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Class Armophorea Lynn, 2004 includes two orders of mainly free-living anaerobic ciliates, Armophorida Jankowski, 1980 and Metopida Jankowski, 1980 and, a third, the exclusively endosymbiotic Clevelandellida. Kahl described the majority of free-living metopid species early in the 20th century. Excepting Jankowski in the 1960’s, little further interest was shown in this group. Metopus turbo Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986, from a West African pond, was more recently described. Although not explicitly described as endemic, Dragesco believed in some degree of endemism of sub-Saharan ciliates. Our discovery of M. turbo on Guam, Micronesia was unexpected. Metopus turbo was identified by live observation, protargol impregnation, and scanning electron microscopy, providing reasonable evidence of conspecificity when compared with the original description. Outstanding morphologic features include the stout shape and transversely situated bandform macronucleus. The morphology of Metopus turbo differs markedly from that of the Metopus / Brachonella clade and is distant from Metopus es in phylogenetic analyses. The 18S rDNA sequence of the Guam M. turbo differs from that of M. es , type species of Metopus , by >8% and shows distinct morphologic differences from the genus Atopospira to which it is sister. These facts suggest that transfer to a new genus, Idiometopus gen. nov. is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a discovery of a novel family of anaerobic ciliates, Tropidoatractidae fam. nov. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S rRNA gene show that the family Tropidoatractidae corresponds to the previously reported clade of environmental sequences closely related to the lineage consisting of orders Metopida and Clevelandellida. The family comprises two genera, Tropidoatractus and Palmarella , and five species, two of which are newly described herein. Tropidoatractidae are cosmopolitan Metopida with sparse somatic and oral ciliature, deep, cup-like buccal cavity, and hyaline cortex with interkinetal ridges. Moreover, all species occur in two morphotypes, slender and stout. They inhabit microoxic or anoxic freshwater, brackish, and marine sediments and possess anaerobic mitochondrion-related organelles and various prokaryotic symbionts. The discovery of Tropidoatractidae provides valuable information about the evolution of Armophorea and gives us insights to the diversity and ecological preferences of anaerobic ciliates in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free-living ciliates of the order Metopida Jankowski, 1980 are pivotal players in the microbial food web of the sulfuretum, acting as hosts to prokaryotic endo- and ectosymbionts. They are also of interest in the study of the function and evolution of their mitochondrion-related organelle, the hydrogenosome. The taxonomy and phylogeny of this group remains confused, due, in large part, to the fact that most of its taxa have not been characterized by modern methods including molecular sequencing. In this report we provide morphologic and molecular characterization of seven taxa from the poorly-known resurrected genus Urostomides obtained in the course of broad geographic sampling. Foissner (2016) established the family Apometopidae to include Apometopus (a junior synonym of Urostomides ) and Cirranter Jankowski, 1964. These two genera differ from all other metopid genera in having a four-rowed perizonal ciliary stripe, the only currently recognizable morphologic synapomorphy for the family. The members of Urostomides show remarkable morphologic diversity. The genus has a broad geographic distribution, occurring on six continents. Urostomides species form a strongly supported clade in phylogenetic analyses. Relationships within the genus itself are less clearly resolved. The diagnoses of Apometopidae and Urostomides are emended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bothrostoma is a genus of anaerobic ciliates in family Metopidae comprising four species, all described based solely on the morphology of living and fixed cells. Unlike other metopids, cells of Bothrostoma are not twisted anteriorly, have a flattened preoral dome, a very prominent sail-like paroral membrane, and an adoral zone of distinctive, very narrow, curved membranelles confined to a wide, non-spiraling peristome on the ventral side. We examined 20 populations of Bothrostoma from hypoxic freshwater sediments. We provide morphological characterization and 18S rRNA gene sequences of four new species, namely B. bimicronucleatum sp. nov., B. boreale sp. nov., B. kovalyovi sp. nov., and B. robustum sp. nov., as well as B. undulans (type species), B. nasutum , and B. ovale comb. nov. (original combination Metopus undulans var. ovalis Kahl, 1932). Except for B. nasutum , Bothrostoma species show low genetic variability among geographically distant populations. Intraspecific phenotypic variability might be driven by environmental conditions. In phylogenetic analyses, Bothrostoma is not closely related to Metopus sensu stricto and forms a moderately supported clade with Planometopus , here referred to as BoPl clade. The anterior axial torsion of the body, typical of other Metopidae, appears to have been lost in the last common ancestor of the BoPl clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study group of 94 patients operated on for bilateral nasal polyposis in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of St. Anne' University Hospital Brno between 1998 and 2005, tissue eosinophilia was determined from polyp tissue samples. The mean value of tissue eosinophilia was 38. Eo/HPF (Me 32.5, Q0,25, Q0,75 = 14, 58). In a control group of 12 patients, tissue eosinophilia was determined from tissue samples of the inferior turbinate mucosa and in all samples the value was <3 Eo/HPF. Through analysis of a histogram curve of eosinophil infiltration intensity of patients in the follow-up study group, a tissue eosinophilia threshold value of 40Eo/HPF was determined and the patients were divided into two subgroups. In the first subgroup of patients with a value of eosinophilia up to 40Eo/HPF, there was a markedly lower percentage of recurrence (about 8%) in comparison with the second subgroup of patients with tissue eosinophilia higher than 40 Eo/HPF where recurrence occurred in more than half of patients (53%).The median value of the recurrence-free interval was significantly lower in the group of patients with higher tissue eosinophilia (33 months) as compared with the second group (51 months). There was also a significant difference in the degree of tissue eosinophilia in patients without risk factors (Me=14 Eo/HPF) in comparison with patients with allergy and/or bronchial asthma (Me=39Eo/HPF) and patients with ASA sensitivity (Me=56Eo/HPF). Moreover, in patients with allergy and/or asthma and patients with ASA sensitivity it was possible to select, in connection with tissue eosinophilia, patients with a significantly higher risk of NP recurrence. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probability of NP recurrence 5 years after surgery in patients with allergy and/or asthma and with lower eosinophilia (<40 Eo/HPF) was 8%, in the group of patients with allergy and/or asthma and with higher eosinophilia (> 40 Eo/HPF) 42%, in patients with ASA sensitivity and lower eosinophilia 14%, and in patients with ASA sensitivity and higher eosinophilia 69%. Thus it has been proved that determination of tissue eosinophilia is of predictive significance and it can valuably contribute to the assessment of postoperative NP recurrence risk and thereby to the determination of an appropriate postoperative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of three new species of freshwater metopid ciliates, Pileometopus lynni gen. et sp. nov., Castula flexibilis gen. et sp. nov., and Longitaenia australis gen. et sp. nov. Based on morphologic features and the 18S rRNA gene phylogeny, we transfer two known species of Metopus to the new genus Castula , as C. fusca (Kahl, 1927) comb. nov. and C. setosa (Kahl, 1927) comb. nov. and another known species is herein transferred to the new genus Longitaenia , as L. gibba (Kahl, 1927) comb. nov. Pileometopus is characterized by a turbinate body shape, a dorsal field of densely spaced dikinetids, a bipartite paroral membrane, and long caudal cilia. A distinctive morphologic feature of Castula species is long setae arising over the posterior third of the body (as opposed to a terminal tuft). Longitaenia spp. are characterized by an equatorial cytostome and long perizonal ciliary stripe relative to the cell length. Based on phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA gene sequences, we identify and briefly discuss strongly supported clades and intraspecific genetic polymorphism within the order Metopida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review current methods in the diagnosis of dysplasia and cervical cancer., Design: Review article., Setting: Reprofit International Ltd., Brno; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno; Biopticka laborator Ltd., Pilsen., Methods and Results: Nowadays, there are non-invasive methods for more accurate and timely detection of uterine cervix lesions. Digital images of the uterine cervix can be analysed by a computer for characteristic features and colour patterns, which may enhance the objectivity of the colposcopic examination. Digital image processing technology and biomarkers detection (p16/Ki-67) are useful in liquid based cytology (LBC). At the molecular genetic level different tests are used to detect deoxy- or ribonucleic acid (DNA, RNA) of high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HR HPV). The introduction of HPV testing in screening procedures in the Czech Republic will further in-crease the sensitivity of screening. However, the most specific identification of cervical high-grade lesions appears to be an mRNA detection of oncogenes E6 and E7. The advanced method for the assessment of cervical lesion progress in HR HPV positive women is to determine the methylation of tumor supressor genes that normally prevents the cancer growth., Conclusion: Screening programs, inviting women to direct preventive gynecological examinations by health insurance, but also efficient utilization of available methods could lead to early detections of cervical dysplasias., Keywords: cervical dysplasia and cancer, SIL, colposcopy, LBC, HPV, methylation, mRNA.

We report a case of a 61-year-old woman with progressive dyspnoea, fatigue and tiredness over the last two weeks. Based on physical examination on admission, ECHO and CT exams, a diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism was confirmed and the patient received thrombolytic treatment. Since no response to thrombolysis was apparent and the patient was clinically unstable with persisting signs of right ventricular dysfunction in echocardiography, a rescue surgical embolectomy was ordered and performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Multiple large clots were removed from both pulmonary arteries. Following embolectomy, severe irreversible right ventricular failure developed and the patient died. Autopsy revealed large blood clots in peripheral pulmonary circulation causing terminal right-heart failure. We discuss the therapeutic options in massive pulmonary embolism and the potential role of rescue surgical embolectomy.

The renal arteries aneurysms are relatively rare, however, their rupture has a high mortality rate. The authors present a case-review of a 38-year old female, hospitalized with a pain in the left lumbar region, lasting for 24 hours, which spread into the mesogastrium and the left groin. Upon angiographic examination, the left renal artery aneurysm was detected. Embolization was conducted, aiming to save the kidney, however, it proved unsuccessful and was complicated by a rupture of the aneurysm. Consequently, urgent nephrectomy was completed. Prior to the procedure, massive haemorrhaging from the right groin following angiography, was managed. Relapsing haemorrhaging from the right groin and development of a major retroperitoneal haematoma, complicated the postoperative course and required repetitive postoperative revisions. The accidental finding of a minor aneurysm of the lienal artery, the patient's constitution, her anamnestic data and the complicated course of hospitalization, suggested the systemic connective tissue disorder. Furthermore, the authors discuss contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the renal arteries aneurysms.

Objective: The detection of p16 in oncocytology and in the surgical pathology of the uterine cervix., Setting: Department of Pathology and Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Brno., Methods: An imunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded samples of the uterine cervix (included knips biopsies) and liquid based smears was performed. The bioptic database included 7 cases of CIN II-III, 5 cases of reactive epithelial changes and 3 cases of atrophic epithelium. 36 liquid based smears, 25 cases of CIN III and 11 cases of uterine cervix without a dysplastic lesion., Results: Nuclear and cytoplasmatic p16 positivity was found in 22 cases of CIN III in liquid based smears. Diffuse and intensive p16 expression was in 5 cases of knips biopsies CIN III., Conclusion: The detection of p16 seems to be a valuable tool in surgical pathology of the uterine cervix: possible evaluation of the surgical margins, differential diagnosis regarding reactive atypia, and it is also prospective in oncocytologic diagnosis regarding differential diagnosis of the ASCUS, or can be used in monitoring of the uterine cervix dysplasia.