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Background: The Simple Shoulder Test (SST-Sp) is a widely used outcome measure. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Spanish-version SST (SST-Sp). Methods: A two-stage observational study was conducted. The SST was initially cross-culturally adapted to Spanish through double forward and backward translation and then validated for its psychometric characteristics. Participants ( n = 66) with several shoulder disorders completed the SST-Sp, DASH, VAS and SF-12. The full sample was employed to determine factor structure, internal consistency and concurrent criterion validity. Reliability was determined in the first 24-48 h in a subsample of 21 patients. Results: The SST-Sp showed three factors that explained the 56.1 % of variance, and the internal consistency for each factor was α = 0.738, 0.723 and 0.667, and reliability was ICC = 0.687-0.944. The factor structure was three-dimensional and supported construct validity. Criterion validity determined from the relationship between the SST-Sp and DASH was strong ( r = −0.73; p < 0.001) and fair for VAS ( r = −0.537; p < 0.001). Relationships between SST-Sp and SF-12 were weak for both physical ( r = −0.47; p < 0.001) and mental ( r = −0.43; p < 0.001) dimensions. Conclusions: The SST-Sp supports the findings of the original English version as being a valid shoulder outcome measure with similar psychometric properties to the original English version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing climate-related research so that study results will be useful to natural resource managers is a unique challenge. While decision makers increasingly recognize the need to consider climate change in their resource management plans, and climate scientists recognize the importance of providing locally-relevant climate data and projections, there often remains a gap between management needs and the information that is available or is being collected. We used decision analysis concepts to bring decision-maker and stakeholder perspectives into the applied research planning process. In 2009 we initiated a series of studies on the impacts of climate change in the Yakima River Basin (YRB) with a four-day stakeholder workshop, bringing together managers, stakeholders, and scientists to develop an integrated conceptual model of climate change and climate change impacts in the YRB. The conceptual model development highlighted areas of uncertainty that limit the understanding of the potential impacts of climate change and decision alternatives by those who will be most directly affected by those changes, and pointed to areas where additional study and engagement of stakeholders would be beneficial. The workshop and resulting conceptual model highlighted the importance of numerous different outcomes to stakeholders in the basin, including social and economic outcomes that go beyond the physical and biological outcomes typically reported in climate impacts studies. Subsequent studies addressed several of those areas of uncertainty, including changes in water temperatures, habitat quality, and bioenergetics of salmonid populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yakima River Basin (Basin) in south-central Washington is a prime example of a place where competing water uses, coupled with over-allocation of water resources, have presented water managers with the challenge of meeting current demand, anticipating future demand, and preparing for potential impacts of climate change. We took a decision analysis approach that gathered diverse stakeholders to discuss their concerns pertaining to climate change effects on the Basin and future goals that were collectively important. One main focus was centered on how climate change may influence future salmon populations. Salmon have played a prominent role in the cultures of Basin communities, especially for tribal communities that have social, cultural, spiritual, subsistence, and economic ties to them. Stakeholders identified the need for a better understanding on how the cultural, spiritual, subsistence, and economic aspects of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation could be affected by changes in salmon populations. In an attempt to understand the complexities of these potential effects, this paper proposes a conceptual model which 1) identifies cultural values and components and the interactions between those components that could influence tribal well-being, and 2) shows how federal natural resource managers could incorporate intangible tribal cultural components into decision-making processes by understanding important components of tribal well-being. Future work includes defining the parameterization of the cultural components in order for the conceptual model to be incorporated with biophysical resource models for scenario simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The role of oxidative stress is well known in the pathogenesis of acquired malnutrition. Intrauterine growth restriction has been associated with an imbalance in oxidative stress/antioxidant system. Therefore, early postnatal environment and, consequently, extrauterine growth restriction might be associated with alterations in the antioxidant defense system, even in the prepubertal stage. Methods: This is a descriptive, analytical, and observational case-control study. The study included two groups; 38 Caucasian prepubertal children born prematurely and with a history of extrauterine growth restriction as the case group, and 123 gender- and age-matched controls. Plasma exogenous antioxidant (retinol, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol) concentrations were measured by HPLC; antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were determined in lysed erythrocytes by spectrophotometric techniques. Results: Catalase and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were significantly lower in extrauterine growth restriction children than in controls ( P < 0.001). Lower plasma retinol concentrations were found in the case group ( P = 0.029), while concentrations of β-carotene and α-tocopherol were higher ( P < 0.001) in extrauterine growth restriction prepubertal children as compared with controls. After correction by gestational age, birth weight, and length, statistically significant differences were also found, except for retinol. Conclusions: Prepubertal children with a history of extrauterine growth restriction present alterations in their antioxidant defense system. Knowing these alterations may be important in establishing pharmacological and nutritional treatments as this situation might be associated with higher metabolic disorders in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess diet composition and niche breadth of this species, we analysed the stomach content of 182 specimens collected monthly along the eastern coast of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea). Overall, 50 prey taxa belonging to five major groups (algae, gastropods, crustaceans, polychaetes, fishes) were identified in 102 full stomachs. Benthic or epibenthic crustaceans, such as decapods, amphipods and isopods were the most important prey, whereas algae, gastropods, polychaetes and fishes were only occasionally ingested. In terms of composition by species, the diet of Scorpaena maderensis was characterized by a variety of rare or unimportant prey, which was consumed by few individuals only, although sometimes in large amount. As a result, S. maderensis can be considered a generalized and opportunistic feeder. The feeding intensity followed roughly a seasonal trend, with a minimum food intake in summer. The individual fish size was the most important factor affecting diet. According to the observed ontogenetic shift, small-sized individuals fed primarily on small crustaceans (i.e. amphipods and isopods), whereas large-sized specimens consumed preferably bigger and more vagile prey, such as walking and swimming decapods. No significant differences in diet were observed in relation to sex of predator and sampling season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols purified from sugar-cane wax. The mixture has cholesterol-lowering efficacy, its specific effects being to reduce serum total (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The effects of policosanol on triglycerides (TG) are modest and inconsistent. Omega-3 fatty acids (FA) from fish oil protect against coronary disease, mainly through antiarrhythmic and antiplatelet effects. Omega-3 FA also have lipid-modifying effects, mostly relating to TG reduction. Thus, potential benefits could be expected from combined therapy with omega-3 FA and policosanol. Objective: To investigate whether combined therapy with omega-3 FA + policosanol offers benefits compared with omega-3 FA + placebo with respect to the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Methods: This randomised, double-blind study was conducted in 90 patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. After 5 weeks on a cholesterol-lowering diet, patients were randomised to omega-3 FA + placebo, omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day or omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day for 8 weeks. Omega-3 FA was supplied as 1g capsules (two per day); placebo and policosanol were provided in tablet form. Physical signs and laboratory markers were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks on therapy. Drug compliance and adverse experiences (AEs) were assessed at weeks 4 and 8. The primary efficacy variable was LDL-C reduction; other lipid profile markers were secondary variables. Results: After 8 weeks, omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 and 10 mg/day, but not omega-3 FA + placebo, significantly reduced LDL-C by 21.1% and 24.4%, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day also significantly lowered TC (12.7%; p < 0.01) and TG (13.6%; p < 0.05), and significantly increased HDL-C (+14.4%; p < 0.001). Omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day significantly decreased TC (15.3%; p < 0.001) and TG (14.7%; p < 0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C (+15.5%; p < 0.0001). Omega-3 FA + placebo significantly reduced TG (14.2%; p < 0.05) but had no significant effect on other lipid profile variables. The proportion of randomised patients in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day groups that achieved LDL-C targets or reductions ≥15% was significantly greater than in the omega-3 FA + placebo group (p < 0.001). Combined therapy with omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day resulted in significantly greater changes in LDL-C, TC and HDL-C than treatment with omega-3 FA + placebo, but did not modify the TG response compared with the omega-3 FA + placebo group. Four patients (two in the omega-3 FA + placebo group and two in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day group) withdrew from the study; none of these withdrawals was due to AEs. Two patients reported mild AEs, namely nausea/headache (one in the omega-3 FA + placebo group) and heartburn (one in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day group). Conclusions: Policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day administered concomitantly with omega-3 FA 1 g/day improved LDL-C, TC and HDL-C, maintained the reduction in TG attributable to omega-3 FA monotherapy, and was well tolerated. Treatment with omega-3 FA + policosanol could be useful for regulating lipid profile in patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia, but further studies involving larger sample sizes are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trophic ecology of the emerald notothenTrematomus bernacchiiwas investigated using a sample of 284 specimens collected in the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) during the summer season 1990-1991. The stomach-content analysis provided data on feeding habits and trophic niche breadth. Overall, 72 taxa of food items were identified; the most important as prey were infaunal and epifaunal polychaetes, amphipods and molluscs. Food of secondary importance comprised isopods, pycnogonids, fish and fish eggs. Several other taxa, such as euphausiids, mysids, decapods, echinoids, holothurians, priapulids and thaliaceans constituted food eaten in very small amounts and only occasionally. On the basis of their diet,T. bernacchiican be considered generalized feeders, with a wide niche breadth composed almost exclusively of benthic organisms. A cluster analysis was conducted to compare stomach-content data of subsamples selected on the basis of fish size and sampling depth, aiming to determine diet diversity and niche breadth, as well as factors involved in reducing intraspecific competition for food resources. Diet was different for fish sampled in shallow (=90 m depth) and deeper waters (>90 m depth): while the first group fed mostly on bivalves (Adamussium colbecki) and amphipods, the latter preferred infaunal-epifaunal polychaetes. Conversely, fish size did not contribute significantly to diet diversification. According to our data and published data on feeding behaviour and sensory ecology, we conclude that in this species the intraspecific competition for food is reduced, either through habitat heterogeneity or different foraging strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ross Sea, a large, high-latitude (72–78°S) embayment of the Antarctic continental shelf, averages 500 m deep, with troughs to 1,200 m and the shelf break at 700 m. It is covered by pack ice for 9 months of the year. The fish fauna of about 80 species includes primarily 4 families and 53 species of the endemic perciform suborder Notothenioidei. This review focuses on the diet and role in the food web of notothenioids and top-level bird and mammal predators, and also includes new information on the diets of artedidraconids and bathydraconids. Although principally a benthic group, notothenioids have diversified to form an adaptive radiation that includes pelagic and semipelagic species. In the southern Ross Sea, notothenioids dominate the fish fauna at levels of abundance and biomass >90% and are, therefore, inordinately important in the food web. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and mesopelagic fishes are virtually absent from the shelf waters of the Ross Sea. Of the four notothenioid families, nototheniids show the most ecological and dietary diversification, with pelagic, cryopelagic, epibenthic and benthic species. Neutrally buoyant Pleuragramma antarcticum constitutes >90% of both the abundance and biomass of the midwater fish fauna. Most benthic nototheniids are opportunistic and feed on seasonally or locally abundant zooplanktonic prey. Artedidraconids are benthic sit-and-wait predators. Larger bathydraconids are benthic predators on fish while smaller species feed mainly on benthic crustaceans. Channichthyids are less dependent on the bottom for food than other notothenioids. Some species combine benthic and pelagic life styles; others are predominantly pelagic and all consume euphausiids and/or fish. South polar skuas, Antarctic petrels, Adélie and emperor penguins, Weddell seals and minke and killer whales are the higher vertebrate components of the food web, and all prey on notothenioids to some extent. Based on the frequency of occurrence of prey items in the stomachs of fish, bird and mammal predators, P. antarcticum and ice krill E. crystallorophias are the key species in the food web of the Ross Sea. P. antarcticum is a component of the diet of at least 11 species of nototheniid, bathydraconid and channichthyid fish and, at frequencies of occurrence from 71 to 100%, is especially important for Dissostichus mawsoni, Gvozdarus svetovidovi and some channichthyids. At least 16 species of notothenioids serve as prey for bird and mammal predators, but P. antarcticum is the most important and is a major component of the diet of south polar skua, Adélie and emperor penguins and Weddell seals, at frequencies of occurrence from 26 to 100%. E. crystallorophias is consumed by some nototheniid and channichthyid fish and can be of importance in the diet of emperor and Adélie penguins, although in the latter case, this is dependent on location and time of year. Unlike the linear phytoplankton→E. superba→consumers of the E. superba food chain hypothesized for much of the Southern Ocean, the food web of the Ross Sea shelf is non-linear, with complex prey-predator interactions. Notothenioid fish play a key role: as predators, they occupy most of the trophic niches available in the ecosystem, relying on benthic, zooplanktonic and nektonic organisms; as prey, they are important food resources for each other and for most top predators living and foraging on the shelf. They also constitute the major link between lower (invertebrates) and higher (birds and mammals) levels of the food web. This is especially true for P. antarcticum. Along with E. crystallorophias, its ecological role in the Ross Sea is equivalent to that of myctophids and E. superba elsewhere in the Southern Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A macroscopic and histological analysis of gonads was carried out during the spawning season of the high-Antarctic channichthyid Chionodraco hamatus in the western Ross Sea. Samples were collected between December and February during several years in the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay. Gonad maturity stages were described for males and females according to macroscopic and histological scales. Using multi-year data, the estimated length at first spawning of females was about 35 cm TL, very similar to that obtained indirectly for males. Similar to many other high-Antarctic fish, C. hamatus is a summer spawner. The greater part of the stock was indeed in spawning condition between December and February, although a large proportion of females large enough to spawn probably did not spawn in that season. The present data confirm that C. hamatus, as is typical for Antarctic fish, probably spawns a single batch of oocytes once a year. In addition, vitellogenesis is a slow process that extends over at least 1 year. Discrepancies between the macroscopic and histological appearance of gonads were found. These were associated mainly with spent and resting females (maturity stages 5 and 2, respectively). This study demonstrates the importance of histological analysis of gonads in order to confirm the results of the macroscopic analyses routinely carried out in studies of reproductive biology. This is of particular importance in determining size at maturity and spawning stock biomass, for assessment purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Clinical studies have shown that lowering elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, and particularly low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, reduces the frequency of coronary morbidity and deaths, whereas high serum levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) protect against CHD. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane wax with a therapeutic dosage range from 5-20 mg/day. Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor which across its dosage range (10-80 mg/day) has shown significantly greater lipid-lowering effects than all previously marketed statins. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in older patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomised, single-blind, parallel-group study was conducted in older patients (60-80 years) with type II hypercholesterolaemia. After 4 weeks on a cholesterol-lowering diet, 75 patients were randomised to policosanol or atorvastatin 10mg tablets taken once daily with the evening meal for 8 weeks. An interim and final check-up were performed at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, after treatment was initiated. RESULTS: At 4 (p < 0.0001) and 8 (p < 0.00001) weeks, policosanol 10 mg/day significantly lowered serum LDL-C levels by 17.5 and 23.1%, respectively compared with baseline; corresponding values for atorvastatin were 28.4 and 29.8%. At study completion, policosanol significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced serum TC (16.4%), LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (25.5%) and TC/HDL-C ratio (19.3%), as well as (p < 0.001) triglyceride levels (15.4%). Atorvastatin significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased serum TC (22.6%), LDL-C/HDL-C (26.2%) and TC/HDL-C (19.8%) ratios, as well as (p < 0.001) triglyceride levels (15.5%). Atorvastatin was significantly more effective than policosanol in reducing LDL-C and TC, but similar in reducing both atherogenic ratios and triglyceride levels. Policosanol, but not atorvastatin, significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum HDL-C levels by 5.3%. Both treatments were well tolerated. At study completion, atorvastatin mildly, but significantly (p < 0.05) increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine, whereas policosanol significantly reduced AST and glucose (p < 0.01) and CPK (p < 0.05) levels. All individual values, however, remained within normal limits. Three atorvastatin but no policosanol patients withdrew from the study because of adverse events: muscle cramps (1 patient), gastritis (1 patient) and uncontrolled hypertension, abdominal pain and myalgia (1 patient). Overall, no policosanol and seven atorvastatin patients (18.9%) reported a total of nine mild or moderate adverse events during the study (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that policosanol (10 mg/day) administered for 8 weeks was less effective than atorvastatin (10 mg/day) in reducing serum LDL-C and TC levels in older patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Policosanol, but not atorvastatin, however, significantly increased serum HDL-C levels, whereas both drugs similarly reduced atherogenic ratios and serum triglycerides. Policosanol was better tolerated than atorvastatin as revealed by patient withdrawal analysis and overall frequency of adverse events. Nevertheless, further studies must be conducted in larger sample sizes and using dose-titration methods to achieve target lipid levels in order to reach wider conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a meristic and morphometric study of 101 specimens, we recognise 2 valid species in the Antarctic channichthyid genus Cryodraco: Cryodraco antarcticus Dollo, 1900 and C. atkinsoni Regan, 1914. Although the species overlap in most meristic and morphometric characters, we have distinguished several reliable characters for diagnosis and identification. Multidimensional scaling, a nonparametric multivariate technique, clearly separates the two species on the basis of pelvic fin length, head length, number of second dorsal fin rays and origin of the lower lateral line relative to the anal fin rays. We provide a revised identification key to the species of Cryodraco. From a zoogeographical point of view, C. antarcticus has a circum-Antarctic distribution whereas C. atkinsoni is largely confined to the East Antarctic Zoogeographic Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During Italian expeditions, ichthyoplankton was collected in the Ross Sea and Terra Nova Bay, by BIONESS and Hamburg Plankton Net (250-µm and 500-µm mesh, respectively). A total of 394,453 fish larvae representing 46 species, 27 genera and 9 families were collected. Pleuragramma antarcticum dominated during three of the four cruises, whilst in 1994/1995 Trematomus lepidorhinus was also abundant. The most abundant icefish was Chionodraco myersi, which co-occurred with P. antarcticum. Macrouridae, Myctophidae and Bathylagidae were oceanic. Paralepididae occurred in all areas. Notothenioids, nearly 100% of the catch, occurred close to the coast and dominated the shelf ichthyoplankton community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of severe protein–energy malnutrition on the antioxidant defense system in the small and large intestine in rats at weaning. Chronic diarrhea and the subsequent malnutrition were induced by oral intake of a lactose-enriched diet. Twenty rats were weaned at 21 days of age, and the control group was fed a semipurified synthetic diet for two weeks. The malnourished group was fed the same diet but carbohydrates were replaced by lactose, and they developed diarrhea one day after. Rats were killed, and macroscopic and histological features were analyzed, DNA content was measured, and alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were determined to assess the degree of intestinal injury. Glutathione levels as well as the activities of intestinal glutathione transferase, glutathione reductase, total glutathione peroxidase, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured to study the antioxidant defense system. Malnourished rats showed loss of body weight and an increase in length and weight in jejunum and ileum, while no significant changes were observed in colon. Epithelial cells showed fewer and shorter microvilli, larger mitochondria with low inner density and loss of cristae, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. The protein-to-DNA ratio was higher in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of malnourished rats. Glutathione levels decreased 40% in jejunum and 50% in colon of malnourished rats. A 40–50% decrease in the activity of all the enzymes of the antioxidant defense system was observed in the jejunum and ileum of malnourished rats, while only catalase and glutathione transferase activities decreased 50% in colon. These results suggest that early chronic diarrhea and severe protein–energy malnutrition impair the antioxidant defense system in both the small and large intestine, which may have a role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of the vicious circle of malabsorption–diarrhea–malnutrition in infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variation on Ramsay's method for microbial protein determination has been developed in order to quantify Thiobacillus ferrooxidans attached to ferric precipitates or in aqueous suspensions containing such precipitates. Some modifications have been introduced to provide a method that is more sensitive, simple and rapid. A linear standard curve is presented to permit a direct correlation between the protein concentration (mg/l) and the cell concentration (106 cells/ml). An application of this method has been demonstrated in the quantification of biomass immobilized on the surface of polyurethane foam particles in a packed bed reactor, several experiments having been conducted to establish the best conditions for the quantification studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-three and 49 specimens of the Antarctic fish Trematomus newnesi were collected in the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, during December 1994 and February 1998, respectively. The dietary composition of the two fish samples was determined by means of stomach content analysis and then compared. In general, as reported in most of the previous studies, planktivory appeared to be the main feeding habit of T. newnesi. However, the different environmental conditions occurring in the study area in the two periods investigated, such as the degree of the sea-ice coverage and the related amount of light available below the ice, influenced the food composition of T. newnesi. In December 1994, the whole area investigated was covered by a thick layer of sea ice and the diet of T. newnesi consisted of few prey taxa. Some species that characterize the so-called “cryopelagic habitat”, such as the euphausiid Euphausia crystallorophias and the copepod Metridia gerlachei, were by far the most important prey, followed by amphipods and the pteropod Limacina helicina. Conversely, the ostracod Alacia belgicae and larval stages of fish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) were consumed occasionally. In late summer (February 1998), the lack of sea-ice coverage and changes in the associated fauna influenced the feeding habit of T. newnesi. In this period the food spectrum appeared to be more diverse, revealing an active feeding search in the water column. The bulk of food was composed of several prey groups, such as E. crystallorophias, hyperiid amphipods (Hyperiella dilatata), copepods, L. helicina and several species of fish larvae. Present data provide evidence of a marked feeding plasticity of T. newnesi, in response to diverse environmental conditions that characterize the High-Antarctic Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:A case report.Objective:To present two cases of spinal cord infarction (SCI) in carriers of the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism.Setting:Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Section for Rehabilitation and Traumatology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.Methods:Two cases are presented, one with SCI at the C7 level American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A and one at the C5 level (ASIA A). One patient presented an acute onset of tetraplegia and the other a centromedular syndrome. In both cases the patients were carriers of the MTHFR polymorphism, which is a unique risk factor.Results:Increased blood levels of homocysteine related to mutation of the MTHFR gene increase the risk of a thrombotic episode, triggering the development of SCI. These two cases increase the limited number reported in the recent literature regarding MTHFR polymorphism carriers suffering from thrombotic SCI.Conclusion:MTHFR mutation can be considered a risk factor for thrombotic SCI, but it is not the sole risk factor. We propose that a consensus regarding the inclusion of anticoagulation treatment after confirmation of the diagnosis in these patients is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of feeding ecology in Trematomus hansoni Boulenger 1902 and Trematomus loennbergii Regan 1913 was carried out from samples collected in the austral summer 1990-1991 off Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea. T. hansoni was caught between 35 and 566 m and T loennbergii between 311 and 543 m. Stomach contents analysis shows that T. loennbergii relies on a wider range of prey than T. hansoni. Fish and decapods are the main food resources of T. loennbergii, which feeds also on epifaunal and tube-dwelling polychaetes. T. hansoni mostly relies on fish resources that are made up of juvenile stages of fish and eggs. Despite the common area occupied by the two species, the interspecific competition is mostly mitigated due either to taking different prey or to taking different amounts of the same prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age and growth of the nototheniid fish Trematomus bernacchii Boulenger 1902 were estimated by reading the sagittal otoliths of 457 adult specimens caught off Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) in the austral summer 1990-1991. Annuli in ground and polished otoliths were examined using a dissecting microscope under reflected light. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation was L=273.5 [1 − e] for males ( n=122) and L=422.2 [1 − e] for females ( n=211) where L is total length in millimetres. Maximum estimated age was 21 years for females and 16 years for males. This is in agreement with the hypothesis that considers slow growth and old age as a typical feature of Antarctic fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age composition of Chionodraco hamatus samples caught by fixed nets in Terra Nova Bay during the Austral summer 1987/88 was determined by examination of thin otolith sections. Individual ages were estimated by counting the number of annuli seen in the sections, since we postulated that annuli were laid down yearly. Fish were estimated to be 5-10 years old. Although our 'apparent ages' were not confirmed by other independent estimates, our data seem to compare well with the values reported for other Antarctic fishes. Females in our samples were on average larger than males of the same age and grow somewhat faster, at least over much of the sampled size range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of two specimens collected in Terra Nova Bay in February 1998 and 2000, adults of the recently described bathydraconid, Acanthodraco dewitti Skora, 1995 are documented for the first time in the Ross Sea. Meristic counts and morphometric measurements are provided and compared with those reported by Skora. The specimens were male and female in a developing stage of gonad maturity. Differently from the related species Psilodraco breviceps, which is endemic to South Georgia, a probable circumantarctic distribution of A. dewitti is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]