Genetics of Flower Color in Asystasia gangetica, Linn.

Volume: 9Start Page: 62End Page: 6

Anthurium Culture with Emphasis on the Effects of Some Induced Environments on Growth and Flowering

Efficiency in growth and flowering of the anthurium plant depends upon a number of factors, of which growing medium and sunlight level may be considered the two most important factors. This paper gives the results of testing bagasse as a medium for growing anthuriums, Also included in this paper are results from experiments showing the effects of various levels of sunlight intensity, a factor equally as important as the growing medium. In order to develop a broad understanding of the nature of the anthurium plant, especially with respect to the cultural aspects, several other factors which might affect growth and flowering were also investigated and the results are presented herein

Artificial Induction of Polyploidy in Orchids by the Use of Colchicine

In the orchid industry, polyploidy has come to assume a prominent role in the production of superior types. Because polyploid orchids have been established to be generally superior to their diploid counterparts, the artificial induction of polyploidy assumes particular significance. If somatic doubling can be induced at will with a chemical such as colchicine, superior horticultural varieties might be obtained immediately. Such induced tetraploids might be utilized in breeding further polyploids. In the course of an extensive breeding program in orchids, a relatively high degree of sterility has been encountered among intergeneric hybrids and to a lesser degree among interspecific hybrids. Restoration of fertility among the sterile hybrids was found desirable in order to advance the breeding program. In accordance with these considerations, attempts were made to find practical methods for inducing polyploids in selected orchid groups by the use of colchicine. This investigation also entailed the study of the characteristics of the induced polyploids and comparing them with their diploid counterparts with respect to morphological differences

Dendrobium Ethel Kamemoto 'Splendor'

Characteristics and monthly spray yield of the cultivar release are given

‘‘Apapane’ and ‘‘I‘iwi’ Anthurium

This paper describes the '‘Apapane' and '‘I‘iwi' anthuriums two cut-flower varieties bred from the University of Hawai‘i patented variety 'Tropic Fire.

Protein kinase A enhances lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production by human gingival fibroblasts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Periodontal disease is accompanied by inflammation of the gingiva and destruction of periodontal tissues, leading to alveolar bone loss in severe clinical cases. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and the chemical mediator prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂) are known to play important roles in inflammatory responses and tissue degradation.</p> <p>Recently, we reported that the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-8 production by human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). In the present study, the relevance of the PKA activity and two PKA-activating drugs, aminophylline and adrenaline, to LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and PGE₂by HGFs were examined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HGFs were treated with LPS from <it>Porphyromonas gingivalis </it>and H-89, the cAMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), aminophylline, or adrenaline. After 24 h, IL-6, IL-8, and PGE₂levels were evaluated by ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>H-89 did not affect LPS-induced IL-6 production, but suppressed IL-8 and PGE₂production. In contrast, dbcAMP significantly increased LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE₂production. Up to 10 μg/ml of aminophylline did not affect LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, or PGE₂production, but they were significantly increased at 100 μg/ml. Similarly, 0.01 μg/ml of adrenaline did not affect LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, or PGE₂production, but they were significantly increased at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 μg/ml. In the absence of LPS, H-89, dbcAMP, aminophylline, and adrenaline had no relevance to IL-6, IL-8, or PGE₂production.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that the PKA pathway, and also PKA-activating drugs, enhance LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE₂production by HGFs. However, aminophylline may not have an effect on the production of these molecules at concentrations used in clinical settings (8 to 20 μg/ml in serum). These results suggest that aminophylline does not affect inflammatory responses in periodontal disease.</p

Chromosome studies in Orchidaceae from Argentina

The center of diversity of Argentinean orchids is in the northeast region of the country. Chromosome numbers and karyotype features of 43 species belonging to 28 genera are presented here. Five chromosome records are the first ones at the genus level; these taxa are Aspidogyne kuckzinskii (2n = 42), Eurystyles actinosophila (2n = 56), Skeptrostachys paraguayensis (2n = 46), Stigmatosema polyaden (2n = 40) and Zygostates alleniana (2n = 54). In addition, a chromosome number is presented for the first time for 15 species: Corymborkis flava (2n = 56), Cyclopogon callophyllus (2n = 28), C. oliganthus (2n = 64), Cyrtopodium hatschbachii (2n = 46), C. palmifrons (2n = 46), Galeandra beyrichii (2n = 54), Habenaria bractescens (2n = 44), Oncidium edwallii (2n = 42), O. fimbriatum (2n = 56), O. pubes (2n = 84), O. riograndense (2n = 56), Pelexia ekmanii (2n = 46), P. lindmanii (2n = 46) and Warrea warreana (2n = 48). For Oncidium longicornu (2n = 42), O. divaricatum (2n = 56) and Sarcoglottis fasciculata (2n = 46+1B?, 46+3B?), a new cytotype was found. Chromosome data support phylogenetic relationships proposed by previous cytological, morphologic and molecular analyses, and in all the cases cover some gaps in the South American literature on orchid chromosomes

Anxiety and Depression in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are thought to be at disproportionate risk of developing mental health comorbidities, with anxiety and depression being considered most prominent amongst these. Yet, no systematic review has been carried out to date to examine rates of both anxiety and depression focusing specifically on adults with ASD. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the rates of anxiety and depression in adults with ASD and the impact of factors such as assessment methods and presence of comorbid intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis on estimated prevalence rates. Electronic database searches for studies published between January 2000 and September 2017 identified a total of 35 studies, including 30 studies measuring anxiety (n = 26 070; mean age = 30.9, s.d. = 6.2 years) and 29 studies measuring depression (n = 26 117; mean age = 31.1, s.d. = 6.8 years). The pooled estimation of current and lifetime prevalence for adults with ASD were 27% and 42% for any anxiety disorder, and 23% and 37% for depressive disorder. Further analyses revealed that the use of questionnaire measures and the presence of ID may significantly influence estimates of prevalence. The current literature suffers from a high degree of heterogeneity in study method and an overreliance on clinical samples. These results highlight the importance of community-based studies and the identification and inclusion of well-characterized samples to reduce heterogeneity and bias in estimates of prevalence for comorbidity in adults with ASD and other populations with complex psychiatric presentations

Evaluation and Improvement of Anthurium Clones

The culture of anthuriums, Anthurium andraeanum, in Hawaii has gradually evolved from a hobby status to an important cut-flower industry. With the realization of the need for a systematic evaluation of available varieties and further improvement in flower color, size, shape, texture, and productivity, a breeding project on anthuriums was initiated in the spring of 1950 at the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Hawaii. Surveys of commercial establishments and private collections were immediately conducted to select and assemble the apparently outstanding commercial types as well as those possessing some characteristics of value in a breeding program. The selected plants were placed under surveillance for the purpose of evaluation, and, concurrently, a hybridization program was carried out with the major objective of producing improved commercial varieties. This paper summarizes the evaluation of the accessions and the results obtained to date in the breeding program