Sessile Legionella pneumophila is able to grow on surfaces and generate structured monospecies biofilms

Currently, models for studying Legionella pneumophila biofilm formation rely on multi-species biofilms with low reproducibility or on growth in rich medium, where planktonic growth is unavoidable. The present study describes a new medium adapted to the growth of L. pneumophila monospecies biofilms in vitro. A microplate model was used to test several media. After incubation for 6 days in a specific biofilm broth not supporting planktonic growth, biofilms consisted of 5.36 ± 0.40 log (cfu cm−2) or 5.34 ± 0.33 log (gu cm−2). The adhered population remained stable for up to 3 weeks after initial inoculation. In situ confocal microscope observations revealed a typical biofilm structure, comprising cell clusters ranging up to 300 μm in height. This model is adapted to growing monospecies L. pneumophila biofilms that are structurally different from biofilms formed in a rich medium. High reproducibility and the absence of other microbial species make this model useful for studying genes involved in biofilm formation

Therapeutic Patient Education for Fibromyalgia during Spa Therapy: The FiETT Randomized Controlled Trial

Spa therapy is known to improve quality of life and diminish pain. We assessed the efficacy (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-FIQ) and safety at 6 months of a fibromyalgia-specific therapeutic patient education (TPE) program added to fibromyalgia-specific standardized spa therapy (SST), compared to SST alone, in a controlled randomized trial. We enrolled 157 patients, mostly women, attending spa centers in Southwest France in 2015-2016, and randomized them to SST + TPE (79) or SST (78). The intention-to-treat with "missing as failure" analysis showed a tendency toward a higher, though non-significant, benefit with TPE than without for FIQ (-9 vs. -3; p = 0.053) or pain intensity (-0.9 vs. -1.1; p = 0.58). In addition, pain relief (+3.2 vs. +4.3; p = 0.03) and fatigue (-1.6 vs. -3.7; p = 0.02) were significantly improved, and 87% patients in the SST + TPE arm still regularly practiced the physical exercises taught to them at 6 months. We suspect significant and lasting improvement from spa therapy, as well as our already well-informed and well-managed participants, to have prevented the demonstration of a significant benefit of TPE on FIQ

Utero-vaginal aplasia (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome) associated with deletions in known DiGeorge or DiGeorge-like loci

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by congenital aplasia of the uterus and the upper part of the vagina in women showing normal development of secondary sexual characteristics and a normal 46, XX karyotype. The uterovaginal aplasia is either isolated (type I) or more frequently associated with other malformations (type II or Müllerian Renal Cervico-thoracic Somite (MURCS) association), some of which belong to the malformation spectrum of DiGeorge phenotype (DGS). Its etiology remains poorly understood. Thus the phenotypic manifestations of MRKH and DGS overlap suggesting a possible genetic link. This would potentially have clinical consequences.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched DiGeorge critical chromosomal regions for chromosomal anomalies in a cohort of 57 subjects with uterovaginal aplasia (55 women and 2 aborted fetuses). For this candidate locus approach, we used a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay based on a kit designed for investigation of the chromosomal regions known to be involved in DGS.</p> <p>The deletions detected were validated by Duplex PCR/liquid chromatography (DP/LC) and/or array-CGH analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found deletions in four probands within the four chromosomal loci 4q34-qter, 8p23.1, 10p14 and 22q11.2 implicated in almost all cases of DGS syndrome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Uterovaginal aplasia appears to be an additional feature of the broad spectrum of the DGS phenotype. The DiGeorge critical chromosomal regions may be candidate loci for a subset of MRKH syndrome (MURCS association) individuals. However, the genes mapping at the sites of these deletions involved in uterovaginal anomalies remain to be determined. These findings have consequences for clinical investigations, the care of patients and their relatives, and genetic counseling.</p

Effects of radionuclide contamination on leaf litter decomposition in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

The effects of radioactive contamination on ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition remain largely un- known. Because radionuclides accumulated in soil and plant biomass can be harmful for organisms, the function- ing of ecosystems may be altered by radioactive contamination. Here, we tested the hypothesis that decomposition is impaired by increasing levels of radioactivity in the environment by exposing uncontaminated leaf litter from silver birch and black alder at (i) eleven distant forest sites differing in ambient radiation levels (0.22–15 μGy h−1) and (ii) along a short distance gradient of radioactive contamination (1.2–29 μGy h−1) within a single forest in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. In addition to measuring ambient external dose rates, we estimat- ed the average total dose rates (ATDRs) absorbed by decomposers for an accurate estimate of dose-induced eco- logical consequences of radioactive pollution. Taking into account potential confounding factors (soil pH, moisture, texture, and organic carbon content), the results from the eleven distant forest sites, and from the single forest, showed increased litter mass loss with increasing ATDRs from 0.3 to 150 μGy h−1. This unexpected result may be due to (i) overcompensation of decomposer organisms exposed to radionuclides leading to a higher decomposer abundance (hormetic effect), and/or (ii) from preferred feeding by decomposers on the un- contaminated leaf litter used for our experiment compared to locally produced, contaminated leaf litter. Our data indicate that radio-contamination of forest ecosystems over more than two decades does not necessarily have detrimental effects on organic matter decay. However, further studies are needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the results reported here, in order to draw firmer conclusions on how radio-contamination affects decomposition and associated ecosystem processes

Nodes of Ranvier and Paranodes in Chronic Acquired Neuropathies

Chronic acquired neuropathies of unknown origin are classified as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies (CIDP) and chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathies (CIAP). The diagnosis can be very difficult, although it has important therapeutic implications since CIDP can be improved by immunomodulating treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the possible abnormalities of nodal and paranodal regions in these two types of neuropathies. Longitudinal sections of superficial peroneal nerves were obtained from biopsy material from 12 patients with CIDP and 10 patients with CIAP and studied by immunofluorescence and in some cases electron microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed multiple alterations in the nodal and paranodal regions which predominated in Schwann cells in CIDP and in axons in CIAP. In CIDP paranodin/Caspr immunofluorescence was more widespread than in control nerves, extending along the axon in internodes where it appeared intense. Nodal channels Nav and KCNQ2 were less altered but were also detected in the internodes. In CIAP paranodes, paranodin labeling was irregular and/or decreased. To test the consequences of acquired primary Schwann cells alteration on axonal proteins, we used a mouse model based on induced deletion of the transcription factor Krox-20 gene. In the demyelinated sciatic nerves of these mice we observed alterations similar to those found in CIDP by immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting demonstrated increased levels of paranodin. Finally we examined whether the alterations in paranodin immunoreactivity could have a diagnosis value. In a sample of 16 biopsies, the study of paranodin immunofluorescence by blind evaluators led to correct diagnosis in 70±4% of the cases. This study characterizes for the first time the abnormalities of nodes of Ranvier in CIAP and CIDP, and the altered expression and distribution of nodal and paranodal proteins. Marked differences were observed between CIDP and CIAP and the alterations in paranodin immunofluorescence may be an interesting tool for their differential diagnosis

Evolution of erythrocyte and urine lead concentrations after cutaneous exposure to mud packs embedded into micro-perforated polyethylene bags according to the protocol used in French medical spas

Lead (Pb) is an environmental pollutant which may cause harmful effects on human health. It may be present within the mud-packs deposed on patient'skin for treating some rheumatologic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the diffusion of Pb from therapeutic mud-packs toward the human body in order to exclude safety concerns.We quantified Pb using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry in blood (erythrocytes) and urine (raw concentration and divided by creatinine concentration) of 35 young healthy volunteers before and after the 21-day pelotherapy procedure from French medical spas (i.e hot micro-perforated polyethylene bags embedded-mud packs soaked in mineral water and deposed during 10 min on five cutaneous sites, in 5-day sequences during 3 consecutive weeks). We did not evidence a significant increase in their erythrocyte (p: 0.89) or urine (p: 0.96) concentrations when comparing pre- and post-treatment samples by the bilateral apparied Student test. These levels were markedly inferior to the recommended cut-off in all our participants taking into account the exclusion of individuals with extreme urinary creatinine values. From our sample including individuals with an optimal transcutaneous diffusion capacity (young persons with low subcutaneous fat mass) we conclude that there is no risk of Pb overexposure in patients receiving this type of pelotherapy regimen

La chimie du brome appliquée à la désinfection des eaux de piscines : étude bibliographique

Cet article présente une revue bibliographique sur la désinfection des eaux de piscines par le brome, sur les mécanismes de formation et le mode d'action du désinfectant, l'acide hypobromeux. L'examen des principaux sous-produits de bromation (bromamines, trihalométhanes, acides haloacétiques, haloacétonitriles, haloaldéhydes, bromate, nitrosamines, etc.) montre que certains de ces sous-produits sont présents dans l'eau de piscine à des concentrations de quelques µg∙L-1 à quelques dizaines de µg∙L-1. L'étude de leur toxicité aiguë et chronique confirme que ces composés doivent être surveillés (en particulier l'acide dibromoacétique et le bromate) pour assurer la sécurité des nageurs et du personnel technique. D'autre part, l'étude de l'efficacité biocide du brome comparé au chlore, vis-à-vis des bactéries pathogènes présentes dans l'eau de piscine, démontre que les espèces de bactéries Escherichia coli et Enterococcus faecalis sont plus sensibles au brome, à la différence de Pseudomonas aeruginosa qui présente une plus grande résistance. De plus, sur le plan médical, plusieurs cas de dermatites de contact irritantes sont rapportés lors de l'utilisation du brome, même si certaines études révèlent que les bromamines sont non irritantes, inodores et désinfectantes. Cependant, le brome présente une plus grande activité bactéricide que le chlore dans des eaux légèrement alcalines et relativement chaudes et peut être alors une alternative au chlore dans le traitement des piscines atypiques, même s'il demeure beaucoup plus onéreux que le chlore.This paper presents a bibliographical review on the disinfection of swimming pool water with bromine. The formation mechanisms and the mode of action of the disinfectant, hypobromous acid, are discussed. The review of the main bromination by-products (bromamines, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, bromate, haloaldehydes, nitrosamines, etc.) shows that some of these by-products are present in pool water at concentrations of a few µg∙L-1 to a few tens of µg∙L-1. The study for acute and chronic toxicity confirms that these compounds should be monitored (especially dibromoacetic acid and bromate) to ensure the safety of swimmers and technical staff. The biocidal effectiveness of bromine versus chlorine, against pathogenic bacteria present in swimming water, is detailed. It has been shown that the bacterial species Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis are more sensitive to bromine, unlike Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is resistant to bromine. It has also been reported several cases of irritant contact dermatitis when using bromine though some studies have revealed bromamines to be disinfecting, odourless and non-irritating. Nevertheless, bromine exhibits greater bactericidal activity than chlorine in slightly alkaline and warm water and could replace chlorine in the treatment of atypical swimming pools, although chlorine is less costly than bromine

Environmentally Friendly Process for Producing Magnesium-Enriched Salt

International audienc

Caldilinea tarbellica sp nov., a filamentous, thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium isolated from a deep hot aquifer in the Aquitaine Basin

An anaerobic, thermophilic, filamentous (0.45 x >100 mu m) bacterium, designated D1-25-10-4(T), was isolated from a deep hot aquifer in France. Cells were non-motile and Gram-negative. Growth was observed at 43-65 degrees C (optimum 55 degrees C), at pH 6.8-7.8 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-5 g NaCl l(-1) (optimum 0 g NaCl l(-1)). Strain D1-25-10-4(T). was a chemo-organotroph and fermented ribose, maltose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, fructose, mannose, sucrose, raffinose, xylose, glycerol, fumarate, peptone, starch and xylan. Yeast extract was required for growth. Sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, elemental sulfur, nitrate, nitrite and fumarate were not used as terminal electron acceptors. The G+C content of the DNA was 61.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain D1-25-10-4(T) were C-17:0, C-18:0, C-16:0 and iso-C-17:0. The closest phylogenetic relative of strain D1-25-10-4(T) was Caldilinea aerophila STL-6-01(T) (97.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain D1-25-10-4(T) and Caldilinea aerophila DSM 14535(T) was 8.7 +/- 1 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain D1-25-10-4(T) represents a novel species within the genus Caldilinea, class Caldilineae, phylum Chloroflexi, for which the name Caldilinea tarbellica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D1-25-10-4(T) (=DSM 22659(T) =JCM 16120(T))