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While the great majority of Franco-Roman plainsong features lyrics adapted from the Bible, a long recognised but little studied minority sets excerpts from patristic sermons and commentaries. The antiphons and responsories for the night office on the feast of St Stephen are a case study of such literary borrowing. The lyrics of these chants feature a wide range of verbal debts and reminiscences from sermons written or inspired by Augustine, the majority of which were transmitted in the seventh-century Roman homiliary and thus recited as lessons at matins. Together, the plainsong and lessons develop a distinctively Augustinian portrait of Stephen as a kind, compassionate advocate for his persecutors rather than as the hard-nosed rhetorician he is depicted to be in the Bible. They thus illuminate the working methods and theological priorities of Roman lyricists as they crafted verbal texts for sung delivery in the Divine Office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The versified office of St Ansanus of Siena at first appears to be but one of numerous offices composed for local saints in the late Middle Ages. Yet a newly discovered source, the manuscript Arezzo, Archivio Capitolare, Duomo H (c.1320), invites a reconsideration of its historical and musical significance. This office was not, as previously thought, composed exclusively in Siena. It was instead the product of a de facto collaboration between that city and its historic rival, Arezzo, a scenario that belies the competitive spirit characteristic of most saints' cults in the Middle Ages. Finally, the version of the office of St Ansanus sung in Siena illustrates a distinctive, 'neo-Gregorian' style of plainsong characterized by the adaptation of Gregorian tune families and melodic formulae to rhymed accentual poetry. Indeed, it marks a rare rejection of the more modern, 'post-Gregorian' styles typical of versified offices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past several years a concensus approach has been reached in diagnosis and therapy of brain abscess. The ease and accuracy of evaluation of intracranial lesions afforded by third generation computerized tomography scanners has lead to reliable, quick, non-surgical diagnoses and monitoring which is relatively non-invasive. The use of multiple agent, increased spectrum, antimicrobials has resulted in acceptable reduced morbidity and mortality. This has decreased the need for therapeutic surgical intervention. The non-surgical approach was preceded by several other modes of management which were acceptable in their time. During the past 21 years, 17 patients have been under the care of one or more of the above authors. A review of these cases is presented with instructive and informative histories. A knowledge of past therapeutic modalities and their attendant complications compared with present medical therapy assures an acceptance of the latter as the method of choice. A search of the general literature shows wide acceptance in other fields; however, no reference could be found in the recent otolaryngological literature to support a non-surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and characterization of fungal commensals of the human gut (the mycobiota) is ongoing, and the effects of their various secondary metabolites on the health and disease of the host is a matter of current research. While the neurons of the central nervous system might be affected indirectly by compounds from gut microorganisms, the largest peripheral neuronal network (the enteric nervous system) is located within the gut and is exposed directly to such metabolites. We analyzed 320 fungal extracts and their effect on the viability of a human neuronal cell line (SH-SY5Y), as well as their effects on the viability and functionality of the most effective compound on primary enteric neurons of murine origin. An extract from P. coprobium was identified to decrease viability with an EC50 of 0.23 ng/µL in SH-SY5Y cells and an EC50 of 1 ng/µL in enteric neurons. Further spectral analysis revealed that the effective compound was patulin, and that this polyketide lactone is not only capable of evoking ROS production in SH-SY5Y cells, but also diverse functional disabilities in primary enteric neurons such as altered calcium signaling. As patulin can be found as a common contaminant on fruit and vegetables and causes intestinal injury, deciphering its specific impact on enteric neurons might help in the elaboration of preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]