions have significant differences in red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001). Pregnant and non-pregnant females differed significantly in their red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001).

Accuracy of DCE – MRI in predicting response in patients treated with taxane based neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract #5120

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer is an established treatment option. Several studies have shown DCE-MRI scanning to be the most accurate investigation to assess response to EC chemotherapy. Recent trials have shown that addition of Taxanes increases the overall response rate and the rate of breast conserving surgery. Taxanes act by inhibiting angiogenesis in the tumour and this could potentially affect the quality of the post treatment scan images as DCE-MR scan and cause inappropriate decisions regarding the required surgery.&#x2028; Aim: To compare the accuracy of DCE-MR scan in identifying residual disease in patients treated with FEC (Fluoro uracil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide) vs EC (Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide) followed by Taxane.&#x2028; Methods: Patients treated with primary chemotherapy who subsequently underwent breast conserving surgery were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Clinical details including chemotherapy regimes, pre and post chemotherapy MRI data, number of surgical procedures and histological parameters of the excised specimen were obtained.&#x2028; Results: A total of 121 patients treated with primary chemotherapy were identified. Of these, 76 were treated with FEC or EC based chemotherapy and 45 were treated with EC+Taxane. DCE-MRI was significantly less accurate (p&lt;0.05) when predicting the size of residual disease in the Taxane group.&#x2028; &#x2028; Conclusion: DCE MR scan is not as accurate for quantifying size of residual disease in patients treated with taxane when compared with patients treated with traditional FEC/EC based primary chemotherapy. This should be considered when planning surgery after neoadjuvant therapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5120.

The use of the stroke risk index to predict neurological complications following coronary revascularisation on cardiopulmonary bypass

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the stroke risk index (SRI) in identifying patients who develop a stroke following coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass. Retrospective data were analysed from 6846 patients who underwent adult coronary artery surgical procedures on cardiopulmonary bypass between 1997 and 2003. Patients were risk stratified pre-operatively using the SRI assessment model into low (Group A < or = 50), medium (Group B, 51-100) and high risk (Group C, > 100). A total of 217 patients (3.2%) with a mean age 65.9 +/- 11.7 years developed adverse neurological events following surgery. The CNS injury risk was 4% in Group A, 23% in Group B, and 8% in Group C. Pre-operatively, patients in Group B were older (p < 0.05), had a greater proportion of redo operations (OR 3.02; p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.51; p < 0.05), hypertension (OR 1.64; p < 0.01), myocardial infarction (OR 3.79; p < 0.05), ejection fraction < 30% (OR 1.46; p < 0.01) and absence of sinus rhythm (OR 2.52; p < 0.05) when compared with their counterparts. CNS events increased the patients' hospital stay by 40% in Groups A and C (p = 0.04) and 72% in Group B (p < 0.001). Only 31% returned home, compared with 85% of patients without cerebral complications (p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that factors such as a pre-operative history of redo procedures, myocardial infarction, ejection fraction < 30% and absence of sinus rhythm play an important role in identifying the at-risk population. We conclude, therefore, that a further refinement and validation of the SRI is necessary.

Lateral subcutaneous brow lift and interbrow muscle resection: clinical experience and anatomic studies

The authors report consistent improvement in 65 patients with lateral brow ptosis by using a lateral subcutaneous brow lift at the temporal hairline. In 48 of these patients, vertical glabellar wrinkles were improved by the direct excision of procerus, corrugator, and orbicularis muscles through 3-mm medial brow incisions. Anatomic dissections in 10 cadavers and examinations of 50 skulls were used to study the location of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves. Dissections revealed that the supratrochlear nerve was never closer than 1.6 cm to the midline at the level of the supraorbital ridge. In no dissection was a supratrochlear foramen noted. Lateral subcutaneous brow lift was consistently successful in elevating the lateral brow. In no patient was nerve damage to the supraorbital nerve noted. In most patients, the temporal hairline was improved by excising a triangle of balding scalp. Through 3-mm medial brow incisions, the interbrow musculature can be excised by using a small rongeur in an area 3.2 cm wide without risk of nerve damage, improving vertical glabellar wrinkles.

Development of a standardized proforma for reporting computerized tomographic images of the paranasal sinuses

The complex regional anatomy of the paranasal sinuses has only recently been elucidated through the use of modern imaging techniques. The advent of computerized tomography in the delineation of sinonasal pathology and anatomic variation has proven invaluable to the otolaryngologist in preoperative planning for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Frequently, the radiologic reporting schemes for these studies are not standardized, and in many respects have been found to be inadequate. This study attempts to develop a simple reporting proforma that the head and neck radiologist can routinely use in order to facilitate the presentation of CT scan findings in evaluating sinus, nasal, or upper airway pathology. Over 100 CT sinus reports that had previously been reported were re-read according to this reporting scheme and were analyzed in order to determine whether any significant discrepancies existed. These differences were then classified according to their incidental, minor, and major surgical significance. It is hoped that through the development of a standardized proforma, the complementary relationship between preoperative imaging and endoscopic intervention can be consolidated and further enhanced.

Microbial Spoilage of Mexican-Style Sauces

The objective of this study was to determine causes for spoilage of Mexican-style sauces prepared "in-house" by restaurants, and to suggest improvements in handling to eliminate this problem. A microbial profile was determined for spoiled enchilada and hot and mild taco sauces. There was no indication of a potential health problem associated with spoiled sauces since Salmonella was absent and Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus were present only in low numbers. Spices used in preparing sauces had plate counts ranging from log 4.1 to log 7.7 bacteria per gram. Spoiled sauces had bacterial counts up to log 6.6 per gram. The enchilada and hot sauces which contained the greatest amount of spices had higher bacterial numbers and spoiled more rapidly than the mild taco sauce. Use of ethylene oxide-treated spices, prompt refrigeration of sauces and thorough sanitation reduced counts by 4 log cycles and eliminated spoilage problems.