Geographic variation of Pinus heldreichii Christ from the Western Balkans based on cone and seed morphology

Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian pine) is a Balkan-Apennine endemic and relict pine species that inhabits high mountains in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean regions. Nineteen populations of P. heldreichii from the Western Balkans encompassing 187 individual trees were examined to evaluate morphological variation, a rarely studied aspect of the species. Univariate and multivariate statistics were applied in order to assess the variation of morphological traits of cones and seeds, evaluate the relationships among the sampled populations and verify geographic differentiation in the Dinaric Alps versus Scardo-Pindic mountains. The observations of P. heldreichii covering the populations from the western margins and the centre of the species distribution range indicated a morphological variation among populations and their geographic structure. In general, the southern populations (Scardo-Pindic group) had lower values for the most of morphological traits than the northern ones (Dinaric group). The observed geographic differences between these populations exhibit a north-western to south-eastern gradient, with a few inconsistencies. The southernmost sampled population, Tomorr in Albania, showed remarkable morphological divergence from the other studied populations and appeared to be a distinct morphological group. The pattern of morphological variation in Bosnian pine most likely resulted from multiple effects of long-term isolation and fragmentation in high mountain systems, adaptation to extreme environments and human disturbances

Geomorphology of the Vlora Gulf Seafloor: Results from Multibeam and High-Resolution Seismic Data

The present work reports the main results obtained from recent seafloor-mapping activities carried out offshore from south-western Albania. The area explored consists of two distinctive physiographic units: the Vlora Gulf (which is bounded to the west by the Karaburun Peninsula) and the upper continental slope offshore from the western side of the Karaburun Peninsula. Along these areas, 500 km 2 of multibeam echo-sounder coverage, about 2500 km of chirp-sonar data, and 200 km 2 of side-scan sonar mosaic (100-500 kHz) were acquired. This new acoustic data set was collected by two different oceanographic expeditions, which were carried out in the framework of the Centro Internazionale di Scienze del Mare (CISM) project (supported by Interreg III Italia-Albania), which focused on studying, through a multidisciplinary approach, the geological setting and the ecosystem conditions of a poorly investigated area of the Adriatic Sea, such as the Vlora Gulf. The investigated area incorporates water depths measurements from 5 m down to 57 m, whereas the offshore margin of the Karaburun Peninsula has been investigated down to 900 m water depth. The acquired high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, combined with the described chirp-sonar echo-types, documents how the recent evolution of the Vlora Gulf is strictly dependent on complex, sedimentary dynamics established in this area. Here, the Vjose River is the dominant source of sediment for the continental shelf. We provided evidences that the (Vjose River) sediment distribution is under the control of a complex, local circulation pattern that is defined by the peculiar regional shape of the gulf which is tectonically controlled. The tectonic control on the present-day, sedimentary processes is also evident offshore from the Karaburun Peninsula, along the upper slope, where important resedimentation processes have been recognized and are related to the recent geodynamic evolution of the margin. \ua9 2011 Coastal Education and Research Foundation

Geomorphology of the Vlora Gulf seafloor: Results from multibeam and high-resolution seismic data

The present work reports the main results obtained from recent seafloor-mapping activities carried out offshore from south-western Albania. The area explored consists of two distinctive physiographic units: the Vlora Gulf (which is bounded to the west by the Karaburun Peninsula) and the upper continental slope offshore from the western side of the Karaburun Peninsula. Along these areas, 500 km2 of multibeam echo-sounder coverage, about 2500 km of chirp-sonar data, and 200 km2 of side-scan sonar mosaic (100-500 kHz) were acquired. This new acoustic data set was collected by two different oceanographic expeditions, which were carried out in the framework of the Centro Internazionale di Scienze del Mare (CISM) project (supported by Interreg III Italia-Albania), which focused on studying, through a multidisciplinary approach, the geological setting and the ecosystem conditions of a poorly investigated area of the Adriatic Sea, such as the Vlora Gulf. The investigated area incorporates water depths measurements from 5 m down to 57 m, whereas the offshore margin of the Karaburun Peninsula has been investigated down to 900 m water depth. The acquired high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, combined with the described chirp-sonar echo-types, documents how the recent evolution of the Vlora Gulf is strictly dependent on complex, sedimentary dynamics established in this area. Here, the Vjose River is the dominant source of sediment for the continental shelf. We provided evidences that the (Vjose River) sediment distribution is under the control of a complex, local circulation pattern that is defined by the peculiar regional shape of the gulf which is tectonically controlled. The tectonic control on the present-day, sedimentary processes is also evident offshore from the Karaburun Peninsula, along the upper slope, where important resedimentation processes have been recognized and are related to the recent geodynamic evolution of the margin. © 2011 Coastal Education and Research Foundation

Multimodal Assessment of Cerebral Autoregulation and Autonomic Function After Pediatric Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture

BACKGROUND: Management after cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture aims toward preventing hemorrhagic expansion while maintaining cerebral perfusion to avoid secondary injury. We investigated associations of model-based indices of cerebral autoregulation (CA) and autonomic function (AF) with outcomes after pediatric cerebral AVM rupture. METHODS: Multimodal neurologic monitoring data from the initial 3 days after cerebral AVM rupture were retrospectively analyzed in children (\u3c 18 years). AF indices included standard deviation of heart rate (HRsd), root-mean-square of successive differences in heart rate (HRrmssd), low-high frequency ratio (LHF), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). CA indices include pressure reactivity index (PRx), wavelet pressure reactivity indices (wPRx and wPRx-thr), pulse amplitude index (PAx), and correlation coefficient between intracranial pressure pulse amplitude and cerebral perfusion pressure (RAC). Percent time of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) below lower limits of autoregulation (LLA) was also computed for each CA index. Primary outcomes were determined using Pediatric Glasgow Outcome Score Extended-Pediatrics (GOSE-PEDs) at 12 months and acquired epilepsy. Association of biomarkers with outcomes was investigated using linear regression, Wilcoxon signed-rank, or Chi-square. RESULTS: Fourteen children were analyzed. Lower AF indices were associated with poor outcomes (BRS [p = 0.04], HRsd [p = 0.04], and HRrmssd [p = 0.00]; and acquired epilepsy (LHF [p = 0.027]). Higher CA indices were associated with poor outcomes (PRx [p = 0.00], wPRx [p = 0.00], and wPRx-thr [p = 0.01]), and acquired epilepsy (PRx [p = 0.02] and wPRx [p = 0.00]). Increased time below LLA was associated with poor outcome (percent time below LLA based on PRx [p = 0.00], PAx [p = 0.04], wPRx-thr [p = 0.03], and RAC [p = 0.01]; and acquired epilepsy (PRx [p = 0.00], PAx [p = 0.00], wPRx-thr [p = 0.03], and RAC [p = 0.01]). CONCLUSIONS: After pediatric cerebral AVM rupture, poor outcomes are associated with AF and CA when applying various neurophysiologic model-based indices. Prospective work is needed to assess these indices of CA and AF in clinical decision support

Deficient antiviral immune responses in childhood: Distinct roles of atopy and asthma

BACKGROUND: Impaired immune response to viral infections in atopic asthmatic patients has been recently reported and debated. Whether this condition is present in childhood and whether it is affected by atopy per se deserves further investigation. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate airway interferon production in response to rhinovirus infection in children who are asthmatic, atopic, or both and its correlation with the airway inflammatory profile. METHODS: Bronchial biopsy specimens and epithelial cells were obtained from 47 children (mean age, 5 ± 0.5 years) undergoing bronchoscopy. The study population included asthmatic children who were either atopic or nonatopic, atopic children without asthma, and children without atopy or asthma. Rhinovirus type 16 induction of IFN-λ and IFN-β mRNA and protein levels was assessed in bronchial epithelial cell cultures. The immunoinflammatory profile was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry in bronchial biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Rhinovirus type 16-induced interferon production was significantly reduced in atopic asthmatic, nonatopic asthmatic, and atopic nonasthmatic children compared with that seen in nonatopic nonasthmatic children (all P < .05). Increased rhinovirus viral RNA levels paralleled this deficient interferon induction. Additionally, IFN-λ and IFN-β induction correlated inversely with the airway T(H)2 immunopathologic profile (eosinophilia and IL-4 positivity: P < .05 and r = -0.38 and P < .05 and r = -0.58, respectively) and with epithelial damage (P < .05 and r = -0.55). Furthermore, total serum IgE levels correlated negatively with rhinovirus-induced IFN-λ mRNA levels (P < .05 and r = -0.41) and positively with rhinovirus viral RNA levels (P < .05 and r = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS:Deficient interferon responses to rhinovirus infection are present in childhood in asthmatic subjects irrespective of their atopic status and in atopic patients without asthma. These findings suggest that deficient immune responses to viral infections are not limited to patients with atopic asthma but are present in those with other T(H)2-oriented conditions

Deficient antiviral immune responses in childhood: Distinct roles of atopy and asthma

Background: Impaired immune response to viral infections in atopic asthmatic patients has been recently reported and debated. Whether this condition is present in childhood and whether it is affected by atopy per se deserves further investigation. Objective: We sought to investigate airway interferon production in response to rhinovirus infection in children who are asthmatic, atopic, or both and its correlation with the airway inflammatory profile. Methods: Bronchial biopsy specimens and epithelial cells were obtained from 47 children (mean age, 5 ± 0.5 years) undergoing bronchoscopy. The study population included asthmatic children who were either atopic or nonatopic, atopic children without asthma, and children without atopy or asthma. Rhinovirus type 16 induction of IFN-λ and IFN-β mRNA and protein levels was assessed in bronchial epithelial cell cultures. The immunoinflammatory profile was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry in bronchial biopsy specimens. Results: Rhinovirus type 16-induced interferon production was significantly reduced in atopic asthmatic, nonatopic asthmatic, and atopic nonasthmatic children compared with that seen in nonatopic nonasthmatic children (all P &lt;.05). Increased rhinovirus viral RNA levels paralleled this deficient interferon induction. Additionally, IFN-λ and IFN-β induction correlated inversely with the airway TH2 immunopathologic profile (eosinophilia and IL-4 positivity: P &lt;.05 and r = -0.38 and P &lt;.05 and r = -0.58, respectively) and with epithelial damage (P &lt;.05 and r = -0.55). Furthermore, total serum IgE levels correlated negatively with rhinovirus-induced IFN-λ mRNA levels (P &lt;.05 and r = -0.41) and positively with rhinovirus viral RNA levels (P &lt;.05 and r = 0.44). Conclusions: Deficient interferon responses to rhinovirus infection are present in childhood in asthmatic subjects irrespective of their atopic status and in atopic patients without asthma. These findings suggest that deficient immune responses to viral infections are not limited to patients with atopic asthma but are present in those with other TH2-oriented conditions

The LRRK2 N-terminal domain influences vesicle trafficking: impact of the E193K variant

The LRRK2 protein consists of multiple functional domains, including protein-binding domains at its N and C-terminus. Mutations in the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) have been linked to familial and sporadic Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD). We have recently described a novel variant falling within the N-terminal armadillo repeats, E193K. Herein, our aim is to investigate the functional impact of LRRK2 N-terminal domain and the E193K variant on vesicle trafficking. By combining Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and a synaptopHluorin assay, we found that expression of a construct lacking the N-terminal domain increases the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous synaptic events. Complementary biochemical approaches showed that the E193K variant alters the binding properties of LRRK2, decreases LRRK2 binding to synaptic vesicles, and promotes vesicle fusion. Our results confirm the physiological and pathological relevance of the nature of the LRRK2-associated macro-molecular complex solidifying the idea that different pathological mutations critically alter the scaffolding function of LRRK2 resulting in a perturbation of the vesicular trafficking as a common denominator

Quantitative Electroencephalography After Pediatric Anterior Circulation Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Regional differences were investigated in quantitative EEG (QEEG) characteristics and associations of QEEG to hemodynamics after pediatric acute stroke. METHODS: Quantitative EEG was analyzed, including power in delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands, alpha-delta power ratio, total power, and spectral edge frequency from 11 children with unilateral, anterior circulation strokes during the first 24 hours of continuous EEG recording. Differences between injured and uninjured hemispheres were assessed using multivariate dynamic structural equations modeling. Dynamic structural equations modeling was applied to six children with hemorrhagic stroke undergoing arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and cerebral oximetry monitoring to investigate associations between hemodynamics with QEEG adjacent to anterior circulation regions. RESULTS: All patients with acute ischemic stroke (n = 5) had lower alpha and beta power and spectral edge frequency on injured compared with uninjured regions. This was not consistent after hemorrhagic stroke (n = 6). All hemorrhagic stroke patients demonstrated negative association of total power with arterial blood pressure within injured regions. No consistency was observed for direction or strength of association in other QEEG measures to arterial blood pressure nor were such consistent relationships observed for any QEEG measure studied in relation to heart rate or cerebral oximetry. CONCLUSIONS: After pediatric anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke, reduced spectral edge frequency and alpha and beta power can be observed on injured as compared with noninjured regions. After pediatric anterior circulation hemorrhagic stroke, total power can be negatively associated with arterial blood pressure within injured regions. Larger studies are needed to understand conditions in which QEEG patterns manifest and relate to hemodynamics and brain penumbra

Quantitative Electroencephalography After Pediatric Anterior Circulation Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Regional differences were investigated in quantitative EEG (QEEG) characteristics and associations of QEEG to hemodynamics after pediatric acute stroke. METHODS: Quantitative EEG was analyzed, including power in delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands, alpha-delta power ratio, total power, and spectral edge frequency from 11 children with unilateral, anterior circulation strokes during the first 24 hours of continuous EEG recording. Differences between injured and uninjured hemispheres were assessed using multivariate dynamic structural equations modeling. Dynamic structural equations modeling was applied to six children with hemorrhagic stroke undergoing arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and cerebral oximetry monitoring to investigate associations between hemodynamics with QEEG adjacent to anterior circulation regions. RESULTS: All patients with acute ischemic stroke (n = 5) had lower alpha and beta power and spectral edge frequency on injured compared with uninjured regions. This was not consistent after hemorrhagic stroke (n = 6). All hemorrhagic stroke patients demonstrated negative association of total power with arterial blood pressure within injured regions. No consistency was observed for direction or strength of association in other QEEG measures to arterial blood pressure nor were such consistent relationships observed for any QEEG measure studied in relation to heart rate or cerebral oximetry. CONCLUSIONS: After pediatric anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke, reduced spectral edge frequency and alpha and beta power can be observed on injured as compared with noninjured regions. After pediatric anterior circulation hemorrhagic stroke, total power can be negatively associated with arterial blood pressure within injured regions. Larger studies are needed to understand conditions in which QEEG patterns manifest and relate to hemodynamics and brain penumbra

Th2 cytokines impair innate immune responses to rhinovirus in respiratory epithelial cells

Asthma and other Th2 inflammatory conditions have been associated with increased susceptibility to viral infections. The mechanisms by which Th2 cytokines can influence immune responses to infections are largely unknown