Dietary Level of the Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA Influence the Flesh Pigmentation in Atlantic Salmon.

Atlantic salmon with a start weight of 53 g were fed diets with different levels of EPA and DHA or a diet with 1 : 1 EPA+DHA (0%, 1.0%, and 2.0% of the diet). At 400 g, all fish groups were mixed and equally distributed in new tanks and fed three diets with 0.2%, 1.0%, or 1.7% of EPA+DHA. At 1200 g, the fish were transferred to seawater pens where they were fed the same three diets until they reached a slaughter size of 3.5 kg. The fillet concentration of astaxanthin and its metabolite idoxanthin was analysed before transfer to seawater pens at 1200 g and at slaughter. The fatty acid composition in the fillet was also analysed at the same time points. Salmon fed low levels of EPA and DHA had lower fillet astaxanthin concentration and higher metabolic conversion of astaxanthin to idoxanthin compared to salmon fed higher dietary levels of EPA and/or DHA. DHA had a more positive effect on fillet astaxanthin concentrations than EPA. There were positive correlations between fillet DHA, EPA, sum N-3 fatty acids, and fillet astaxanthin concentration. A negative correlation was found between the concentration of N-6 fatty acids in the fillet and the astaxanthin concentration.

Epidemiology and genetic diversity of criniviruses associated with tomato yellows disease in Greece.

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) are two whitefly transmitted viruses which are classified in the genus Crinivirus of the family Closteroviridae. Both induce similar yellowing symptoms in tomato and are responsible for severe economic losses. ToCV is transmitted by Bemisia tabaci Gennadious, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood and Trialeurodes abutilonea Haldeman, whereas TICV is transmitted only by T. vaporariorum. An extensive study was conducted during 2009-2012 in order to identify the virus species involved in tomato yellowing disease in Greece. Samples from tomato, other crops and weeds belonging to 44 species from 26 families were collected and analyzed using molecular methods. In addition, adult whiteflies were collected and analyzed using morphological characters and DNA markers. Results showed that TICV prevailed in tomato crops (62.5%), while ToCV incidence was lower (20.5%) and confined in southern Greece. ToCV was also detected in lettuce plants showing mild yellowing symptoms for the first time in Greece. Approximately 13% of the tested weeds were found to be infected, with TICV being the predominant virus with an incidence of 10.8%, whereas ToCV was detected only in 2.2% of the analyzed samples. These results indicate that the host range of TICV and ToCV in Greece is far more extensive than previously believed. T. vaporariorum was the most widespread whitefly species in Greece (80%), followed by B. tabaci (biotypes B and Q) (20%). Sequence analysis of the CP and CPm genes from Greek tomato and weed isolates of ToCV and TICV showed that even though both viruses have very wide host ranges their populations show very low molecular divergence.

Total elbow arthroplasty for the treatment of insufficient distal humeral fractures. A retrospective clinical study and review of the literature.

Treatment of complex distal humeral fractures in older patients with osteopenic bone remains a major surgical challenge. We report the results of 11 patients over 75 years of age who underwent semiconstrained sloppy-hinge total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) due to comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus. There were 9 women and 2 men with a mean age of 79.6 years. The mean duration of follow up was 2.8 years. According to AO classification, there were 8 type C3 and 3 type C2 fractures. The mean time from injury to operation was 4.3 days and the mean length of hospital stay was 9.8 days. The elbow flexion/extension and forearm pronation/supination arc of motion averaged 107(0) and 121(0) respectively. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was 90 points, equivalent to excellent result. One patient sustained a periprosthetic humeral fracture and signs of non-progressive radiolucency were found in 8 out of the 11 elbows. Our search in the English and International literature revealed 9 other clinical studies describing the results of TEA in 167 patients with 168 distal humeral fractures. The mean age of patients varied from 69 to 84.6 years and the mean follow up from 17.8 months to 7 years. The mean MEPS among the studies was between 85 and 95 points. Wound infection was diagnosed in 9 cases (5.4%) but component removal and subsequent reimplantation was only applied in 3 elbows (1.8%). Partial ulnar nerve lesions were reported in 11 patients (6.5%) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy was developed in 5 patients (3%). In 3 elbows (1.8%) a periprosthetic fracture after a fall was recorded. Radiolucent lines between the cement mantle and bone interface were described in 24 cases (14.3%) but the majority of them (17 cases) were stable and asymptomatic. In conclusion, TEA constitutes a viable treatment option for the complex distal humeral fractures in elderly and medically compromised patients. Careful patient selection and regular follow up evaluation are mandatory for achieving an optimal result and eliminating the risks of mismanagement and early implant failure.

Liver histology alterations during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the time course changes in liver histology during carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum in a large animal model. METHODS: For this study, 14 white pigs were anesthetized. Liver biopsies performed 0, 1, and 2 h after establishment of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (at 12 mmHg) and after peritoneal desufflation were sent for histologic examination. Heart rate, mean blood pressure, hepatic artery flow, portal vein flow, and aortic flow were recorded in 10-min increments. Three animals served as control subjects. RESULTS: A statistically significant time course increase was observed in portal inflammation, intralobular inflammation, edema, sinusoidal dilation, sinusoidal hyperemia, centrilobular dilation, centrilobular hyperemia, pericentrilobular ischemia, and focal lytic necrosis scores. There were no significant changes in the control group. This eliminated an effect of anesthesia only. The portal vein flow increased as much as 21%, and the hepatic artery flow decreased as much as 31% of baseline, but these differences did not attain statistical significance. Aortic flow remained relatively stable. CONCLUSION: Histomorphologic changes occurred, indicating liver tissue injury during CO(2) pneumoperitoneum at an intraabdominal pressure of 12 mmHg in the porcine model. Portal vein flow increased, and hepatic artery flow decreased, whereas aortic flow remained relatively unaffected in this experiment.

Bilateral volar lunate dislocation.

A 12 years follow-up of a case of bilateral volar lunate dislocation treated by open reduction and K-wire stabilisation of both wrists six days after injury is described. Despite aseptic necrosis of both lunates, the patient is pain free and has useful function, without the development of lunate ischaemia and collapse, carpal instability or posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

Transient and chronic neutropenias detected in children with different viral and bacterial infections.

AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship of acquired neutropenias with infections in childhood and to assess their course, complications, short and long-term outcome. METHOD: During a two-year period, all children admitted to the pediatric ward with neutropenia were investigated for underlying infections with indices of infection, cultures of body fluids and serological tests. RESULTS: Sixty-seven previously healthy children, aged (median, 25-75%) 0.7 years (0.2-1.5), were identified with neutropenia (frequency: 2.0%). An infectious agent was identified in 34/67 cases (50.7%) (viral infection: n=24, bacterial: n=10). In 50/67 (74.6%) children, neutropenia recovered within 2 months (transient neutropenia, TN), while in 17/67 (25.4%) of them it persisted for more than two months. Two years after diagnosis 50/67 children (74.6%) accepted to be reassessed. Of these children, 8/50 (16%) remained neutropenic (neutropenic children, NC), while 42/50 had recovered completely. CONCLUSION: Neutropenia during childhood is usually transient, often following viral and common bacterial infections, does not present serious complications and in the majority, it resolves spontaneously. However, in a significant percentage of patients, neutropenia is discovered during the course of an infection, on a ground of a preceding chronic neutropenic status.

Buspirone augmentation of antidepressant therapy.

Thirty outpatients meeting DSM-III-R or DSM-IV criteria for major depression, single or recurrent episode, and failing to respond to an adequate trial of an antidepressant (>6 weeks at recommended dosage) received buspirone (20-30 mg/day) for 4 or 5 weeks in addition to their existing antidepressant. Of the 22 patients who had buspirone added to their selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant regimen (fluoxetine, paroxetine, or citalopram), 59% (13/22) showed complete or partial remission of their depressive symptomatology. Similarly, 63% (5/8) of patients treated with buspirone in addition to clomipramine showed complete or partial remission. The mean score on the Clinical Global Impressions Scale fell by 64% (from 4.7 to 1.7; p < 0.0001) in treatment responders (complete and partial). No serious side effects were observed during combination therapy. Seventy-nine percent (11/14) of initial responders (both complete and partial) who remained on augmentation therapy for at least 4 months were symptom-free at follow-up. Buspirone augmentation may produce marked clinical improvement in depressed patients who are initially unresponsive to standard antidepressant therapy.

Thermal properties of adamantanol derivatives and their beta-cyclodextrin complexes in phosphatidylcholine bilayers.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) has been applied to study the thermal properties of the membrane perturbing antibacterial octyl- and dodecyl-bromide salts of quaternary dimethylamino adamantanol (ADM-8 and ADM-12 correspondingly) incorporated in free or complexed form with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) into dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) containing bilayers. The DSC results showed that the studied compounds exert pronounced thermotropic changes in DPPC bilayers when inserted as free molecules. These effects are reduced when are present in a complex form with beta-CD. Since the studied compounds exert destructive effects in membrane bilayers their insertion in membrane bilayers as complexes with cyclodextrin may result in differentiation of their activity. The obtained results suggest that their complexation with beta-CD may improve their biological profile. It also increases their aqueous solubility, a limited factor for their use as drugs.

A double blind study of intranasal calcitonin for established postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Intranasal administration of calcitonin (CT) avoids the problem of daily injections in the long-term treatment of osteoporosis. We examined the effect of nasal CT on bone and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in a double-blind design. 46 women, 55-75 years in age, and in good general health were included in the study. All patients were at least 6 months postmenopausal and had at least 1 vertebra fracture, bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2) lower than 0.850 in L2-L4 in a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) AP view of the spine and showed biochemical indications of a fast bone loser. The patients were randomly treated with either nasal CT 200 IU per day, divided in 2 doses (n = 23) or placebo (n = 23) for 1 year. All participants received a daily calcium supplement of 1 g. Clinical and laboratory follow-up every 3 and 6 months, respectively, assessed the clinical picture, bone mineral density measured by DEXA, serum alkaline phosphatase, fasting urinary calcium, creatinine and hydroxyproline. BMD was measured in 4 sites (spine and cervical, Ward's triangle, and the trochanteric area of the hip) before treatment and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. In the placebo group, mean values at the 4 sites showed a 3.3% decrease in BMD after 6 months and a 5.0% decrease after 12 months. In contrast, the calcitonin group showed a 6.8% increase in BMD after 6 months and 11% increase after 12 months (p < or = 0.005). No patient experienced side-effects and there were no complaints of local irritation. We conclude that nasal administration of 200 IU calcitonin daily, continuously for 1 year had a positive effect on the bone mass density in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

Foreign body in the sphenoid sinus.

Foreign bodies in the paranasal sinuses, especially in the sphenoid sinus are uncommon. We report a rare case of a foreign body in the sphenoid sinus after an occupational accident.

Sagittal fracture of the maxilla.

Although sagittal fractures of the maxilla are not common, they can be observed in some cases following severe trauma to the facial skeleton. 18 of the 23 cases reported had combined mandibular and midfacial fractures. Sometimes in severe cases they may demonstrate instability with conventional methods of treatment; thus for adequate stabilization they may need a palatal splint, direct wiring (internal fixation in the buttresses), intermaxillary fixation and cranial suspension.

The effect of partial periosteal division on growth of the long bones. An experimental study in rabbits.

The mode of action of the periosteum in the growth of the long bones was investigated by comparing the activity of the growth plate after hemicircumferential and longitudinal periosteal incisions. Twenty-eight rabbits were divided into three groups. A longitudinal periosteum incision was made on the medial upper tibia in rabbits of Group A, and a hemicircumferential periosteum incision was made in Group B. An incision of the skin and superficial tissue only, similar to the skin incision of Groups A and B, was performed on rabbits in Group C. Certain differences in the development of the right tibia compared to the control side were observed in rabbits of Group B: (1) valgus deformity, 5 degrees-10 degrees; (2) overgrowth, 1-2 mm; (3) an S-shaped tibia deformity. The dynamics of the deformity support the mechanical theory because the direction of periosteum division was an important factor in the appearance of growth disturbances.

[Extraoral odontogenic fistulas: a classification and a differential diagnosis from other type head and neck fistulas]. / Odontogene exostomatike syringia katataxe kai diaphorike diagnose apo alla syringia kephales kai trachelou.

The majority of extraoral facial fistulas are of odontogenic origin. Although the differential diagnosis of draining lesions should include various types of skin infection, infected tumour, specific infections, failed wound healing, foreign body, salivary gland fistula, sebaceous cysts and developmental cysts and fistulas. This report documents a group of patients with extraoral draining skin lesions and illustrates that their diagnosis is very important because clinically they can resemble many pathologic entities. One hundred and twenty-eight cases of extraoral fistulas are presented in this paper. This study aims to analyse a number of fistula cases so as to give a clear idea about relative frequency of etiology and to attract to some cases of non odontogenic etiology.