First reported case of penile prosthesis infection from brucellosis: case report

Background Infection after the penile prosthesis can be devastating to both the patient and surgeon with various complications and consequences. After introduction of antibiotic-coated implants, the rate of infection has dramatically decreased, but still we see uncommon organisms causing infection. We present a first case report of penile prosthesis infection by brucellosis due to raw milk ingestion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of brucellosis penile prosthesis infection. Case presentation We present a first case report of penile prosthesis infection by brucellosis due to raw milk ingestion. A 75-year-old, diabetic male patient presented with penile prosthesis infection 5 months post-penile exchange surgery due to mechanical malfunctioning of 2-piece penile prosthesis which was inserted 11 years ago. The initial treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics did not subside the infection. After diagnosis of brucellosis, the antibiotic was changed to anti-brucellosis (Rifampicin + Tetracycline). The patient improved dramatically and was discharged home with smooth follow-up course. Conclusion Brucellosis can cause infection of penile prosthesis and can be treated with anti-brucellosis antibiotics without necessitating surgical intervention and removal of prosthesis.

Efficient genome-wide first-generation phenotypic screening system in mice using thepiggyBactransposon

Genome-wide phenotypic screens provide an unbiased way to identify genes involved in particular biological traits, and have been widely used in lower model organisms. However, cost and time have limited the utility of such screens to address biological and disease questions in mammals. Here we report a highly efficientpiggyBac(PB) transposon-based first-generation (F1) dominant screening system in mice that enables an individual investigator to conduct a genome-wide phenotypic screen within a year with fewer than 300 cages. ThePBscreening system uses visually trackable transposons to induce both gain- and loss-of-function mutations and generates genome-wide distributed new insertions in more than 55% of F1 progeny. Using this system, we successfully conducted a pilot F1 screen and identified 5 growth retardation mutations. One of these mutants, a Six1/4PB/+mutant, revealed a role in milk intake behavior. The mutant animals exhibit abnormalities in nipple recognition and milk ingestion, as well as developmental defects in cranial nerves V, IX, and X. ThisPBF1 screening system offers individual laboratories unprecedented opportunities to conduct affordable genome-wide phenotypic screens for deciphering the genetic basis of mammalian biology and disease pathogenesis.

Riboflavin Bioavailability Varies with Milk Type and Is Altered in Self-Reported Dairy Intolerance States (P24-012-19)

Objectives Riboflavin, the most abundant and bioavailable B-vitamin present in milk, is highly sensitive to degradation; thus, riboflavin content may vary depending on processing or the type of milk. Milk is one of the richest dietary source of riboflavin, making sufficient intake more challenging for those with dietary restrictions, such as lactose and dairy intolerant populations. Additionally, these individuals experience altered digestive function following dairy intake which may alter the bioavailability of ingested nutrients. Therefore, this study investigated whether B-vitamin bioavailability from milk is altered by milk type or processing, and whether this bioavailability is diminished in individuals with lactose and dairy intolerance. Methods The study recruited self-reported milk tolerant and intolerant young women (n = 40). All participants underwent a lactose challenge (50 g) for classification as dairy tolerant (DT, n = 10), lactose intolerant (LI, n = 10) or non-lactose dairy intolerant (NLDI, n = 20; self-reported dairy intolerance, but lactose tolerant). All participants ingested 750 mL of conventional milk (CM), lactose-free conventional milk (LF-CM) and a2 MilkTM (A2M) in a double-blind randomized crossover controlled trial. Plasma samples collected at fasting and hourly until 3 hours were analyzed for B-vitamins using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results Only plasma riboflavin concentrations increased following all types of milk ingestion in all groups. Riboflavin concentrations were higher post CM (P < 0.05) at all postprandial time points than LF-CM and A2M (time x treatment interaction, P = 0.010) in all groups; however, the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) following CM was only higher than A2M (P = 0.001) but not LF-CM. NLDI subjects had lower postprandial riboflavin concentrations and iAUC (group x treatment interaction, P = 0.040; iAUC P = 0.049) than LI individuals. Conclusions Riboflavin from CM is more bioavailable than LF-CM or A2M indicating that riboflavin content depends on the milk type or processing. However, regardless of milk type, decreased bioavailability may put NLDI individuals at increased risk of riboflavin inadequacy compared to LI people. Funding Sources AgResearch, The a2 Milk Company, High Value Nutrition, Riddet Institute.

Effect of Short-Course Oral Ciprofloxacin on Isoflavone Pharmacokinetics following Soy Milk Ingestion in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Soy isoflavones have several potential benefits related to postmenopausal health. Isoflavone glycosides, found predominantly in nonfermented soy products, e.g., soy milk, require conversion by gut microbiota to their respective bioavailable aglycones prior to absorption into portal circulation. Use of short-course oral ciprofloxacin for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis, the incidence of which is increasing among postmenopausal women, might adversely affect gut microbiota. The objective of this one-group pre-post treatment study was to determine the effect of short-course oral ciprofloxacin on isoflavone pharmacokinetics in healthy postmenopausal women. Eleven postmenopausal subjects were assigned to consume a single oral dose of 375 mL UHT soy milk (SOY phase). Blood samples were collected immediately before soy milk ingestion and at specific times for 32 hours after soy milk ingestion. Following a washout period of at least seven days, subjects were assigned to take 250 mg oral ciprofloxacin after breakfast and dinner for three days, followed by a single oral dose of 375 mL UHT soy milk the next day (CIPRO/SOY phase). Blood samples were collected at the same time points as in the SOY phase. Plasma samples were treated withβ-glucuronidase/sulfatase and plasma concentrations of aglycones (genistein and daidzein) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.Cmax,AUC0-t, andAUC0-∞of both aglycones andTmaxof genistein obtained from the CIPRO/SOY phase were significantly lower than those obtained from the SOY phase, whileTmaxof daidzein and t1/2of both aglycones in the two phases were not significantly different.