No abstract

The seagrass Posidonia oceanica is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where it plays an important role in coastal ecosystem dynamics. Because of this important role and concerns about the observed regression of some meadows, population genetic studies of this species have been promoted. However, the markers used until now were not polymorphic enough to efficiently assess the level and spatial pattern of genetic variability. Hypervariable molecular markers were obtained by screening a genomic library enriched for microsatellite dinucleotide repeats. Among 25 primer pairs defined, eight amplified polymorphic microsatellites with an encouraging level of variability at the two geographical scales sampled.

EBL alone and EBL+PP were effective in the primary prophylaxis of bleeding from EVs in cirrhotic patients (EV eradication, bleeding before EV eradication, mortality, and adverse events were similar in both groups). However, variceal recurrence was lower in the EBL+PP group than band ligation alone.

-Context -Band ligation (BL) is the most appropriate endoscopic treatment for acute bleeding or prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding. Sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (CY) can be an alternative for patients with advanced liver disease. Bacteremia is an infrequent complication after BL while the bacteremia rate following treatment with CY for esophageal varices remains unknown. Objectives -To evaluate and compare the incidence of transient bacteremia between cirrhotic patients submitted to diagnostic endoscopy, CY and BL for treatment of esophageal varices. Methods -A prospective study comprising the period from 2004 to 2007 was conducted at Hospital of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, SP, Brazil. Cirrhotic patients with advanced liver disease (Child-Pugh B or C) were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according treatment: BL Group (patients undergoing band ligation, n = 20) and CY Group (patients receiving cyanoacrylate injection for esophageal variceal, n = 18). Cirrhotic patients with no esophageal varices or without indication for endoscopic treatment were recruited as control (diagnostic group n = 20). Bacteremia was evaluated by blood culture at baseline and 30 minutes after the procedure. Results -After 137 scheduled endoscopic procedures, none of the 58 patients had fever or any sign suggestive of infection. All baseline cultures were negative. No positive cultures were observed after CY or in the control group -diagnostic endoscopy. Three (4.6 %) positive cultures were found out of the 65 sessions of band ligation (P = 0.187). Two of these samples were positive for coagulase-negative staphylococcus, which could be regarded as a contaminant. The isolated microorganism in the other case was Klebsiella oxytoca. The patient in this case presented no evidence of immunodeficiency except liver disease. Conclusions -There was no significant difference in bacteremia rate between these three groups. BL or CY injection for non-bleeding esophageal varices may be considered as low-risk procedures regarding bacteremia even when performed on patients with advanced liver disease.

In order to study the spatial patterns of genetic diversity of a clonal marine angiosperm, the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa, microsatellite markers were obtained by screening a genomic library enriched for the (CT) dinucleotide motif. Of 38 primer pairs defined, 15 amplified polymorphic microsatellites and are described. These loci identified a number of alleles ranging from two to seven, and showed expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.35 to 0.76, when a group of 40 individuals from Cadiz Bay in Spain was analysed. Additionally, we describe here the multiplexing conditions for 12 of these loci.

Inflammatory bowel disease is relatively frequent in women of childbearing age. Disease management requires greater attention during this clinical condition because of potential risk of maternal-fetal complications. Infliximab has been shown to be safe during pregnancy and lactation, but reports in the literature are scarce. We report two cases of refractory Crohn's disease treated with infliximab with good results, in women. Both patients became pregnant during maintenance regimen and treatment was continued. The literature regarding pregnant patients with inflammatory bowel disease was reviewed.

-Context -The inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed frequently among woman of childbearing capacity. The management must be carefully because there are potential risks for the mother and fetus. Results and conclusions -We review literature about the management of inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy. Some studies are needed to ensure the best approach to inflammatory bowel disease in pregnant women. HEADINGS -Inflammatory bowel disease. Pregnancy complications, infectious. Infliximab.

APC is a low-risk procedure regarding bacteraemia and does not warrant prophylactic antibiotic administration.