Deferribacter thermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel thermophilic manganese- and iron-reducing bacterium isolated from a petroleum reservoir.

A thermophilic anaerobic bacterium, designated strain BMAT (T = type strain), was isolated from the production water of Beatrice oil field in the North Sea (United Kingdom). The cells were straight to bent rods (1 to 5 by 0.3 to 0.5 microns) which stained gram negative. Strain BMAT obtained energy from the reduction of manganese (IV), iron(III), and nitrate in the presence of yeast extract, peptone, Casamino Acids, tryptone, hydrogen, malate, acetate, citrate, pyruvate, lactate, succinate, and valerate. The isolate grew optimally at 60 degrees C (temperature range for growth, 50 to 65 degrees C) and in the presence of 2% (wt/vol) NaCl (NaCl range for growth, 0 to 5% [wt/vol]). The DNA base composition was 34 mol% G + C. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain BMAT is a member of the domain Bacteria. The closest known bacterium is the moderate thermophile Flexistipes sinusarabici (similarity value, 88%). Strain BMAT possesses phenotypic and phylogenetic traits that do not allow its classification as a member of any previously described genus; therefore, we propose that this isolate should be described as a member of a novel species of a new genus, Deferribacter thermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov.

Anaerobaculum thermoterrenum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel, thermophilic bacterium which ferments citrate.

A thermophilic anaerobic bacterium designated strain RWcit2T (T = type strain) was isolated from the production water of a petroleum reservoir. The cells of this organism are straight to slightly curved rods that are gram negative and nonmotile. Spore formation has not been demonstrated. Growth occurs at temperatures ranging from 28 to 60 degrees C, with optimum growth occurring at 55 degrees C, and at pH values ranging from 5.5 to 8.6, with optimum growth occurring between pH 7 and 7.6. Growth occurs in media containing 0 to 20 g of NaCl per liter, and optimum growth occurs in the presence of 10 g of NaCl per liter. Strain RWcit2T grows on a range of organic acids, including citrate, pyruvate, malate, fumarate, and tartrate; on protein extracts; and on a limited number of carbohydrates. Sulfur, thiosulfate, and cystine are reduced to hydrogen sulfide. Sulfate, sulfite, and nitrate are not reduced. The DNA base composition is 44 mol% G + C. The 16S ribosomal DNA sequence revealed that strain RWcit2T is a member of the domain Bacteria and forms a branch that is approximately equidistant from Dictyoglomus thermophilium and Thermoanaerobacter spp. (level of similarity, 82%). Strain RWcit2T cannot be placed in any previously described taxon based on its phylogenetic and physiological traits and is named Anaerobaculum thermoterrenum gen. nov., sp. nov.

Juvenile detention: another boundary issue for physicians.

It is estimated that there are 500,000 youngsters in detention in the United States per year. Detention facilities offer a unique environment in which adolescents at high risk for medical problems can be identified and treated. A health care program within the secure juvenile detention facility for New York is described in order to demonstrate how an academic medical center can effect improvement in the health status of underserved, incarcerated youth while meeting professional educational objectives for health trainees. Results of medical services are given for the past 11 years. Medical problems were diagnosed in 46% of the 47,288 adolescents examined. The conditions were grouped into those related to the legal status of the youngsters, socioeconomic background, and/or the institutional setting. The interrelationship of medical conditions with legal, ethical, and youth advocacy issues were demonstrated. The setting affords on opportunity to train primary care physicians with special emphasis on issues such as the nature of the doctor-patient relationship, confidentiality, and patient advocacy, while providing a necessary service to medically disadvantaged adolescents.

The relation of birth rank and parental age to the phenotype distributions of 14 genetic systems in an Australian population sample.

The mean birth ranks and parental ages at birth of persons of known phenotype were determined for a sample of 421 Australian residents characterized with respect to 14 genetic systems. Sex was found to influence birth rank but no variation with parity among 38 sets of phenotypes or factors was found. Differences were observed among the maternal ages of subjects possessing MM, MN and NN phenotypes and M+ and M- factors. Persons of type PGM1 1, 2-1 and 2 possessed significantly different paternal ages; this was associated with a positive linear regression of paternal age on the PGM1-1 gene dosage. The relevance of this type of study to investigations of disorders occurring at advanced parental age is pointed out.

Distributions, sex and age effects, and joint associations between phenotypes of 14 genetic systems in an Australian population sample.

The distribution of phenotypes of 14 polymorphic systems in a Melbourne sample have been determined. Some differences between males and females were found and the proportion of males of each PGM phenotype was shown to depend on the gene dosage in a linear manner. Among the more prominent effects of age noted, the median age of P1+ females was higher than for P1--females and this finding was associated with a positive linear regression of the proportion of P1+ women on age. No age effect was observed in males in this system. Some evidence for associations between phenotypes were found in 9 pairs of polymorphic systems.

Proceedings: Persepectives on adolescent medicine: concepts and program design.

The concepts and goals of a program in adolescent medicine should include development of a capability to focus on current health needs of youth in a variety of settings; to plan clinical services to meet those needs with the flexibility necessary to respond to changing future requirements; and to deliver service within such a context while simulataneously creating a milieu conducive to education and investigation into the very process and definition of adolescence. The Division of Adolescent Medicine at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center was designed 7 years ago to fulfill these goals and consequently may serve others as a functional model for health care delivery to teenagers. The Division is comprised of: (1) a 37 bed in-patient unit; (2) a hospital-based ambulatory program including general diagnostic and follow-up services, as well as a speciality service capability in the areas of gynecology and family planning, cardiology, gastroenterology and nutrition; (3) primary care health services within teenage dentention and prison facilities; (4) addictive disease diagnostic and treatment programs; (5) school health programs from intermediate school through college levels, and (6) the division also performs supportive and consultative functions for a variety of community-based agencies. Within the programatic design approximately 70,000 adolescents have been served. The cornerstone of the educational and investigative efforts has been the concept that all the above six functional units are clinical laboratories and classrooms so that training and research activities are integral parts of each of the service areas. This program design is continually undergoing revision and refinement so as to remain ever-responsive to new and emerging problems to meet additional training demands and, most importantly, to permit and encourage creativity and growth patients and staff.