Congenital muscle fibre type disproportion: clinical, morphological and biochemical findings in children

Muscle biopsies from quadriceps femoris muscle of normal subjects and subjects with symptoms of congenital myopathy, aged 1-3 years, were examined for morphological and biochemical differences. Four patients showed clinical signs of Congenital Fibre Type Disproportion (CFTD) as described originally by Brooke (1973), while the other cases showed only signs of hypotonia and diffuse weakness as described by Clancy et al. (1980). No morphological differences between patients with different clinical signs were found in any biopsy sample from the quadriceps femoris muscle, as regards fibre size; type I fibres were always smaller than type II fibres. The difference in fibre size was more than 15% in all cases, and the variability coefficient of the larger type II fibres was less than 250. Nevertheless, as regards fibre occurrence, two patients showed more type I fibres than type II fibres, four patients showed more type II fibres than type I fibres and one patient had a marked type II fibre predominance. Enzyme activities assayed in the crude mitochondrial fraction showed no abnormalities between normal subjects and patients. An increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the crude extract was found in all cases.     

Age-related changes in large joints and long tubular bones of the upper extremity in children (echographic data)]

Two hundred and ten children at the age of 17 days up to 15 years have been examined. Echocameras, working in the grey scale regime have been used. At examination of the arm, forearm, brachial, elbow and radiocarpal joints in the children the most informative are longitudinal echographic approaches. At examination of the brachial bone head in the children older than 10 years only the anterior longitudinal approach is informative. To perform the echographic investigation of various elements of the locomotor apparatus of the upper extremities in children older than 9-10 years is difficult. The echographic reveal of additional nuclei of ossification and synostosis stages of the long tubular bones of the upper extremities in children often coincide in time with roentgenological data.     

Biogeographical,ecological and morphological structure in a phylogenetic analysis of Ateleia (Swartzieae,Fabaceae) derived from combined molecular,morphological and chemical data

A phylogenetic analysis of combined morphological, chemical and ITS/5.8S sequence data reveals that species of Ateleia are often more genetically than morphologically divergent, and that species thought to be most closely related morphologically are distant relatives within the genus. Ateleia shows niche conservatism, with most species confined to seasonally dry tropical forest in Central America and the Caribbean, and fewer species in the same biome in South America. Four independent transitions to wet forests may have occurred in the genus. The estimated ages of Ateleia lineages spanning Central and South America are either older or younger than the estimated age of closure of the Isthmus of Panama. The older dates clearly suggest that over‐water dispersal is responsible for the distribution of Ateleia that includes the Caribbean Islands. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162 , 39–53.     

Correction of immunity disorders, treatment of intestinal infections and disbiosis in children (clinical review)

Acute viral and bacterial intestinal infections in children provoke the Tn2 immune response, resulting in development of severe and complicated forms of the disease and sustained by the disbiotic disturbances due to unnecessarily prolonged use of antibacterial drugs. Cycloferon, an early inductor of interferon-1 and -2, was shown to be safe and efficient in the complex therapy of the intestinal infections. It promoted generation of the Th2 immune response and decrease of the repeated isolation of the pathogen with normalization of the disease clinical signs. The host intestinal microflora was normalized and the level of the opportunistic organisms decreased.     

On the Brazilian species of halipegine genera (Trematoda: Derogenidae) from fishes,with new morphological data,hosts and synonyms

The genus Genarchella Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928 is reinstated for some species from South American fishes previously attributed to Halipegus Looss, 1899. Aspects of the morphology of G. genarchella Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928 and G. parva Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928 are redescribed. Astyanax bimaculatus, Moenkhausia doceana, Oligosarcus robustus and Salminus maxillosus are recorded as new hosts of G. parva, and H. cryptorchis Mané-Garzon & Gascón, 1973 and H. szidati Yamaguti, 1971 [= G. tropica of Szidat (1954)] are listed amongst new synonyms of this species. Aspects of the morphology of Thometrema magnifica (Szidat, 1954) and T. overstreeti (Brooks, Mayes & Thorson, 1979) are redescribed. T. rioplatense Lunaschi, 1989 is considered a synonym of T. overstreeti. New host-records of T. overstreeti are Pimelodus maculatus and Rhamdia sp. G. genarchella of Hamann (1986) is considered as synonym of T. overstreeti. Paravitellotrema Watson, 1976, Caballeroiella Lamothe-Argumedo, 1977 and Quadripaludus Jimenez, Guajardo & Briseno, 1981 are considered synonyms of Genarchella. The features distinguishing Halipegus, Genarchella and Thometrema Amato, 1968 are discussed.     

The biochemical and morphological changes in the myocardium of patients with an acute surgical vascular pathology (based on data from early autopsies)]

Biochemical and morphological disorders of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) were studied in the myocardium of 9 patients who had died from different vascular surgical diseases. The inhibition of G-6-PDH activity most prominent in lung artery thromboembolism was shown biochemically. Histological and histoenzymological findings demonstrate low G-6-PDH activity in different myocardial regions and solitary defects of cardiomyocytes. The data obtained evidence significant sensibility of the myocardium in surgical patients to different influences.     

Allozymic, morphological, phenological, linguistic, plant use, and nutritional data ofBenincasa Hispida (Cucurbitaceae)

Benincasa hispida, from tropical Asia, is cultivated primarily for its edible fruit. To explore its domestication and ethnobotany, we made collections from two regions where it may have been domesticated: (1) Southern China/Southeast Asia, represented by southern Yunnan Province (China) and northern Laos; and (2) the Indian subcontinent, represented by southeastern Nepal. Domestication has resulted in diverse fruit sizes, shapes, and colors; seed sizes and shapes; and, in some accessions, the loss of tendrils. Modern cultivars have larger fruit, earlier flowers, and lower nutritional content than traditional cultivars. Allozyme diversity was low, divergence between these two regions was low, and these results do not clarify the place of domestication. The greater morphological diversity of plants from Yunnan and Laos, as compared to Nepal, suggests domestication in the former region. In all accessions, male flowers precede females.Benincasa hispida is prominent in some traditional stories and rituals.     

阿奇霉素治疗小儿支原体肺炎的效果观察和安全性分析

目的观察大环内酯类抗生素阿奇霉素治疗小儿支原体肺炎的临床疗效,并对用药安全性进行评价。方法选择我院2012年6月至2014年10月呼吸科收治的96例小儿支原体肺炎患者,随机平均分为观察组和对照组。观察组给予阿奇霉素治疗,对照组给予红霉素治疗,观察两组的临床疗效和不良反应。结果观察组患者治愈37例,显效8例,无效3例,总有效率为93.75%;对照组治愈30例,显效9例,无效9例,总有效率为81.25%,治疗组疗效优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组患者平均退热、止咳、平喘、肺部啰音消失时间均短于对照组,平均住院时间和住院花费均少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组均偶见局部皮疹、注射部分疼痛等轻度不良反应,差异无统计学意义;观察组无胃肠道反应,对照组有4例胃肠道反应。结论阿奇霉素治疗小儿支原体肺炎能有效改善临床症状,较红霉素能提高治疗效果,缩短病程,且无严重不良反应,安全可靠,值得推广应用。     

Echinacea purpurea L. in children: safety, tolerability, compliance, and clinical effectiveness in upper respiratory tract infections

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench was mistakenly taken from North America to Germany in 1939 where it was cultivated and various extractions were prepared and subsequently used to treat upper respiratory tract infections. Parents often administer Echinacea to their children, but safety data on the use of Echinacea in Canadian children is lacking. A screening history, physical examination, and daily record of symptoms from an initial visit through to a the follow-up visit 13 days later were used to increase patient safety. Each subject was administered an aerial part Echinacea extract. The dose was based on age (2.5 mL three times per day for children aged 2-5 years, and 5 mL two times per day for children aged 6-12 years) and administered for 10 days in an open-label trial. A rating scale was used to measure tolerance to the treatment. We assessed the safety and compliance of use of the Echinacea extract by measuring the amount of extract returned at the end of the study, having the parents complete and return a daily symptom diary, and recording the subjects' use of other natural health products or medications during the trial. Clinical effectiveness of the Echinacea extract could not be accurately assessed because of the small trial size and because the extract had been administered when some of the subjects had an upper respiratory tract infection that had begun 1 or more days prior to the study; however, each subject's symptoms improved. No allergic or adverse reaction occurred and no safety issues arose.     

Five Cyanophora (Cyanophorales,Glaucophyta) species delineated based on morphological and molecular data

Cyanophora is an important glaucophyte genus of unicellular biflagellates that may have retained ancestral features of photosynthetic eukaryotes. The nuclear genome of Cyanophora was recently sequenced, but taxonomic studies of more than two strains are lacking for this genus. Furthermore, no study has used molecular methods to taxonomically delineate Cyanophora species. Here, we delimited the species of Cyanophora using light and electron microscopy, combined with molecular data from several globally distributed strains, including one newly established. Using a light microscope, we identified two distinct morphological groups: one with ovoid to ellipsoidal vegetative cells and another with dorsoventrally flattened or broad, bean‐shaped vegetative cells containing duplicated plastids. Our light and scanning electron microscopy clearly distinguished three species with ovoid to ellipsoidal cells (C. paradoxa Korshikov, C. cuspidata Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov., and C. kugrensii Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov.) and two species with broad, bean‐shaped cells (C. biloba Kugrens, B.L.Clay, C.J.Mey. & R.E.Lee and C. sudae Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov.) based on differences in cell shape and surface ornamentations of the vegetative cells under the field‐emission scanning electron microscope. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of P700 chl a apoprotein A2 (psaB) genes and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), as well as a comparison of secondary structures of nuclear rDNA ITS‐2 and genetic distances of psaB genes, supported the delineation of five morphological species of Cyanophora.     

Phylogenetic relationships within Serpulidae (Sabellida, Annelida) inferred from molecular and morphological data

We assessed phylogenetic relationships within Serpulidae (including Spirorbinae) using parsimony and Bayesian analyses of 18S rDNA, the D1 and D9−D10 regions of 28S rDNA, and 38 morphological characters. In total, 857 parsimony informative characters were used for 31 terminals, 29 serpulids and sabellid and sabellariid outgroups. Following ILD assessment the two sequence partitions and morphology were analysed separately and in combination. The morphological parsimony analysis was congruent with the results of the 2003 preliminary analysis by Kupriyanova in suggesting that a monophyletic Serpulinae and Spirorbinae form a clade, while the remaining serpulids form a basal grade comprising what are normally regarded as Filograninae. Bremer support values were, however, quite low throughout. In contrast, the combined analyses of molecular and morphological data sets provided highly resolved and well-supported trees, though with some conflict when compared to the morphology-only analysis. Spirorbinae was recovered as a sister group to a monophyletic group comprising both 'filogranin' taxa ( Salmacina , Filograna , Protis , and Protula ) and 'serpulin' taxa such as Chitinopoma , Metavermilia , and Vermiliopsis . Thus the traditionally formulated subfamilies Serpulinae and Filograninae are not monophyletic. This indicates that a major revision of serpulid taxonomy is needed at the more inclusive taxonomic levels. We refrain from doing so based on the present analyses since we feel that further taxon sampling and molecular sequencing are required. The evolution of features such as the operculum and larval development are discussed.     

Tumor heterogeneity: morphological, molecular and clinical implications

Malignant tumors are characterized by their great heterogeneity and variability. There are hundreds of different types of malignant tumors that harbour many oncogenic alterations. The tumor heterogeneity has important morphological, molecular and clinical implications. Except for some hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative processes and small cell infant tumors, there are not specific molecular alterations for most human tumors. In this review we summarize the most important aspects of carcinogenesis and chemoradiosensitivity of malignant cells. In this regard, some oncogenes such as neu, ras and bcl-2 have been associated with cellular resistance to treatment with anticancer agents. The knowledge of oncogenic alterations involved in each tumor can be important to correlate the morphological features, the genetic background, the prognosis and the clinical response to treatment with anticancer agents. Based on the molecular background of the tumor there are new cancer gene therapy protocols. For example using adenovirus Ela in tumors with overexpression of neu oncogene, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase specific for the PDGF receptor in glioma, inhibitors of farnesil transferase to prevent ras activity in tumors with mutations in the ras gene.     

Taxonomic revision of Dictyochales (Dictyochophyceae) based on morphological,ultrastructural, biochemical and molecular data

The taxonomy of the siliceous members of Dictyochales has been based exclusively on the structure of their silica skeletons. In this study, other morphological, ultrastructural, pigment and molecular characters, in addition to the silica skeletons, were used in the systematics of the siliceous members of this group. As very little is known about the ultrastructure of Dictyocha octonaria, cells of both the skeleton‐bearing and naked forms were also studied. A cladistic analysis based on morphological data and a molecular phylogeny based on nuclear coded small subunit ribosomal DNA retrieved a well‐supported monophyletic Dictyochales. D. octonaria and D. speculum were resolved together with strong support. There was no support for a clade for the three species currently placed in Dictyocha; D. fibula is clearly distinct from the other two Dictyocha taxa, D. speculum and D. octonaria. It is highly likely there are two or three undescribed species within D. octonaria/D. speculum clade and two undescribed genera within the Dictyochales, based on the positions of sequences from uncultured eukaryotes present in GenBank. These findings necessitate a taxonomic revision of the three siliceous, skeleton‐bearing species. Because D. fibula is the type species of Dictyocha, we propose that D. octonaria and D. speculum be reassigned respectively to the genus Octactis as O. octonaria Hovasse and O. speculum (Ehrenberg) F. H. Chang, J. M. Grieve & J. E. Sutherland, comb. nov.