Nitric oxide as a key component in hormone-regulated processes

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small gaseous molecule, with a free radical nature that allows it to participate in a wide spectrum of biologically important reactions. NO is an endogenous product in plants, where different biosynthetic pathways have been proposed. First known in animals as a signaling molecule in cardiovascular and nervous systems, it has turned up to be an essential component for a wide variety of hormone-regulated processes in plants. Adaptation of plants to a changing environment involves a panoply of processes, which include the control of CO₂ fixation and water loss through stomatal closure, rearrangements of root architecture as well as growth restriction. The regulation of these processes requires the concerted action of several phytohormones, as well as the participation of the ubiquitous molecule NO. This review analyzes the role of NO in relation to the signaling pathways involved in stomatal movement, plant growth and senescence, in the frame of its interaction with abscisic acid, auxins, gibberellins, and ethylene.     

Genetic variability characterization of the moroccan houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) inferred from pedigree analysis

A Moroccan Houbara Bustard pedigree was analyzed to evaluate the genetic variability in captive breeding population using genealogical approaches. The whole Houbara breeding flock (WP) for the period 1993–2004 was made up of 531 birds comprising 346 females and 185 males. The reference population (RP) comprised 198 individuals ready for reproduction from 2000 to 2004 cohorts. The corresponding percentage of known ancestors was estimated as 98.23% for the parent generation, 41.19% for the grandparent generation and 7.00% for the great grandparents generation. The average generation interval for Houbara was computed as 4.64 years. Genetic variability loss per generation was ascertained using the effective population size (), the founder genome equivalent (fge), the effective number of ancestors and founders (fa) and (fe), respectively, for the RP and across each cohort. The results showed no bottleneck events in the breed but some loss of genetic variability just after the initiation of the conservation program. However, the annual effective population size based on the realized increase in inbreeding () was estimated to be 207 for the RP and 1,000 for the WP. With regard to conservation breeding schemes, the genealogical evidence presented here is very useful as it revealed the positive effect of migration on Houbara breeding. The mating strategies will assist in the future control and management of the genetic variability of this population. Zoo Biol. 32:366‐373, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of Lysine Addition on Growth of Black Iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata)

The effects of the addition of lysine to commercial feed given to captive black iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) were evaluated in terms of growth and feed digestibility. Twenty‐eight‐day‐old black iguana with an initial weight of 5.5 ± 0.3 g were housed individually in cages measuring 45 × 45 × 45 cm. The experiment lasted 150 days. The ambient temperature ranged from 28 to 35°C with a relative humidity of 60 to 95%. Treatments consisted of the addition of different percentages of lysine to the feed (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%, dry matter [DM] base). There was a linear response (P < 0.01) in daily gain (68, 112, 118, and 151 mg/d) and daily intake (251, 289, 297, and 337 mg/d) for levels from 0 to 0.3%, respectively, as well in the growth in head size, snout–vent length, and total length. The digestibility of DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were reduced linearly (P < 0.01) as lysine levels increased. Intake and digestibility were negatively correlated (r = –0.74; P < 0.001). It is concluded that the addition of lysine to the black iguana diet in the first months of life is important to stimulate growth and intake. Zoo Biol 32:277–280, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New Insights into the Circadian Rhythm of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Subgroups

The aim of this study was to determine the existence of the circadian rhythm (CR) in the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in different patient subgroups. Information was collected about 41,244 infarctions from the database of the ARIAM (Analysis of Delay in AMI) Spanish multicenter study. CR in AMI were explored in subgroups of cases categorized by age, gender, previous ischemic heart disease (PIHD), outcome in coronary care unit, infarction electrocardiograph (ECG) characteristics (Q wave or non‐Q wave), and location of AMI. Cases were classified according to these variables in the different subgroups. To verify the presence of CR, a simple test of equality of time series based on the multiple‐sinusoid (24, 12, and 8 h periods) cosinor analysis was developed. For the groups as a whole, the time of pain onset as an indicator of the AMI occurrence showed a CR (p<0.0001), with a morning peak at 10:10 h. All the analyzed subgroups also showed CR. Comparison between subgroups showed significant differences in the PIHD (p<0.01) and infarction ECG characteristics (p<0.01) groups. The CR of the subgroup with Q‐wave infarction differed from that of non‐Q wave subgroup (p<0.01) when the patients had PIHD (23% in Q wave infarction vs. 39.2% in non‐Q wave). AMI onset followed a CR pattern, which is also observed in all analyzed subgroups. Differences in the CR according to the Q/non‐Q wave infarction characteristics could be determined by PIHD. The cosinor model fit with three components (24, 12, and 8 h periods) showed a higher sensitivity than the single 24 h period analysis.     

Effects of Transient and Continuous Wheel Running Activity on the Upper and Lower Limits of Entrainment to Light‐Dark Cycles in Female Hamsters

The entrainment limits to light‐dark cycles can be modified by the experimental conditions under which they are tested. Among the factors that may influence entrainment is the amount of wheel running exerted by the animal. In the present work, the effects of transitory and continuous wheel running on entrainment to light‐dark cycles were tested using a range of T cycles at the entrainment limits. Four groups of female hamsters were submitted to 1 h stepwise changes in T cycles. Two groups were exposed to T cycles of which the period was shortened at the lower limit from T22 to T18, and the other two groups were exposed to cycles that lengthened at the upper limit from T27 to T32. One of the groups at the lower limit and one at the upper limit had continuous access to a running wheel, while the others had the wheel locked, except at certain T when a lack of period control by T cycle appeared. The study demonstrates that access to running wheel widens the limits of entrainment to LD cycles. Specifically, the following observations were made: the effects of wheel running for entrainment were more evident in the groups with continuous access to wheel, as they did entrain to T19 and T32; continuous access to a wheel produced aftereffects only after T19, but not under T32; and when animals without a wheel showed relative coordination, unlocking the wheel favored entrainment in all the animals at T31, but in only 1 out 6 at T19. All of these indicate a different effect of the wheel running on the upper and lower limits of entrainment.     

Diagnosis and management of hypertension: around-the-clock ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is substantially more effective and less costly than daytime office blood pressure measurements

ABSTRACT

The cost-effectiveness of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) versus traditional office BP measurement (OBPM) for the diagnosis and management of hypertension has been evaluated only by few studies and based solely on the reduction of medical care expenses through avoiding treatment of isolated-office hypertension. Data from the 21963 participants in the Hygia Project, a multicenter outcomes study that incorporates into routine primary care periodic, at least yearly, 48 h ABPM evaluation, were utilized to assess the cost-effectiveness – relative to vascular pathology expenditures countrywide in Spain – of ABPM versus OBPM. The actual reported Spanish healthcare expenditure for vascular pathology in 2015 – aggregate costs of medical examinations, outpatient and inpatient care, therapeutic interventions, plus non-healthcare services (productivity losses due to morbidity/mortality and informal family/friends-provided care) – was used to compare yearly costs when diagnostic and treatment decisions for hypertension are based on the OBPM versus the ABPM-model. Our economic analysis is based on the more realistic and feasible approach of restricting ABPM solely to high-risk individuals of age ≥60 years and/or with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and/or previous cardiovascular event, who in the Hygia Project accounted for >90% of all documented events. The projected net benefit countrywide in favor of the proposed ABPM-model is ~5294M€/year, i.e., 360.33€/year (95%CI [347.52–374.85]) per ABPM-evaluated person. This highly conservative economic analysis indicates ABPM is a much more cost-effective strategy than repeated OBPM not only for accurate diagnosis and management of true hypertension but marked reduction of expenditures on elevated BP-associated vascular pathology.     

Structural and Stereochemical Studies of Hydroxyanthraquinone Derivatives from the Endophytic Fungus Coniothyrium sp

Four known hydroxyanthraquinones ( 1–4 ) together with four new derivatives having a tetralone moiety, namely coniothyrinones A–D ( 5–8 ), were isolated from the culture of Coniothyrium sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Salsola oppostifolia from Gomera in the Canary Islands. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The absolute configurations of coniothyrinones A ( 5 ), B ( 6 ), and D ( 8 ) were determined by TDDFT calculations of CD spectra, allowing the determination of the absolute configuration of coniothyrinone C ( 7 ) as well. Coniothyrinones A ( 5 ), B ( 6 ), and D ( 8 ) could be used as ECD reference compounds in the determination of absolute configuration for related tetralone derivatives. This is the first report of anthraquinones and derivatives from an isolate of the genus Coniothyrium sp. These compounds showed inhibitory effects against the fungus Microbotryum violaceum, the alga Chlorella fusca, and the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium. Chirality 25:141–148, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Impact of unilateral spatial neglect on chronic patient's post-stroke quality of life

Abstract

Background: Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is the prevalent feature in patients with right-sided stroke. It is diagnosed through the behavior inattention test (BIT) and has a negative impact on patients affecting both their functional capacity and quality of life.

Objective: Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of USN on the quality of life of patients in the chronic phase of stroke.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with stroke patients with USN. After confirming the presence of stroke through neuroimaging examinations and of USN through the BIT, patients’ quality of life was evaluated by using the EUROQOL scale. Spearman’s correlation was used to validate the correlation between patients’ USN and quality of life, with a p?<?.05 representing significant results.

Results: Eighteen individuals were included. When correlating the value of each domain of the EUROQOL scale with the results of the BIT, we observed a negative correlation between mobility (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), self-care (r?=?–0.82; p?=?.013), usual activities (r?=?–0.87; p?=?.005); pain or discomfort (r?=?–0.88; p?=?.004), anxiety or depression (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), and EUROQOL total score (r?=?–0.97, p?=?.000).

Conclusion: After a correlation between the overall EUROQOL and BIT scores, we suggest that the higher the USN degree is in stroke patients, the worse their perceived quality of life tends to be.