Morphometrical and genetic diversity of Meloidogyne javanica isolates from the north east of Iran

Twenty one populations ofMeloidogyne javanica collected from roots of four different host plants in different regions of Khorasan Razavi province, north east of Iran, were studied by statistical analysis based on 27 morphometrical characters of females, J2s and perineal pattern. Morphological studies were confirmed by species specific primers. PCA analysis separated the different populations, however no geographical or host patterns were observed. Cluster analysis confirmed these results. Statistical analysis showed 86% similarity in morphometrical characters, revealed for the first time in this study. The genetic diversity of populations was studied by RAPD with ten primers, showing 92.6% similarity. The results of Mantel test, which has been used for searching correlation between morphometrical and genetic diversity, revealed low values between the two data sets. The present study demonstrated morphological and genetic variations among populations of M. javanica and that such variations are little influenced by geographical origin of nematodes and/or their host plants

Immunoglobulin Free Light Chains in the Pathogenesis of Lung Disorders.

Inflammation is an important component of numerous cancers and chronic diseases and many inflammatory mediators have been shown to have potential prognostic roles. Tumor-infiltrating mast cells can promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, but the mechanism of mast cell activation is unclear. Early studies have shown that immunoglobulin free light chains (FLC) can trigger mast cell activation in an antigen-specific manner. Increased expression of FLC is observed within the stroma of many human cancers including those of breast, colon, lung, pancreas, kidney, and skin. These overexpressed FLCs are co-localized to areas of mast cell infiltration. Importantly, FLC expression is associated with basal-like cancers with an aggressive phenotype. Moreover, FLC is expressed in areas of inflammatory cell infiltration and its expression is significantly associated with poor clinical outcome. In addition, serum and bronchoalveolar fluid FLC concentrations are increased in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) compared to control subjects. In this review, we provide an update on the role of FLC in the pathogenesis of several lung disorders and indicate how this may contribute to new therapeutic opportunities

Ageing, muscle properties and maximal O2 uptake rate in humans

This paper asks how the decline in maximal O2 uptake rate (V̇O2,max) with age is related to the properties of a key muscle group involved in physical activity – the quadriceps muscles. Maximal oxygen consumption on a cycle ergometer was examined in nine adult (mean age 38.8 years) and 39 elderly subjects (mean age 68.8 years) and compared with the oxidative capacity and volume of the quadriceps.V̇O2,max declined with age between 25 and 80 years and the increment in oxygen consumption from unloaded cycling to V̇O2,max (ΔV̇O2) in the elderly was 45 % of the adult value.The cross-sectional areas of the primary muscles involved in cycling – the hamstrings, gluteus maximus and quadriceps – were all lower in the elderly group. The quadriceps volume was reduced in the elderly to 67 % of the adult value. Oxidative capacity per quadriceps volume was reduced to 53 % of the adult value. The product of oxidative capacity and muscle volume – the quadriceps oxidative capacity – was 36 % of the adult value in the elderly.Quadriceps oxidative capacity was linearly correlated with ΔV̇O2 among the subjects with the slope indicating that the quadriceps represented 36 % of the V̇O2 increase during cycling.The decline in quadriceps oxidative capacity with age resulted from reductions in both muscle volume and oxidative capacity per volume in the elderly and appears to be an important determinant of the age-related reduction in ΔV̇O2 and V̇O2,max found in this study

Pregnancy and Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease commonly affects women of childbearing age. Available data on Crohn's disease and pregnancy show that women with Crohn's disease can expect to conceive successfully, carry to term and deliver a healthy baby. Control of disease activity before conception and during pregnancy is critical, to optimize both maternal and fetal health. Generally speaking, pharmacological therapy for Crohn's disease during pregnancy is similar to pharmacological therapy for non-pregnant patients. Patients maintained in remission by way of pharmacological therapy should continue it throughout their pregnancy. Most drugs, including sulfasalazine, mesalazine, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressors such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, are safe, whereas methotrexate is contraindicated