DNA content of Hurthle cell nodules in autoimmune thyroiditis

Hurthle cells are found in thyroid neoplasms and in reactive nodules in thyroiditis or goitrogenic processes. Cytometric studies have evaluated Hurthle cell neoplasms but not their reactive counterparts. DNA content of Hurthle cells in 22 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis was measured by flow cytometry and image content of Hurthle cells in 22 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis was measured by flow cytometry and image processing using nuclei extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue after microdissection of the Hurthle cell nodules. All 22 autoimmune thyroiditis Hurthle cell nodules were diploid, including 16 without associated neoplasms and six with associated malignant neoplasms (four papillary carcinomas, one follicular carcinoma and one follicular adenoma with papillary carcinoma). Concordance between flow cytometry and image processing was 100%. These findings indicate that the markedly atypical Hurthle cells in autoimmune thyroiditis are diploid by DNA quantitation. This suggests that atypia in Hurthle cells due to reactive or neoplastic processes may be differentiated by quantitative DNA analysis.     

Occupational exposure to airborne fungi and bacteria in a household recycled container sorting plant

Several studies have showed an association between the work in waste treatment plants and occupational health problems such as irritation of skin, eyes and mucous membranes, pulmonary diseases, gastrointestinal problems and symptoms of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). These symptoms have been related to bioaerosol exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the occupational exposure to biological agents in a plant sorting source-separated packages (plastics materials, ferric and non-ferric metals) household waste. Airborne samples were collected with M Air T Millipore sampler. The concentration of total fungi and bacteria and gram-negative bacteria were determined and the most abundant genera were identified. The results shown that the predominant airborne microorganisms were fungi, with counts greater than 12,000 cfu/m(3) and gram-negative bacteria, with a environmental concentration between 1,395 and 5,280 cfu/m(3). In both cases, these concentrations were higher than levels obtained outside of the sorting plant. Among the fungi, the predominant genera were Penicillium and Cladosporium, whereas the predominant genera of gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Serratia. The present study shows that the workers at sorting source-separated packages (plastics materials, ferric and non-ferric metals) domestic waste plant may be exposed to airborne biological agents, especially fungi and gram-negative bacteria.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and structural characterisation of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with 1,3,5-pyrazole derived ligands. Rotation around the metal-N bond

Reactions of ligands 1-ethyl-5-methyl-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (L¹) and 5-methyl-1-octyl-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (L²) with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and K₂PtCl₄ gave complexes trans-[MCl₂(L)₂] (L = L¹, L²). The new complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The NMR study of the complex [PdCl₂(L¹)₂], in CDCl₃ solution, is consistent with a very slow rotation of ligands around the Pd-N bond, so that two conformational isomers can be observed in solution (syn and anti). Different behaviour is observed for complexes [PdCl₂(L²)₂] and [PtCl₂(L)₂] (L = L¹, L²), which present an isomer in solution at room temperature (anti). The crystal structure of [PdCl₂(L¹)₂] complex is described, where the Pd(II) presents a square planar geometry with the ligands coordinated in a trans disposition.     

Synthesis and characterisation of palladium(II) and platinum(II) compounds containing pyrazole-derived ligands: crystal structure of [PdCl2(HL)] (HL = 3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole)

Reaction of the ligands 3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (HL¹), 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (HL²), 3-methyl-5-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (HL³) and 3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazole (HL⁴) with [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) or [PdCl₂(cod)] gives complexes with stoichiometry [PdCl₂(HL)₂] (HL = HL¹, HL², HL³), [Pt(L)₂] (L = L¹, L², L³) and [MCl₂(HL⁴)₂] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)). The new complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The crystal and molecular structure of [PdCl₂(HL¹)] was resolved by X-ray diffraction, and consists of monomeric cis-[PdCl₂(HL¹)] molecules. The palladium centre has a typical square planar geometry, with a slight tetrahedral distortion. The tetra-coordinated metal atom is bonded to one pyridine nitrogen, one pyrazolic nitrogen and two chloro ligands in a cis disposition. The ligand HL¹ is not completely planar.     

Synthesis and characterisation of new N1-alkyl-3,5-dipyridylpyrazole derived ligands. Study of their reactivity with Pd(II) and Pt(II)

Two new pyrazole-derived ligands, 1-ethyl-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (L¹) and 1-octyl-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (L²), both containing alkyl groups at position 1 were prepared by reaction between 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl) pyrazole and the appropriate bromoalkane in toluene using sodium ethoxide as base.The reaction between L¹, L² and [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) resulted in the formation complexes of formula [MCl₂(L)] (M = Pd(II), L = L¹ (1); M = Pd(II), L = L² (2); M = Pt(II), L = L¹ (3); M = Pt(II), L = L² (4)). These complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and HMQC spectroscopies. The X-ray structure of the complex [PtCl₂(L²)] (4) was determined. In this complex, Npyridine and Npyrazole donor atoms coordinate the ligand to the metal, which complete its coordination with two chloro ligands in a cis disposition.     

Synthesis and characterisation of pyrazolic palladium compounds containing alcohol functionality:: rotation around the Pd-N bond

The ligands 1-hydroxymethylpyrazole (hl¹), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole (hl²) and 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyrazole (hl³) react with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] to give trans-[PdCl₂(hl)₂] compounds. Due to a hindered rotation around the Pd-bond, these compounds present two different conformations in solution: anti and syn. The conformation presented depends on the relative disposition of the hydroxyalkylic chains of the two pyrazolic ligands. The present study was carried out on the basis of NMR experiments. The present paper reports the crystal structure of trans-[PdCl₂(hl²)₂]. The synthesis and characterisation of compounds [Pd(hl)₄](BF₄)₂ (hl = hl¹, hl² and hl³) starting from [Pd(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₂ and the corresponding chlorocomplexes trans-[PdCl₂(hl)₂] are also described.     

Production of phytohormones by root-associated saprophytic actinomycetes isolated from the actinorhizal plant Ochetophila trinervis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate phytohormone production by symbiotic and saprophytic actinomycetes isolated from the actinorhizal plant Ochetophila trinervis which had previously proved to stimulate nodulation by Frankia. Three saprophytic strains out of 122, isolated from the rhizosphere of this plant with multiple enzymatic activities were selected for plant growth experiments in pots: Streptomyces sp. (BCRU-MM40), Actinoplanes sp. (BCRU-ME3) and Micromonospora sp. (BCRU-MM18). For experiments, the symbiotic N₂-fixing strain Frankia (BCU110501), isolated from nodules of the same actinorhizal plant was used. Phytohormone production was evaluated in supernatant of non-inoculated and inoculated culture media in exponential growth phase. Indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), while zeatine (Z) production was determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC fluorescent and UV). The levels of the three phytohormones produced by the saprophytic rhizoactinomycetes were higher than that produced by the symbiotic Frankia strain. Zeatine biosynthesis was higher (μg ml⁻¹) than IAA and GA₃ (ng ml⁻¹), and Micromonospora strain produced the highest levels of these phytohormones. Although O. trinervis has been shown to be intercellularly infected by Frankia without mediation of root hair deformation, when plants were co-inoculated with actinomycetes’ culture, some root hair deformation was observed. This is the first report on identification of IAA, GA₃ and Z in saprophytic actinomycetes and their potential role in plant–microbe interaction.     

Dermatophytosis of pigs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes

We describe the isolation of Trichophyton mentagrophytes in two family-operated farms where the animals were suffering skin ailments characterized by a swelling and a reddening of the back and flanks.This condition affected 2 and 5% respectively of the animals on the farms, the younger ones being more frequently affected.