Latex Variation in Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum Cannabinum)

Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) is a weedy perennial native to North America that can reproduce by seed or clonally. Shoots can emerge from vertically oriented crown roots or horizontally orientated lateral roots. This plant can be found readily throughout the nature park in small to large patches. We sampled from 6 populations, 3 within the quarry bottom and 3 outside of the quarry bottom. We looked at latex production to determine if it was influenced more by herbivory or water availability. In our analysis we discovered that water availability played a role in the amount of latex produced and that herbivory was deterred by latex production in nonquarry populations

Dogbane Under Stress: Habitat Differentiation of Anthocyanins in Apocynum cannabinum

The quarry in DePauw’s Nature Park, which was previously stripped of soil and layers of bedrock, offers an ideal study system for understanding how plants adapt to disturbances. The quarry bottom is particularly stressful for plants because of this loss in soil, high variability in water availability due to the poor porosity of the bedrock, and high light intensity. Therefore, plants that live there must have traits suitable for this harsh environment. One response elicited to stress in plants is the production of red pigments called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are versatile and have been found to be protective in a multitude of ways; among their many functions, they have been shown to protect against tissue damage at high light levels and increase herbivore resistance. Using Hemp Dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum, as a study system, we asked whether anthocyanin content in stems differs between quarry and non quarry environments, if there is a relationship between pigmentation and herbivory, and how pigmentation is selected on in the two habitats

Advanced HIV Disease among Males and Females Initiating HIV Care in Rural Ethiopia

Despite recommendations for rapidly initiating HIV treatment, many persons in sub-Saharan Africa present to care with advanced HIV disease. Baseline survey and clinical data were collected on 1799 adults newly enrolling at 32 district hospitals and local health HIV clinics in rural Ethiopia. Among those with complete HIV disease information, advanced HIV disease (defined as CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 or World Health Organization [WHO] HIV clinical stage III or IV disease) was present in 66% of males and 56% of females ( P < .001). Males (compared to females) had lower CD4 counts (287 cells/mm 3 versus 345 cells/mm 3 ), lower body mass index (19.3 kg/m 2 versus 20.2 kg/m 2 ), and more WHO stage III or IV disease (46% versus 37%), ( P < .001). Men reported more chronic diarrhea, fevers, cough, pain, fatigue, and weight loss ( P < .05). Most initiating care in this resource-limited setting had advanced HIV disease. Men had poorer health status, supporting the importance of earlier diagnosis, linkage to care, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy