New cytogenetic aberrations found in a case of aggressive retinoblastoma

We describe a case of retinoblastoma with an atypical presentation and previously unreported cytogenetic aberrations. A 19-month-old girl with left intraocular retinoblastoma was treated with enucleation and chemotherapy. The disease showed aggressive evolution within a short period between diagnosis and relapse. Eight months after diagnosis, a new large tumor was present in the orbit of the right eye, with diffuse bone pain, pancytopenia and diffuse infiltration into the bone marrow and the central nervous system. The child did not respond to treatment and died. Cytogenetic studies made with G-banding, FISH and SKY analysis showed chromosomal aberrations commonly associated with retinoblastoma, including del(13q), i(6p), +1, and monosomy 16, along with others that had not been reported previously, including dup(5q), dic(15;22) and add(14q). The new chromosomal aberrations may be related to the aggressiveness of the disease in this case.     

On the identity of Festuca jubata Lowe (Poaceae) and the description of a new Festuca species in the Azores Islands

The majority of authors consider Festuca jubata Lowe as an endemic species common to Madeira and the Azores. Saint-Yves proposed that F. jubata was an Azorean endemic and described a geovicarious taxon in Madeira: F. filiformis C. Sm. ex Link in Buch ssp. mandonii St.-Yves. We undertook a complete bibliographical revision of the taxonomy, nomenclature, and chorology of F. jubata s.l. , and contrasted it with morphological and anatomical studies performed on samples from the Azores and Madeira. Azorean plants usually identified as F. jubata had a character combination distinct from that of those with a Madeiran provenance. Saint-Yves' proposal of two independent taxa was correct, but he erroneously considered F. jubata as an Azorean endemic because the name F. jubata was based on Madeiran plants. Consequently, F. jubata auct. pl. from the Azores belongs to a new species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 493–499.     

Cellular localization of Nicastrin affects amyloid beta species production

The gamma-secretase complex, composed by presenilin, nicastrin, APH-1 and PEN-2, is involved in intramembranous proteolysis of membrane proteins, such as amyloid precursor protein or Notch. Cleavage occurs in multiple cellular compartments. Here, nicastrin mutants containing targeting signals to the endoplasmic reticulum, trans-Golgi network, lysosomes, or plasma membrane have been shown to yield active gamma-secretase complexes with different activities and specificities: wild-type and plasma membrane nicastrin complexes yielded the highest amounts of secreted amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), predominantly Abeta40, whereas intracellular targeted mutants produced intracellular Abeta, with a comparatively higher amount of Abeta42. These results suggest that compartmental microenvironments play a role in gamma-secretase activity and specificity.     

Laurus novocanariensis essential oil: Seasonal variation and valorization

We investigated the qualitative and quantitative seasonal variation of the leaf and fruit oils of the Macaronesian endemism Laurus novocanariensis and their plant defensive potential. The monoterpene fraction dominated the leaf (74%) and berry essential oils (73–44%, ripe–unripe). The insect antifeedant effects of these oils were species- and season-dependent against the aphids (Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi). Overall, the biological effects of these oils correlated with the oxygenated terpene fraction. Among the pure components tested, β-caryophyllene and its oxide were strong antifeedants to Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Spodoptera littoralis. The aphids responded to β-ocimene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool (antifeedants) and linalool oxide (attractive to M. persicae). The antifungal effects of the leaf oils on Fusarium spp. were season-dependent. β-Caryophyllene oxide proved to be a strong antifungal. L. novocanariensis oils inhibited Lactuca sativa germination and radicle elongation, the leaves being more effective. Linalool also inhibited seed germination.     

Assessment methodology for southern siliceous basins in Portugal

A sampling programme was developed in three stream types, of siliceous geology, from the south of Portugal (small and mid-sized lowland streams and small-sized median altitude streams). The samples were taken according to the AQEM site protocol procedure, keeping transport and depositional habitats samples separated. In each stream type, at least 13 sites were studied over a gradient of organic pollution (pre-classification). The benthic macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. A Detrended Correspondence Analysis of macroinvertebrate communities identified a gradient of organic pollution strongly related to the first axis. This ordination allowed the establishment of classes of organic pollution using the Kmeans software (post-classification). Metrics based on the macroinvertebrate communities (tolerance, richness, composition and trophic structure) were computed and tested for correlation with the gradient of organic pollution (first axis of DCA). Most of the selected metrics were able to discriminate the four quality classes (high, good, moderate and poor) of ecological status. A multimetric index, integrating ASPT′ index, Trichoptera families and percentage of Gasteropoda, Oligochaeta and Diptera, is proposed to assess the ecological status of Portuguese southern siliceous basins.     

Gonad development and fatty acid composition of Patella depressa Pennant (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) populations with different patterns of spatial distribution, in exposed and sheltered sites

The present study examines the effect of shore exposure on the feeding performance (assessed by fatty acid analyses of the whole body) and gonad condition (stage of development and gonad somatic index, GSI) of Patella depressa populations. Male and female limpets were collected at exposed and sheltered sites, during winter and summer. The population at the exposed site was at a more advanced stage of gonad development, with a higher dispersion of gonad stages, both in winter and summer. Additionally, limpets from the exposed site, particularly the males, presented a higher GSI than the corresponding stage in the sheltered site. The quantitatively most important fatty acids were the saturated fatty acids (SFA) 16:0, 14:0, and 18:0, the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) 18:1(n−7), 18:1(n−9), 16:1(n−7) and 20:1(n−9) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 20:5(n−3) and 20:4(n−6). Females had a significantly higher fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content (in summer and winter) and higher amounts of SFA and MUFA (in summer), which points to a higher degree of storage of neutral lipids in this sex. Male and female limpets at the exposed site had a significantly higher FAME, SFA, MUFA, PUFA and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) content than the corresponding sex in the sheltered site in summer. In addition, an inversion in the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (ARA) and (n−3)/(n−6) ratios was observed in the sheltered site, as a result of the significantly higher levels of ARA and (n−6) fatty acids and lower amounts of EPA and (n−3) fatty acids found in the sheltered limpets. A high variability among patches in the fatty acid composition in the exposed site was found in winter, possibly related to the aggregation of limpets at this time. The differences found between limpets from the exposed and sheltered sites suggest qualitative and quantitative differences in their diets. Additionally, the results show that the spatial aggregation strategy adopted by limpets in sites of great wave and wind exposure does not affect their feeding and reproductive success, at least in the site examined here. In fact, more developed gonads, a higher GSI and an elevated FAME content was found in the exposed population. Possible factors are suggested and discussed to explain these observations.     

DESCRIPTION OF THE SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF SPANISH UNIFLORAL HONEYS BY FREE CHOICE PROFILING

Different Spanish unifloral honeys (eucalyptus, sunflower, rosemary, thyme, lavender, citrus, anise, quercus, and lemon blossom) and one multifloral honey were studied by Free-Choice Profiling (FCP) analysis. Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) applied to the FCP data allowed discrimination between samples and provided information on the attributes responsible for the differences observed. The honeys had significantly different sensory characteristics. Textural attributes were the predominant factor in discriminating between samples, and appearance (color included) was also correlated with GPA dimensions to a lesser extent.