Astrobiology with haloarchaea from Permo-Triassic rock salt

Several viable halophilic archaebacteria were isolated previously from rock salt of Permo-Triassic age in an Austrian salt mine; one of these strains was the first to be recognized as a novel species from subterranean halite and was designated Halococcus salifodinae. The halophilic microorganisms have apparently survived in the salt sediments over extremely long periods of time. Halobacteria could therefore be suitable model organisms for exploring the possibility of long-term survival of microbes on other planets, in particular, since extraterrestrial halite has been detected in meteorites and is assumed to be present in the subsurface ocean on Europa. Our efforts are directed at the identification of the microbial content of ancient rock salt and the development of procedures for the investigation of the halobacterial response to extreme environmental conditions. Using modified culture media, further halophilic strains were isolated from freshly blasted rock salt and bore cores; in addition, growth of several haloarchaea was substantially improved. Molecular methods indicated the presence of at least 12 different 16S rRNA gene species in a sample of Alpine rock salt, but these strains have not been cultured yet. The exploration of Mars is a target of space missions in the 21st century; therefore, testing the survival of haloarchaea under conditions comparable to present-day Mars, using a simulation chamber, was begun. Preliminary results with Halococcus and Halobacterium species suggested at least tenfold higher survival rates when cells were kept in liquid brines than under dry conditions; staining of cells with the LIVE–DEAD kit, which discriminates between damaged and intact membranes, corroborated these data.

Download Full-text

Transapical versus Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement�A Propensity-Matched Comparison

The Heart Surgery Forum ◽

10.1532/hsf98.20111084 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

David M. Holzhey ◽

William Shi ◽

A. Rastan ◽

Michael A. Borger ◽

Martin H�nsig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Term Survival ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Good Treatment Option ◽

Matched Comparison

Introduction: The goal of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes after aortic valve (AV) surgery carried out via standard sternotomy/partial sternotomy versus transapical transcatheter AV implantation (taTAVI).Patients and Methods: All 336 patients who underwent taTAVI between 2006 and 2010 were compared with 4533 patients who underwent conventional AV replacement (AVR) operations between 2001 and 2010. Using propensity score matching, we identified and consecutively compared 2 very similar groups of 167 patients each. The focus was on periprocedural complications and long-term survival.Results: The 30-day mortality rate was 10.8% and 8.4% (P = .56) for the conventional AVR patients and the TAVI patients, respectively. The percentages of postoperative pacemaker implantations (15.0% versus 6.0%, P = .017) and cases of renal failure requiring dialysis (25.7% versus 12.6%, P = .004) were higher in the TAVI group. Kaplan-Meier curves diverged after half a year in favor of conventional surgery. The estimated 3-year survival rates were 53.5% � 5.7% (TAVI) and 66.7% � 0.2% (conventional AVR).Conclusion: Our study shows that even with all the latest successes in catheter-based AV implantation, the conventional surgical approach is still a very good treatment option with excellent long-term results, even for older, high-risk patients.

Download Full-text

Új lehetőségek a refrakter és relabált Hodgkin-lymphomás betegek kezelésében

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2015.30260 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 156 (45) ◽

pp. 1824-1833 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Árpád Illés ◽

Ádám Jóna ◽

Zsófia Simon ◽

Miklós Udvardy ◽

Zsófia Miltényi

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Relapse Free Survival ◽

Term Survival ◽

Free Survival ◽

Novel Treatment ◽

Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma

Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma is a curable lymphoma with an 80–90% long-term survival, however, 30% of the patients develop relapse. Only half of relapsed patients can be cured with autologous stem cell transplantation. Aim: The aim of the authors was to analyze survival rates and incidence of relapses among Hodgkin lymphoma patients who were treated between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 2014. Novel therapeutic options are also summarized. Method: Retrospective analysis of data was performed. Results: A total of 715 patients were treated (382 men and 333 women; median age at the time of diagnosis was 38 years). During the studied period the frequency of relapsed patients was reduced from 24.87% to 8.04%. The numbers of autologous stem cell transplantations was increased among refracter/relapsed patients, and 75% of the patients underwent transplantation since 2000. The 5-year overall survival improved significantly (between 1980 and 1989 64.4%, between 1990 and 1999 82.4%, between 2000 and 2009 88.4%, and between 2010 and 2014 87.1%). Relapse-free survival did not change significantly. Conclusions: During the study period treatment outcomes improved. For relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients novel treatment options may offer better chance for cure. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(45), 1824–1833.

Download Full-text

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: management and review of the literature

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-236477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e236477

Author(s):

Subhash Soni ◽

Poonam Elhence ◽

Vaibhav Kumar Varshney ◽

Sunita Suman

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Ampulla Of Vater ◽

Metallic Stent ◽

Biological Behaviour ◽

Curative Intent ◽

Term Survival ◽

History Of

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the ampulla of Vater is a rare pathology and only few cases are reported in the literature. With limited experience of primary SCC in the ampulla of Vater, its biological behaviour, prognosis and long-term survival rates are not well known. A 38-year-old woman presented with a history of painless progressive jaundice for which self-expending metallic stent was placed 3 years back. She was evaluated and initially diagnosed as probably periampullary adenocarcinoma. She underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and histopathology with immunohistochemistry was suggestive of SCC of ampulla of Vater. She received adjuvant chemotherapy and doing well with no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. In conclusion, SCC of the ampulla is an unusual pathology that should be kept as a differential diagnosis for periampullary tumours. Surgical treatment with curative intent should be performed whenever feasible even in the setting of bulky tumour to improve the outcome.

Download Full-text

MRD-Based Therapeutic Decisions in Genetically Defined Subsets of Adolescents and Young Adult Philadelphia-Negative ALL

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13092108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 2108

Author(s):

Manuela Tosi ◽

Orietta Spinelli ◽

Matteo Leoncin ◽

Roberta Cavagna ◽

Chiara Pavoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residual Disease ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Philadelphia Chromosome ◽

Current Treatment ◽

New Drugs ◽

Term Survival ◽

Therapeutic Decisions ◽

Key Factor ◽

Combined Strategy

In many clinical studies published over the past 20 years, adolescents and young adults (AYA) with Philadelphia chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph− ALL) were considered as a rather homogeneous clinico-prognostic group of patients suitable to receive intensive pediatric-like regimens with an improved outcome compared with the use of traditional adult ALL protocols. The AYA group was defined in most studies by an age range of 18–40 years, with some exceptions (up to 45 years). The experience collected in pediatric ALL with the study of post-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) was rapidly duplicated in AYA ALL, making MRD a widely accepted key factor for risk stratification and risk-oriented therapy with or without allogeneic stem cell transplantation and experimental new drugs for patients with MRD detectable after highly intensive chemotherapy. This combined strategy has resulted in long-term survival rates of AYA patients of 60–80%. The present review examines the evidence for MRD-guided therapies in AYA’s Ph− ALL, provides a critical appraisal of current treatment pitfalls and illustrates the ways of achieving further therapeutic improvement according to the massive knowledge recently generated in the field of ALL biology and MRD/risk/subset-specific therapy

Download Full-text

Impact of SARS-COV-2 Pandemic on Kidney Cancer Management

Kidney Cancer ◽

10.3233/kca-210112 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Melissa Bersanelli ◽

Camillo Porta

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Delayed Diagnosis ◽

Case Series ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Original Data ◽

Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Renal Masses ◽

Term Survival ◽

Cancer Management

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still has a huge impact on the management of many chronic diseases such as cancer. Few data are presently available reagarding how the management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has changed due to this unprecedented situation. Objective: To discuss the challenges and issues of the diagnosis and treatment of RCC in the COVID-19 era, and to provide recommendations based on the collected literature and our personal experience. Methods: Systematic review of the available Literature regarding the management of RCC during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Results: Our review showed a prevalence of narrative publications, raising the issue of the real relevance of the evidence retrieved. Indeed, the only original data about RCC and COVID-19 found were a small retrospective case series and two surveys, providing either patients’ or physicians’ viewpoints. Conclusions: The expected delayed diagnosis of RCC could lead to an increase of advanced/metastatic cases; thus, proper therapeutic choices for patients with small renal masses should be carefully evaluated case by case, in order to avoid negative effects on long-term survival rates. The controversial interaction between immune checkpoint blockade and COVID-19 pathogenesis is more hypothetical than evidence-based, and thus immunotherapy should not be denied, whenever appropriate. To avoid treatments which won’t have an impact on patients’ survival, a honest and accurate evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio of each treatment option should be always performed. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity should not prevent the continuation of ongoing active treatments in asymptomatic cases, or or after symptoms’ resolution.

Download Full-text

Skin bacteria of rainbow trout antagonistic to the fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87167-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mio Takeuchi ◽

Erina Fujiwara-Nagata ◽

Taiki Katayama ◽

Hiroaki Suetake

Keyword(s):

Rainbow Trout ◽

Culture Media ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Skin Microbiome ◽

Fish Disease ◽

Flavobacterium Psychrophilum ◽

Skin Bacteria ◽

Coldwater Disease

AbstractRainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) and bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) is a globally distributed freshwater fish disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum. In spite of its importance, an effective vaccine is not still available. Manipulation of the microbiome of skin, which is a primary infection gate for pathogens, could be a novel countermeasure. For example, increasing the abundance of specific antagonistic bacteria against pathogens in fish skin might be effective to prevent fish disease. Here, we combined cultivation with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to obtain insight into the skin microbiome of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and searched for skin bacteria antagonistic to F. psychrophilum. By using multiple culture media, we obtained 174 isolates spanning 18 genera. Among them, Bosea sp. OX14 and Flavobacterium sp. GL7 respectively inhibited the growth of F. psychrophilum KU190628-78 and NCIMB 1947T, and produced antagonistic compounds of < 3 kDa in size. Sequences related to our isolates comprised 4.95% of skin microbial communities, and those related to strains OX14 and GL7 respectively comprised 1.60% and 0.17% of the skin microbiome. Comparisons with previously published microbiome data detected sequences related to strains OX14 and GL7 in skin of other rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon.

Download Full-text

Early Administration of Tolvaptan Can Improve Survival in Patients with Cirrhotic Ascites

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020294 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 294

Author(s):

Atsushi Hosui ◽

Takafumi Tanimoto ◽

Toru Okahara ◽

Munehiro Ashida ◽

Kohsaku Ohnishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conventional Therapy ◽

Low Dose ◽

Therapy Group ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Refractory Ascites ◽

High Dose ◽

Term Survival ◽

Conventional Therapy Group ◽

One Year ◽

The One

(1) Backgrounds and aim: Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonist, was approved for ascites, and its short-term efficacy and safety have been confirmed. However, it is still unclear whether this novel drug may improve long-term survival rates in cirrhotic patients with ascites. (2) Patients and methods: A total of 206 patients who responded insufficiently to conventional diuretics and were hospitalized for refractory ascites for the first time were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Among them, the first 57 consecutive patients were treated with conventional diuretics (the conventional therapy group); the latter 149 consecutive patients were treated with tolvaptan in addition to the conventional therapy (the tolvaptan group). (3) Results: The exacerbation of renal function was significantly milder in the tolvaptan group than in the conventional therapy group. The prognostic factors for survival in the tolvaptan group were being male, having hyperbilirubinemia, having a high blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and receiving high-dose furosemide at the start of tolvaptan treatment. The one-year and three-year cumulative survival rates were 67.8 and 45.3%, respectively, in patients with low-dose furosemide (<40 mg/day) at the start of tolvaptan treatment. The prognosis was significantly better in the tolvaptan group with low-dose furosemide than in the conventional therapy group (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusion: Tolvaptan can improve survival in patients with cirrhotic ascites, especially when tolvaptan is started before high-dose furosemide administration.

Download Full-text

Abstract 2130: Long-term Outcomes of Adult Atrial Septal Defect With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension After Surgical Closure

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.116.suppl_16.ii_461-c ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽

Author(s):

Jeong-Hoon Kim ◽

Duk-Hyun Kang ◽

Jong-Young Lee ◽

Jong-Min Song ◽

Tae-Jin Yun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Atrial Septal Defect ◽

Septal Defect ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Severe Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Term Survival ◽

Surgical Closure

The benefits of surgical closure has been unclear in adult atrial septal defect (ASD) with severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT), and we tried to evaluate improvement of PHT and long-term survival after surgical closure compared to medical follow-up. Methods: From 1996 to 2006, we included a total of 71 adult ASD patients (age; 43±15 years) with severe PHT documented by echocardiography. The inclusion criteria were defined as ASD diameter > 15 mm, enlarged right ventricle, and the baseline peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) ≥ 4.0 m/sec. We excluded 5 patients with Eisenmenger syndrome documented by cardiac catheterization. Surgical closure was performed on 55 patients (OP group) and the remaining 16 patients were followed up medically (MED group). The improvement of PHT was defined as TR velocity ≤ 3.5 m/sec on follow-up echo. Results: Baseline characteristics and clinical results were compared between the two groups in table . There were no significant differences in terms of gender, ASD diameter, cardiac rhythm, and TR velocity, but the MED group was significantly older. During follow-up of 46±33 months, there were 5 deaths in the MED group and no operative or late death in the OP group, and the 5-year actuarial survival rate of the OP group was significantly higher than the MED group (58±15%, p<0.05). On subgroup analysis according to age, the OP group showed significantly better survival rates than the MED group (p<0.05) in elderly patients (age > 50). In the OP group, TR velocity was significantly decreased from 4.5±0.4 to 3.0±0.7 m/sec on follow-up echo, and improvement of PHT was observed in 47 (85%) patients. On multivariate analysis, female gender and lower baseline TR velocity were the significant independent predictors of improved PHT after surgery. Conclusions: In adult ASD with severe PHT, surgical closure can be safely performed and improve PHT effectively. Especially in elderly patients, ASD closure is significantly related with the better survival rates.

Download Full-text

Temporal trends in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Results from the COMPERA registry

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.02024-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2102024

Author(s):

Marius M. Hoeper ◽

Christine Pausch ◽

Ekkehard Grünig ◽

Gerd Staehler ◽

Doerte Huscher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽

Combination Therapy ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Term Survival ◽

Pulmonary Arterial ◽

Early Combination Therapy

BackgroundSince 2015, the European pulmonary hypertension guidelines recommend the use of combination therapy in most patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, it is unclear to what extend this treatment strategy is adopted in clinical practice and if it is associated with improved long-term survival.MethodsWe analysed data from COMPERA, a large European pulmonary hypertension registry, to assess temporal trends in the use of combination therapy and survival of patients with newly diagnosed PAH between 2010 and 2019. For survival analyses, we look at annualized data and at cumulated data comparing the periods 2010–2014 and 2015–2019.ResultsA total of 2,531 patients were included. The use of early combination therapy (within 3 months after diagnosis) increased from 10.0% in patients diagnosed with PAH in 2010 to 25.0% in patients diagnosed with PAH in 2019. The proportion of patients receiving combination therapy 1 year after diagnosis increased from 27.7% to 46.3%. When comparing the 2010–2014 and 2015–2019 periods, 1-year survival estimates were similar (89.0% [95% CI, 87.2%, 90.9%] and 90.8% [95% CI, 89.3%, 92.4%]), respectively, whereas there was a slight but non-significant improvement in 3-year survival estimates (67.8% [95% CI, 65.0%, 70.8%] and 70.5% [95% CI, 67.8%, 73.4%]), respectively.ConclusionsThe use of combination therapy increased from 2010 to 2019, but most patients still received monotherapy. Survival rates at 1 year after diagnosis did not change over time. Future studies need to determine if the observed trend suggesting improved 3-year survival rates can be confirmed.

Download Full-text

MOLECULAR DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATED FROM RAW MILK SOLD IN DIFFERENT MARKETS OF BANGLADESH

Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.3329/bjvm.v14i2.31409 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 277-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. A. Islam ◽

S. M. L. Kabir ◽

M. T. Rahman

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

Culture Media ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Selective Media ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Antimicrobial Sensitivity ◽

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test

The study was intended for molecular detection of S. aureus isolated from raw cows milk. A total of 20 milk samples were collected from different upazila markets of Jamalpur, Tangail, Kishoreganj and Netrokona districts of Bangladesh. Milk samples were cultured onto various culture media for the isolation of bacteria. The isolated bacteria were identified by studying cultural properties on different selective media, biochemical tests, and finally by PCR. Out of 20 samples, 15 (75%) milk samples were found to be positive for S. aureus. S. aureus specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified from all isolates and identified as S. aureus. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was carried out to ascertain the susceptibility of the organism to various antibiotics. Its results showed that the S. aureus isolates were resistant to amoxicillin (100%), erythromycin (73.33%) and tetracycline (73.33%) but sensitive to azithromycin (93.33%), ciprofloxacin (93.33%), gentamicin (100%), norfloxacin (86.67%) and streptomycin (86.67%).

Download Full-text