Trapped in a vicious loop: Toll-like receptors sustain the spontaneous cytokine production by rheumatoid synovium

Synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) spontaneously produces several cytokines, of which a fundamental role in joint inflammation and destruction has been established. However, the factors sustaining this phenomenon remain poorly understood. In a recent report, blockade of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was found to inhibit the spontaneous release of inflammatory cytokines by intact RA synovial explant cultures. Adding to the recent evidence implicating other TLRs (in particular, TLR4), this observation highlights the potential of TLRs as therapeutic targets to suppress the local production of multiple cytokines and to control the chronic inflammatory loop in RA.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Leuconostoc based on reverse transcriptase sequencing of 16 S rRNA

The phylogenetic interrelationships of members of the genus Leuconostoc and some heterofermentative lactobacilli, which phenotypically resemble leuconostocs, were investigated by comparative analysis of their 16 S rRNA sequences. The six species, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leu. carnosum, Leu. citreum, Leu. gelidum, Leu. lactis and Leu. pseudomesenteroides exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity with each other and formed a phylogenetically coherent group, quite separate from all other lactic acid bacteria investigated. The species Leu. paramesenteroides was found to be phylogenetically distinct from the Leu. mesenteroides group of species and formed a natural grouping with the heterofermentative lactobacilli, Lb. confusus, Lb. kandleri, Lb. minor and Lb. viridescens. The rRNA sequence of the acidophilic species, Leu. oenos, displayed exceptionally low levels of homology with all of the other taxa examined. The 16 S sequence of Leu. oenos showed major nucleotide differences in relatively highly conserved positions of the molecule indicating this species is phylogenetically distinct and warrants a separate genus.     

Aeromonas allosaccharophila sp. nov., a new mesophilic member of the genus Aeromonas

Phenotypic and genetic studies were performed on some atypical aeromonas strains of uncertain taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that these strains represent a hitherto unknown genetic line within the genus Aeromonas, for which the name Aeromonas allosaccharophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CECT 4199.     

Quantitative study on the inferior vena cava between the renal vein and diaphragm

50 dissections of the human inferior V. cava have been performed in order to measure its right renal vein - diaphragm, retrohepatic, and suprahepatic segments. We conclude that some individual parameters as skin type, age, height, weight did not influence the magnitude of the studied segments. The average measurements of the different parameters proposed for the inferior V. cava are: 1. The distances between the right renal vein and the diaphragm and between the right renal vein and the right atrium are 113.94 mm and 135.16 mm, respectively; 2. the length of the retrohepatic portion of the inferior V. cava and the suprahepatic one were 78.34 mm and 19.34 mm respectively; 3. the valve of the inferior V. cava is present in 46% of the observations; its length and width averages are 31 mm and 10.22 mm, respectively.     

Local texture convergence: a new approach to seeking assembly rules

Much of community-ecology theory describes (or even assumes) constraints on the coexistence of species. These constraints are often described using functional characters as an index to the niche of the species. The hypothesis/assumption is that those species which are too similar in functional characters, and hence in niche, cannot coexist. However, this body of theory is rarely tested. We attempted a test by making a prediction of texture convergence that follows logically from the theory, yet is simple enough to test – one based on similarity of ecological assembly between the patches of a community. We used replicate quadrats within twelve herbaceous communities. Eleven characters were measured, that were intended to reflect the functional above-ground niche of the species. We examined each character in turn, to test for ecological convergence to a similar mean within each community, with species either weighted equally (i.e. using species presence) or weighted by their biomass. Convergence with species weighted by their biomass was seen in chlorophyll content, indicating a significant tendency for each patch in a community to comprise a rather constant mixture of species types in terms of their different chlorophyll contents. In terms of species presence, texture divergence occurred in leafiness (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf inclination, i.e. there was more variation between quadrats within a site than expected at random. However, significant results were sparse: the bulk of evidence is for no significant departure from a null model, i.e. no support for a widespread body of ecological theory.     

Positive relationships among aboveground biomass,tree species diversity,and urban greening management in tropical coastal city of Haikou

Within urban green spaces, tree species diversity is believed to correlate with aboveground biomass, though there is some disagreement within the literature on the strength and directionality of the relationship. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between the biodiversity of woody species and the aboveground biomass of woody plant species in the tropical, coastal city of Haikou in southern China. To accomplish this, we obtained comprehensive tree and site data through field sampling of 190 urban functional units (UFUs, or work units) corresponding to six types of land uses governmental‐institutional, industrial‐commercial, park‐recreational, residential, transport infrastructure, and undeveloped area. Based on our field data, we investigated the relationship between tree species diversity and aboveground biomass using multiple regression, which revealed significant relationships across all five types of land uses. Aboveground biomass in green spaces was also correlated with anthropogenic factors, especially time since urban development, or site age, annual maintenance frequency by human caretakers, and human population density. Among these factors, maintenance is the strongest predictor of aboveground biomass in urban green space. Therefore, this study highlights the critical role of maintenance of urban green space in promoting both aboveground biomass and woody biodiversity in urban ecosystems and, consequently, on urban ecosystem services. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecosystem services provided by communities of woody plant species in urban areas.