ABSTRACT
Obligate bacterial endosymbionts are common, influential associates of arthropods, and are often found in specific organs termed bacteriomes. Three dimensional images of bacteriomes of the leafhopper Orosius albicinctus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) were reconstructed from synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT). Results show that bilateral bacteriomes are located between the first and second abdominal tergites, are mushroom-shaped and consist two different types of tissue. Fluorescence in situ hybridization reveals that the primary bacterial symbiont Sulcia muelleri is in the 'cap' part of the of organ. The technique allows a noninvasive, in situ, means of visualizing bacteriomes and will facilitate understanding their form and function.
Subject(s)
Hemiptera/microbiology , Synchrotrons , X-Ray Microtomography/methods , Animals , MicrobiotaSubject(s)
Aneurysm, Ruptured/complications , Esophageal Fistula/etiology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Subclavian Artery , Vascular Fistula/etiology , Aged , Aneurysm, Ruptured/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Esophageal Fistula/diagnosis , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Subclavian Artery/abnormalities , Vascular Fistula/diagnosisABSTRACT
Although it has been shown that protein-energy malnutrition is a predictor of adverse outcome in geriatric patients, it is unclear whether this is due to underlying disease or disability, or whether malnutrition is an independent outcome predictor. To clarify the predictive role of malnutrition, we analysed the 4.5-year mortality and living location follow-ups of 219 geriatric patients admitted to a geriatric assessment unit. Prevalence of anthropometric and serological malnutrition indicators were between 13.7% and 39.8% at hospital admission. In bivariate models, prealbumin, subnormal arm muscle area, and subnormal body weight were predictors of mortality and survival at home. On the other hand, albumin, transferrin, and triceps skin-fold thickness did not predict these outcomes. In multivariate models the hazard ratio (HR) of 4.5-year mortality remained significant with an HR of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.6) for subnormal arm muscle area, and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0-2.6) for subnormal body weight. Prealbumin was the strongest serological outcome predictor (multivariate mortality HR 1.9, 95% CI, 1.3-2.8). In these models, subnormal cognitive function, impaired physical function, and creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min were also associated with increased mortality. Malnutrition did not predict hospital discharge location, but among patients discharged home, those with initial malnutrition had a decreased length of survival at home. Our findings indicate that certain protein-energy malnutrition indicators are independent risk factors predicting decreased length of overall survival and survival at home in geriatric patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
