Patterns of genetic diversity and population structure of the threatened Houbara and Macqueen's bustards as revealed by microsatellite markers.

The Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) is a threatened avian species that is rapidly declining throughout its range, especially in North Africa, Asia and the Canary Islands. We examined the population structure and genetic variation for the three Houbara subspecies C. undulata undulata, C. u. fuertaventurae and C. u. macqueenii. A total of 266 birds from 10 populations were genotyped using seven polymorphic microsatellite markers. The analysis of microsatellite loci generated 1821 genotypes and 55 different alleles. Estimates of observed and expected heterozygosities were relatively high and ranged from 0.371 to 0.687 and from 0.326 to 0.729, respectively. For the first time, significant phylogeographic structure among Asian Houbara populations was found using neutral nuclear markers. Analysis of molecular variance revealed 12.03% population variability among the subspecies. Population structure and assignment tests inferred using a Bayesian approach revealed two distinct clusters with more than 90% likelihood, one Asian and one North African. A positive correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance was detected among populations (r(2) = 0.302). For conservation purposes, this genetic information will help understand the current genetic status improving management strategies for Houbara bustard breeds and populations.

Prevalence of BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms in West Africans.

BACKGROUND: BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are very common among older men in Western countries. However, the prevalence of these two conditions in the developing countries is less clear. METHODS: We assessed the age-standardized prevalence of BPH and/or LUTS among West Africans in a probability sample of 950 men aged 50-74 in Accra, Ghana, with no evidence of biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer after screening with PSA and digital rectal examination (DRE). Information on LUTS was based on self-reports of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). BPH was estimated using DRE, PSA levels and imputed prostate volume. RESULTS: The prevalence of DRE-detected enlarged prostate was 62.3%, while that of PSA≥1.5 ng ml(-1) (an estimate of prostate volume ≥ 30 cm(3)) was 35.3%. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe LUTS (IPSS≥8) was 19.9%. The prevalence of IPSS≥8 and an enlarged prostate on DRE was 13.3%. Although there is no universally agreed-upon definition of BPH/LUTS, making comparisons across populations difficult, BPH and/or LUTS appear to be quite common among older Ghanaian men. CONCLUSIONS: We found that after age standardization, the prevalence of DRE-detected enlarged prostate in Ghanaian men is higher than previously reported for American men, but the prevalence of LUTS was lower than previously reported for African Americans. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and identify the risk factors for BPH in both Africans and African Americans.

Early prostate cancer antigen expression in predicting presence of prostate cancer in men with histologically negative biopsies.

PURPOSE: Early prostate cancer antigen is a nuclear matrix protein that was recently shown to be expressed in prostate adenocarcinoma and adjacent benign tissue. Previous studies have demonstrated early prostate cancer antigen expression in benign prostate tissue up to 5 years before a diagnosis of prostate carcinoma, suggesting that early prostate cancer antigen could be used as a potential predictive marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated early prostate cancer antigen expression by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody (Onconome Inc., Seattle, Washington) on benign biopsies from 98 patients. Biopsies were obtained from 4 groups that included 39 patients with first time negative biopsy (group 1), 24 patients with persistently negative biopsies (group 2), 8 patients with initially negative biopsies who were subsequently diagnosed with prostate carcinoma (group 3) and negative biopsies obtained from 27 cases where other concurrent biopsies contained prostate carcinoma (group 4). Early prostate cancer antigen staining was assessed by 2 of the authors who were blind to the group of the examined sections. Staining intensity (range 0 to 3) and extent (range 1 to 3) scores were assigned. The presence of intensity 3 staining in any of the blocks of a biopsy specimen was considered as positive for early prostate cancer antigen for the primary outcome in the statistical analysis. In addition, as secondary outcomes we evaluated the data using the proportion of blocks with intensity 3 early prostate cancer antigen staining, the mean of the product of staining intensity and staining extent of all blocks within a biopsy, and the mean of the product of intensity 3 staining and extent. RESULTS: Primary outcome analysis revealed the proportion of early prostate cancer antigen positivity to be highest in group 3 (6 of 8, 75%) and lowest in group 2 (7 of 24, 29%, p=0.04 for differences among groups). A relatively higher than expected proportion of early prostate cancer antigen positivity was present in group 1 (23 of 39, 59%). Early prostate cancer antigen was negative in 41% of group 4 who were known to harbor prostate carcinoma. The proportion of early prostate cancer antigen positivity was statistically significantly lower in group 2 than in each of the other groups when compared pairwise. A lower proportion of early prostate cancer antigen positivity was encountered in older archival tissue blocks (p<0.0001) pointing to a potential confounding factor. Corrected for block age, group 3 was the only group to remain statistically significantly different in early prostate cancer antigen positivity compared to the reference group 2. Similar findings were obtained when adjustments for patient age were made and when analysis was based on secondary outcome measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a higher proportion of early prostate cancer antigen expression in initial negative prostate biopsy of patients who were diagnosed with prostate carcinoma on subsequent followup biopsies. We found a relatively high proportion of early prostate cancer antigen positivity (59%) in the group with first time negative biopsies and a potential 41% rate of false-negative early prostate cancer antigen staining in benign biopsies from cases with documented prostate carcinoma on concurrent cores. The lower early prostate cancer antigen positivity in cases with older blocks raises the question of a confounding effect of block age. Additional studies on the antigenic properties of early prostate cancer antigen in archival material are required to further delineate the usefulness of early prostate cancer antigen immunostaining on biopsy material.

Intestinal parasites in relation to haemoglobin level and nutritional status of school children in Gaza.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relations to anaemia and nutritional status among school children aged 6-11 years in Gaza was studied. The target area is overcrowded with improper sewage disposal system and low socioeconomic levels. Anaemia was assessed by haemoglobin level (Hb) and nutritional status by anthropometric measurements including weight for age (WA), weight for height (WH) and height for age (HA). Intestinal parasites were found to be prevalent in Gaza. The overall prevalence was 24.5%. Giardia lamblia (62.2%) was the most common parasite detected particularly in age group 6-7 years, followed by Ascaris Iumbricoides (20.0%), then Entamoeba histolytica (18.0%). Parasitosis was generally declining with older age groups for both sexes. In general, the prevalence of anaemia was more common in the younger children. Malnutrition was found to be prevalent among children. Infected children of age group 8-9 years showed higher incidence of low WA than non infected ones. The prevalence of stunting and wasting among infected children of the youngest group was greater than that observed for controls. Regarding sex, no specific trend that relates the prevalence of anaemia with sex. Malnutrition was more prevalent among females than males.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

A total of 489 stool specimens were collected from school children aged 6-11 years. The target area is overcrowded, with improper sewage disposal system and low socioeconomic standards. A questionnaire was designed to include relevant informations. Each stool specimen was processed by the direct smear microscopy, zinc sulphate flotation technique and formol-ether sedimentation technique. The present study revealed an overall prevalence at 27.6%. Six parasites were detected. Giardia lamblia (62.2%) was the most frequent species found, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (20.1%) then, Entamoeba histolytica (13.3%). The prevalence of these parasites was found to be related to age, socioeconomic and sanitation conditions. Most of the other parasitic infections were of mild intensity. There is an urgent need to correct the present situation by improving the living conditions, providing facilities for the population such as modern housing, proper sewage disposal system, health education and execution of survey programs for parasites to treat the infected persons.

Fatal intracranial bleeding associated with prehospital use of epinephrine.

We present a case of paramedic misjudgment in the execution of a protocol for the treatment of allergic reaction in a case of pulmonary edema with wheezing. The sudden onset of respiratory distress, rash, and a history of a new medicine led the two paramedics on the scene to administer subcutaneous epinephrine. Subsequently, acute cardiac arrest and fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred. Epinephrine has a proven role in cardiac arrest in prehospital care; however, use by paramedics in patients with suspected allergic reaction and severe hypertension should be viewed with caution.

The role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide as a neurotransmitter in canine penile erection: a combined in vivo and immunohistochemical study.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a 28-amino-acid polypeptide found in the human gut and genitourinary tract, primarily affects vasodilation and smooth-muscle relaxation. These effects have led to speculation that this neuropeptide may be a neurotransmitter in certain bodily functions, such as penile erection. We therefore designed an in vivo animal model to elucidate the influence of VIP and VIP antibody on the different stages of penile erection. We also performed immunohistochemical studies of the penile tissue to obtain further information about the distribution of VIP in the corpora cavernosa. Intracavernous injection of VIP induced penile erection. Its effect on arterial inflow was minor, but it caused active venous outflow restriction and was important in maintaining erection. VIP antibody blocked venous outflow restriction during neurostimulation-induced erection. VIP was found in the cavernous tissue (in the area between the smooth-muscle cells and the sinusoidal spaces) in close proximity to the arteries. We conclude that VIP is a neurotransmitter in the erectile tissue of the penis, and that its effects are similar to those from electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. VIP increases arterial flow, decreases venous flow, and induces sinusoidal relaxation.