Hydrocarbon exposure effect on energetic metabolism and immune response in Crassostrea virginica.

Crassostrea virginica was exposed to different light crude oil levels to assess the effect on transcriptomic response and metabolic rate. The exposure time was 21 days, and levels of 100 and 200 µg/L were used, including a control. The most significant difference among treatments was the overexpression of several genes associated with energy production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation, immune system response, and inflammatory response. Also, a hydrocarbon concentration-related pattern was identified in ROS regulation, with a gene expression ratio near 1.8:1 between 200 and 100 µg/L treatments. Statistical analysis showed no interaction effect for metabolic rate; however, significant differences were found for oil concentration and time factors, with a higher oxygen consumption at 200 µg/L. Our findings provide novel information about the metabolic response of C. virginica during hydrocarbons exposure. In addition, our results point out which biological processes should be investigated as targets for searching bioindicators.

Transcriptomic response of the Crassostrea virginica gonad after exposure to a water-accommodation fraction of hydrocarbons and the potential implications in reproduction.

The Crassostrea virginica oyster has biological and economic importance in the Gulf of Mexico, an area with a high extraction and production of hydrocarbons. Exposure to hydrocarbons affects the reproductive processes in bivalves. In C. virginica, the effect of hydrocarbons on the gonad of the undifferentiated organism has not been evaluated to determine the possible damage during the maturation process. To evaluate this effect, RNA-seq data was generated from C. virginica gonads exposed to a 200 µg/L of hydrocarbons at different exposure times (7, 14 and 21 days) and a control treatment (without hydrocarbons). The analysis of the gonad transcriptome showed the negative effect of hydrocarbons on maturation, with a sub-expression of 22 genes involved in different stages of this process. Additionally, genes in the immune system were down-regulated, which may indicate that exposure to hydrocarbons causes immunosuppression in bivalves. A group of oxidative stress genes was also reduced. These data contribute to a better understanding of the effect of hydrocarbons on the reproductive process in bivalves and, at the same time, allow us to identify possible biomarkers associated with hydrocarbon contamination in the gonad of C. virginica.

The use of core biopsy imprint cytology in the 'one-stop' breast clinic.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity; accuracy, usefulness and role of core biopsy imprint cytology (CBIC) in the one-stop breast clinic in a District General Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was made of symptomatic patients attending a district general hospital one-stop clinic over a five year period where a core biopsy had been performed and an imprint of the core had been made for cytological analysis. The performance of the technique was evaluated by comparing the results of CIBC with the definitive histological analysis of the core biopsy tissue. RESULTS: Over a five year period, imprints were made from 819 core biopsies. Adequate cellularity for cytological analysis was found in 94.8% (778/819) of the imprints. Out of the 778 lesions analysed, 432 were malignant (55.5%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and concordance were 97.7%, 94.2%, 93.1%, 98.1% and 95.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: Core Biopsy Imprint Cytology is a rapid, reliable and accurate technique which enhances the known benefits of automated core biopsy. It allows core biopsies to be used successfully in the 'one-stop' clinic setting and obviates the need to use Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). When CBIC is used, there is a reduction in diagnostic waiting time (over core biopsy on its own) and an increase in diagnostic performance (over FNAC). This translates to an improvement in the management of patients with breast cancer through the earlier availability of the diagnosis and fewer out-patient appointments.

Surgical correction of gynaecomastia in bodybuilders.

Gynaecomastia is a common and well-recognised side-effect of anabolic steroid abuse in athletes. A staging system is proposed and a technique of excision under local anaesthetic described. Careful selection of cases and the use of meticulous technique can achieve good cosmetic results, without risk of recurrence of gynaecomastia.

Supplemental oxygen: ensuring its safe delivery during facial surgery.

Electrosurgical coagulation in the presence of blow-by oxygen is a potential source of fire in facial surgery. A case report of a patient sustaining partial-thickness facial burns secondary to such a flash fire is presented. A fiberglass facial model is then used to study the variables involved in providing supplemental oxygen when an electrosurgical unit is employed. Oxygen flow, oxygen delivery systems, distance from the oxygen source, and coagulation current levels were varied. A nasal cannula and an adapted suction tubing provided the oxygen delivery systems on the model. Both the "displaced" nasal cannula and the adapted suction tubing ignited at a minimum coagulation level of 30 W, an oxygen flow of 2 liters/minute, and a linear distance of 5 cm from the oxygen source. The properly placed nasal cannula did not ignite at any combination of oxygen flow, coagulation current level, or distance from the oxygen source. Facial cutaneous surgery in patients provided supplemental oxygen should be practiced with caution when an electrosurgical unit is used for coagulation. The oxygen delivery systems adapted for use are hazardous and should not be used until their safety has been demonstrated.