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Aortic aneurysms are not commonly reported among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 47-year-old Filipino female diagnosed with SLE 17 years ago maintained on prolonged oral steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine. She also had lupus nephritis, secondary hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She initially presented with a week-long watery nonbloody diarrhea with associated diffuse crampy abdominal pain and generalized weakness. She was admitted for a week at a provincial hospital and was given an unrecalled antibiotic with resolution of symptoms. Upon discharge, however, she experienced two weeks of severe right lower quadrant pain radiating to the back and left lower quadrant, with no history of diarrhea, vomiting, dysuria, and fever. Complete blood count showed slight leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal imaging revealed a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection. An atherosclerotic mechanism was primarily considered, but a vasculitic process was likewise considered due to elevated acute phase reactants. The initial plan was Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) but due to financial limitations, an exploratory laparotomy with infrarenal endoaneurysmorrhaphy was eventually performed. Intraoperative findings were a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection up to the proximal right common iliac artery and an abscess compartment within the false lumen in the anterior aortic wall. Abscess culture yielded high growth of Salmonella group B. Micrographs of the aortic wall biopsy showed fibrin deposition necrosis and calcification with peripheral viable cellular infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Inadvertently placing an endovascular graft in an infected aortic aneurysm would have led to graft infection and catastrophic morbidity. We highlight the significance of having a high index of suspicion for infectious causes of aortitis among immunocompromised patients presenting with aneurysm prior to pursuing an endovascular versus an open approach for repair.

Aortic aneurysms are not commonly reported among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 47-year-old Filipino female diagnosed with SLE 17 years ago maintained on prolonged oral steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine. She also had lupus nephritis, secondary hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She initially presented with a week-long watery nonbloody diarrhea with associated diffuse crampy abdominal pain and generalized weakness. She was admitted for a week at a provincial hospital and was given an unrecalled antibiotic with resolution of symptoms. Upon discharge, however, she experienced two weeks of severe right lower quadrant pain radiating to the back and left lower quadrant, with no history of diarrhea, vomiting, dysuria, and fever. Complete blood count showed slight leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal imaging revealed a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection. An atherosclerotic mechanism was primarily considered, but a vasculitic process was likewise considered due to elevated acute phase reactants. The initial plan was Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) but due to financial limitations, an exploratory laparotomy with infrarenal endoaneurysmorrhaphy was eventually performed. Intraoperative findings were a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection up to the proximal right common iliac artery and an abscess compartment within the false lumen in the anterior aortic wall. Abscess culture yielded high growth of Salmonella group B. Micrographs of the aortic wall biopsy showed fibrin deposition necrosis and calcification with peripheral viable cellular infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Inadvertently placing an endovascular graft in an infected aortic aneurysm would have led to graft infection and catastrophic morbidity. We highlight the significance of having a high index of suspicion for infectious causes of aortitis among immunocompromised patients presenting with aneurysm prior to pursuing an endovascular versus an open approach for repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 14‑year‑old male teen presented with unilateral episcleritis, unresponsive to topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy, without a history of ocular trauma or evidence for systemic diseases. The presence of foreign bodies in the conjunctival mucus of the hyperemic fornix has been noticed during one of the follow‑up examinations. The toxicological analysis of conjunctival mucus revealed the presence of ethylene glycolmonomethyl ether and triethilene glicolebuthyl ether, used as solvents in nail polish removers and all‑purpose cleaners. An unexpected etiology of chemical self‑inflicted episcleritis was determined. The teen was admitted to a psychological assessment, after which a psychotherapeutic treatment was recommended. Episcleritis is characterized by the acute onset of ocular pain and redness, with a frequent recurrent and stressful course. Since it can be associated with life‑threatening systemic vasculitides, a prompt, aggressive immunosuppressive therapy may be considered, both for the ocular inflammation and for the underlying systemic condition. Rarely episcleritis does not improve despite topical and systemic therapy, administered in a stepladder way. The reported teenager case needed a complex multidisciplinary approach to achieve the correct diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary treatments. In the case of recognized “nonsuicidal self‑injury,” a psychological evaluation is strongly recommended, to identify and address underlying neuropsychiatric problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyploidization is thought to result in instant sympatric speciation, but several cases of hybrid zones between one of the parental species and its polyploid derivative have been documented. Previous work showed that diploid Sphagnum lescurii is an allopolyploid derived from the haploids S. lescurii (maternal progenitor) and S. subsecundum (paternal progenitor). Here, we report the results from analyses of a population where allodiploid and haploid S. lescurii co-occur and produce sporophytes. We tested (i) whether haploids and diploids form hybrid triploid sporophytes; (ii) how hybrid and nonhybrid sporophytes compare in fitness; (iii) whether hybrid sporophytes form viable spores; (iv) the ploidy of any viable gametophyte offspring from hybrid sporophytes; (v) the relative viability of sporelings derived from hybrid and nonhybrid sporophytes; and (vi) if interploidal hybridization results in introgression between the allopolyploid and its haploid progenitor. We found that triploid hybrid sporophytes do occur and are larger than nonhybrid sporophytes, but exhibit very low germination percentages and produce sporelings that develop more slowly than those from nonhybrid sporophytes. All sporophytes attached to haploid gametophytes were triploid and were sired by diploid males, but all sporophytes attached to diploid gametophytes were tetraploid. This asymmetric pattern of interploidal hybridization is related to an absence of haploid male gametophytes in the population. Surprisingly, all sporelings from triploid sporophytes were triploid, yet were genetically variable, suggesting some form of aberrant meiosis that warrants further study. There was limited (but some) evidence of introgression between allodiploid and haploid S. lescurii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the occurrence of allotriploidy (having three differentiated genomes) in gametophytes of two Southern Hemisphere Sphagnum species ( S. australe, S . falcatulum). The pattern of microsatellite alleles indicates that both species are composed of a complex of allodiploid and allotriploid gametophytes, with the latter resulting from two allopolyploidization events. No haploid ( n = x) gametophytes were found for either species. The ploidal levels suggested by the pattern of microsatellite alleles were confirmed by flow cytometry and Feulgen DNA image densitometry. For both S. australe and S. falcatulum, the respective allodiploid plants (or their ancestors) are one of the parent species of the allotriploid plants. This is the first report of triploidy in Sphagnum gametophytes occurring in nature and also the first report of the presence of three differentiated genomes in any bryophyte. It is also the first report of intersectional allopolyploidy in Sphagnum, with S. australe appearing to have parental species from Sphagnum sections Rigida and Sphagnum, and S. falcatulum having parental species from Sphagnum sections Cuspidata and Subsecunda. In both species, the allotriploid cytotypes were the most prevalent cytotype on the South Island of New Zealand. The pattern of microsatellite alleles shows the presence of two genetically distinct populations of allodiploid S. australe, possibly indicating multiple origins of polyploidy for that allodiploid cytotype. Morphological evidence is also highly indicative of recurrent polyploidy in the allotriploid cytotype of S. falcatulum. Allopolyploidy has clearly played a major evolutionary role in these two Southern Hemisphere taxa. This study, in conjunction with other recent research, indicates that allopolyploidy is a common, if not the predominant, form of polyploidy in Sphagnum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several lines of evidence suggest that recent long-distance dispersal may have been important in the evolution of intercontinental distribution ranges of bryophytes. However, the absolute rate of intercontinental migration and its relative role in the development of certain distribution ranges is still poorly understood. To this end, the genetic structure of intercontinental populations of six peatmoss species showing an amphi-Atlantic distribution was investigated using microsatellite markers. Methods relying on the coalescent were applied (im andmigrate) to understand the evolution of this distribution pattern in peatmosses. Intercontinental populations of the six peatmoss species were weakly albeit significantly differentiated (average FST = 0.104). This suggests that the North Atlantic Ocean is acting as a barrier to gene flow even in bryophytes adapted to long-range dispersal. Theim analysis suggested a relatively recent split of intercontinental populations dating back to the last two glacial periods (9000–289 000 years ago). In contrast to previous hypotheses, analyses indicated that both ongoing migration and ancestral polymorphism are important in explaining the intercontinental genetic similarity of peatmoss populations, but their relative contribution varies with species. Migration rates were significantly asymmetric towards America suggesting differential extinction of genotypes on the two continents or invasion of the American continent by European lineages. These results indicate that low genetic divergence of amphi-Atlantic populations is a general pattern across numerous flowering plants and bryophytes. However, in bryophytes, ongoing intercontinental gene flow and retained shared ancestral polymorphism must both be considered to explain the genetic similarity of intercontinental populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis is a significant complication of stroke, and hip fracture after a stroke is a frequent problem. Moreover, growing evidence links vascular and bone diseases, in the form of osteoporosis associated with both atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The aim of our study is to detect bone change in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid disease and to verify the correlation with carotid echogenic plaques. Patients and Method: Out of 245 subjects consecutively admitted to our Stroke Unit for their first ischemic stroke, we selected 49 patients with a first-ever stroke due to carotid atherosclerosis without a previous diagnosis of bone disease. We assessed risk factors for cerebrovascular disease as well as for osteoporosis, the degree of neurological deficit and disability, and bone mineral density that was quantified by bilateral hip dual energy X-ray absorbimetry. Osteoporosis was defined as a T score below –2.5. Carotid ultrasound was used to classify plaques in non-hyperechoic (grade 1) and hyperechoic plaque (grade 2). Results: We found a high prevalence of low bone mass density (BMD) in our patients (18 out of 49 = 36.7%), without relationship to the side of paresis. According to univariate analysis evidence of osteoporosis was correlated with age (p = 0.05), score of Scandinavian Stroke Scale (p = 0.01) and grade 2 plaque (p = 0.01). According to multivariate analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between grade 2 plaques and osteoporosis (OR = 6.58; 95% CI = 1.57–27.54; p = 0.01), which was stronger in women (OR = 18.15; 95% CI = 1.80–182.83; p = 0.01). The percentage of intraplaque hyperechogenicity was inversely correlated with BMD (r = –0.411, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in acute atherosclerotic stroke patients. Carotid hyperechoic plaque is an independent marker of osteoporosis. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Primary vesicoureteral reflux is a predisposing factor for urinary tract infections in children. The first-choice technique for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux is voiding cystourethrography, followed by cystoscintigraphy; cystoscintigraphy, however, has the advantage of only minor irradiation of the patient, but it does not allow the morphological evaluation of bladder and vesicoureteral reflux grading. Colour-Doppler cystosonography with echocontrast is a recently introduced method for imaging vesicoureteral reflux. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of colour-Doppler cystosonography with echocontrast in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Twenty children (11M, 9F) aged between 0.4 and 4.9 y underwent colour-Doppler cystosonography using a diluted solution of Levovist (Schering, Germany), after filling up the bladder with saline. In all patients, vesicoureteral reflux diagnosis and grading had been performed previously by voiding cystourethrography within 5 d from ultrasonography. Our data showed high accuracy in the detection of medium to severe vesicoureteral reflux (grades III-V), confirmed by radiological features in 9/9 patients. Conversely, in the 11 patients with mild vesicoureteral reflux (grades I-II), this technique showed extremely low sensitivity, allowing diagnosis in only four cases.Conclusions: Colour-Doppler cystosonography, because of the absence of ionizing radiations, has great advantages, particularly in patients needing prolonged monitoring. Despite experiences reported in the literature, this technique has a role in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Our group chooses colour-Doppler cystosonography for the follow-up of medium-severe grade vesicoureteral reflux already diagnosed by radiology and/or scintigraphy. Cystoscintigraphy is employed only to confirm cases resulting negative at ultrasonography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight microsatellite loci from the aquatic moss Platyhypnidium riparioides were identified using the method of microsatellite-enriched libraries. Polymorphism was assessed in a sample of four populations of 20 individuals each from four streams of the Meuse hydrographic basin in southern Belgium. The markers amplified three to seven alleles per locus. Comparison of observed and expected heterozygosities as well as F-statistics ( FST = 0.62) reveals a significant genetic differentiation among populations. These markers will be useful for further investigation of population genetic structure and diversity at different nested spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron microscope observations show in the primary nucleolus some granulations with dimensions less (70 Å) than those of the amphinucleoli (90 Å). Even though the primary nucleolus has a high RNA content, this has not a very active turnover except at the periphery, probably in relation to the emission of 'daughter-nucleoli'. The amphinucleoli, even though they do not have RNA which is cytochemically discloseable, possess, however, RNA at a very high rate of turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Amyclina species were examined concerning the more significant anatomo-morphological differences and the different cytological aspects in the nucleoli of growing oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of eight mutations in 84 patients with β-thalassaemia major and in 16 subjects with thalassaemia intermedia was investigated. All of the patients were Italian, originating from Eastern Sicily (Messina area) and some Calabrian regions. Genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA molecular investigations were performed by allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization, to identify the following β-thalassaemia mutations: CD39 (C-T), IVS1-110 (G-A), IVS1-6 (T-C), IVS1-1 (G-A), IVS2-745 (C-G), IVS2-1 (G-A), -87 (C-G), CD6 A (-A). Our data underline that in thalassemia intermedia two mutations were statistically prevalent: IVS1-6 T→C (P < 0.001) and CD 6-A (P < 0.05). CD 39 was statistically prevalent in β-thalassaemia major patients (P < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant for all the other mutations. Five different genotypes were recorded among thalassaemia intermedia and 15 among β-thalassaemia major patients. Twenty-five percent of the intermedia patients and 4.5% of the major patients had homozygosity for mild mutations (group I); 62.5% of the intermedia patients and 26.2% of the major patients had combinations of mild/severe mutations (group II). In addition, homozygosity or double heterozygosity for severe mutations (group III) was found in 12.5% of the intermedia patients and 69% of the major patients. Some genotypes were restricted to thalassaemia intermedia, including heterozygosity -87/IVS1-6 and IVS1-6/CD 6-A. It is essential to understand the distribution and frequency of the relevant mutations in each population where β-thalassaemias exist. This is of particular importance for genotype–phenotype correlation and for carrier detection, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]