A new species of Isoëtes (Isoëtaceae,Pteridophyta) for the Mediterranean

Abstract

Isoëtes iapygia from the Apulia region (southern Italy) is described as a new species and illustrated. It differs in several characters from the other Mediterranean Isoëtes species, but has some intermediate characteristics similar to terrestrial and amphibious Isoëtes. I. iapygia is similar to the amphibious species for the lack of phyllopodia, even if it has scales; it is similar to terrestrial species for the complete velum and tuberculate macrospores. A completely unique character is represented by the two air chambers. Its habitat is on limestone rocks, in temporary pools.     

Micromorphological approach to the systematics of Mediterranean Isoëtes species (Isoëtaceae,Lycopodiophyta): analysis of the megaspore surface

Megaspore ornamentation is one of the few morphological characters used in the taxonomy of the genus Isoëtes. In the present work, we test the application of this character for distinguishing some Isoëtes species occurring in the Mediterranean: Isoëtes sicula, which according to some authors should be included as a variety in I. histrix, and the recently described I. todaroana, whose affinity with other taxa is currently unknown. Two additional species (I. duriei, I. velata) were also included in the analysis. The megaspores were studied using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and chemical treatment. In all species, the megaspore surface is covered by a siliceous coating; removal of this coating reveals an underlying three-dimensional network of fused rodlets. A unique pattern of this network occurs in I. sicula, supporting its separation from I. histrix. Comparison between the patterns observed in the examined Mediterranean species shows that I. todaroana is most similar to I. histrix.     

Biogeography of North Pacific <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isoëtes</Emphasis> (Isoëtaceae) inferred from nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequence data

Recent advances in phylogenetics indicate that reticulate evolution has played an important role in the emergence of Isoëtes species in the North Pacific region. However, the biogeographical origin of the North Pacific Isoëtes species remains contentious. We present a fossilcalibrated phylogeny of species from the North Pacific region based on molecular data. Within this framework, we discuss their ancestral areas and biogeographical history. North Pacific Isoëtes are divided into two clades: clade I, consisting of East Asian, Papua New Guinean, and Australian species, and clade II, consisting of West Beringian and western North American species. Within clade I, Australian Isoëtes species were an early divergent group, and Papua New Guinea’s species form a sister clade to the East Asian species. Biogeographical reconstructions suggest an Australasian origin for the East Asian species that arose through long-distance dispersal during the late Oligocene. Within clade II, I. asiatica from West Beringia forms a clade with I. echinospora and I. muricata from Alaska. Western North America was the area of origin for the dispersal of Isoëtes species to West Beringia via the Bering land bridge during the late Miocene. Our study identifies the biogeographic origin of the North Pacific Isoëtes and suggests long-distance dispersal as the most likely explanation for their intercontinental distribution.     

Beitrag Zur Gliederung Der Europaischen Zwergbinsengesellschaften (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea Br.-Bl. & Tx. 1943)

Zusammenfassung Anhand von 5268 soziologischen Aufnahmen wird eine Neugliederung der europ?ischen Zwergbinsengesellschaften der Klasse der Iso?to-Nanojuncetea Br.-Bl. & Tx. 1943 vorgenommen. Danach werden zwei Ordnungen, die Iso?tetalia Br.-Bl. 1931 s. str. des mediterranen W- und SW-Europas und die Cyperetalia fusci (Klika 1935) Müller-Stoll & Pietsch 1961 Zentraleuropas, unterschieden. Die erste Ordnung umfa?t das Preslion cervinae Br.-Bl. 1931 und das Iso?tion Br.-Bl. 1931. In der zweiten Ordnung werden vier Verb?nde unterschieden: das Elatini-Eleocharition ovatae Pietsch 1965, das Radiolion linoidis (Rivas Goday 1961) Pietsch 1965, das Eu-Nanocyperion flavescentis (Koch 1926) Rivas Goday 1961 und das Heleochloo-Cyperion (Br.-Bl. 1952) Pietsch 1961.

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Summary On the basis of 5268 phytosociological relevés a new systematical division of the European communities of dwarf club-rushes united in the class of Iso?to-Nanojuncetea Br.-Bl. & Tx. 1943 has been made. Two orders have been distinguished the Iso?tetalia Br.-Bl. 1931 s. str. of mediterranean West- and Southwestern Europe and the Cyperetalia fusci (Klika 1935) Müller-Stoll & Pietsch 1961, which are widely spread over the whole region of Central Europe. In the Isoetetalia the Preslion cervinae Br.-Bl. 1931 and the Iso?tion Br.-Bl. 1931 have been distinguished. The Cyperetalia fuscae have been divided into four alliances: the Elatini-Eleocharition ovatae Pietsch 1965, the Radiolion linoidis (Rivas Goday 1961) Pietsch 1965, the Eu-Nanocyperion flavescentis (Koch 1926) Rivas Goday 1961 and the Heleochloo-Cyperion (Br.-Bl. 1952) Pietsch 1961.

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Es handelt sich um eine revidierte und erweiterte Fassung einer bereits 1965 unter dem gleichen Thema zum Druck eingereichten und für Vegetatio 13, 2 (1965) angekündigten Arbeit, deren Erscheinen bis jetzt aus technischen Gründen nicht m?glich war. Auf diese wird im vorliegenden Text bei der Abfassung der soziologischen Einheiten unter der Bezeichnung “Pietsch (1965)” Bezug genommen.     

Elsinoë fawcettii and Elsinoë australis: the fungal pathogens causing citrus scab

Elsinoë fawcettii and E. australis are important pathogens of citrus. Both species are known to produce red or orange pigments, called elsinochrome. Elsinochrome is a nonhost‐selective phytotoxin and is required for full fungal virulence and lesion formation. This article discusses the taxonomy, epidemiology, genetics and pathology of the pathogens. It also provides a perspective on the cellular toxicity, biosynthetic regulation and pathological role of elsinochrome phytotoxin. Taxonomy: Elsinoë fawcettii (anamorph: Sphaceloma fawcettii) and E. australis (anamorph: S. australis) are classified in the Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Myriangiales and Family Elsinoaceae. Host range: Elsinoë fawcettii causes citrus scab (formerly sour orange scab and common scab) on various species and hybrids in the Rutaceae family worldwide, whereas E. australis causes sweet orange scab, primarily on sweet orange and some mandarins, and has a limited geographical distribution. Disease symptoms: Citrus tissues infested with Elsinoë often display erumpent scab pustules with a warty appearance. Toxin production: Elsinochrome and many perylenequinone‐containing phytotoxins of fungal origin are grouped as photosensitizing compounds that are able to absorb light energy, react with oxygen molecules and produce reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and singlet oxygen. Elsinochrome has been documented to cause peroxidation of cell membranes and to induce rapid electrolyte leakage from citrus tissues. Elsinochrome biosynthesis and conidiation are coordinately regulated in E. fawcettii, and the environmental and physiological inducers commonly involved in both processes have begun to be elucidated.     

Nuovi Dati Sulla Distribuzione Di Isoétes Malinvernianum in Lomellina

Abstract

New data on the distribution of « Isoëtes malinvernianum » in Lomellina. — The Author relates the discovery of many new stations of Isoëtes malinvernianum in Lomellina (Province of Pavia). Many observations carried out in these new localities and in the most part of the already recorded localities near Novara and Vercelli have allowed him to modify some convincements on the habitat of this well known endemism. So he reports that Isoëtes malinvernianum vegetates not only in the waters of « fontanile » but also in waters of the most different sources, that this species is not solitary but accompanied by many species as Callitriche palustris, Fontinalis antipyretica, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Vallisneria spiralis, Potamogeton crispa and few other species more. Isoëtes malinvernianum, besides, is not damaged by dredge works in the canals and is present not only in morainic soils and in the diluvial soils transformated in ferreto but also in the terraced flood named with old terms as « Terrazziano » or « Diluvium recente » and in the diluvial soils of the « Alluvium ». Now at least it is not possible to ascribe plant communities of which Isoëtes malinvernianum makes part to a well defined association.     

Immunomodulatory compounds from Pestalotiopsis leucothës, an endophytic fungus from Tripterygium wilfordii

The immunomodulatory effects of three compounds designated BS, GS, and YS produced by Pestalotiopsis leucothës, an endophytic fungus isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii, were evaluated. The 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of BS in the proliferative assay with various stimulating agents such as phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA-M), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and poke weed mitogen (PWM) was 0.35, 1.6, 0.8 and 5.4 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, BS significantly inhibited the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) and soluble IL-2 receptor expression at concentrations greater than 1 μg/ml. Inhibition of PHA stimulated PBMNC proliferation and IL-2 and sIL-2R production by BS indicates that it is a T-cell specific immunosuppressant. However, BS also moderately inhibited immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M at concentrations greater than 1 μg/ml suggesting that it also has B cell immunosuppressive effects. YS was 10% less active than BS in all assay systems. In contrast, GS exhibited both suppression and enhancement of PBMNC proliferation in the presence of various stimulants. However, GS inhibited PWM stimulated PBMNC proliferation and IL-4 and IgG and IgM production at concentrations above 1 μg/ml. All three fungal compounds altered the percentage of T-lymphocyte subpopulations only at high concentrations. Cell viability was not affected at the immunosuppressive concentrations of these compounds. In conclusion, work from our laboratory has identified three potentially potent immunomodulatory compounds from P. leucothës. These compounds have variable effects on T- and B-cells and monocytes. They may partially explain the immunosuppressive activity of T. wilfordii. In addition, they may represent a new source of immunomodulatory compounds for the treatment of human immune mediated diseases.     

Growth,ionic balance,proton excretion,and nitrate reductase activity in Alnus and Hippophaë supplied with different sources of nitrogen

Summary Pre-cultivated, nodulated and non-nodulated plants of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) and sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides ssp.rhamnoides) were grown on different N sources, with and without acidity control. Dry matter yields were lowest when plants were supplied with only NO ₃ ^– and were much greater when NH ₄ ⁺ was supplied either alone or in combination with NO ₃ ^– as long as the external pH was controlled; the final yields of the N₂-fixing plants were relatively low, especially withH. rhamnoides. Without acidity control, yields were greatly reduced in the presence of NH ₄ ⁺ .Proton or hydroxyl-ion effluxes, calculated on the basis of plant analyses, agreed well with measured excretion values. Without pH adjustment, the total proton efflux into the external solution was greater inA. glutinosa than inH. rhamnoides.Both species, but particularlyA. glutinosa, displayed the highest nitrate reductase activity in the roots.     

Epichloë endophytes: fungal symbionts of grasses

Recent developments have increased our understanding of the evolution of mutualistic associations between Epichlo? endophytes and their grass hosts. Most of the asexual species appear to be interspecific hybrids. Although endophytes form compatible associations with their natural hosts, transfers to other hosts elicit a range of incompatible reactions. Recently, the genes involved in the synthesis of the secondary metabolites ergot alkaloids and indole-diterpenes, which confer protective benefits on the association, have been cloned.     

Nutritionele screening bij de oncogeriatrische patiënt

Geriatric patients are not defined by their age but by their general profile. Ageing is characterized by loss of organ function together with a reduced capability for adapting to changes in the environment (loss of homeostatic mechanisms) leading to frailty. In the older patient with cancer, there can be problems of dietary intake next to the effects of ageing per se. On top of this situation, the deleterious effects of the inflammatory processes induced by the tumour are superimposed. When these changes are translated into nutritional concepts, it is clear that, in the older cancer patient, there is a strong overlap of starvation, sarcopenia, and cachexia. Nutritional assessment should be part of the routine preliminary evaluation of the older oncology patient. Difference should be made between assessment of risk and actual nutritional status, which should be assessed with specific malnutrition indices. Body weight assessment with specific attention to unintended weight loss is essential in this evaluation. One should recognise the fact that body mass index (BMI) should be interpreted with caution, but that a low value for BMI still heralds an increased malnutrition risk. This increased alertness for nutritional problems has a lot to offer in the willingness for early intervention. The nutritional assessment, however, must be framed in a larger comprehensive geriatric assessment addressing several functional domains.     

De Richtlijn Mondzorg voor zorgafhankelijke cliënten in verpleeghuizen, 2007: bittere noodzaak!

The oral health status of residents in Dutch nursing homes is rather poor, especially of those depending on caregivers for their oral health care. Moreover, when care dependency is rising, the provision of good oral health care becomes more difficult. With more elderly people still having (parts of) their natural teeth, the need for good oral health care is increasing even more. Therefore a specific guideline was developed. The ultimate aim of the guideline "Oral health care for dependent residents in long term care facilities" is to improve the oral health of nursing home residents. Oral health care needs to be incorporated in daily nursing home care routine and in the integral care plan of every resident. Attention is given to the importance of an adequate implementation of this guideline as well as to the necessity of research evaluating the effects of it's implementation.     

Chorea bij patiënten op de geheugenpolikliniek

In this case-report we present two patients who were referred to the memory clinic. In both cases there is doubt about the earlier diagnosis. During the physical examination choreatic movements were observed. After repeating diagnostic tests, both patients were diagnosed with Huntington's disease. The dementia with this disease is often preceded by psychiatric symptoms, which makes it quite difficult to diagnose, especially in an early stage of the disease. That is why it is essential that, in case of even the slightest doubt or confronted with new insights, geriatricians should see patients again in the memory clinic and repeat nosologic diagnosis.     

Calcium activation of macrocilia in the ctenophoreBeroë

1. Macrocilia on the lips of the ctenophore Bero? are usually quiescent, but can be activated to beat rapidly and continuously by various stimuli. 2. During feeding, macrocilia beat actively and serve to spread the lips of Bero? over its prey. 3. Vigorous, repetitive mechanical stimulation of the lips evokes widespread activation of macrocilia via a pathway that is probably neural. 4. Extracellular electrical stimulation (DC or bipolar pulse-trains) elicits immediate activation of macrocilia on lip pieces, but not on dissociated cells. 5. Macrocilia on lip pieces are activated to beat by high KCl artificial sea water (ASW), but not by high KCl Ca-free ASW. Continuous beating for long periods is also elicited by high Ca ASW or Mg-free ASW, but not by Ca-Mg-free ASW. Addition of La, Cd, Co or Mn (10 mM) to high KCl ASW reversibly blocks activation. Verapamil, D-600, nifedipine, or BAY K 8644 (10 microM) has no effect on KC1-induced activation, but the anticalmodulin drug W-7 (10 microM) reversibly inhibits beating. 6. Mild heat treatment dissociates macrociliary cells from lip tissue. Such isolated macrociliary cells usually beat continuously in normal sea water, and swim in circular paths. Ca-free ASW, or addition of Co or Mn to ASW, inhibits beating of dissociated cells. High KCl ASW activates beating of quiescent, isolated macrociliary cells. 7. Ca-Mg-free ASW inhibits beating of dissociated macrociliary cells, and return to Mg-free ASW activates motility, allowing one to activate macrocilia on isolated cells simply by addition of Ca.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

De relatie tussen apathie,depressie en cognitief functioneren bij patiënten met MCI en dementie

Background

In dementia, apathy and depression are often seen as one disorder because of the many overlapping symptoms. However, for therapy a correct differentiation is essential. Moreover, apathy and depression are likely both associated with different cognitive deficits and progression of the disease. In this research we give an overview of cognitive domains associated with apathy and depression in MCI patients and report how often both disorders occur in a population sample.

Method

We administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) to 117 cognitively healthy controls (GC), 97 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 50 patients with dementia (DEM). In addition, the Apathy Evaluation Scale clinical version (AES-C) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were administered.

Results

The number of patients with apathy increased with cognitive decline with respectively 3.4%, 10.4% and 41.5% of patients in the GC, MCI and DEM group. The prevalence of isolated depression was highest in the MCI group (18.8%). Correlation analyses in the MCI group showed that apathy and not depression was associated with a deficit in encoding, attention and global cognitive functioning.

Conclusion

The prevalence of apathy and depressive symptoms is different in patients with MCI, DEM and GC, and within the MCI group apathy and depression are associated with different cognitive domains.

     

Ethnicity and biodemographic structure in the Arbëreshe of the province of Cosenza, southern Italy, in the XIX century

Cultural and environmental factors interact in determining the genetic structure of human populations. Bio-demographic investigations of ethnic minorities are able to disentangle the influences that these two components have on the evolution of the genetic structure of a population. The ethnic minority of the Arb?reshe of the province of Cosenza (Calabria, southern Italy) is analyzed in this paper and its bio-demographic structure in the early 1800s is compared with that of neighboring Italian populations. The data derive from surnames recorded in the birth registers of the 19 Arbdreshe municipalities of the province of Cosenza and in 5 non-Arb?reshe municipalities of the same province. Isonymy and repeated pairs of surnames are used to analyze the bio-demographic structure of these populations, while analysis of isonymic relationships is used to investigate the variability between populations. Higher values of marital isonymy and subdivision into subpopulations characterize the Arb?reshe populations with respect to their non-Arb?reshe neighbors. However, the high range of variability of these parameters suggests a strong influence of geographic location on the marriage pattern of each community. At the same time, cultural differences linked to group identity had a strong impact in limiting marriage exchanges between the different ethnic groups living in the province of Cosenza in the early 1800s. In fact, the analysis of isonymic relationships demonstrates that geographic location shaped kinship patterns among the Arbereshe communities, but it also shows that the non-Arb?reshe neighbors formed a clearly separate reproductive cluster.     

Flavonoids in flowers of 16 Kalanchoë blossfeldiana varieties

Kalancho? blossfeldiana varieties with orange, pink, red and magenta flowers were found to contain 3,5-O-beta-D-diglucosides of pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin. Pink, red and magenta varieties contained relatively high amounts of quercetin based flavonols. Four distinct quercetin flavonols were identified, namely quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside and three that were quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside based, with either glucose, xylose or arabinose attached to position 2 of the rhamnose. In addition, the presence of at least three kaempferol based diglycosides was suggested from LC-MS analyses. Orange varieties contained very low amounts of flavonol co-pigments and of delphinidin derivatives. The flower extracts of the varieties 'Diva' (magenta) and 'Molly' (red) had identical anthocyanin ratios but differed significantly in flavonol content. The magenta variety contained four times as much quercetin relative to anthocyanidin as the red variety. This difference was mainly due to a larger content of quercetin 3-O-(2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside). Based on pigment and co-pigment analyses, approaches for molecular breeding towards blue flower colour are discussed.