16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of a Brucella melitensis infection misidentified as Bergeyella zoohelcum

Misidentification of Brucella species from clinical specimens using commercial bacterial identification systems is a recurring problem. An isolate from a bacterimic patient was identified as Bergeyella zoohelcum by MicroScan Walk-Away (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., West Sacramento, CA, USA) and as Brucella melitensis by Vitek 2 system (bioMérieux?Inc., Durham, NC, USA). Because of this identification ambiguity by the two automated bacterial identification systems we performed 16S rRNA sequencing and serotyping of the isolate and confirmed it as a Brucella spp. Combining the sequence data with the Vitek 2 system data we conclude that the infection was caused by B. melitensis.     

Histological findings in adipocytes when cellulite is treated with a variable-emission radiofrequency system

Cellulite is a disorder of the subcutaneous fat layer and the overlying superficial skin. Recently, radiofrequency (RF) has been proposed as an effective treatment of cellulite; however, the mechanism through which the absorbed electrical energy acts on the tissue is still not fully clear. This study reports on the histological findings from biopsies taken immediately after a single RF treatment session, on cellulite located in the buttocks, with a novel technology called automatic multi-frequency and low impedance (AMFLI) RF. Tissue samples were stained with either haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), so that we could study the morphological findings, or with oil red O, to enable us to identify lipid deposits. The histological findings observed in biopsies taken after a single RF treatment showed changes in shape, size, and lipid content, as well as in cytoplasmic and nuclear morphology. After RF treatment adipocytes were more polyhedric, with irregular, degenerated membranes, with less or no lipid content and apoptotic changes. We postulate that RF treatment on cellulite produces a decrease in lipid content of cells as well as changes in the adipocyte membrane which will lead to cell rupture and the death and extrusion of lipid content out of the cell. Further studies are needed to characterise the nature of the extra-cellular lipid material that we have demonstrated with the oil red O stain in our biopsies.     

Six-month follow-up multicenter prospective study of 368 patients,phototypes III to V,on epilation efficacy using an 810-nm diode laser at low fluence

Laser hair removal is currently a popular cosmetic procedure. Traditional high-fluence laser treatment for hair elimination is associated with discomfort and adverse events and it is restricted to low phototype skins. A multicenter study of hair epilation with low fluences and high repetition pulse rate using an 810-nm diode laser was carried out on 368 patients (phototypes III to V) to test its efficacy in a 6-month follow-up after five treatments on the face and various body areas. Objective and subjective assessment as well as histologies show a high index of patient satisfaction due to high efficacy of hair elimination, also proved histologically by the damage observed at hair structure level. Results obtained a high degree of patient satisfaction and a low index of adverse events. Laser epilation was well accepted regarding discomfort and was also complication-free for dark and tanned skins. Treatment is easy to conduct and requires adapting the movement of the hand-piece to a constant speed in order to achieve high-energy deposit on tissue avoiding risks of burning.     

Expression of foreign genes in Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains using different promoters reveals instability of the hsp60 promoter for expression of foreign genes in Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains

SETTING: Optimization of BCG as a vehicle for live recombinant vaccines requires improved strategies for stable antigen expression. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of various combinations of post-translational signals and promoters on expression and stability in different BCG strains. DESIGN: Plasmids were constructed using mycobacterial promoters (hsp60, 19-kDa antigen, 85A antigen--from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex--and the 18-kDa antigen from Mycobacterium leprae) and post-translation signals (85A antigen secretion and 19-kDa antigen acylation signals), coupled with reporter genes. RESULTS: The 19-kDa acylation signal had little effect on expression, while the 85A secretion signal enhanced markedly the levels of cell-associated product. Inclusion of the hsp60 promoter caused plasmid instability; various deletions affecting the promoter region occurred during or soon after transformation, but not during subsequent growth of the transformants, nor with other promoters. BCG Moreau appeared to be more susceptible to deletions than other BCG strains. CONCLUSIONS: The 85A signal may prove useful in optimizing gene expression in BCG, irrespective of secretion of the product. Deletions associated with the hsp60 promoter may be due to a transient lethal induction of the hsp60 promoter associated with electroporation. With intact plasmid there was no marked difference in expression between BCG strains.