Endemic North African Quercus afares Pomel originates from hybridisation between two genetically very distant oak species (Q. suber L. and Q. canariensis Willd.): evidence from nuclear and cytoplasmic markers.

Hybridisation is a potent force in plant evolution, although there are few reported examples of stabilised species that have been created through homoploid hybridisation. We focus here on Quercus afares, an endemic North African species that combines morphological, physiological and ecological traits of both Q. suber and Q. canariensis, two phylogenetically distant species. These two species are sympatric with Q. afares over most of its distribution. We studied two Q. afares populations (one from Algeria and one from Tunisia), as well as several populations of both Q. suber and Q. canariensis sampled both within and outside areas where these species overlap with Q. afares. A genetic analysis was conducted using both nuclear (allozymes) and chloroplastic markers, which shows that Q. afares originates from a Q. suber x Q. canariensis hybridisation. At most loci, Q. afares predominantly possesses alleles from Q. suber, suggesting that the initial cross between Q. suber and Q. canariensis was followed by backcrossing with Q. suber. Other hypotheses that can account for this result, including genetic drift, gene silencing, gene conversion and selection, are discussed. A single Q. suber chlorotype was detected, and all Q. afares individuals displayed this chlorotype, indicating that Q. suber was the maternal parent. Q. afares is genetically, morphologically and ecologically differentiated from its parental species, and can therefore be considered as a stabilised hybrid species.

Allozyme variation of oleaster populations (wild olive tree) (Olea europaea L.) in the Mediterranean Basin.

As a result of the early domestication and extensive cultivation of the olive tree throughout the Mediterranean Basin, the wild-looking forms of olive (oleasters) presently observed constitute a complex, potentially ranging from wild to feral forms. Allozyme variation was analysed at 10 loci in 31 large and 44 small oleaster populations distributed in various habitats of the Mediterranean Basin and in two populations of the wild subspecies Olea europaea subsp (ssp) guanchica, endemic to the Canary islands and closely related to oleasters. At eight polymorphic loci, 25 alleles were identified. Genetic evidence that nondomesticated oleasters still survive locally was provided by the occurrence of four and one alleles shared exclusively by the eight western and two eastern oleaster populations, respectively, which were collected in forests potentially containing genuinely wild forms according to environmental, historical and demographic criteria. As reported previously from cytoplasmic and RAPDs analysis, substantial genetic differentiation was observed between the eastern oleaster populations genetically close to most olive clones cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin, and the western populations that are related to the wild Canarian populations. In addition, the occurrence of significantly lower heterozygosity in cultivated olive than in oleasters, whatever their origin, suggests that intensive selection involving inbreeding has taken place under cultivation to obtain particular characteristics in the olive cultivars.

Comparison of technetium-99m-MDP, technetium-99m-WBC and technetium-99m-HIG in musculoskeletal inflammation.

UNLABELLED: This study compared three radionuclide techniques in distinguishing musculoskeletal infection from noninfectious inflammation. METHODS: Thirty-five orthopedic patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection were examined using three radionuclide techniques in sequence: triphasic bone scintigraphy, 99mTc radioleukocytes (99mTc-WBC) scintigraphy and 99mTc human immunoglobulin (99mTc-Hig) scintigraphy. Two "early" and "late" acquisitions were performed, at 4-6 hr and 20-24 hr postinjection, respectively. Patients who were diagnosed as suffering from noninflammatory lesions became the controls. We calcu"late"d for all studies one index of inflammation (Infl) as the ratio between counts in the uptake area and counts in an equal area of normal tissue. RESULTS: The "early" radiolabeled leukocytes and "late" Hig scintigraphy allowed the greatest ability to distinguish between infections and noninfectious inflammations (p < 0.011 and p < 0.016) with a sensitivity of 96.6% and 96.5% and specificity of 71% and 100%, respectively. Hig and radioleukocytes allowed distinguishing infections from noninflammatory diseases at both examinations. CONCLUSION: The "early" radioleukocyte scintigraphy allowed us to separate infections from noninfectious inflammations. In contrast, the same result can be obtained only with the "late" scan in the Hig study, but Hig mapped the spread of the inflammation into soft tissues better. Hig might be an alternative to radioleukocytes because of its simple preparation, similar accuracy and safety.

[A case of severe posterior hepatic lesion caused by contusion trauma]. / Un caso di grave lesione epatica posteriore da trauma contusivo.

A case of blunt liver trauma with massive peritoneal hemorrhage due to a major intraparenchymal injury with active bleeding from a posterior tributary of the right hepatic vein is reported. The treatment consisted of resectional debridement of the VII and VI segment of Couinaud and hemostasis was possible in total vascular exclusion without an intracaval shunt.

[The surgical therapy of normally functioning multinodular goiter: our experience]. / La terapia chirurgica del gozzo multinodulare normofunzionante: la nostra esperienza.

Surgical treatment of multinodular goiter is still now discussed: total versus subtotal thyroidectomy. Advantages of partial thyroidectomy are the low incidence of laryngeal nerve injury and the low risk of hypoparathyroidism. Disadvantages are the increased recurrent disease, the risk of carcinoma, the elevated possibility of laryngeal nerve lesions and permanent hypoparathyroidism after reoperations. Own experience regarding 401 thyroid operations is reported; 60 patients were operated for multinodular goiter; 48 subtotal and 12 total thyroidectomy were performed. Among those 1 (1.65%) inferior laryngeal lesion and 1 (1.65%) permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. Anatomic knowledge and correct surgical procedure give a reduction in the mobility of total thyroidectomy which in selective case can be considered the treatment of choice.

[Spontaneous hematoma of the abdominal wall. Review of a clinical case load]. / Gli ematomi spontanei della parete addominale. Revisione della casistica clinica.

The treatment of several cases of spontaneous haematomas of the abdominal wall triggers some remarks on clinical aspects of the condition.

[Esophago-gastric pHmetry in the study of gastro-esophageal reflux]. / La pHmetria esofago-gastrica nello studio della sindrome da reflusso gastro-esofageo.

Personal experience in gastro-esophageal pH-monitoring in the study of gastro-esophageal reflux syndrome.

[Myelolipoma of the adrenal glands. Presentation of a clinical case and review of the literature]. / Il mielolipoma del surrene. Presentazione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Myelolipoma is a rare, benign tumour composed of fat and hematopoietic cells. Abdominal pain is often the only symptom and the result of compression by the tumour of contiguous organs. A personal case is reported after a review of the literature.