Echinococcus multilocularis in musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus): the first finding of the parasite in naturally infected rodent in the Slovak Republic

Summary Infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus) in the Slovak Republic. At necropsy, massively enlarged liver with numbers of abscess-like lesions up to 1.5 cm in diameter was found. Histological examination shoved the presence of typical multivesicular cysts with multiple protoscoleces and typical laminated layer. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. According to our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Echinococcus multilocularis in naturally infected rodent in territory of the Slovak Republic.     

Heritability of the Human Craniofacial Complex

Quantifying normal variation and the genetic underpinnings of anatomical structures is one of the main goals of modern morphological studies. However, the extent of genetic contributions to normal variation in craniofacial morphology in humans is still unclear. The current study addresses this gap by investigating the genetic underpinnings of normal craniofacial morphology. The sample under investigation consists of 75 linear and angular measurements spanning the entire craniofacial complex, recorded from lateral cephalographs of 1,379 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Heritabilities for each trait were estimated using SOLAR, a maximum‐likelihood variance components approach utilizing all pedigree information for parameter estimation. Trait means and mean effects of the covariates age, sex, age², sex × age, and sex × age² were simultaneously estimated in the analytic models. All traits of the craniofacial complex were significantly heritable. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.10 to 0.60, with the majority being moderate. It is important to note that we found similar ranges of heritability occurring across the different functional/developmental components of the craniofacial complex, the splanchnocranium, the basicranium, and the neurocranium. This suggests that traits from different regions of the craniofacial complex are of comparable utility for the purposes of population history and phylogeny reconstruction. At the same time, this genetic influence on craniofacial morphology signals a caution to researchers of nongenetic studies to consider the implications of this finding when selecting samples for study given their project design and goals. Anat Rec, 298:1535–1547, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Zoonotic Dirofilaria repens (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in Aedes vexans mosquitoes,Czech Republic

The surveillance of vectors for arthropod-borne pathogens is nowadays an important tool in surveillance programmes throughout Europe. Whereas many studies have been performed to screen arthropods for viruses or bacterial pathogens, only limited information is available concerning the geographical distribution and vector range of pathogenic filariae in Central Europe. To consider the prevalence of filarial parasites in mosquito vectors, we performed a molecular survey of mosquitoes for filarial DNA. Mosquito collection was conducted at six study sites in the South Moravian region (Czech Republic) close to the borders with Slovakia and Austria from 2009 to 2011. Molecular screening of mosquitoes was conducted using conventional PCR with primers designed to amplify the mitochondrial cytochromoxidase subunit I gene as well as the partial 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. A total of 13,222 mosquitoes belonging to six species were captured and distributed into 237 pools with different numbers of individuals. Overall, four pools were positive for Dirofilaria repens (a minimum infection rate 0.03 %) at two study sites (both natural and urban). Another filarial parasite detected during a study into Aedes vexans mosquitoes revealed the closest homology to Setaria spp. We detected specific D. repens DNA in Ae. vexans mosquitoes for the first time in the Czech Republic and confirmed the circulation of Dirofilaria spp. in a natural focus of infection providing an epidemiological link between autochthonous canine cases and mosquito vectors in the area studied.     

Evidence that the central canal lining of the spinal cord contributes to oligodendrogenesis during postnatal development and adulthood in intact rats

Two waves of oligodendrogenesis in the ventricular zone of the spinal cord (SC‐VZ) during rat development, which take place between embryonic days 14 and 18 (E14–E18) and E20–E21, have been described. In the VZ of the brain, unlike the SC‐VZ, a third wave of oligodendrogenesis occurs during the first weeks of postnatal development. Using immunofluorescence staining of intact rat SC tissue, we noticed the presence of small numbers of Olig2⁺/Sox‐10⁺ cells inside the lining of the central canal (CC) during postnatal development and adulthood. Olig2⁺/Sox‐10⁺ cells appeared inside the lining of the CC shortly after birth, and their number reached a maximum of approximately 0.65 ± 0.14 cell/40‐μm section during the second postnatal week. After the latter development, the number of Olig2⁺/Sox‐10⁺ cells decreased to 0.21 ± 0.07 (P36) and 0.18 ± 0.1 cell/section (P120). At P21, Olig2⁺/Sox‐10⁺ cells inside the CC lining started to express other oligodendroglial markers such as CNPase, RIP, and APC. Olig2⁺/Sox‐10⁺ cells usually did not proliferate inside the CC lining and were only rarely found to be immunoreactive against oligodendrocyte progenitor markers such as NG2 or PDGFRα. Using 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine administration at P2, P11, P22, or P120–P125, we revealed that these cells arose in the CC lining during postnatal development and adulthood. Our findings confirmed that the CC lining is the source of a small number of cells with an oligodendroglial phenotype during postnatal development and adulthood in the SC of intact rats. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3194–3207, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hybrid myocardial revascularization—the cardiologist's view

This article summarizes current knowledge on the mutual position of surgical and interventional treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. It focuses on the possibilities of their combined use – so called hybrid myocardial revascularization. The use of minimally invasive surgery combined with current technologies of coronary interventions offers new opportunities, taking advantages of both procedures and eliminating some of their disadvantages. This previously rarely used technique could improve the clinical outcomes and treatment comfort in selected groups of patients.     

Disorders of Balance and Gait in Essential Tremor Are Associated with Midline Tremor and Age

Disorders of balance and gait have been observed in patients with essential tremor (ET), but their association with tremor severity remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate postural instability and gait changes in ET patients and to investigate their relationship to tremor characteristics with regard to cerebellar dysfunction as a possible common pathogenetic mechanism in ET. Thirty ET patients (8F, mean (SD) age 55.8 (17.8), range 19–81 years) and 25 normal controls (7F, 53.0 (17.7), 19–81) were tested with the scales of Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB), and International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Posturography and gait were assessed using a Footscan® system. Tremor was evaluated by the Fahn–Tolosa–Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) and accelerometry in five upper limb positions. A mean (SD) TRS sum score of 27.0 (13.2) corresponded to mild to moderate tremor severity in most patients. In comparison with controls, ET subjects exhibited lower tandem gait velocity (0.21 vs. 0.26 m/s, P?=?0.028), more missteps (0.57 vs. 0.12, P?=?0.039), and increased postural sway in tandem stance (sway area 301.1 vs. 202.9 mm², P?=?0.045). In normal gait, step width increased with the midline tremor subscore of TRS (Pearson r?=?0.60, P?=?0.046). Moreover, significant correlations were found between age and quantitative measures of normal and tandem gait in ET patients but not in controls. ABC, FAB, and ICARS scores did not significantly differ between patients and controls. In conclusion, gait and balance alterations in ET patients occur even without subjective complaints. Their relationship with midline tremor and dependence on age suggest a connection with cerebellar dysfunction.     

High susceptibility to pemphigus vulgaris due to HLA‐DRB1*14:54 in the Slovak population

The current work describes an association between pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and class II HLA alleles in the Slovak population, the first such study in Slovakia on the ‘high‐resolution level’. This work takes into account the new HLA allele nomenclature, officially adopted in 2010. In particular, we have focused on the associations between PV and DRB1*14:54 and DRB1*14:01. This case–control study was performed in a cohort of 43 PV Caucasian patients and 113 Caucasian control subjects from Slovakia. HLA typing was performed using PCR‐SSP (polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers). We found significantly positive associations between PV and the HLA alleles DRB1*04:02, DRB1*04:04, DRB1*14:54, DRB1*14:04, DRB1*14:05, DQB1*03:02 and DQB1*05:03. In contrast, HLA‐DQB1*06, DRB1*07 and DRB1*13 were negatively associated with PV. Importantly, 93% of PV patients possessed at least one of two HLA haplotypes, DRB1*04–DQB1*03 or HLA‐DRB1*14–DQB1*05. We confirmed the previously reported associations between HLA class II alleles and PV and described a new association between PV and DRB1*14:54. This allele was first described in 2005, and there has been only one report of its association with PV to date.     

Quantitative vertebral morphometry based on parametric modeling of vertebral bodies in 3D

Summary

Quantitative vertebral morphometry (QVM) was performed by parametric modeling of vertebral bodies in three dimensions (3D).

Introduction

Identification of vertebral fractures in two dimensions is a challenging task due to the projective nature of radiographic images and variability in the vertebral shape. By generating detailed 3D anatomical images, computed tomography (CT) enables accurate measurement of vertebral deformations and fractures.

Methods

A detailed 3D representation of the vertebral body shape is obtained by automatically aligning a parametric 3D model to vertebral bodies in CT images. The parameters of the 3D model describe clinically meaningful morphometric vertebral body features, and QVM in 3D is performed by comparing the parameters to their statistical values. Thresholds and parameters that best discriminate between normal and fractured vertebral bodies are determined by applying statistical classification analysis.

Results

The proposed QVM in 3D was applied to 454 normal and 228 fractured vertebral bodies, yielding classification sensitivity of 92.5 % at 7.5 % specificity, with corresponding accuracy of 92.5 % and precision of 86.1 %. The 3D shape parameters that provided the best separation between normal and fractured vertebral bodies were the vertebral body height and the inclination and concavity of both vertebral endplates.

Conclusion

The described QVM in 3D is able to efficiently and objectively discriminate between normal and fractured vertebral bodies and identify morphological cases (wedge, (bi)concavity, or crush) and grades (1, 2, or 3) of vertebral body fractures. It may be therefore valuable for diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures in patients who are at risk of osteoporosis.     

Minimal residual disease detectable by quantitative assessment of WT1 gene before allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients in first remission of acute myeloid leukemia has an impact on their future prognosis

Overall 42 patients (pts) transplanted in hematological CR1 were retrospectively analyzed. Median follow‐up was 15 months (range 2–77). The expression of WT1 gene was measured according to the European Leukaemia Net recommendations. At the time of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) 29 pts were WT1‐negative and 13 pts were WT1‐positive. In the univariate analysis, significantly better results were observed in the group of WT1 neg in terms of progression‐free survival (in three yr 77% vs. 27%, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the only significant feature in terms of better OS was WT1 negativity (p = 0.029). Our results show that minimal residual disease status measured by quantitative assessment of WT1 gene in acute myeloid leukemia pts in CR1 significantly affects their future prognosis after allo‐SCT.     

Should mean arterial pressure be included in the definition of ambulatory hypertension in children?

Background

The diagnosis of hypertension (HTN)/normotension (NT) on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is usually based on systolic (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The goal of this study was to analyze whether inclusion of mean arterial pressure (MAP) improves the detection of HTN on ABPM.

Methods

We retrospectively studied ABPM records in 229 children (116 boys, median age?=?15.3 years) who were referred for evaluation of HTN. A diagnosis of HTN was made if: (A) MAP or SBP or DBP was ≥1.65 SDS (95th percentile); (B) SBP or DBP was ≥1.65 SDS (95th percentile), during 24-h or daytime or night-time in both definitions.

Results

Using definition A, 46/229 patients had HTN compared to definition B by which only 37/229 patients had HTN (p?=?0.001). The level of agreement between the two definitions was very good (kappa?=?0.86?±?0.04), however nine patients (19.5 %) were missed by not using MAP in the definition of HTN. These nine patients had only mild HTN with a median Z score of 1.69.

Conclusions

The inclusion of MAP in the definition of ambulatory HTN significantly increased the number of hypertensive patients. MAP may be very helpful in detecting mild HTN in patients with normal/borderline SBP and DBP.