Differential Survivability of Two Genetically Similar Salmonella Thompson Strains on Pre-harvest Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Leaves

Although conventionally considered an animal pathogen, recent evidence increasingly suggests that fresh produce may act as significant transmission vehicles and alternative hosts to Salmonella. This study reports the differential survivability of two genetically similar Salmonella Thompson strains (ST 889B and ST 688C) on the adaxial surface of pre-harvest basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves. Upon inoculation, two distinct phenomena, a dried water-print or a macroscopic lesion, were observed within 24 h. ST 889B survived better than ST 688C on healthy-looking leaves without lesions, possibly due to its higher biofilm-forming ability. Both strains survived better on the leaves with lesions than on the healthy-looking leaves (ST 688C: 4.39 ± 0.68 vs. 2.18 ± 0.29; ST 889B: 4.78 ± 0.12 vs. 2.83 ± 0.18 log CFU per sample at 6 days post-inoculation). ST 889B caused the formation of lesions at a higher frequency [70/117 leaves (59.8%)] than ST 688C [35/96 leaves (36.5%)]. Thus, we highlighted two distinct Salmonella survival strategies in the basil pathosystem and demonstrated gene expression polymorphism (variations in the expression of the same set of genes) as an indispensable strategy in the colonization of plants as hosts by the human pathogens.

Evaluación de lesiones macroscópicas de los diferentes lóbulos pulmonares en la especie porcina usando un modelo de clasificación porcentual

Respiratory diseases in pigs have a great economic impact, considering it is one of the main problems in intensive swine production. The objective of this study was to macroscopically evaluate the different pulmonary lobes in a processing plant located center-west of Risaralda, using a percentage qualification model. Through a descriptive study, 358 lungs were evaluated during the evisceration phase, the specimens came from 9 lots of different farms. Data was collected according to the degree of macroscopic lesion observed for each of the pulmonary lobes in percentages. With this data, averages were taken for each of the lobes and compared between the total of samples observed and for each of the lots. In addition, more specific lesions were evaluated on a scale of 0-5 as indicators of pleurisy and scarring. The analysis of the macroscopic observations showed that the majority of the lungs, presented some degree of lesion with an 85% (305/358) while only 15% (53/358) showed no type ...

Huangkui Lianchang Decoction Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Inhibiting the NF-kappaB Signaling Pathway

Background. The nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays an important role in ulcerative colitis (UC). Huangkui Lianchang decoction (HLD) is an effective traditional Chinese medicinal compound used in the treatment of UC. HLD has good effects in the clinic, but the mechanism by which HLD acts is unclear. This study aims to reveal the exact molecular mechanism of HLD in the treatment of UC. Methods. Mouse ulcerative colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with HLD. Intestinal damage was assessed by disease activity index (DAI), colon macroscopic lesion scores, and histological scores. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β were detected in colon tissue using ELISA. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the colonic mucosa were measured. The levels of IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the colon were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of NF-κB, IκBα, and p-IκBα in the colon was measured by Western blot. Results. After treatment with HLD, the DAI scores, macroscopic lesion scores, and histological scores decreased, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines related to the NF-κB signaling pathway, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as those of iNOS and COX-2, were reduced; at the same time, colonic pathological damage was alleviated, and the MPO and SOD activities decreased. Western blot confirmed that HLD can inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis. Conclusion. HLD can alleviate the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis. In particular, high doses of HLD can significantly alleviate intestinal inflammation and have comparable efficacy to Mesalazine. We propose that the anti-inflammatory activity of HLD on DSS-induced colitis in mice may involve the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

Looking beyond lesions for causes of neuropsychological impairment in epilepsy

ObjectivePatients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are similar in their epileptology regardless of whether they have a lesion evident on MRI; this study aims to prospectively clarify whether they are also similar in their neuropsychological profiles.MethodsParticipants comprised 152 adults: 79 patients with TLE and 73 healthy controls. Patients and controls did not differ in age, sex, or education (p > 0.05). Sixty-two percent of patients had an MRI-resolvable lesion (39% with presumed hippocampal sclerosis [HS-TLE], 61% with a lesion other than HS [MRI-positive TLE]); the remaining 38% of patients were lesion-negative. Psychometric measures well established in epilepsy were used.ResultsRelative to controls, all 3 patient subgroups showed significantly impaired autobiographical, verbal, and visual memory (p < 0.05–0.001) and significantly more depression and anxiety (p < 0.05–0.01). Yet, contrary to expectations, the 3 TLE subgroups did not differ in their severity of memory or mood impairment (p > 0.05). Lower Full-Scale IQ predicted memory impairments across all TLE subtypes, with early age at seizure onset a predictor unique to MRI-negative TLE.ConclusionsMRI-negative TLE is associated with memory and mood dysfunction equivalent to that seen in patients with hippocampal sclerosis and other MRI-resolvable pathologies. As such, neuropsychological impairments in TLE are not contingent on a macroscopic lesion and might be an intrinsic property of the underlying network disease.

Effectiveness of Bilateral Inferior Petrosal Sinuses Sampling in Tumor Lateralization: Intraoperative Findings and Postoperative Results

Object Diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's disease (CD) is a demanding endeavor. We evaluated the effectiveness of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) in preoperative tumor lateralization and surgical outcomes. Methods Fifty-two consecutive patients with CD and normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were enrolled between 2009 and 2015. Selective catheterization of petrosal sinuses for IPSS was performed. All patients underwent microsurgical dissection, and if a lesion was found, underwent lesion resection. Demographic, biochemical, and intraoperative findings were prospectively collected and reviewed 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results Forty-five patients (86.4%) had clear lateralization while seven patients had bilateral elevation. Twenty-two patients (42%) were found to have a macroscopic lesion, defined as an abnormal tissue during microsurgical dissection, which was thus resected. No patient had a lesion larger than 4 mm. Eighty-one percent of patients had the lesion where IPSS had been predicted. Hemi-hypophysectomy was performed on twenty-eight patients based on IPSS findings, since no lesion was found. Eighty-six percent of patients with lesion resection had biochemical remission by 12 months. Biochemical remission was documented in 78 and 71% of patients who underwent hemi-hypophysectomy by 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion With careful microsurgical dissection, a macroscopic lesion could be found in a significant number of patients with normal MRI. When no lesion was found, we recommend performing a hemi-hypophysectomy based on IPSS findings, since prediction accuracy was high and remission rates were significant.

Chronic liver disease in cattle associated with ingestion of Brachiaria spp.

ABSTRACT: One hundred and ninety livers condemned due to chronic disease (fibrosis) were evaluated in a bovine slaughterhouse over 12 months. Hepatic lymph nodes were also examined while still attached to livers. The major macroscopic lesion observed in the livers was moderate to severe atrophy of the left lobe associated with compensatory hypertrophy of the right lobe. Histologically, the main changes corresponded to sites of macroscopic lesions, and fibrosis was observed in all livers, along with bile duct hyperplasia and neovascularization. Masson's trichrome stain highlighted the fibrous connective tissue. Most of the livers analyzed had macrophages with foamy cytoplasm and a peripheral nucleus that infiltrated fibrotic areas. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for macrophages with monoclonal antibody clone MAC 387 revealed that the cytoplasm of the foamy macrophages of the liver and of the hepatic lymph nodes were positively immunostained. These cells are frequently associated to the consumption of grasses of the genus Brachiaria. Although the liver gross lesions described in this study have not been previously reported in animals consuming Brachiaria , the associated changes observed histologically, such as fibrosis and infiltration of foamy macrophages, showed a new form of chronic liver disease probably associated with the consumption of this forage. The IHC technique was important to prove that the foam cells observed are macrophages.

Ciborinia camelliae (Sclerotiniaceae) Induces Variable Plant Resistance Responses in Selected Species of Camellia

Ciborinia camelliae is the causal agent of Camellia flower blight. This fungal pathogen is a significant pest of the Camellia floriculture industry because it specifically infects the floral tissue of ornamental camellia cultivars leading to the rapid development of necrotic lesions and blight. This study aims to characterize natural resistance to Ciborinia camelliae within a selection of Camellia spp. Based on macroscopic lesion development, Camellia ‘Nicky Crisp’ and Camellia lutchuensis were chosen as compatible and incompatible hosts, respectively. Microscopic analyses of the incompatible Camellia lutchuensis–Ciborinia camelliae interaction revealed several hallmarks of induced plant resistance, including papillae formation, H2O2 accumulation, and localized cell death. The compatible Camellia Nicky Crisp–Ciborinia camelliae interaction failed to trigger a similar resistance response. Ciborinia camelliae growth in compatible tissue demonstrated a switch from biotrophy to necrotrophy, evident from the simultaneous development of secondary hyphae and necrotic lesions. Extension of resistance analyses to 39 additional Camellia spp. identified variable levels of resistance within the Camellia genus. The evidence presented supports a resistance breeding strategy for controlling Ciborinia camelliae on ornamental Camellia hybrids.

Omentectomy for Gynecologic Cancer: How Much Sampling Is Adequate for Microscopic Examination?

Context.—Detecting omental metastasis is crucial for staging and treatment of endometrial and ovarian carcinoma. Objective.—To determine the optimal omental sampling for omentectomies to ascertain the stage of the disease in a cost-effective way. Design.—We reevaluated 258 omentectomies that were performed due to ovarian or endometrial carcinoma. A total of 116 cases were retrospectively studied, and 142 cases were prospectively studied. For prospective study, 10 to 16 blocks were sampled if the omentum showed no signs of gross tumor. Mean omental block sample frequency of 2 groups with the negative macroscopy but with or without microscopic tumor have been compared using an independent samples t test. Results.—Seven patients had no evidence of tumor metastasis on gross examination but had microscopic tumor metastasis. The mean numbers of blocks were 6.4 for patients having microscopic tumor without macroscopic involvement and 7.8 for patients having neither microscopic nor macroscopic involvement. Approximately twice as many samples were taken in the prospective analysis when compared with retrospective analysis. Two cases with microscopic omental metastasis that had no macroscopic involvement at first impression were reevaluated retrospectively and found to contain 0.3- to 0.5-cm white nodules. The rate of omental metastasis increased with the grade of the tumor (P = .005). Conclusion.—Careful macroscopic examination is the most important step in detecting small omental metastasis. For cases with gross tumor, one section is sufficient. If a macroscopic lesion is not detectable and the patient has a high-grade tumor that will necessitate an adjuvant therapy, 3 to 5 samples seem sufficient for staging. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum sample size for tumors having a low risk of metastasis.

Early Gastric Cancer: A Morphologic Study of 41 Cases

The incidence as well as the morphologic features of early gastric cancer observed in 41 cases during the last 5 years are reported. The incidence of early gastric cancer was 9.11% among the total gastric carcinomas seen during the above period. As regards age and sex, the patients suffering with early as well as advanced gastric cancer revealed insignificant variation. With gastric biopsies, the diagnostic accuracy was 88.5%. There were multifocal lesions in 29.2% of cases with a total of 85 foci. Type IIc was the predominant macroscopic lesion, followed by type III. The antrum and the angularis of the lesser curvature were the main sites for early gastric cancer. The intestinal and well-differentiated types of early gastric cancer were the main histologic features seen. Diffuse type and submucosal lesions were more frequent in 6 (14.6%) cases observed with regional lymph node metastases. Our study revealed that there has been a gradual increase in the number of gastric biopsies, early gastric cancer, and the early: advanced gastric cancer ratio.

Experimental Feline Infectious Enteritis in the Germfree Cat

In the absence of other microorganisms the virus of feline infectious enteritis produced a mild, non-fatal clinical disease in germfree cats. A biphasic temperature rise occurred on post inoculation day (PID) 2 and 4. All of the germfree cats began to recover by PID 7. Absolute lymphopenia occurred on the first day followed by absolute neutropenia on PID 4. The leucocyte counts were within the normal range by PID 10. Severe atrophy of the thymus was the only macroscopic lesion produced. Depletion of mature lymphocytes and reticuloendothelial cell hyperplasia occurred in all other lymphocytic tissue. No inclusion body considered to be of diagnostic significance could be demonstrated. There was no evidence of enteritis grossly or microscopically in germfree cats.