Bathyal Mollusca from the cold-water coral biotope of Santa Maria di Leuca (Apulian margin, southern Italy).

This paper describes 97 molluskan species (45 Bivalvia, 3 Scaphopoda, 49 Gastropoda) recovered from bathyal bottoms off Santa Maria di Leuca (Puglia, Italy), in the northern Ionian Sea, and provides data about their taxonomy, geographical distribution, habitat, ecological requirements and fossil record. Only 6 species remain unidentified, and all are illustrated. The bivalve-dominated assemblages belong to the so-called "cold-water coral ecosystem".

Interrelations between fat distribution, muscle lipid content, adipocytokines, and insulin resistance: effect of moderate weight loss in older women.

Background: Interrelations between fat distribution, muscle lipid infiltration, adipocytokines, insulin resistance, and moderate weight loss have not been investigated in obese older subjects.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate relations between fat distribution, muscle lipid content, adipocytokines, and insulin resistance in older women and the effects of moderate weight loss.

Design: In 35 healthy women aged 58-83 y, body mass index, waist circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), and body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were evaluated.

Evaluation of four portable self-monitoring blood glucose meters.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a cornerstone of diabetes care. However, the effectiveness of any glucose-monitoring programme depends on the ability to integrate SMBG into a program of self-care and therapeutic decision-making. Because the accuracy of SMBG is instrument dependent, we analysed 45 heparinized whole blood specimens using four marketed portable glucose meters to evaluate whether their precision and accuracy would be efficient and safe for clinical use.