Transoceanic Dispersal and Subsequent Diversification on Separate Continents Shaped Diversity of the Xanthoparmelia pulla Group (Ascomycota)

In traditional morphology-based concepts many species of lichenized fungi have world-wide distributions. Molecular data have revolutionized the species delimitation in lichens and have demonstrated that we underestimated the diversity of these organisms. The aim of this study is to explore the phylogeography and the evolutionary patterns of the Xanthoparmelia pulla group, a widespread group of one of largest genera of macrolichens. We used a dated phylogeny based on nuITS and nuLSU rDNA sequences and performed an ancestral range reconstruction to understand the processes and explain their current distribution, dating the divergence of the major lineages in the group. An inferred age of radiation of parmelioid lichens and the age of a Parmelia fossil were used as the calibration points for the phylogeny. The results show that many species of the X. pulla group as currently delimited are polyphyletic and five major lineages correlate with their geographical distribution and the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. South Africa is the area where the X. pulla group radiated during the Miocene times, and currently is the region with the highest genetic, morphological and chemical diversity. From this center of radiation the different lineages migrated by long-distance dispersal to others areas, where secondary radiations developed. The ancestral range reconstruction also detected that a secondary lineage migrated from Australia to South America via long-distance dispersal and subsequent continental radiation

Alectorioid morphologies in Paleogene lichens : New evidence and re-evaluation of the fossil Alectoria succini Mägdefrau

One of the most important issues in molecular dating studies concerns the incorporation of reliable fossil taxa into the phylogenies reconstructed from DNA sequence variation in extant taxa. Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. Several lichen fossils have been used as minimum age constraints in recent studies concerning the diversification of the Ascomycota. Recent evolutionary studies of Lecanoromycetes, an almost exclusively lichen-forming class in the Ascomycota, have utilized the Eocene amber inclusion Alectoria succinic as a minimum age constraint. However, a re-investigation of the type material revealed that this inclusion in fact represents poorly preserved plant remains, most probably of a root. Consequently, this fossil cannot be used as evidence of the presence of the genus Alectoria (Parmeliaceae, Lecanorales) or any other lichens in the Paleogene. However, newly discovered inclusions from Paleogene Baltic and Bitterfeld amber verify that alectorioid morphologies in lichens were in existence by the Paleogene. The new fossils represent either a lineage within the alectorioid group or belong to the genus Oropogon.Peer reviewe

Advancing schizophrenia drug discovery : optimizing rodent models to bridge the translational gap

Although our knowledge of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has increased, treatments for this devastating illness remain inadequate. Here, we critically assess rodent models and behavioural end points used in schizophrenia drug discovery and discuss why these have not led to improved treatments. We provide a perspective on how new models, based on recent advances in the understanding of the genetics and neural circuitry underlying schizophrenia, can bridge the translational gap and lead to the development of more effective drugs. We conclude that previous serendipitous approaches should be replaced with rational strategies for drug discovery in integrated preclinical and clinical programmes. Validation of drug targets in disease-based models that are integrated with translationally relevant end point assessments will reduce the current attrition rate in schizophrenia drug discovery and ultimately lead to therapies that tackle the disease process

Biodiversity and Ecology of Lichens of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves, Alaska

We inventoried lichens in Lake Clark (LACL) and Katmai (KATM) National Parks and Preserves. We assembled the known information on lichens in these parks by combining field, herbarium, and literature studies. Our results provide baseline data on lichen occurrence that may be used in resource condition assessments, vulnerability assessments, long-term ecological monitoring, and resource management. We report a total of 891 taxa of lichenized fungi from the Parks, adding 884 taxa to the total of 7 taxa reported for the Parks by the National Park Service database and including 12 new taxa. An additional 16 lichenicolous fungi are reported here. Seven non-lichenized fungi associated with young living twigs of particular host species are also included. Fourteen species are new to Alaska, and 5 species new to North America (Caloplaca fuscorufa, Lecanora leucococca s.l., Ochrolechia brodoi, Protoparmelia memnonia, and Rhizocarpon leptolepis). Three new combinations are made, Cetraria minuscula, Protomicarea alpestris, and Rostania occultata var. populina. Additional new species based on collections from the Parks have been described in separate publications

Therapeutic futility as an ethical issue: intensive care unit nurses La obstinación terapéutica como una cuestión ética: enfermeras de unidades de terapia intensiva Obstinação terapêutica como questão ética: enfermeiras de unidades de terapia intensiva

Therapeutic futility in intensive care units (ICUs) is still little discussed among nursing professionals responsible for implementing prescribed procedures, which they might disagree on. Therefore, interviews were carried out with ICU nurses to understand how they are coping with the implementation of futile treatments. Based on the analysis of collected data, the following categories emerged: Therapeutic futility: what is it?; Therapeutic futility extends suffering; Therapeutic futility with healing as a priority; Coping with therapeutic futility: humanized care? The study indicates the need to evaluate therapeutic measures provided to terminal patients with a view to improving their quality of life in this final phase. When healing is no longer possible, care is necessary with a view to respecting the sick person's integrity because care is the essence of the nursing profession.<br>La obstinación terapéutica, presente en las Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTIS), aún es poco discutida entre los profesionales de enfermería que son responsables por la implementación de las terapéuticas y con las cuales pueden discordar. Así, para comprender, como las enfermeras de UTIs, vienen enfrentando los tratamientos fútiles fueron realizadas entrevistas con estas profesionales. A partir del análisis de contenido de los datos, fueron construidas categorías: Obstinación terapéutica: ¿Qué es eso?; La obstinación terapéutica como la continuidad del sufrimiento; la obstinación terapéutica como la preferencia de la cura; el enfrentamiento de la obstinación terapéutica: ¿Es un cuidado humanizado? La evaluación de medidas terapéuticas que necesitan ser utilizadas en pacientes en proceso de morir y de muerte, de modo que puedan vivir su vida con calidad es fundamental. Cuando no existen posibilidades de curar, es necesario efectuar el cuidado respetando la integridad de la persona enferma. El cuidado es la base del ejercicio profesional de la enfermería.<br>A obstinação terapêutica, presente nas unidades de terapia intensiva (UTIs), ainda é pouco discutida especialmente por enfermeiras, responsáveis por implementar procedimentos, dos quais, muitas vezes, podem discordar. Para compreender como enfermeiras de UTIs vêm enfrentando a aplicação de medidas terapêuticas que reconhecem como fúteis, foram realizadas entrevistas com essas profissionais e análise de conteúdo dos dados, construindo-se categorias: - "Obstinação terapêutica: o que é isso?"; - "A obstinação terapêutica como o prolongamento do sofrimento"; - "A obstinação terapêutica como a priorização da cura"; - "Enfrentamento da obstinação terapêutica: cuidado humanizado?". O trabalho demonstra a necessidade de avaliar as medidas terapêuticas a serem utilizadas com pacientes em processo de morrer e de morte, de modo que possam viver a fase final de sua vida com qualidade. Quando a cura não é mais possível, é necessário cuidar, respeitando a integridade da pessoa doente, pois o cuidado é a base do exercício profissional da enfermagem