Bush peas: a rapid radiation with no support for monophyly of Pultenaea (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae)

Phylogenetic hypotheses are presented for Pultenaea based on cpDNA (trnL-F and ndhF) and nrDNA ( ITS) sequence data. Pultenaea, as it is currently circumscribed, comprises six strongly supported lineages whose relationships with each other and 18 closely related genera are weak or conflicting among datasets. The lack of resolution among the six Pultenaea clades and their relatives appears to be the result of a rapid radiation, which is evident in molecular data from both the chloroplast and nuclear genomes. The molecular data provide no support for the monophyly of Pultenaea as it currently stands. Given these results, Pultenaea could split into many smaller genera. We prefer the taxonomically stable alternative of subsuming all 19 genera currently recognised in Pultenaea sensu lato (= the Mirbelia group) into an expanded concept of Pultenaea that would comprise similar to 470 species.

Refining the perfusion-diffusion mismatch hypothesis

Background and Purpose-The Echoplanar Imaging Thrombolysis Evaluation Trial ( EPITHET) tests the hypothesis that perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch predicts the response to thrombolysis. There is no accepted standardized definition of PWI-DWI mismatch. We compared common mismatch definitions in the initial 40 EPITHET patients. Methods-Raw perfusion images were used to generate maps of time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (MTT), time to peak of the impulse response (Tmax) and first moment transit time (FMT). DWI, apparent diffusion coefficient ( ADC), and PWI volumes were measured with planimetric and thresholding techniques. Correlations between mismatch volume (PWIvol-DWIvol) and DWI expansion (T2(Day) (90-vol)-DWIAcute-vol) were also assessed. Results-Mean age was 68 +/- 11, time to MRI 4.5 +/- 0.7 hours, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 11 (range 4 to 23). Tmax and MTT hypoperfusion volumes were significantly lower than those calculated with TTP and FMT maps (P < 0.001). Mismatch >= 20% was observed in 89% (Tmax) to 92% (TTP/FMT/MTT) of patients. Application of a +4s ( relative to the contralateral hemisphere) PWI threshold reduced the frequency of positive mismatch volumes (TTP 73%/FMT 68%/Tmax 54%/MTT 43%). Mismatch was not significantly different when assessed with ADC maps. Mismatch volume, calculated with all parameters and thresholds, was not significantly correlated with DWI expansion. In contrast, reperfusion was correlated inversely with infarct growth (R= -0.51; P = 0.009). Conclusions-Deconvolution and application of PWI thresholds provide more conservative estimates of tissue at risk and decrease the frequency of mismatch accordingly. The precise definition may not be critical; however, because reperfusion alters tissue fate irrespective of mismatch.

Hyrax appliance opening and pattern of skeletal maxillary expansion after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a computed tomography evaluation

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using computed tomography, correlations between Hyrax appliance opening and post-SARPE skeletal changes. Study design. Fifteen patients underwent SARPE according to a specific protocol and were followed. Linear and angular measurements of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior portions of the maxilla were evaluated. The correlation between maxillary expansion and appliance opening was investigated. Results. Significant overall expansion was observed. In the anterior and intermediate portions of the maxilla, the increase in maxillary width was greater than that observed in the posterior portion. The degree of appliance opening was significantly greater than that of the skeletal expansion. Also, no linear correlation between appliance opening and regional maxillary expansion was established. Conclusion. The transverse expansion of the maxilla was less than uniform. The lack of linear correlation between appliance opening and skeletal expansion is attributable to multiple factors, including those related to the device, the surgical technique, and the craniofacial deformity itself. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2008; 106: 812-819)

Rapid increases in cytokinin concentration in lateral buds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) during release of apical dominance

We examined the role of cytokinins (CKs) in release of apical dominance in lateral buds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Shoot decapitation or application of CKs (benzyladenine, zeatin or dihydrozeatin) stimulated rapid bud growth. Time-lapse video recording revealed growth initiation within 2 h of application of 200 pmol benzyladenine or within 3 h of decapitation. Endogenous CK content in buds changed little in the first 2 h after shoot decapitation, but significantly increased by 6 h, somewhat later than the initiation of bud growth. The main elevated CK was zeatin riboside, whose content per bud increased 7-fold by 6 h and 25-fold by 24 h. Lesser changes were found in amounts of zeatin and isopentenyl adenine CKs. We have yet to distinguish whether these CKs are imported from the roots via the xylem stream or are synthesised in situ in the buds, but CKs may be part of an endogenous signal involved in lateral bud growth stimulation following shoot decapitation. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed report of CK levels in buds themselves during release of apical dominance.

Rapid computation of static fields produced by thick circular solenoids

A straightforward method is proposed for computing the magnetic field produced by a circular coil that contains a large number of turns wound onto a solenoid of rectangular cross section. The coil is thus approximated by a circular ring containing a continuous constant current density, which is very close to the real situation when sire of rectangular cross section is used. All that is required is to evaluate two functions, which are defined as integrals of periodic quantities; this is done accurately and efficiently using trapezoidal-rule quadrature. The solution can be obtained so rapidly that this procedure is ideally suited for use in stochastic optimization, An example is given, in which this approach is combined with a simulated annealing routine to optimize shielded profile coils for NMR.

SUITABILITY OF A RAPID DNA ISOLATION AND AMPLIFICATION FOR DETECTION OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI IN TRIATOMA INFESTANS DRY FECAL SPOTS COLLECTED ON FILTER PAPER

A rapid DNA extraction was used for T. cruzi detection in triatomines dry fecal spots collected on filter paper and analyzed by PCR. Fifty T infestans were fed on experimentally infected Balb/C mice with high T. cruzi parasitemia and divided into five groups of len triatomines, and 100 triatomines were infected with lower parasitemia and divided into five groups of 20 triatomines, One dry fecal spot was analyzed per group on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 post feeding. Amplification targeted T. cruzi TCZ sequence and resulted positive from day 4 after bugs feeding in the two models (high and lower parasitemia). The rapid DNA isolation and PCR proposed are suitable for detection of T. cruzi DNA in in filter paper and should be considered in field research.

Lead Poisoning by Intradiscal Firearm Bullet A Case Report

Study Design. The report of a rare case of lead poisoning by an intradiscal firearm bullet is presented. Objective. To describe and discuss the clinical and radiologic features (by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) of a gunshot wound in the L2-L3 space which caused lead poisoning 5 years afterwards. Summary of Background Data. Lead poisoning from firearm bullets is rare, but the possibility should be investigated in the case of bullets lodged in the joints. Methods. A 30-year-old man presented to the emergency room with an intense lumbar pain complaint, colic, intestinal constipation, insomnia, and progressive headache for 20 days. He had a history of a gunshot wound 5 years previously, and the bullet was left in situ, in the intravertebral disc between L2 and L3, as confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The hypothesis of lead poisoning was confirmed by the laboratory results. Chelation treatment with calcium versenate (disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, or CaNa (2) EDTA) was indicated. The patient was admitted and treated once again, before surgical removal of the bullet. Results. After removal of the bullet, the patient had an episode of recurrence, and a new chelation cycle was performed, with complete resolution. Conclusion. Lead poisoning can result in severe clinical disorders that require rapid treatment. In this case, both clinical and surgical treatments led to complete resolution of the symptoms.

A hypothesis for explaining single outbreaks (like the Black Death in European cities) of vector-borne infections

We propose a mechanism by which single outbreaks of vector-borne infections can happen even when the value of the basic reproduction number, R(o), of the infection is below one. With this hypothesis we have shown that dynamical models simulations demonstrate that the arrival of a relatively small (with respect to the host population) number of infected vectors can trigger a short-lived epidemic but with a huge number of cases. These episodes are characterized by a sudden outbreak in a previously virgin area that last from weeks to a few months, and then disappear without leaving vestiges. The hypothesis proposed in this paper to explain those single outbreaks of vector-borne infections, even when total basic reproduction number, Ro, is less than one (which explain the fact that those infections fail to establish themselves at endemic levels), is that the vector-to-host component of Ro is greater than one and that a sufficient amount of infected vectors are imported to the vulnerable area, triggering the outbreak. We tested the hypothesis by performing numerical simulations that reproduce the observed outbreaks of chikungunya in Italy in 2007 and the plague in Florence in 1348. The theory proposed provides an explanation for isolated outbreaks of vector-borne infections, ways to calculate the size of those outbreaks from the number of infected vectors arriving in the affected areas. Given the ever-increasing worldwide transportation network, providing a high degree of mobility from endemic to virgin areas, the proposed mechanism may have important implications for public health planning. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FOR DEBATE A hypothesis for the 2007 dengue outbreak in Singapore

A previous mathematical model explaining dengue in Singapore predicted a reasonable outbreak of about 6500 cases for 2006 and a very mild outbreak with about 2000 cases for 2007. However, only 3051 cases were reported in 2006 while more than 7800 were reported in the first 44 weeks of 2007. We hypothesized that the combination of haze with other local sources of particulate matter had a significant impact on mosquito life expectancy, significantly increasing their mortality rate. To test the hypothesis a mathematical model based on the reproduction number of dengue fever and aimed at comparing the impact of several possible alternative control strategies was proposed. This model also aimed at contributing to the understanding of the causes of dengue resurgence in Singapore in the last decade. The model`s simulation demonstrated that an increase in mosquito mortality in 2006 and either a reduction in mortality or an increase in the carrying capacity of mosquitoes in 2007 explained the patterned observed in Singapore. Based on the model`s simulation we concluded that the fewer than expected number of dengue cases in Singapore in 2006 was caused by an increase in mosquito mortality due to the disproportionate haze affecting the country that year and that particularly favourable environmental conditions in 2007 propitiated mosquitoes with a lower mortality rate, which explains the greater than expected number of dengue cases in 2007. Whether our hypothesis is plausible or not should be debated further.

Rapid antidepressant changes with sleep deprivation in major depressive disorder are associated with changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): A pilot study

While conventional antidepressants benefit many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), as much as eight to 12 weeks can elapse before significant improvements in depressive symptoms are seen. Treatments that act more rapidly in MDD are urgently needed. Sleep deprivation (SD) has been shown to produce a rapid antidepressant response within one day in 50-60% of patients with MDD; thus, identifying its antidepressant mechanism may contribute to the development of antidepressants that act more rapidly. The present study evaluated the effects of 39 h of SD on mood, as well as on plasma levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with MDD. After a drug-free period of at least two weeks, 11 patients (6 males, 5 females; ages 25-62) who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD underwent total SD. Plasma samples for BDNF and VEGF assays were collected on Days 1 (baseline) and 2. The six-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-6) was the primary outcome measure. HAMD-6 scores decreased significantly after SD (Day 2). SD was negatively correlated with change in HAMD-6 score and change in VEGF levels, indicating that as depression scores decreased following SD, VEGF plasma levels increased. In contrast, SD did not alter plasma BDNF concentrations, nor was an association found between BDNF levels and clinical improvement on the HAMD-6. These results suggest that SD is associated with mood-related changes in plasma VEGF levels, but not plasma BDNF levels. Further studies using larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder: cross-national community study

Background The epidemiology of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in the community is largely unknown. Aims To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of rapid cycling and non-rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in a large cross-national community sample. Method The Composite International Diagnostic interview (CIDI version 3.0) was used to examine the prevalence, severity, comorbidity, impairment, suicidality, sociodemographics, childhood adversity and treatment of rapid-cycling and non-rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in ten countries (n=54257). Results The 12-month prevalence of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder was 0.3%. Roughly a third and two-fifths of participants with lifetime and 12-month bipolar disorder respectively met criteria for rapid cycling. Compared with the non-rapid-cycling, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder was associated with younger age at onset, higher persistence, more severe depressive symptoms, greater impairment from depressive symptoms, more out-of-role days from mania/hypomania, more anxiety disorders and an increased likelihood of using health services. Associations regarding childhood, family and other sociodemographic correlates were less clear cut. Conclusions The community epidemiological profile of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder confirms most but not all current clinically based knowledge about the illness. Declaration of interest R.C.K. has been a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline Inc, Kaiser Permanente, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, Shire Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth-Ayerst; has served on advisory boards for Eli Lilly & Company and Wyeth-Ayerst, and has had research support for his epidemiological studies from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals Inc, Pfizer Inc and Sanofi-Avertis.

Phototherapy Promotes Healing of Chronic Diabetic Leg Ulcers That Failed to Respond to Other Therapies

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that combined 660 and 890 nm LED phototherapy will promote healing of diabetic ulcers that failed to respond to other forms of treatment. Research Design and Methods: A double-blind randomized placebo controlled design was used to study 23 diabetic leg ulcers in two groups of 14 patients. Group one ulcers were cleaned, dressed with 1% silver sulfadiazine cream and treated with ""placebo"" phototherapy (<1.0 J cm(-2)) twice per week, using a Dynatron Solaris 705 (R) device. Group two ulcers were treated similarly but received 3 J cm(-2) dose. Results: At each of 15,30,45,60,75, and 90 days of healing, mean ulcer granulation and healing rates were significantly higher for group two than the ""placebo"" group (P < 0.02). While ""placebo"" treated ulcers worsened during the initial 30 days, group two ulcers healed rapidly; achieving 56% more granulation and 79.2% faster healing by day 30, and maintaining similarly higher rates of granulation and healing over the ""placebo"" group all through. By day 90, 58.3% of group two ulcers had healed fully and 75% had achieved 90-100% healing. In contrast, only one ""placebo"" treated ulcer healed fully by day 90; no other ulcer attained >90% healing. Conclusion: Combined 660 and 890 nm light promotes rapid granulation and healing of diabetic ulcers that failed to respond to other forms of treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:433-441, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chelatable zinc modulates excitability and seizure duration in the amygdala rapid kindling model

Zinc is present in high concentration in many structures of the limbic circuitry, however the role of zinc as a neuromodulator in such synapses is stilt uncertain. In this work, we verified the effects of zinc chelation in an animal model of epileptogenesis induced by amygdala rapid kindling. The basolateral. amygdala was electrically stimulated ten times per day for 2 days. A single stimulus was applied on the third day. Stimulated animals received injections of PBS or the zinc chelator diethildythiocarbamate acid (DEDTC) before each stimulus series. Animals were monitored with video-EEG and were perfused 3 h after the last stimulus for subsequent neo-Timm and Ftuoro-Jade B analysis. Zinc chelation decreased the duration of both behavioral seizures and electrical after-discharges, and also decreased the EEG spikes frequency, without changing the progression of behavioral seizure severity. These results indicate that the zinc ion may have a facilitatory role during kindling progression. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.