Atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients according to age and sex. Angiograms obtained by digital subtraction angiography were analyzed in 150 diabetic patients (study group) and 150 non-diabetic patients (control group) with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Diabetic patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the large supra-aortic arteries were significantly more common in the left than in the right side of the neck (p < 0.001), but the difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group did not reach statistical significance. Hemodynamic conditions were found to be more important than diabetes for the occurrence of atherosclerotic lesions in these arteries. Changes in the proximal segment of the left common carotid artery were the most common finding in diabetic patients, hence attention should be paid to this localization on control examinations.     

Zooplankton community and hydrographical properties of the Neretva Channel (eastern Adriatic Sea)

Temporal and spatial variability of micro and mesozooplankton was studied in 1998 and 1999 at four stations in the Neretva Channel area influenced by the Neretva river and the open waters of the south Adriatic Sea. The area is orthophosphate limited, but an excessive accumulation of land derived nitrogen is prevented by phytoplankton uptake and the general circulation pattern. Microzooplankton was dominated by ciliates, with average abundances comparable to other Adriatic channel areas (122–543 ind. l⁻¹). Non-loricate ciliates (NLC) generally peaked in the warmer periods, but a winter increase was evident towards the inner part of the channel. Tintinnid abundances generally increased in autumn. A significant relationship with temperature was not recorded for either protozoan group. An inverse relationship between NLC and salinity might be indirectly caused by their preference for the food abundant surface layer. Mesozooplankton was dominated by copepods, with distinct summer maxima throughout the area and pronounced winter maxima of >10,000 ind. m⁻³ at the inner stations. The community was predominantly neritic but the open sea waters were important in structuring the mesozooplankton assemblage at all stations during the autumn–winter period. Although temperature regulated the seasonal dynamics of most metazoans and the species succession in the copepod community, small omnivorous copepods (Oncaea media complex, Oithona nana and Euterpina acutifrons) dominated regardless of the season. A trophic link between copepods and ciliates was evident in winter during low phytoplankton biomass.     

Seasonal and vertical distribution of the ciliated protozoa and micrometazoa in Kaštela Bay (central Adriatic)

Seasonal and vertical distribution of tintinnids, non-loricate ciliates and micrometazoa were studied in Kaštela Bay (central Adriatic Sea) throughout 1995. The species composition of tintinnids and copepods were studied as well. This is the first estimation of non-loricate ciliate biomass in the coastal area of the central Adriatic. Non-loricate ciliates were quantitatively the best represented ciliated protozoa, whereas nauplii were the most numerous micrometazoan organisms. Temperature affected the distribution of most micrometazoan components of the zooplankton and that of non-loricate ciliates. The temperature-dependent presence of individual size categories of non-loricate ciliates was also established. Apart from the interaction between microzooplankton groups, the influence of biotic factors, such as phytoplankton, bacteria, non-pigmented nanoflagellates (NNF) and mesozooplankton, was also discussed. The abundance of ciliates was controlled by both food supply (phytoplankton and NNF) and micrometazoan grazing. The results point to very complex trophic relationships within the planktonic community, suggesting that microzooplankton could be an important link between the microbial food web and higher trophic levels. Received in revised form: 8 November 2000 Electronic Publication     

Taxonomical diversity of Pseudo‐nitzschia from the Central Adriatic Sea

The aim of our research was to study the composition of Pseudo‐nitzschia species during a period when neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) was present in shellfish. Sampling was conducted in Ka?tela Bay (Central Adriatic Sea), between November 2015 and January 2016. Concentrations of DA analyzed in various shellfish species were low, below the regulatory limit, while the highest abundance of Pseudo‐nitzschia spp. reached 1.85 × 10⁵ cells L^?1 in the surface layer, at the beginning of November. Within the temperature and salinity range recorded during the investigated period, a positive correlation of Pseudo‐nitzschia spp. abundance was recorded with temperature. Morphological analyses by scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of five Pseudo‐nitzschia species that had already been reported in the Adriatic Sea – P. calliantha, P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. pseudodelicatissima /P. cuspidata and P. subfraudulenta – as well as an unknown Pseudo‐nitzschia sp. The composition of the Pseudo‐nitzschia assemblage changed over the investigated period. The species P. pseudodelicatissima/P.cuspidata was found throughout the entire period and the highest diversity was noticed in January, when all six observed species were recorded. These results represent the first taxonomical investigation of the genus Pseudo‐nitzschia in Ka?tela Bay, as well as the first report of DA in shellfish from this area.     

The possibilities and limitations of direct digital radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography in diagnosing pleural mesotelioma

The goal of this study was to compare the possibilities and limitations of direct digital radiography of the chest (DDR), the use of ultrasound of the chest (US) and single slice computed tomography of the chest (CT) in diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. The study was conducted during the course of one year, on 80 patients who were successively referred to a specialized institution, under clinical suspicion of mesothelioma. The method of investigation was the comparison of findings, obtained by the reviewed methods of examination, with the pathohistologic results of a biopsy performed on each patient. The findings that were obtained by the enumerated methods were classified according to the radiologic signs that were found in each individual patient. We evaluated following radiological findings (signs), on each of the investigated methods: plaques, localized and generalized pleural thickenings, calcifications of the pleura, pleural effusions, parapneumonic effusions, pleural empyema, (round) atelectasis, pneumothorax, tumor mass or node, inflammatory infiltrate, elevation of the hemidiaphragm and osteolysis. The results of these were compared with pathohistologic findings and analyzed by means of standard statistical methods. The highest sensitivity was found for CT (94.4%), followed by US (92.6%), and by DDR (90.7%). The highest specificity was obtained with DDR (46.2%), followed by CT (35.5%) and US (23.8%). The comparison of these methods showed 90% diagnostic accuracy for DDR in relation to CT CT as an individual method best satisfied most of the criteria for diagnosing mesothelioma. No pathognomonic radiologic sign for mesothelioma was found.     

The cross-shore distribution of epibenthic predators and its effect on zonation of intertidal macrobenthos: a case study in the river Scheldt

Hydrobiologia - Available research is inconclusive on how circatidal habitat use and cross-shore distribution of aquatic epibenthic predators may affect the vertical zonation of infauna in muddy,...     

Stenotic occlusive lesions of internal carotid artery in diabetic patients

Diabetes deteriorates atherosclerotic changes in the arteries. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with diabetes. A prospective analysis of angiography findings was carried out in 150 diabetic and 150 non-diabetic patients with symptoms of cerebral ischemia using double-blind angiogram readings by two independent investigators. The degree of stenosis was determined using the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria. Stenoses of the proximal arterial segment accounted for the majority of extracranial ICA stenoses, being more frequent in diabetic (left ICA 50.7%, right ICA 58.0%) than in the non-diabetic patients (left ICA 29.3%, right ICA 32.7%). Diabetic patients revealed a more significant rate of unilateral tandem ICA stenoses (14.0-21.3%), as well as a statistically significantly higher prevalence of intracranial ICA stenoses (left ICA 24.0% and right ICA 17.3%) than did non-diabetic patients (left and right ICA 3.3% each). Our results confirm that there is a morphological basis in ICA for increased incidence of ICA lesions in patients with diabetes as compared to those without it. Data on the incidence of stenotic ICA lesions in diabetes suggest the importance of assessing overall ICA status using digital subtraction angiography. Such an assessment is a precondition for an optimal therapeutic approach, especially in diabetic patients who are at an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease.     

Heat-induced accumulation of protein synthesis elongation factor 1A implies an important role in heat tolerance in potato

Main conclusion

Potato eukaryotic elongation factor 1A comprises multiple isoforms, some of which are heat-inducible or heat-upregulated and might be important in alleviating adverse effects of heat stress on plant productivity. Heat stress substantially reduces crop productivity worldwide, and will become more severe due to global warming. Identification of proteins involved in heat stress response may help develop varieties for heat tolerance. Eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) is a cytosolic, multifunctional protein that plays a central role in the elongation phase of translation. Some of the non-canonical eEF1A activities might be important in developing plant heat-stress tolerance. In this study, we investigated effects of heat stress (HS) on eEF1A expression at the protein level in potato, a highly heat vulnerable crop. Our results from both the controlled environment and the field have shown that potato eEF1A is a heat-inducible protein of 49.2-kDa with multiple isoforms (5–8). Increase in eEF1A abundance under HS can be mainly attributed to 2–3 basic polypeptides/isoforms. A significant correlation between eEF1A abundance and the potato productivity in the field was observed in two extremely hot years 2011 and 2012. Genomic Southern blot analysis indicated the existence of multiple genes encoding eEF1A in potato. Identification, isolation and utilization of heat-inducible eEF1A genes might be helpful for the development of the heat-tolerant varieties.