Safety and efficacy of autologous noncultured dermal cell suspension transplantation in the treatment of localized facial volume loss: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Available options for correction of facial volume loss, such as synthetic fillers, autologous fat and cultured fibroblasts, have limitations viz. temporary effect and high cost. AIM: To assess the use of a novel technique, autologous non-cultured dermal cell suspension transplantation, for correction of localized facial volume loss due to inflammatory pathologies. METHODS: It was a pilot study conducted in the Dermatology Outpatient Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. Autologous non-cultured dermal cell suspension was transplanted in a total of 10 patients, out of which 5 had predominantly dermal loss and the rest had predominantly lipoatrophy. The donor tissue from the gluteal region was digested into a single cell suspension using collagenase-1 and injected into the recipient area. The outcome was assessed subjectively by patients and investigators and objectively using ultrasonography. Cell count, viability testing and measurement of mesenchymal stem cells were also done. RESULTS: On assessment of patients, the median improvement in the predominantly dermal atrophy group at 3 and 6 months was 70% (range: 10-90%) and 80% (range: 0-90%), respectively, and in the predominantly lipoatrophy group, 0% (range: 0-40) and 0% (range: 0-50), respectively. Mean thickness of dermis + subcutis at the baseline was 1.835 mm (range: 0.89-6.04 mm), which increased to 2.912 mm (range: 0.88-7.07 mm, P = 0.03) at 6 months. LIMITATIONS: Our pilot study has some limitations such as small sample size and heterogeneity of the recruited patients. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous non-cultured dermal cell suspension transplantation appears to be safe and effective in localized facial dermal defects because of inflammatory pathologies, but not effective in deeper defects.

Leptin and its Receptors in Human Placenta of Small, Adequate, and Large for Gestational Age Newborns.

Alterations in birth weight impact postnatal outcome and adult metabolic health. Therefore, fetal growth regulation is crucial for preventing chronic metabolic diseases. Leptin has been suggested to play an important role in placental and fetal growth, albeit its specific mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze leptin concentrations in placenta, cord blood, and maternal blood of SGA, AGA, and LGA (small, adequate and large for gestational age, respectively) newborns, as well as placental leptin receptor (LEPRa and LEPRb) protein expression. We performed a cross-sectional comparative study in 3 groups of healthy mothers and their term newborns at delivery (SGA, AGA, and LGA, n=20 per group). Placental, maternal blood, and cord blood leptin content were measured by ELISA. Placental LEPRa and LEPRb protein expression were determined by Western Blot. Maternal leptin concentrations correlated positively with maternal weight before and at the end of gestation, without differences between groups. Cord leptin is higher in LGA and lower in SGA, whereas placental leptin is higher in SGA. Placental leptin was inversely correlated with placental weight, independently from maternal weight and gestational age. Both LEPRa and LEPRb expression are lower in SGA, while LEPRa positively correlated with placental weight and birthweight. The current findings indicate that placental leptin and its receptors are differentially expressed in SGA, AGA, and LGA newborns. We suggest that placental leptin and LEPR protein expression may influence placental growth and thus, birth weight.

Two new species and nomenclatural changes in the Cis castaneus species group (Coleoptera, Ciidae).

Cis hanseni A. Strand, 1965 is a junior synonym of Cis matchanus Reitter, 1915 stat. nov. The lectotype for Cis matchanus Reitter, 1915 is designated and illustrated, together with its original data labels. Two new species-Cis lasoni sp. nov. and Cis lugowoji sp. nov. from the Talysh and Alborz Mts. (Azerbaijan, Iran)-are described. The body and terminalia of males are illustrated in detail. The definition of the Cis castaneus species group is discussed.

Two new species and new records of chiggers (Acari: Leeuwenhoekiidae, Trombiculidae) from birds in Vietnam.

A total of 12 chigger species (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) occurred on 7 bird species in Vietnam. Two new species, namely Neoschoengastia vietnamensis sp. nov. and Hypogastia stekolnikovi sp. nov. are described, figured and compared with similar species placed in relevant genera using differential diagnoses of related species. Figures and diagnosis of Leptotrombidium taiyuanense Tian and Wen, 1984 are added. Odontacarus audy (Radford, 1946), Leptotrombidium allosetum Wang, Liao and Lin, 1981, L. taiyuanense, Leptotrombidium hanseni Traub and Lakshana, 1966, Leptotrombidium kunshui Wen and Xiang, 1984, Leptotrombidium paradux Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Leptotrombidium turdicola Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Neotrombicula elegans Schluger, 1966 and Neoschoengastia longitar-salis Schluger and Belskaya, 1966 were recorded in Vietnam for the first time.

Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of Crassocephalum rubens leaves in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crassocephalum rubens is found throughout tropical Africa including the Indian Ocean islands. The leaves are commonly eaten in form of soups and sauces in South-Western Nigeria, also in other humid zones of Africa. Traditionally, it is used as an antidote against any form of poisoning; used to treat stomach and liver complaints; and externally to treat burns, sore eyes, earache, leprosy and breast cancer. In this study, acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves was evaluated in rats in order to assess its safety profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In acute toxicity study, rats were given a single oral administration of aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves at graded doses (250-5000mg/kg). The animals were monitored for behavioural changes and possible mortality over a period of 24h and thereafter, for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity study, rats of both sexes were administered C. rubens orally at doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight daily, for 28 days. Rats were observed weekly for any changes in general behaviour and body weights. In addition, other relevant parameters were assayed at the end of the main and reversibility study periods. RESULTS: There was no observed adverse effect; including mortality in the animals. The extract caused no significant difference in the body weights as well as organs weights of treated groups when compared with the control groups. Haematological and biochemical parameters also revealed no toxic effects of the extract on rats. Histological assessments were normal in liver and kidney. CONCLUSIONS: It can therefore be suggested based on the results from this study that aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves, at dosage levels up to 1000mg/kg, is non-toxic and could also offer protection on some body tissues. Aqueous extract of C. rubens could therefore, be considered safe. This study supports the application of Crassocephalum rubens in traditional medicine.

The rare mantis shrimp Areosquilla indica (Hansen, 1976) (Crustacea, Stomatopoda) from the Great Barrier Reef: first Australian records of the genus and species.

The rare mantis shrimp genus Areosquilla is recorded from Australia for the first time based on nine specimens of A. indica (Hansen, 1926) collected from the Great Barrier Reef. Morphological variation beyond that observed in previous accounts is reported. The present record and other recent discoveries bring the Australian stomatopod fauna to 152 species and 68 genera.

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi / A relevância do estado nutricional e alterações histopatológicas no processo infeccioso de camundongos BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da desnutrição protéico-calórica em camundongos isogênicos da linhagem BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi, empregando parâmetros nutricionais e histopatológicos. Foram constituídos quatro grupos: G1- inoculados com restrição dietética; G2- não inoculados com restrição dietética; G3- inoculados sem restrição dietética; G4- não inoculados sem restrição dietética. Após instalada a desnutrição, os animais foram inoculados via intradérmica no coxim plantar e após quatro meses foram sacrificados para remoção do coxim plantar, fígado e baço. A infecção não exerceu grande influência no peso corporal dos camundongos. O peso do fígado e baço apresentou redução nos grupos desnutridos em comparação aos grupos nutridos. A lesão macroscópica, a viabilidade e o número total de fungos dos coxins plantares dos camundongos inoculados revelaram aumento no G3 quando comparado com o G1. Em relação à análise histopatológica dos coxins plantares observou-se aumento da celularidade global na composição do granuloma no G3 em relação ao G1, com grande número de macrófagos e células gigantes multinucleadas, discretos números de linfócitos estavam presentes em G3 e aumentados no G1. Os resultados sugerem que existe grande interação entre nutrição e doença de Jorge Lobo.

Optimizing the clinical utility of PCA3 to diagnose prostate cancer in initial prostate biopsy.

BACKGROUND: PCA3 has been included in a nomogram outperforming previous clinical models for the prediction of any prostate cancer (PCa) and high grade PCa (HGPCa) at the initial prostate biopsy (IBx). Our objective is to validate such IBx-specific PCA3-based nomogram. We also aim to optimize the use of this nomogram in clinical practice through the definition of risk groups. METHODS: Independent external validation. Clinical and biopsy data from a contemporary cohort of 401 men with the same inclusion criteria to those used to build up the reference's nomogram in IBx. The predictive value of the nomogram was assessed by means of calibration curves and discrimination ability through the area under the curve (AUC). Clinical utility of the nomogram was analyzed by choosing thresholds points that minimize the overlapping between probability density functions (PDF) in PCa and no PCa and HGPCa and no HGPCa groups, and net benefit was assessed by decision curves. RESULTS: We detect 28% of PCa and 11 % of HGPCa in IBx, contrasting to the 46 and 20% at the reference series. Due to this, there is an overestimation of the nomogram probabilities shown in the calibration curve for PCa. The AUC values are 0.736 for PCa (C.I.95%:0.68-0.79) and 0.786 for HGPCa (C.I.95%:0.71-0.87) showing an adequate discrimination ability. PDF show differences in the distributions of nomogram probabilities in PCa and not PCa patient groups. A minimization of the overlapping between these curves confirms the threshold probability of harboring PCa >30 % proposed by Hansen is useful to indicate a IBx, but a cut-off > 40% could be better in series of opportunistic screening like ours. Similar results appear in HGPCa analysis. The decision curve also shows a net benefit of 6.31% for the threshold probability of 40%. CONCLUSIONS: PCA3 is an useful tool to select patients for IBx. Patients with a calculated probability of having PCa over 40% should be counseled to undergo an IBx if opportunistic screening is required.

A new genus of Stenetriidae Hansen, 1905 (Asellota: Isopoda: Crustacea) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and the southwestern Pacific.

Onychatrium gen. nov. is described, with five included species: Onychatrium forceps sp. nov., the type species and Onychatrium torosus sp. nov., both from the Great Barrier Reef; Onychatrium entale (Nordenstam, 1946) comb. nov., from Tapateuen (= Tabiteue Island), Gilbert Islands; Onychatrium thomasi (Bolstad & Kensley, 1999) comb. nov., from Madang, Papua New Guinea; and Onychatrium echiurum (Nobili, 1906) comb. nov., and species inquirenda from the Tumaotu Islands, Eastern French Polynesia. The primary distinguishing characters for Onychatrium gen. nov. are a trapezoid pseudosrostrum, the male pereopod 1 with elongate dactylus (4.7-7.3 as long as proximal width), propodus with strongly produced and acute lobe, carpus with a distally acute, flat, ventrally directed process (except O. torosus sp. nov., which has a short and truncate process) and the merus with a distally directed inferodistal lobe. The genus is known only from the southern Pacific, from the Tuamotus (eastern French Polynesia) to the Great Barrier Reef and northern Papua New Guinea.

Revision of the frog fly genus Caiusa Surcouf, 1920 (Diptera, Calliphoridae), with a note on the identity of Plinthomyia emimelania Rondani, 1875.

The Oriental, Australasian and Oceanian genus Caiusa Surcouf, 1920 is revised, species concepts being based on male and female genitalia. A key to males for all known species, and a key to females for all except one are given. All relevant types still in existence have been studied, complete synonymies given and the geographical distribution reconsidered. The eight species included in the genus are: Caiusa borneoensis sp. nov. (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam); Caiusa coomani Séguy, 1948 (China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam); Caiusa indica Surcouf, 1920 (Australia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam); Caiusa karrakerae sp. nov. (Malaysia, Thailand); Caiusa kurahashii sp. nov. (Indonesia, Japan, Philippines); Caiusa pooae sp. nov. (Thailand); Caiusa testacea Senior-White, 1923 (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) and Caiusa violacea Séguy, 1925, stat. rev. (Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam). A lectotype is designated for Caiusa indica to fix the interpretation of the name. Caiusa nigronitens Senior-White, 1923, syn. nov. and Caiusa surcoufi Bezzi, 1927, syn. nov. are established as junior synonyms of Caiusa indica. Caiusa violacea is correctly diagnosed and errors in the original description of the female holotype are pointed out. Caiusa dubiosa Villeneuve, 1927 is established as a junior synonym of C. violacea, syn. nov. Seven Caiusa species have been reared from the egg mass of various species of frogs. The reproductive mode of the eighth species, i.e., C. indica, is unknown. Five species, i.e., C. borneoensis, C. coomani, C. karrakerae, C. kurahashii and C. violacea have been reared from one or more of the foam nesting frog species Chiromantis nongkhorensis (Cochran, 1927), Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst, 1927), Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, 1861, Rhacophorus annamensis Smith, 1924, Rhacophorus dulitensis Boulenger, 1892, Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme, 2005 and Rhacophorus owstoni (Stejneger, 1907) all belonging in the family Rhacophoridae in Anura. These five Caiusa species all have a specialised ovipositor tip, with small spine-like setae on the ST8 and the hypoproct, probably enabling the flies to oviposit on a foam nest with a hardened outer surface. They form a monophyletic group on account of these features of the ovipositor, unique in the Oestroidea. The sixth species, C. testacea, has been reared from a frog egg mass, the frog species being unknown. Its ovipositor structure is also unknown. The seventh species, C. pooae, has been reared once from the jelly-like egg mass of Feihyla hansenae (Cochran, 1927), also in Rhacophoridae. Caiusa pooae females do not have spine-like setae on the ovipositor, a fact correlated with the soft outer surface of the jelly-like egg mass on which a C. pooae female had oviposited. The extreme rarity of C. pooae oviposition on Feihyla hansenae egg masses may indicate that this fly perhaps has another, unknown, regular oviposition substrate. Caiusa pooae and C. indica make up a second monophyletic group within Caiusa. Caiusa indica, the most common and most widespread species of the genus, has an ovipositor structure similar to C. pooae. Its breeding substrate is unknown and it occurs both within and outside the distributional area of Rhacophoridae. Possibly both C. indica and C. pooae share a regular oviposition substrate that has still to be discovered. The holotype female of Plinthomyia emimelania Rondani, 1875 from Sarawak is established as a member of the genus Bengalia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, thus Plinthomyia Rondani, 1875 becomes a junior synonym of Bengalia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov. It is removed from the synonymy of Phumosia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830.

A revision of Megagraphydrus Hansen (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae): synonymization with Agraphydrus Régimbart and description of seven new species.

The genus Megagraphydrus Hansen, 1999 is revised. Eleven of the twelve previously described species are recognized as valid, with Megagraphydrus wangi Hebauer, 2000 syn. nov. found to be a junior synonym of M. politus Hansen, 1999. Most significantly, Megagraphydrus itself is found to be a junior synonym of Agraphydrus Régimbart, 1903. The species are assigned to the subgenus Agraphydrus. This nomenclatural act results in the following new combinations: Agraphydrus (Agraphydrus) anhuianus (Hebauer, 2000) comb. nov., A. (A.) attenuatus (Hansen, 1999) comb. nov., A. (A.) jaechi (Hansen, 1999) comb. nov., A. (A.) luteilateralis (Minoshima & Fujiwara, 2009) comb. nov., A. (A.) malayanus (Hebauer, 2000) comb. nov., A. (A.) politus (Hansen, 1999) comb. nov., A. (A.) puzhelongi (Jia, 2010) comb. nov., A. (A.) regularis (Hansen, 1999) comb. nov., A. (A.) siamensis (Hansen, 1999) comb. nov., A. (A.) superans (Hebauer, 2000) comb. nov., and A. (A.) uvaensis (Hebauer, 2000) comb. nov. All species are redescribed with the exclusion of A. superans, A. luteilateralis, and A. puzhelongi. Seven new species are described: Agraphydrus (Agraphydrus) biprojectus sp. nov., A. (A.) coronarius sp. nov., A. (A.) decipiens sp. nov., A. (A.) insidiator sp. nov., A. (A.) masatakai sp. nov., A. (A.) montanus sp. nov., A. (A.) thaiensis sp. nov. Digital and SEM photographs are provided, and the male and female genital segments are illustrated and described.

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi / A relevância do estado nutricional e alterações histopatológicas no processo infeccioso de camundongos BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da desnutrição protéico-calórica em camundongos isogênicos da linhagem BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi, empregando parâmetros nutricionais e histopatológicos. Foram constituídos quatro grupos: G1- inoculados com restrição dietética; G2- não inoculados com restrição dietética; G3- inoculados sem restrição dietética; G4- não inoculados sem restrição dietética. Após instalada a desnutrição, os animais foram inoculados via intradérmica no coxim plantar e após quatro meses foram sacrificados para remoção do coxim plantar, fígado e baço. A infecção não exerceu grande influência no peso corporal dos camundongos. O peso do fígado e baço apresentou redução nos grupos desnutridos em comparação aos grupos nutridos. A lesão macroscópica, a viabilidade e o número total de fungos dos coxins plantares dos camundongos inoculados revelaram aumento no G3 quando comparado com o G1. Em relação à análise histopatológica dos coxins plantares observou-se aumento da celularidade global na composição do granuloma no G3 em relação ao G1, com grande número de macrófagos e células gigantes multinucleadas, discretos números de linfócitos estavam presentes em G3 e aumentados no G1. Os resultados sugerem que existe grande interação entre nutrição e doença de Jorge Lobo

New olenelloid trilobites from the Northwest Territories, Canada.

The Olenelloidea are a superfamily of early Cambrian trilobites, which have been the subject of several phylogenetic analyses and also used to address macroevolutionary questions regarding the nature and timing of the Cambrian radiation. The Sekwi Formation of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada, has yielded numerous species from this clade, and here we present new information that expands on the diversity known from this biogeographically and biostratigraphically important region. In particular, we describe seven new species, (Olenellus baileyi, Mesonacis wileyi, Elliptocephala jaredi, Holmiella taurus, H. domackae, Mummaspis delgadoae, and Bristolia colberti). Also recovered are specimens of Elliptocephala logani, specimens that shared affinities with Olenellus clarki, O. getzi, O. fowleri, and Frizolenellus hanseni, and one partial specimen, which appears to be a new species of Bolbolenellus.

Prostatic and testicular parameters in lepromatous patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) parameters in patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL). DESIGN: In a retrospective study, 23 male patients with LL were evaluated. PSA parameters (serum total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), free-to-total PSA ratio (f/tPSA), PSA Density (PSAD)) were assessed. PSA parameters were compared with a control group. RESULTS: The mean tPSA, fPSA, f/tPSA, prostate volume, and PSAD values of the patient group with LL were 1.87 +/- 0.81 ng/ml, 0.67 +/- 0.29 ng/ml, 0.36 +/- 0.11, 41.08 +/- 23.65 ml and 0.055 +/- 0.037, respectively. The mean tPSA, fPSA, f/tPSA, prostate volume, and PSAD values of the control group were 2.71 +/- 0.91 ng/ml, 0.80 +/- 0.34 ng/ml, 0.30 +/- 0.08, 65.0 +/- 28.73 ml and 0.049 +/- 0.028, respectively. The mean tPSA and prostate volume values were found to be significantly lower in the patient group with LL (p = 0.002 and 0.004, respectively). No significant difference was found between two groups in terms of mean fPSA and PSAD values (p = 0.18 and 0.5, respectively). The mean f/tPSA value was found to be significantly higher in the patient group with LL (p = 0.02). Testes in 16 (69%) patients with LL were bilaterally atrophic. CONCLUSIONS: Serum tPSA values and prostate volumes in the patients with LL were significantly reduced and f/tPSA values were significantly increased. Testicular atrophy in the lepromatous cases might be due to leprosy-related orchitis and associated with a reduction in prostatic volume.

Review of the marine isopod crustacean genus Hansenium Serov and Wilson, 1995 (Asellota: Stenetriidae) from tropical Australia and Papua New Guinea, with description of a new genus.

The genus Hansenium is revised and a new diagnosis presented. A neotype is designated for the type species Hansenium hanseni (Müller, 1991), and the genus is restricted to the type species and Hansenium remocarpus Kensley and Schotte, 2002. Machatrium gen. nov. and the following species are described: Machatrium falcensis sp. nov. (type species), Machatrium thungku sp. nov. from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef; Machatrium wongat sp. nov. from Madang, Papua New Guinea, Machatrium tropex (Bolstad and Kensley, 1999), comb. nov. also from Madang, Papua New Guinea; a further five species are transferred from Hansenium to Machatrium gen. nov. The remaining species of Hansenium are retained as incertae sedis in their existing combination (11 species), reallocated to other genera (1 species) or regarded as species inquirenda (3 species). The principal differentiating characters of Hansenium, Machatrium gen. nov. and Stene triumn Haswell, 1881, are the pseudorostrum being short and trapezoid or long and anteriorly narrowed, morphology of the male pereopod 1, notably the shape of the propodus inferior margin, presence or absence of a process on the inferodistal margin of the merus and carpus; and the apex of the appendix masculina being acute or blunt, with or without a concavity and with or without terminal setae.

Measurement of testicular volume in smaller testes: how accurate is the conventional orchidometer?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different methods, including the Seager orchidometer (SO) and ultrasonography (US), for assessing testicular volume of smaller testes (testes volume less than 18 mL). Moreover, the equations used for the calculations--the Hansen formula (length [L] x width [W](2) x 0.52, equation A), the prolate ellipsoid formula (L x W x height [H] x 0.52, equation B), and the Lambert equation (L x W x H x 0.71, equation C)--were also examined and compared with the gold standard testicular volume obtained by water displacement (Archimedes principle). In this study, 30 testes from 15 men, mean age 75.3 (+/-8.3) years, were included. They all had advanced prostate cancer and were admitted for orchiectomy. Before the procedure, all the testes were assessed using SO and US. The dimensions were then input into each equation to obtain the volume estimates. The testicular volume by water displacement was 8.1 +/- 3.5 mL. Correlation coefficients (R(2)) of the 2 different methods (SO, US) to the gold standard were 0.70 and 0.85, respectively. The calculated testicular volumes were 9.2 +/- 3.9 mL (measured by SO, equation A), 11.9 +/- 5.2 mL (measured by SO, equation C), 7.3 +/- 4.2 mL (measured by US, equation A), 6.5 +/- 3.3 mL (measured by US, equation B) and 8.9 +/- 4.5 mL (measured by US, equation C). Only the mean size measured by US and volume calculated with the Hansen equation (equation A) and the mean size measured by US and volume calculated with the Lambert equation (equation C) showed no significant differences when compared with the volumes estimated by water displacement (mean difference 0.81 mL, P = .053, and 0.81 mL, P = .056, respectively). Based on our measurements, we categorized testicular volume by different cutoff values (7.0 mL, 7.5 mL, 8.0 mL, and 8.5 mL) to calculate a new constant for use in the Hansen equation. The new constant was 0.59. We then reexamined the equations using the new 0.59 constant, and found that the equation Volume (V) = L x W(2) x 0.59 was the best for describing testicular volume among our subjects (difference between the new equation and the gold standard of water displacement = 0.19 mL, P = .726). We also found that US was more precise in measuring testicular dimensions. We propose a new formula, V = L x W(2) x 0.59, to assess the volumes of smaller testes.

Hemolytic drugs aniline and dapsone induce iron release in erythrocytes and increase the free iron pool in spleen and liver.

Incubation of rat erythrocytes with the hydroxylated metabolites of aniline and dapsone (4-4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone), phenylhydroxylamine and dapsone hydroxylamine, respectively, induced marked release of iron and methemoglobin formation. On the contrary, no release of iron nor methemoglobin formation was seen when the erythrocytes were incubated with the parent compounds (aniline and dapsone). The acute intoxication of rats with aniline or dapsone induced a marked increase in the erythrocyte content of free iron and methemoglobin, indicating that the xenobiotics are effective only after biotransformation to toxic metabolites in vivo. Prolonged administration of aniline or dapsone to rats produced continuous release of iron from erythrocytes. Marked iron overload was seen in the spleen and in the liver Kupffer cells, as detected histochemically. The spleen weight in these subchronically treated animals was significantly increased. The free iron pool was markedly increased in the spleen and to a lower extent in the liver. The possible relationships between iron release in erythrocytes, oxidative damage seen in senescent cells, hemolysis, overwhelmed capacity of spleen and liver to keep iron in storage forms and subsequent increase in low molecular weight, catalitically active iron is discussed.

Evoluçäo das lesöes induzidas por micobactérias BCG e por H37RV em hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) / Evoution of the injuries induced by BCG mycobacterium and by H37RV in hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Foram investigados experimentalmente alguns aspectos da patogenia da tuberculose através da inoculaçao de uma cepa de micobactéria de virulência atenuada - BCG e outra cepa altamente virulenta - M. tuberculosis H37 Rv no tecido sub-epitelial do coxim plantar e no tecido sub-epitelial do terço distal da bolsa cervical de hamster, um sítio desprovido de drenagem linfática. A inoculaçao desses agentes determinou diferentes perfis de evoluçao das lesoes, sendo que as lesoes produzidas pelo BCG na pata apresentaram uma tendência de declínio do tamanho após 21 dias e as lesoes produzidas pelo H37 Rv mostraram uma evoluçao progressiva. O mesmo perfil foi observado nas lesoes induzidas na bolsa cervical por ambos os agentes. Contudo, diferentemente do BCG, o H37 Rv disseminou-se para os órgaos internos, causando extensas lesoes. A inoculaçao de BCG ou H37 Rv na pata provocou um aumento de 21 e 68 vezes, respectivamente, o peso do linfonodo satélite em relaçao ao controle, evidenciado a disseminaçao do bacilo por via linfática. Todavia, quando essas amostras foram inoculadas na bolsa, nao determinaram significativas mudanças de peso do linfonodo cervical, mas evidenciou-se a disseminaçao do bacilo virulento por via sangüínea, pelas lesoes produzidas no baço e pulmao.

A morphological and functional assessment of Mycobacterium leprae-induced nerve damage in a guinea-pig model of leprous neuritis.

Nerve damage, resembling that caused by Mycobacterium leprae in man, was created by the injection of cobalt-irradiated M. leprae organisms into the tibial nerve of guinea-pigs. Assessment of nerve damage was made by clinical, electrophysiological and morphometric means at intervals up to 13 weeks after injection. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of neuropeptide-containing fibres in the skin of the foot was also carried out. Significant nerve damage occurred 3 weeks after injection of M. leprae organisms. Motor and sensory functional loss peaked at 5 weeks after injection, and there was a significant decrease of peptide-immunoreactive nerves in all skin compartments. The nerve damage was self-limiting and functional recovery had occurred by 13 weeks. The model shows many of the features found in the nerve damage of treated leprosy patients.