Does the current taxonomic delimitation of Galianthe find support in phylogenetic perspective?

Galianthe Griseb. is a neotropical genus comprising 50 species divided into two subgenera: G. subgen. Galianthe (41 spp.), characterized by homogeneous morphological traits, with species further divided into two sections (G. secc. Galianthe and G. secc. Laxae); and G. subgen. Ebelia (14 spp.) with more heterogeneous morphological characteristics. Due to its morphological similarity with other genera, Galianthe has historically been associated with Borreria, Spermacoce, Diodia (based on fruit type), as well as Denscantia and Emmeorhiza (based on inflorescence type). In recent years, molecular studies have established Galianthe as a basal genus within the Spermacoce clade, closely related to other genera such as Carajasia and Schwendenera. Despite the progress made in recent molecular studies, the studies have focused on a limited number of species within the genus, failing to encompass all infrageneric categories. Questioning of the current taxonomic delimitation of the genus, this study aims to test the monophyly of Galianthe and explore its infrageneric and interspecific phylogenetic relationships. Three markers (two nuclear: ITS, ETS, and one plastid: rps16) were utilized, encompassing 107 entities, including 42 Galianthe species, thereby representing 76% of the current genus diversity, as well as 17 closely related genera within the Spermacoce clade. The phylogenetic results confirm the monophyly of Galianthe, revealing the presence of three major subclades. Subclades I and II comprise several G. subgen. Ebelia species, whereas subclade III consists of all G. subgen. Galianthe species plus G. angulata. Regarding the sections, monophyly was not supported. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that G. subgen. Ebelia is paraphyletic, G. subgen. Galianthe is potentially paraphyletic due to G. angulata, and there is no clear distinction between the sections

Towards new insights in the phylogeny of the Spermacoce clade: an integrative taxonomic approach using morphology, anatomy, ecology and phylogenetics reveáis the new genus Leonoria

Phylogenetic inference analyses o f two nuclear and four plastid DNA markers from 82 accessions representing 19 genera o f the Spermacoce clade (Spermacoceae-Rubiaceae) confirm that the Brazilian genus Denscantia is biphyletic. By the analyses o f reproductive morphological characters, foliar morpho-anatomy and histochemical, geographical distribution ranges, and ecological niche derived from climatic space, Denscantia caldcóla is shown as a distinct lineage from the other Denscantia species, indicating its taxonomic segregation into a new monospecific genus Leonoria. Significant morphological diíferences o f Leonoria with Denscantia were found in inflorescence organization, stigma shape, fruit dehiscence, and pollen morphology. Morphoanatomical variation among leaf traits were found in epidemial cells, occurrence o f trichomes, mesophyll histochemical, and vascular organization. Analysis o f occurrence records o f 205 specimens demonstrates a clear ecological distinction between o f Denscantia s.s. and Leonoria, which is ecologically confined to limestone outcrops associated with seasonally dry forests. The current study demonstrates the importance of an integrative taxonomic approach - in which múltiple disciplines are combined - to the unravel complex taxonomic pattems within Rubiaceae. The genus Leonoria, to be newly described, is dedicated to Professor Elsa Leonor Cabral

Points to consider in cardiovascular disease risk management among patients with rheumatoid arthritis living in South Africa, an unequal middle income country

ABSTRACT: Background: It is plausible that optimal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management differs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from low or middle income compared to high income populations. This study aimed at producing evidence-based points to consider for CVD prevention in South African RA patients. Methods: Five rheumatologists, one cardiologist and one epidemiologist with experience in CVD risk management in RA patients, as well as two patient representatives, two health professionals and one radiologist, one rheumatology fellow and 11 rheumatologists that treat RA patients regularly contributed. Systematic literature searches were performed and the level of evidence was determined according to standard guidelines. Results: Eighteen points to consider were formulated. These were grouped into 6 categories that comprised overall CVD risk assessment and management (n=4), and specific interventions aimed at reducing CVD risk including RA control with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n=3), lipid lowering agents (n=8), antihypertensive drugs (n=1), low dose aspirin (n=1) and lifestyle modification (n=1). Each point to consider differs partially or completely from recommendations previously reported for CVD risk management in RA patients from high income populations. Currently recommended CVD risk calculators do not reliably identify South African black RA patients with very high-risk atherosclerosis as represented by carotid artery plaque presence on ultrasound. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that optimal cardiovascular risk management likely differs substantially in RA patients from low or middle income compared to high income populations. There is an urgent need for future multicentre longitudinal studies on CVD risk in black African patients with RA.The first meeting held amongst local Rheumatologists was funded by the South African Arthritis and Rheumatology Association. The studies by Professor González-Gay have been supported by grants from “Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias” PI06/0024, PS09/00748, PI12/00060, PI15/00525, PI18/00043, and RD12/0009/0013 and RD16/0012 (RIER) from “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (ISCIII) (Spain), co-funded by FEDER funds

There and back again: molecular phylogenetics of the Brazilian endemic Psyllocarpus (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae) supports a circumscription of the genus based on its original concept

The Spermacoce clade (tribe Spermacoceae) is one of the most taxonomically complex groups in Rubiaceae due to the unclear delimitation of Borreria and Spermacoce, in which several smaller genera are phylogenetically intermingled. One of these genera is the Brazilian endemic Psyllocarpus, whose circumscription was broadened, thereby including two sections. Psyllocarpus sect. Psyllocarpus, being based on the original genus delineation, includes nine species, distributed in the Cerrado and campo rupestre of eastern Brazil, whereas P. sect. Amazonica comprises three species, occurring in the Amazonian campinas. Furthermore, P. intermedius was not classified in any of these sections when it was later described. In order to test the monophyly of Psyllocarpus and assess its relationships to other genera, we conducted phylogenetic analyses, sampling across the whole Spermacoce clade, including nearly all Psyllocarpus species. A combined nuclear ribosomal (ETS and ITS) and plastid (rps16 and trnLtrnF) dataset was generated, representing 124 species (ca 25% of the species in the clade) in 15 genera (ca 65%). Various methodologies were applied to investigate the degree of incongruence among markers and address the lack of resolution and low support values for some branches. Our results revealed that Psyllocarpus is not monophyletic. Psyllocarpus campinorum (from P . sect. Amazonica) and P intermedius are situated as distinct lineages in the Spermacoce clade, yet do not belong to Psyllocarpus. Members of section Psyllocarpus form a strongly supported clade sister to Staelia and was recovered with high to maximum support across different datasets and inference methods. Therefore, Psyllocarpus has to be circumscribed based on its original concept, excluding P. sect. Amazonica and P. intermedius. This establishes the genus as a monophyletic and easily diagnosable taxon, characterized by terete leaves, homostylous flowers, a bilobate calyx, included stamens and style, and compressed, septifragally dehiscent capsules with a persistent septum

On the stability of high-speed milling with spindle speed variation

Spindle speed variation is a well-known technique to suppress regenerative machine tool vibrations, but it is usually considered to be effective only for low spindle speeds. In this paper, the effect of spindle speed variation is analyzed in the high-speed domain for spindle speeds corresponding to the first flip (period doubling) and to the first Hopf lobes. The optimal amplitudes and frequencies of the speed modulations are computed using the semidiscre- tization method. It is shown that period doubling chatter can effectively be suppressed by spindle speed variation, although, the technique is not effective for the quasiperiodic chatter above the Hopf lobe. The results are verified by cutting tests. Some special cases are also discussed where the practical behavior of the system differs from the predicted one in some ways. For these cases, it is pointed out that the concept of stability is understood on the scale of the principal period of the system—that is, the speed modulation period for variable spindle speed machining and the tooth passing period for constant spindle speed machining

Carotid artery plaque in women with rheumatoid arthritis and low estimated cardiovascular disease risk: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported that most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and moderate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk according to the Systematic COronary Evaluation score (SCORE) experience carotid artery plaque. In this study, we aimed to identify patient characteristics that can potentially predict carotid plaque presence in women with RA and a concurrent low CVD risk according to the SCORE. METHODS: A cohort of 144 women with an evaluated low risk of CVD (SCORE value of zero) was assembled amongst 550 consecutive patients with RA that underwent CVD risk factor recording and carotid artery ultrasound. Participants had no established CVD, moderate or severe chronic kidney disease, or diabetes. We assessed carotid plaque(s) presence and its associated patient characteristics. RESULTS: Carotid artery plaque was present in 35 (24.3%) of women with RA. Age, the number of synthetic disease-modifying agents (DMARDs) and total cholesterol concentrations were independently associated with plaque in multivariable stepwise backward regression analysis (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)=1.15 (1.07 to 1.24), P49.5 years or/and total cholesterol concentration of >5.4 mmol/l, respectively, compared to only 7.8% in those (n=64; 44.4%) with age≤49.5 years or/and total cholesterol concentration of ≤5.4 mmol/l, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of women with RA who experience a low SCORE value and are aged >49.5 years or/and have a total cholesterol concentration of >5.4 mmol/l, experience high-risk atherosclerosis, which requires intensive CVD risk management

Внесок професора В. І. Дейча у розвиток меліоративної справи XIX століття

У статті висвітлюється наукова і педагогічна діяльність забутої постаті інженера-гідротехніка, професора В. І. Дейча та його внесок у розвиток меліораційної справи XIX століття.В статье освещается научная и педагогическая деятельность забытой личности инженера-гидротехника, профессора В. И. Дейча и его вклад в развитие мелиорации XIX века.The article highlights the scientific and pedagogical activity forgotten individual hydraulic engineer, Professor V. Deutsch and his contribution to the amelioration of the XIX century

Host genetics and population structure effects on parasitic disease

Host genetic factors exert significant influences on differential susceptibility to many infectious diseases. In addition, population structure of both host and parasite may influence disease distribution patterns. In this study, we assess the effects of population structure on infectious disease in two populations in which host genetic factors influencing susceptibility to parasitic disease have been extensively studied. The first population is the Jirel population of eastern Nepal that has been the subject of research on the determinants of differential susceptibility to soil-transmitted helminth infections. The second group is a Brazilian population residing in an area endemic for Trypanosoma cruzi infection that has been assessed for genetic influences on differential disease progression in Chagas disease. For measures of Ascaris worm burden, within-population host genetic effects are generally more important than host population structure factors in determining patterns of infectious disease. No significant influences of population structure on measures associated with progression of cardiac disease in individuals who were seropositive for T. cruzi infection were found