Length-weight and length-length relationships of the Mediterranean shad Alosa agone (Scopoli, 1786) from the Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey

The relationships between total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL), and between TL and weight were investigated for Mediterranenan shad, Alosa agone, from two estuary localities (Karaduvar and Samandag), North-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. A total of 297 specimens, 150 males and 147 females, were captured by gill net and trammel net between September 2006 and May 2007 from the NE Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey. The values of the exponent b of the length-weight relationships (LWRs) were 3.50 for female and 3.49 for male. The length-length relationship (LLRs) between the three length measurements (TL-FL-SL) were highly correlated (r2>0.99, P<0.001). This study presented the first reference on LWRs and LLRs for Mediterranean shad species from NE Mediterranean coast of Turkey.Key words: Alosa agone, Mediterranean shad, length-weight relationship, length-length relationship, NE Mediterranean Sea

New Mediterranean marine biodiversity records (December, 2013)

Based on recent biodiversity studies carried out in different parts of the Mediterranean, the following 19 species are included as new records on the floral or faunal lists of the relevant ecosystems: the green algae Penicillus capitatus (Maltese waters); the nemertean Am- phiporus allucens (Iberian Peninsula, Spain); the salp Salpa maxima (Syria); the opistobranchs Felimida britoi and Berghia coerulescens (Aegean Sea, Greece); the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus (central-west Mediterranean and Ionian Sea, Italy); Randall’s threadfin bream Nemipterus randalli, the broadbanded cardinalfish Apogon fasciatus and the goby Gobius kolombatovici (Aegean Sea, Turkey); the reticulated leatherjack Stephanolepis diaspros and the halacarid Agaue chevreuxi (Sea of Marmara, Turkey); the slimy liagora Ganon- ema farinosum, the yellowstripe barracuda Sphyraena chrysotaenia, the rayed pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata radiata and the Persian conch Conomurex persicus (south-eastern Kriti, Greece); the blenny Microlipophrys dalmatinus and the bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus (Ionian Sea, Italy); the brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus (north-eastern Levant, Turkey); the blue-crab Callinectes sapidus (Corfu, Ionian Sea, Greece). In addition, the findings of the following rare species improve currently available biogeographical knowledge: the oceanic pufferfish Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Malta); the yellow sea chub Kyphosus incisor (Almuñécar coast of Spain); the basking shark Cetorhinus maximus and the shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus (north-eastern Levant, Turkey).peer-reviewe

ACE (I/D) polymorphism and response to treatment in coronary artery disease: a comprehensive database and meta-analysis involving study quality evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (<it>ACE</it>) gene insertion/deletion (<it>I/D</it>) polymorphism in modifying the response to treatment modalities in coronary artery disease is controversial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>PubMed was searched and a database of 58 studies with detailed information regarding <it>ACE I/D </it>polymorphism and response to treatment in coronary artery disease was created. Eligible studies were synthesized using meta-analysis methods, including cumulative meta-analysis. Heterogeneity and study quality issues were explored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty studies involved invasive treatments (coronary angioplasty or coronary artery by-pass grafting) and 18 used conservative treatment options (including anti-hypertensive drugs, lipid lowering therapy and cardiac rehabilitation procedures). Clinical outcomes were investigated by 11 studies, while 47 studies focused on surrogate endpoints. The most studied outcome was the restenosis following coronary angioplasty (34 studies). Heterogeneity among studies (p < 0.01) was revealed and the risk of restenosis following balloon angioplasty was significant under an additive model: the random effects odds ratio was 1.42 (95% confidence interval:1.07–1.91). Cumulative meta-analysis showed a trend of association as information accumulates. The results were affected by population origin and study quality criteria. The meta-analyses for the risk of restenosis following stent angioplasty or after angioplasty and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors produced non-significant results. The allele contrast random effects odds ratios with the 95% confidence intervals were 1.04(0.92–1.16) and 1.10(0.81–1.48), respectively. Regarding the effect of <it>ACE I/D </it>polymorphism on the response to treatment for the rest outcomes (coronary events, endothelial dysfunction, left ventricular remodeling, progression/regression of atherosclerosis), individual studies showed significance; however, results were discrepant and inconsistent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In view of available evidence, genetic testing of <it>ACE I/D </it>polymorphism prior to clinical decision making is not currently justified. The relation between <it>ACE </it>genetic variation and response to treatment in CAD remains an unresolved issue. The results of long-term and properly designed prospective studies hold the promise for pharmacogenetically tailored therapy in CAD.</p

Antiphospholipid syndrome; its implication in cardiovascular diseases: a review

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is a rare syndrome mainly characterized by several hyper-coagulable complications and therefore, implicated in the operated cardiac surgery patient. APLS comprises clinical features such as arterial or venous thromboses, valve disease, coronary artery disease, intracardiac thrombus formation, pulmonary hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy. The most commonly affected valve is the mitral, followed by the aortic and tricuspid valve. For APLS diagnosis essential is the detection of so-called antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) as anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) or lupus anticoagulant (LA). Minor alterations in the anticoagulation, infection, and surgical stress may trigger widespread thrombosis. The incidence of thrombosis is highest during the following perioperative periods: preoperatively during the withdrawal of warfarin, postoperatively during the period of hypercoagulability despite warfarin or heparin therapy, or postoperatively before adequate anticoagulation achievement. Cardiac valvular pathology includes irregular thickening of the valve leaflets due to deposition of immune complexes that may lead to vegetations and valve dysfunction; a significant risk factor for stroke. Patients with APLS are at increased risk for thrombosis and adequate anticoagulation is of vital importance during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A successful outcome requires multidisciplinary management in order to prevent thrombotic or bleeding complications and to manage perioperative anticoagulation. More work and reporting on anticoagulation management and adjuvant therapy in patients with APLS during extracorporeal circulation are necessary

Length-weight and length-length relationships of the Mediterranean shad alosa agone (Scopoli, 1786) from the Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey

The relationships between total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL), and between TL and weight were investigated for Mediterranenan shad, Alosa agone, from two estuary localities (Karaduvar and Samandag), North-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. A total of 297 specimens, 150 males and 147 females, were captured by gill net and trammel net between September 2006 and May 2007 from the NE Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey. The values of the exponent b of the length-weight relationships (LWRs) were 3.50 for female and 3.49 for male. The length-length relationship (LLRs) between the three length measurements (TL-FL-SL) were highly correlated (r2>0.99, P<0.001). This study presented the first reference on LWRs and LLRs for Mediterranean shad species from NE Mediterranean coast of Turkey. © 2011 Academic Journals

Plaque Accumulation and Inflammation Adjacent to Restorations of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate-containin Composite in Early Childhood Caries

WOS: 000453409100010PubMed ID: 30460359Purpose: To evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and microbiological reactions to nanocomposite containing amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in comparison to a traditional composite restorative material in early childhood caries. Materials and Methods: Eighteen teeth were restored with the test material (ACP-containing resin) and 18 teeth were restored with the control material (traditional composite, TC) in fourteen paediatric patients using a splitmouth design. One caries- and restoration-free intact tooth in each patient was selected as the healthy control. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and supragingival plaque samples were collected at baseline before the treatment and also on days 1, 7, 14 and 30 after treatment. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from each patient at baseline, and 1 and 6 months after restoration. GCF and saliva samples were assayed for IL-17A, IL-17F IL-17A/F, IL-17E, OPG and RANKL levels by ELISA, and plaque composition was assessed using RT-PCR. Results: Clinical evaluation indicated no statistically significant differences between the two restorative materials according to the FDI criteria surface lustre, material retention and marginal adaptation properties. Pro-inflammatory IL-17 levels decreased statistically significantly at 6 months compared to baseline and 1-month values (p < 0.05). The baseline pro-inflammatory IL-17 cytokine levels in GCF samples around the carious teeth were higher than those obtained around the healthy teeth (p < 0.05), but similar in GCF from the ACP-test and TC teeth. Microbiological findings were similar in the ACP and T groups. Conclusion: It may be suggested that both ACP-containing and traditional resin composites show similar antimicrobial and biochemical effects in early childhood caries.Ege University Research FoundationEge University [2013 DIS 033]; University of Glasgow [SC004401]This study was funded by a grant from the Ege University Research Foundation (Project No: 2013 DIS 033) and by funding from The University of Glasgow (Registered charity number SC004401)

Hereditary angioedema case series

30th Congress of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology (EAACI) -- JUN 11-15, 2011 -- Istanbul, TURKEYWOS: 000329462202284European Acad Allergy & Clin Immunol (EAACI