Sound production by the Shi drum Umbrina cirrosa and comparison with the brown meagre Sciaena umbra: a passive acoustic monitoring perspective.

Sounds produced by the Shi drum Umbrina cirrosa were short trains of pulses with an average pulse period of 180 ms, pulse duration of c. 40 ms and an average peak frequency of 400 Hz; average values of acoustical properties differed from those recorded from the brown meagre Sciaena umbra in previous studies. The present study provides a preliminary tool for discriminating between these two species while conducting passive acoustic monitoring. The potential effects of ontogeny on sound production in both species are discussed and recommendations are made for further research.

Improving neuromuscular performance in young basketball players: plyometric vs. technique training.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of plyometric training versus basketball technique training on improving neuro-muscular performance. METHODS: Thirty-six (age 14.9±0.9 years, body height 164.0±7.6 cm, body weight 54.0±8.7 kg, BMI 20.1±2.4 kg·m-2) basketball players girls were randomly allocated to 2 groups: Basketball Plyometric Training (BPT, N.=18) and Basketball Technique Training (BTT, N.=18). The players were tested by two specific tests: counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) before and after 6 training weeks. RESULTS: The jump height, as dependent variable, showed a different trend as an effect of the different training protocols, in contrast with the current knowledge. Manova did not show significant interactions between the two groups for the height of jumps, while significant differences were found for interaction time × training (P<0.05) and for main effect × time (P<0.001). After training, the BPT group increased significantly CMJ performance by 11.3% (P<0.05), whereas the BTT group increased by 4.6%. Likewise, the BPT group demonstrated a significant greater improvement of jump height than BTT group (an increase of 15.4% vs. 7.5%, P<0.01; respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both training protocols proposed in this study improved vertical jump performance. However, a combination of the two protocols, plyometric training and sport-specific-exercises, could be useful to optimize performance by an easy transition from controlled a-specific to sport-specific performance requirements. In conclusion, BPT is a safe and effective method of achieving a favourable neuro-muscular performance than BTT in female basketball players.

Sprint vs. intermittent training in young female basketball players.

AIM: This study aimed at comparing the effects of intermittent and repeated sprint ability training on physiological variables. METHODS: Sixteen young female basketball players were randomly allocated to intermittent training (IT=8) or repeated sprint ability training (RST=8) groups. The following outcomes were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of training: Yo-Yo intermittent recovery (Yo-Yo) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) tests. RESULTS: For all the variables investigated the effect of training type showed a different trend respect at current knowledge. In the RSA, best time (BT) was a significant main effect of training time (pre- vs. post-) (P<0.0001), and of the interaction training type/time (P=0.03). The RST showed a decrease in BT of 3.1% (P=0.005) while the IT showed a decrease of 6.2% (P<0.0001). In the IT there was a significant main effect of time for the total distance with an increment of 26.9%, and a significant main effect of time in the final speed with an increment of 1.23%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the two training methods used in this study can be an effective training strategy for inducing anaerobic and basketball-specific training schedules. Besides, even when IT training is not done at very high speed, it can increase the maximum speed of the RSA.

Psychological well-being and social participation assessment in visually impaired subjects playing Torball: a controlled study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in psychological well-being, symptomatic psychological disorders and social participation, between blind Torball players and non-players. Thirty blind male participants were recruited, 17 Torball players (aged 36.27±3.46) and 13 non-players (aged 34.80±2.53), and evaluated for social participation level, psychological well-being and symptomatic psychological disorders, using three validated self-report questionnaires: Participation Scale (PS), Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) and Symptom Checklist 90 R (SCL-90-R) respectively. ANOVA showed significant overall differences between the two groups. The social restriction score in the non-player group was significantly higher (p<0.01) than the player group. The Torball player group showed significant better scores than non-player group in 5 of the 6 dimensions of the PWB Scale (p<0.01) and in 8 of the 10 dimensions of the SCL-90-R (7 dimensions p<0.01; 1 dimension p<0.05) and in the three global scores of the SCL-90-R (p<0.01). The results of this study showed a relationship between psychological well-being and social skills of visually impaired people and their Torball practice.

Is menstrual delay a serious problem for elite rhythmic gymnasts?

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the influence of training workloads and dietary habits on the menstrual status of elite rhythmic gymnasts. In many sports disciplines, it has long been assumed that menstrual disorders among elite female athletes are related to intense physical effort and insufficient energy intake. Potential consequences of this condition include reduced fertility and decreased bone density. METHODS: Eighty-one female gymnasts (age 15.9±3.1) completed two self-administered questionnaires: the Menstrual History Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Eighty female athletes (age 16.3±3.7), who participated in basketball, volleyball, tae kwon do and fitness activity served as a control group. Physical characteristics, menstrual cycles, training workloads and dietary habits were compared and the relationship between physical training and menstrual cycle characteristics was assessed for the two groups. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the gymnasts declared themselves amenorrheic. Age was significantly and positively correlated (P<0.01) with menarche and menstrual irregularities, and negatively correlated with amenorrhea. The percentage of variance for age at menarche, explained by training hours/week and body mass, was 43%, (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study, which examined and compared different age groups of gymnasts, showed that young rhythmic gymnasts who trained intensively, had a delayed onset of menarche of more than two years, thus favouring secondary amenorrhea. Nonetheless, almost all athletes, even though with significant delay, reached cycle regularity, thus minimizing the effect of menstrual disorders on fertility and bone density.

FOXN1 mutation abrogates prenatal T-cell development in humans.

BACKGROUND: The transcription factor FOXN1 is implicated in the differentiation of thymic and skin epithelial cells, and alterations in it are responsible for the Nude/SCID phenotype. During a genetic counselling programme offered to couples at risk in a community where a high frequency of mutated FOXN1 had been documented, the identification of a human FOXN1(-/-) fetus gave the unique opportunity to study T cell development in utero. RESULTS: Total blockage of CD4(+) T cell maturation and severe impairment of CD8(+) cells were documented. Evaluation of the variable-domain ß-chain (Vß) families' usage among T lymphocytes revealed that the generation of T cell receptor (TCR) diversity occurred to some extent in the FOXN1(-/-) fetus, although it was impaired compared with the control. A few non-functional CD8(+) cells, mostly bearing TCRγδ in the absence of CD3, were found. DISCUSSION: FOXN1 is crucial for in utero T cell development in humans. The identification of a limited number of CD8(+) cells suggests an extrathymic origin for these cells, implying FOXN1-independent lymphopoiesis.

Long-term clinical profile of children with the low-penetrance R92Q mutation of the TNFRSF1A gene.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term impact of the R92Q mutation of TNFRSF1A in children with periodic fever, in comparison with children with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) with TNFRSF1A structural mutations and children with periodic fever of unknown origin fulfilling the criteria for periodic fever, aphthosis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome (PFAPA). METHODS: The extracellular region of TNFRSF1A was analyzed in 720 consecutive children with periodic fever, using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. Followup data on 11 pediatric patients with TNFRSF1A structural mutations (cysteine or T50M), 23 pediatric patients with an R92Q substitution, and 64 pediatric patients with PFAPA were collected during routine clinic visits. The 50-item Child Health Questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: The frequency of typical TRAPS-related clinical manifestations was significantly lower and the impact of the disease on HRQOL was significantly reduced in patients with the R92Q mutation compared with TRAPS patients carrying structural mutations of TNFRSF1A. Followup data on 11 TRAPS patients with TNFRSF1A structural mutations (mean followup 7.9 years), 16 patients with theR92Q substitution (mean followup 7.3 years), and 64 patients with PFAPA (mean followup 5.2 years) were available. Patients with R92Q mutations and patients with PFAPA displayed a higher rate of self-resolution or amelioration of the fever episodes than did TRAPS patients with structural mutations. CONCLUSION: Although some cases may progress to a more chronic disease course, the majority of children with an R92Q mutation of the TNFRSFA1 gene show a milder disease course than that in children with TNFRSFA1 structural mutations and have a high rate of spontaneous resolution and amelioration of the recurrent fever episodes.

Male courtship behavior of the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, from an Argentinean laboratory strain.

The South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest of fruit species of warm regions of the Americas, including Argentina. Some authors claim that this taxon includes a group of cryptic species. In order to evaluate possible targets of sexual selection, it is necessary to analyze ethological aspects of male courtship and identify particular steps that strongly influence mating success. A mating test designed to evaluate behavioral differences between insects that achieve copulation (successful males) and those that did not mate (unsuccessful males) could also be relevant for the possible implementation of control programs based on sterile insect technique. Reared insects need to be evaluated periodically, since genetic drift and artificial selection associated with rearing conditions could have a detrimental effect on their ability to compete for matings in nature. In this study, courtship behavior of A. fraterculus males from a laboratory strain was analyzed for the first time through video recordings. Three components for the activities were identified: calling, wing positions, and movements. Also, the time that males spent on each step of the courtship was registered, including the last activities before attempting copulation. Data showed that mating achievement occurs relatively quickly; 65% of the successful males reached copulation within the first ten minutes after the male and female were placed together. Behavioral differences were detected between successful and unsuccessful males. The former group tended to invest more time in activities directly related with mating (Spin, Arrowhead, Attempt); however, as courtship progressed, unsuccessful males increased the time dedicated to activities not directly associated to mating (Call 0, Relax,Stationary). There was not a single sequence of activities leading to success, but the analysis of the last activities performed before mating attempts indicated that the most frequent position before successful attempts was Arrowhead, occurring in 68% of cases, whereas in unsuccessful males this position was observed only 18% of the time before mounting. Although the behavior of the strain analyzed here should be compared with that of natural populations, one would not expect to observe significant differences as compatibility and competitiveness with wild collected flies was previously shown under field cage conditions. Behavioral tests such as those applied here might be important to assess quality of mass reared strains for sterile insect technique implementation programs.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a possible trigger of kawasaki disease or a mere coincidental association? Report of the first four Italian cases.

Although epidemiological and clinical features strongly suggest an infectious cause, the etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) still remains unknown. The hypothesis that bacterial toxins acting as superantigens could trigger the cascade of events leading to KD has been widely debated. We report four children with typical KD in whom a serological evidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was detected.

Molecular analysis of the adiponectin gene in severely obese patients from southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Severe obesity is a major worldwide public health concern affecting 0.5-5% of the adult population. Adiponectin (Acpr30), an adipokine secreted from adipocytes, shows pleiotropic beneficial effects on obesity and related disorders. In this study, sequence analysis of Acpr30 gene (ACDC) was performed in a highly selected population of severely obese young adult patients from Southern Italy to investigate the associations between polymorphisms in the ACDC gene and the development of severe obesity concomitantly with other features of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: The ACDC gene was analyzed by direct sequencing in the severely obese patients (n=220) and compared to healthy controls (n=116). The associations between the ACDC gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the levels of serum Acpr30 as well as the correlation with the presence of severe obesity jointly associated with other features of the metabolic syndrome were also investigated. Total serum Acpr30 concentrations were measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS: ACDC gene molecular screening revealed the presence of previously described SNPs and a new nucleotide alteration, c.355T>G, leading to a protein variant, p.L119V. Measurement of serum concentration of Acpr30 demonstrated lower levels of Acpr30 in the obese population compared to controls (30.5+/-28.3 vs. 43.9+/-35.7 microg/ml, p<0.01); in particular, significantly lower Acpr30 concentrations were observed in obese patients bearing c.-11377C>G SNP CG+GG genotypes than in those with CC genotype (22.9+/-20.5 vs. 33.1+/-29.4 microg/ml, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that low serum levels of Acpr30 are related to severe obesity and a difference in protein expression is associated with variants in ACDC gene promoter region.

FOXN1 homozygous mutation associated with anencephaly and severe neural tube defect in human athymic Nude/SCID fetus.

The forkhead, Fox, gene family comprises a diverse group of 'winged-helix' transcription factors that play important roles in development, metabolism, cancer and aging. Recently, several forkhead genes have been demonstrated to play critical roles in lymphocyte development and effector functions. Alterations of the FOXN1 gene in both mice and humans result in a severe combined immunodeficiency caused by an intrinsic defect of the thymus associated with congenital alopecia (Nude/severe combined immunodeficiency phenotype). FOXN1 is a member of the class of proteins involved in the development and differentiation of the central nervous system. We identified a human fetus homozygous for a mutation in FOXN1 gene who lacked the thymus and also had abnormal skin, anencephaly and spina bifida. Moreover, we found that FOXN1 gene is expressed in mouse developing choroid plexus. These observations suggest that FOXN1 may be involved in neurulation in humans.

Holt-Oram syndrome associated with anomalies of the feet.

Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) (OMIM 142900) is characterized by upper-extremity malformations involving the radial, thenar, or carpal bones and a personal and/or family history of congenital heart defects (CHDs). It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The TBX5 gene located on chromosome 12 (12q24.1) is the only gene currently known to be associated with HOS and is associated with variable phenotypes. We report on the clinical and molecular characterization of a HOS family with three affected individuals and a novel mutation (Lys88ter). We discuss genotype-phenotype correlations, the presence of foot anomalies in one affected individual, and the role of atypical features in HOS differential diagnosis.

Increased prevalence of celiac disease without gastrointestinal symptoms in adults MICA 5.1 homozygous subjects from the Campania area.

OBJECTIVES: Polymorphisms in the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A may influence its binding to the Natural Killer Cell Receptor G2D (NKG2D). We looked for polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A exon 5 and in Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DQ/DR in adult coeliac disease patients to determine whether they affected coeliac disease phenotypes. METHODS: Adult coeliac disease patients with (n=98) and without (n=93) gastrointestinal symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms+/gastrointestinal symptoms-) and 108 control subjects from Campania (Italy) were characterized by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) sequence specific oligonucleotide followed by PCR sequence specific primer assays for HLA DQ/DR, and by PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis for major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A exon 5 polymorphisms. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-transglutaminase antibodies were also evaluated by immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Five different major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A alleles were detected in both coeliac disease patients and control subjects. The major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A 5.1 allele occurred more frequently in patients than in controls (p<0.05), and the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A 5.1/5.1 homozygous genotype increased the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease (OR=2.79, 95% CI 1.15-6.79). Gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease patients bearing major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A 5.1/5.1 alleles showed lower anti-transglutaminase levels (18U/L) than the gastrointestinal symptoms+ coeliac disease patients (35U/L). HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotypes did not differ between gastrointestinal symptoms+ and gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease, although DQ8 tended to be more frequent in gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease (11.7%) than in gastrointestinal symptoms+ coeliac disease (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that a double dose of the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A 5.1 allele could predispose to the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease. We can hypothesize that a lower level of immunological involvement in gastrointestinal symptoms- coeliac disease patients is associated with absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. This test could represent a second step in the genetic typing of high-risk subjects such as first-degree relatives of coeliac disease patients positive for the DQ2/DQ8 molecule.

Detachable snare versus epinephrine injection in the prevention of postpolypectomy bleeding: a randomized and controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Several endoscopic techniques have been developed to prevent bleeding after the removal of large pedunculated polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2002, 488 consecutive patients with pedunculated colorectal polyps, the heads of which were larger than 10 mm in diameter, were randomly assigned to three groups. In group A (163 patients), detachable snares were placed at the base of the stalk and standard snares were then used for polypectomy. In group B (161 patients), the polyp stalk was injected with a 0.01 % epinephrine solution before conventional snare polypectomy. Group C (a control group including 164 patients) underwent conventional snare polypectomy without preventive measures. Early (< 24 h) and late (> 24 h - 30 days) bleeding complications were assessed. Each group was divided into two subgroups relative to the polyp size (polyps 1.0 - 1.9 cm and polyps > or = 2 cm). RESULTS: Overall bleeding complications occurred after 4.3 % of the polypectomies. Bleeding was successfully controlled in all patients, and no blood transfusions were required. There were three cases of bleeding in group A (1.8 %), five in group B (3.1 %), and 13 in group C (7.9 %). Early bleeding was more frequent than late bleeding (15 vs. six patients). In polyps > or = 2 cm (207 patients), postpolypectomy bleeding occurred in 14 patients (6.7 %): two (2.7 %) in the detachable snare group, two (2.9 %) in the epinephrine injection group, and 10 (15.1 %) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that polypectomy of large pedunculated polyps is associated with a higher incidence of bleeding. Particularly in polyps larger than 2 cm, preventive measures can significantly reduce bleeding complications after polypectomy. This can be achieved with similar efficacy either by placing Endoloops or by injecting epinephrine.

Genetic typing of Corallium rubrum.

Corallium rubrum taxonomy is based on morphologic criteria; little is known about its genome. We set up a rapid, easy method based on amplified fragment length polymorphism to characterize the genetic patterns of C. rubrum in an attempt to understand better the evolutionary relations between species from diverse geographic areas and to help define migration patterns. Applying this procedure to C. rubrum specimens from Spain and Italy, we identified 6 AFLP amplification fragments common to the 4 coral populations studied and 4 fragments that differentiated between these populations. Using this characterization we were able to plot a "genetic identity card" of this commercially harvested species, which is also a marker of pollution.

Exacerbation of asthma related to Eucalyptus pollens and to herb infusion containing Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is known as a potential cause of cutaneous diseases due to contact with oil or pollens, and of respiratory allergic diseases due to exposure to pollens. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in which symptoms appeared to be exacerbated by Eucalyptus pollens and by ingestion of an infusion containing Eucalyptus. Specific IgE were positive for Eucalyptus pollens and negative for common aeroallergens. Our report shows that Eucalyptus may elicit asthma and rhinitis with an IgE-mediated mechanism both by inhalation of pollens and by ingestion of herb infusions, and suggests that care should be taken in administering herbal medications in asthmatic subjects.

Transient detection of plasma HIV-1 RNA during postexposure prophylaxis.

Transient plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) copies were detected by nucleic-acid sequence-based amplification during combination antiretroviral prophylaxis in a healthcare worker who reported a percutaneous injury from a stylet and who remained HIV-antibody-negative. An HIV-specific T-helper response, assessed by interleukin-2 production, was observed when tested at 13 months following the exposure.

Quantitative analysis of aldolase A mRNA in liver discriminates between hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver diseases can progress to cirrhosis and to hepatocellular carcinoma. Timely and unequivocal recognition of the neoplastic evolution of cirrhosis is critical. To this aim, we used a noncompetitive reverse transcription-PCR procedure to analyze aldolase A mRNA in liver tissue from patients with chronic liver diseases at different stages. METHODS: We studied 12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 19 patients affected by chronic hepatitis C or cirrhosis, and 7 healthy controls. Aldolase A mRNA was reverse-transcribed to cDNA, which was then amplified by PCR. The amplified segments were "read" with a novel dot-blot procedure. A calibrator with the same sequence, synthesized in vitro using a T7 phage promoter, was processed at scalar dilutions in parallel to the target samples to generate a calibration curve and so quantify the target mRNA (detection limit, 0.03 amol; linearity spanning five orders of magnitude). RESULTS: Aldolase A mRNA was approximately 10-fold higher in liver biopsies from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma vs patients with chronic hepatitis C or cirrhosis, and healthy individuals. Furthermore, aldolase A mRNA concentrations were 1.2- to 21.3-fold higher in 12 liver biopsies compared with the paired surrounding cirrhotic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative analysis of liver tissue aldolase A mRNA differentiates between nonneoplastic chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma, which suggests that it has diagnostic potential.