Testis cytological structure, plasma sex steroids, and gonad cytosol free steroid receptors of heterologous gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated silver eel, Anguilla anguilla L

Complete testicular maturation was induced in silver eels, kept at 24 degrees in fresh water, by a single injection of 1000 I.U. of heterologous gonadotropin (hCG). Each week, for 4 weeks, some eels were examined for testis structural pattern, plasma sex steroids, and gonad cytosol steroid receptors. The first effect of the hCG was on the tubular organization of the testis, followed by spermatogenesis. Plasma androgens were not detectable in the untreated eels, whereas a peak was detected a week after in those treated with the injection and afterward a decline. Plasma progesterone and estradiol showed a peak 2 weeks after treatment. Untreated eel gonads showed a high content of cytosolic free estradiol receptors which disappeared in the hCG-treated ones, a peak of free progesterone receptors was found 1 week after injection. The results are discussed in relation to the differentiation and maturation of eels testes.     

Analysis of endothelin-1 and endothelin-1 receptor A gene polymorphisms in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

This study analyses the frequency and the potential role of two polymorphisms, the +134del/insA, located in the gene encoding for Endothelin-1 (EDN1), and the His323His in the gene encoding for Endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) in a cohort of 98 consecutive patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension from two different Cardiology Units (Mid-South of Italy), and in 100 healthy Caucasian subjects randomly recruited from the same area. Cardiac anatomy and function were analysed by non invasive diagnostic imaging techniques (Echocardiography standard m-mode, 2D, colour-Doppler) and by invasive studies (cardiac catheterization). Molecular screening of the region of interest was performed by automated sequencing. At univariate analysis, patients with the His323His TT genotype show a lower cardiac index (2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6; p = 0.05) and a higher indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (18.8 ± 9.6 vs. 14.2 ± 6.9; p = 0.01) at cardiac catheterization. A logistic multivariate model shows idiopathic disease (p = 0.01; OR = 3.8; CI = 1.3-11) and indexed pulmonary vascular resistances (p = 0.01; OR = 1.1; CI = 1-1.2) as independent predictors of TT genotype. Our findings may suggest a potential link between specific genotypes in the EDNRA gene and susceptibility for PAH.     

Ex vivo histological analysis of the thermal effects created by a 445-nm diode laser in oral soft tissue biopsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate, ex vivo, the histological effects of 445-nm diode laser (Eltech K-Laser srl, Treviso, Italy), during an oral soft ti     

Rice yields decline with higher night temperature from global warming

The impact of projected global warming on crop yields has been evaluated by indirect methods using simulation models. Direct studies on the effects of observed climate change on crop growth and yield could provide more accurate information for assessing the impact of climate change on crop production. We analyzed weather data at the International Rice Research Institute Farm from 1979 to 2003 to examine temperature trends and the relationship between rice yield and temperature by using data from irrigated field experiments conducted at the International Rice Research Institute Farm from 1992 to 2003. Here we report that annual mean maximum and minimum temperatures have increased by 0.35 degrees C and 1.13 degrees C, respectively, for the period 1979-2003 and a close linkage between rice grain yield and mean minimum temperature during the dry cropping season (January to April). Grain yield declined by 10% for each 1 degrees C increase in growing-season minimum temperature in the dry season, whereas the effect of maximum temperature on crop yield was insignificant. This report provides a direct evidence of decreased rice yields from increased nighttime temperature associated with global warming.     

MTHFR C677T polymorphism,folate status and colon cancer risk in acromegalic patients

Background

Acromegalic patients have a higher risk of developing colorectal tumours (CRT). The common C677T polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is a well-documented CRT risk factor in the general population, but its role in acromegaly has never been examined.

Purpose

We investigated the influence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism, folate status and other lifestyle, nutritional and disease-specific variables on CRT risk in acromegaly.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from 115 acromegalic patients (25 with active disease) who underwent a complete colonoscopy. C677T MTHFR genotype, homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂, insulin growth factor and insulin levels, as well as metabolic variables were evaluated.

Results

Colorectal tumours were identified in 51 patients (3 adenocarcinomas). MTHFR C677T distribution was in the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and similar in patients with or without CRT. There was a correlation between patients with TT genotype and CRT occurrence (Spearman’s test: P = 0.03), with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.32 (95 % CI 0.522–3.362, P NS). A folate–MTHFR genotype interaction on CRT risk was found (P = 0.037): in the lower folate subgroup, TT patients showed a 2.4 higher OR for CRT (95 % CI 0.484–11.891; P NS) than C-allele carriers. Smoking (P = 0.007), increased HbA_1c levels (P = 0.021), dyslipidaemia (P = 0.049), acromegaly control (P = 0.057), and folate–MTHFR genotype interaction (P = 0.088) were associated with CRT at multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

In this cohort of acromegalic patients, CRT risk is increased in 677TT MTHFR patients with low plasma folate levels. Smoking, high HbA_1c levels, dyslipidaemia and disease activity were also associated with increased CRT risk.     

Effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip

There is no gold standard for treatment of bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip (BMESH). Usually, treatment is conservative, owing to the favorable and self-limiting prognosis. In musculoskeletal disorders, the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been widely recognized and recent research supports its use in the treatment of the first stages of avascular osteonecrosis of the proximal femur and in other conditions where bone marrow edema is present. On this basis, we performed a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of ESWT in normalizing the symptoms and imaging features of BMESH. Twenty consecutive symptomatic patients underwent two treatments of high-energy ESWT and were followed-up at 2, 3 and 6 months, with a final clinical follow-up at mean 15.52 ± 1.91 months. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the hip and were evaluated according to the Harris hip score. The mean improvement in HHS over the course of the study was of 58.5 ± 14.9 points (p < 0.0001), and the mean edema area reduced from 981.9 ± 453.2 mm² pre-treatment to 107.8 ± 248.1 mm² at 6 months. ESWT seems to be a powerful, non-pharmacological tool that produces rapid pain relief and functional improvement and aids the normalization of the vascular and metabolic impairments which characterize BMESH.