World checklist of hornworts and liverworts

A working checklist of accepted taxa worldwide is vital in achieving the goal of developing an online flora of all known plants by 2020 as part of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. We here present the first-ever worldwide checklist for liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) that includes 7486 species in 398 genera representing 92 families from the two phyla. The checklist has far reaching implications and applications, including providing a valuable tool for taxonomists and systematists, analyzing phytogeographic and diversity patterns, aiding in the assessment of floristic and taxonomic knowledge, and identifying geographical gaps in our understanding of the global liverwort and hornwort flora. The checklist is derived from a working data set centralizing nomenclature, taxonomy and geography on a global scale. Prior to this effort a lack of centralization has been a major impediment for the study and analysis of species richness, conservation and systematic research at both regional and global scales. The success of this checklist, initiated in 2008, has been underpinned by its community approach involving taxonomic specialists working towards a consensus on taxonomy, nomenclature and distribution

Curcumin activates the p38MPAK-HSP25 pathway in vitro but fails to attenuate diabetic nephropathy in DBA2J mice despite urinary clearance documented by HPLC

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-proliferative properties, and depending upon the experimental circumstances, may be pro- or anti-apoptotic. Many of these biological actions could ameliorate diabetic nephropathy.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Mouse podocytes, cultured in basal or high glucose conditions, underwent acute exposure to curcumin. Western blots for p38-MAPK, COX-2 and cleaved caspase-3; isoelectric focusing for HSP25 phosphorylation; and DNase I assays for F- to G- actin cleavage were performed for <it>in vitro </it>analyses. <it>In vivo </it>studies examined the effects of dietary curcumin on the development of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin (Stz)-induced diabetes in DBA2J mice. Urinary albumin to creatinine ratios were obtained, high performance liquid chromatography was performed for urinary curcuminoid measurements, and Western blots for p38-MAPK and total HSP25 were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Curcumin enhanced the phosphorylation of both p38MAPK and downstream HSP25; inhibited COX-2; induced a trend towards attenuation of F- to G-actin cleavage; and dramatically inhibited the activation of caspase-3 in <it>vitro</it>. In curcumin-treated DBA2J mice with Stz-diabetes, HPLC measurements confirmed the presence of urinary curcuminoid. Nevertheless, dietary provision of curcumin either before or after the induction of diabetes failed to attenuate albuminuria.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Apart from species, strain, early differences in glycemic control, and/or dosing effects, the failure to modulate albuminuria may have been due to a decrement in renal HSP25 or stimulation of the 12/15 lipoxygenase pathway in DBA2J mice fed curcumin. In addition, these studies suggest that timed urine collections may be useful for monitoring curcumin dosing and renal pharmacodynamic effects.</p

Metastatic lymph criterion for colon cancer

U.M.F. ”Carol Davila”, Clinica chirurgicală, Spitalul Clinic de Urgență “Bagdasar-Arseni”, Serviciul de Anatomie Patologică, Spitalul Clinic de Urgență “Bagdasar-Arseni”, București, Al XI-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova și cea de-a XXXIII-a Reuniune a Chirurgilor din Moldova „Iacomi-Răzeșu” 27-30 septembrie 2011In studiul prospectiv a 126 pacienți cu cancer de colon (B = 70; 55,55 %, F = 56; 44,44 %), cu media vârstei de 65,26 ani (limite 20-89 ani), majoritatea aflați în stadiul clinic III (n = 72; 57,14 %) si IV (n = 49; 38,89 %) cu tumori situate mai frecvent pe colonul stâng (n = 86; 68,25 %) și mai ales, pe sigmoid (n = 64; 50,79 %), au fost operați în urgență (n = 42; 33,33 %) sau electiv ( n = 84; 66,66 %). Invazia în profunzimea peretelui colic (pT 3 = 49; 38,9 %; pT4 = 72; 57,1 %) a fost însoțită de creșterea numarului de noduli limfatici regionali afectați (pN1 = 29; 23,0 %; pN 2 = 43; 34,1 %). Existența anastomozelor limfatice, a căilor limfatice de scurtcircuitare, a invaziei venoase (n= 4; 3,17 %) explică metastazele limfatice la distanța (n = 8; 6,34 %) și a celor viscerale ( pM1 = 49; 38,9 %). Invazia limfatică a fost favorizată de histiocitoza (n = 5; 9,37 %), hiperplazia foliculilor limfatici( n = 3; 2,38 %) și de gradul de diferențiere celulară a tumorii (G3 = 21; 16,66 %). Complicațiile postoperatorii au apărut doar la pacienții ăn stadiile clinice III (n = 11; 15,41 %) si IV ( n = 15; 30,61 %). Postoperator s-au înregistrat 24 (19,04 %) decese, cele mai multe în tumorile din stadiul pT 4 (n = 18; 25 %). Supraviețuirea corectată la cinci ani pentru pacienții cu adenopatie metastatică din stadiul III a fost de 33,57 %, diferit pentru TN1 sub 4 noduli limfatici și pentru TN2 – mai mult de 4 noduli limfatici. Concluzii: Prezența adenopatiei metastatice are valoare informațională crucială în aprecierea evoluției postoperatorii precoce și tardive.In the prospective study of 126 patients with colon cancer (B = 70, 55.55%, F = 56, 44.44%), with an average age of 65.26 years (range 20-89 years), most are in stage clinical III (n = 72, 57.14%) and IV (n = 49, 38.89%) with tumors located more frequently in the left colon (n = 86, 68.25%) and especially the sigmoid colon (n = 64, 50.79%) were operated in emergency (n = 42, 33.33%) or elective (n = 84, 66.66%). Colic wall invasion depth (pT 3 = 49, 38.9%, pT4 = 72, 57.1%) were accompanied by an increase in the number of affected regional lymph nodes (pN1 = 29, 23.0%, pN 2 = 43, 34.1%). The existence of lymphatic anastomoses, bypass of the lymphatics, and venous invasion (n = 4, 3.17%) explain away lymphatic metastases (n = 8, 6.34%) and the visceral (PM1 = 49, 38.9 %). Lymphatic invasion was favored by histiocytosis (n = 5, 9.37%), hyperplasia of lymph follicles (n = 3, 2.38%) and degree of tumor cell differentiation (G3 = 21, 16.66%). Postoperative complications occurred only in patients in clinical stage III (n = 11, 15.41%) and IV (n = 15, 30.61%). Postoperative there were 24 (19.04%) deaths, mostly in tumors of stage pT 4 (n = 18, 25%). Corrected to five years survival for patients with metastatic adenopathy of stage III was 33.57%, different for TN1: under 4 lymph nodes and for TN2: more than 4 lymph nodes. Conclusions: The presence of metastatic adenopathy is crucial in assessing the informational value of early and late postoperative evolution

Parents' and caregivers' experiences and behaviours when eating out with children with a food hypersensitivity

Abstract Background For parents and caregivers of food hypersensitive (FH) children, accommodating their child’s dietary needs when eating out can be a challenging experience. This study explored caregivers’ experiences and behaviours when eating out with their FH child in order to gain insights into how they support and prepare their child in negotiating safe eating out experiences. Methods A cross-sectional, qualitative design was used. In depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 15 caregivers of children with FH. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis. Results Caregivers reported a number of issues relating to eating out with their FH child, or allowing their child to eat out without their supervision. Through themes of ‘family context’, ‘child-focused concerns’, and ‘venue issues’, caregivers described how they managed these and explained the limitations and sacrifices that FH imposed on their child, themselves, and family members. Conclusions Through deeper understanding of the anxieties, negotiations and compromises experienced by caregivers of children with FH when they are eating out, clinicians and support charities can tailor their support to meet the needs of caregivers and children. Support and education provision should focus on providing caregivers of children with FH the tools and strategies to help enable safe eating out experiences

Development and Preliminary Validation of the Food Intolerance Quality of Life Questionnaire (FIQLQ): Adult form

Background:Approximately 20% of children and adults avoid certain foods because of perceived food intolerance. Valid and reliable health-related quality of life instruments are needed to measure changes following clinical, therapeutic or policy interventions. However, there are no disease-specific quality of life instruments for adults with food intolerances.Objective:To develop the Food Intolerance Quality of Life Questionnaire FIQLQ. Then to conduct psychometric validation including reliability and construct validity.Methods:We adapted the existing Food Allergy Quality of Life questionnaire (FAQLQ) for interviews with 14 adults with food intolerance. For preliminary psychometric validation, 229 adults with food intolerances completed the online electronic version of FIQLQ.Results:The resultant FIQLQ had 18 items which loaded onto 3 subscales—Emotional Impact, Social and Dietary Restrictions, Reactions and Avoidance. Each subscale had excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α 0.81–0.94). Content, convergent and construct validity was supported by significant correlations of FIQLQ subscale scores with hypothesised variables including age, numbers of symptoms and level of stress experienced due to intolerance.Conclusion:The FIQLQ has good reliability, construct validity and internal consistency. It is short and easy to use, providing a good tool for evaluating quality of life in the clinical research setting and to inform health and regulatory policies

Substrate binding and specificity of rhomboid intramembrane protease revealed by substrate peptide complex structures

The mechanisms of intramembrane proteases are incompletely understood due to the lack of structural data on substrate complexes. To gain insight into substrate binding by rhomboid proteases, we have synthesised a series of novel peptidyl-chloromethylketone (CMK) inhibitors and analysed their interactions with Escherichia coli rhomboid GlpG enzymologically and structurally. We show that peptidyl-CMKs derived from the natural rhomboid substrate TatA from bacterium Providencia stuartii bind GlpG in a substrate-like manner, and their co-crystal structures with GlpG reveal the S1 to S4 subsites of the protease. The S1 subsite is prominent and merges into the ‘water retention site’, suggesting intimate interplay between substrate binding, specificity and catalysis. Unexpectedly, the S4 subsite is plastically formed by residues of the L1 loop, an important but hitherto enigmatic feature of the rhomboid fold. We propose that the homologous region of members of the wider rhomboid-like protein superfamily may have similar substrate or client-protein binding function. Finally, using molecular dynamics, we generate a model of the Michaelis complex of the substrate bound in the active site of GlpG

Human embryonic stem cells differentiate into functional renal proximal tubular-like cells

10.1038/ki.2012.442KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL834593-60