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1 - The phytoplankton from Eastern Mediterranean coastal lagoons is analysed using a multi-scale approach, with the aim of testing if phytoplankton variations follow a hierarchical scheme based on eco-geographical location. The scale similarity is examined by using a taxonomic metric based on the Kullback-Leibler divergence and a related similarity index. 2 - A hierarchical sampling design was used to investigate variations in taxonomic composition and richness of phytoplankton assemblages. Data analyzed collected during summer season in 3 coastal lagoons in the Mediterranean Eco-region: two are located in Turkey (Akgöl and Paradeniz) and one is located in Greece (Korission). According to the Mediterranean typology, all lagoons are large, non-tidal and have mean salinity regimes of oligohaline (Akgöl), polyhaline (Paradeniz) and euhaline (Korission) designations. 3 - The taxonomic composition of phytoplankton assemblages varied markedly among lagoons, with the most representative phytoplankton in terms of taxa richness belonged to Chlorophyceae (33.33%) in Akgöl, to Dinophyceae (50.00%) in Paradeniz and to Dinophyceae (30.77%) in Korission. 4 - Within-habitat similarity was very high in all habitats and lagoons. At an ecosystem scale, phytoplankton was highly homogeneous in Akgöl and Paradeniz, suggesting that the distinctive physiognomic traits of the habitats exert a limited effect. In contrast, the phytoplankton is significantly heterogeneous in Korission, mostly because of the effect of the heterogeneous habitats, in fact the three sampled habitats showed well-differentiated characteristics. 5 - At an eco-regional scale, the pattern of similarity among lagoons suggests that local conditions (particularly salinity) and geographical location play roles of a comparable importance in determining the dissimilarity among phytoplankton guilds. 6 - The similarity index between adjacent lagoons having different salinity (Akgöl and Paradeniz) was comparable to the one between lagoons with similar salinity but different geographical location. This suggests that local conditions and geographical factors act in a complex way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to assess the evolution of fragmented QRS (fQRS) and NT-proBNP levels during myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Among 511 patients, 205 (40.1%) had fQRS, with 54 (26.3%) developing de novo fragmentation during hospitalization. Results: NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the fQRS+ group compared with the fQRS- group (1555 vs. 796 pg/ml, p < 0.001). NT-proBNP levels were higher in patients with de novo fragmentation than in those without (2852 vs. 1370 pg/ml, p = 0.011). The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was notably higher in fQRS+ patients compared with fQRS- patients (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In acute MI, there was a significant association between fQRS and NT-proBNP levels, with higher NT-proBNP levels observed in those with de novo fQRS compared with those without.

Aim: In the present study, the relationship between D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio (DFR) and in-hospital outcomes was evaluated in patients with COVID-19 and a diagnosis of heart failure (HF). Materials & methods: In-hospital outcomes were compared in patients with high and low DFR values. Results: With regard to in-hospital outcomes, patients in the third tertile of DFR had a higher rate of mechanical ventilation, cardiogenic shock and death (p < 0.001). The length of ICU stay was longer in the third tertile group (p < 0.001). When evaluated together with infection markers, DFR was found to be an independent predictor of outcomes. Conclusion: DFR can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with COVID-19 with a diagnosis of HF, and perhaps more valuable than other infection markers.

Aim: To assess the relationship between serum bilirubin levels and fragmented QRS (fQRS), and their association with adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: This study included a total of 736 patients. Laboratory results such as bilirubin levels, renal and liver function tests were obtained from the first available blood sample. Results: Left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic diameter and total bilirubin level were significantly lower in fQRS (+) group than in the control group (45.0 [40.0-55.0] vs 50.0 [45.0-60.0]%; p < 0.001; 4.7 [4.6-5.1] vs 4.7 [4.5-4.9] cm; p < 0.001; 0.66 [0.49-5.1] vs 0.72 [0.53-0.97] md/dl; p = 0.017); respectively. Occurrence of adverse events was significantly higher in fQRS (+) group (32.5 vs 20.5 %; p = 0.013) during mean 1-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Total bilirubin level is an independent predictor of fQRS formation, which is associated with the presence of adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The sea bream's nematode and Sparus aurata, sampled from the Iskenderun Bay, Mediterranean, in March 2008 were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry for their some heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mg, Pb, and Zn) levels. The metal concentrations of the parasites were compared to different organs (liver, muscle, gill, intestine, and skin) of the fish hosts. There were significant differences in Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Hg, Mg, and Pb concentrations in tissues of fish and its parasite. The parasite Cd, Cu, and Pb concentration was higher than the other tissues. Furthermore, significant differences were detected in the heavy metal accumulations between the parasitized and unparasitized fish tissues in Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations. The Cd, Hg, and Pb concentrations were found in fish muscle at mean concentrations over the permissible limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The European eel's swimbladder nematode, Anguillicola crassus, sampled from the Asi River (Orontes River) in Antakya (Hatay, Turkey) in May 2006 were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) for their some heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) levels. The metal concentrations of the parasites were compared to different organs (swimbladder, liver, muscle and skin) of the fish hosts. The parasite contained statistically highly significantly amounts of Fe (P < 0.05). The iron level of nematode was up to 25.52 times than the muscle of its host, Anguilla anguilla. However, bioconcentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn were detected in the A. crassus and it contained no statistically differences with the other tissues of its host, the eel (P > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were detected in the heavy metal accumulations between the parasitized and un-parasitized fish tissues. The analysed metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) were found in fish muscle at mean concentrations under the permissible limits proposed by FAO.

In this study, bioaccumulation of the heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, V, Li, Al) in the shells of Mytilus edulis were investigated. Shells of Mytilus edulis were collected in May to September 2005 from 12 stations on the Polish coast of Baltic Sea. At each sampling sites 17-330 different size of shells were collected during 2005, respectively. Due to heavy industrial activities in the region, the bay has the polluted coastal waters of Poland. Shells were analysed by ICP AES and Coleman MAS 50 CV atomic absorption spectrometer. As expected from the similarity found between the relationships of metal content length and dry the concentrations of the different metals in the shells did not seem to depend on the shell length. No significant differences were detected in metal concentration between different shell lengths. Given their geographical distributions, as well as their abilities to show up spatial and temporal changes in metal bioavailabilities confirmed here, it is concluded that the mussel M. edulis a suitable candidate to be used in biomonitoring surveys of the Poland coast of Baltic.

In this study, bioaccumulation of the heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cd) in the liver, gill, gonad and muscle tissues of Dicentrarchus labrax, Mugil cephalus and Sparus aurata were investigated seasonally. Camlik is the important fisheries lagoon located in The Iskenderun Bay, Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Due to heavy industrial and agricultural activities in the region, the bay has the polluted coastal waters of Turkey. Therefore, the levels of cadmium, zinc, iron were determined in the muscle in each species because of its importance for human consumption and also the liver, gill, gonad were analysed since these organs tend to accumulate metals. Heavy metal levels were found generally higher in the liver and gill than the gonad and muscle tissues in three species; the levels of all metals in a given tissue were generally higher in Mugil cephalus than the other two species. Data collected in this study suggest that Camlik lagoon is affected by a relatively metal pollution. The concentrations of Zn concentrations in the muscle tissues exceeded the acceptable levels for a food source for human consumption and other metals in the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the permissible safety levels for human uses.