Phenotypic differentiation between wild and domesticated varieties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crescentia cujete</Emphasis>L. and culturally relevant uses of their fruits as bowls in the Yucatan Peninsula,Mexico

Background

Selection criteria are important for analyzing domestication of perennial plant species, which experience a selection pressure throughout several human generations. We analyze the preferred morphological characteristics of Crescentia cujete fruits, which are used as bowls by the Maya of Yucatan, according to the uses they are given and the phenotypic consequences of artificial selection between one wild and three domesticated varieties.

Methods

We performed 40 semi-structured interviews in seven communities. We calculated Sutrop’s salience index (S) of five classes of ceremonial and daily life uses, and of each item from the two most salient classes. We sampled 238 bowls at homes of people interviewed and compared their shape, volume and thickness with 139 fruits collected in homegardens and 179 from the wild. Morphology of varieties was assessed in fruit (n?=?114 trees) and vegetative characters (n?=?136 trees). Differences between varieties were evaluated through linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

Results

Use of bowls as containers for the Day of the Dead offerings was the most salient class (S?=?0.489) with chocolate as its most salient beverage (S?=?0.491), followed by consumption of daily beverages (S?=?0.423), especially maize-based pozol (S?=?0.412). The sacred saka’ and balche' are offered in different sized bowls during agricultural and domestic rituals. Roundness was the most relevant character for these uses, as bowls from households showed a strong selection towards round shapes compared with wild and homegarden fruits. Larger fruits from domesticated varieties were also preferred over small wild fruits, although in the household different sizes of the domesticated varieties are useful. LDA separated wild from domesticated trees (p?<?0.001) according to both fruit and vegetative variables, but domesticated varieties were not different among themselves.

Conclusions

The association between C. cujete bowls and traditional beverages in ritual and daily life situations has driven for centuries the selection of preferred fruit morphology in this tree. Selection of fruit roundness and volume has allowed for the differentiation between the wild variety and the three domesticated ones, counteracting gene flow among them. By choosing the best fruits from domesticated varieties propagated in homegardens, the Maya people model the domestication process of this important tree in their culture.

     

Perfectly registered multiphoton and reflectance confocal video rate imaging of in vivo human skin

We present a multimodal in vivo skin imaging instrument that is capable of simultaneously acquiring multiphoton and reflectance confocal images at up to 27 frames per second with 256 × 256 pixel resolution without the use of exogenous contrast agents. A single femtosecond laser excitation source is used for all channels ensuring perfect image registration between the two‐photon fluorescence (TPF), second harmonic generation (SHG), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) images. Images and videos acquired with the system show that the three imaging channels provide complementary information in in vivo human skin measurements. In the epidermis, cell boundaries are clearly seen in the RCM channel, while cytoplasm is better seen in the TPF imaging channel, whereas in the dermis, SHG and TPF channels show collagen bundles and elastin fibers, respectively. The demonstrated fast imaging speed and multimodal imaging capabilities of this MPM/RCM instrument are essential features for future clinical application of this technique. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The stacked over-expression of FPS, CYP71AV1 and CPR genes leads to the increase of artemisinin level in Artemisia annua L.

Artemisinin is an endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L., and is presently the most potent anti-malarial drug. Owing to the low yield of artemisinin from A. annua as well as the widespread application of artemisinin-based combination therapy recommended by the World Health Organization, the global demand for artemisinin is substantially increasing and is therefore rendering artemisinin in short supply. An economical way to increase artemisinin production is to increase the content of artemisinin in A. annua. In this study, three key genes in the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway, encoding farnesyl diphosphate synthase, amorpha-4, 11-diene C-12 oxidase and its redox partner cytochrome P450 reductase, were over-expressed in A. annua through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic lines were confirmed by Southern blotting and the over-expressions of the genes were demonstrated by real-time PCR assays. The HPLC analysis showed that the artemisinin contents in transgenic lines were increased significantly, with the highest one found to be 3.6-fold higher (2.9 mg/g FW) than that of the control. These results demonstrate that multigene engineering is an effective way to enhance artemisinin content in A. annua.     

Clinical case: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with pulmonary hypertension – clinical management

Background

Combined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with pulmonary emphysema (CPFE) is a syndrome with a characteristic presentation of upper lobe emphysema and lower lobe fibrosis. While CPFE is a strong determinant of secondary precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH), there is limited evidence regarding the management of patients with CPFE and PH.

Case presentation

A 63 year-old male presented in 2006 with dyspnoea on exertion having quit smoking in 2003. Clinical examination, together with high resolution computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and echocardiographic assessments, suggested a diagnosis of CPFE without PH. In 2007, the patient received intravenous cyclophosphamide, N-acetylcysteine, and short-term anticoagulation treatment. Due to remission of acute exacerbations, the patient received triple combination therapy (prednisone, N-acetylcysteine and azathioprine). Upon progressive clinical worsening, long-term supplemental oxygen therapy was initiated in 2009. Repeated right heart catheterisation in 2011 confirmed PH and worsening pulmonary haemodynamics, and off-label ambrisentan therapy was initiated. Dyspnoea remained at follow-up, although significant haemodynamic improvement was observed.

Conclusion

CFPE is a distinct but under-recognized and common syndrome with a characteristic presentation. Further studies are needed to ascertain the etiology, morbidity, and mortality of CPEF with or without PH, and to evaluate novel management options.

     

Clinical case: Differential diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can be quite challenging, even after careful clinical evaluation, imaging and pathological tests. This case report intends to demonstrate and discuss these difficulties, especially those concerning the differential diagnosis with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old white male presented with shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue and weight loss for two months. He was a former smoker and had regular exposure to a parakeet and poultry. Physical examination revealed bilateral basal crackles and chest imaging showed subpleural cystic lesions and traction bronchiectasis with a right side and upper level predominance. Auto-antibodies and IgG immunoglobulins to parakeet and fungal proteins were negative. Lung function tests displayed moderate restriction, low diffusion capacity and resting hypoxaemia. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed increased lymphocytes (28%) and neutrophils (12%) and surgical lung biopsy was compatible with a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. According to the possibility of either idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, treatment included prednisolone, azathioprine, acetylcysteine and avoidance of contact with the parakeet, but there was an unfavorable response and the patient was subsequently referred for lung transplant.

Conclusion

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can present with the same clinical and radiological manifestations In this case, despite careful evaluation, no definite diagnosis could be achieved.