Insights into the dynamics of genome size and chromosome evolution in the early diverging angiosperm lineage Nymphaeales (water lilies).

Nymphaeales are the most species-rich lineage of the earliest diverging angiosperms known as the ANA grade (Amborellales, Nymphaeales, Austrobaileyales), and they have received considerable attention from morphological, physiological, and ecological perspectives. Although phylogenetic relationships between these three lineages of angiosperms are mainly well resolved, insights at the whole genome level are still limited because of a dearth of information. To address this, genome sizes and chromosome numbers in 34 taxa, comprising 28 species were estimated and analysed together with previously published data to provide an overview of genome size and chromosome diversity in Nymphaeales. Overall, genome sizes were shown to vary 10-fold and chromosome numbers and ploidy levels ranged from 2n = 2x = 18 to 2n = 16x = ∼224. Distinct patterns of genome diversity were apparent, reflecting the differential incidence of polyploidy, changes in repetitive DNA content, and chromosome rearrangements within and between genera. Using model-based approaches, ancestral genome size and basic chromosome numbers were reconstructed to provide insights into the dynamics of genome size and chromosome number evolution. Finally, by combining additional data from Amborellales and Austrobaileyales, a comprehensive overview of genome sizes and chromosome numbers in these early diverging angiosperms is presented.

Evidence-based consensus on the insertion of central venous access devices: definition of minimal requirements for training.

There is a lack of standard minimal requirements for the training of insertion techniques and maintenance of central venous access devices (CVADs). An international evidence-based consensus task force was established through the World Congress of Vascular Access (WoCoVA) to provide definitions and recommendations for training and insertion of CVADs. Medical literature published from February 1971 to April 2012 regarding 'central vascular access', 'training', 'competency', 'simulation', and 'ultrasound' was reviewed on Pubmed, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases. The GRADE and the GRADE-RAND methods were utilized to develop recommendations. Out of 156 papers initially identified, 83 papers described training for central vascular access placement. Sixteen recommendations are proposed by this task force, each with an evidence level, degree of consensus, and recommendation grade. These recommendations suggest central venous access education include didactic or web-based teaching with insertion procedure, infection prevention, complications, care, and maintenance of devices, along with laboratory models and tools for simulation practice incorporating ultrasound. Clinical competence should be determined by observation during clinical practice using a global rating scale rather than by the number of procedures performed. Ensuring safe insertion and management of central venous devices requires standardized education, simulation practice, and supervised insertions.

Comparative activity of cefditoren and other oral beta-lactams against nonpneumococcal streptococci.

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies of cefditoren activity have focused primarily on Streptococcus pneumoniae and other bacterial species isolated from patients with respiratory infections, but relatively few reports have been published describing the activity of cefditoren against clinical isolates of nonpneumococcal streptococci. METHODS: Cefditoren activity was determined by broth microdilution (M7-A5, NCCLS, 2000) for 450 viridans group streptococci, 917 Streptococcus pyogenes and 800 other beta-hemolytic streptococci collected throughout the US during 1999-2000. RESULTS: Against viridans group streptococci, cefditoren (MIC(90), 0.5 microg/ml) was 4- to 32-fold more active than the other beta-lactams tested (penicillin ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefprozil and cefuroxime). The difference in activity between cefditoren and the other beta-lactams was greater for penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates (MIC(90s), 1 microg/ml versus 8-32 microg/ml) than among penicillin-susceptible isolates (MIC(90s), 0.12 versus 0.25- 1 microg/ml). Cefditoren also demonstrated potent activity against S. pyogenes (MIC(90), 0.015 microg/ml) and other beta-hemolytic streptococci (MIC(90), 0.06 microg/ml), comparable to that of the other beta-lactams. CONCLUSIONS: The activity demonstrated by cefditoren against nonpneumococcal streptococci, including beta-lactam- and macrolide-resistant isolates, suggests that this agent holds promise as therapy for infections caused by all clinically significant species of streptococci.

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among urinary tract pathogens isolated from female outpatients across the US in 1999.

In the United States, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in females, in regions with resistance rates of <10-20%. Unfortunately, current data on regional resistance is often not readily available to physicians and regional variability in resistance remains largely unknown. This report presents antimicrobial susceptibility data for TMP-SMX and three other commonly tested antimicrobials organized by state and region to demonstrate current regional variability in resistance in the US. In the last quarter of 1999, 5739 fresh clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus were collected from 202 laboratories throughout the US. Susceptibility testing was performed against TMP-SMX, cephalothin, nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin using broth microdilution. Data were analyzed by patient age and specimen source, and by state and region. In the US as a whole, resistance to TMP-SMX was 16.8% for E. coli, 7.8% for K. pneumoniae, 12.1% for P. mirabilis and 3.0% for S. saprophyticus, but these rates showed considerable regional variation. By state, E. coli resistance ranged from 7.4% in Pennsylvania to 33.3% in Iowa (among states with > or =50 isolates tested). Regionally, resistance for all uropathogens taken together ranged from 8.5% in East South-Central to 22.8% in West South-Central. Ciprofloxacin demonstrated the broadest activity of the antimicrobials tested and was more active than TMP-SMX against all pathogens. Resistance to TMP-SMX among E. coli now approaches or exceeds 20% in some areas. As resistance among uropathogens reaches clinically significant levels in many areas, continued regional surveillance is essential to ensure the provision of effective empiric therapy for urinary tract infections.

Need for annual surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in the United States: 2-year longitudinal analysis.

Although changing patterns in antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae have prompted several surveillance initiatives in recent years, the frequency with which these studies are needed has not been addressed. To approach this issue, the extent to which resistance patterns change over a 1-year period was examined. In this study we analyzed S. pneumoniae antimicrobial susceptibility results produced in our laboratory with isolates obtained over 2 consecutive years (1997-1998 and 1998-1999) from the same 96 institutions distributed throughout the United States. Comparison of results revealed increases in resistant percentages for all antimicrobial agents studied except vancomycin. For four of the agents tested (penicillin, cefuroxime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin), the increases were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Resistance to the fluoroquinolone remained low in both years (0.1 and 0.6%, respectively); in contrast, resistance to macrolides was consistently greater than 20%, and resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole increased from 13.3 to 27.3%. Multidrug resistance, concurrent resistance to three or more antimicrobials of different chemical classes, also increased significantly between years, from 5.9 to 11%. The most prevalent phenotype was resistance to penicillin, azithromycin (representative macrolide), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug-resistant phenotypes that included fluoroquinolone resistance were uncommon; however, two phenotypes that included fluoroquinolone resistance not found in 1997-1998 were encountered in 1998-1999. This longitudinal surveillance study of resistance in S. pneumoniae revealed that significant changes do occur in just a single year and supports the need for surveillance at least on an annual basis, if not continuously.

Evaluation of current activities of fluoroquinolones against gram-negative bacilli using centralized in vitro testing and electronic surveillance.

Given the propensity for Enterobacteriaceae and clinically significant nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli to acquire antimicrobial resistance, consistent surveillance of the activities of agents commonly prescribed to treat infections arising from these organisms is imperative. This study determined the activities of two fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, and seven comparative agents against recent clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia using two surveillance strategies: 1) centralized in vitro susceptibility testing of isolates collected from 27 hospital laboratories across the United States and 2) analysis of data from The Surveillance Network Database-USA, an electronic surveillance network comprising more than 200 laboratories nationwide. Regardless of the surveillance method, Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii demonstrated similar rates of susceptibility to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Susceptibilities to the fluoroquinolones approached or exceeded 90% for all Enterobacteriaceae except Providencia spp. (

Evidence for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha-independent peroxisome proliferation: effects of PPARgamma/delta-specific agonists in PPARalpha-null mice.

Peroxisome proliferators are a diverse group of compounds that cause hepatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, increase peroxisome number, and on chronic high-dose administration, lead to rodent liver tumorigenesis. Various lines of evidence have led to the conclusion that these agents induce their pleiotropic effects exclusively via agonism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha, a member of the steroid receptor superfamily involved in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. Recently, agonists of two other members of this receptor family have been identified. PPARgamma is predominantly expressed in adipocytes where it mediates differentiation; PPARdelta is a widely expressed orphan receptor with yet unresolved physiologic functions. In the course of characterizing newer PPAR ligands, we noted that highly selective PPARgamma agonists or dual PPARgamma/PPARdelta agonists, lacking apparent murine PPARalpha agonist activity, cause peroxisome proliferation in CD-1 mice. We therefore made use of PPARalpha knockout mice to investigate whether these effects resulted from agonism of PPARalpha by these agents at very high dose levels or whether PPARgamma (or PPARdelta) agonism alone can result in peroxisome proliferation. We report here that several parameters linked to the hepatic peroxisome proliferation response in mice that were seen with these agents resulted from PPARalpha-independent effects.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma and alpha mediate in vivo regulation of uncoupling protein (UCP-1, UCP-2, UCP-3) gene expression.

A role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPAR gamma and PPAR alpha, as regulators of energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism, has been suggested. Recently, three distinct uncoupling protein isoforms, UCP-1, UCP-2, and UCP-3, have also been identified and implicated as mediators of thermogenesis. Here, we examined whether in vivo PPAR gamma or PPAR alpha activation regulates the expression of all three UCP isoforms. Rats or lean and db/db mice were treated with PPAR gamma [thiazolidinedione (TZD)] or PPAR alpha (WY-14643) agonists, followed by measurement of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for UCP-1, UCP-2, and UCP-3 in selected tissues where they are expressed. TZD treatment (AD 5075 at 5 mg/kg x day) of rats (14 days) increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) depot size and induced the expression of each UCP mRNA (3x control levels for UCP-1 and UCP-2, 2.5x control for UCP-3). In contrast, UCP-2 and UCP-3 mRNA levels were not affected in white adipose tissue or skeletal muscle. Chronic (30 days) low-dose (0.3 mg/kg x day) TZD treatment induced UCP-1 mRNA and protein in BAT (2.5x control). In contrast, chronic TZD treatment (30 mg/kg x day) suppressed UCP-1 mRNA (>80%) and protein (50%) expression in BAT. This was associated with further induction of UCP-2 expression (>10-fold) and an increase in the size of lipid vacuoles, a decrease in the number of lipid vacuoles in each adipocyte, and an increase in the size of the adipocytes. TZD treatment of db/db mice (BRL 49653 at 10 mg/kg x day for 10 days) also induced UCP-1 and UCP-3 (but not UCP-2) expression in BAT. PPAR alpha is present in BAT, as well as liver. Treatment of rats or db/db mice with WY-14643 did not affect expression of UCP-1, -2, or -3 in BAT. Hepatic UCP-2 mRNA was increased (4x control level) in db/db and lean mice, although this effect was not observed in rats. Thus, in vivo PPAR gamma activation can induce expression of UCP-1, -2, and -3 in BAT; whereas chronic-intense PPAR gamma activation may cause BAT to assume white adipose tissue-like phenotype with increased UCP-2 levels. PPAR alpha activation in mice is sufficient to induce liver UCP-2 expression.

A selective human beta3 adrenergic receptor agonist increases metabolic rate in rhesus monkeys.

Activation of beta3 adrenergic receptors on the surface of adipocytes leads to increases in intracellular cAMP and stimulation of lipolysis. In brown adipose tissue, this serves to up-regulate and activate the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1, which mediates a proton conductance pathway that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, leading to a net increase in energy expenditure. While chronic treatment with beta3 agonists in nonprimate species leads to uncoupling protein 1 up-regulation and weight loss, the relevance of this mechanism to energy metabolism in primates, which have much lower levels of brown adipose tissue, has been questioned. With the discovery of L-755,507, a potent and selective partial agonist for both human and rhesus beta3 receptors, we now demonstrate that acute exposure of rhesus monkeys to a beta3 agonist elicits lipolysis and metabolic rate elevation, and that chronic exposure increases uncoupling protein 1 expression in rhesus brown adipose tissue. These data suggest a role for beta3 agonists in the treatment of human obesity.

Minimum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level diagnostic of prostate cancer.

The PSA levels in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PA) overlap, both below and above 4 to 10 ng/mL. There is no known PSA level diagnostic of PA. In this study, data were obtained in 160 consecutive men aged 58 to 87. Prebiopsy PSA levels (PSA-1) were obtained prior to "sextant" gun biopsies in 97 cases diagnosed as noncarcinoma, and in 56 cases diagnosed as PA. Multiple hematoxylin and eosin sections were made of each biopsy, and Gleason scores given the PAs. Cases were followed up to 30 months with repeated PSA levels and additional biopsies. The highest PSA level in NPA in this series was 54.6 ng/mL.

Pharmacological characterization of a recently described human beta 3-adrenergic receptor mutant.

The beta 3-adrenergic receptor is the predominant subtype of beta-adrenergic receptor expressed in adipose tissue. Recently, a naturally occurring mutation in the human beta 3-receptor gene has been described which results in substitution of the tryptophan residue at position 64 in the first intracellular loop with an arginine residue. The polymorphism, which is prevalent in the human population, has been associated with increases in some parameters of obesity and Type II diabetes. In order to characterize the pharmacological effects of this amino acid substitution, the W64R mutation was made in the human beta 3 receptor gene and the resulting mutant receptor expressed in CHO cells. Activation by various agonists showed no significant differences (t-test, P > 0.05) between the wild type and mutant receptors. These studies show that, when expressed in a heterologous system, the W64R mutant receptor is pharmacologically and functionally indistinguishable from the wild type beta 3-adrenergic receptor.

Changing attitudes about the employability of the deaf and hard of hearing.

Hearing students viewed a videotape featuring positive deaf and hard of hearing role models in a variety of employment settings. Attitudes about the employability of these individuals were measured in a pretest posttest control group design. Attitudes after viewing the role model videotape were significantly more positive than those reported prior to viewing the videotape. Respondents were able to generalize their positive attitudes beyond the limited number of occupations featured in the tape to other occupations. Further, the attitude change was of an enduring nature, with posttest two results indicating no significant attitude change from posttest one attitudes. The findings of the present study indicate that video-tape can be an effective means of introducing positive deaf and hard of hearing role models in both educational and employment settings.

Genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein A-IV in the chimpanzee: common deletion of a conserved 12-nucleotide tandem repeat.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV protein; APOA4 gene) is structurally polymorphic in various mammalian species, including human, baboon, dog, horse, and mouse. To analyze the extent of genetic variation in the chimpanzee APOA4 gene, we screened 115 common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) (86 unrelated wild captured parents and 29 captive-born offspring) using isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting for protein polymorphism and using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for DNA polymorphism. At the protein level the unrelated sample of chimpanzees is highly variable, having four alleles, APOA4*1, APOA4*2, APOA4*3, and APOA4*4, with frequencies of 0.192, 0.430, 0.331, and 0.047, respectively. The chimpanzee APOA4 locus, with four common alleles and a gene diversity of 67%, is more variable than previously reported variations in baboons (five alleles with 52% gene diversity) and humans (two alleles with 15% gene diversity). PCR amplification of chimpanzee DNAs, using a pair of human oligonucleotide primers covering a region of 300 nucleotides in the third exon, revealed a common 12-nucleotide deletion (allele frequency = 0.192) that correlates exactly with the APOA4*1 allele detected by isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting. DNA sequencing of the 300-nucleotide PCR amplified product revealed the deletion of 12 nucleotides near the carboxyl terminal region of the mature apoA-IV protein. This in-frame deletion, which codes for and eliminates four amino acids [glutamic acid (GAG), glutamine (CAG), glutamine (CAG), and glutamine (CAG)], occurs in a region that is evolutionarily conserved among rats, mice, chimpanzees, and humans. The partial DNA sequencing of the 3' end of the chimpanzee APOA4 gene revealed 99% identity with the human APOA4 gene.

Endogenous vasodilators modulate pulmonary vascular anaphylaxis.

We examined the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide during antigen-induced contraction in pulmonary arteries isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs. Ovalbumin (10(-2) mg/ml)-induced contraction was not sustained, and tension returned to baseline within 15 min. Pretreatment with methylene blue (10(-5) M) increased both the amplitude and the duration of the contractile response in these tissues. At 15 min, tension remained elevated and was > 70% of the peak amplitude. Removal of the endothelium with saponin (200 micrograms/ml) increased the magnitude of the contraction by > 125%; however, the duration of the response was unaffected. After pretreatment with saponin, methylene blue no longer increased the amplitude of antigen-induced contraction but its effect on the duration was unchanged. Pretreatment with nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly increased the magnitude of the contraction in each of the tissues. These results suggest that the response of guinea pig pulmonary arteries to antigen is modulated by two types of endogenous vasodilators, endothelium-derived nitric oxide that inhibits the initial phase of the response and an endothelium-independent relaxing factor that is guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate dependent and attenuates the duration of anaphylactic contraction.

Is this problem urgent? Attitudes in a community hospital emergency room.

As health care resources become increasingly scarce, some suggest that emergency rooms are misused or overused. This study examined whether patients believe their problems are urgent, whether health care providers agree, and what factors influence these decisions. In many cases, using less expensive alternative care is appropriate. Widespread education to change patients' attitudes about the urgency of their medical concerns could reduce inappropriate hospital visits.

Antigen-induced contraction of guinea pig isolated pulmonary arteries and lung parenchyma.

We characterized the kinetics of and determined the mediators involved in antigen-induced contraction of pulmonary arteries (PA) and lung parenchyma isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs. Ovalbumin (10(-2) mg/ml) induced contractions of PA rings, which reached maximum amplitude by 2 min and decayed to 50% of maximum by 4-6 min. Pyrilamine (10(-6) M) delayed the onset of contraction and decreased the peak of the response by > 50%. Metiamide (10(-4) M) partially reversed this effect. The addition of indomethacin (10(-6) M) to the combination of pyrilamine and metiamide had no significant effect. The further addition of the leukotriene (LT) D4/LTE4 receptor antagonist SKF 104353 (10(-5) M) reduced the contraction by > 80%. The maximum amplitude of antigen-induced contraction of parenchymal strips was reached by 15 min and was sustained for > 60 min. In these tissues, SKF 104353 inhibited the contraction by approximately 35%, but the histamine receptor antagonists and indomethacin had no significant effect. These results suggest that both histamine and sulfidopeptide LTs mediate antigen-induced contraction of PA, whereas sulfidopeptide LTs, but not histamine, are involved in the parenchymal response.

Apolipoprotein H (beta-2-glycoprotein I) polymorphism in Asians.

Apolipoprotein H (APOH) (beta-2-glycoprotein I) polymorphism has been studied in 1159 Asians. The sample included 872 Chinese, 179 Asiatic Indians (Dravidian), 91 Filipinos, and 17 Malays. APOH polymorphism was determined by isoelectric focusing of sera in thin-layer polyacrylamide gels containing 3 M urea followed by immunoblotting. The frequencies of the three alleles--APOH*1, APOH*2, and APOH*3--were found to be 0.031, 0.900, and 0.069 in the Chinese; 0.061, 0.866, and 0.073 in the Dravidian Indians; 0.055, 0.923, and 0.022 in the Filipinos; and 0.088, 0.882, and 0.029 in the Malays. The phenotypic distribution was at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all the populations.

Genetic studies of human apolipoproteins. XIX. Apolipoproteins E and A-IV phenotyping from whole blood and blood stains.

Apolipoproteins E and A-IV reveal common, genetically determined, structural polymorphisms, which can be detected in serum or plasma, using isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting techniques. In the present study, we have investigated the possibility of detecting the gene products of these two polymorphic loci in whole blood and blood stains. A total of 68 plasma samples and their corresponding whole blood samples were screened. Phenotypic patterns obtained in whole blood were identical to those obtained in plasma for both the APO E and APO A-IV polymorphisms. The signal-to-noise ratio in the APO E patterns was higher in whole blood than in fresh plasma. The gene products of both the APO E and APO A-IV were found to be very stable in several months old blood stains. The detection of apolipoprotein polymorphisms in whole blood and blood stains signifies their potential applications, on a wider scale, to several areas including forensic serology, paternity testing, clinical and population genetic studies.