Seed morphology in Euphorbia and its taxonomic applications: a case study in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Euphorbia L., with around 2000 species, is the biggest genus of Euphorbiaceae and one of the largest and most diverse genera within Angiosperms. It shows an almost cosmopolitan distribution and notable morphological diversity and is characterized by a pseudanthial inflorescence, the cyathium, which is unique to the genus. Along with its great morphological diversity in growth form, seed characters such as shape, testa ornamentation and presence or absence of caruncle are among its most notable and variable features. Given the potential utility of seed characters for species identification, we set to characterize the seeds from all known species (24) of Euphorbia occurring in the state of Sao Paulo, using photos and scanning electronic microscopy images. These species belong to three subgenera and seven sections of Euphorbia, and their morphological diversity is discussed in a phylogenetic context according to the most recent classification. Seed characters such as shape, size, testa ornamentation, and presence or absence of caruncle proved to be useful for identification of sections and for distinguishing closely related species.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Inst Bot Sao Paulo, Nucleo Pesquisa Curadoria Herbario SP, Ave Miguel Stefano 3687, BR-04045972 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Rua Prof Artur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Rua Prof Artur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Synopsis of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Euphorbia is the largest genus of Euphorbiaceae and is among the giant genera of Angiosperms. In the state of Sao Paulo, the genus is represented by 23 species occurring in savannas, high altitude fields, and anthropic areas. This work includes an identification key, photographs, and comments on morphology, habitat, and geographical distribution. We reestablish Euphorbia chrysophylla and recognize Leptopus brasiliensis as a synonym of Euphorbia sciadophila. Six new records for the state of Sao Paulo are presented: Euphorbia adenoptera, E. bahiensis, E. chrysophylla, E. cordeiroae, E. foliolosa and E. ophthalmica. Eight lectotypes are designated.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Inst Bot, Secretaria Meio Ambiente, BR-01061970 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Nomenclatural novelties in Astraea (Euphorbiaceae)

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Diadema, SP, BrazilSecretaria Meio Ambiente, Inst Bot, BR-01061970 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Michigan, Herbarium, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The Amazonian Croton mollis (Euphorbiaceae): morphology and leaf anatomy help to understand its preference for the extreme igapó habitat

Identifying traits contributing to the success of organisms living in harsh environments has always been of great interest in evolutionary ecology. Here we focused on morphological features that could be advantageous for the survival of Croton mollis, a slender shrub occurring in the extreme white-sand habitats of the Amazonian igapos (black/clear-water rivers). We examined macro-morphological characters, as well as leaf micro-morphology using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also estimated areas of habitat suitability for C. mollis based on climatic, soil, and elevation variables using species distribution modelling (SDM) and available herbarium collections. Our results show that C. mollis presents morphological attributes similar to those of rheophytes, which may allow the species to overcome drastic seasonal changes in water level. We report the presence of five secretory structures (extrafloral nectaries, colleters, idioblasts, glandular trichomes, and laticifers) in the leaves. The size and position of the secretory idioblasts support the hypothesis of the existence of a transitional storage for secondary metabolites from idioblasts to secretory trichomes. Besides glandular trichomes, we also found stellate trichomes and trichome-like emergences in leaves. We hypothesize that these emergences could have an important role in the species’ survival due to their capacity of absorbing atmospheric moisture. Finally, the SDM supported the known habitat preferences of C. mollis and estimated a relatively wider geographic range than the currently known distribution based on herbarium records, suggesting that collecting efforts in the Amazonian region need to be increased in the future

Cognitive decline in temporal lobe epilepsy due to unilateral hippocampal sclerosis

Objective. We assessed the cognitive performance of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) caused by unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (HS), in comparison with that of matched, healthy controls. We report the relationship between cognitive measures and duration of epilepsy, correlating with hippocampal volumes, and the impact of educational level on cognitive decline.Methods. This study involved 61 outpatients (40 with 8 years of formal education) with unilateral HS and 61 controls. Volumetric MRI was performed on all patients and 10 controls. the results (mean, SD) of the neuropsychological tests of healthy subjects and patients were compared using the Student t and Mann-Whitney tests.Results. Patients performed worse than controls in the neuropsychological evaluation. When adjusted z scores were used to calculate the impairment index, patients had a greater percentage of abnormal tests compared with controls. the cognitive decline, assessed through the impairment index, correlated with duration of epilepsy. Higher level of education did not protect against this decline, thus not supporting the hypothesis of cerebral reserve in this population. A significant correlation between hippocampal volumetric measures and duration of epilepsy was observed only in patients with left HS.Conclusion. Patients with TLE caused by HS present with cognitive morbidity that extends beyond memory deficits. Cognitive decline is associated with duration of epilepsy, and in patients with left-sided HS, duration may correlate with volumetric hippocampal loss. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Escola Paulista Med, UNIFESP, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilEscola Paulista Med, UNIFESP, Dept Radiol, São Paulo, BrazilEscola Paulista Med, UNIFESP, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilEscola Paulista Med, UNIFESP, Dept Radiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the quality of life in epilepsy inventory (QOLIE-31) for Brazil

Purpose. We report the cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 Inventory (QOLIE-31) for the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture.Methods. This study involved 150 outpatients: 50 presurgical patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) related to mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), 50 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), and 50 seizure-free patients with TLE. They completed the QOLIE-31, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Adverse Events Profile (AEP) and underwent a neuropsychological evaluation (NE). Internal consistency reliability, interrater and test-retest reliability, and construct validity were assessed.Results. QOLIE-31 mean scores were 33.1 (Social Function), 68.9 (Overall Quality of Life), 56.5 (Seizure Worry), 64.1 (Emotional Well-Being), 63.7 (Energy/Fatigue), 38.9 (Cognitive Function), and 49.7 (Medication Effects). Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's a), as were the associations between QOLIE-31 and the BDI, NHP, AEP, and NE.Conclusion. the Portuguese/Brazilian version of the QOLIE-31 inventory showed good reliability, validity.. and construct validity. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilYale Univ, Dept Psychiat, New Haven, CT 06520 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

I Diretriz Brasileira de Cardio-Oncologia da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia

Inst Canc Estado Sao Paulo, BR-01246 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Fac Med, Inst Coracao, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Inst Cardiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Hosp Clin Porto Alegre, Serv Cardiol, BR-90046900 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Hosp, Brasilia, DF, BrazilHosp Procardiaco, Ctr Insuficiencia Cardiaca, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Amazonas, Fdn Ctr Oncol Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilMonte Tabor Hosp Sao Rafael, Salvador, BA, BrazilFdn Beneficencia Hosp & Cirurgia, Clin Coracao, Aracaju, SE, BrazilHosp Socor, Ecoctr, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Inst Cardiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc