Identification of Peptides Implicated in Antibacterial Activity of Snow Crab Hepatopancreas Hydrolysates by a Bioassay-Guided Fractionation Approach Combined with Mass Spectrometry.

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) by-products are a rich source of biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and chitin, which have not been extensively investigated. This study aims to identify antibacterial peptides to enhance the value of C. opilio by-products. After hydrolysis of different component parts using Protamex®, and concentration by solid-phase extraction, the resulting fractions were tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Hepatopancreas was the only tissue to display antibacterial activity detected using this protocol. Four fractions obtained with and without enzymatic hydrolysis of hepatopancreas followed by SPE C18 fractionation and elution with 50 and 80% acetonitrile demonstrated bacteriostatic activity against L. innocua HPB13, from concentrations of 0.30 to 43.05 mg/mL of peptides/proteins. Eleven peptides sharing at least 80% amino acid homology with four antimicrobial peptides were identified by mass spectrometry. Two peptides had homology to crustin-like and yellowfin tuna GAPDH antimicrobial peptides belonging to the marine organisms Penaeus monodon and Thunnus albacares, respectively. Other peptide sequence homologies were also identified: Odorranain-C7 from the frog Odorrana grahami and a predicted antibacterial peptide in the Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis. These active peptides may represent a novel group of bioactive peptides deserving further investigation as food preservatives.

Unilateral agenesis of internal carotid artery associated with congenital combined pituitary hormone deficiency and pituitary stalk interruption without HESX1, LHX4 or OTX2 mutation: a case report.

Agenesis of internal carotid artery (ICA) is an unusual finding in subjects with congenital Combined Pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) with only nine cases being reported to date but to our best knowledge none of them was genetically investigated. A 10-years old girl presented with severe growth failure (height 103 cm) with substantial bone age delay (3 years). She had no history of perinatal insults or familial CPHD. There was no evidence of mental retardation or craniofacial dysmorphism or ophtalmological abnormalities. She was first diagnosed with GH and TSH deficiency. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hypoplastic anterior pituitary, flat sella turcica, absent pituitary stalk with ectopic posterior pituitary as well as agenesis of the left ICA and the left carotid canal. Genomic analysis of pituitary transcription factor HESX1, LHX4 and OTX2 showed no mutations. Treatment with GH and thyroxine was started. The patient remained free of neurovascular symptoms for 5 years but she presented at the age of 15 years with delayed puberty related to an evolving gonadotropin deficiency. ICA agenesis associated with CPHD is unusual and is often asymptomatic in children. Since the CPHD with pituitary stalk interruption cannot be due to HESX1, LHX4 or OTX2 mutation in our case, other pathogenetic mechanisms may be responsible for CPHD associated with unilateral ICA agenesis.

[Extra-cardiac findings on coronary computed Tomography scanning]. / Anomalies extra-cardiaques de découverte fortuite en coroscanner.

BACKGROUND: Multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has emerged as method for non-invasive imaging of the heart. AIM: To investigate the frequency of the non cardiac findings in cardiac imaging with MDCT. METHODS: A total of 191 patients underwent cardiac imaging with 64-slice MDCT over a period of 8 months. The detected abnormalities were classified in major (implying an immediate workup and treatment or at least a further investigation) and minor abnormalities. RESULTS: Extra cardiac abnormalities were detected on 69 examinations (36 %). Major abnormalities were found in 17 % of the patients, and the minor abnormalities in 25,6 %. The scan revealed 4 cases of lung carcinomas, all at a still surgical stage. CONCLUSION: There were a significant number of non cardiac findings in cardiac MDCT. To avoid missing clinically important findings, we should carefully evaluate all the organs included in the scan.

[Multi slice computerized tomography of the heart and coronary arteries]. / Exploration par tomodensitométrie multi détecteurs du coeur et des artères coronaires.

BACKGROUND: Due to the recent technological progress, multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) allows visualizing the heart and coronary arteries. Multislice computed tomography is non invasive and provides high quality images.Its main limits are arythmia, tachycardia and coronary calcifications. But the main drawback with MSCT is the radiation dose. AIM: Report of usefuluess and indications of multislice CT scanner. METHODS: Rzview of literature RESULTS: Although the indications of MSCT did not reach a guideleness level yet, some trends can be stated. The advantages and limitations of MSCT in cardiac exploration are summarized in this article. The indications are mainly based on the excellent negative predictive value of MSCT regarding coronary artery disease. Hence, patients at low to moderate risk of coronary artery disease mostly benefit of the technique. MSCT can be an alternate examination in case of non feasible or non contributive ischemic test. MSCT is highly contributive in the ostial analysis, in detecting abnormal congenital coronary anomalies or in analysing bypass grafts. MSCT remains limited in patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries, and in patients with stented distal arteries. CONCLUSION: Multislice CT scanner should not be considered as equivalent to invasive coronary angiography bu it is a additional diagnostic tool.

Assessment of activity of Crohn's disease by Doppler sonography of superior mesenteric artery flow.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of activity of Crohn's disease is based on CDAI. Several other tools have been studied to assess disease activity with more accuracy. AIMS: To assess the correlation between Doppler parameters of superior mesenteric artery and disease activity and to assess the accuracy of these parameters in discriminating between active and quiescent Crohn's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We perform a prospective study including non-operated and non-complicated Crohn's disease patients involving terminal ileum and/or right colon and sex and age-matched controls. Doppler sonography of superior mesenteric artery was performed in all subjects. RESULTS: We studied 41 patients and 15 controls. There was no statistical difference between patients and controls according to the studied US parameters. The difference in resistance index between the three groups using analysis of variance is not significant (p=0.064). Resistance index was significantly lower in patients with active disease compared to inactive disease patients (0.82 +/- 0.04 vs 0.85 +/- 0.03; p=0.01). Pulsatility index was also lower in patients with active disease compared to inactive disease patients (1.37 +/- 0.21 vs 1.53 +/- 0.15; p=0.01). A value of resistance index less than 0.79 predicted active disease with a sensitivity of 35.3% and specificity of 95.7%. A value of pulsatility index less than 1.56 predicted active disease with a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 43.5%. In case of resistance index less than 0.79 and pulsatility index less than 1.56 in the same patient, the probability of active disease was 86%. However, in case of resistance index over than 0.79 and pulsatility index over than 1.56, this probability was only 9%. In Crohn's disease patients, correlation study showed that resistance index value was significantly correlated with CDAI (r=-0.46; p=0.003). Pulsatility index value was also correlated with CDAI (r=-0.39; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Doppler sonographic parameters of superior mesenteric artery are significantly correlated with disease activity in non-operated and non-complicated Crohn's disease.

Retroperitoneal abscess: a rare localization of tubercular infection.

Incidence of tuberculosis infection has considerably increased during the past 20 years due to the HIV pandemic and continues to be one of the most prevalent and deadly infections worldwide. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis lacks specific clinical manifestation and can mimic many diseases. It can invade neighbouring tissue and form a big cyst with manifesting clinical symptoms. We describe a rare case of 31-year-old immunocompetent man affected by a retroperitoneal abscess secondary to tubercular infection. Exploratory laparotomy and histopathological examinations of tissue were required for achieving diagnosis of tuberculosis. No pulmonary or spinal involvement was identified. The patient was successfully treated with standard four-drug antitubercular therapy.

Chondrosarcoma of sinonasal cavity: a case report and brief literature review.

BACKGROUND: Chondrosarcomas are slow-growing malignant tumors that usually arise from cartilaginous structures. It may occur in the head and neck region with a predilection for the maxillofacial skeleton, where it has been reported to occur particularly in the mandible and maxilla. Chondrosarcoma of the sinonasal tract is very rare. AIM: Report a new case CASE: We present the case of a 43-year-old man presenting with an incidental finding of a chondrosarcoma of the maxillary and ethmoid sinus with nasal extension. The tumor was completely resected using a transnasal endoscopic approach. Treatment has followed by a radiation therapy and the patient was considered free of disease at her 5 years follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the mainstay treatment of chondrosarcomas. In selected patients, complete resection can be achieved using transnasal endoscopic approach.

[Internal herniation through the falciform ligament revealed by acute intestinal obstruction]. / Hernie interne du ligament falciforme révélée par une occlusion intestinale aiguë

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernias are a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction. Herniation through the falciform ligament is rare and often diagnosed only during surgery. Abdominal computed tomography (CT), performed on an emergency basis, can help to diagnose this obstruction before surgery and select a therapeutic approach. CASE: A 60-year-old man was hospitalized on an emergency basis for symptoms that had been developing for 3 days, including tympanites and epigastric pain (torsion), associated with vomiting and the cessation of both feces and flatus. Abdominal radiography showed multiple levels of air-fluid levels in the small bowel, some projecting towards the liver area, as well as the presence of a flat intestinal loop continuous with a distended small-bowel segment. Abdominal CT suggested a diagnosis of small-bowel herniation and obstruction, very probably through the falciform ligament. The patient then underwent emergency surgery after a brief resuscitation. Intraoperative exploration confirmed the diagnosis of internal hernia through the falciform ligament. The postoperative course was without problems. DISCUSSION: Abdominal CT is the examination of choice in cases of a "new" acute intestinal obstruction. It makes it possible to diagnose the mechanism of the occlusion and especially the cause, especially for an internal hernia through the falciform ligament. It thus guides the choice of emergency surgical procedure and of appropriate approach. Once diagnosed, emergency surgery is essential to free the intestinal loop, with or without intestinal resection as a function of vitality.