Bone disturbances and progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice.

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological evidence supports a link between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. These conditions might share common pathophysiological mechanisms, with inflammation being one of the hypotheses.Apolipoprotein E deficient mice (ApoE-/-) develop atherosclerotic lesions spontaneously, further aggravated by a high-fat diet. Their bone remodelling is also disturbed. We hypothesised that a proinflammatory state could be a common contributive factor for vessel and bone disturbances observed in this animal model. METHODS: We evaluated vessels and bones of ApoE-/- and control C57BL/6 (B6) female mice fed a high-fat diet in five time-points (8, 16, 20, 24 and 28 weeks of age) and quantified the development of atherosclerotic lesions, analysed gene expression of inflammatory and bone remodelling proteins (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF, RANKL, and OPG), measured serum bone turnover markers (P1NP and CTX-I), performed bone (L3-L4 vertebras) histomorphometric analysis and evaluated biomechanical properties of bones. RESULTS: We compared the outcomes of B6 and ApoE-/- groups at each time-point and, within each group, over time. Atherosclerotic lesions developed as previously described for ApoE-/- mice, but no significant differences were found in bone histomorphometry or biomechanical properties between ApoE-/- and B6 mice. Also, gene expression (either in bones or aortas) and serum biomarkers were similar in both groups. When considering over time evaluations we found that bone histomorphometry changes were similar between ApoE-/- and B6 mice, but CTX-I/P1NP ratio was significantly increased (meaning higher resorption than bone formation) in ApoE-/- as compared to B6 mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that inflammation is not the principal driver for atherosclerosis progression and bone disturbances in this animal model.

Assessing the functional diversity of rhizobacteria from cacao by partitioning root and shoot biomasses.

Plant-microbe interactions are critical for the sustainability of agricultural production. In this study, our aims were to characterize the genetic and functional diversity of the culturable bacterial community associated with the cacao rhizosphere and access their potential for growth promotion of cacao seedling. Culture-dependent and molecular methods were used to characterize the population densities and diversity of bacterial communities from soil and cacao plants at two locations and two plant ages. A total of 63 strains were identified through hsp60 sequencing. Pseudomonas and Enterobacter were the most abundant genera in association with the cacao rhizosphere, whereas Bacillus was more numerous in soil. Parameters of seedling growth promotion were evaluated 60 days after inoculation of seeds, with partition of the assessments into root and shoot weight. Each isolate showed beneficial, neutral or deleterious effects on plant growth, depending on the isolate and on the parts of plant assessed. Interestingly, although an apparent overall decrease in total biomass of seedlings (roots + shoots dry matters) was observed for the majority of isolates (89%), 94% of all isolates, in fact, revealed an increase in plant roots/shoots dry biomass ratio. Despite that part of the isolates (35%) appeared to significantly decrease plant height, and that 65% did not influence plant height (neutral effect), 18 had significantly increased root dry biomass; nevertheless, seven of these root growth-increasing isolates simultaneously decreased shoots-related growth parameters. The results of this study evidentiated the functional diversity of culturable cacao rhizobacteria and how the partitioning of roots and shoots in the assessment of plant growth parameters could reveal the biotechnological potential of these isolates for promoting growth of clones for rehabilitation of commercial cacao plantations. KEY POINTS: • The most common culturable bacteria in cacao roots were Pseudomonas and Enterobacter • Most culturable bacteria from cacao roots increased the root/shoot ratio • Roots and shoots should be examined separately to detect cacao beneficial bacteria.

Spatial structure of the Caatinga woody flora: abundance patterns have environmental, Pleistocene, and indigenous drivers.

Despite growing knowledge on the distribution and functioning of dryland vegetation types, their internal biodiversity structure (i.e., subregions) is much less studied. In the delineation of subregions, the use of species occurrence or abundance data may reveal different aspects of metacommunity structure. We revisit the issue of the bioregionalization of the woody flora of the Caatinga, the largest block of the dry forest and woodland biome in Latin America, using abundance data. We also evaluated the drivers of the spatial distribution of plant subregions: historical, current environmental and human effects. Using a K-means partition on interpolated NMDS axes, we identified 10 abundance subregions. Aridity, topography and soil, biome stability since the Pleistocene, and historical indigenous effects were retained by a Multinomial Logistic regression model, and their combined fractions explained most of the abundance variability in subregions. The subregions we present may support spatialized conservation and management decisions in the lack of detailed local data. The present results confirm the Caatinga woody flora broad composition patterns uncovered using presence-absence data in previous studies. Additionally, we found larger subregions than those identified with presence and absence data, suggesting the existence of oligarchies of dominant species in distinct parts of the Caatinga biome.

Contrasting Structure and Bonding of a Copper-Rich and a Zinc-Rich Intermetalloid Cu/Zn Cluster.

Reaction of the Cu(I) sources, [Cu5](Mes)5 and [(iDipp)CuOtBu] (Mes = mesityl; iDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene) with the Zn(I) complex [Zn2](Cp*)2 leads to a mixture of intermetallic Cu/Zn clusters with a distribution of species that is dependent on the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants, the reaction time, as well as the temperature. Systematic and careful investigation of the product mixtures rendered the isolation of two new clusters possible, i.e., the Zn-rich, red cluster 1, [CuZn10](Cp*)7 = [Cu(ZnZnCp*)3(ZnCp*)4], as well as the Cu-rich, dark-green cluster 2 [Cu10Zn2](Mes)6(Cp*)2. Structure and bonding of these two species was rationalized with the help of density functional theory calculations. Whereas 1 can be viewed as an 18-electron Cu center coordinated to four ZnCp* and three ZnZnCp* one-electron ligands (with some interligand bonding interaction), compound 2 is better to be described as a six-electron superatom cluster. This unusual electron count is associated with a prolate distortion from a spherical superatom structure. This unexpected situation is likely to be associated with the ZnCp* capping units that offer the possibility to strongly bind to the top and the bottom of the cluster in addition to the bridging mesityl ligands stabilizing the Cu core of the cluster.

Edge, size, and shape effects on WS2, WSe2, and WTe2 nanoflake stability: design principles from an ab initio investigation.

An improved atomistic understanding of the W-based two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) is crucial for technological applications of 2D materials, since the presence of tungsten endows these materials with distinctive properties. However, our atomistic knowledge on the evolution of the structural, electronic, and energetic properties and on the nanoflake stability of such materials is not properly addressed hitherto. Thus, we present a density functional theory (DFT) study of stoichiometric (WQ2)n nanoflakes, with Q = S, Se, Te, and n = 1,…,16, 36, 66, and 105. We obtained the configurations with n = 1,…,16 through the tree growth algorithm whereas the nanoflakes with n = 36, 66, and 105 were generated from fragments of 2D TMDs with an abundant diversity of shapes and edge configurations. We found that all the most stable nanoflakes present the same Q-terminated edge configuration. Furthermore, in isomers with n = 1,…,16 sizes, nanoflakes with triangular shapes and their derivatives, such as the rhombus geometry, define magic numbers, whereas for n > 16, triangular shapes were also found for the most stable structures, because they preserve the edge configuration. A strong modulation of the Hirshfeld charges, depending on chalcogen species and core or edge position, is also observed. The modulation of the Hirshfeld charge due to the nature of the W metal atoms makes the energetic 1D → 1T' transition of (WQ2)n differ in nanoflake size in relation to (MoQ2)n nanoflakes. Our analysis shows the interplay between edge configuration, coordination environment, and shape that determines the stability of nanoflakes, and allows us to describe design principles for stable 1T' stoichiometric nanoflakes of various sizes.

NeuronRead, an open source semi-automated tool for morphometric analysis of phase contrast and fluorescence neuronal images.

Neurons are specialized cells of the Central Nervous System whose function is intricately related to the neuritic network they develop to transmit information. Morphological evaluation of this network and other neuronal structures is required to establish relationships between neuronal morphology and function, and may allow monitoring physiological and pathophysiologic alterations. Fluorescence-based microphotographs are the most widely used in cellular bioimaging, but phase contrast (PhC) microphotographs are easier to obtain, more affordable, and do not require invasive, complicated and disruptive techniques. Despite the various freeware tools available for fluorescence-based images analysis, few exist that can tackle the more elusive and harder-to-analyze PhC images. To surpass this, an interactive semi-automated image processing workflow was developed to easily extract relevant information (e.g. total neuritic length, average cell body area) from both PhC and fluorescence neuronal images. This workflow, named 'NeuronRead', was developed in the form of an ImageJ macro. Its robustness and adaptability were tested and validated on rat cortical primary neurons under control and differentiation inhibitory conditions. Validation included a comparison to manual determinations and to a golden standard freeware tool for fluorescence image analysis. NeuronRead was subsequently applied to PhC images of neurons at distinct differentiation days and exposed or not to DAPT, a pharmacological inhibitor of the γ-secretase enzyme, which cleaves the well-known Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the Notch receptor. Data obtained confirms a neuritogenic regulatory role for γ-secretase products and validates NeuronRead as a time- and cost-effective useful monitoring tool.

The Mackay-Type Cluster [Cu43 Al12 ](Cp*)12 : Open-Shell 67-Electron Superatom with Emerging Metal-Like Electronic Structure.

The paramagnetic cluster [Cu43 Al12 ](Cp*)12 was obtained from the reaction of [CuMes]5 and [AlCp*]4 (Cp*=η5 -C5 Me5 ; Mes=mesityl). This all-hydrocarbon ligand-stabilized M55 magic atom-number cluster features a Mackay-type nested icosahedral structure. Its open-shell 67-electron superatom configuration is unique. Three unpaired electrons occupy weakly antibonding jellium states. The situation prefigures the formation of a conduction band, which is in line with the measured temperature-independent magnetism. Steric protection by twelve Cp* ligands suppresses the intrinsic polyradicalar reactivity of the Cu43 Al12 core.

A membrane-bound eIF2 alpha kinase located in endosomes is regulated by heme and controls differentiation and ROS levels in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Translation initiation has been described as a key step for the control of growth and differentiation of several protozoan parasites in response to environmental changes. This occurs by the activation of protein kinases that phosphorylate the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), which decreases translation, and in higher eukaryotes favors the expression of stress remedial response genes. However, very little is known about the signals that activate eIF2α kinases in protozoan parasites. Here, we characterized an eIF2α kinase of Trypanosoma cruzi (TcK2), the agent of Chagas' disease, as a transmembrane protein located in organelles that accumulate nutrients in proliferating parasite forms. We found that heme binds specifically to the catalytic domain of the kinase, inhibiting its activity. In the absence of heme, TcK2 is activated, arresting cell growth and inducing differentiation of proliferative into infective and non-proliferative forms. Parasites lacking TcK2 lose this differentiation capacity and heme is not stored in reserve organelles, remaining in the cytosol. TcK2 null cells display growth deficiencies, accumulating hydrogen peroxide that drives the generation of reactive oxygen species. The augmented level of hydrogen peroxide occurs as a consequence of increased superoxide dismutase activity and decreased peroxide activity. These phenotypes could be reverted by the re-expression of the wild type but not of a TcK2 dead mutant. These findings indicate that heme is a key factor for the growth control and differentiation through regulation of an unusual type of eIF2α kinase in T. cruzi.

Emergency Nightmares - Rupture of Type III Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm.

Introduction The rupture of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (rTAA) represents one of the major challenges to the vascular surgeon. Recent developments in the endovascular armamentarium and the high mortality from open surgery make endovascular treatment an attractive option. Devices to be used in an emergency environment should be "off-the-shelf" and include, among others, EVAR snorkel/chimney and branched endoprosthesis (T-branch, Cook®). METHODS: We describe the case of a 70-year-old patient who was admitted to the emergency room due continuous low back pain with 3 days of evolution. RESULTS: The tomographic computer angiography showed a type III thoracoabdominal aneurysm, with a transverse maximum diameter of 75x81mm in the infrarenal aorta and an exuberant hematoma in the left retroperitoneum, but no active extravasation of the contrast was observed (Figure 1). There was still marked tortuosity and moderate iliac calcification. It was decided to place a branched endoprosthesis (34 mm diameter at the top and 18 mm at the bottom). The branched endoprosthesis was extra-corporeally oriented, and introduced through a right femoral approach. The final position was verified with the digital subtraction angiography in anteroposterior incidence, ensuring that the distal border of each branch was 1.5 to 2 cm above the target vessel and that the stent marks presented the desired position. After the endoprosthesis was opened, the branches are catheterized by the left axillary access, however, it was verified that the endoprosthesis had an antero-posteriorly inverted implantation. It was possible to catheterize the superior mesenteric artery and the left renal artery (celiac trunk occlusion was documented intraoperatively); occlusion of the remaining endoprosthesis branches was performed with an Amplatzer. The patient evolved with multiorgan dysfunction and died at 24 hours post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Implantation of an off-the-shelf branched endoprosthesis requires specific anatomical criteria such as aortic diameter> 25mm to allow catheterization of the vessels, the possibility of incorporating each target vessel at a 90o angle in relation to each branch and visceral arteries with a diameter between 4 and 8 mm. Anatomy review is important to understand the lengths and positions of the branches. It should be borne in mind that it is possible that the device might have to be rotated during implantation to better align the marks and that both incidences (anteroposterior and profile) may be useful in confirming the position, something that should be thoroughly pursued to safeguard a correct implantation regardless of the initial stent position in your delivery system.

Adult Food Allergy Prevalence: Reducing Questionnaire Bias.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) prevalence has increased in the last decades, but epidemiologic studies could show overestimated results. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of immediate FA in adults in a region of Central Brazil, using a questionnaire to try to reduce misperceptions about FA reaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling an adult population aged 18-65 years comprised of families in a Central Brazilian city. In the first phase, participants answered a self-administered questionnaire for FA screening. In the second phase, the participants who reported an FA in the first questionnaire were visited to complete the second questionnaire applied by trained researchers. RESULTS: Of the 4,916 adults visited, 1,583 returned a completed questionnaire. Reported FA occurred in 171 (10.8%) subjects, and the more frequent citations were cow's milk, pork, fruits, shrimp, and vegetables. One hundred and four of these individuals completed the second questionnaire, and 15 (1.0%) were considered to have an FA diagnosis. The main foods were fruits, followed by cow's milk, shrimp, pork, and vegetables. CONCLUSION: After use of a specific questionnaire to recognize possible IgE-mediated FAs, a low frequency of FA was considered in this population. Use of a directed questionnaire administered by trained researchers could be an alternative for epidemiological IgE-mediated FA studies to achieve more accurate results.

Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi Sirtuins as Possible Drug Targets for Chagas Disease.

Acetylation of lysine is a major posttranslational modification of proteins and is catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases, while lysine deacetylases remove acetyl groups. Among the deacetylases, the sirtuins are NAD(+)-dependent enzymes, which modulate gene silencing, DNA damage repair, and several metabolic processes. As sirtuin-specific inhibitors have been proposed as drugs for inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, in this study, we investigated the role of these inhibitors in the growth and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease. We found that the use of salermide during parasite infection prevented growth and initial multiplication after mammalian cell invasion by T. cruzi at concentrations that did not affect host cell viability. In addition, in vivo infection was partially controlled upon administration of salermide. There are two sirtuins in T. cruzi, TcSir2rp1 and TcSir2rp3. By using specific antibodies and cell lines overexpressing the tagged versions of these enzymes, we found that TcSir2rp1 is localized in the cytosol and TcSir2rp3 in the mitochondrion. TcSir2rp1 overexpression acts to impair parasite growth and differentiation, whereas the wild-type version of TcSir2rp3 and not an enzyme mutated in the active site improves both. The effects observed with TcSir2rp3 were fully reverted by adding salermide, which inhibited TcSir2rp3 expressed in Escherichia coli with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) ± standard error of 1 ± 0.5 µM. We concluded that sirtuin inhibitors targeting TcSir2rp3 could be used in Chagas disease chemotherapy.

Unexpected NO transfer reaction between trans-[Ru(II)(NO+)(NH3)4(L)]3+ and Fe(III) species: observation of a heterobimetallic NO-bridged intermediate.

The reaction between trans-[Ru(II)(NO(+))(NH3)4(L)](3+), L = ImN, IsN, Nic, P(OMe)3, P(OEt)3, and P(OH)(OEt)2, and the Fe(III) species [Fe(III)(TPPS)], metmyoglobin, and hemoglobin was monitored by UV-vis, EPR, and electrochemical techniques (DPV, CV). No reaction was observed when L = ImN, IsN, Nic, and P(OH)(OEt)2. However, when L = P(OMe)3 and P(OEt)3, the reaction was quantitative and the products were trans-[Ru(III)(H2O)(NH3)4(P(OR)3)](3+) and [Fe(II)(NO(+))] species. Reaction kinetics data and DFT calculations suggest a two-step reaction mechanism with the initial formation of a bridged [Ru-(µNO)-Fe] intermediate, which was confirmed through electrochemical techniques (E(0)' = -0.47 V vs NHE). The calculated specific rate constant values for the reaction were in the ranges k1 = 1.1 to 7.7 L mol(-1) s(-1) and k2 = 2.4 × 10(-3) to 11.4 × 10(-3) s(-1) for L = P(OMe)3 and P(OEt)3. The oxidation of the ruthenium center (Ru(II) to Ru(III)) containing the nitrosonium ligand suggests that NO can act as an electron transfer bridge between the two metal centers.

Distinct human T-lymphocyte responses triggered by Porphyromonas gingivalis capsular serotypes.

AIM: Porphyromonas gingivalis can synthesize an extracellular capsule and different serotypes have been described based on capsular antigenicity. On dendritic cells (DCs), the type of capsule present plays a role on the strength of the developed immune response. This study aimed to investigate the T-lymphocyte responses when stimulated with autologous mature DCs exposed to different P. gingivalis K-serotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Naïve CD4(+) T-lymphocytes were obtained from healthy subjects and stimulated with autologous DCs primed with increasing multiplicity of infections of the different P. gingivalis K-serotypes. The Th1, Th2, Th17 and T-regulatory cytokines and transcription factor levels were quantified. RESULTS: Distinct types of response were detected when T-lymphocytes were stimulated by DCs primed with the different P. gingivalis K-serotypes. T-lymphocytes stimulated by K1 or K2-primed DCs elicited higher levels of Th1 and Th17-associated cytokines, T-bet and RORC2 than T-lymphocytes stimulated with DCs primed with the other serotypes. Conversely, the serotypes K3-K5 induced higher levels of Th2-associated cytokines and GATA-3 than the others. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that DCs primed with the different P. gingivalis K-serotypes elicited distinct T-cell responses. Strains K1 (W83) and K2 (HG184) induced a Th1/Th17 pattern of immune response and K3 (A7A1-28), K4 (ATCC(®49417™) ), and K5 (HG1690) a Th2 response.

Activation of RANKL-induced osteoclasts and memory T lymphocytes by Porphyromonas gingivalis is serotype dependant.

AIM: Destructive periodontitis is associated with a Th1-Th17 immune response and activation of RANKL-induced osteoclasts. In addition, Porphyromonas gingivalis K1 and K2 serotypes induce a strong Th1-Th17 response. This study aimed to investigate whether these P. gingivalis serotypes induce higher osteoclasts activation, by increased Th17-associated RANKL production, and an antigen-specific memory T-lymphocyte response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The RANKL production and TRAP(+) osteoclast induction were quantified on naïve T lymphocytes stimulated with dendritic cells primed with the P. gingivalis serotypes. The T-bet, GATA-3, RORC2 and Foxp3 expression was correlated with RANKL production. The frequency of proliferating memory T lymphocytes in response to P. gingivalis serotypes was determined in both periodontitis and healthy subjects. RESULTS: T lymphocytes stimulated by K1 or K2-primed dendritic cells elicited higher levels of RANKL and TRAP(+) osteoclasts than cells stimulated with the other serotypes. RANKL positively correlated with RORC2. Whereas periodontitis patients had a higher frequency of memory T lymphocytes responding to K1 or K2, healthy subjects had a higher frequency of memory T lymphocytes responding to K4 or K(-) . CONCLUSIONS: P. gingivalis serotypes K1 and K2, but not others, are associated with an increased production of the osteoclastogenesis-related factor RANKL. This important information suggests that these serotypes could elicit a greater bone resorption in vivo and have a role in the periodontitis pathogenesis.

Nation-building policies in Timor-Leste: disaster risk reduction, including climate change adaptation.

Few studies have explored the relationships between nation-building, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Focusing on small island developing states, this paper examines nation-building in Timor-Leste, a small island developing state that recently achieved independence. Nation-building in Timor-Leste is explored in the context of disaster risk reduction, which necessarily includes climate change adaptation. The study presents a synopsis of Timor-Leste's history and its nation-building efforts as well as an overview of the state of knowledge of disaster risk reduction including climate change adaptation. It also offers an analysis of significant gaps and challenges in terms of vertical and horizontal governance, large donor presence, data availability and the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for nation-building in Timor-Leste. Relevant and applicable lessons are provided from other small island developing states to assist Timor-Leste in identifying its own trajectory out of underdevelopment while it builds on existing strengths.

[TEVAR: a strategy for the diversity of thoracic aorta disease. Series of cases and national prospect]. / Tevar: uma solução para a diversidade de patologias da aorta torácica: revisão institucional e panorama nacional.

OBJECTIVE: To assess endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta diseases in a national centre of angiology and vascular surgery. To quantify the national registry of TEVAR's. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This unicentric and retrospective study included patients submitted to TEVAR until the end of 2012. Twenty-seven patients were considered high-risk for conventional surgery: 14 degenerative thoracic aorta aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms (10 assymptomatic), 1 ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysm, 5 aortabronchial/aortoesophageal fistulas, 3 complicated dissections, 2 penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer/intramural hematoma, 1 traumatic laceration and 1 embolization from aortic plaque. Eighteen (67%) were emergent/urgent procedures. RESULTS: At the institutional level, immediate technical success was achieved in all cases; average follow up was 24 months (0-97). Thirty days and 24 months global mortality was, respectively, 4% (6% for emergent/urgent procedures and 0% for elective procedures) and 13%. Aortic-related mortality was similar. One case of paraplegia and 2 of case of stoke were registered. Endoleak was present in 4 patients. Survival free from aneurysmal sac expansion (aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm or dissection, n=16) was 88% at 30 days. Survival free from aortic reintervention was 93% at 30 days and 81% at 24 months. Nationally, TEVAR registries triplicated from 2007 top 2010. CONCLUSION: These results favour the actual tendency to consider TEVAR as a first-line solution for several thoracic aortic diseases.

Imatinib-induced dermatomyositis sine dermatitis - a rare case report.

Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies are rare conditions with several heterogeneous disease subtypes. They can range from limited muscle or skin involvement to severe, systemic, life-threatening disease. Although the etiology is unknown, some evidence suggests a role for external agents, particularly drugs. Herein, we present a case of a 71-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia who developed imatinib-induced dermatomyositis sine dermatitis. The presentation was predominantly muscular, characterized by proximal muscle weakness and myalgia of the lower limbs, with positive anti-Mi2a antibodies. Spontaneous recovery was observed after drug discontinuation, without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. This is the first confirmed description of an imatinib-induced dermatomyositis sine dermatitis. It reflects the importance of a high awareness from rheumatologists and hematologists to accurately anticipate and identify similar situations.

Ultrasound ability in early diagnosis of metatarsal stress fractures.

Stress fractures are common in young and active individuals, associated with aggressive or repetitive physical activity and their early detection is fundamental to optimise patient care, decrease complications and avoid unnecessary exams. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging is the standard of care for detecting these lesions. Recently, ultrasound has been getting an increasing interest for the detection of stress fractures. In this article, we describe a clinical case that involved a second metatarsal stress fracture diagnosed by ultrasound and review the literature regarding the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of stress fractures, particularly of the metatarsals.

Two new species of Anacanthorus (Monogenoidea, Dactylogyridae) parasitizing serrasalmid fish in Brazil.

During studies on fish parasites, two new species of Anacanthorus were found parasitizing serrasalmid fishes, Anacanthorus simpliciphallus sp. n. from the hybrid Piaractus mesopotamicus x Piaractus brachypomus and Anacanthorus brandtii sp. n. from Serrasalmus brandtii. Anacanthorus simpliciphallus sp. n. resembles Anacanthorus reginae in the morphology of the male copulatory organ (MCO) and accessory piece but differs from A. reginae in terms of the smaller size of the accessory piece, which corresponds approximately half the size of the MCO and by the presence of a conspicuous metraterm, with a membranous terminal region. Anacanthorus brandtii sp. n. differs from Anacanthorus scapanus by the expansion of the accessory piece, from Anacanthorus jegui by the ratio MCO (male copulatory organ) /AP (accessory piece) and by the expansion of hook shank, from Anacanthorus sciponophallus and A. reginae by the ratio MCO/AP. Anacanthorus brandtii sp. n. can be distinguished from A. reginae and A. simpliciphallus sp.n. by the size of hooks which is similar in A. reginae and A. simpliciphallus sp. n. and dissimilar in A. brandtii sp. n. The two new species also differ from each other by the expansion of shank.