Taxonomic review of the genus Euboeus s. str. Boieldieu, 1865 (= Probaticus s. str. Seidlitz, 1896, syn. n.) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae).

The taxonomic history and position of the genera Euboeus and Probaticus within the tribe Helopini are discussed. A new synonymy, based on morphological characters is established: Euboeus Boieldieu, 1865 = Probaticus (s. str.) Seidlitz, 1896, syn. n. As a result, 67 new combinations (from Probaticus to Euboeus) are estabished for all species formerly placed in Probaticus. A review of Euboeus s. str. with four species (Balkanian-Anatolian E. mimonti Boieldieu, 1865 and E. tentyrioides (Küster, 1851), Greek E. mori (Brullé, 1832), and Anatolian E. parvostriatus sp. n.) is given. Three new synonyms are established for Euboeus tentyrioides (= Micispa bysantica Motschulsky, 1858, syn. n.; = Micispa pyraei Motschulsky, 1858, syn. nov.; = Micispa graeca Motschulsky, 1858, syn. n.). The forgotten name Helops (Euboeus) parvicollis Baudi di Selve, 1876, nomen oblitum (junior synonym of E. tentyrioides) is discussed. A lectotype is designated for Helops tentyrioides. A key to the four species within the revised Euboeus sensu stricto, along with distributions and images, is provided.

Complications associated with surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion without pterygomaxillary separation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the surgical complications associated with the surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) which does not involve pterygomaxillary separation (PMS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 40 (25 females, 15 males) skeletally mature patients, who had the diagnosis of maxillary transverse maxillary deficiency (TMD), were treated surgically under local or general anesthesia. The mean follow-up time was 6 months. RESULTS: Recorded perioperative and postoperative complications were discussed within the current literature. No serious complications were observed intraoperatively. Eight patients (20%) showed postoperative complications including neurosensory deficits, maxillary sinus infection, epistaxis, fistula formation and incisional dehiscence. DISCUSSION: Neurosensory deficits were the most common findings. The present findings suggest that minor complications were observed associated with SARPE without PMS. The technique may be performed safely also under local anesthesia.

Expression characteristics of ARF1 and SAR1 during development and the de-etiolation process.

ARF1 (ADP-ribosylation factor 1) and SAR1 (secretion-associated RAS super family) are involved in the formation and budding of vesicles throughout plant endomembrane systems. The molecular mechanisms of this transport have been studied extensively in mammalian and yeast cells. However, very little is known about the mechanisms of coat protein complex (COP) formation and recruitment of COP-vesicle cargoes in plants. To provide insights into vesicular trafficking in Pisum sativum L., we investigated mRNA and protein expression patterns of ARF1 and SAR1 in roots and shoots at early growth stages and in the de-etiolation process. We showed that ARF1 was concentrated mostly in the crude Golgi fractions, and SAR1 was concentrated predominantly in the crude ER fractions of de-etiolated shoots. ARF1 and SAR1 proteins were several times more abundant in shoots relative to roots. In total protein homogenates, the expression level of SAR1 and ARF1 was higher in shoots of dark-grown pea plants than light-grown plants. In contrast, ARF1 was higher in roots of light-grown pea relative to roots of dark-grown pea. With ageing, the ARF1 mRNA in roots was reduced, while SAR1 expression increased. Unlike ARF1 transcripts, ARF1 protein levels did not fluctuate significantly in root and shoot tissue during early development. The relative abundance of SAR1 protein in root tissues may suggest a high level of vesicular transport from the ER to the Golgi. Experimental results suggested that white light probably affects the regulation of ARF1 and SAR1 protein levels. On the other hand, short-term white light affects SAR1 but not ARF1.

Tamoxifen and giant endometrial polyp.

We present the case of a woman with a giant endometrial polyp of uncommon dimension who was receiving adjuvant tamoxifen for breast cancer. In her gynecologic examination, she had a mass measuring 3 x 4 x 4 cm protruding from the cervical os. The mass was extirpated under general anesthesia. The mass originated from the endometrial cavity. The endometrial polyp measured 10 x 6 x 3 cm macroscopically and was found to be benign under microscopic examination. We conclude that physicians should be aware of the confounding effects of tamoxifen on the histological and ultrasonographic appearance of the endometrium.

Basal and activational 99Tcm-HMPAO brain SPECT in Alzheimer's disease.

Early diagnosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for the administration of new treatments. The purpose of this study was to differentiate mildly/moderately demented AD patients from normal controls by means of activational brain SPECT, and to investigate the correlation between regional cerebral blood flow and dementia severity. Activational brain SPECT was performed 1 week after basal brain SPECT in 12 mild/moderate AD patients according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria (mean age 69+/-7 years) and in seven healthy, age-matched, volunteer controls (mean age 65+/-9 years). In order to activate the parietal cortex, patients were asked to subtract serial 5's from 100, 2 min before and after the intravenous administration of 925 MBq technetium-99m labelled D,L-hexamethyl-propylene amine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO). Using a three-headed gamma camera equipped with high resolution collimators, 128 images of 35 s duration in a 64 x 64 matrix were obtained over 360 degrees. Region to whole brain ratios (R/WB) were calculated in three consecutive transaxial slices 2 pixels thick above the orbitomeatal line, and the activation percentage was calculated. No statistical difference was detected between AD patients and normal controls for parietal cortex activation. The correlation coefficient between the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scoring and the activation percentage was 0.475 in normal controls and 0.175 in AD patients for the left anterior parietal cortex, and 0.353 in normal controls and 0.146 in AD patients for the right anterior parietal cortex. In a visual evaluation of parietal cortex activation, 50% of AD patients were able to activate the parietal cortex, whereas 86% of the normal controls could do so. In our current study, the subtraction of serial 5's was not regarded as a promising task. Further studies are needed to clarify the importance of such tasks in the differential diagnosis of mild/moderate AD patients from normal elderly.