Fishes of the deep demersal habitat at Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) Island, Western Indian Ocean

Underwater observations of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae</I> Smith, 1939, from a research submersible provided opportunities to study the deep demersal fish fauna at the Comoro Islands. The demersal habitat in depths of 150-400 m at the volcanic island of Ngazidja is low in fish diversity and biomass, compared with the shallow-water coral reef habitat of Ngazidja or the deep demersal habitats of other localities in the Indo-Pacific region. The resident deep demersal fish fauna at Ngazidja is dominated by the coelacanth, an ancient predator that is specially adapted for this low-energy environment. Other large fish predators are scarce in this environment, because of the heavy fishing pressure from local fishermen. Eighty-nine fish taxa (including 65 recognizable species) were recorded from videotapes, photographs, visual observations, fishermen's catches and ancillary attempts to sample the fish fauna with baited fish traps, gill nets, and hook and line. Although no coelacanth feeding events were seen, seven fish species are known from coelacanth stomach contents, and 64 other fish species in this habitat are considered potential prey of this dominant predator

Interactions of fishes with particular reference to coelacanths in the canyons at Sodwana Bay and the St. Lucia Protected Area of South Africa

The deep demersal fish fauna at depths of 100–400min canyons off the St Lucia Marine Protected Area along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal is compared with similar fish communities at the Comoro Islands and in the Indo-Pacific region. Fifty-four fish species were seen or photographed from the submersible Jago or by the discovery team of scuba divers in the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, habitat of the canyons off Sodwana Bay. An additional 94 fish species known from depths of 100–200 m along the coast of northern KwaZulu-Natal are likely to occur in the canyon habitat. The fish fauna of the Sodwana canyons shares at least 18 species with the deep demersal fish community off tropical coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. Thirty-seven of the Sodwana canyon fishes are also known from the coelacanth habitat in the Comoros

The South African coelacanths - an account on what is known after three submersible expeditions

Using the manned submersible Jago, the habits, distribution and number of coelacanths within all main submarine canyons of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park were studied during 47 survey dives, with a total bottom time of 166 hours at depths ranging from 46 to 359 m, between 2002 and 2004. Twenty-four individuals were positively identified from three of the canyons, primarily from inside caves at or close to the canyon edges at depths of 96-133 m with water temperatures between 16 and 22.5oC. The population size of coelacanths within the canyons is assumed to be relatively small; coelacanths are resident but not widespread nor abundant within the park

The population biology of the living coelacanth studied over 21 years

Between 1986 and 2009 nine submersible and remote-operated vehicle expeditions were carried out to study the population biology of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae in the Comoro Islands, located in the western Indian Ocean. Latimeria live in large overlapping home ranges that can be occupied for as long as 21 years. Most individuals are confined to relatively small home ranges, resting in the same caves during the day. One hundred and forty five coelacanths are individually known, and we estimate the total population size of Grande Comore as approximately 300–400 adult individuals. The local population inhabiting a census area along an 8-km section of coastline remained stable for at least 18 years. Using LASER-assisted observations, we recorded length frequencies between 100 and 200 cm total length and did not encounter smaller-bodied individuals (\100 cm total length). It appears that coelacanth recruitment in the observation areas occur mainly by immigrating adults. We estimate that the mean numbers of deaths and newcomers are 3–4 individuals per year, suggesting that longevity may exceed 100 years. The domestic fishery represents a threat to the long-term survival of coelacanths in the study area. Recent changes in the local fishery include a decrease in the abundance of the un-motorized canoes associated with exploitation of coelacanths and an increase in motorized canoes. Exploitation rates have fallen in recent years, and by 2000, had fallen to lowest ever reported. Finally, future fishery developments are discussed

Human Metapneumovirus in Adults

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a relative newly described virus. It was first isolated in 2001 and currently appears to be one of the most significant and common human viral infections. Retrospective serologic studies demonstrated the presence of HMPV antibodies in humans more than 50 years earlier. Although the virus was primarily known as causative agent of respiratory tract infections in children, HMPV is an important cause of respiratory infections in adults as well. Almost all children are infected by HMPV below the age of five; the repeated infections throughout life indicate transient immunity. HMPV infections usually are mild and self-limiting, but in the frail elderly and the immunocompromised patients, the clinical course can be complicated. Since culturing the virus is relatively difficult, diagnosis is mostly based on a nucleic acid amplification test, such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. To date, no vaccine is available and treatment is supportive. However, ongoing research shows encouraging results. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature concerning HMPV infections in adults, and discuss recent development in treatment and vaccination

Serum thyroglobulin concentrations predict disease-free remission and death in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Most studies on the diagnostic value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) use fixed cut-off levels in heterogeneous groups of patients with respect to initial therapy and do not provide prognostic data. The objective was to investigate the prognostic values of serum Tg for disease-free remission and death, measured at fixed time-points after initial therapy using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Single-centre observational study with 366 consecutive patients with DTC, who had all been treated according to the same protocol for initial therapy and follow-up. Tg concentrations were measured at five fixed time-points after initial surgery. Tg cut-off values with the highest accuracy were calculated with ROC analyses. During the 8.3 +/- 4.6 years of follow-up, 84% of the patients were cured. Pre-ablative Tg levels were an independent prognostic indicator for disease-free remission (Tg cut-off value 27.5 microg/l, positive predictive value 98%). The highest diagnostic accuracies of serum Tg for tumour presence were found during TSH-stimulated Tg measurements, 6 months after initial therapy (Tg cut-off value 10 microg/l; sensitivity 100%, specificity 93%). DTC-related mortality was 14%. TSH-stimulated Tg levels before ablation and 6 months after initial therapy were independent prognostic indicators for death. Optimal institutional Tg cut-off levels for diagnosis and prognosis should be defined using ROC analyses for each condition and time-point. Tg measurements 6 months after initial therapy during TSH stimulation had an excellent diagnostic value. Tg levels are independent prognostic indicators for disease-free remission and death. Using this strategy, high-risk patient groups can be selected based on Tg levels, in addition to conventionally used prognostic indicator

Quality of life in cured patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

This study was performed to evaluate the impact of cured differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) on quality of life. Previous studies on quality of life in patients with DTC were hampered by small patient numbers or limited quality-of-life parameters or were uncontrolled. This was a cross-sectional case-control study. We assessed quality of life in 153 cured DTC patients with a median duration of cure of 6.34 yr (range 0.3-41.8) and studied the contribution of disease-specific, biochemical, and social variables, focusing on the degree of TSH suppression. Four validated health-related questionnaires were used (Short Form-36, Multidimensional Fatigue Index-20, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Somatoform Disorder Questionnaire), including multiple aspects of physical, psychological, and social functioning. Patients were compared with 113 controls selected by patients themselves (control group I) and 336 pooled age- and gender-matched controls from other Leiden quality-of-life studies (control group II). Patients had significantly decreased quality of life in 11 of 16 subscales when compared with control group I. In comparison with control group II, decreased scores in 13 of 16 items were observed. An important independent predictor for quality of life was duration of cure. Quality-of-life parameters were not influenced by serum TSH levels both measured at the time of quality-of-life assessment and measured over time since initial therapy. Patients cured for DTC have impaired quality of life, independently of TSH level. Quality-of-life parameters were inversely affected by duration of cure and consequently may be restored after prolonged follow-u

Rituximab in relapsing Graves' disease, a phase II study

Conventional therapies for Graves' disease, consisting of medical therapy or radioiodine are unsatisfactory, because of limited efficacy and adverse events. Interventions aimed at the underlying autoimmune pathogenesis of Graves' disease may be worthwhile to explore. We therefore performed a prospective, 26-week phase II study with open-ended observational extension to assess the efficacy of rituximab in patients with recurrent Graves' disease. We performed a prospective, 26-week phase II study with open-ended observations. Thirteen patients with relapsing Graves' disease (9 females and 4 males, age 39.5+/-9.5 years) received 2 dosages of rituximab 1000 mg i.v. with a 2-week interval. Before administration and on several periods after the administration of TSH, free thyroxine (FT(4)), thyrotropin binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) and the proportion of CD19 and MS4A1 positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured. The proportion of MS4A1 positive lymphocytes decreased in all patients from 5.8% at baseline to 1.4% at 26 weeks (P=0.007). Four patients with high initial FT(4) levels did not respond to treatment. All remaining patients had a decrease in FT(4) levels at 26 weeks (P=0.001) and an increase in TSH levels (P=0.011). TBII decreased in all remaining patients (P=0.003). At a follow-up time of 14-27 months, nine of these patients were still euthyroid with normal FT(4) (P <0.001) and TSH levels (P=0.008). The present study results suggest a beneficial role of rituximab in mild relapsing Graves' disease. A subsequent randomized controlled trial with rituximab is recommende

Autonomic nervous system function in chronic exogenous subclinical thyrotoxicosis and the effect of restoring euthyroidism

Knowledge on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and subclinical hyperthyroidism is mainly based upon cross-sectional studies in heterogeneous patient populations, and the effect of restoration to euthyroidism in subclinical hyperthyroidism has not been studied. We investigated the long-term effects of exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism on the autonomic nervous system and the potential effects of restoration of euthyroidism. This was a prospective single-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Setting: The study was performed at a university hospital. A total of 25 patients who were on more than 10-yr TSH suppressive therapy after thyroidectomy was examined. Patients were studied at baseline and subsequently randomized to a 6-month thyroid hormone substitution regimen to obtain either euthyroidism or maintenance of the subclinical hyperthyroid state. Urinary excretion of catecholamines and heart rate variability were measured. Baseline data of the subclinical hyperthyroidism patients were compared with data obtained in patients with hyperthyroidism and controls. Urinary excretion of norepinephrine and vanillylmandelic acid was higher in the subclinical hyperthyroidism patients compared with controls and lower compared with patients with overt hyperthyroidism. Heart rate variability was lower in patients with hyperthyroidism, intermediate in subclinical hyperthyroidism patients, and highest in the healthy controls. No differences were observed after restoration of euthyroidism. Long-term exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism has effects on the autonomic nervous system measured by heart rate variability and urinary catecholamine excretion. No differences were observed after restoration to euthyroidism. This may indicate the occurrence of irreversible changes or adaptation during long-term exposure to excess thyroid hormone that is not remedied by 6-month euthyroidis