Evolution of Genome Size and Complexity in Pinus

BACKGROUND: Genome evolution in the gymnosperm lineage of seed plants has given rise to many of the most complex and largest plant genomes, however the elements involved are poorly understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Gymny is a previously undescribed retrotransposon family in Pinus that is related to Athila elements in Arabidopsis. Gymny elements are dispersed throughout the modern Pinus genome and occupy a physical space at least the size of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. In contrast to previously described retroelements in Pinus, the Gymny family was amplified or introduced after the divergence of pine and spruce (Picea). If retrotransposon expansions are responsible for genome size differences within the Pinaceae, as they are in angiosperms, then they have yet to be identified. In contrast, molecular divergence of Gymny retrotransposons together with other families of retrotransposons can account for the large genome complexity of pines along with protein-coding genic DNA, as revealed by massively parallel DNA sequence analysis of Cot fractionated genomic DNA. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Most of the enormous genome complexity of pines can be explained by divergence of retrotransposons, however the elements responsible for genome size variation are yet to be identified. Genomic resources for Pinus including those reported here should assist in further defining whether and how the roles of retrotransposons differ in the evolution of angiosperm and gymnosperm genomes

Biomarkers of inflammation in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Comparison of plasma levels of biomarkers of inflammation in 50 patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome ventilated with low-tidal-volume ventilation. Plasma levels of IL-8 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors. Data shown as boxplots: horizontal line, median; box, 25th to 75th percentiles; error bars, 10th to 90th percentiles. *= 0.002 and **= 0.006 compared with survivors, Mann–Whitney U test.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis predict mortality in acute lung injury"</p><p>http://ccforum.com/content/12/2/R41</p><p>Critical Care 2008;12(2):R41-R41.</p><p>Published online 21 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2447583.</p><p></p

Biomarkers of disordered coagulation and fibrinolysis in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Comparison of plasma levels of biomarkers of disordered coagulation and fibrinolysis in 50 patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome ventilated with low-tidal-volume ventilation. Plasma levels of protein C were significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Plasma levels of thrombomodulin were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Data shown as boxplots: horizontal line, median; box, 25th to 75th percentiles; error bars, 10th to 90th percentiles. *= 0.0003, **= 0.005 and = 0.01 compared with survivors, Mann–Whitney U test.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis predict mortality in acute lung injury"</p><p>http://ccforum.com/content/12/2/R41</p><p>Critical Care 2008;12(2):R41-R41.</p><p>Published online 21 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2447583.</p><p></p