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Members of the azooxanthellate coral genus Tubastraea are invasive species with particular concern because they have become established and are fierce competitors in the invaded areas in many parts of the world. Pacific Tubastraea species are spreading fast throughout the Atlantic Ocean, occupying over 95% of the available substrate in some areas and out-competing native endemic species. Approximately half of all known coral species are azooxanthellate but these are seriously under-represented compared to zooxanthellate corals in terms of the availability of mitochondrial (mt) genome data. In the present study, the complete mt DNA sequences of Atlantic individuals of the invasive scleractinian species Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis were determined and compared to the GenBank reference sequence available for a Pacific “ T. coccinea ” individual. At 19,094 bp (compared to 19,070 bp for the GenBank specimen), the mt genomes assembled for the Atlantic T. coccinea and T. tagusensis were among the longest sequence determined to date for “Complex” scleractinians. Comparisons of genomes data showed that the “ T. coccinea ” sequence deposited on GenBank was more closely related to that from Dendrophyllia arbuscula than to the Atlantic Tubastraea spp., in terms of genome length and base pair similarities. This was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis, suggesting that the former was misidentified and might actually be a member from the genus Dendrophyllia . In addition, although in general the COX1 locus has a slow evolutionary rate in Scleractinia, it was the most variable region of the Tubastraea mt genome and can be used as markers for genus or species identification. Given the limited data available for azooxanthellate corals, the results presented here represent an important contribution to our understanding of phylogenetic relationships and the evolutionary history of the Scleractinia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new quaternary ammonium salts containing a polyconjugated moiety has been synthesized and characterized; their biological activity as potential antimalarial agents was investigated, as well. All compounds were screened against chloroquine resistant W-2 (CQ-R) and chloroquine sensitive, D-10 (CQ-S) strains of Plasmodium falciparum showing IC 50 in the submicromolar range and low toxicity against human endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Licnophora chattoni, found in association with Zyzzyzus warreni, a tubulariid hydroid epizoic in sponges from São Sebastião (SP, Brazil), is redescribed and illustrated using light and electron microscopy. The ciliate has a flexible, transparent body formed by an oval anterior region linked to the posterior basal disc via a flexible neck region. Numerous cortical granules are observed scattered throughout the body and densely packed along the neck. The adoral zone is formed by about 81 external and 24 infundibular paramembranelles. The paroral membrane, formed by a row of long cilia arranged in monokinetids, extends through a groove in the body to the adhesive disc. Two dorsal kinetids are present along the right body margin and around the neck. The adhesive disc (18μm in diameter) lacks cilia in the area above the velum. The velum covers a row of dikinetids bearing long cilia and four dikineties, two or three of which are interrupted on the ventral surface. Nine to twelve macronuclear nodules connected by isthmuses are distributed in the cytoplasm, plus two nodules located in the adhesive disc and between those there is an ovate micronucleus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Colostomy for patients with anorectal malformations decompresses an obstructed colon, avoids fecal contamination of the urinary tract, and protects a future perineal operation. The procedure is associated with several significant complications. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 1700 cases of anorectal malformations were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 230 patients underwent reconstruction without a colostomy. Of the remaining 1470 patients, 1420 had their colostomy performed at another institution (group A) and 50 did at our institution (group B) using a specific technique with separated stomas in the descending colon. Results: There were 616 complications identified in 464 patients of group A and in 4 patients in group B, an incidence of 33% vs 8% (P < .01). Complications in group A were classified into several groups. The first group was mislocation (282 cases), including 116 with stomas too close to each other, 97 with stomas located too distally in the rectosigmoid (which interfered with the pull-through), 30 with inverted stomas, 21 with stomas too far apart from each other, and 18 with right upper sigmoidostomies. The second largest group was prolapse (119 cases), which occurred mainly in mobile portions of the colon. The third group was composed of general surgical complications after colostomy closure (82 cases), such as intestinal obstruction (47 cases), wound infection (13 cases), incisional hernia (11 cases), anastomotic dehiscence (7 cases), sepsis (3 cases), and bleeding (1 case). Two of the septic patients died. Another group included 62 patients who received a Hartmann''s procedure, which we considered to be contraindicated in anorectal malformations. A total of 42 patients suffered from stenosis of the stoma; 29, from retraction. Conclusions: Most colostomy complications are preventable using separated stomas in the descending colon. Mislocated stomas lead to problems with appliance application, interference with the pull-through, megasigmoid, distal fecal impaction, and urinary tract infections. Loop colostomies lead to urinary tract infections, distal fecal impaction, and prolapse. Prolapse is a potentially dangerous complication that mostly occurs when the stoma is placed in a mobile portion of the colon. Recognizing this makes the complication preventable by trying to create colostomies in fixed portions of the colon or by fixing the bowel to the abdominal wall when necessary. The trend to avoid colostomies is justified; however, colostomy is the best way to prevent complications in anorectal surgery and, when indicated, should be done with a meticulous technique following strict rules to avoid complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although many variables may affect long-term graft survival no biomarker is available to identify donor kidney with poor quality and with inadequate short and long-term outcome. While in marginal donors pre-transplant renal biopsies are commonly performed to establish if donor kidneys are suitable for transplantation they are not performed in standard donors. In this study we assessed the relevance of pre-transplant morphological features on post-transplant renal function and evaluated the association between perioperative parameters with posttransplant histological and clinical findings. Kidney transplant recipients undergone pre-transplant and post transplant protocol biopsies at 1, 6, and 12 months were enrolled in the study. Perioperative and posttransplant clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded. Semiquantitative analysis of PAS stained kidney sections was used to determine the degree of lesions. Glomerular volume was measured by computed morphometry. A strong inverse correlation was found between donor age and renal graft function at 1, 6, and 12 months after transplantation. A prompt functional recovery was associated with a better renal function at 6 months and one year. Kidneys with higher glomerular volume demonstrated a lower serum creatinine at 1 month. Higher tubulo-interstitial grading at protocol biopsies was associated with a poor renal function at 1 month. Our findings confirm the importance of donor age in kidney transplant long-term outcome and demonstrate that pretransplant and protocol biopsies are valid options to determine graft outcome and to define therapeutic strategies and tailor immunosuppressive regimen for each patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increase in expression of tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenases (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) have been reported as potential tumor biomarkers. TDO and IDO are enzymes that catalyze the first and rate-limiting step of the kynurenine pathway. Positron emitting tomography (PET) tracers investigating the kynurenine pathway may allow for the detection of different disease pathologies in vivo including cancer. However, current PET tracers being developed for TDO and IDO have suffered from either multi-step low yielding syntheses or de-fluorination of the tracer in vivo. TDO inhibitors based on 6-fluoroindole with C3 substituents are a class of small molecules that have been shown to bind to TDO effectively, restore tryptophan concentration and decrease the production of immunosuppressive metabolites. The compound 6-fluoro-3-(pyridine-3-yl)-1 H -indole has been reported to have high in vitro affinity for TDO. Herein we report the fully automated radiosynthesis of 6-18F]fluoro-3-(pyridine-3-yl)-1 H -indole 18F] 4 using a copper-mediated nucleophilic 18F-fluorination resulting in a non-corrected yield of 5 to 6% of the tracer with a radiochemical purity of >99% after 4 h. Small animal dynamic PET/CT imaging of 18F] 4 intravenously injected into normal C57BL/6 mice revealed rapid accumulation in heart and brain, reaching maximum occupancy in heart (10.9% ID/g) and brain (8.1% ID/g) at 1.75 min and 2.25 min, respectively. Furthermore, these in vivo studies revealed no de-fluorination of the tracer, as evidence by the absence of 18F]fluoride accumulation in bone. In vitro studies demonstrate that 4 has good affinity for hTDO and the radiolabeled analogue 18F] 4 can be synthesized with suitable radiochemical yields. 18F] 4 demonstrates good uptake in the brain and the radiolabeled compound shows no de-fluorination in vivo in C57BL/6 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been identified as a marker of endothelial dysfunction and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in uremic subjects. This study evaluated ADMA plasma levels in kidney transplant recipients. ADMA levels were serially measured during the first year posttransplantation in 41 recipients treated with cyclosporine regimen (CY), sirolimus (SIR), or low-dose cyclosporine plus everolimus (E). Homocysteine, C reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and standard routine laboratory analyses were determined serially. ADMA significantly increased at 6 months posttransplantation, but was significantly lower among patients on SIR or E. NO was only slightly reduced in patients with increased ADMA levels. Interestingly, ADMA was significantly increased during the first 4 days posttransplantation in patients who experienced acute rejection during the first 6 months after transplantation. The same group of patients demonstrated higher levels of CRP and systolic blood pressure before transplantation. Our results demonstrated that ADMA was increased in patients on CY at 6 months. When increased soon after transplantation ADMA may be associated with episodes of acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. The presence of elevated systolic blood pressure, as well as CRP and ADMA levels, suggested a role for endothelial dysfunction in the development of acute rejection episodes among deceased donor kidney transplant recipients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of acute renal failure in kidney transplantation; however, the mechanisms of kidney damage and repair are not yet clear. So far no treatment has been effective to prevent I/R injury. In the present study we evaluated the effect of erythropoetin (EPO) in I/R injury in rats. We investigated the role of bone marrow cells (BMC) in kidney repair and the effect of EPO on BMC recruitment. Materials and Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats transplanted with male BMCs underwent I/R injury. In the treatment group rats received 5000 IU of EPO 30 minutes before renal ischemia. At 2 and 4 weeks after I/R, rats were humanely killed and we measured creatinine clearance (glomerular filtration rate [GFR]), proteinuria, and body weight (BW). Renal tissue was harvested for histologic and molecular analysis. Fluorescein in situ hybridization (FISH) and TUNEL were used to determined the presence of male cell chimerism and apoptosis in renal tissue. Results: At 4 weeks after I/R, EPO significantly improved GFR (1.8 ± 0.2 vs 1.2 ± 0.14 mL/min; P < .05). No significant differences between EPO and control rats were observed in proteinuria, BW, and hemoglobin levels at 2 and 4 weeks. After death, the kidney showed only minimal tubulointerstitial changes, which were more marked in control rats. FISH analysis demonstrated a low degree of microchimerism, not significantly different between EPO and control rats. Apoptosis decreased between 2 and 4 weeks after I/R, in both EPO and control groups. Conclusion: EPO improved GFR and injury at 4 weeks after I/R; however, it did not enhance the recruitment of BMC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) are commonly used to treat anemia in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Since 2007, continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) has been one of the newest recombinant ESAs to treat anemia in dialysis and nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. The efficacy of CERA to manage anemia has not been extensively evaluated in KTRs. We evaluated safety, efficacy, and satisfaction among KTRs treated with CERA. We enrolled 19 anemic KTRs (60 ± 9.3 y) who were treated with short-acting ESA for ≥24 weeks. They were shifted to the equivalent dose of CERA and followed for 24 weeks. We measured serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, iron, ferritin, and transferrin. To investigate tolerance to and satisfaction with short-acting ESA and CERA, questionnaires were administered to the patients before shifting to CERA and at the end of the follow-up. After 6 months, CERA induced an increase in hemoglobin levels (12.3 ± 0.8 vs 11.2 ± 1.1 g/dL; P = .002, CERA vs short-acting ESA, respectively). In 2 patients treatment was discontinued because the hemoglobin increased to >13 g/dL. No significant differences were observed in serum iron and creatinine between short-acting ESA and CERA throughout the study. The questionnaires showed better compliance to CERA treatment with reduced pain at the injection site, which led subjects to prefer CERA to short-acting ESA. In summary, CERA showed better control of anemia compared with short-acting ESA. It was preferred by the majority of patients, mainly because of the reduced number of monthly injections. Our results demonstrated CERA to be effective, safe, and well tolerated in the management of anemia in KTRs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]