Propylenella binzhouense gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from activated sludge, and proposal of Propylenellaceae fam. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, short-rod-shaped, and aerobic bacterial strain (designated L72T) was isolated from propylene oxide saponification wastewater activated sludge obtained from a wastewater treatment facility in Binzhou (Shandong Province, PR China). Strain L72T grew between 25 and 40 °C (optimum growth at 30 °C). The pH range for growth was between 6.0 and 8.0 (optimum growth at pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentrations for the growth of strain L72T was 0-3.0 % (w/v), with optimum growth at 1.0-2.0 % (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids of strain L72T were C19:0cyclo ω8c, C18:1ω7c, iso-C15:0, and anteiso-C15:0. Strain L72T contained Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profile was composed of Phosphatidylcholine, Glycolipid, Aminophospholipid, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, one unknown lipid (L) and two unidentified Phospholipids (PL). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 4,703,686 bp and a G + C content of 69.0 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of strain L72T with other species were less than 94%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome data, revealed that strain L72T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the order Hyphomicrobiales, separating them from members of all families. Strain L72T showed 70.7% average nucleotide identity and 18.6% digital DNA-DNA hybridization identity with the closely related species Rhodoligotrophos defluvii. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, a new family Propylenellaceae fam. nov. comprising the genus Propylenella gen. nov. and species Propylenella binzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L72T (=  CCTCC AB 2019081T  =  KCTC 72254T).

[Association between lymphangiogenesis and clinicopathological features and prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To detect lymphangiogenesis by labeling the lymphatic endothelial marker, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), and study the prognostic relevance of lymphangiogenesis in laryngeal squamous carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical files and specimens of 78 patients with histologically diagnosed laryngeal carcinoma were stained with LYVE-1 as a specific lymphatic endothelial marker. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was measured, and the correlation between LVD and clinicopathological features of the tumor cases was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean LVD in laryngeal carcinoma (13.24 ± 5.09) was significantly higher than that in adult laryngeal papilloma (5.54 ± 3.15) and squamous dysplasia (6.76 ± 4.45, P < 0.05). The LVD of poorly differentiated tumors (15.74 ± 5.24) was significantly higher than that in the moderately differentiated tumors (13.84 ± 6.20), and the LVD in the moderately differentiated tumors was significantly higher than that in the well-differentiated tumors (11.68 ± 6.34). The LVD in stage 0 to stage II group (10.66 ± 5.70) was significantly lower than that in the stage III to IV group (17.01 ± 6.35). The lymph node metastasis group (17.25 ± 7.37) was significantly higher than non-lymph node metastasis group (8.60 ± 5.23, P < 0.05). There was no significant association between LVD and age, sex, primary site and distant metastasis. The overall survival in the patients with a LVD higher than the mean value was 33.5 month, and that of cases with a LVD lower than the mean value was 81.6 month (P < 0.05). The multivariate survival analysis showed that the clinical stage and LVD were independent prognostic factors of laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The LYVE-1 staining histochemistry demonstrates that the lymphangiogenesis occurrs mainly at the edge of the tumors, and lymphangiogenesis plays an important role in the carcinogenesis, cancer progression and lymph node metastasis in laryngeal cancer. LVD may be an independent indicator of poor prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

[Vocal fold augmentation by injection of autologous fascia and fat].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combination of autologous fascia and fat injection into vocal fold for the treatment of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and to observe the long-term effectiveness of this procedure. METHODS: A total of 26 unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients underwent vocal fold injection under general anesthesia, meanwhile, the mucosa of the injected point was sutured through laryngoscope under direct vision. There were 6 patients underwent autologous fat injection into vocal fold (group A), and 20 patients underwent autologous anterior rectus sheath fascia and fat injection (group B). Therapeutic efficacy were evaluated by videostroboscopy, voice-related parameters analysis and voice evaluation before and after treatment. Clinical analysis of this procedure was retrospectively performed in this serial of patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 24 months. On the third day after operation, there was an acute inflammatory reaction induced by the graft. This reaction disappeared three months later. In all 20 cases, videolaryngostroboscopy showed significant improvement of the glottic closure, the improvement in acoustical parameters was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Perceptual evaluation of GRBAS scale showed significant improvement of phonatory function on G, B, A scale. The results remained stable 6 - 24 months after operation and were not changed by the length of follow-up. And in the 6 cases, videolaryngostroboscopy showed significant improvement of the glottic closure at 3 months compared with preoperative observation, a little spindle-shaped disclosure. The improvement in acoustical parameters was significant statistically at 3, 6 and 24 months (P < 0.05 or < 0.01), the voice quality decreased significantly at 6 and 24 months compared with 3 months (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The significant differences were not observed between 6 and 24 months (P > 0.05). No complications were observed in all patients perioperatively or during the follow-up period. Voice-related parameters jitter, normalized noise energy and maximum phonation time showed significant differences between Group A and Group B on 24 months (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The combination of autologous fascia and fat vocal fold injection is an effective procedure for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and the stable results can be achieved during the follow-up period for 24 months.

[Tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of circumference pharyngoesophageal defects].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of circumferential defects following resection for locally advanced hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: From Dec. 2004 to Oct. 2008, 30 patients underwent immediate reconstruction by tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for circumferential defects following resection of primary tumours. Among them, 22 were hypopharyngeal carcinoma, 7 were cervical esophageal carcinoma and one was recurrent laryngeal carcinoma involved the hypopharyngeal lumen. Five of 30 patients had received previous radiotherapy and three had failed in the previous surgical procedure. In this series, 12 patients had total pharyngolaryngectomy and 18 had total pharyngolaryngectomy and partial cervical esophagectomy. RESULTS: Postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula formation occurred in 4 patients, 2 of them with previous radiotherapy and 2 with diabetes, and the fistulae healed later. Two patients developed anastomotic strictures at the upper junction, but they had good responses to dilatation treatment and had satisfactory oral intake. The postoperative follow-up time ranged from 8 to 56 months. Median follow-up was 18 months. One-year survival rate was 71.4% and three-year survival rate was 42.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is a reliable procedure to reconstruct hypopharyngeal circumferential defects following resection of advanced hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma. This method may be the optimal choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal circumferential defects following resection of recurrent carcinoma. The incidence of fistula and stenosis could be kept at an acceptable level.