Cells in the liver microenvironment regulate the process of liver metastasis

The research of liver metastasis is a developing field. The ability of tumor cells to invade the liver depends on the complicated interactions between metastatic cells and local subpopulations in the liver (including Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and immune-related cells). These interactions are mainly mediated by intercellular adhesion and the release of cytokines. Cell populations in the liver microenvironment can play a dual role in the progression of liver metastasis through different mechanisms. At the same time, we can see the participation of liver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells in the process of liver metastasis of different tumors. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to summarize the relationship between cellular components of liver microenvironment and metastasis and emphasize the importance of different cells in the occurrence or potential regression of liver metastasis.

Acute myeloid leukemia with neutrophilic differentiation in a 12-year-old African lion (Panthera leo)

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical presentation, progression, and diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with neutrophilic differentiation in an African lion (Panthera leo).

ANIMAL

A 12-year-old male African lion kept at a zoological institution in Colombia.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES

The lion presented for anorexia, pale mucous membranes, and a hind limb lameness of acute onset. Feline leukemia virus testing was negative, and repeated blood samples revealed severe anemia, intermittent thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia. Coinfection with Anaplasma and Mycoplasma spp and chronic kidney disease were diagnosed based on clinicopathological findings.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

The lion received symptomatic treatment, doxycycline, and methylprednisolone or prednisolone. Euthanasia was elected due to clinical deterioration and unresponsive anemia, despite the resolution of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma spp infections. AML with neutrophilic differentiation was diagnosed based on bone marrow cytology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

AML is a rare, aggressive hematopoietic disorder in domestic cats, although it has not yet been reported in nondomestic cats. This is the first description of the clinicopathological, histological, and immunohistochemical features of AML with neutrophilic differentiation in an FeLV-negative African lion that lacked circulating blasts.

Neutrophilic dermatosis in a patient with an IKZF1 variant and a review of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders presenting with neutrophilic dermatoses

Monogenic diseases of immune dysregulation should be considered in the evaluation of children presenting with recurrent neutrophilic dermatoses in association with systemic signs of inflammation, autoimmune disease, hematologic abnormalities, and opportunistic or recurrent infections. We report the case of a 2-year-old boy presenting with a neutrophilic dermatosis, found to have a novel likely pathogenic germline variant of the IKAROS Family Zinc Finger 1 (IKZF1) gene; the mutation likely results in a loss of function dimerization defective protein based on reports and studies of similar variants. IKZF1 variants could potentially lead to aberrant neutrophil chemotaxis and development of neutrophilic dermatoses. Long-term surveillance is required to monitor the development of hematologic malignancy, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and infection in patients with pathogenic IKZF1 germline variants.

Neutrophilic and eosinophilic dermatoses associated with hematological malignancy

Cutaneous manifestations of hematologic malignancy represent both a clinical challenge for the treating physician and a pathophysiological model for advancing the knowledge on individual neoplasms. Indeed, a growing body of evidence supports the concept of recurrent molecular defects associating with specific clinical features, as best exemplified by VEXAS. Herein neutrophilic and eosinophilic dermatoses of potential interest for both hematologists and dermatologists will be reviewed, including subcorneal pustular dermatosis-type IgA pemphigus, neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis, Sweet's syndrome as well as myelodysplasia cutis and VEXAS, pyoderma gangrenosum, eosinophilic annular erythema, eosinophilic dermatosis of hematological malignancy, Wells syndrome and cutaneous involvement in hypereosinophilic syndromes. Possible management approaches are discussed for each, emphasizing scenarios that require treatment of the underlying condition to achieve remission at the skin level.

Pyoderma gangrenosum and impact on quality of life: A narrative review

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an autoinflammatory disorder typically characterized by progressive ulcers with dense neutrophilic infiltrates in the absence of infectious causes. The chronic nature of this disease significantly impacts the patients' quality of life (QoL). Yet there is currently a dearth of information in the literature regarding standardised treatment guidelines and the impact of PG on patients' QoL. We conducted a literature search on PubMed using the terms "pyoderma gangrenosum" AND "quality of life." We identified nine relevant articles that provide insight into which domains are affected and what treatment can improve QoL. The most common domains involved are physical, emotional, and psychological. Patients tend to feel depressed/anxious, isolated, and embarrassed secondary to PG manifestations. Comorbidities such as Crohn's disease, monoclonal gammopathy of dermatologic significance, and ulcerative colitis can worsen the impact on these patients' QoL. Pain is also a significant contributor to decreasing patients' QoL. Treatments such as topical steroids, adalimumab, and canakinumab may help improve QoL scores. We believe this information can help clinicians guide the care of patients with PG and highlight the need for more studies and clinical trials focusing on PG treatments' impact on QoL.

Neutrophilic fixed drug eruption, a histopathologic variant or an expected finding?-A report of two cases and review of the literature

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an adverse drug reaction characterized by recurrent circumscribed lesions at the same location upon re-exposure to the culprit medication, resulting in distinct postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Histopathologically, FDE demonstrates a predominantly lymphocytic interface or lichenoid infiltrate with basal cell vacuolar changes and keratinocyte dyskeratosis/apoptosis. The term "neutrophilic fixed drug eruption" has been used to describe cases in which the inflammatory infiltrate is predominantly neutrophilic. The infiltrate can extend deeper in the dermis, potentially mimicking a neutrophilic dermatosis such as Sweet syndrome. We present two cases and review the literature to discuss the possibility that a neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate may be an expected finding in FDE, rather than a histopathologic variant.

Th17 overexpression in severe COVID-19: a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the study was to determine T-cell subtypes, Natural Killer cell activity and cytokines in COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease and compare them between patients who had recovered and those who had progressed to severe disease.

METHODS

Peripheral blood samples of COVID-19 patients were collected at the time of hospital admission and after one week. These samples were analysed for interleukins (IL-6, IL-17a) using chemiluminescence ELISA. The T-cell subsets (T naïve, T regulatory, Th17, Th1, Th2, CD8+ T cells] were studied using flow cytometry. Mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 are defined as per CDC guidelines.

RESULTS

Nineteen COVID-19-positive patients were enrolled between June 2020 to December 2021. Nine had mild COVID-19 and 10 had moderate COVID-19 at recruitment. All mild cases recovered without progression to severe disease, while five patients from the moderate group progressed to severe disease. Overall, there is a decrease in lymphocyte count in patients with moderate-severe disease, but the ratio of Th17 [5.91 (2.69-12.01)] was higher compared to Th1 [1.12 (0.27-3.13)] and Th2[2.34 (2-3.5)]. The high baseline level of IL-6 observed in patients with moderate disease leads to the proliferation of more Th17 type of CD4+ T-cells(p=0.002) and suppression of Treg cells. A higher Th17 subset leads to neutrophilic inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Interpretation conclusions: Higher baseline IL-6 leads to depletion of regulatory T-cells, Th1 Th2 CD4 cells. IL-6 leads to the proliferation of Th17 type of CD4+ subsets in moderate COVID-19. Higher Th17 cells in moderate COVID-19 patients lead to the production of IL-17a, which may result in intense neutrophilic inflammatory response and cytokine storm.

A self-limited acute febrile sterile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's-like syndrome) in a dog featuring target skin lesions with strong upregulation of interleukin-8 and T-helper 1 pathway

In this report, we provide a case of self-limiting canine acute febrile sterile neutrophilic dermatosis in which the clinical signs featured typical target skin lesions with strong upregulation of T-helper 1 markers and interleukin-8, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. Further, large case series are needed to characterize canine sterile neutrophilic dermatosis.

Sterols in asthma

While sterols regulate immune processes key to the pathogenesis of asthma, inhibition of sterols with statin drugs has shown conflicting results in human asthma. Here, a novel understanding of the impact of sterols on type 17 immune responses and asthma lead us to hypothesize that sterols and statins may be relevant to severe asthma endotypes with neutrophil infiltration.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated panniculitis

BACKGROUND

Panniculitis represents a rare and potentially lethal manifestation of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). Evidence regarding management is limited to case reports and small case series. We sought to clarify typical features and investigation of AATD-associated panniculitis and assess the evidence regarding therapeutic options.

SEARCH METHODOLOGY

Articles and abstracts published between 1970 and 2020 were identified by searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, and secondary searches of references from relevant articles using the search terms "panniculitis," "alpha-1," "antitrypsin," "deficiency," and "Weber-Christian."

FINDINGS

We identified 117 cases of AATD-associated panniculitis. In 1 series, AATD was present in 15% of all cases of biopsy-proven panniculitis. Failure to achieve clinical response was seen in all instances of systemic steroid use. Dapsone, although effective and accessible, is frequently associated with failure to achieve remission. In these instances, intravenous AAT augmentation therapy generally resulted in response.

CONCLUSIONS

AATD may be more prevalent among patients presenting with panniculitis than previously thought. Patients presenting with panniculitis and systemic illness show high mortality risk. Although most cases are associated with the severe ZZ-genotype, moderate genotypes may also predispose to panniculitis. Dapsone remains the most cost-effective therapeutic option, whereas intravenous AAT augmentation remains the most efficacious. Finally, glucocorticoids appear ineffective in this setting.

Colchicine in Dermatology: Rediscovering an Old Drug with Novel Uses

Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent which has been used for decades in the treatment of gout. The drug has a number of dermatological indications like Psoriasis, Sweet's syndrome, aphthosis, Behcet's disease, erythema nodosum, leukocytoclastic vasculitis and is consistently effective in neutrophilic disorders. Thought it is an affordable with minimal side effects, It has remained underutilized. However, it has novel uses and is being considered in COVID-19 due to its action on IL-1β and IL-6. This article presents a concise and up-to-date review focusing on its mechanisms of action and indications.

Relationship between sputum periostin level and inflammatory asthma phenotypes in Egyptian patients

Introduction: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory air way disease which poses a high disease burden worldwide. Asthma is a heterogenous disease with various phenotypes and endotypes. Refractory asthma requires new and personalized approaches to manage it effectively. Periostin is a promising biomarker that may help in predicting severity, prognosis and could be a therapeutic target. We aimed in this study to investigate periostin levels in the sputum of asthmatic Egyptian patients of inflammatory phenotypes and its relation to asthma severity.Subjects and methods: This study included 96 adult asthmatic patients; 48 patients with mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma, 48 patients with severe bronchial asthma according to ATS criteria and 10 healthy controls. All participants were subjected to full history taking and clinical examination; pulmonary function tests; skin prick test; induced-sputum analysis for inflammatory cells and periostin.Results: Sputum periostin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with asthma than in controls. Sputum periostin is strongly correlated with age and sputum TLC and inversely correlated with FEV1. It is correlated with sputum neutrophil count and sputum eosinophil percentage. Best cut off value for sputum periostin is >528.25 ng/ml to differentiate between mild-to-moderate and severe asthma.Conclusion: Sputum periostin levels provide a satisfying diagnostic accuracy in severe asthmatic with persistent airflow limitation than mild-to-moderate asthmatic adults. There is a modest positive correlation between sputum periostin and sputum eosinophilia.

Eccrine duct dilatation in neutrophilic scarring alopecias

BACKGROUND

Eccrine duct dilatation (EDD) has been noted to occur significantly more often in primary lymphocytic scarring alopecias compared with non-scarring alopecias, thus serving as a possible histopathologic marker for primary scarring alopecias with a lymphocytic infiltrate. This study aims to determine the presence and role of EDD in primary neutrophilic scarring alopecias.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review comparing primary scarring alopecia (neutrophilic, n = 90; lymphocytic, n = 100) and non-scarring alopecia (n = 123) for presence of EDD, seen in Boston University School of Medicine between 2013 and 2017.

RESULTS

EDD was more commonly seen in primary neutrophilic scarring (62.2%, 56/90) and primary lymphocytic scarring alopecias (54.0%, 54/100) than in non-scarring alopecias (25.2%, 31/123) (P < 0.001). Albeit uncommon, non-scarring alopecias exhibited the biggest ratio of dilated eccrine duct lumen to background duct lumen (14.33), followed by lymphocytic (10.99) and neutrophilic scarring alopecias (6.66).

CONCLUSION

EDD is seen more frequently in primary scarring alopecias compared with non-scarring alopecias and usually found in sections containing inflammation and dermal fibrosis, serving as a possible histopathologic clue for a scarring process. Non-scarring alopecias have significantly fewer but considerably larger EDD which, may imply a different pathologic cause.

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: The Cleveland Clinic experience with diagnosis and management

Granulomatous mastitis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that typically presents with painful breast lesions. Recent publications have brought to light a specific subset of granulomatous mastitis patients with a distinct histological pattern of disease termed, "cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis" (CNGM). Although many cases of granulomatous lobular mastitis have been thought to be idiopathic, this rare subset of an uncommon disease has been linked to infections with Corynebacterium species. Herein, a cohort of CNGM patients from a large, tertiary care, North-American, academic medical center is presented. Correlative demographic, clinical, radiographic, pathologic, microbiologic, management, and outcomes data are provided. Collaborative communication between specialists to accurately diagnose and manage these patients is essential to decreasing potential morbidity.

Insights into Carbon Metabolism Provided by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging of an Autotrophic, Nitrate-Reducing, Fe(II)-Oxidizing Enrichment Culture

The enrichment culture KS is one of the few existing autotrophic, nitrate-reducing, Fe(II)-oxidizing cultures that can be continuously transferred without an organic carbon source. We used a combination of catalyzed amplification reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to analyze community dynamics, single-cell activities, and interactions among the two most abundant microbial community members (i.e., Gallionellaceae sp. and Bradyrhizobium spp.) under autotrophic and heterotrophic growth conditions. CARD-FISH cell counts showed the dominance of the Fe(II) oxidizer Gallionellaceae sp. under autotrophic conditions as well as of Bradyrhizobium spp. under heterotrophic conditions. We used NanoSIMS to monitor the fate of ¹³C-labeled bicarbonate and acetate as well as ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium at the single-cell level for both taxa. Under autotrophic conditions, only the Gallionellaceae sp. was actively incorporating ¹³C-labeled bicarbonate and ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium. Interestingly, both Bradyrhizobium spp. and Gallionellaceae sp. became enriched in [¹³C]acetate and [¹⁵N]ammonium under heterotrophic conditions. Our experiments demonstrated that Gallionellaceae sp. was capable of assimilating [¹³C]acetate while Bradyrhizobium spp. were not able to fix CO₂, although a metagenomics survey of culture KS recently revealed that Gallionellaceae sp. lacks genes for acetate uptake and that the Bradyrhizobium sp. carries the genetic potential to fix CO₂ The study furthermore extends our understanding of the microbial reactions that interlink the nitrogen and Fe cycles in the environment.IMPORTANCE Microbial mechanisms by which Fe(II) is oxidized with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor are generally referred to as "nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation" (NDFO). NDFO has been demonstrated in laboratory cultures (such as the one studied in this work) and in a variety of marine and freshwater sediments. Recently, the importance of NDFO for the transport of sediment-derived Fe in aquatic ecosystems has been emphasized in a series of studies discussing the impact of NDFO for sedimentary nutrient cycling and redox dynamics in marine and freshwater environments. In this article, we report results from an isotope labeling study performed with the autotrophic, nitrate-reducing, Fe(II)-oxidizing enrichment culture KS, which was first described by Straub et al. (1) about 20 years ago. Our current study builds on the recently published metagenome of culture KS (2).

Necrotizing Sweet Syndrome of the Upper Extremity After Elective Hand Surgery

Sweet syndrome, or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a systemic disease process mainly characterized by hyperpyrexia and skin lesions. A newly described entity, necrotizing Sweet syndrome, is a severe and locally aggressive dermatological condition that clinically and histopathologically resembles a necrotizing soft tissue infection. It is characterized by pathergy, a nonspecific inflammatory response to cutaneous trauma resulting in a propagation of the disease. In contrast to a necrotizing infection, this condition responds to systemic steroids. A high clinical suspicion is required in order to distinguish a necrotizing polymicrobial infection from noninfectious necrotizing Sweet syndrome. We present a case following elective hand surgery.

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia: a clinical perspective

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that includes only 150 patients described to date meeting the latest World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the recently reported CSF3R mutations. The diagnosis is based on morphological criteria of granulocytic cells and the exclusion of genetic drivers that are known to occur in others MPNs, such as BCR-ABL1, PDGFRA/B, or FGFR1 rearrangements. However, this scenario changed with the identification of oncogenic mutations in the CSF3R gene in approximately 83% of WHO-defined and no monoclonal gammopathy-associated CNL patients. CSF3R T618I is a highly specific molecular marker for CNL that is sensitive to inhibition in vitro and in vivo by currently approved protein kinase inhibitors. In addition to CSF3R mutations, other genetic alterations have been found, notably mutations in SETBP1, which may be used as prognostic markers to guide therapeutic decisions. These findings will help to understand the pathogenesis of CNL and greatly impact the clinical management of this disease. In this review, we discuss the new genetic alterations recently found in CNL and the clinical perspectives in its diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately, since the diagnosis of CNL is not based on exclusion anymore, the molecular characterization of the CSF3R gene must be included in the WHO criteria for CNL diagnosis.

Proton pump inhibitor-induced Sweet's syndrome: report of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis in a woman with recurrent breast cancer

Background:

Sweet’s syndrome, also referred to as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, can either occur as an idiopathic disorder or associated with another condition, including cancer, or induced by exposure to a drug. Proton pump inhibitors selectively inhibit gastric parietal cell H+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase and are most commonly used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Purpose:

Proton pump inhibitor-associated Sweet’s syndrome is described in a woman with recurrent breast cancer.

Methods:

PubMed was used to search the following terms, separately and in combination: acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, breast cancer, malignancy, paraneoplastic, proton pump inhibitor, and Sweet’s syndrome. All papers were reviewed and relevant manuscripts, along with their reference citations, were evaluated.

Results:

Proton pump inhibitors have previously been associated with cutaneous adverse reactions including maculopapular rash, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and toxic epidermal necrolysis. However, drug-induced Sweet’s syndrome has not been observed in patients receiving proton pump inhibitors. The reported woman developed Sweet’s syndrome after initial exposure and subsequent repeat challenge to proton pump inhibitors; subsequent studies also observed recurrence of her breast cancer presenting as metastases to her stomach and bone.

Conclusions:

Drug-induced Sweet’s syndrome has most commonly been associated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor in oncology patients. Malignancy-associated Sweet’s syndrome has been observed in patients with solid tumors, including breast cancer. Confirmation of proton pump inhibitor-induced Sweet’s syndrome, by repeat challenge with another medication in the same class of drug, was observed in a woman with breast cancer; although the subsequent discovery of recurrent breast cancer presenting as gastric mucosa and vertebral metastases also raises the possibility of concurrent paraneoplastic Sweet’s syndrome, her Sweet’s syndrome symptoms and lesions resolved without recurrence while her recurrent metastatic visceral malignancy persisted. In summary, medication-associated Sweet’s syndrome can occur in oncology patients and proton pump inhibitors should be added to the list of medications associated with the potential to cause drug-induced Sweet’s syndrome.

Neutrophilic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cord blood modulate innate and adaptive immune responses

Neonates show an impaired anti-microbial host defence, but the underlying immune mechanisms are not understood fully. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent an innate immune cell subset characterized by their capacity to suppress T cell immunity. In this study we demonstrate that a distinct MDSC subset with a neutrophilic/granulocytic phenotype (Gr-MDSCs) is highly increased in cord blood compared to peripheral blood of children and adults. Functionally, cord blood isolated Gr-MDSCs suppressed T cell proliferation efficiently as well as T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 cytokine secretion. Beyond T cells, cord blood Gr-MDSCs controlled natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity in a cell contact-dependent manner. These studies establish neutrophilic Gr-MDSCs as a novel immunosuppressive cell subset that controls innate (NK) and adaptive (T cell) immune responses in neonates. Increased MDSC activity in cord blood might serve as key fetomaternal immunosuppressive mechanism impairing neonatal host defence. Gr-MDSCs in cord blood might therefore represent a therapeutic target in neonatal infections.

Different expression pattern of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 and neutrophilic expression of CD18 in patients with diabetic retinopathy

AIM

To investigate the levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1(sICAM-1) and neutrophilic expression of CD18 in patients with various stages of diabetic retinopathy and to determine their different expression pattern in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR).

METHODS

Levels of serum sICAM-1 and CD18 on the surface of neutrophile were measured in 41 DR patients, they were classified in three subgroups according to the stage of retinopathy as determined by fund's ophthalmoscopy; 10 control subjects were also studied. sICAM-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and CD18 by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The neutrophilic CD18 expression and serum sICAM-1 level were all significantly elevated in all diabetic subgroups compared to control subjects (P<0.01). The differences of CD18 and sICAM-1 among the diabetic subgroups were significant in CD18 but not in sICAM-1. The progression of retinopathy was associated with an increase both in CD18 and in sICAM-1 levels by simple correlation analysis (β=0.74, P<0.001; β=0.38, P<0.01, respectively). But stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that only CD18 was independent determinant of retinopathy (β=1.04, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm the contribution of endothelial and neutrophilic activation in the development of DR as indicated by increased levels of CD18 and sICAM-1. However, a direct implication of CD18 and ICAM-1 in the progression of DR can be supported only in the CD18 but not ICAM-1. CD18 and ICAM-1 may play different role in the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Isolation of phyllosilicate-iron redox cycling microorganisms from an illite-smectite rich hydromorphic soil

The biogeochemistry of phyllosilicate–Fe redox cycling was studied in a Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) dominated redoximorphic soil from Shovelers Sink, a small glacial depression near Madison, WI. The clay size fraction of Shovelers Sink soil accounts for 16% of the dry weight of the soil, yet contributes 74% of total Fe. The dominant mineral in the clay size fraction is mixed layer illite–smectite, and in contrast to many other soils and sediments, Fe(III) oxides are present in low abundance. We examined the Fe biogeochemistry of Shovelers Sink soils, estimated the abundance of Fe redox cycling microorganisms, and isolated in pure culture representative phyllosilicate–Fe oxidizing and reducing organisms. The abundance of phyllosilicate–Fe reducing and oxidizing organisms was low compared to culturable aerobic heterotrophs. Both direct isolation and dilution-to-extinction approaches using structural Fe(II) in Bancroft biotite as a Fe(II) source, and O₂ as the electron acceptor, resulted in recovery of common rhizosphere organisms including Bradyrhizobium spp. and strains of Cupriavidus necator and Ralstonia solanacearum. In addition to oxidizing biotite and soluble Fe(II) with O₂, each of these isolates was able to oxidize Fe(II) in reduced NAu-2 smectite with NO3- as the electron acceptor. Oxidized NAu-2 smectite or amorphous Fe(III) oxide served as electron acceptors for enrichment and isolation of Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms, resulting in recovery of a strain related to Geobacter toluenoxydans. The ability of the recovered microorganisms to cycle phyllosilicate–Fe was verified in an experiment with native Shovelers Sink clay. This study confirms that Fe in the native Shovelers Sink clay is readily available for microbial redox transformation and can be cycled by the Fe(III)-reducing and Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms recovered from the soil.

Complete genome sequence of the thermophilic sulfur-reducer Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum type strain (BSA(T)) from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum L'Haridon et al. 1998 is the type species of the genus Desulfurobacterium which belongs to the family Desulfurobacteriaceae. The species is of interest because it represents the first thermophilic bacterium that can act as a primary producer in the temperature range of 45-75 °C (optimum 70°C) and is incapable of growing under microaerophilic conditions. Strain BSA(T) preferentially synthesizes high-melting-point fatty acids (C(18) and C(20)) which is hypothesized to be a strategy to ensure the functionality of the membrane at high growth temperatures. This is the second completed genome sequence of a member of the family Desulfurobacteriaceae and the first sequence from the genus Desulfurobacterium. The 1,541,968 bp long genome harbors 1,543 protein-coding and 51 RNA genes and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

Complete genome sequence of Oceanithermus profundus type strain (506)

Oceanithermus profundus Miroshnichenko et al. 2003 is the type species of the genus Oceanithermus, which belongs to the family Thermaceae. The genus currently comprises two species whose members are thermophilic and are able to reduce sulfur compounds and nitrite. The organism is adapted to the salinity of sea water, is able to utilize a broad range of carbohydrates, some proteinaceous substrates, organic acids and alcohols. This is the first completed genome sequence of a member of the genus Oceanithermus and the fourth sequence from the family Thermaceae. The 2,439,291 bp long genome with its 2,391 protein-coding and 54 RNA genes consists of one chromosome and a 135,351 bp long plasmid, and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

A case of transition of polycythemia vera to chronic neutrophilic leukemia

Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a persistent increase of mature peripheral neutrophils, myeloid hyperplasia in bone marrow, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP) and absence of Philadelphia chromosome, with no evidence of infection or malignancy sufficient to mimic a leukemoid reaction. CNL has been associated with multiple myelomas in many reported cases, but transition of Polycythemia Vera (PV) to CNL is very rare. An 81-year-old female patient, who had undergone intermittent phlebotomy following the diagnosis of PV 8 years previously, was admitted to our hospital due to lower back pain. A physical examination showed a splenomegaly 2 cm below the costal margin, with tenderness of the thoracic and lumbar spine area. A peripheral blood examination showed a WBC count of 91,800/microL (neutrophil 88%) with a rare immature form, hemoglobin of 9.1 g/dL and a platelet count of 1,661,000/microL. Her NAP score was 58. The bone marrow examination showed 95% cellularity, with an M:E ratio of 10:1, increased megakaryocytes with normal morphology and the absence of myelofibrosis. Chromosomal studies showed no Philadelphia chromosome. A radiological examination showed compression fractures of the vertebrae and spinal cord compression. No underlying disease causing a leukemoid reaction was detected. With iron replacement, the hemoglobin level failed to increase over 12 g/dL. Therefore, it was concluded to be a transition of PV to CNL. After administration of hydroxyurea and vertebroplasty, the symptom improved and the WBC count was sustained below 40,000/microL.