Effects of shift work on attention deficit,hyperactivity, and impulsivity,and their relationship with chronotype

There is growing evidence that shift-work schedules cause severe disturbances to circadian rhythms and the sleep–wakefulness cycle, and that these changes in turn lead to cognitive and behavioral problems. The objective of this study is to explore the relationships between biological rhythm differences (chronotype) and impulsive behaviors and attention-deficit hyperactivity symptoms in shift workers. Seventy-nine nurses working in the daytime and 127 nurses working on night shifts were evaluated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and Morningness–Eveningness questionnaire for identifying circadian preference. It was found that shift workers had more attention deficit (p < .05) and impulsivity (p < .01) when compared with daytime workers. Morning-type workers reported lower hyperactivity and ASRS total scores than evening- and intermediate-type workers. The mean impulsivity score of evening-type workers was higher than both the other groups (p < .05). It has been shown that attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity levels that appear as a result of working shifts might change in accordance with the individual’s chronotype. It might, therefore, be desirable to evaluate an individual’s chronotype to establish suitability for working shifts.     

A novel comparative research platform designed to determine the functional significance of tree species diversity in European forests

One of the current advances in functional biodiversity research is the move away from short-lived test systems towards the exploration of diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in structurally more complex ecosystems. In forests, assumptions about the functional significance of tree species diversity have only recently produced a new generation of research on ecosystem processes and services. Novel experimental designs have now replaced traditional forestry trials, but these comparatively young experimental plots suffer from specific difficulties that are mainly related to the tree size and longevity. Tree species diversity experiments therefore need to be complemented with comparative observational studies in existing forests. Here we present the design and implementation of a new network of forest plots along tree species diversity gradients in six major European forest types: the FunDivEUROPE Exploratory Platform. Based on a review of the deficiencies of existing observational approaches and of unresolved research questions and hypotheses, we discuss the fundamental criteria that shaped the design of our platform. Key features include the extent of the species diversity gradient with mixtures up to five species, strict avoidance of a dilution gradient, special attention to community evenness and minimal covariation with other environmental factors. The new European research platform permits the most comprehensive assessment of tree species diversity effects on forest ecosystem functioning to date since it offers a common set of research plots to groups of researchers from very different disciplines and uses the same methodological approach in contrasting forest types along an extensive environmental gradient.     

Diversity and biogeography of Ni‐hyperaccumulators of Alyssum section Odontarrhena (Brassicaceae) in the central western Mediterranean: evidence from karyology,morphology and DNA sequence data

The diversity of Alyssum section Odontarrhena in the central–western Mediterranean region was investigated to elucidate relationships and biogeography of Ni‐hyperaccumulators in the group. Karyological, morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed on accessions of Ni‐hyperaccumulators from serpentine outcrops and non‐hyperaccumulators from calcareous–dolomitic soils in the region. Alpine and Apennine populations of A. argenteum, Sardinian A. tavolarae and some Tuscan A. bertolonii had a tetraploid chromosome complement and larger silicles, seeds and seed wings than diploid accessions. DNA sequences from the plastid rpoC1 locus corroborated the monophyly of section Odontarrhena but species relationships were poorly resolved. Bayesian analysis of combined ITS‐rpoC1 sequences retrieved three main lineages including hyperaccumulators and non‐hyperaccumulators of contrasting geographical origin. One lineage was mainly continental and included alpine and northern Apennine populations of A. argenteum, the Balkan complex of A. murale and the Iberian group of A. serpyllifolium, sister to Corsican A. robertianum as suggested by their similar diploid karyotype. In this clade no divergence was found between typical A. serpyllifolium and related Ni‐hyperaccumulator races from the Iberian peninsula, supporting their conspecific status. A second lineage was prevalently Mediterranean and included the sister species A. bertolonii and A. tavolarae, and other endemics from Sicily, the southern Balkans and Turkey from dolomite and serpentine habitats. The present data suggest new model systems consisting of hyperaccumulators and non‐hyperaccumulators of proven phylogenetic affinity for further research on the molecular mechanisms of Ni‐hyperaccumulation and serpentine tolerance at the diploid and tetraploid level. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 269–289.     

Genetic Structure of Tibeto-Burman Populations of Bangladesh: Evaluating the Gene Flow along the Sides of Bay-of-Bengal

Human settlement and migrations along sides of Bay-of-Bengal have played a vital role in shaping the genetic landscape of Bangladesh, Eastern India and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh and Northeast India form the vital land bridge between the South and Southeast Asia. To reconstruct the population history of this region and to see whether this diverse region geographically acted as a corridor or barrier for human interaction between South Asia and Southeast Asia, we, for the first time analyzed high resolution uniparental (mtDNA and Y chromosome) and biparental autosomal genetic markers among aboriginal Bangladesh tribes currently speaking Tibeto-Burman language. All the three studied populations; Chakma, Marma and Tripura from Bangladesh showed strikingly high homogeneity among themselves and strong affinities to Northeast Indian Tibeto-Burman groups. However, they show substantially higher molecular diversity than Northeast Indian populations. Unlike Austroasiatic (Munda) speakers of India, we observed equal role of both males and females in shaping the Tibeto-Burman expansion in Southern Asia. Moreover, it is noteworthy that in admixture proportion, TB populations of Bangladesh carry substantially higher mainland Indian ancestry component than Northeast Indian Tibeto-Burmans. Largely similar expansion ages of two major paternal haplogroups (O2a and O3a3c), suggested that they arose before the differentiation of any language group and approximately at the same time. Contrary to the scenario proposed for colonization of Northeast India as male founder effect that occurred within the past 4,000 years, we suggest a significantly deep colonization of this region. Overall, our extensive analysis revealed that the population history of South Asian Tibeto-Burman speakers is more complex than it was suggested before.     

An In Silico Analysis of Troponin I Mutations in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy of Indian Origin

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the myocardium which is hypertrophied resulting in arrhythmias and heart failure leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Several sarcomeric proteins and modifier genes have been implicated in this disease. Troponin I, being a part of the Troponin complex (troponin I, troponin C, troponin T), is an important gene for sarcomeric function. Four mutations (1 novel) were identified in Indian HCM cases, namely, Pro82Ser, Arg98Gln, Arg141Gln and Arg162Gln in Troponin I protein, which are in functionally significant domains. In order to analyse the effect of the mutations on protein stability and protein-protein interactions within the Troponin complex, an in silico study was carried out. The freely available X-ray crystal structure (PDB ID: 1JIE) was used as the template to model the protein followed by loop generation and development of troponin complex for both the troponin I wild type and four mutants (NCBI ID: PRJNA194382). The structural study was carried out to determine the effect of mutation on the structural stability and protein-protein interactions between three subunits in the complex. These mutations, especially the arginine to glutamine substitutions were found to result in local perturbations within the troponin complex by creating/removing inter/intra molecular hydrogen bonds with troponin T and troponin C. This has led to a decrease in the protein stability and loss of important interactions between the three subunits. It could have a significant impact on the disease progression when coupled with allelic heterogeneity which was observed in the cases carrying these mutations. However, this can be further confirmed by functional studies on protein levels in the identified cases.     

Some evidence for infrageneric classification in Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae:Mentheae)

The genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) consists of annual herbs, except Ziziphora clinopodioides, and is represented by six taxa in the flora of Turkey: Z. clinopodioides, Z. capitata, Z. persica, Z. tenuior, Z. taurica subsp. taurica and Z. taurica subsp. cleonioides. They are strong aromatic herbs and important medicinal plants. This study has been conducted to determine the palynological and karyological features of these taxa. The pollen morphology and exine structure of Ziziphora species were investigated by light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains were determined as hexacolpate, medium in size and a circular or elliptic amb. The shape of pollen grains varies from oblate to prolate spheroidal. Ornamentation types of pollen grains are bireticulate, microreticulate or perforate. Somatic chromosome number has been determined and counted as 2n = 16, 18. Results indicate that the pollen characters and chromosome numbers of the genus are valuable for taxonomic applications and may be useful for infrageneric classification.     

Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta (TRIF)-mediated signaling contributes to innate immune responses in the lung during Escherichia coli pneumonia

Peripheral blood memory B cells latently infected with EBV bear somatic mutations and are typically isotype switched consistent with being classical Ag-selected memory B cells. In this work, we performed a comparative analysis of the expressed Ig genes between large sets of EBV-infected and uninfected peripheral blood B cells, isolated from the same infectious mononucleosis patients, to determine whether differences exist that could reveal the influence of EBV on the production and maintenance of these cells. We observed that EBV(+) cells on average accumulated more somatic hypermutations than EBV(-) cells. In addition, they had more replacement mutations and a higher replacement-silent ratio of mutations in their CDRs. We also found that EBV occupies a skewed niche within the memory compartment, due to its exclusion from the CD27(+)IgD(+)IgM(+) subset, but this skewing does not affect the overall structure of the compartment. These results indicate that EBV impacts the mutation and selection process of infected cells but that once they enter memory they cannot be distinguished from uninfected cells by host homeostasis mechanisms.     

Diversity,geographic variation and conservationof the serpentine flora of Tuscany (Italy)

The specialised flora of serpentine outcrops in Tuscany (Italy) is analysed in terms of species richness and geographic variation, in order to identify main centres of diversity and provide a basis for conservation programmes. Five edaphic groups are distinguished, among which obligate endemics, serpentine-preferential taxa, facultative basiphilous and facultative calcifuge serpentinophytes. Relatively low diversity (87 taxa) and high taxonomic distinctiveness (28.7% of endemics plus preferentials) underscore the insular condition of the ophiolitic outcrops. Hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes are the dominat life-forms, in line with the mainly continental character revealed by the phytogeographical analysis. Presence/absence of the taxa in 10 serpentine island systems was assessed using literature and original field data. Number of species and surface of the areas are significantly correlated. Cluster analysis identifies five groups of areas, while ordination indicates the species which are more effective in determining the floristic differences among the areas. Cecina valley, Monte Ferrato, Murlo hills and upper Tiber valley are the main centres of endemism and taxonomic diversity. However, the positive relationship between floristic and geographic distances and the remarkable proportion of species with frequency < 50% highlights a considerable among-area variation. To ‘catch’ such variation, a network of distant protected sites appears more effective than to search for single areas with high diversity. At least one site in each of the five clusters should be included in a ‘Important Plant Area’ network which would ensure the conservation of such a peculiar component of the Italian vascular flora.