Alberto Addis

Mitochondrial DNA variability of the pipefish Syngnathus abaster.

This study provides data on the genetic structuring of the pipefish Syngnathus abaster in the western Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. A total of 109 specimens were collected in brackish-water biotopes. The control region and three other regions of the mitochondrial genome were analysed. The most relevant result was the high genetic structuring found by Bayesian inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) and network analyses, which were consistent in showing three well-separated clusters of S. abaster populations. Furthermore, BI and ML did not support the monophyly of the taxon S. abaster. These results suggest the occurrence of a species complex in the study area, whose differentiation may have occurred since the Pleistocene. The results also show a very high genetic variability at the inter-population level, with no shared haplotypes among sites. Evolutionary forces due to the fragmented nature of the brackish-water habitats may account for the high genetic divergence found among the groups and populations. Finally, although dispersal by rafting over long distances may occasionally occur, this study suggests linear stepping-stone model of colonization to be most likely. The complexity of the results obtained suggests that further studies are needed to elucidate the phylogeny of S. abaster.

Teaching NeuroImages: Subacute encephalopathy in a young woman with THTR2 gene mutation

A 21-year-old woman presented with coma after 5 days of fever, gait ataxia, and somnolence. Brain MRI showed lesions in medial thalami, caudate heads, and periaqueductal region (figure). Hyperlactatemia was present; serum thiamine levels were normal.

Late presentation of NMOSD as rapidly progressive leukoencephalopathy with atypical clinical and radiological findings

Brain abnormalities in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are highly heterogeneous and often non-specific. Extensive white matter involvement has been described and frequently manifests with encephalopathy requiring prompt intervention. Rarely, this may represent the only manifestation at onset without concurrent suggestive features of the disease, thus making diagnosis challenging. NMOSD may potentially occur at any age, but it seems that this disorder has distinctive clinical features in the elderly. We describe a case of NMOSD presenting as rapidly progressive leukoencephalopathy with atypical clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 69-year-old woman.

First insights on the mitochondrial genetic variability of Lightiella magdalenina (Crustacea), the sole Mediterranean cephalocarid species

BackgroundHere we report the first insight into the mitochondrial (Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I - COI and Cytochrome b - Cyt b) genetic variation of the only Mediterranean cephalocarid Lightiella magdalenina.FindingsCOI sequences provide a scenario of low intraspecific variability, while significant genetic divergence occurs between L. magdalenina and L. incisa. Interestingly, Cyt b sequences reveal a higher degree of intraspecific variability, with no shared haplotypes between the sites considered.ConclusionsIn the future, COI and Cyt b molecular markers could be used as valuable tools to shed new light into the extant species within the genus Lightiella thus providing molecular support to the taxonomical identifications carried out on a morphological basis.

Molecular data on two mitochondrial genes of a newly discovered crustacean species (Lightiella magdalenina, Cephalocarida)

Cephalocarida is a rare and poorly known class of small benthic crustaceans, consisting of only eleven species belonging to five genera. Thus far, only one species ( Hutchinsoniella macracantha ) has been studied at molecular level. We report the partial sequences of two phylogenetically important mitochondrial genes (Cytochrome c Oxidase I and Cytochrome b) from the newly discovered Mediterranean species, Lightiella magdalenina . The genetic relationships between the two cephalocarid species are discussed.

Neuralgic amyotrophy mimicking Vernet syndrome

A 72-year-old Caucasian man, with a medical history of arterial hypertension, was admitted in our Neurology Department for acute pharyngodynia and extreme pain localized to the neck, right scalp and the ipsilateral ear canal, followed two days later by dysphagia and hoarseness. One week before he had suffered from a flu-like illness with fever. The pain resolved in 5 dayswhereas hoarseness and dysphagia persisted. At laryngoscopic examination right vocal-cord palsy was noted (Fig. 1). Neurological examination showed weakness of the right soft-palate with reduced gag-reflex and right shoulder ptosis with weakness (4/5 MRC) of right sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. No fasciculation or scapular winging were noted. Sensory examination was unremarkable. Examination of the mouth and external auditory canal did not show any vescicular rash. Considering the unilateral involvement of IX, X and XI cranial nerves, the common causes of Vernet syndrome were investigated. Laboratory tests including blood count, serum-protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase, erythrocyte-sedimentation rate, TSH, FT3, FT4, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), extractable-nuclearantigens antibodies, antineutrophil-cytoplasmatic antibodies (ANCA), rheumatoid factor, antiganglioside antibodies, anti-AchR and antiMUSK antibodies, Lyme test, syphilis, varicella-zooster virus (VZV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis A, B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus serologies (HIV) were normal. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not show any hyperproteinorrachia, pleocytosis or oligoclonal bands. PCR did not detect VZV or herpes simplex virus. Chest X-ray was negative. Brain and neck MR studies, CT scan of the basicranial region, and carotid ultrasonography failed to identify anymass or infiltrative lesion along the course of IX, X and XI cranial nerves. Nerve conduction studies and F-wave were normal. Electromyography exhibited fibrillation potentials and positive sharp-waves in the right trapezium, right sternocleidomastoid, deltoid muscles bilaterally, and in the left infraspinatus muscle. No abnormalities were noted in the cervical paraspinal muscles. Motor unit potentials were of normal configuration with reduced recruitment. Brachial plexus MR was normal. On the basis of the clinical history of intense pain followed two days later by weakness (dysphagia, hoarseness, right shoulder ptosis), considering the electromyographic pattern of mononeuritis multiplex and

Clinicopathologic features of folate-deficiency neuropathyAuthor Response

Koike et al.1 reported a slowly progressive, prevalent sensory polyneuropathy in patients with folate deficiency, which shows some distinctive clinical features with respect to thiamine-deficiency neuropathy.2 However, as the authors mention, the clinical manifestations of folate deficiency may be indistinguishable from those of cobalamin deficiency because of their interaction in one carbon metabolic pathway.3 In addition, thiamine is poorly absorbed during folate deficiency, because of frequent diarrhea as a result of damaged gastrointestinal mucosa. …

Reproductive system morphology of Lightiella magdalenina (Crustacea, Cephalocarida): functional and adaptive implications

The reproductive systems of adults and larvae of Lightiella magdalenina were examined. Lightiella magdalenina, similar to the best-known cephalocarida species Hutchinsoniella macracantha, is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Although the morphology of their reproductive system is similar, L. magdalenina differs from H. macracantha in exhibiting reduced fecundity: it lays one egg, not two, per reproductive event. This is due to asynchronous development of the oocytes inside the paired female reproductive structures, which determines the maturation of a single egg at a time. The reduced fecundity of L. magdalenina could be offset by the precocious release of oocytes from the germarium, which begins the vitellogenetic process during the last larval stages. Due to this process, after their last moult, reproductive adults can have a large number of advanced vitellogenic oocytes, reducing the time required for their maturation. A possible adaptive relationship between the halved fecundity with pre- and post-hatching parental care is discussed.

Early thrombosis prophylaxis with enoxaparin is not associated with hematoma expansion in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Early pharmacological deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is recommended by guidelines, but rarely started within 48 h. We aimed to analyze the effect of early (within 48 h) versus late (>48 h) DVT prophylaxis on hematoma expansion (HE) and outcome in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Cranial Nerve Involvement in Neuralgic Amyotrophy

Neuralgic Amyotrophy (NA) is generally conceived as a multifocal neuropathy of the brachial plexus. However, different atypical forms with the involvement of other peripheral nerves, such as the lumbosacral plexus, the intercostal and the phrenic nerve and the cranial nerves (CNs), have been reported in the literature. In an attempt to shed more light on the atypical presentation of NA with CN involvement, we summarized the most relevant features of all cases of idiopathic NA with CN palsy, published up to January 2016. CN involvement in NA usually occurs with concomitant classic brachial plexopathy. Less frequently, CN palsy is the unique manifestation of the syndrome. In these cases, clinical suspicion and imaging studies are essential for a correct diagnosis, which may have therapeutic and prognostic relevance.