Ponovni opis nametnika Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 (Monogenea, Axinidae), pronađenog na škrgama iglice Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) (Teleostei, Belonidae) uz alžirsku obalu u zapadnom Sredozemnom moru

Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 is a polyopisthocotylean monogenean, parasite of belonid fishes, and there are few accounts with morphological and morphometrical data. Here, we redescribe A. belones based on newly collected specimens from its type-host, the garfish Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) collected off Algeria, Western Mediterranean, a new locality for this species. Several anatomical and morphological features (genital apertures and clamps sclerites) are described and illustrated. We provide morpho-anatomical and morphometrical data, along with detailed illustrations of A. belones, and we discuss the host specificity of A. belones. Notes on hosts and localities of this species and other congeners are presented, and host specificity patterns of A. belones revealed stenoxenic specificity to Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835, whilst the genus Axine Abildgaard, 1794 seems to be restricted to fishes of the order Beloniformes. Our attempt to investigate morphometric variations between Mediterranean and oceanic specimens revealed that the two populations differed by the number of testes, body length, and clamp dimensions. However, the limited number of measured organs in the various accounts precluded any distinction between the populations. Molecular data for both Mediterranean and oceanic specimens are needed to determine the existence of cryptic species.Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 je jednorodni metilj, nametnik na škrgama iglice, o kojem postoji malo radova s morfološkim i morfometrijskim podacima. U ovom radu dajemo ponovni opis vrste A. belones na temelju primjeraka sakupljenih na iglici Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760), njegovog tipskog domaćina. Primjerci iglica su ulovljeni uz obale Alžira, u zapadnom Sredozemnom moru, što je ujedno i novi lokalitet za ovu vrstu nametnika. Opisano je i ilustrirano nekoliko anatomskih i morfoloških značajki (genitalni otvori i skleriti prijanjaljki). U radu se iznose morfo-anatomski i morfometrijski podatci, zajedno s detaljnim ilustracijama A. belones i raspravlja o specifičnosti domaćina A. belones. Prikazani su i zabilježeni domaćini i lokaliteti nalaza ove vrste i srodnika, a obrasci specifičnosti domaćina kod A. belones ukazali su na stenokseničnu specifičnost prema porodici Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835, dok je rod Axine Abildgaard, 1794 vjerojatno ograničen na ribe reda Beloniformes. Naš pokušaj da istražimo morfometrijske varijacije između sredozemnih i oceanskih jedinki otkrio je da se dvije populacije razlikuju po broju testisa, duljini tijela i dimenzijama prijanjaljki. Međutim, ograničeni broj izmjerenih organa u drugim literaturnim izvorima onemogućio je precizno utvrđivanje razlike između populacija. Postojanje kriptičnih vrsta bi se moglo dokazati korištenjem molekularnih metoda za sredozemne i oceanske uzorke

0528: The role of brain natriuretic peptide and cystatin C in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: correlation with echocardio-graphic indexes after myocardial infarction

BackgroundThe utility of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and cystatin C for detecting left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI) in patients without heart failure symptoms still unclear. In this study, we investigated the relation between BNP, serum cystatin C levels and LV diastolic dysfunction after MI in patients without systolic dysfunction.MethodsWe studied 127 patients without renal dysfunction after first acute coronary syndrome (ACS). LV diastolic function was assessed with conventional Doppler, by means of mitral inflow and with tissue Doppler echo-cardiography by means of mitral annulus. The ratio of early diastolic transmitral E wave velocities to tissue Doppler mitral annulus early diastolic E’ wave velocities (E/E’), was used to detect LV filling pressures. Patients were divided in three groups according to E/E’ ratios<10 (group I), E/E’ ratios “between” 10 and 15 (group II) and E/E’ ratios>15 (group III). Plasma concentrations of BNP and serum cystatin C were measured at admission.ResultsThe BNP and serum cystatin C levels were positively correlated significantly with E/E’ ratio (r=0.786, P<0.001 and r=0.458, p=0.02). Patients with elevated LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), defined as E/E’>15 had highest BNP (321±75pg/mL) and cystatin C (1.1±0.2mg/L) levels. E/E’ 10 to 15 group had a mean BNP level of 151±28pg/mL and a mean cystatin C value of 0.78±0.1mg/L, and those with E/E’<10 had a mean BNP value of 69±20pg/ mL. A BNP value of 89pg/mL had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 69% for predicting E/E’>15.ConclusionThe assessment of the blood concentration of BNP and cystatin C is of potential value for identification of those patients after myocardial infarction to detect early cardiovascular changes, especially LV diastolic dys-function

Metastatic Clear Cell Hidradenocarcinoma: Response to Chemotherapy and Long Disease Control

Introduction: Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare aggressive tumor arising from sweat glands that may occur from preexisting hidradenoma or most frequently appears de novo. It is often located in the head and neck. It is also characterized by a high potential of local recurrence, metastasis and poor outcome. This tumor is often radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistant.Presentation of case: We report a case of a 77-year-old man with a metastatic hidradenocarcinoma to the bone and lymph nodes who was operated 7 years ago for an hidradenoma of the right foot. He was treated with capecitabine-based chemotherapy with good tolerance and obtention of partial response during 10 months. After that, his disease progressed and he died 1 year after diagnosis.Conclusion: Hidradenocarcinoma is a cancer with a poor prognosis . Because of its low prevalence and high rate of recurrence, its treatment is still controversial. Our good result demonstrates that adjunction of chemotherapy in metastatic forms is effective for a better control and long overall survival

Analysis of skewed X-chromosome inactivation in females with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroid diseases

Introduction: The majority of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are characterized by a striking female predominance superimposed on a predisposing genetic background. The role of extremely skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) has been questioned in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Methods: We examined XCI profiles of females affected with RA (n = 106), AITDs (n = 145) and age-matched healthy women (n = 257). XCI analysis was performed by enzymatic digestion of DNA with a methylation sensitive enzyme (HpaII) followed by PCR of a polymorphic CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The XCI pattern was classified as skewed when 80% or more of the cells preferentially inactivated the same X-chromosome. Results: Skewed XCI was observed in 26 of the 76 informative RA patients (34.2%), 26 of the 100 informative AITDs patients (26%), and 19 of the 170 informative controls (11.2%) (P 90% inactivation of one allele, was present in 17 RA patients (22.4%), 14 AITDs patients (14.0%), and in only seven controls (4.1%, P 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest a possible role for XCI mosaicism in the pathogenesis of RA and AITDs and may in part explain the female preponderance of these diseases. © 2009 Chabchoub et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Effects of playing surface on physical, physiological and perceptual responses to a repeated sprint ability test: natural grass versus artificial turf

Purpose: The effect of playing surface on physical performance during a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, and the mechanisms for any potential playing-surface-dependent effects on RSA performance, is equivocal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of natural grass (NG) and artificial turf (AT) on physical performance, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), feeling scale (FS) and blood biomarkers related to anaerobic contribution [lactate (Lac)], muscle damage [creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], inflammation [c-reactive protein (CRP)] and immune function [neutrophils (NEU), lymphocytes (LYM) and monocytes (MON)] in response to a RSA test. Methods: Nine male professional football players from the same regional team completed two sessions of RSA testing (6 × 30 s interspersed by 35 s recovery) on NG and AT in a randomized order. During the RSA test, total (sum of distances) and peak (highest distance covered in a single repetition) distance covered were determined using a measuring tape and the decrement in sprinting performance from the first to the last repetition was calculated. Before and after the RSA test, RPE, FS, and blood [Lac], [CK], [LDH], [CRP], [NEU], [LYM] and [MON] were recorded in both NG and AT conditions. Results: Although physical performance declined during the RSA blocks on both surfaces (p=0.001), the distance covered declined more on NG (15%) compared to AT [11%; p=0.04, ES=-0.34, 95% CI (-1.21, 0.56)] with a higher total distance covered (+6 ± 2%) on AT [p=0.018, ES=1.15, 95% CI (0.16, 2.04)]. In addition, lower RPE [p=0.04, ES=-0.49, 95% CI (-1.36, 0.42)] and blood [Lac], [NEU] and [LYM] [p=0.03; ES=-0.80, 95% CI (-1.67, 0.14); ES=-0.16, 95% CI (-1.03, 0.72) and ES=-0.94, 95% CI (-1.82, 0.02), respectively)] and more positive feelings [p=0.02, ES=0.81, 95%CI (-0.13, 1.69)] were observed following the RSA test performed on AT compared to NG. No differences were observed in the remaining physical and blood markers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that RSA performance is enhanced on AT compared to NG. This effect was accompanied by lower fatigue perception and blood [Lac], [NEU] and [LYM], and a more pleasurable feeling. These observations might have implications for physical performance in intermittent team sports athletes who train and compete on different playing surfaces

Effects of pomegranate juice supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers following weightlifting exercise

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pomegranate juice supplementation would blunt acute and delayed oxidative stress responses after a weightlifting training session. Nine elite weightlifters (21.0 ±1 years) performed two Olympic-Weightlifting sessions after ingesting either the placebo or pomegranate juice supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. Compared to the placebo condition, pomegranate juice supplementation attenuated the increase in malondialdehyde (-12.5%; p < 0.01) and enhanced the enzymatic (+8.6% for catalase and +6.8% for glutathione peroxidase; p < 0.05) and non-enzymatic (+12.6% for uric acid and +5.7% for total bilirubin; p < 0.01) antioxidant responses shortly (3 min) after completion of the training session. Additionally, during the 48 h recovery period, pomegranate juice supplementation accelerated (p < 0.05) the recovery kinetics of the malondialdehyde (5.6%) and the enzymatic antioxidant defenses compared to the placebo condition (9 to 10%). In conclusion, supplementation with pomegranate juice has the potential to attenuate oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant responses assessed acutely and up to 48 h following an intensive weightlifting training session. Therefore, elite weightlifters might benefit from blunted oxidative stress responses following intensive weightlifting sessions, which could have implications for recovery between training sessions