AML NV

AML Ganetespib chemical structure often arises from chromosomal translocations resulting in specific leukemia-associated fusion proteins. These chimeric gene products exhibit distinctive functions that impede upon normal cellular proliferation and/or differentiation and are utilized to classify AML into specific sub-types and risk groups of favorable, intermediate and adverse. The rare translocation t(6;9), present in 1–5% of AML cases [2], results in the production of the DEK-NUP214 (formerly CAN) fusion, which is associated with a particularly poor prognosis and a median age of 44 years at diagnosis. The DEK oncogene was originally identified from

this leukemic translocation, where the 5′ portion of the DEK gene located on chromosome 6p23 was fused to the

3′ region of the NUP214 gene found on chromosome 9q34 resulting in the 165 kDa DEK-NUP214 fusion [3]. The leukemogenic potential of the DEK-NUP214 protein was undecided as it was unable to completely block differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors [4]. Subsequent data from Oancea et al. indicated DEK-NUP214 could promote leukemic transformation of a subset of long term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells [5], clearly pointing to an important selleck screening library contribution of DEK-NUP214 to leukemia. Data from two studies have revealed that the expression of DEK-NUP214 may increase the overall protein production by targeting translation [6], and may additionally accelerate proliferation through up-regulation of the mTOR pathway [7]. A recent international multicenter study has concluded that DEK-NUP214 represents a unique subtype of AML accompanied by increased risk of relapse, NADPH-cytochrome-c2 reductase higher FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tamdem dulpication (FLT3 ITD) mutation frequency and a defined gene signature [8]. However,

the precise molecular function of this fusion gene and its disease contribution remain mostly elusive. Human DEK, 43 kDa in size, is an abundant and primarily chromatin-associated nuclear factor [9]. DEK exhibits a wide variety of molecular functions (e.g. regulation of gene expression, RNA biology, DNA repair, apoptosis, senescence, and chromatin structure), suggesting that it is critically involved in a myriad of cellular processes that relate to proliferation, differentiation, senescence and the maintenance of cell stemness [10]. Currently, it is believed that these functions are predominantly transmitted by the architectural functions of DEK within cellular DNA and chromatin [10]. DEK has two distinct DNA-binding domains (SAP-box and C-terminal DNA binding domain), which can induce intra- and intermolecular contacts that lead to the alteration of DNA and chromatin topology [11], [12] and [13]. It is thought that changes to cellular DEK levels are most likely involved in regulating genomic stability and gene expression through concerted action of epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin architectural functions [10].

Less toxic regimens and efficient second-line therapies should al

Less toxic regimens and efficient second-line therapies should also be regarded realistic achievements. For example, it has been proposed to explore the safety and efficacy

of fludarabine and rituximab in combination using reduced doses of fludarabine.[92] and [93] It may also be worthwhile investigating combinations of monoclonal antibodies with newer chemotherapeutic agents. The relationship between primary CAD and WM should encourage studies of several, Cobimetinib more or less targeted therapies shown to be feasible and efficient in WM.94 In primary CAD, improvement has been observed in two patients following bortezomib monotherapy95; and high response rates have been achieved in WM following treatment with a bortezomib-based combination regimen.96 The monoclonal anti-C5 antibody, eculizumab, is a potent complement inhibitor shown to be an efficient therapeutic agent in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).97 In steady-state CAD, on the other hand, most of the hemolysis is not thought to be intravascular and C5-mediated.[30] and [31] Furthermore, the administration of eculizumab in PNH has been shown to unmask the low-grade, C3b-mediated extravascular hemolysis assumed to predominate in CAD.98 Infusions of eculizumab have been reported, however, to result in rapid improvement in a patient with primary CAD99; and unpublished observations may indicate a marked and sustained

suppression of hemolysis during continued therapy (A. Röth, personal communication). These observations should be further explored for two reasons. First, this Selleckchem Natural Product Library therapeutic approach might prove useful in subgroups, e.g. in acute situations (infections or surgery with exacerbation of hemolysis) or in severely hemolytic patients not responding to therapy directed against the pathogenic B-cell clone. Second, if efficacy is confirmed, such results may challenge our present understanding of hemolysis in CAD, theoretically leading to a re-consideration of which hemolytic mechanism is most important. In order to further improve on current treatment options in primary CAD,

patients requiring therapy should be considered for inclusion in prospective trials if available. No evidence-based therapy Acyl CoA dehydrogenase exists for the CAS per se in cold-antibody mediated AIHA secondary to clearly malignant or infectious diseases. Prospective trials or well-designed retrospective series of consecutive patients have not been published, and all recommendations found in the literature are based on case reports, clinical experience and theoretical considerations. For obvious reasons, however, optimal treatment of the underlying disease is important whenever feasible.[15] and [69] Particularly in curable malignancies such as aggressive lymphomas, achieving complete remission is usually accompanied by resolution of the hemolysis. M.

The usefulness of MRI to monitor the development in vivo

The usefulness of MRI to monitor the development in vivo Epacadostat chemical structure will be reduced if MRI scanning leads to delayed development or to developmental defects. Therefore

the effects of rf pulses, high static magnetic fields and varying magnetic gradients on the first 3 days of quail embryonic development were investigated. Quail eggs were removed from the incubator during the first 3 days of development and exposed for an average of 7 h to high static 7 T magnetic field, linear magnetic field gradients (with maximum gradient amplitude of 200 mT/m) and 300 MHz rf pulses (test group). These exposures were longer than those typically used to capture images but were chosen in order to test the biosafety of MRI. Control group eggs were removed from the incubator for the same period of time on each day but not subjected to an external MRI magnetic field (control group). Test and control eggs were then returned to the incubator until Day 7. In addition, a third group of eggs were incubated continuously until Day 7 (incubator group). After which all the embryos were removed, fixed and their development assessed. The results are shown in Table 2. The median embryonic stage of the test and control groups was 34, while that of the incubator group was 35. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov

(KS) test was used to estimate the probability of whether the distribution of embryo stages in the test group is different from that of the control Ponatinib mouse group. Their distributions were very similar with a P value of nearly 1.0 and a KS distance (D) of only 0.031 ( Supplementary Data Figure S1), which indicates that BMS-354825 molecular weight their profiles were almost identical. In contrast, using the KS test to compare the embryo stages in the control and incubator groups produced a very low P value of .003 with

a larger KS distance (D) of 0.502. The slight delay in development in both the test and control groups compared with the incubator group is expected because the temperature of the egg drops from 38°C to 19°C on removal from the incubator and this is known to slow down embryonic development [4]. The % of embryos in each group with retarded development (i.e., had not reached Stage 33 by the end of the experiment) and/or with developmental defects is also shown in Table 2. The developmental defects, which were seen in all three groups, included misshapen embryos and absence of eyes. There is only a small difference in the % of these abnormal embryos in the three groups: 13% in the control and incubator groups and 15% in the test group. Taken altogether, all these results show that high external magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients and rf pulse had no apparent adverse effect upon the early development of quail embryos. Micro-MRI can be safely used to follow normal development of live quail embryos, in ovo, over the first 8 days of development.

4B) The treatment with OA at 300 μM decreased the lipids content

4B). The treatment with OA at 300 μM decreased the lipids content by 56% compared to vehicle. The association of OA with PUFA (ω-3 and ω-6) increased the NL content compared to OA at 300 μM by: 30% and 25% for EPA and γA, respectively, http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ly2835219.html both at 50 μM and 37% for LA at 100 μM (Fig. 4C). OA associated with ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA did not alter the ROS production compared

to OA (Fig. 4D). FFA are important mediators of endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (Azekoshi et al., 2010). In this study, SA increased the EC death and ROS production, without affecting NL content. ω-3 PUFA did not protect EC from death induced by SA but increased the lipids content and decreased the ROS production. In contrast, ω-6 PUFA reduced cell death induced by SA, increased lipids accumulation and decreased ROS content. SA-induced cell death confirms the results obtained in previous studies (Artwohl et al., 2004 and Rioux and Legrand, 2007. Artwohl et al., 2008 showed that SA causes apoptosis of various EC lines selleck compound (HUVECs, HAECs, and EPCs HRECs). Saturated FA (stearic and palmitic acid) are the most abundant FFA in plasma (Hagenfeldt et al., 1972) and the major components of parenteral and enteral nutritional formulations, so the potential for adverse vascular effects initiated by saturated FA are cause for clinical concern. EC apoptosis plays an important role in endothelium

dysfunction and directly affects blood thrombogenicity through

the release of apoptotic microparticles into the bloodstream (Blann et al., 2009). ω-3 PUFA have important anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties (Massaro et al., 2008 and Suphioglu et al., 2010). Artwohl et al. (2008) showed that low EPA levels (5–20 μM) inhibits SA-induced apoptosis in HUVEC, HAEC, EPC and HREC. In our study, EPA increased the percentage of viable cells without affecting DNA fragmentation Selleckchem MK-3475 induced by SA. However a marked decrease in the proportion of cells with death signs was found in the treatment with ω-6 PUFA and SA. No significant association between LA (ω-6 PUFA) intake (or tissues levels) and CHD risk (Esrey et al., 1996 and Pietinen et al., 1997) and no consistent relations between stroke and LA intake (He et al., 2002 and Sauvaget et al., 2004) have been found. Herein, ω-6 PUFA protected EC from death induced by SA. SA did not affect EC NL content, but it does so in association of SA with ω-3 or ω-6 PUFA. Thus, PUFA, specially ω-6, may protect from SA-induced EC death by incorporating FA into NL (Cnop et al., 2001). ROS have been implicated in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. ROS can oxidize lipoproteins, limit the vascular availability of antiatherosclerotic NO, and promote vascular expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Treatment of ECV-304 cells with SA for 30 min led to an increase of ROS.

During the procedure, subjects were instructed to rinse their mou

During the procedure, subjects were instructed to rinse their mouth with water and chew a piece of sterilized rubber tourniquet to stimulate saliva, which was collected to yield

a total 1.0 mL. Samples were centrifuged CX-5461 price for 10 min at 15,000 × g at 4 °C, and the supernatants were immediately stored at −80 °C. The quantification of HBD-2 in saliva was done by an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay – ELISA (Peprotech, Rocky Hill, NJ, USA) according to manufacturer’s instructions. The process was carried as follows: 100 μL (0.25 μg/mL) of specific antibody (anti-HBD-2) was added to the 96-well polystyrene ELISA plates and incubated overnight (4 °C); after being washed four times with PBST (PBS with 0.05% Tween-20), 300 μL of a blocking solution (1% BSA in PBST) was added to the wells and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. Plates were then washed and 100 μL of the samples or standards were added into the respective PD0325901 purchase wells in duplicate and these plates were incubated for 2 h. After washing,

100 μL of detection antibody (0.5 μg/mL) was applied to the wells and plates were incubated for 2 h. After this period, plates were washed and 100 μL of streptavidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (1:2000 in PBST) was added to the respective wells and incubated for 30 min. Colorimetric reactions were developed using o-phenylenediamine in the presence of 0.02% H2O2. Reaction was stopped using H2SO4 (2N) and measured by an ELISA reader (OD 490 nm). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare means among groups. In case of significant differences among groups, post hoc two-group comparisons were assessed with a Tukey–Kramer test. The prevalence of P. gingivalis among groups was analysed using Dichloromethane dehalogenase the chi-square test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data are expressed as mean ± SE. Mean pocket depth (PD) and mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in subjects in the chronic periodontitis group than in those

in control. Clinical parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) improved by conventional periodontal treatment ( Table 1). Patients with chronic periodontitis showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the mean PAR2 mRNA expression relative to the GAPDH RT-PCR signal. Moreover, conventional periodontal treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased PAR2 mRNA expression ( Fig. 1A). Although being significantly (p < 0.05) more prevalent in patients with chronic periodontitis than in those in the control group, the levels of P. gingivalis decreased after periodontal therapy (p < 0.0001) ( Fig. 1B). Levels of TNF-α, that were also higher (p < 0.01) in chronic periodontitis patients also decreased after periodontal therapy (p < 0.001) ( Fig. 2A).

, 2008; USA) The groups were not different in terms of average b

, 2008; USA). The groups were not different in terms of average birth weight, length, head circumference, BMI, Apgar scores, age and growth parameters at enrolment. Feeding with breast milk or specific formula did not produce any reliable effect on growth within the period of observation. Initial saliva sIgA levels in infants from the all groups were similar but after 2 months a significant difference between two formula feeding groups developed. Saliva concentration of sIgA in infants fed with the formula supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS was rising like in the reference (breastfeeding) group. At the same time no obvious changes were

found in infants fed with the formula without scGOS/lcFOS (Fig. 2). Concentration of lysozyme in Epacadostat manufacturer feces of infants from the breastfeeding group was high at the inclusion into the study and moderately decreased after 2 months. In infants from the second and third groups, concentrations of fecal lysozyme were significantly lower at the inclusion into the study comparing to the first group. However, after 2 months fecal lysozyme content was significantly higher

in infants fed with the formula supplemented http://www.selleckchem.com/products/INCB18424.html with scGOS/lcFOS than in babies fed with the standard formula (Fig. 3). The lowest level of saliva α-1-3 defensin concentration we identified in infants was from the breastfeeding group. Defensins’ concentrations in babies fed with the formula supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS were similar to the values in the breastfeeding group and significantly different from the values of infants fed with the standard formula. The increased level of saliva α-1-3 defensins produced by neutrophils in infants from the third group may indirectly indicate formation of pathological bacterial gut colonization and as a result – protective distress of immune reactions (Fig. 4). Analyzing quantitative features of gut microbiocenosis we determined that breastfed infants had the highest content of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli

in feces (9.047 ± 1.075 and 7.26 ± 0.65 CFU/g accordingly). In infants fed with formula supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS fecal concentrations of bifidobacteria Teicoplanin and lactobacilli were similar to those in breastfed infants (8.92 ± 1.011 and 7.22 ± 0.74 CFU/g accordingly). In infants fed with the standard formula without oligosaccharides concentrations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in feces were significantly lower (7.81 ± 0.83 and 6.81 ± 0.93 CFU/g accordingly; p < 0.05 for the both comparisons) ( Table I). We have also found a higher concentration of Candida fungi in feces of infants from the third group in comparison with the other babies (3.97 [0; 7.2] CFU/g vs. 3.65 [0; 5.73] CFU/g and 3.82 [0; 6.4] CFU/g accordingly in the first and second groups; p > 0.05).

The estimated errors of approximation are given in Table 1 The b

The estimated errors of approximation are given in Table 1. The broad range of concentrations of the optically active components (OACs) contained in the

waters of the investigated lakes (e.g. chlorophyll a concentration Ca from ca 1 mg m−3 to 336 mg m−3) enables the influence of each group of these OACs on the reflectance spectra Rrs(λ) of these waters to be established. Three types of reflectance spectra with quite different shapes and values were distinguished. The first one, for waters with intermediate (or low) concentrations of all three OACs, has a conspicuous, broad peak in the 560–580 nm band (with maximum values of Rrs very much less than 0.01 sr−1), and two very weak, scarcely discernible peaks in the longwave bands. These type I spectra Rrs(λ) of the lake waters resemble those commonly observed for the Baltic Proper. The second type, for lake waters with very high CDOM concentrations AZD6244 (aCDOM(440 nm)> 10 m−1), has very low reflectance values (Rrs < 0.001 sr−1) over the entire spectral range, with two visible see more reflectance spectra peaks: a very weak one at ca 650 and a somewhat stronger one at 690–710 nm. The third type of spectrum Rrs(λ), for lake

waters with low CDOM concentrations (aCDOM(440 nm)< 5 m−1) and high chlorophyll a levels (Ca > 4 mg m−3, up to 336 mg m−3) exhibits three peaks (Rrs > 0.005 sr−1): a broad one at 560–580 nm, a smaller one at ca 650 nm and a well-pronounced one at 690–720 nm. The correlations of the relevant spectral reflectance bands with the chlorophyll a concentration and with the total SPM concentration for the lake waters have high coefficients of determination: R2 = 0.95 and 0.90 respectively. The correlation of the coloured dissolved organic matter absorption coefficient aCDOM(440 nm) with the spectral reflectance band ratio Rrs(570)/Rrs(655) is somewhat weaker, with a coefficient of determination R2 = 0.85. As expected, the errors in determining optically active components (OAC) with the new equations are also quite satisfactory. The standard error factors are as follows: for the estimated chlorophyll a

concentration x = 1.36, for the estimated total SPM concentration x = 1.56 and for the estimated coloured dissolved organic matter absorption coefficient x = 1.46. Adenosine triphosphate
“The high phytoplankton productivity in the Baltic (Hagström et al. 2001) makes it a key area on the European shelf as regards atmospheric CO2 uptake (Thomas et al. 2003, 2005). Since particulate organic matter (POM) is a carrier of carbon to the sediments, it plays an important role in the biological pump mechanism (e.g. Pempkowiak et al. 1984, Chisholm 2000, Turnewitsch et al. 2007). The measure of particulate organic matter is particulate organic carbon (POC). POC concentrations depend on the equilibrium between the sources and sinks of organic substances.

One class I study18 evaluated the effectiveness

of visual

One class I study18 evaluated the effectiveness

of visual attention training on the driving performance for 97 patients with stroke, extending a prior class III study by these investigators using the useful field of view.33 Training with useful field of view to address attention and processing speed was compared with traditional computerized visuoperceptual training. There were no significant differences between groups on measures of attention, visuoperception, or resumption of driving. The authors suggested that there was no benefit from targeting visual attention MK 2206 skills, but patients with right hemisphere stroke might benefit from specific skill training (eg, using a driving simulator). One class I study with 22 stroke patients20 investigated whether it is possible to strengthen the rehabilitation of visual hemineglect by combining a standard scanning intervention34 and 35 with optokinetic stimulation. Results replicated the beneficial effects of scanning training, but the addition of optokinetic stimulation did not further enhance visual scanning or attention. A class I study19 investigated whether the use of a visuospatial cue to focus attention improved performance

in areas of partially-defective residual vision during this website VRT. Visuospatial cuing extended the topographic pattern of recovery and improved vision within the cued area. This finding suggests that increased attention to the areas of partially-defective vision helps to compensate for the visual defect. Five class III studies22, 23, 26, 28 and 29 also investigated the effects of VRT on reducing the extent of visual field deficits, with some evidence that these changes are associated with subjective improvements in visual function and reading speed.26, 28 and 29 The task force

previously identified 9 class I studies demonstrating the efficacy of visual scanning training for visual neglect after right hemisphere stroke, providing strong support for this intervention as a Practice Standard (see table 3). Inclusion of limb activation or electronic technologies for visual scanning training was recommended as a Practice Option, PRKACG but a current class I study does not support the addition of optokinetic stimulation as a component of visual scanning treatment. 20 The task force previously recommended that visual restoration training to reduce the extent of damaged visual fields should be considered a Practice Option. In the current review, this recommendation is supported by class III evidence. A class I study suggests that a combination of top-down (cuing attention) and bottom-up (VRT) interventions, linking visual and attentional neuronal networks, may enhance conscious visual perception.

À partir de sa formation de néphrologue, dont il tirait des conna

À partir de sa formation de néphrologue, dont il tirait des connaissances physiopathologiques étendues et, par-dessus tout, une grande rigueur de raisonnement, il a contribué à former un grand nombre d’élèves dans de nombreux champs de la pédiatrie. Chef d’école, il a su tisser des relations humaines

très fortes, fruits de la confiance, la compréhension et le respect mutuels avec ses interlocuteurs. Visionnaire, il était estimé et respecté de tous, y compris des responsables de l’administration. Derrière la rigueur, et parfois la rudesse, se cachait une chaleur naturelle qui s’exprimait pleinement au milieu des siens avec lesquels il s’épanouissait, chaleureux, affectueux et attentif. Nous aussi qui l’avons côtoyé pendant des années pouvons témoigner de ce qu’il savait écouter, encourager et partager : où qu’il soit et Selleckchem Afatinib quel que soit son interlocuteur, il était un homme bon, clairvoyant, droit et fidèle, un homme

de bien. Le Pays Basque où il repose maintenant avait gardé une importance essentielle dans toute sa vie. Nul ne l’ignorait quand à la fin d’un repas on l’entendait chanter dans la langue de son pays, d’une voix magnifique et puissante. Chef d’école de haute stature, maître reconnu, Henri Mathieu a permis l’épanouissement de la pédiatrie hospitalo-universitaire initiée par Robert Debré et Pierre Royer. see more Il nous manquera longtemps. “
“Une erreur s’est malencontreusement introduite dans le Bulletin Infovac du numéro d’octobre 2012 des Archives de pédiatrie (Archives de pédiatrie 19 (2012) 1140–1141). En effet, le Professeur Daniel Floret ne

participe à Infovac depuis septembre 2011 et n’est donc pas un des co-auteurs de cet article. Nous nous excusons auprès de lui et de nos lecteurs pour la gêne Meloxicam occasionnée. La Rédaction “
“Le professeur Pierre Lequien est décédé le 14 novembre dernier au terme d’une vie exceptionnellement active. Sa disparition à l’âge de 74 ans a créé une profonde émotion dans le monde de la périnatologie française, dont il fut un pionnier enthousiaste et infatigable. Pierre Lequien a été nommé interne des hôpitaux de Lille en 1962, docteur en médecine en 1969, puis chef de clinique de 1970 à 1975. Il devient alors professeur agrégé de pédiatrie en 1975, chef de service de la médecine néonatale en 1982, et coordonnateur de la clinique de gynécologieobstétrique-néonatologie de l’hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre en 2001. Ce curriculum vitae déjà impressionnant n’est pourtant qu’un pâle reflet de ce qu’a été sa carrière. Je cite quelques épisodes dont il m’a parlé et qui témoignent d’un parcours particulièrement éclectique. À la fin de sa formation, Pierre Lequien a été le seul médecin pendant plusieurs mois d’une île perdue des Caraïbes (l’île de la Tortue). Il a passé une partie de son clinicat en physiologie expérimentale dont il a gardé un gout prononcé pour la recherche.

That was not reflected in our data; during winter

That was not reflected in our data; during winter compound screening assay and spring the daily mortality rate were the lowest, while increasing from spring to summer (about 0.80). However this was most likely caused by relatively low abundance of this species, meaning that effect of predation was negligible, and other processes like advective transport were more visible. Although the data obtained from this study are too scarce to draw any long-term conclusions, they seem to fit to the trends observed in other parts of the

Baltic Sea, mostly increase in standing stocks of Acartia spp. and T. longicornis and decrease of Pseudocalanus sp. decline ( Dippner et al., 2000, Möllmann and Köster, 2002, Möllmann et al., 2000, Möllmann et al., 2005 and Renz et al., 2007). The same effect was also observed in production rates of those species, especially Pseudocalanus sp. which had production rates observed in bay that were several times lower than that observed in Central Baltic ( Möllmann and Köster, 2002 and Renz et al., 2007). Results obtained in this investigation show higher mortality of selleck chemicals major copepod taxa than it was observed in 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. As the growing trend in the Gulf of Gdańsk seems to be reflecting the situation in other parts of Baltic Sea this could be caused by increased predation of clupeid fish on zooplankton, and it is similar to the situation observed at the beginning of 1990s. This research

was carried out with the support of a grant from the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (No. NN306 353239). “
“Intensification of human activities regarding new technologies, especially inventing new substances, progress in medicine and pharmaceutical industry and the extension

of needs in progressing civilization in general, results in increasing anthropogenic pressure on the natural environment. The release of large amounts of chemical substances to the environment poses currently one of the serious Isoconazole problems as neither their effects nor their distribution among the environment components is well recognized. Therefore, the assessment of the environmental status became the key issue at present in order to support appropriate decisions on measures aiming at reduction of the pressures and restoration of the undisturbed functioning of the ecosystem. The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (HELCOM, 2007) is an example of such a voluntary initiative of countries wishing to have back a healthy sea, and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (Anon., 2000) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (Anon., 2008) are the examples of strong legal actions that bind countries to undertake measures aiming at protection of the marine environment. Nonetheless, the first stage in any counter-measure is the appropriate assessment of the current environmental status and comparison with certain reference status assumed as the desired one.