ABSTRACT
Oceanic island ecosystems favour the appearance of novel interactions as a consequence of their depauperate and disharmonic flora and fauna. We investigated Echium simplex, endemic to the Anaga Biosphere Reserve in NE Tenerife, Canary Islands, belongs to the Canarian bird-flower element. Along two flowering seasons, we studied the breeding system of E. simplex, identified the floral visitors and compared the pollination effectiveness of different animal guilds (insects versus vertebrates) by means of selective exclosures. E. simplex is self-compatible but selfing significantly reduced fruit set. The flowers were visited by five bird species (mostly Phylloscopus canariensis and Serinus canarius, but also Cyanistes teneriffae, Sylvia atricapilla and Sylvia melanocephala), a lizard species (Gallotia galloti) and over a hundred insect species (mainly hymenopterans and coleopterans). Flying insects increased fruit set whereas small flower dwellers (mostly beetles) decreased both fruit and seed set. Vertebrates had a negligible effect on reproductive success. We conclude that although the floral resources provided by E. simplex may be important to some vertebrate species, these do not appear to contribute to increase fitness of the plant, which was more dependent upon flying insects for fruit and seed set. We additionally found that plant reproductive structures are heavily damaged by feral goats, which threaten the maintenance of this Canarian endemic species.
Subject(s)
Echium/physiology , Animals , Birds , Ecosystem , Flowers/physiology , Goats , Herbivory , Insecta , Lizards , Pollination , Reproduction , SpainABSTRACT
The phenology of anthocyanin accumulation in leaves has been widely studied in perennial plants; several hypotheses have been proposed to explain their adaptive significance. Here, we explored the photoprotection hypothesis in Silene germana, a Mediterranean annual plant with late-spring/summer flowering. We analysed the temporal patterns of anthocyanin accumulation in photosynthetic calyces, leaves and stems and throughout the reproductive season, and their relationship with flower abortion, florivory and plant mortality due to drought. In addition, the flavonoid production and the photoinhibitory response were measured in a shading experiment. The whole plant becomes red at the end of the flowering and remains red until fruiting and senescence. Calyces were redder on the side with more sun exposition. Aborted flowers showed redder calyces than those of fruiting flowers. No effect of plant redness on florivory or plant mortality was found. The shading experiment showed a positive relationship between anthocyanin accumulation and intensity of solar radiation, but plants growing in absence of UV showed similar redness than full sunlight plants. Plants growing in natural shade lack anthocyanins but produced the same amount of non-anthocyanin flavonoids. Anthocyanic and non-anthocyanic plants showed similar photochemical efficiency (Fv /Fm ) after sun exposition, but in early morning, the former showed lower Fv /Fm values. Plants growing in full sunlight produced more fruits than those of natural shade plants. Whole-plant reddening during fruiting and senescence appears to be a property of S. germana. Our results suggest that anthocyanin accumulation depends on sunlight intensity, but non-anthocyanin flavonoids are produced constitutively.
Subject(s)
Anthocyanins/metabolism , Silene/radiation effects , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Color , Flavonoids/metabolism , Flowers/metabolism , Flowers/radiation effects , Light , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Leaves/radiation effects , Plant Stems/metabolism , Plant Stems/radiation effects , Silene/metabolism , SpectrophotometryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and attitudes that patients seen at a health centre had of cancer risk factors and their prevention. DESIGN: A descriptive crossover study. Non-probabilistic sampling by quota. Survey with questionnaire. SETTING: Rekaldeberri Health Centre (Bilbao). PARTICIPANTS: 400 people aged between 14 and 74 who attended the Centre for any reason during June and July 1995. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 276 patients (69%) thought that cancer was preventable. The cancers most often cited as preventable were lung in men and breast in women. 371 (93%) related cancer to tobacco; 372 (93.1%) to sun-bathing without protection; 267 (66.8%) to excess of alcohol. 192 (48%) thought that diet could play a protective role. 339 (84%) thought that early diagnosis was possible: of these, 60.5% cited breast cancer. 222 women (96.7%) knew about mammography; and 166 (79.4%), cytology. In age groups for whom these techniques are appropriate, 32 women (56.1%) had had the first, and 136 (76%) the second. 258 (64.5%) did not smoke; 230 (57.5%) did not drink; 156 (39%) always used protective cream; and 328 (82%) ate fruit and/or vegetables daily or almost daily. CONCLUSIONS: The population group studied had a good understanding of cancer risk factors and prevention.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Community Health Centers , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To find the degree of control, the prevalence of complications and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and the drugs treatment used for type II diabetics. DESIGN: A descriptive crossover study. SETTING: Rekaldeberri Health Centre, Bilbao. PATIENTS: 202 diabetes II patients selected at random. INTERVENTIONS: Data were gathered by interviews, physical examinations and further tests. MAIN RESULTS: 52.2% of the sample were women. Average age was 66.6 50% of the diabetics had been diagnosed for 8 years or more. Microalbuminuria was detected in 21.9% of the patients, Microangiopathy in 24.8%, Neuropathy in 11.4% and diabetic foot in 10.4%. The years of evolution and appearance of complications had a significant connection. 64.4% of patients had a good or acceptable metabolic control. Worse metabolic control of diabetes was connected with the appearance of retinopathy and neuropathy. 47.5% were hypertensive. 21.3% smoked, 35.6% had cholesterol figures over 250 mgr/dl. Their mean Body mass index was 28.1. 40.6% were treated exclusively by diet, 9.9% with insulin and 35.6% with medicines taken orally. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of diabetics had a good or acceptable control of their disease. Prevalence of complications was less than in other studies, whereas CVRFs were similar. We do not discount the presence of bias in the comparison because of different diagnostic methods.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Cross-Over Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Care Team , Primary Health Care , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A case of inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma is described herein. We discuss its clinical features, therapeutic possibilities and diagnosis, highlighting the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging as well as the importance of correct anatomopathological diagnosis.
