The Pyrenees as a cradle of plant diversity: phylogeny,phylogeography and niche modeling of Saxifraga longifolia

The current distribution of most species results from ecological niche, past distribution, and migrations during glacial–interglacial periods and in situ evolution. Here, we disentangle the colonization history of Saxifraga longifolia Lapeyr., a limestone plant abundant in the Pyrenees and rare in other Iberian mountains and the African Atlas. Our working hypothesis is that the current distribution results from the shrinkage of a more extensive distribution in previous cold periods. We sampled 160 individuals of 32 populations across the whole distribution range and sequenced four DNA regions (rpl32-trnL, rps16-trnQ, trnS-trnG, and ITS). Ecological conditions were modeled to identify factors promoting high genetic diversity and long-term persistence areas for S. longifolia. In addition, we inferred phylogenetic relationships, phylogeographic divergence, genetic diversity, and migration routes. Seven plastid haplotypes were found, of which six occur in the Pyrenees and one in the High Atlas (Morocco). Discrete phylogeographic analysis (DPA) estimated migration routes predominantly from the Pyrenees to the other areas. Colonization events to those areas appear to have taken place recently given that the rest of the Iberian mountains do not harbor exclusive haplotypes. Iberian–Northern African distribution was inferred to be the result of long-distance dispersal because the split between Iberian and High Atlas haplotypes is estimated to have taken place in the last 4 million years ago when the Strait of Gibraltar was already open. Migrations from the Pyrenees to the south may have been favored by a corridor of predominant limestone rocks along Eastern Iberia, followed by successful overcoming the Strait of Gibraltar to reach northern Africa.     

Anti-IgE Response in Human Airways: Relative Contribution of Inflammatory Mediators

Heman airway preparations at resting tone were relaxed with either the leukotriene synthesis inhibitor BAY x1005 (3 muM), chlorpheniramine (1 muM) or the thromboxane receptor antagonist BAY u3405 (0.1 muM). The response to anti-IgE (1:1000) was 58 +/- 8% of acetylcholine pre-contraction (2.19 +/- 0.28 g). Indomethacin (3 muM) enhanced the anti-IgE-induced contraction by 28%. The anti-IgE maximal response was not modified by either chlorpheniramine, BAY x1005 or BAY u3405. When the tissues were treated with either BAY xl005/indomethacin or BAY x1005/chlorpheniramine, the anti-IgE-induced contraction was reduced. In addition, in presence of BAY xl005/indomethacin/chlorpheniramine the response was completely blocked. These results suggest that mediatots released during anti-IgE challenge cause airway contraction which may mask the evaluation of the leukotriene component.     

Protein-bound polyamines in the plasma of mice grafted with the Lewis lung carcinoma

Protein-bound polyamines were isolated from the plasma of mice using antipolyamine antibodies covalently linked to magnetic latex spheres. Their subsequent separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed that in plasma from normal mice, 3 proteins (27, 55 and 82 kDa) carrying polyamines could be visualized, whereas in mice bearing the Lewis lung carcinoma at least 8 other proteins of higher molecular mass (5 of 94, 110, 130, 145 and 160 kDa, and 3 of greater than 170 kDa) had bound polyamines. These protein-bound polyamines could be detected from the first week after tumour graft; they increased during the second and third week but decreased thereafter. These proteins were not bound by immunolatex spheres preincubated with spermine bound to a protein-carrier insulin. Moreover, the appearance of these protein-bound polyamines was not a consequence of the inflammatory process since in mice infected with heat-inactivated Brucella abortus, with the exception of a 65 kDa protein, polyamines were bound to the same proteins found in normal mice. In mice grafted with the Lewis lung carcinoma the concomitant decrease in transglutaminase-mediated polyamine (e.g. putrescine) binding capacity of plasma proteins provides additional evidence for the presence in vivo of polyamines already bound to plasma proteins.     

Molecular Structure of the N-terminal Domain of the APC/C Subunit Cdc27 Reveals a Homo-dimeric Tetratricopeptide Repeat Architecture

The anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a large multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets specific cell cycle regulatory proteins for ubiquitin-dependent degradation, thereby controlling cell cycle events such as the metaphase to anaphase transition and the exit from mitosis. Biochemical and genetic studies are consistent with the notion that subunits of APC/C are organised into two distinct sub-complexes; a catalytic sub-complex including the cullin domain and RING finger subunits Apc2 and Apc11, respectively, and a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) sub-complex composed of the TPR subunits Cdc16, Cdc23 and Cdc27 (Apc3). Here, we describe the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of Encephalitozoon cuniculi Cdc27 (Cdc27^Nterm), revealing a homo-dimeric structure, composed predominantly of successive TPR motifs. Mutation of the Cdc27^Nterm dimer interface destabilises the protein, disrupts dimerisation in solution, and abolishes the capacity of E. cuniculi Cdc27 to complement Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc27 in vivo. These results establish the existence of functional APC/C genes in E. cuniculi, the evolutionarily conserved dimeric properties of Cdc27, and provide a framework for understanding the architecture of full-length Cdc27.     

Predictors and Moderators of Internet- and Group-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Panic Disorder

Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) can be equally effective as traditional face-to-face cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for treating panic disorder (PD). However, little is known about the predictors and moderators of outcome of ICBT when delivered in psychiatric outpatient settings. This study investigated a selection of outcome predictors and moderators of ICBT for panic disorder based on data from a randomised controlled trial where therapist-guided ICBT was compared with group CBT (GCBT) for panic disorder. Participants (N = 104) received 10 weeks of ICBT or GCBT and were assessed before and after treatment, and after six months. Multiple regression analyses were used to test for significant predictors of treatment outcome. Predictors of positive treatment response for both modalities were having low levels of symptom severity and work impairment. In addition, anxiety sensitivity was found to have a small negative relationship with treatment outcome, suggesting that anxiety sensitivity may slightly enhance treatment response. Treatment modality had a moderating effect on the relationship between domestic impairment and outcome and on the relationship between initial age of onset of panic symptoms and treatment outcome, favouring ICBT for patients having had an early onset of PD symptoms and for patients having a high domestic functional impairment. These results suggest that both ICBT and GCBT are effective treatment modalities for PD and that it is possible to predict a significant proportion of the long-term outcome variance based on clinical variables.     

Chemical Characterization and Insecticidal Properties of Essential Oils from Different Wild Populations of Mentha suaveolens subsp. timija (Briq.) Harley from Morocco

The present study is the first investigation of the volatile‐oil variability and insecticidal properties of the endemic Moroccan mint Mentha suaveolens subsp. timija (mint timija). The yield of essential oils (EOs) obtained from different wild mint timija populations ranged from 0.20±0.02 to 1.17±0.25% (v/w). GC/MS Analysis revealed the presence of 44 oil constituents, comprising 97.3–99.9% of the total oil compositions. The main constituents were found to be menthone (1.2–62.6%), pulegone (0.8–26.6%), cis‐piperitone epoxide (2.9–25.5%), piperitone (0.3–35.5%), trans‐piperitone epoxide (8.1–15.7%), piperitenone (0.2–9.6%), piperitenone oxide (0.5–28.6%), (E)‐caryophyllene (1.5–11.0%), germacrene D (1.0–15.7%), isomenthone (0.3–7.7%), and borneol (0.2–7.3%). Hierarchical‐cluster analysis allowed the classification of the EOs of the different mint timija populations into four main groups according to the contents of their major components. This variability within the species showed to be linked to the altitude variation of the mint timija growing sites. The results of the insecticidal tests showed that all samples exhibited interesting activity against adults of Tribolium castaneum, but with different degrees. The highest toxicity was observed for the EOs belonging to Group IV, which were rich in menthone and pulegone, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 19.0–23.4 and 54.9–58.0 μl/l air in the fumigation assay and LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 0.17–0.18 and 0.40–0.52 μl/cm² in the contact assay.     

La scintigraphie thyroïdienne dans l’hypothyroïdie congénitale : à propos de 181 examens chez des enfants de moins de trois mois

IntroductionIncidence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is about one in 3000 newborn and CH is the main cause of avoidable mental retardation and abnormality of growth. It may be permanent or transient. Thyroid scintigraphy allows in most of cases to specify the type of CH. The aim of this study was to clarify the contribution of scintigraphy for the diagnosis, management and prognosis of the children with CH, on basis the experience from the Nuclear Medicine department of Armand-Trousseau Children Hospital.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all the children (0–3 months) referred between January 2005 and December 2008 to the pediatric hospitals in Paris for the management of neonatal hypothyroidism. A planar scintigraphic acquisition, including stomach and bladder, was done 1 h after intravenous injection of 1.1 MBq of ¹²³I. When the thyroid was normally located, a perchlorate discharge test was performed.ResultsDuring the study period, 181 infants had thyroid scintigraphy for CH. The sex-ratio girl/boy was 1.7. Fifty-six percent had thyroid dysgenesis (21% agenesis, 35% ectopia). Seventy-nine patients (44%) had an eutopic thyroid. A significant association was observed between TSH levels and etiology of HC, and between TSH levels and the percentage of iodine uptake decrease after the perchlorate discharge test: the highest level of TSH was observed in the case of athyreosis and when perchlorate test was very disturbed (fall of thyroid activity greater than 70%).ConclusionThyroid scintigraphy in association with ultrasound permits a precise characterization of the etiology of CH. These examinations help clinicians to ensure an optimal management of patients by identifying those with most severe hypothyroidism, and to inform parents most completely on duration of treatment and existence of a potential risk during a future pregnancy.     

Internet-Based Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Training in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Pilot Study

The effectiveness of biofeedback-assisted behavioral treatment with Internet-based client-therapist contact for hypertension was tested in outpatient settings. A pilot study with a randomized controlled design was adopted with two conditions (treatment versus passive controls), lasting for 8 weeks. There were two assessment time points (pre-treatment and post-treatment) measuring clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and administration of a questionnaire collecting demographic and subjective data. Participants included 19 Swedish adults diagnosed with hypertension. The treatment group lowered their SBP 5.9 mm Hg and their DBP 7.6 mm Hg while the control group lowered their SBP 0.8 mm Hg and DBP 3.0 mm Hg. The effect of treatment was significant for DBP but not for SBP. There were no other significant effects of treatment. This pilot study shows encouraging results regarding Internet-based biofeedback treatment for hypertensive adults. However, further research using a larger sample is needed.