Pollen morphology of Lathyrus (Leguminosae) taxa belonging to Lathyrus, Orobastrum and Cicercula sections from Turkey

The pollen morphology of 20 wild taxa belonging to Lathyrus (Syn: Eulathyrus), Orobastrum (Taub.) Boiss. and Cicercula (Medic.) Gren. & Godr. sections of Lathyrus L. grown in Turkey (L. rotundifolius Wild. subsp. miniatus (Bieb. ex Steven) P.H. Davis, L. grandiflorus Sibth. & Sm., L. saxatilis (Vent.) Vis., L. vinealis Boiss. & No?, L. inconspicuus L. var. inconspicuus, L. inconspicuus var. stenophyllus (Boiss.) Rech. f., L. tauricola P.H. Davis, L. woronowii Bornm., L. hierosolymitanus Boiss., L. cassius Boiss., L. gorgoni Parl. var. gorgoni, L. pseudo-cicera Pamp., L. sativus L., L. blepharicarpus Boiss., L. stenophyllus Boiss. & Heldr., L. belinensis Maxted & Goyder, L. phaselitanus Hub.-Mor. & P.H.Davis, L. chrysanthus Boiss., L. chloranthus Boiss., and L. trachycarpus (Boiss.) Boiss were examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in this study. The pollen grains were 3-zonocolporate, spheroidal, subprolate, and prolate (P/E?=?0.99–1.48) types, and were medium in size (equatorial view: rectangular or elliptical-obtuse-convex; polar view: circular, triangular and quinquangular-obtuse-convex). The smallest pollen grains belonged to L. tauricola (P?=?30.94/E?=?31.20) and the largest to L. grandiflorus (P?=?50.60/E?=?36.40). The ornamentation was reticulate and reticulate-granulate in the mesocolpium, and usually psilate in the apocolpium. Some photographs included in this work were taken using both LM and SEM.     

Flow cytometry distinction between species and between landraces within Lathyrus species and assessment of true-to-typeness of in vitro regenerants

The genus Lathyrus includes a number of neglected wild relatives of pea with potential as genetic resources for acquisition of stress resistance traits, but, due to little breeding, genotypes under culture are mainly landraces and seldom true varieties. Development of in vitro approaches for Lathyrus is also limited, and assessments of nuclear DNA content, for taxonomical or breeding purposes, are sparse. Genome size and AT/GC ratio were determined by flow cytometry, allowing for distinction between protein and forage L. sativus, L. cicera, L. ochrus and L. clymenum and the ornamental sweet pea (L. odoratus), and also between landraces within L. sativus L. and L. cicera L. In addition, explants from in vitro seedlings of eight genotypes from the five Lathyrus species above were cultivated in vitro, plant regeneration was achieved for all landraces and species, and the nuclear DNA content of the regenerants was compared with that of their mother plants, whereby the true-to-typeness of such regenerants was confirmed.     

Transferability of molecular markers from major legumes to Lathyrus spp. for their application in mapping and diversity studies

Lathyrus cicera L. (chickling pea) and L. sativus L. (grass pea) have great potential among grain legumes due to their adaptability to inauspicious environments, high protein content and resistance to serious diseases. Nevertheless, due to its past underused, further activities are required to exploit this potential and to capitalise on the advances in molecular biology that enable improved Lathyrus spp. breeding programmes. In this study we evaluated the transferability of molecular markers developed for closely related legume species to Lathyrus spp. (Medicago truncatula, pea, lentil, faba bean and lupin) and tested the application of those new molecular tools on Lathyrus mapping and diversity studies. Genomic and expressed sequence tag microsatellite, intron-targeted amplified polymorphic, resistance gene analogue and defence-related gene markers were tested. In total 128 (27.7 %) and 132 (28.6 %) molecular markers were successfully cross-amplified, respectively in L. cicera and L. sativus. In total, the efficiency of transferability from genomic microsatellites was 5 %, and from gene-based markers, 55 %. For L. cicera, three cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers and one derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker based on the cross-amplified markers were also developed. Nine of those molecular markers were suitable for mapping in a L. cicera recombinant inbred line population. From the 17 molecular markers tested for diversity analysis, six (35 %) in L. cicera and seven (41 %) in L. sativus were polymorphic and discriminate well all the L. sativus accessions. Additionally, L. cicera accessions were clearly distinguished from L. sativus accessions. This work revealed a high number of transferable molecular markers to be used in current genomic studies in Lathyrus spp. Although their usefulness was higher on diversity studies, they represent the first steps for future comparative mapping involving these species.     

Pollen morphology of Lathyrus (Fabaceae) taxa in the Platystylis section from Turkey

In this study, the pollen morphology of 18 wild taxa of Lathyrus L. grown in Turkey: L. pallescens (Bieb.) Koch, L. brachypterus Cel., L. haussknechtii Sirj., L. karsianus P. H. Davis, L. satdaghensis P. H. Davis, L. nivalis Hand.-Mazz, L. atropatanus (Grossh.) Sir., L. armenus (Boiss. and Huet) Sirj., L. cyaneus (Stev.) Koch var. cyaneus, L. cyaneus var. pinnatus?Davis, L. digitatus (Bieb.) Fiori, L. tukhtensis Czecz., L. variabilis (Boiss. and Ky.) Maly, L. spathulatus Cel. L. elongatus (Bornm.) Sirj., L. cilicicus Hayek and Siehe, L. boissieri Sirj., and L. bitlisicus Pe?men was examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains were 3-zonocolporate, of spheroidal-subprolate-prolate (P/E?=?0.957?C1.252) types, and medium in size. Equatorial view: rectangular or elliptical-obtuse-convex, polar view: circular, triangular or quinquangular-obtuse-convex. The smallest pollen grains belonged to L. elongatus (P?=?36.972/E?=?38.636) and the largest to L. cyaneus var. cyaneus (P?=?46.332/E?=?32.864). The ornamentation was perforate-foveolate or slightly reticulate. Some photographs included in this work were taken using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.     

Pollen morphology of some taxa of Vicia L. subgenus Vicia (Fabaceae) from Turkey

In this study, the pollen morphology of 11 taxa belonging to Atossa (Alef.) Asch. & Graebner, Hypechusa (Alef.) Asch. & Graebner, Peregrinae Kupicha, Wiggersia (Alef.) Maxted, Vicia L. and Narbonensis (Radzhi) Maxted sections of the genus Vicia L. subgenus Vicia (Fabeae, Fabaceae) naturally growing in Turkey has been studied using Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of pollen characters. Twelve morphometric characters are analysed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test for multiple comparisons. Of the taxa studied V. narbonensis var. narbonensis (sect. Narbonensis) has the largest pollen grains (P = 51.98 μm × E = 30.52 μm) and V. lathyroides (sect. Wiggersia) has the smallest pollen grains (P = 27.71 μm × E = 20.14 μm). The pollen grains are subprolate to perprolate (P/E = 1.16–2.11), but the prolate shape occurs in the majority of the taxa. The regular pollen grains of all taxa are trizonocolporate, isopolar, and released in monads. Ornamentation of the mesocolpium is psilate-perforate in V. lathyroides (sect. Wiggersia), reticulate-rugulate in V. narbonensis var. narbonensis (sect. Narbonensis), (micro)reticulate in V. sericocarpa var. sericocarpa (sect. Hypechusa), V. sativa subsp. sativa (sect. Vicia) and V. grandiflora var. grandiflora (sect. Vicia), and reticulate-perforate in the remaining taxa. The apocolpium and colpus area are psilate or perforate in all taxa except V. sericocarpa var. sericocarpa (sect. Hypechusa) and V. sativa subsp. sativa (sect. Vicia), which exhibit the obscurely reticulate-perforate pattern. Several palynological features have taxonomic importance in sectional level: polar axis, equatorial diameter, pollen shape (P/E ratio), colpus length, colpus width, size of pori, porus length/width ratio, lumina diameter, muri thickness and ornamentation. The results also indicate that pollen characters can be useful in distinguishing the examined taxa.     

A palynological study of the genus Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae)

The pollen morphology of forty taxa of the genus Nepeta L. was studied and documented in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy in this study. Nepeta L. pollen grains are small to large (P = 18.64–63.46 μm, E = 15.62–46.33 μm), suboblate to perprolate (P/E = 0.86–2.09) in shape and hexacolpate (very rarely tetracolpate) with granular membranes. Alternate position of colpi occurs in six Nepeta taxa, N. nuda ssp. glandulifera, N. concolor, N. crinita, N. congesta var. cryptantha, N. stricta var. stricta and N. sibthorpii ssp. tumeniana. In examinations of exine ornamentation with SEM, two types of pollen grains were recognized: (1) type I, with microreticulate sculpture; and (2) type II with bireticulate sculpture, type I and II to be divided into two and five subtypes, respectively. In the two taxa with microreticulate pattern, N. pilinux and N. sulfuriflora, a tendency towards a bireticulum could be recognized due to traces of secondary tectal connections. The bireticulate exine ornamentation is characterized with varying characteristics of the primary muri and secondary reticulum. Pollen morphology within the genus is compared with infrageneric relationships.     

Characterization and distinction of two subspecies of Eryngium duriaei J. Gay ex Boiss., an Iberian endemic Apiaceae, using flow cytometry and essential oils composition

Eryngium duriaei (Apiaceae) is an endemic taxa from Iberian Peninsula. Some doubts exist in the literature about the taxa relationships, especially among Iberian populations at different altitudes. Also, as other Apiaceae, this species presents a large potential for essential oil production. Considering all this, a multidisciplinary study comprising taxonomic, cytological (using flow cytometry and chromosome counts) and chemical (essential oils) analyses was performed with the objective to morphologically characterize this species and to evaluate the cytotaxonomical and chemical diversity of E. duriaei Portuguese populations. FCM and chromosome counts have shown that every individual presented the same ploidy level, i.e., 2n = 2x = 16 chromosomes. However, flow cytometric analyses revealed that individuals of E. duriaei from higher altitudes (»1,700 m) presented a significantly higher genome size than those belonging to E. duriaei populations below 1,700 m (2C = 6.20 ± 0.04 vs. 2C = 5.52 ± 0.05 pg). Moreover, the essential oils analyses revealed that most chemical constituents were sesquiterpenes, but relevant differences in the main components were observed: α-neocallitropsene (28–53 %), β-betulenal (8.5–15.8 %) and 14-hydroxy-β-caryophyllene (5.8–13.7 %) were the main compounds of Eryngium duriaei oil below 1,700 m, whereas caryophyllene oxide (47 %) and E-caryophyllene (6 %) were the major compounds of E. duriaei oil of higher altitude populations. The results provide important evidences to support the taxonomic separation of E. duriaei in two taxa: E. duriaei J. Gay ex Boiss. subsp. duriaei and E. duriaei subsp. juresianum (M. Laínz) M. Laínz, as previously considered by this author.     

Magnesium Supplementation and the Effects on Wound Healing and Metabolic Status in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of magnesium administration on wound healing and metabolic status in subjects with DFU. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 70 subjects with grade 3 DFU. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (35 subjects each group) to receive either 250 mg magnesium oxide supplements or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention wound depth and appearance were scored in accordance with the “Wagner-Meggitt’s” wound assessment tool. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to assess related markers. After the 12-week treatment, compared with the placebo, magnesium supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum magnesium (+0.3 ± 0.3 vs. ?0.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and significant reductions in ulcer length (?1.8 ± 2.0 vs. ?0.9 ± 1.1 cm, P = 0.01), width (?1.6 ± 2.0 vs. ?0.8 ± 0.9 cm, P = 0.02), and depth (?0.8 ± 0.8 vs. ?0.3 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.003). In addition, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (?45.4 ± 82.6 vs. ?10.6 ± 53.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04), serum insulin values (?2.4 ± 5.6 vs. +1.5 ± 9.6 μIU/mL, P = 0.04), and HbA1c (?0.7 ± 1.5 vs. ?0.1 ± 0.4%, P = 0.03) and a significant rise in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. ?0.004 ± 0.02, P = 0.01) were seen following supplementation of magnesium compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium resulted in significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (?19.6 ± 32.5 vs. ?4.8 ± 11.2 mg/L, P = 0.01) and significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+6.4 ± 65.2 vs. ?129.9 ± 208.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium supplementation for 12 weeks among subjects with DFU had beneficial effects on parameters of ulcer size, glucose metabolism, serum hs-CRP, and plasma TAC levels. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201612225623N96     

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of homoarginine,arginine, asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine,nitrite and nitrate in patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

The pathogenic hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are cellular and humoral inflammatory infiltrates and subsequent demyelination, or astrocytic cell death in NMO, respectively. These processes are accompanied by disruption of the blood–brain barrier as regularly observed by gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. The role of the l-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the pathophysiology of neuroinflammatory diseases, such as MS and NMO, remains unclear. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of the nitric oxide (NO) metabolites nitrate and nitrite, the endogenous substrates of NO synthase (NOS) l-arginine (Arg) and l-homoarginine (hArg), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), the endogenous inhibitor of NOS activity, in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS, NMO or other neurologic diseases (OND). MS (551 ± 23 nM, P = 0.004) and NMO (608 ± 51 nM, P = 0.006) patients have higher ADMA concentrations in serum than healthy controls (HC; 430 ± 24 nM). For MS, this finding was confirmed in CSF (685 ± 100 nM in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, RRMS; 597 ± 51 nM in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, SPMS) compared with OND (514 ± 37 nM; P = 0.003). Serum concentrations of Arg (61.1 ± 9.7 vs. 63.6 ± 4.9 µM, P = 0.760), hArg (2.62 ± 0.26 vs. 2.52 ± 0.23 µM, P = 0.891), nitrate (38.1 ± 2.2 vs. 38.1 ± 3.0 µM) and nitrite (1.37 ± 0.09 vs. 1.55 ± 0.03 µM) did not differ between MS and OND. Also, CSF concentrations of hArg (0.685 ± 0.100 µM in RRMS, 0.597 ± 0.051 µM in SPMS, 0.514 ± 0.037 µM in OND), nitrate (11.3 ± 0.6 vs. 10.5 ± 0.3 µM) and nitrite (2.84 ± 0.32 vs. 2.41 ± 0.11 µM) did not differ between the groups. In NMO patients, however, serum Arg (117 ± 11 vs. 64 ± 4.9 μM, P = 0.004), nitrate (29 ± 2.1 vs. 38 ± 3 μM, P = 0.03), and nitrite (1.09 ± 0.02 vs. 1.55 ± 0.033 µM, P < 0.0001) were significantly different as compared to OND. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentration did not differ in serum between MS and HC (779 ± 43 vs. 755 ± 58 nM, P = 0.681) or in CSF between MS and OND patients (237 ± 11 vs. 230 ± 17 nM, P = 0.217). Our study suggests a potential role for ADMA and Arg in neuroinflammatory diseases with diverse functions in MS and NMO. Higher ADMA synthesis may explain reduced NO availability in NMO. hArg and SDMA seem not to play an important role in MS and NMO.     

Association between the rs6950982 polymorphism near the SERPINE1 gene and blood pressure and lipid parameters in a high-cardiovascular-risk population: interaction with Mediterranean diet

The SERPINE1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 1) gene, better known by its previous symbol PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1), has been associated with cardiovascular phenotypes with differing results. Our aim was to examine the association between the rs6950982 (G > A) near the SERPINE1 gene, blood pressure (BP) and plasma lipid concentrations as well as the modulation of the polymorphism effects by adherence to Mediterranean diet (AMD). We studied 945 high-cardiovascular-risk subjects. Biochemical, clinical, dietary and genetic data (rs6950982) were obtained. We also determined the common rs1799768 (4G/5G), for checking independent effects. AMD was measured by a validated questionnaire, and four groups were considered. rs6950982 (A > G) and rs1799768 (4G/5G) were only in moderate–low linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.719; r ² = 0.167). The most significant associations we obtained were with rs6950982 (A > G). In males, the G allele was nominally associated with higher diastolic BP (AA: 81.5 ± 10.9, AG: 82.1 ± 11.4, GG: 85.7 ± 10.5 mmHg; P _additive = 0.030) and systolic BP (AA + AG: 141.4 ± 6.9 mmHg vs. GG: 149.8 ± 8.0 mmHg; P _recessive = 0.036). In the whole population, the rs6950982 was also associated with plasma lipids. Subject with the G allele presented higher total cholesterol (P _additive = 0.016, P _recessive = 0.011), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P _additive = 0.032, P _recessive = 0.031) and triglycerides (P _additive = 0.040, P _recessive = 0.029). AMD modulated the effect of rs6950982 on triglyceride concentrations (P for interaction = 0.036). Greater AMD reduced the higher triglyceride concentrations in GG subjects. No significant interactions were found for the other parameters. The rs6950982 was associated with higher BP in men and higher triglycerides in the whole population, this association being modulated by AMD.     

Seed morphological diversity of Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae) and its taxonomic significance

Mature seeds of 109 species of Pedicularis representing 13 groups according to Tsoong’s infra-generic classification were investigated using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The largest seeds occurred in P. superba (4.82 ± 0.32 mm × 2.18 ± 0.18 mm) and the smallest in P. crenata (0.95 ± 0.16 mm × 0.72 ± 0.08 mm). The individual seed weight ranged from 0.20 to 9.52 mg. There were two types of primary ornamentation, i.e. reticulate and undulate. Reticulate seeds were found in all examined species except for P. pantlingii and P. confluens. The reticulate seeds were divided into three subtypes, i.e. cristate-reticulate, regular-reticulate and membranous-reticulate. Among them, the cristate-reticulate and the undulate primary ornamentation are firstly reported. The inner tangential wall ornamentation was categorized into granulate, ruminate or striate. Seed characters seem to support the transfer of Pedicularis to Orobanchaceae from traditional Scrophulariaceae. Seed length, individual seed weight, primary ornamentation and inner tangential wall ornamentation were considered as potentially useful characters for infra-generic classification. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses indicated a clustering of some species in group 1 (Sceptrum) and all species in group 6 (Cyathophora), respectively. However, seed data were not highly congruent with Tsoong’s classification for delimitation of existing groups. Some characters, such as seed shape, primary ornamentation, inner tangential wall ornamentation and epidermal cell shape could be applied to identification of some species in this genus.     

Morphology of pollen and orbicules in the tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae) and its systematic implications

This study provides pollen data for 38 representative taxa belonging to all nine genera in the current classification of the tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae) including the monotypic Korean endemic genus Pentactina, and considers the distribution of orbicules for the first time. Pollen morphology and wall stratification were investigated using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Spiraeeae pollen grains are small to medium in size (P = 6.9–34.0 μm, E = 7.1–28.0 μm), oblate to prolate in shape (P/E = 0.66–1.48) and tri-colporate. Spiraeeae pollen is generally characterised by striate sexine ornamentation, but four ornamentation types are recognised based on the length and direction of the ridge patterns. The observed variation in sexine ornamentation is particularly valuable at the generic level. The exine stratification of the representative Spiraeeae studied is similar and characterised by unbranched columellae and a continuous endexine. Orbicules are present in three genera of the tribe (Luetkea, Sibiraea and Xerospiraea). Orbicule distribution patterns indicate that the absence of orbicules is a synapomorphic condition of the more derived clade, comprising Pentactina + Petrophytum + Kelseya + Spiraea.     

Chromosome numbers in Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae): survey, atlas, and taxonomic conclusions

Our study (survey, atlas of 136 microphotographs and 67 drawings) points out the actual chromosome numbers of 82 taxa of the genus Pinguicula L. They were gathered from literature and critically examined. In addition, numerous counts are published for the first time. They represent about 80% of all the taxa known. The basic chromosome numbers are x = 6, 8, 9, 11, and 14; the ploidy levels are 2n (diploid), 4n (tetraploid), 8n (octoploid) and 16n (hexadecaploid). The basic number x = 6 is a one-off, x = 8 and 11 are the most frequent in the genus; x = 14 indicates a hybridogenous differentiation process in the past. The caryological differentiation—chromosome numbers and ploidy level—is discussed with regard to distribution pattern, growth type, and infrageneric classification (at the level of sections).     

Circulating Obestatin Levels Correlate with Fasting Insulin and HOMA-IR but Not with Hypertension in Elderly Men

Obestatin, encoded by the same gene as ghrelin, was first described as a physiological opponent of ghrelin. The association between circulating obestatin levels and blood pressure remains unclear. Furthermore, adequate information is non-existent regarding the older male population with hypertension. For this purpose, we enrolled 185 unrelated hypertensive male patients aged ≥80 years (range 80–102 years). One hundred seventy nine age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Plasma levels of obestatin and insulin were measured using commercial ELISA and RIA. HOMA-IR was calculated using standard method. We found that plasma obestatin levels correlated significantly with insulin levels (P = 0.034) and homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR: P = 0.028). However, plasma obestatin differed non-significantly between hypertensive (5.06 ± 0.68 ng/mL) and non-hypertensive (4.72 ± 0.82 ng/mL) individuals. Plasma obestatin levels were not associated with systolic (P = 0.818) or diastolic (P = 0.564) blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR: P = 0.725), uric acid (P = 0.603), total cholesterol (TC: P = 0.589), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C: P = 0.057); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C: P = 0.432), triglyceride (TG: P = 0.418), and fasting blood glucose (FBG: P = 0.101). We, therefore, concluded that fasting circulating obestatin levels did not directly correlate with blood pressure in men aged ≥80 years.     

Effect of Probiotic Soy Milk on Serum Levels of Adiponectin,Inflammatory Mediators,Lipid Profile,and Fasting Blood Glucose Among Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Probiotic therapies are going to be an effective alternative therapeutic strategy in the treatment and management of diabetes. The mechanism behind the essential effects of probiotic therapies in diabetic patients was not fully understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic soy milk containing Lactobacillus planetarum A7 on inflammation, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and serum adiponectin among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Forty patients with type 2 diabetes, at the age of 35–68 years old, were assigned to two groups in this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. The patients in the intervention group consumed 200 ml/day of probiotic soy milk containing L. planetarum A7 and those in control group consumed 200 ml/day of pure soy milk for 8 weeks. Serum TNF-α, C reactive protein, adiponectin, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose were determined before and after intervention. In intervention group, serum adiponectin in pre- and post-treatment did not show any significant changes (2.52 ± 0.74 vs 2.84 ± 0.61, P = 0.658), as well as changes in serum TNF-α and C reactive protein (172.44 ± 5.7 vs 172.83 ± 7.6, P = 0.278, 4.2 ± 1.4 vs 4.5 ± 1.9, P = 0.765, respectively). Low-density cholesterol and high-density cholesterol changed significantly (P = 0.023, P = 0.017, respectively), but fasting blood glucose did not show any significant changes. The results of this study showed that consumption of probiotic soy milk and soy milk has no effect on serum adiponectin and inflammation, but it can change lipid profile among type 2 diabetic patients.     

Composition,abundance and distribution of holoplanktonic polychaetes within the Strait of Magellan (southern America) in austral summer

This study enlarge the knowledge on species composition, distribution and community structure of pelagic polychaetes on the basis of finely stratified spatial sampling representing austral summer conditions in the Strait of Magellan. Zooplankton samples were collected in late austral summer 1995. A total of 56,489 pelagic polychaete specimens were collected. Eight holopelagic polychaete taxa were recorded in addition to Spionidae and Terebellidae larvae and reproductive stolons of Autolytinae. Pelagobia longicirrata (Lopadorhynchidae) was the most abundant species, representing about 96 % (54,092 specimens, 184.6 ind. 100 m^?3) of all individuals, followed by Tomopteris planktonis (Tomopteridae) at 3 % (1,725 specimens, 5.9 ind. 100 m^?3). The longest measured individuals belonged to T. planktonis, which also showed the largest size range, whereas the smallest individuals belonged to P. longicirrata. Spatial distribution of polychaetes in terms of abundance was not related to bottom depth, but rather the number of taxa was lower in the central part of the Strait. P. longicirrata and T. planktonis were negatively related to chlorophyll a. In addition, the first was negatively related to temperature instead the second was positively affected by salinity. Polychaetes were widely distributed in both epi- and mesopelagic realms, whereas they were almost absent above 80 m depth. Both of the most abundant species were concentrated in the deepest layers sampled (below 100 m) throughout day and night hours without showing any specific migratory behavior.     

Examining of Thallium in Cigarette Smokers

Smoking is one of the sources of thallium which is considered as a toxic heavy metal. The aim of this study was to determine urinary thallium levels and related variables in smokers, compared to a control group. The study was conducted on 56 participants who had smoked continuously during the year before they were referred to Kashan Smoking Cessation Clinic. Fifty-three nonsmokers who were family members or friends of the smokers were selected as the control group. Urinary thallium was measured in both groups (n = 109) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean value (with SD) for urinary thallium in the smokers (10.16 ± 1.82 μg/L) was significantly higher than in the control group (2.39 ± 0.63 μg/L). There was a significant relationship between smoking duration and urinary thallium levels (P = 0.003). In a subgroup of smokers who was addicted to opium and opium residues (n = 9), the mean level of thallium (37.5 ± 13.09 μg/L) was significantly higher than in the other smokers (4.93 ± 4.45; P = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed opioid abuse, insomnia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), together were strong predictors of urinary thallium levels in smokers. There was no significant difference in thallium level in hookah smokers (P = 0.299) or in those with COPD compared to other smokers (P = 0.375). Urinary thallium levels of smokers with clinical signs of depression, sleep disorders, memory loss, and sweating were higher than those of smokers without these signs. Since thallium, as other toxic metals is accumulated in the body, and cigarette smoking also involves carcinogenic exposures and health hazards for passively exposed people, the need for cigarette control policies is emphasized.     

Allozyme diversity levels in two congeneric Dioon spp. (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) with contrasting rarities

Allozyme diversity and population genetic structure studies were conducted in populations of two Mexican cycad species occurring in adjacent and closely related biogeographic regions. We evaluated if rarity traits in Dioon caputoi, a micro-endemic species, and Dioon merolae, a regional endemic with a wider distribution, influence levels of genetic diversity in different ways. We also explored if genetic structure differs in these species, considering that they have similar population histories. Our results indicate that D. caputoi harbors lower levels of genetic diversity and allelic richness (H _E = 0.358, P = 76.9, A _r = 1.86) than D. merolae (H _E = 0.446, P = 92.3, A _r = 2). However, genetic structure does not differ between the two species despite their contrasting geographic distributions (F _ST = 0.06 vs. 0.07; D. caputoi and D. merolae, respectively). The comparison of population genetic structure information with historical and geographical aspects of the populations suggests that the rarity of D. caputoi might be due to relatively recent local ecological factors.     

The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Glycemic Control,Markers of Cardio-Metabolic Risk,and Oxidative Stress in Infertile Polycystic ovary Syndrome Women Candidate for In vitro Fertilization: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chromium intake on glycemic control, markers of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress in infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done among 40 subjects with infertile PCOS candidate for IVF, aged 18–40 years old. Individuals were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 200 μg/day of chromium (n?=?20) or placebo (n?=?20) for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at end-of-trial. Compared with the placebo, taking chromium supplements led to significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (??2.3?±?5.7 vs. +?0.9?±?3.1 mg/dL, P?=?0.03), insulin levels (??1.4?±?2.1 vs. +?0.4?±?1.7 μIU/mL, P?=?0.004), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (??0.3?±?0.5 vs. +?0.1?±?0.4, P?=?0.005), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+?0.004?±?0.008 vs. ??0.001?±?0.008, P?=?0.03). In addition, chromium supplementation significantly decreased serum triglycerides (??19.2?±?33.8 vs. +?8.3?±?21.7 mg/dL, P?=?0.004), VLDL- (??3.8?±?6.8 vs. +?1.7?±?4.3 mg/dL, P?=?0.004) and total cholesterol concentrations (??15.3?±?26.2 vs. ??0.6?±?15.9 mg/dL, P?=?0.03) compared with the placebo. Additionally, taking chromium supplements was associated with a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (+?153.9?±?46.1 vs. ??7.8?±?43.9 mmol/L, P?<?0.001) and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde values (?0.3?±?0.3 vs. +?0.1?±?0.2 μmol/L, P?=?0.001) compared with the placebo. Overall, our study supported that chromium administration for 8 weeks to infertile PCOS women candidate for IVF had beneficial impacts on glycemic control, few variables of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress.