Use of the MGB Eclipse system and SmartCycler PCR for differentiation of Mycobacterium chelonae and M. abscessus

Although accurate in the identification of Mycobacterium species, partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing does not distinguish Mycobacterium chelonae from M. abscessus. Thus, we designed a SmartCycler PCR assay targeting the 16S-to-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with use of MGB Eclipse probes to distinguish each species. Comparison with PCR-restriction enzyme analysis of a 441-bp fragment of the hsp65 gene resulted in 100% correlation with 25 isolates of M. chelonae and 25 isolates of M. abscessus. ITS PCR performed on 90 consecutive isolates identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (26 isolates of the M. chelonae-M. abscessus complex and 64 remaining isolates, including Mycobacterium species, Nocardia species, and other aerobic actinomycetes) showed 100% specificity and sensitivity. The ITS PCR assay is accurate and specific, easy to perform, and a good supplemental test when using partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify M. chelonae and M. abscessus.     

Long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior uncoforaminotomy for unilateral single-level cervical radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a common procedure for degenerative cervical radiculopathy. In 1996, Dr. H.D. Jho reported an operative technique allowing nerve root decompression via anterior uncoforaminotomy whereas avoiding fusion.PURPOSETo assess long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior uncoforaminotomy in patients with degenerative cervical spine pathology.STUDY DESIGNA single clinic, retrospective cohort study.PATIENT SAMPLEAdult patients who underwent anterior uncoforaminotomy from 2013 to 2018.OUTCOME MEASURESClinical outcomes were assessed using VAS, NDI, SF-36 criteria. Radiological parameters included sagittal balance, disc height and White anPanjabi criterion.MATERIALS AND METHODSAll patients underwent unilateral single-level anterior uncoforaminotomy, and long-term clinical and radiologic follow up was carried out. Clinical outcomes were assessed using VAS, NDI, SF-36 criteria. Radiological parameters evaluated included sagittal balance, disc height and White and Panjabi criteria (3.5 mm of translation, 11 degrees of kyphosis). The mean follow-up period was 33.3 ± 10.6 months (range 12–57 months).RESULTSAll measures of clinical outcome improved. VAS (neck) and VAS (arm) decreased 3 [2; 4] and 5 [3; 5.2] points (median [interquartile range]), respectively (p<0.001); NDI improved from 0.38 [0.36; 0.4], to 0.29 [0.22; 0.34] (p<0.001). Two patients (6%) required additional surgery one year after operation. There were no complications in the perioperative period. Disc height decreased 0.8 mm [0.1; 2.1] (p<0.001). All patients retained stability of the cervical spine based on White and Panjabi criteria. Sagittal balance parameters did not change significantly.CONCLUSIONUncoforaminotomy is an effective and safe method to decompress a unilateral single-level nerve root in degenerative cervical radiculopathy whereas preserving anatomy and motion of the cervical spine.     

Complex evolution and epidemiology of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus: definition of genotypes and their characteristics

Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is a human pathogen that has evolved in, and is hosted by, mice of several species of the genus Apodemus. We propose a subdivision of the species Dobrava-Belgrade virus into four related genotypes – Dobrava, Kurkino, Saaremaa, and Sochi – that show characteristic differences in their phylogeny, specific host reservoirs, geographical distribution, and pathogenicity for humans.     

A systematic review of irreversible electroporation in localised prostate cancer treatment

Irreversible electroporation is a treatment option used for focal therapy. In this systematic review, we summarise data on irreversible electroporation outcomes in patients with localised prostate cancer. We performed a literature search in 3 databases and included articles with own data on irreversible electroporation results in patients with localised prostate cancer. Primary outcome was procedure efficacy measured as the absence of cancer in the treatment area on the follow-up biopsy. Secondary outcomes were the absence of prostate cancer recurrence in the treatment area on MRI, out-of-field recurrence, complications and functional outcomes (erectile function and micturition). In-field recurrence rate was 0%–39% and out-field 6.4%–24%. In all studies, PSA level decreased: twice lower than baseline after 4 weeks and by 76% after 2 years. Most of the authors noted sexual and urinary toxicity during the first half year after surgery. However, functional outcomes recovered to baseline after 6 months with mild decrease in sexual function. Complication rates after irreversible electroporation were 0%–1% of Clavien–Dindo III and 5%–20% of Clavien–Dindo I–II. Irreversible electroporation has promise oncological outcomes, rate of post-operative complications and minimal-to-no effects on erectile and urinary function. However, medium and long-term data on cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival are still lacking.     

Highly potent analgesic activity of monoterpene-derived (2S,4aR,8R,8aR)-2-aryl-4,7-dimethyl-3,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-chromene-4,8-diols

New chiral heterocyclic compounds with a hexahydro-2H-chromene framework were synthesized by reactions of (1R,2R,6S)-3-methyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of montmorillonite clay. The analgesic activity of the compounds was studied in vivo. The majority of these compounds showed significant analgesic activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing test; the compounds containing one hydroxy and one methoxy substituents also showed analgesic activity in the hot-plate test. (2S,4aR,8R,8aR)-2-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,7-dimethyl-3,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-chromene-4,8-diol was as effective as the diclofenac sodium reference taken in the same dose in both tests. It has low acute toxicity and is very promising for further development.     

Taste differentiation in the context of suckling and independent, adultlike ingestive behavior

The present study compared intake of sweet (saccharin), bitter (quinine), and neutral (water) tastants available either in the context of suckling behavior through a surrogate nipple or independent adultlike feeding through an intraoral cheek cannula in 3-hr-old newborn rats lacking any suckling experience and 24-hr-old rats with regular experience with the dam's nipple. The new technique of online monitoring of fluid flow was applied for assessment of the temporal patterns of ingestion. Newborn and 1-day-old rats tested in the context of suckling behavior showed extremely low intake of quinine, moderate intake of water, and high intake of saccharin. In the same way, they demonstrated low intake of quinine and high intake of saccharin in the context of independent feeding, but intake of water was also high and comparable to that of saccharin. Suckling rats attained higher efficacy of fluid extraction from nipple than pups drinking from cannula. The differential responsiveness to quinine, saccharin, and water in suckling rats was also manifested through attachment behavior, with pups spending less time on the nipple providing quinine and more time on the nipple with saccharin than on the nipple providing water. These results suggest that neonates show taste differentiation as early as 3 hr after birth, and that this taste differentiation is more pronounced in the context of suckling behavior than in the context of adultlike, independent ingestion.     

Crystallographic analysis of a hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl (OH-PCB) bound to the catalytic estrogen binding site of human estrogen sulfotransferase

Certain hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) inhibit the human estrogen sulfotransferase (hEST) at subnanomolar concentrations, suggesting a possible pathway for PCB toxicity due to environmental exposure in humans. To address the structural basis of the inhibition, we have determined the crystal structure of hEST in the presence of the sulfuryl donor product 3 -phosphoadenosine 5 -phosphate and the OH-PCB 4,4 -OH 3,5,3,5 -tetraCB. The OH-PCB binds in the estrogen binding site with the position of the first phenolic ring in an orientation similar to the phenolic ring of 17 beta-estradiol. Interestingly, the OH-PCB does not bind in a planar conformation, but rather with a 30-degree twist between the phenyl rings. The crystal structure of hEST with the OH-PCB bound gives physical evidence that certain OH-PCBs can mimic binding of estrogenic compounds in biological systems.