Morphology, cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of the circulating granulocytes of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta

The eosinophils and heterophils of loggerheads display a similar rounded shape, an eccentric and elongated or slightly lobulated nucleus and a cytoplasm containing acidophilic pleomorphic granules. The characterization of the different types of granulocytes from nine Mediterranean loggerheads (Caretta caretta), based on cytochemical and immunocytochemical reactions and ultrastructural studies, is reported. On the basis of their positivity after myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase and chloroacetate esterase reactions (typical of mammalian neutrophils), the granulocytes were classified as heterophils, while those myeloperoxidase-negative, major basic protein-positive granulocytes (like mammalian eosinophils), displaying a weak expression of interleukin 5 (a growth and differentiation factor, activator and chemoattractant for eosinophils), were classified as eosinophils. The immunocytochemical and TEM studies allowed the identification of these two granulocyte types, both of which show an eosinophilic reaction with May–Grünwald–Giemsa, periodic acid–Schiff and neutral red staining positivity.     

Advancing monosaccharides as biomarkers: Part II. Effects of starvation and cadmium in Chironomus riparius as detected by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate-electrophoresis

Saccharides were evaluated as biomarkers for cadmium (Cd) and starvation using fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate-electrophoresis (FACE) in 4th instar Chironomus riparius. FACE allowed different types of saccharides in whole larval homogenate to be analyzed simultaneously and in parallel with other larval samples. Larval homogenates showed seven principle bands labeled A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Previous work found that the migration patterns of bands A, C, D and F matched those of ribose, glucose, galactose and fructose, respectively. Four of the bands, B, C, E and G were generated from glucose-based mono, oligo, and polysaccharides. Band B was primarily derived from glucose and band E from glycogen. Experiments (0-72 h) with starved larvae showed a time dependent reduction in bands B and E that was statistically significant at 72 h. Experiments with Cd (0.01-1000 microM) showed a concentration and time dependent reduction in band E with a LOEL of 1 microM and NOEL of 0.01 microM at 48 h. The LOEL was 0.014% of the 48 h LC50. Significant reduction of band E only occurred in fed larvae indicating that food was an important route of exposure. Reductions in saccharides were independent of larval weight loss at 48 h. This suggested that major changes in saccharides were not due to weight loss but metabolic stress in the presence of Cd.     

The role of atopy in otitis media with effusion among primary school children: audiological investigation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of atopy in otitis media with effusion (OME) in children attending primary school in western Sicily focusing on the audiological characteristics among atopic and non-atopic subjects suffering from OME. A total of 310 children (5–6 years old) were screened by skin tests and divided into atopics (G1) and non-atopics (G2). The samples were evaluated for OME by pneumatic otoscopy, tympanogram and acoustic reflex tests. The parameters considered were: documented persistent middle ear effusion by otoscopic examination for a minimum of 3 months; presence of B or C tympanogram; absence of ipsilateral acoustic reflex and a conductive hearing loss greater than 25 dB at any one of the frequencies from 250 Hz through 4 kHz. A total of 56 children (18.06%) resulted to be atopics while 254 were non-atopics. OME was identified in 24 atopic children and in 16 non-atopic children for a total number of 40 children; the overall prevalence rate was 12.9% (42.85% for G1 and 6.30% for G2). OME was bilateral in 28 children (70%), with a significative difference between G1 (79.17%) and G2 (56.25%). The prevalence of B tympanogram was 70.59%, corresponding to 79.07% for G1 and 56% for G2. The mean air conduction pure tone was, respectively, 31.97 dB for G1 and 29.8 dB for G2. The prevalence value of OME in atopic children, also supported by the higher predominance of bilaterality, B tympanogram and hearing loss among this group, could suggest the important role of allergy in the pathogenesis of OME.     

Clinical score of 62 Italian patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome and correlations with the presence and type of NIPBL mutation

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by facial dysmorphisms, upper limb abnormalities, growth and cognitive retardation. About half of all patients with CdLS carry mutations in the NIPBL gene. The first Italian CdLS cohort involving 62 patients (including 4 related members) was screened for NIPBL mutations after a clinical evaluation using a quantitative score that integrates auxological, malformation and neurodevelopmental parameters. The patients were classified as having an overall 'severe', 'moderate' or 'mild' phenotype. NIPBL screening showed 26 mutations so classified: truncating (13), splice-site (8), missense (3), in-frame deletion (1) and regulatory (1). The truncating mutations were most frequently found in the patients with a high clinical score, whereas most of the splice-site and all missense mutations clustered in the low-medium score groups. The NIPBL-negative group included patients covering the entire clinical spectrum. The prevalence of a severe phenotype in the mutated group and a mild phenotype in the non-mutated group was statistically significant. In terms of the isolated clinical signs, the statistically significant differences between the mutation-positive and mutation-negative individuals were pre- and post-natal growth deficits, limb reduction, and delayed speech development. The proposed score seems to be a valuable means of prioritizing the patients with CdLS to undergo an NIPBL mutation test.     

Establishing the Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Hair Salon Clients

This study determined prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among female clients at three hair salons in Connecticut using an anonymous tablet based screening tool. While many may assume that women receive services at hair salons, victims of IPV are often isolated by their partners and unable to access help. Of the 203 clients who participated, 40 (20%) had experienced IPV in her lifetime. In identifying the prevalence of IPV within the salon setting, this study provides support for community-based programs and supports their legitimacy as an important locus for identifying women experiencing IPV and connecting them to resources.     

Plasma miR-200b in ovarian carcinoma patients: distinct pattern of pre/post-treatment variation compared to CA-125 and potential for prediction of progression-free survival

Ovarian carcinomas (OvCa) are highly heterogeneous malignancies. We investigated four circulating plasma microRNAs (miR-21, miR-34a, miR-200b and miR-205) as candidate biomarkers. Using qPCR, we assessed the plasma concentration of these markers in 101 women, including 51 previously untreated OvCa patients, 25 healthy women and 25 patients bearing benign pelvic lesions. For a subset of 33 OvCa patients, the assay was repeated at the end of the primary treatment. The pattern of variations (post- minus pre-treatment) of concentration was compared to that of CA-125. A Cox regression model was used to study the association between variations and the progression-free survival (PFS). Plasma miR-200b proved to have a greater average concentration in OvCa samples (median 2^−ΔΔCt = 15.18) than in samples linked to non-malignant lesions (median 2^−ΔΔCt = 1.26, p-value = 0.0004). Its concentration was highly heterogeneous among OvCa patients, without any correlations with the FIGO stage and the pre-treatment CA-125 level. The decrease in CA-125 concentration was constant and often dramatic, while the variations of miR-200b concentration were much more diverse. The variation of miR-200b was marginally associated with the PFS (hazard ratio=2.95 95%CI=[0.94; 9.28], p=0.06) while miR-200b as a continuous time-dependent variable was significantly associated (HR=1.06 [1.02; 1.10], p=0.003). This study is the first direct empirical evidence that miR-200b can provide additional information, independent of CA-125 in OvCa patients.     

Arteriovenous fistula of internal mammary artery after median sternotomy

A female patient who had undergone median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass was found to have a continuous murmur on examination one month postoperatively. An arteriovenous fistula involving the right internal mammary artery, thymic, and second intercostal veins was diagnosed with selective angiography. An attempt at embolization of the fistula failed. Therefore, ligation and excision of the fistula was carried out. The etiology was attributed to parasternal wire placement during closure of the median sternotomy.