First analysis of the proteome in two nematomorph species, Paragordius tricuspidatus (Chordodidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii (Spinochordodidae).

The proteome of most parasite species is currently unknown. Hairworms (Nematomorpha), 300 species distributed around the world, are parasitic in arthropods (mainly terrestrial species) when juveniles, but they are free-living in aquatic environments when adult. Most aspects of their systematics and biology are currently unknown. The aim of this paper was (i) to report a novel and reproducible protocol for the analysis of the proteome of hairworms using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and mass spectrometry (matrix laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)) and (ii) to determine the level of proteomic divergence between two sympatric but taxonomically unrelated nematomorph species in the adult stage, Paragordius tricuspidatus Dufour (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii Camerano (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae). In total, 689 protein spots were observed for P. tricuspidatus, 575 for S. tellinii. Only 36.2% spots were shared between the two species. Quantitative analysis of the proteins which are common to both parasite species reveals substantial differences in the pattern of protein expression. These results suggest a rapid evolutionary divergence between these two nematomorph families. Also, to test the value of our MALDI-TOF protocol, we used Actin-2 (Act-2), a protein highly conserved in the course of evolution. Peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) data obtained for Act-2 of P. tricuspidatus and S. tellinii suggest a very high homology with Act-2 of different worms species belonging to the Bilateria phylum (Annelida and Nematoda) and more specifically to Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Lumbricidae) and Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda, Rhabditidae). We discuss our results in relationship with current ideas concerning the use of proteomics in systematics.     

The value of abdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of colon cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colon cancer is one of the main causes of cancer death. Diagnosis requires the examination of the entire large bowel by means of radiological or endoscopic techniques. Many patients suspect of colon cancer are referred for colonoscopy but nevertheless this suspicion is not confirmed after endoscopic examination. The objective of this study is the evaluation of the reliability of abdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of these tumors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We selected patients suspect of colon cancer referred to the endoscopy unit for a colonoscopy. An abdominal ultrasound was carried out on all patients prior to the endoscopy. Considering the endoscopic examination as a gold standard, the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the ultrasonography were evaluated. Likewise, a series of analytical and clinical parameters were evaluated, in an attempt to establish associated factors of a colon cancer. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the statistical package SPSS 12.0 for Windows. RESULTS: 145 patients were included in the study (56.6% males) with an average 66.72 years of age (22-89). A cancer was diagnosed in 42 cases (28.9%). In the diagnosis of colon cancer, abdominal ultrasound presents a sensitivity of 79.06%, a specificity of 92.15%, a PPV and a NPV of 80.9% and of 91.2%, respectively. Excluding from the analysis lesions of the rectal ampulla, which cannot be adequately evaluated by means of ultrasound, the figures for sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV increase to 91.8, 92.1, 80.9 and 96.9% respectively. The univariate analysis showed that an age over 65 years and the presence of microcytosis are associated to a greater risk of colon cancer while after multivariate analysis only the presence of microcytosis resulted to be an independent predictive factor of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal ultrasound presents high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in the diagnosis of colon cancer. The combination of an ultrasonography and a rectoscopy permits us to rule out the presence of a colorectal carcinoma. In patients with microcytosis of 65 years and over, if there is strong clinical suspicion, a negative ultrasound may not be sufficient to rule out a colorectal neoplasia.     

Normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral blood flow: a PET study of baseline values.

Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was studied with O(15)-water positron emission tomography and anatomic region-of-interest analysis on co-registered magnetic resonance in patients with idiopathic (n = 12) and secondary (n = 5) normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Mean CBF was compared with values obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 12) and with clinical parameters. Mean CBF was significantly decreased in the cerebrum and cerebellum of patients with NPH. The regional analysis demonstrated that CBF was reduced in the basal ganglia and the thalamus but not in white matter regions. The results suggest that the role of the basal ganglia and thalamus in NPH may be more prominent than currently appreciated. The implications for theories regarding the pathogenesis of NPH are discussed.