Dr. Lois Hattery Tiffany (1924-2009): In Memoriam

Dr. Lois Hartery Tiffany, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, died on 6 September 2009. Dr. Tiffany was an outstanding mycologist and teacher. Held in high regard by the public as Iowa\u27s Mushroom Lady and known by many students, colleagues and friends as Dr. T., she was the matriarch of the Botany Department (now the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology) at Iowa State

Catalogue of the Living Collection of the Iowa State University Botany Department Greenhouses

The Botany Department greenhouses at Iowa State University are a rooftop facility including 17 separate houses, divided into three temperature zones. Some illuminated houses are provided to encourage good plant growth during the winter. One greenhouse is operated as a short-day facility and provided with curtained chambers for short days. Summer cooling of the greenhouses is effected by evaporative coolers. The living teaching and research collections include over 800 plane taxa, ranging from bryophytes to orchids and composites. Propagation materials, as available, may be provided to other educational institutions for teaching or research

An Overview and Management Plan of Iowa\u27s Non-native, Invasive, Terrestrial Forbs

Non-native, invasive forb species have been a problem in Iowa since the earliest decades of Iowa\u27s European settlement. The history of studies of Iowa\u27s invasive plants began with L. H. Pammel, and these studies continue to present. Three tables cite the occurrence of many of these species in the state, with Table 1 listing 93 non-native forbs reported by Pammel, Table 2 citing ten invasive forbs of natural areas, and Table 3 adding 38 observed or potential aggressive species of Iowa\u27s anthropogenic and natural areas. There has been a divergence of interest and research in the management of invasive species of agricultural and horticultural areas versus natural areas. The problems of applying our weed laws, in particular the Iowa Noxious Weed Law, to natural areas include both a failure to accurately identify invasive and native species, and collateral damage to desirable species in the natural areas resulting from weed control efforts. Two models for control of invasive species in natural areas are provided. In light of changing attitudes toward invasive species and our natural areas, better education, training, and coordination are suggested as ways of improving our management of them in Iowa. Continuing efforts to restore and reconstruct natural areas and the use of native, rather than non-native, species in horticultural settings are also encouraged as possible ways to slow the introduction and spread of invasive plant species

Duane Isely (1918-2000): A Tribute

Duane Isely, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Botany, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, died on 6 December 2000. Dr. Isely was an outstanding plant taxonomist with expertise in other fields as well, especially in seed technology and weed identification and control. He was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, on 24 October 1918 into a family of academicians. His father, Dwight Isely, was professor and later Dean of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas, and his mother, Blessie Elise Dort Isely, also taught at the University of Arkansas and eventually received her Ph.D

A Literature Review and Survey of the Status of Iowa\u27s Terrestrial Flora

A survey of Iowa\u27s floristic literature and herbarium resources indicates that while there is not uniform coverage of plant groups and regions, a great deal is known about the Iowa flora. Taxonomic and floristic studies are ongoing, despite evidence of a decreased number of researchers with expertise and interest in Iowa\u27s flora and changing emphases in academic research. Current knowledge is sufficient for the production of an Iowa Flora, and an Iowa Flora committee to initiate this project is proposed

The Role of an Urban Tallgrass Prairie Remnant in Conservation: A Case Study in Central Iowa (USA)

Although more than 85% of Iowa (USA) was covered by tallgrass prairie at the time of settlement by Europeans in the early 19th century, less than 0.1% remains. The Richard W. Pohl State Preserve at Ames (IA) High School, surrounded on three sides by structures, roads, and other development, protects 4 ha of tallgrass prairie. The preserve, commonly referred to as Ames High Prairie (AHP), was grazed but never plowed under private ownership until its acquisition by the Ames School District in 1959. Although considered for development as a parking lot or football field in the 1960s, the residents of Ames voted in 1970 to award The Nature Conservancy (TNC) a 49-year lease to the property (until 2019). This preserve, almost completely open in the 1930s, has been subject to numerous threats, including encroachment by woody plants, entry of non-native and invasive plant species associated with human activity, and erosion associated with storm water runoff, sewer line repair, foot and bike traffic, and major flood events. Recent management activities at AHP, conducted by volunteer land stewards, high school and college students, TNC summer interns, and private contractors, has consisted of controlled burns, cutting and herbicide treatment of encroaching woody plants, manual removal and herbicide treatment of invasive herbaceous plants, and sowing of seeds (collected on site) into reopened areas. Three vascular plant inventories of the 8.9 ha preserve (1966, 1995, current study) have documented the occurrence of 465 taxa (329 native) at AHP, including 5 Iowa special concern species. This flora includes 147 native prairie plant taxa, which ranks 8th in comparison with the 26 other (and mostly larger) prairies protected as state preserves in Iowa. As a vegetation remnant, AHP protects tallgrass prairie taxa and their gene pools, maintains an example of historically abundant (but now scarce) tallgrass prairie vegetation, and provides citizens an opportunity to experience prairie

Vegetation Communities and Flora of Dolliver State Park, Webster County, Iowa

Dolliver State Park flora includes 408 species of vascular plants, several of which are uncommon for central Iowa. Sixteen vegetation types were identified including four new vegetation types: Quercus macrocarpa type, Populus grandidentata type, Populus tremuloides type and calcareous seep type. The flora and vegetation of Dolliver are found to be similar to Ledges State Park and Woodman Hollow State Preserve. Hill prairies and savanna-like areas are much more abundant in Dolliver than these other areas along the Des Moines River

Common genetic variants in the CLDN2 and PRSS1-PRSS2 loci alter risk for alcohol-related and sporadic pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a complex, progressively destructive inflammatory disorder. Alcohol was long thought to be the primary causative agent, but genetic contributions have been of interest since the discovery that rare PRSS1, CFTR, and SPINK1 variants were associated with pancreatitis risk. We now report two significant genome-wide associations identified and replicated at PRSS1-PRSS2 (1×10-12) and x-linked CLDN2 (p < 1×10-21) through a two-stage genome-wide study (Stage 1, 676 cases and 4507 controls; Stage 2, 910 cases and 4170 controls). The PRSS1 variant affects susceptibility by altering expression of the primary trypsinogen gene. The CLDN2 risk allele is associated with atypical localization of claudin-2 in pancreatic acinar cells. The homozygous (or hemizygous male) CLDN2 genotype confers the greatest risk, and its alleles interact with alcohol consumption to amplify risk. These results could partially explain the high frequency of alcohol-related pancreatitis in men – male hemizygous frequency is 0.26, female homozygote is 0.07

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

The number of tree species on Earth

One of the most fundamental questions in ecology is how many species inhabit the Earth. However, due to massive logistical and financial challenges and taxonomic difficulties connected to the species concept definition, the global numbers of species, including those of important and well-studied life forms such as trees, still remain largely unknown. Here, based on global groundsourced data, we estimate the total tree species richness at global, continental, and biome levels. Our results indicate that there are 73,000 tree species globally, among which ∼9,000 tree species are yet to be discovered. Roughly 40% of undiscovered tree species are in South America. Moreover, almost one-third of all tree species to be discovered may be rare, with very low populations and limited spatial distribution (likely in remote tropical lowlands and mountains). These findings highlight the vulnerability of global forest biodiversity to anthropogenic changes in land use and climate, which disproportionately threaten rare species and thus, global tree richness