Bacteriophage control of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in cattle compost.

AIMS: To isolate bacteriophage that infects vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and to investigate the ability of this phage to diminish VRE number in vitro and in experimentally VRE-inoculated compost. METHODS AND RESULTS: We sampled 106 solid or water samples, including 101 bovine faecal samples; lytic phage named Vrep-5 was isolated from one bovine faecal sample by plaque assay using the clinical VRE isolate FN1 (Enterococcus faecium). Vrep-5 generated clear plaques 1 mm in diameter and exhibited characteristics of the family Myoviridae A1, with a spherical head (122 ± 16 nm) and a contractile tail (152 ± 17 nm long). Vrep-5 lysed other bacterial strains, including Enterococcus faecalis. Inoculation of vrep-5 into 0.5 g unsterilized compost experimentally inoculated with FN1 at the multiplicity of infection of 1500 (8.8 × 10(4) CFU g(-1) VRE and 1.3 × 10(8) PFU g(-1) vrep-5) led to a decrease of >3 log(10) in VRE abundance compared with the untreated control after 24 h of incubation. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that bacteriophage vrep-5 is effective in the rapid reduction in VRE colonization in compost. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study gives valuable new knowledge in the fight against VRE in the animal production.

Rapid quantification of total viral DNA in the supernatants of activated sludge samples with the fluorescent dye PicoGreen.

AIMS: To develop a rapid and simple method for quantifying viral DNA concentrations and determining viral quantities in activated sludge. METHODS AND RESULTS: Activated sludge samples were obtained from three full-scale and one laboratory-scale process. They were centrifuged and the supernatant was filtered through a 0.2-microm membrane filter. Free DNA was removed by DNase-I treatment; any DNA within the viral capsid was liberated by heat treatment and proteinase K, and viral DNA concentrations were determined using the dye PicoGreen. To validate the method, we assessed the recovery of T4 phage added to filtered samples, which was 99% of those added. Viral DNA concentrations in samples from full-scale plants ranged from 69 to 157 ng ml(-1). Monitoring of laboratory-scale reactor samples revealed that viral DNA concentrations varied with time. Our method involves a simple sample treatment protocol and allow rapid analysis of many samples. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed and successfully used to determine the viral DNA concentrations in activated sludge. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This method provides a way to investigate impact of bacteriophages on the performance of wastewater treatment processes.

[A case of hepatocellular carcinoma responding to oral administration of UFT].

A 77-year-old male with liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital for further examination and treatment of liver tumor. A tumor, which was in the S5 of liver and 7.2 cm in diameter, was revealed by ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI. The titers of serum AFP and PIVKA-II were 600 ng/ml and 3.5 AU/ml, respectively. According to the findings of imaging diagnosis and laboratory data, the patient was diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma. He was treated by the oral administration of UFT (300 mg/day). Ultrasonically guided aspiration biopsy of the tumor and CT scan, which were performed ten and fourteen months after the beginning of administration of UFT, respectively, revealed the necrosis of the tumor. Twelve months later, the tumor size reduced to 1.4 cm in diameter, and the titer of PIVKA-II was reduced to the normal range. This case shows the clinical effectiveness of oral administration of UFT.

Assessment of a continuing education evaluation framework.

This study analyzes a systems model for evaluation research of continuing education (CE) and reports on the result of a quasi-experimental study of a stoma care CE program. Holzemer's conceptual framework for evaluating CE consisting of the learner, setting, and program along with a systems model was used as an organizing framework. A quasi-experimental design (n = 24 experimental group and n = 27 control group) was used to evaluate the impact of the CE program. Pre- and post-tests of participants' knowledge and skills of stoma care were evaluated. Participants' satisfaction with the course was surveyed by questionnaire during the course, on completion and four months after the course. No significant differences were found between the two groups. The revised framework included the concept of needs assessment and the impact of the CE program on patient care.

[A case of huge duodenal leiomyosarcoma].

A case of duodenal leiomyosarcoma with large central necrosis was reported. Tumor was 15 X 10 X 10 cm in size. Ultrasonography showed a cystic tumor with thick wall in the right upper abdomen. CT scan revealed a gas formation in the central cystic cavity of the tumor. The gas formation was probably caused by bacterial infection. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically.