Viola suavis, a new species in the Nordic flora, with analyses of the relation to other species in the subsection Viola (Violaceae)

Evidence from cytology, enzyme markers and morphometry suggest that a species of Viola (Violaceae) collected in southeastern Norway should be referred to V. suavis , although differing in some phenotypic traits. V. suavis is not previously known from the Nordic countries, but must now be regarded as an established member of the Norwegian flora. It was probably introduced more than a century ago, providing an interesting analogy to the situation of V. alba in Öland (Sweden). Thus, it seems like human activity have played a role for expanding the distribution areas of several of the species within Viola subsection Viola (V. alba, V. hirta, V. odorata and V. suavis ). Electrophoretic evidence showed that the basal chromosome number of the subsection is x=5. V. suavis (2n=40) is allo-octoploid, and closely related tetraploid taxa were easily recognized. However, it is difficult to trace its origin to lower-ploid ancestors, and it seems likely that the complex may have contained extinct taxa with other allelic combinations that better explain the origin of V. suavis .     

A Comparison of Disease Burden in Rheumatoid Arthritis,Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis

Objective

The main objective of this study was to compare disease burden in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, all the RA (1093), PsA (365) and ax-SpA (333) patients who visited the out-patient clinic of the Hospital of Southern Norway Trust during the year 2013 were included; the RA patients all had a RA diagnosis verified by the treating rheumatologist, the PsA patients all fulfilled the ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria and the ax-SpA patients all fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria for ax-SpA. Patient-reported health status, demographic variables, medications, and composite scores of disease activity were assessed. The main analyses were performed using General Linear Models adjusted for age, sex and multiple comparisons. Correlation analyses were performed using Spearman’s rho.

Results

The reported pain, joint pain, patient’s global assessment and fatigue were similar in PsA and ax-SpA, but significantly lower in RA. The 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) (0.3±0.1, p = 0.003), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) (1.0±0.4, p = 0.028) and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) (0.4±0.1, p = 0.004) were all significantly higher in PsA vs. RA. RAPID3 showed moderate to high correlation with DAS28 (rho = 0.521, p<0.001) and CDAI (rho = 0.768, p<0.001) in RA and PsA, and with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (rho = 0.902, p<0.001) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) (0.865, p<0.001) in ax-SpA and PsA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, patient- reported outcome measures were similar in our population of PsA and ax-SpA patients, but significantly lower for the RA patients. Composite disease activity measures were lower in RA than in PsA and ax-SpA, but the magnitude of these differences was small and probably not of clinical significance. Our study indicates that disease burden in RA, PsA and ax-SpA may be more similar than previously demonstrated.     

Emotion Reactivity Is Increased 4-6 Weeks Postpartum in Healthy Women: A Longitudinal fMRI Study

Marked endocrine alterations occur after delivery. Most women cope well with these changes, but the postpartum period is associated with an increased risk of depressive episodes. Previous studies of emotion processing have focused on maternal–infant bonding or postpartum depression (PPD), and longitudinal studies of the neural correlates of emotion processing throughout the postpartum period in healthy women are lacking. In this study, 13 women, without signs of post partum depression, underwent fMRI with an emotional face matching task and completed the MADRS-S, STAI-S, and EPDS within 48 h (early postpartum) and 4–6 weeks after delivery (late postpartum). Also, data from a previous study including 15 naturally cycling controls assessed in the luteal and follicular phase of the menstrual cycle was used. Women had lower reactivity in insula, middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in the early as compared to the late postpartum assessment. Insular reactivity was positively correlated with anxiety in the early postpartum period and with depressive symptoms late postpartum. Reactivity in insula and IFG were greater in postpartum women than in non-pregnant control subjects. Brain reactivity was not correlated with serum estradiol or progesterone levels. Increased reactivity in the insula, IFG, and MFG may reflect normal postpartum adaptation, but correlation with self-rated symptoms of depression and anxiety in these otherwise healthy postpartum women, may also suggest that these changes place susceptible women at increased risk of PPD. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neurobiological aspects of the postpartum period, which might shed light on the mechanisms underlying affective puerperal disorders, such as PPD.     

The uses of Kenyan aloes: an analysis of implications for names,distribution and conservation

Background

The genus Aloe is renowned for its medicinal and cosmetic properties and long history of use. Sixty-three Aloe species occur in Kenya, of which around 50 % are endemic. Several species of aloes are threatened with extinction and knowledge about their use is of major importance for sound conservation strategies. The main aims of this study were to assess the biocultural value of Aloe in Kenya by documenting local uses of aloes and evaluating how the vernacular names reflect the relative importance in different ethnic groups.

Methods

Ethnobotanical and ethnotaxonomical data were collected using field observations and semi-structured interviews. Information was collected by interviewing 63 respondents from nine different ethnic groups, representing different ages, gender and occupations. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.1.2.

Results

A total of 19 species of Aloe were found in the study area, of which 16 were used. On the generic level Aloe was easily distinguished. At species level, the local and scientific delimitation were almost identical for frequently used taxa. Aloe secundiflora, with 57 unique use records was the most important species. The two most frequently mentioned Aloe treatments, were malaria and poultry diseases. In our study area neither age nor gender had a significant influence on the level of knowledge of Aloe use. Finally, no correlation was found between extent of use and people’s perception of decrease in local aloe populations. The aloes are highly appreciated and are therefore propagated and transported over large areas when people relocate.

Conclusion

Biocultural value is reflected in the ethnotaxonomy of Aloe in Kenya. Different ethnic groups recognise their most-valued Aloe at the genus level as “the aloe” and add explanatory names for the other species, such as the “spotted aloe” and the “one-legged aloe”. Widespread species of Aloe have the highest number of uses. There is no obvious correlation with high use and decrease in abundance of aloes locally, and we found no compelling evidence for local uses causing devastating damage to populations of the 19 species in use, whereas habitat loss and commercial harvesting appear to be of urgent concern for these important plants.

     

A Case Control Study Reveals that Polyomaviruria Is Significantly Associated with Interstitial Cystitis and Vesical Ulceration

Objectives

To investigate whether polyomaviruses contribute to interstitial cystitis pathogenesis.

Subjects and Methods

A prospective study was performed with 50 interstitial cystitis cases compared with 50 age-matched, disease-free controls for the frequency of polyomaviruria. Associations between polyomaviruria and disease characteristics were analysed in cases. Polyomavirus in urine and bladder tissue was detected with species (JC virus vs. BK virus) specific, real-time PCR.

Results

Case patients were reflective of interstitial cystitis epidemiology with age range from 26–88 years (median 58) and female predominance (41/50 F). There was a significant increase in the frequency of polyomavirus shedding between cases and controls (p<0.02). Polyomavirus shedding, in particular BK viruria, was associated with vesical ulceration, a marker of disease severity, among interstitial cystitis cases after adjustment for age and sex (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.89–24.4). There was a significant association among cases between the presence of BK viruria and response to intravesical Clorpactin therapy (OR 4.50, 95% CI 1.17–17.4).

Conclusion

The presence of polyomaviruria was found to be associated with the ulcerative form of interstitial cystitis. Clorpactin, which has anti-DNA virus activity, was more likely to improve symptoms in the presence of BK viruria. These data from this pilot study suggest associations between polyomaviruria and interstitial cystitis warranting further investigation.     

Social Behavioral Deficits Coincide with the Onset of Seizure Susceptibility in Mice Lacking Serotonin Receptor 2c

The development of social behavior is strongly influenced by the serotonin system. Serotonin 2c receptor (5-HT_2cR) is particularly interesting in this context considering that pharmacological modulation of 5-HT_2cR activity alters social interaction in adult rodents. However, the role of 5-HT_2cR in the development of social behavior is unexplored. Here we address this using Htr2c knockout mice, which lack 5-HT_2cR. We found that these animals exhibit social behavior deficits as adults but not as juveniles. Moreover, we found that the age of onset of these deficits displays similar timing as the onset of susceptibility to spontaneous death and audiogenic-seizures, consistent with the hypothesis that imbalanced excitation and inhibition (E/I) may contribute to social behavioral deficits. Given that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) features social behavioral deficits and is often co-morbid with epilepsy, and given that 5-HT_2cR physically interacts with Pten, we tested whether a second site mutation in the ASD risk gene Pten can modify these phenotypes. The age of spontaneous death is accelerated in mice double mutant for Pten and Htr2c relative to single mutants. We hypothesized that pharmacological antagonism of 5-HT_2cR activity in adult animals, which does not cause seizures, might modify social behavioral deficits in Pten haploinsufficient mice. SB 242084, a 5-HT_2cR selective antagonist, can reverse the social behavior deficits observed in Pten haploinsufficient mice. Together, these results elucidate a role of 5-HT_2cR in the modulation of social behavior and seizure susceptibility in the context of normal development and Pten haploinsufficiency.     

Methylene amine substituted arylindenopyrimidines as potent adenosine A2A/A1 antagonists

A novel series of arylindenopyrimidines were identified as A_2A and A₁ receptor antagonists. The series was optimized for in vitro activity by substituting the 8- and 9-positions with methylene amine substituents. The compounds show excellent activity in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease when dosed orally.     

Activation of VPAC1 receptors aggravates early atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Objective: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino acid peptide widely expressed in the body and binding three types of receptors: VPAC₁-R, VPAC₂-R and PAC₁-R. Based on beneficial effects of VIP and VPAC₁-R agonists in mouse models of several chronic inflammatory disorders, we hypothesized that activation of VIP receptors would prevent atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.Methods and results: Contrary to our hypothesis, administration of a VPAC₁-R agonist, (Ala^11,22,28)-VIP aggravated atherosclerotic lesion development in the aortic root of these mice compared to control mice. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of MHC class II protein I-A^b, and suggests enhanced inflammatory activity in the vessel wall. The amount of macrophage-specific CD68 staining as well as serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change as a result of the (Ala^11,22,28)-VIP treatment, i.e. the treatment resulted in significant changes in lipid accumulation in the lesions without changing the number of macrophages or systemic lipid levels. Interestingly, administration of VIP did not alter the course of the disease.Conclusion: Despite beneficial effects in murine models of several inflammatory disorders, VPAC₁-R activation aggravates atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice through enhanced inflammatory activity in the vessel wall.