Study on the role of common weeds in survival of Verticillium dahliae the causal agent of cotton wilt disease

This study was carried out to investigate the roles of common weeds in the survival of Verticillium dahliae and the incidence of cotton wilt disease in Moghan and Neishabour area of Iran during 2003-2005 cropping seasons. The design of the experiment was Randomized Complete Blocks (RCB) with ten treatments (No. of weeds) and four replications (No. of cotton fields). Populations of V. dahliae in the roots of weeds and their surrounding soil was determined every year and were compared in different treatments. The cotton wilt disease index was also evaluated in different fields in each experimental site. Results indicated that the fungal population was variable depending on weed species, experimental site and the year of study. In general, Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), Nightshde (Solanum nigrum), Spiny cockleburr (Xanthium spinosum) and common purslane (Portulaca oleraceea) showed the highest fungal populations in their roots and surrounding soil. Disease index in Moghan cotton fields in different years varied and were higher than Neishabour fields.

Gene-environment interactions in parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease: the Geoparkinson study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate associations of Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonian syndromes with polymorphic genes that influence metabolism of either foreign chemical substances or dopamine and to seek evidence of gene-environment interaction effects that modify risk.

METHODS

A case-control study of 959 prevalent cases of parkinsonism (767 with PD) and 1989 controls across five European centres. Occupational hygienists estimated the average annual intensity of exposure to solvents, pesticides and metals, (iron, copper, manganese), blind to disease status. CYP2D6, PON1, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3, GSTP1, NQO1, CYP1B1, MAO-A, MAO-B, SOD 2, EPHX, DAT1, DRD2 and NAT2 were genotyped. Results were analysed using multiple logistic regression adjusting for key confounders.

RESULTS

There was a modest but significant association between MAO-A polymorphism in males and disease risk (G vs T, OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.66, adjusted). The majority of gene-environment analyses did not show significant interaction effects. There were possible interaction effects between GSTM1 null genotype and solvent exposure (which were stronger when limited to PD cases only).

CONCLUSIONS

Many small studies have reported associations between genetic polymorphisms and PD. Fewer have examined gene-environment interactions. This large study was sufficiently powered to examine these aspects. GSTM1 null subjects heavily exposed to solvents appear to be at increased risk of PD. There was insufficient evidence that the other gene-environment combinations investigated modified disease risk, suggesting they contribute little to the burden of PD.

Body mass index and thyroid function in adolescent girls

The present research was conduted to examine the relationship between thyroid function and body mass index. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Lar province and its' vicinity in south of Iran. By stepwise random sampling from all public girls' high schools, 227 high school participants (aged 12-21) were selected. Serum samples were collected and assayed for Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3). Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) were calculated (weight (kg)/height2 (m)). Subgroup analysis was done according to body mass index. TSH, T4 and rT3 were correlated with BMI (r = 0.66, p = 0.001 and r = 0.12, p = 0.05 and r = 0.65, p = 0.001, respectively). Adolescent girls with BMI > or = 25 kg m(-2) showed higher serum TSH, T4 and rT 3 than subjects with BMI < 25 kg m(-2) (p = 0.001, p = 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). Present results showed that, although thyroid function was normal in the studied participants TSH and rT3 were positively correlated to BMI. TSH and rT3 could present a marker of altered energy balance in overweight and obese adolescent girls.

Environmental risk factors for Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism: the Geoparkinson study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between Parkinson's disease and other degenerative parkinsonian syndromes and environmental factors in five European countries.

METHODS

A case-control study of 959 prevalent cases of parkinsonism (767 with Parkinson's disease) and 1989 controls in Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Romania and Malta was carried out. Cases were defined using the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria, and those with drug-induced or vascular parkinsonism or dementia were excluded. Subjects completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire about lifetime occupational and hobby exposure to solvents, pesticides, iron, copper and manganese. Lifetime and average annual exposures were estimated blind to disease status using a job-exposure matrix modified by subjective exposure modelling. Results were analysed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, country, tobacco use, ever knocked unconscious and family history of Parkinson's disease.

RESULTS

Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed significantly increased odds ratios for Parkinson's disease/parkinsonism with an exposure-response relationship for pesticides (low vs no exposure, odds ratio (OR) = 1.13, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.57, high vs no exposure, OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.88) and ever knocked unconscious (once vs never, OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.68, more than once vs never, OR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.78 to 3.59). Hypnotic, anxiolytic or antidepressant drug use for more than 1 year and a family history of Parkinson's disease showed significantly increased odds ratios. Tobacco use was protective (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.60). Analyses confined to subjects with Parkinson's disease gave similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of pesticide exposure with Parkinson's disease suggests a causative role. Repeated traumatic loss of consciousness is associated with increased risk.

Association of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor polymorphism in dementia

There is an increasing interest in how oxidative stress can cause cells to go into apoptosis in both normal ageing and in neurodegenerative disorders. Previous research has implicated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as being involved in the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by protecting the neurons through reducing neuronal susceptibility to oxidative stress. IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) polymorphisms alter cerebral and systemic levels of IGF-1 and may alter the function of the receptor. We genotyped the IGF-1R gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to assess whether this gene polymorphism can be linked to dementia. We used leukocyte DNA from 72 patients with AD, 75 patients with vascular dementia (VaD), 14 patients with mixed dementia (AD+VaD), and a control group consisting of 209 individuals without a history of progressive neurological disorders. Analysis of gene frequency for gender revealed a significant difference between female VaD patients and female controls carrying at least one A allele (OR = 1.8, CI 95% 1.1-2.9, p = 0.02), but not for male patients. In addition, we found a strong tendency to a difference between all cases of female dementia patients and controls carrying the A allele (OR = 1.5, CI 95% 0.99-2.2, p = 0.054). Our results suggest that the A allele of IGF-1R may be involved in the pathogenesis of VaD in females.

Nematic and polar order in active filament solutions

Using a microscopic model of interacting polar biofilaments and motor proteins, we characterize the phase diagram of both homogeneous and inhomogeneous states in terms of experimental parameters. The polarity of motor clusters is key in determining the organization of the filaments in homogeneous isotropic, polarized, and nematic states, while motor-induced bundling yields spatially inhomogeneous structures.

Cervical muscle strength measurement in two groups of elite Greco-Roman and free style wrestlers and a group of non-athletic subjects

BACKGROUND

Free style and Greco-Roman are two types of wrestling. [figure: see text]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the maximal isometric strength of cervical extension (ISCE) and the maximal isometric strength of cervical flexion (ISCF) in two groups of elite wrestlers and a group of non-athletic subjects.

METHODS

Fourteen elite Greco-Roman wrestlers (aged 19-25 years), 16 elite free style wrestlers (aged 18-25 years), and 16 non-athletic subjects (aged 18-25 years) participated in this study. All wrestlers competed at international level with the Iranian national team. Maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) of cervical extensor and flexor muscles were measured using a custom made device. The ratios of ISCE to weight (ISCE/weight), ISCF to weight (ISCF/weight), and ISCF to ISCE (ISCF/ISCE) were calculated for group comparisons. Pearson product moment test was used to estimate correlation between maximal isometric strength measurements and anthropometric variables. A one way analysis of variance was computed to compare ISCE/weight, ISCF/weight, and ISCF/ISCE among groups.

RESULTS

There was significant correlation between maximum cervical extension and flexion strengths and weight in all groups (p<0.05, n = 46). The ratios of cervical muscle strengths to weight were significantly higher in wrestlers than in non-athletic subjects (p<0.00). Greco-Roman wrestlers appeared to be stronger than free style wrestlers following comparison of all ratios.

CONCLUSIONS

Neck muscle force measurements may be a useful test for athletes in combat sports like wrestling. They can be applied to identify the weakness of a group of muscles in the neck area and to devise a proper training program.

The 158V polymorphism of Fc gamma receptor type IIIA in early rheumatoid arthritis: increased susceptibility and severity in male patients (the Swedish TIRA**TIRA is a Swedish acronym for ‘early invention in rheumatoid arthritis’ and is a multicentre cooperation between rheumatology units in southeastern Sweden. project)

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of Fcgamma receptor IIIA (FcgammaRIIIA) 158V/F polymorphism on susceptibility and disease severity in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

In 181 Swedish patients (128 women, 53 men) with RA of recent onset, disease and disability variables such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores were monitored regularly during 3 yr. Three hundred and sixty-two controls were recruited from the same geographical area as the patients. FcgammaRIIIA genotyping was performed using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

In all RA patients, FcgammaRIIIA-158VV was significantly over-represented compared with controls [odds ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-3.5, P<0.05]. After stratifying for sex, the difference remained in the male population (OR 3.2, 95%CI 1.03-11, P<0.05) but disappeared among women (OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.7-3.1, P=0.4). In addition, 158VV patients were more likely to exhibit early joint erosions (OR 6.1, 95%CI 1.4-28, P<0.01). At baseline, patients with different FcgammaRIIIA genotypes did not differ with respect to measures of disease activity or functional ability. Thereafter, in male patients with at least one V allele the mean DAS28 and HAQ scores were higher compared with 158FF. In contrast, female patients with at least one 158V allele displayed lower mean DAS28 and HAQ scores compared with those with 158FF.

CONCLUSIONS

In a male population, the FcgammaRIIIA-158VV genotype is associated with an increased risk of developing RA, and the 158V allele with more severe disease in early RA.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of HESA-A (a marine compound) pretreatment against thioacetamide-induced hepatic damage in rabbits

HESA-A, a marine compound, has been shown to exhibit antihepatic cancer, antitumor and anti-Parkinson effects. The hepatoprotective potential of HESA-A pretreatment at doses of 125 mg and 250 mg per day orally for a period of 40 days was evaluated against thioacetamide-induced liver damage in rabbits. Biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum were estimated to assess liver function and lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and the antierythrocyte lysis effect of plasma for measurement of antioxidant potential capacity. Data on the hepatic biochemical parameters revealed the hepatoprotective potential of HESA-A pretreatment against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits. There was an increase in total antioxidant and antierythrocyte lysis and a decrease in MDA in plasma after HESA-A treatment. These results strongly suggest that HESA-A has a protective action against preoperative damage to biomembranes.

Multiple sclerosis and exposure to organic solvents, investigated by genetic polymorphisms of the GSTM1 and CYP2D6 enzyme systems

An association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and exposure to organic solvents has been discussed. Organic solvents are metabolised by enzyme systems like glutathione Stransferase M1 (GSTM1) and CYP2D6, which express polymorphisms in the general population. GSTM1 null genotype has been associated with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy. Our aim was to see if a defect in one of these enzyme systems could explain the association between MS and exposure to organic solvents. In our study, 50 patients with MS were investigated, including 24 who had been significantly exposed to organic solvents and 26 who were not exposed. Polymerase chain reaction-based methods were used for genotyping GSTM1 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms in leukocyte DNA. No differences in genetic predisposition were found between MS patients exposed and those not exposed to organic solvents regarding GSTM1 null or CYP2D6 poor metaboliser genotypes. The possible association between multiple sclerosis and solvents may not, as for chronic toxic encephalopathy, be explained by defects in these systems.

Predictors of long-term results after treatment of iliac artery obliteration by transluminal angioplasty and stent deployment

PURPOSE

To investigate initial and long-term success rate after percutaneous treatment of iliac artery occlusion with angioplasty and stent deployment. To investigate the influence of vascular comorbidity, lesion length, stent placement and lesion coverage as possible predictors of outcome.

METHODS

Between January 1994 and December 1999, 80 iliac recanalizations were performed on 78 patients, median age 61.1 +/- 11.5 (SD) years. All patients were followed up by clinical examinations, duplex ultrasound and intravenous digital subtraction angiography. Mean follow-up time was 2.0 +/- 1.53 (SD) years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the influence of cofactors on patency.

RESULTS

One, 2 and 4 years after recanalization, primary patency was 78.1%, 74.5% and 64.0%; secondary patency was 88.8%, 88.8% and 77.9%, respectively. Patients with shorter occlusions, complete lesion coverage and patent ipsilateral femoral arteries had significantly longer patency rates. Complications included inguinal hematoma (n=1), technical failure (n=3) aortic dissection (n=1), embolic occlusions (n=7), gluteal claudication (n=1) and genital necrosis after subsequent urethral surgery in one patient with contralateral occlusion and ipsilateral overstenting of the internal iliac artery with subsequent stenosis. Complications were of permanent clinical significance in seven of 78 (9%) of the patients. In 17 (22%) cases, percutaneous reintervention was performed with angioplasty in the stent (n=16) or deployment of a new stent (n=1).

CONCLUSION

Endoluminal stent placement has its place in an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach as a viable therapeutic alternative to major transabdominal bypass surgery and can be performed with comparable complication rates. Patients with short occlusions, patent femoral arteries, and stents covering the entire occlusion have significant longer patency.

Interferon therapy for orbital infiltration secondary to Erdheim-Chester disease

PURPOSE

To describe a 55-year-old male with Erdheim-Chester disease with bilateral orbital infiltration and visual loss who was successfully treated with interferon-alpha.

METHODS

Interventional case report.

RESULTS

The patient was treated with interferon-alpha and had an improvement in his clinical signs, including his visual acuity, after 4 weeks of interferon therapy.

CONCLUSION

Interferon-alpha can be effective in the treatment of orbital infiltration secondary to Erdheim-Chester disease.

Long-term results of systemic thrombolysis therapy in aorto-iliac occlusive disease

BACKGROUND

Long term results of systemic lysis therapy with ultrahigh-dose urokinase (UHUK) in reopening aorto-iliac occlusive disease have not yet been evaluated. This prospective trial investigates the long-term primary patency rate, the rate of complications and assesses the role of different expected influence parameters on the primary patency rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

72 patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease received daily intravenous infusions of UHUK either until reperfusion or--after at least 3 cycles--no progress in recanalization could be stated on two consecutive days by duplex scanning.

RESULTS

Systemic lysis therapy was morphological at least partially successful in 44 patients (61.1%). Concomitant percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 41 patients (56.9%), surgery in 7 patients (9.7%) and both in further 5 patients (6.9%). In patients without surgery hemodynamical success could be achieved in 39 patients (54.2%) and even more important clinical success in 51 patients (70.8%). Compared to baseline results patients improved significantly in ankle/brachial pressure index and in Fontaine stages (p < 0.001), the same results could be seen after a mean follow-up period of 62 months. Thrombolysis was complicated in 4 patients (5.6%) by macroembolizations but no major bleedings or deaths occurred. Primary patency was 76%, 64%, and 43% after 1, 5 and 10 years. Male sex and distal localization were significantly correlated with lower primary clinical patency.

CONCLUSION

Systemic lysis therapy is an alternative to surgical intervention in acute and subacute aorto-iliac occlusive disease, because it offers acceptable long-term results with a low rate of complications.

Cervical epidural actinomycosis. Case report

Cervical actinomycosis causing spinal cord compression is a rare clinical entity. In a review of the literature, the authors found only 13 cases with actinomycosis-related spinal neurological deficit. The authors describe the case of a 26-year-old man who presented with neck pain and partial paresis of the upper limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a long cervical epidural enhancing lesion that extended from C-1 to T-2. The radiological findings resembled metastasis and other epidural infections. The patient was treated medically with penicillin and amoxicillin for 7 months and recovered neurologically. The authors conclude that although cervical epidural actinomycosis is a rare clinical entity resembling metastasis and other infections in this region, it should be considered so that this unique infection can be diagnosed in the least invasive fashion and, whenever possible, unnecessary surgery can be avoided.

The effects of 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging on early murine in-vitro embryo development

Although no ionizing radiation is involved, patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are exposed to powerful static magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio-frequency fields that may be potentially damaging. Our study aims to document the effect of MRI imaging sequences on early murine embryo development (two-cell to blastocyst stage) in vitro. Two-cell murine embryos were exposed to various lengths of MRI using pulse sequences employed in present day clinical imaging. Early murine embryo development was documented in vitro, and blastocyst development rates were computed for both the control and exposed groups. There were no significant differences detected in the rate of blastocyst formation between the control groups and the embryos exposed to MRI.

Insecticidal activity of common reagents for insect foreign bodies of the ear

OBJECTIVE

Insects commonly present as painful and distressing foreign bodies of the external ear canal. Removing live insects can be challenging, especially for primary care physicians who have limited equipment. The purpose of this study is to compare the insecticidal activity of commonly available preparations for insects that are most frequently recovered from ear canals: cockroaches (German and American), ticks, beetles, and honeybees.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, blinded.

METHODS

One hundred seventy insects of each species were placed in test tubes and submerged in 17 test preparations (10 tubes per preparation, 1 insect per test tube). Insect activity was stimulated by agitation of the test tube. Responses were monitored, and the time until death was measured.

RESULTS

Most test preparations exhibited some insecticidal activity against most insect species. Ticks were completely resistant to all of the test reagents. Ethanol killed the American cockroaches (mean time, 32.6 s), German cockroaches (mean time, 29.6 s), and honeybees (mean time, 19.6 s) the most rapidly.

CONCLUSION

Many commonly available reagents may be used to kill or immobilize insect foreign bodies of the ear.

A severe case of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

We report a 21-year-old patient who presented at the outpatient department of angiology with incipient necroses in the fingertips of the right hand. Colour-coded duplex sonography and angiography demonstrated occlusion of the right brachial, ulnar and radial arteries, obviously resulting from an embolism from the subclavian artery narrowed by a cervical rib. After partly successful local thrombolysis this accessory rib was resected. We review angiologic signs and neurological symptoms of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and analyse the current literature regarding diagnostic procedures and treatment. This complicated and severe case of TOS in a young patient ending with paresis of the right arm and partial finger amputation emphasises the importance of early diagnosis of this condition.

Colour duplex sonography-guided local lysis of occlusions in the femoro-popliteal region

BACKGROUND

To evaluate colour duplex sonographic guidance of local lysis of occlusions in the femoropopliteal region.

METHODS

Thirteen consecutive patients (8 female, mean age 67) with peripheral artery disease with acute and subacute occlusions in the superficial femoral or popliteal artery were included in this study. The lesions were identified by colour duplex ultrasound (Acuson 128 XP/10) After anterograde puncture the guidewire was advanced through the arterial lesions under B-mode image control. The Mewissen Infusion Catheter and a Katzen infusion wire were then accurately positioned within the lesion under B-mode image control. The fibrinolytic drugs were then inserted into the occlusions, initially 2.5 mg rt-PA as a bolus followed by Urokinase (50,000 IU/h) for 24 hours. After control duplex sonography (over 24 hours) the additional angioplasty was performed either under fluoroscopic or exclusively under ultrasound guidance.

RESULTS

Eleven of 13 patients with occlusions in the femoro-popliteal region were partially recanalised after ultrasound guided local lysis and after the additional angioplasties (nine under fluoroscopic and three under ultrasound guidance) the arteries were completely recanalised.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that not only is the positioning of the catheter and the guidewire for local lysis exclusively under colour duplex guidance possible, but also the surveillance of the local lysis and the additional angioplasty. In the case of any complications, however, easy access to angiography should be possible.

The role of antithrombotic therapy on the patency of peripheral bypasses

Peripheral bypass surgery is a well-established treatment for symptomatic atherosclerotic disease of the legs. To improve the long-term patency antithrombotic drugs and other adjuvant treatment are applied. In this review we summarize the results of randomized studies concerning antithrombotic treatment for prophylaxis after peripheral bypass surgery. Heparin is used routinely intra- and perioperatively without strong data, and according to few data low molecular weight heparin may be superior in this situation. Aspirin had positive effects in placebo-controlled studies after infrainguinal PTFE-bypasses, furthermore it is recommended due to its general cardiovascular risk reduction. Ticlopidine improved long-term patency in one randomized study after venous bypass surgery. Otherwise there are some data that long-term oral anticoagulation may be preferable in patients after venous bypass surgery.

GSTM1 and mEPHX polymorphisms in Parkinson's disease and age of onset

Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of PD and biotransformation of exogenous and endogenous compounds and may play a role in inter-individual susceptibility. Therefore, we investigated the presence of null genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, and two polymorphisms of mEPHX in subjects with Parkinson's disease and in a reference population. The study included 35 male PD patients and a male control group including 283 subjects. Homozygosity of the histidine (H) 113 isoform of mEPHX was significantly increased in PD patients (odds ratio = 3.8 CI 95% 1. 2-11.8) and analysis of allele frequencies displayed an increased frequency of the H-allele among PD patients (odds ratio = 1.9 CI 95% 1.1-3.3). However, a significantly elevated median age for the onset of PD was found among GSTM1 gene carriers (median age = 68 years) compared to PD patients being GSTM1 null genotypes (median age = 57 years). Our observations suggest that (H) 113 isoform of mEPHX, which has been suggested as a low activity isoform, is overrepresented in PD patients and that inherited carriers of the GSTM1 gene postpone the onset of PD. These detoxification pathways may represent important protective mechanisms against reactive intermediates modifying the susceptibility and onset of PD.

Effects of transvenous regional guanethidine block in the treatment of critical finger ischemia

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of transvenous regional guanethidine block in the treatment of patients with critical finger ischemia. Twenty-seven patients (17 collagen vascular disease, four thromboangiitis obliterans, three embolism, three atherothrombosis) presenting with ischemic rest pain and/or ulcerations of the fingers received a single block with 5 mg guanethidine injected in 60 mL into the clinically more affected hand under 30 minutes of arterial arrest. Marked hyperemia was induced in the treated upper limb, increases (p < 0.01) in finger blood flow, finger skin temperature, and laser Doppler flux were higher and longer lasting than in forearm blood flow, persisting for a whole month. Effects in patients with ischemic finger ulcers were less pronounced than in those without, yet statistically significant increases of all evaluated parameters were observed in these patients too. No effects were seen in the contralateral untreated upper limb or in systemic blood pressure. Subjective symptoms (reduction of rest pain, numbness, vasospastic attacks) were improved in 25/27 (92.6%) patients, ischemic rest pain disappeared in 20/27 (74.1%), and complete healing of finger tip ulcerations within 1 month was achieved in 10/12 (83.3%) affected patients. No side effects were observed. This described method combines good clinical efficacy with lack of undesirable side effects and can be repeated easily. Therefore, this technique is recommended for broader clinical use.