Assignment test method using hypervariable markers for blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) stock identification

Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) stock status varies among ocean basins, and the Atlantic-wide stock is overfished. United States regulations prohibit commercial landing, importation and sale of Atlantic blue marlin, but not of Pacific or Indian Ocean conspecifics. We genotyped 344 blue marlin of known origin and 16 samples used as unknowns at 13 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial control region. Assignment tests were conducted using GENECLASS2 to investigate the efficacy of available genotypic data to identify individual origin. We successfully discriminated Atlantic and Pacific blue marlin using genetic characters, providing more power to assign marketed blue marlin products to ocean of origin.     

Reverse LISS plating for intertrochanteric Hip Fractures in elderly patients

Background  

Fractures of the intertrochanteric hip are common and the treatment of unstable fractures generally requires an operative approach. In elderly patients, osteoporosis makes internal fixation problematic and frequently contributes to failed fixation and poor clinical results. We have attempted to apply the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) in reverse position for the repair of intertrochanteric hip fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bones. A retrospective review is presented of the cases of 28 elderly patients with stable and unstable fractures of the intertrochanteric hip treated using the reverse LISS.     

The Malawi National Tuberculosis Programme: an equity analysis

Background  

Until 2005, the Malawi National Tuberculosis Control Programme had been implemented as a vertical programme. Working within the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) provides a new environment and new opportunities for monitoring the equity performance of the programme. This paper synthesizes what is known on equity and TB in Malawi and highlights areas for further action and advocacy.     

The nature of focal areas of hyperfluorescence or hot spots imaged with indocyanine green angiography

PURPOSE: To clarify the frequency and nature of ICG angiographic "hot spots" seen in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: A consecutive series of newly diagnosed patients with neovascular ARMD and fluorescein angiographic evidence of occult choroidal neovascularization (occult CNV) was imaged with ICG angiography. Eyes with ICG angiographic "hot spots" were identified and further classified. A hot spot was defined as any area of abnormal hyperfluorescence, in the mid to late stages of ICG angiography, measuring less than 1 disk area in size. RESULTS: From a total of 190 patients (220 eyes) with neovascular ARMD, 30 patients and 34 eyes (16%) with hot spots were identified. Hot spots were noted to be of three distinct patterns: polypoidal choroidal neovascularization (polypoidal CNV) in 21 of 34 eyes, or 62%; retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in 11 of 34 eyes, or 30%; and focal occult CNV in 2 of 34 eyes, or 8%. CONCLUSIONS: A focal area of intense hyperfluorescence or so-called hot spot seen on ICG angiography in neovascular ARMD is due to one of three possible forms of neovascularization: most frequently polypoidal CNV, less commonly RAP, and infrequently nonspecific, focal occult CNV. Since neovascular ARMD may be caused by different types of neovascularization, each with distinct clinical manifestations, natural course, visual prognosis, and response to treatment, it is important to identify the precise nature of hot spots to establish an accurate diagnosis and, when appropriate, a specific form of management.     

Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn chelates offer a medicinal chemistry approach to overcoming radiation injury

This review points out that treatment with essential metalloelement (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) chelates facilitate tissue repair processes required for recovery from radiation injury including survival of lethally irradiated mice and rats. Results of studies pertaining to successful uses of bioavailable essential metalloelement chelates and combinations of them as well as aminothiols, Ca-channel blockers, acyl Melatonin homologs, substituted anilines, and curcumin radioprotectants are included in this review to suggest their use as chelates in overcoming radiation injury. Additional reports document that non-toxic doses of essential metalloelement chelates are effective in increasing survival and repairing radiation injury when administered before irradiation, in the radiation protection paradigm, and effective in increasing survival when used to treat after irradiation, in the radiorecovery paradigm. There are no other agents known to be effective in increasing survival when they are used to treat after irradiation. These approaches to radioprotection and radiorecovery offer promising approaches to facilitating recovery from radiation-induced injury experienced by patients undergoing radiation therapy for their neoplastic disease and by individuals who experience environmental, occupational, or accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. These individuals include those exposed to radiation resulting from nuclear accidents, the use of depleted uranium missiles, and astronauts undertaking space travel. Since there are no existing safe and effective treatments of radiation injury, studies of essential metalloelement chelates and combinations of them, as well as combinations of them with existing radioprotectant aminothiols, Ca-channel blockers, acyl Melatonin homologs, substituted anilines, and curcumin as radioprotectants seem worthwhile.     

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Olmsted County,Minnesota, 1925 to 1998

The authors sought to determine trends in the incidence of ALS in Olmsted County from 1925 to 1998. Seventy-seven cases of ALS were identified during the period studied. The incidence rate remained stable at 1.7 cases per 100,000 people per year. Mean age at onset was 63 years. Mean survival was 23 months from diagnosis. Mean survival for patients <60 years old was 31 months; for patients aged >or=60 years, it was 20 months (p = 0.02). Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 13 months. Neither survival nor time to diagnosis changed significantly over time.     

Unusual presentation of perirenal lung metastases

Lung cancer is not commonly known to metastasise to the perirenal space, with only five such cases previously published. We present an unusual case of perirenal lung metastases manifesting as diffuse perinephric stranding which to our knowledge has not been described before.