The long and the short of it: long-styled florets are associated with higher outcrossing rate in Senecio vulgaris and result from delayed self-pollen germination

Background: It has been reported that some plants of the self-compatible species Senecio vulgaris produce capitula containing long-styled florets which fail to set seed when left to self-pollinate, although readily set seed when self-pollinated by hand.

Aims: To determine if production of long-styled florets is associated with higher outcrossing rate in S. vulgaris, and whether long-styles occur in non-pollinated florets, whereas short-styles are present in self-pollinated florets.

Methods: The frequency of long-styled florets was compared in the radiate and non-radiate variants of S. vulgaris, known to exhibit higher and lower outcrossing rates, respectively. In addition, style length was compared in emasculated florets that were either self-pollinated or left non-pollinated.

Results: Long-styled florets were more frequent in the higher outcrossing radiate variant. Following emasculation, long styles occurred in non-pollinated florets, while short styles were present in self-pollinated florets. The two variants did not differ in style length within the non-pollinated or within the self-pollinated floret categories.

Conclusions: A high frequency of long-styled florets is associated with higher outcrossing rate in S. vulgaris and results from delayed self-pollination and pollen germination on stigmas.     

Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with higher carboxymethyllysine level in elderly women but not elderly men in the cardiovascular health study

Context: Carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) results from oxidative stress and has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) – a source of oxidative stress – and CML.

Materials and methods: About 1002 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) were studied.

Results: Women with SDB had significantly higher CML concentration compared with those without SDB (OR?=?1.63, 95%CI?=?1.03–2.58, p?=?0.04). The association was not significant among men.

Discussion: SDB was associated with CML concentration among elderly women but not men in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Conclusion: Accumulation of CML may be an adverse health consequence of SDB     

Self-pollination,style length development and seed set in self-compatible Asteraceae: evidence from Senecio vulgaris L.

Background: Variation in style length has been reported in Senecio vulgaris and has been associated with outcrossing rate.

Aims: To determine if (i) long styles lack germinated pollen on stigmas left to self-pollinate, (ii) successful self-pollination causes styles to stop elongating and shrink in length and (iii) seed set increases with the amount of pollen deposited on stigmas.

Methods: Determined germinated self-pollen on stigmas of long and short styles after auto-self-pollination; scored style length over 48 h in self-pollinated and non-pollinated florets; recorded seed set after placing different amounts of pollen on stigmas.

Results: Most long-styled florets had zero or low amounts of germinated pollen on stigmas in contrast to most short-styled florets. Styles initially elongated to the same length in self-pollinated and non-pollinated florets, then shrank in length in self-pollinated florets while continuing to elongate in non-pollinated florets. Seed set increased with number of pollen grains deposited on stigmas.

Conclusions: Successful self-pollen deposition and/or germination on stigmas of S. vulgaris are indicated by presence of short styles, whereas the opposite is indicated by presence of long styles in florets left to self-pollinate. Self-pollination causes styles to shrink after initially elongating. Seed set is dependent on the amount of pollen deposited on stigmas.     

Pre-fledging survival in a Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis population in northern Iberia is mostly determined by hatching date

Capsule: Pre-fledging survival in a Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis population in northern Iberia is negatively correlated to hatching date.

Aims: To explore which factors have more importance in determining the pre-fledging daily survival rates in a Yellow-legged Gull population from northern Iberia. Specifically, we tested for the effect of hatching date and order, body size and condition and meteorological conditions on pre-fledging survival.

Methods: Cormack–Jolly–Seber models with mixtures were used to model daily survival rates.

Results: Daily survival rates were mostly negatively affected by hatching date.

Conclusions: Hatching date was the most important factor affecting survival of chicks during the pre-fledging period in a Yellow-legged Gull colony from northern Iberia.     

Release kinetics of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins I and T and troponin T upstream open reading frame peptide (TnTuORF) in clinically induced acute myocardial infarction

Context: Troponin T upstream open reading frame peptide (TnTuORF) may be useful as a novel biomarker in acute cardiac syndromes.

Objective: The study examined the early release kinetics of TnTuORF.

Materials and methods: We analyzed the time course of the release of cardiac troponins I and T and TnTuORF in patients (n?=?31) with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH).

Results: Fifteen minutes after TASH, the levels of both troponins increased significantly (cTnT median: 18?ng/L versus 27?ng/L; cTnI median: 15?ng/L versus 25?ng/L). TnTuORF showed no variation.

Discussion: We observed a significantly greater increase in cTnI compared with cTnT.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that troponin assays allow early detection of myocardial injury, whereas TnTuORF levels remain unchanged in this setting.     

Predictors of leptin concentration and association with cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease: results from the AtheroGene study

Context: Leptin is produced in white adipose tissue, but also in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of leptin in patients with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) (N?=?1907).

Methods: AtheroGene is a contemporary CAD cohort study (N?=?3229). Median follow-up time was 3.8 (Quartile 1/3 with 2.8/4.9) years.

Results: Leptin concentration was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) for the fully adjusted model of HR?=?1.32 in women but was not significant in men. The endpoint cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction was observed in 167 patients.

Conclusion: In women with known CAD, increased leptin concentration is useful for predicting cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction.     

Circulating levels of apoptotic markers and oxidative stress parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-controlled descriptive study

Context: Apoptotic dysregulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Objective: To evaluate circulatory apoptotic markers and oxidative stress in patients with PCOS.

Materials and methods: Forty-four women with PCOS, and 44 healthy women as controls were enrolled in the study. Oxidative stress parameters and caspases levels were measured in serum.

Results: The caspase 9 level was significantly lower and related with oxidant status in patients with PCOS, while the circulating levels of caspases 3 and 7 were statistically similar in both groups.

Discussion: This study is the first report demonstrating the circulating levels of apoptotic markers and their relationship with oxidant status in PCOS.

Conclusion: The circulating caspase 9 and oxidant status might contribute to apoptotic dysregulation in PCOS.     

Blood markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in cardioembolic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Various processes including inflammation and endothelial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardioembolic (CE) strokes.

Objective: To review the evidence and investigate the association between immune-inflammatory biomarkers and CE strokes versus other stroke subtypes.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature (sources: MEDLINE, web-based register http://stroke-biomarkers.com, reference lists) with quality assessment and meta-analysis of selected articles.

Results: The most consistent association was found between C-reactive protein (CRP) and CE strokes when compared to other stroke subtypes (standardized mean difference 0.223 (0.116, 0.343); p?<?0.001)

Conclusions: Our findings confirm a possible association between selected inflammatory biomarkers and CE stroke.     

Biomarker discovery for drug-induced phospholipidosis: phenylacetylglycine to hippuric acid ratio in urine and plasma as potential markers

Context: Drug-induced phospholipidosis is one of the significant concerns in drug development, especially in safety assessment and noninvasive diagnostic tool is highly desirable.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explored novel biomarkers for phospholipidosis using a metabolomic approach.

Method: NMR spectrometry and LC/MS/MS analyses were applied to urine and plasma of rats administrated cationic amphiphilic drugs.

Results: The phenylacetylglycine to hippuric acid ratio in plasma was increased in time and dose-dependent manners; and it was well correlated with histopathological observation.

Conclusion: The plasma phenylacetylglycine to hippuric acid ratio is a potential marker in monitoring drug-induced phospholipidosis.     

Beta-2-glycoprotein-1 and alpha-1-antitrypsin as urinary markers of renal cancer in von Hippel–Lindau patients

Context: Von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHLD) is a rare inherited neoplastic syndrome. Among all the VHLD-associated tumors, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the major cause of death.

Objective: The aim of this paper is the discovery of new non-invasive biomarker for the monitoring of VHLD patients.

Materials and methods: We compared the urinary proteome of VHLD patients, ccRCC patients and healthy volunteers.

Results: Among all differentially expressed proteins, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) and APOH (beta-2-glycoprotein-1) are strongly over-abundant only in the urine of VHLD patients with a history of ccRCC.

Discussion and conclusion: A1AT and APOH could be promising non-invasive biomarkers.     

Low YKL-40 in chronic heart failure may predict beneficial effects of statins: analysis from the controlled rosuvastatin multinational trial in heart failure (CORONA)

Context and objective: To evaluate if YKL-40 can provide prognostic information in patients with ischemic heart failure (HF) and identify patients who may benefit from statin therapy.

Materials and methods: The association between serum YKL-40 and predefined outcome was evaluated in 1344 HF patients assigned to rosuvastatin or placebo.

Results: YKL-40 was not associated with outcome in adjusted analysis. In YKL-40 tertile 1, an effect on the primary outcome (HR 0.50, p?=?0.006) and CV death (HR 0.54, p?=?0.040) was seen by rosuvastatin in adjusted analysis.

Conclusions: A beneficial modification of outcome was observed with statin therapy in patients with low YKL-40 levels.     

Book reviews

Patterns of thought in Africa and the West: Essays on magic, religion and science , by Robin Horton. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1997. xi, 471pp., figures, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 0–521–36926–6 (paperback).

Women's experiences with HIV/AIDS: An international perspective , edited by Lynellyn D. Long and E. Maxine Ankrah. Columbia University Press, New York, 1996. x, 426pp., tables, references, notes on contributors, index. ISBN 0–231–10605‐X (paperback).

A healing place: Indigenous visions for personal empowerment and community recovery , by Kayleen M. Hazelhurst. Central Queensland University Press, Rockhampton, 1996. xiii, 274pp., notes, illustrations, references. ISBN 0–908140–87–8 (paperback).

Reading the skin: Adornment, display and society among the Wahgi , by Michael O'Hanlon. Crawford House Press, Bathurst, 1989. 139pp., map, photographs, orthography and kinship terms, glossary, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 1–86333–003–8 (hardback).

Paradise: Portraying the New Guinea Highlands , by Michael O'Hanlon. Crawford House Press, Bathurst, 1993. 99pp., maps, photographs, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 1–86333–078‐X (paperback).

To sing with pigs is human: The concept of person in Papua New Guinea , by Jane C. Goodale. University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1995. xvi, 269pp., map, tables, figure, musical scores, photographs, bibliography, index. ISBN 0–295–94736–2 (paperback).

Resplendent sites, discordant voices: Sri Lankans and international tourism , by Malcolm Crick. Harwood Academic Publishers, Chur, 1994. x, 237pp., maps, tables, photographs, bibliography, index. ISBN 3–7186–5564–0 (hardback).

Impasse of the angels: Scenes from a Moroccan space of memory , by Stefania Pandolfo. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1997. xi, 389pp., photograph, notes, index. ISBN 0–226–64532–0 (paperback).

Mal'uocchiu: Ambiguity, evil eye, and the language of distress , by Sam Migliore. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1997. xiv, 159pp., tables, figures, glossary, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 0–8020–7922–9 (paperback).

Satmar: Two generations of an urban island: The life, thought and culture of an Hasidic Jewish community in America , by Israel Rubin. Peter Lang, New York, 1997. xii, 341pp., tables, figures, notes, index. ISBN 0–8204–0759–3 (hardback).

UFO crash at Roswell: The genesis of a modern myth , by Benson Saler, Charles A. Ziegler and Charles B. Moore. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC, 1997. xii, 198pp., maps, tables, figures, appendices, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 1–56098–751–0 (hardback).     

Elevated serum YKL-40 levels in patients with Kawasaki disease

Context: YKL-40 is an inflammatory biomarker for endothelial dysfunction that may have a role in Kawasaki disease (KD).

Objectives: We investigated the association of serum YKL-40 levels with KD and established laboratory parameters for YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers.

Methods: YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers of 23 KD patients, 9 disease control patients and 11 age-matched healthy controls.

Results: YKL-40 concentration in the serum of KD patients significantly increased during the acute disease phase compared with those of disease controls and healthy controls.

Conclusions: Increased YKL-40 levels may provide a useful inflammatory marker for patients with KD.     

Micronucleus frequency and content in healthy relatives of cancer patients

Objective: To compare chromosomal damage in lymphocytes of individuals who did or did not report first-degree relatives with cancer.

Materials and methods: Cases and controls (68 each) were matched for sex, age and radon exposure. Chromosomal damage was quantified as frequency of micronucleus-containing cells and proportion of centromere-free micronuclei.

Results: Individuals not reporting cancer in their families showed lower values of both the frequency of micronucleus-containing cells (n.s.) and the proportion of centromere-free micronuclei (p?<?0.05) in some subgroups, but not in all.

Conclusion: The chromosomal damage observed may be due to inheritable genomic instability, but environmental influences cannot be excluded.     

An efficient survey method for estimating populations of Marsh Tits Poecile palustris,a low-density woodland passerine

Capsule: A playback survey comprising two visits to woodland in early spring can reliably detect Marsh Tits Poecile palustris and permit reasonable estimation of the number of territories.

Aims: To assess the efficacy of an efficient survey method for detecting and estimating populations of Marsh Tits.

Methods: Detection probability of colour-marked Marsh Tits, surveyed using playback, was assessed with Cormack–Jolly–Seber models. Reliability of territory estimates was compared between colour-marked and largely or wholly unmarked populations.

Results: Playback surveys over two visits in early spring were highly effective in detecting individual Marsh Tits. Territory estimates were similar for woods in years where less than 20% of the population was marked compared to years when a higher proportion of birds were colour-marked, although territories may be underestimated in larger woods with unmarked populations.

Conclusion: A playback survey comprising two visits in early spring is recommended as an efficient method of surveying Marsh Tit populations and locating individuals. A survey protocol is suggested.     

Plant sex and phenological stage affect interactions with rhizosphere nematode communities

Background: In dioecious plants, females and males associate differently with mycorrhizal fungi, but interactions with other rhizosphere organisms are less well studied.

Aims: We investigated the effect of plant sex on rhizosphere nematode communities associated with Corema album, a dioecious shrub occurring in coastal habitats.

Methods: Rhizosphere samples were collected from males and females in three populations (150 plants), during fruiting and flowering. Nematode communities were characterised and compared between plant sexes through statistical analyses of the abundance of trophic groups, plant parasitic nematode (PPN) genera and ecological indices.

Results: Free-living nematodes showed no statistically significant differences owing to plant sex. Conversely, PPN community composition was significantly different between plant sexes during fruiting but not flowering, suggesting that physiological requirements over the annual phenological cycle of the plant influence ecological interactions with the rhizosphere.

Of the 13 PPN genera identified, the ectoparasitic Criconema and Hemicriconemellawere more abundant in the rhizosphere of males during fruiting, whereas the endoparasitic Meloidogyne associated more frequently with females, suggesting that plant host suitability is related to PPN feeding strategy.

Conclusions: It appears that interactions of individuals of different sexes of C. album with the rhizosphere nematode community vary with phenological stage, especially for PPN.     

Positive effects of plantar vibration training for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A pilot study

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of 8-week low-frequency plantar vibration training on patients with sensorimotor diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Participants: Twelve patients took part in the investigation.

Results: An increase of the nerve conductive velocity of soral and peroneal nerves of feet, increased postural stability, and disappearance of the pain and tingling were observed.

Conclusion: The obtained results provide evidence for beneficial effects of 8-week plantar vibration training in patients with DPN.     

Panel of SEREX-defined antigens for breast cancer autoantibodies profile detection

Content: Identification of panel of SEREX-defined antigens for breast cancer autoantibodies profile detection.

Objective: To create panel of antigens that can differentiate breast cancer patients and healthy individuals.

Methods: SEREX (serological analysis of cDNA expression libraries) method, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction).

Results: In large-scale screening of 16 SEREX-antigens by sera of breast cancer patients and healthy donors, a combination of six antigens (RAD50, PARD3, SPP1, SAP30BP, NY-BR-62 and NY-CO-58) was identified, which can differentiate breast cancer patients and healthy donors with 70% sensitivity and 91% specificity. Elevated mRNA expression of SPP1 gene was revealed in breast tumors (2–7-fold) that correlated with SPP1 antigen immunoreactivity in autologous patients’ sera.

Conclusions: The new panel of six SEREX-antigens was proposed, which enables creation of serological assay for breast cancer diagnostics and/or prognosis.     

Haemosporidian prevalence in Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis nestlings: impact on body condition and geographic distribution in the Iberian Peninsula

Capsule: Nestling Southern Grey Shrikes Lanius meridionalis show a high prevalence of haemosporidian parasites including five lineages described here for the first time.

Aims: To examine the prevalence of various haemosporidian lineages in nestlings of three separated Iberian populations of the Southern Grey Shrike.

Methods: Blood samples were taken from nestling Southern Grey Shrikes from three agroecosystem areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Parasites were detected from blood samples using polymerase chain reaction screening.

Resusts: Nestlings were parasitized by 11 different lineages belonging to the genera Haemoproteus (3.8%), Plasmodium (0.5%) and Leucocytozoon (1.8%), including five new undescribed lineages. These are among the highest prevalence levels of haemosporidians parasites (7.4%) for nestlings of passerine birds.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the distribution of avian haemosporidians is determined by complex effects including climate and biogeography. Most parasite lineages were not universally spread across shrike populations, despite being otherwise widespread both geographically and taxonomically.