Proteomic patterns for classification of ovarian cancer and CTCL serum samples utilizing peak pairs indicative of post-translational modifications

Proteomic patterns as a potential diagnostic technology has been well established for several cancer conditions and other diseases. The use of machine learning techniques such as decision trees, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and other methods has been the basis for pattern determination. Cancer is known to involve signaling pathways that are regulated through PTM of proteins. These modifications are also detectable with high confidence using high-resolution MS. We generated data using a prOTOF mass spectrometer on two sets of patient samples: ovarian cancer and cutaneous t-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with matched normal samples for each disease. Using the knowledge of mass shifts caused by common modifications, we built models using peak pairs and compared this to a conventional technique using individual peaks. The results for each disease showed that a small number of peak pairs gave classification equal to or better than the conventional technique that used multiple individual peaks. This simple peak picking technique could be used to guide identification of important peak pairs involved in the disease process.     

The interplay between facilitation and habitat type drives spatial vegetation patterns in global drylands

The spatial configuration of vascular vegetation has been linked to variations in land degradation and ecosystem functioning in drylands. However, most studies on spatial patterns conducted to date have focused on a single or a few study sites within a particular region, specific vegetation types, or in landscapes characterized by a certain type of spatial patterns. Therefore, little is known on the general typology and distribution of plant spatial patterns in drylands worldwide, and on the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors as predictors of their variations across geographical regions and habitat types. We analyzed 115 dryland plant communities from all continents except Antarctica to: 1) investigate the general typology of spatial patterns, and 2) assess the relative importance of biotic (plant cover, frequency of facilitation, soil amelioration, height of the dominant species) and abiotic (aridity, rainfall seasonality and sand content) factors as predictors of spatial patterns (median patch size, shape of patch‐size distribution and regularity) across contrasting habitat types (shrublands and grasslands). Precipitation during the warmest period and sand content were particularly strong predictors of plant spatial patterns in grasslands and shrublands, respectively. Facilitation associated with power‐law like and irregular spatial patterns in both shrublands and grasslands, although it was mediated by different mechanisms (respectively soil ammelioration and percentage of facilitated species). The importance of biotic attributes as predictors of the shape of patch‐size distributions declined with aridity in both habitats, leading to the emergence of more regular patterns under the most arid conditions. Our results expand our knowledge about patch formation in drylands and the habitat‐dependency of their drivers. They also highlight different ways in which facilitation affects ecosystem structure through the formation of plant spatial patterns.     

The role of mitochondria in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Myocardial dysfunction, often termed sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, is a frequent complication and is associated with worse outcomes. Numerous mechanisms contribute to sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and a growing body of evidence suggests that bioenergetic and metabolic derangements play a central role in its development; however, there are significant discrepancies in the literature, perhaps reflecting variability in the experimental models employed or in the host response to sepsis. The condition is characterised by lack of significant cell death, normal tissue oxygen levels and, in survivors, reversibility of organ dysfunction. The functional changes observed in cardiac tissue may represent an adaptive response to prolonged stress that limits cell death, improving the potential for recovery. In this review, we describe our current understanding of the pathophysiology underlying myocardial dysfunction in sepsis, with a focus on disrupted mitochondrial processes.     

Observations of the Suspended Matter Distribution Dynamics in the Elbe Estuary from Time Series Aerial Photographs

Series of aerial photographs taken with an interval of 6 Minutes were used to study the dynamics of the suspended matter distribution in a 1 km section of the Elbe Estuary. The observations show heterogeneous distribution patterns which are different at each phase of the tidal cycle. The comparison with the bathymetry indicates that the distribution is mainly a function of the river bed topography, which modifies the local current structure. The surface distribution in the fairway region is especially determined by the ship traffic.     

Morphological correlates of necromass accumulation in the traps of an Eastern tropical pitcher plant, Nepenthes ampullaria Jack, and observations on the pitcher infauna and its reconstitution following experimental removal

I studied the trap morphology, necromass accumulation rates and pitcher infauna of an eastern tropical pitcher plant, Nepenthes ampullaria, that grew in `kerangas' heath forest in the Sungei Ingei Conservation Area, Brunei. I surveyed 164 pitchers distributed among 35 plants and extracted the necromass and larval infauna from the pitchers and then resampled the pitcher contents after 14 days. Plants varied significantly in the morphology of their pitchers, in their rate of necromass accumulation per pitcher and in the abundance and composition of the pitcher infaunas. On average, pitchers accumulated 11.5 mg dry weight over 14 days, but larger pitchers accumulated more necromass than smaller ones. Pitcher morphology explained 45% of the variation in necromass accumulation among plants. On average, pitchers initially contained 26.3 individual larval inquilines. Collectively, the larval infauna was composed of nine taxa of dipteran larvae and infrequent anuran tadpoles. These ten taxa were never found together in a single pitcher and the mean species richness per pitcher was 4.0. Of the six taxa that could be assessed, all except Toxorhynchites spp. had a contagious distribution among the pitchers. Pitcher morphology and necromass accumulation explained only 15% of the variation in inquiline abundance among plants. I found little evidence for the existence of density-dependent interactions between inquiline species: a partial correlation analysis detected only one statistically significant pairwise relationship between the abundances of inquiline taxa, which was a positive association. Fourteen days after being emptied, pitchers contained an average of 9.6 inquilines. There was no evidence that the species composition of the infauna recolonising each pitcher was related to that of its pre-removal infauna. Received: 2 June 1997 / Accepted: 9 September 1997     

Relationships in six groups of rhesus monkeys II. Dyads

Dyadic relationships are described for rhesus monkeys living in six groups. The kinds, frequencies, directionality, and overall patterning of interactions are examined over a twelve-month period for adult males, adult females, and young monkeys. Kinship, sex, age, reproductive conditions, time, events, and other social relations all affected dyadic relationship. Certain patterns of interactions characterized different relationships, such as those termed “special,” “tense,” “affiliative,” “conflicting.” A component approach is recommended for the understanding of relationships based on an appraisal of attraction, familiarity, and deference between individuals. The importance of assessing relationships in the group context is stressed.     

马先蒿属花冠形态的多样性与传粉式样的关系

马先蒿属(Pediculais)是有花植物中花冠形态多样化最为集中的属。该属主要的传粉者是熊蜂属(Bormbus)昆虫;在北美,熊蜂和蜂鸟是马先蒿植物一些种类有效的传粉者;也发现壁蜂(Osmia)为其传粉。不同的传粉机制要求某一特定的取食式样储藏和释放花粉。本文讨论了花冠类型的进化趋势与传粉式样和花粉形态的关系。传粉者的选择压力是决定花冠多样化的重要因素之一;花冠类型与传粉者和传粉行为紧密相关。马先蒿植物和传粉者的相互依赖与其花冠类型、功能和物候互相适应,但花冠类型与花粉形态两者之间似乎没有明显的一一对应关系。通过北美、日本和喜马拉雅不同地理分布马先蒿种类的比较研究表明,具有相同花冠类型的种类有着相同的传粉方式,花冠形态与传粉式样存在紧密的协同进化关系。     

An overview of the relationships between mimicry and crypsis

There have been many different and conflicting definitions of mimicry. Some of the definitions of mimicry include crypsis and others do not. Each definition includes different groups of phenomena and uses different criteria to distinguish mimetic from non-mimetic phenomena. The confusion is eliminated by a consideration of the criteria of all definitions. This shows that there are in fact three major criteria dividing six phenomona, rather than a single dichotomy between mimicry and crypsis (Table 2). The criteria are defined by the results of a mistake in discrimination between the model and mimìc: (a) the mistake does or does not depend upon relationship between mimic and background; (b) the mistake has or has no effect on the population dynamics or evolution of the model and (c) the mistake affects dynamics or evolution of one or of many models. The main reason for the contusion about mimicry and crypsis is that each author's definition includes differing and partially overlapping subsets of the six classes: crypsis; masquerade; Batesism; Müllerism; polymorphism and convergence.     

Pollen morphology of Solanurn L. section Solanum

J. M. EDMONDS, 1984. Pollen morphology of Solanum L. section Solnnum . The pollen morphology of both dried and fresh, fixed material was examined using SEM. The work confirmed thc spheroidal to sub-prolate shape, the tricolporate nature and the granular surface sculpturing, typical of Solanurn pollen, but failed to demonstrate the occurrence of exine patterns which could bc of practical taxonomic use is differentiating the species belonging to the section Solanurn . Quantification of the exine sculpturing, by means of granule density counts, indicated a possible relationship between this feature and the morpho-genetic diversity of certain species.