Phylogenetics of Australasian gall flies (Diptera: Fergusoninidae): Evolutionary patterns of host-shifting and gall morphology.

This study investigated host-specificity and phylogenetic relationships in Australian galling flies, Fergusonina Malloch (Diptera: Fergusoninidae), in order to assess diversity and explore the evolutionary history of host plant affiliation and gall morphology. A DNA barcoding approach using COI data from 203 Fergusonina specimens from 5gall types on 56 host plant species indicated 85 presumptive fly species. These exhibited a high degree of host specificity; of the 40 species with multiple representatives, each fed only on a single host genus, 29 (72.5%) were strictly monophagous, and 11 (27.5%) were reared from multiple closely related hosts. COI variation within species was not correlated with either sample size or geographic distance. However variation was greater within oligophagous species, consistent with expectations of the initial stages of host-associated divergence during speciation. Phylogenetic analysis using both nuclear and mitochondrial genes revealed host genus-restricted clades but also clear evidence of multiple colonizations of both host plant genus and host species. With the exception of unilocular peagalls, evolution of gall type was somewhat constrained, but to a lesser degree than host plant association. Unilocular peagalls arose more often than any other gall type, were primarily located at the tips of the phylogeny, and did not form clades comprising more than a few species. For ecological reasons, species of this gall type are predicted to harbor substantially less genetic variation than others, possibly reducing evolutionary flexibility resulting in reduced diversification in unilocular gallers.

Genetic differentiation associated with host plants and geography among six widespread species of South American Blepharoneura fruit flies (Tephritidae).

Tropical herbivorous insects are astonishingly diverse, and many are highly host-specific. Much evidence suggests that herbivorous insect diversity is a function of host plant diversity; yet, the diversity of some lineages exceeds the diversity of plants. Although most species of herbivorous fruit flies in the Neotropical genus Blepharoneura are strongly host-specific (they deposit their eggs in a single host plant species and flower sex), some species are collected from multiple hosts or flowers and these may represent examples of lineages that are diversifying via changes in host use. Here, we investigate patterns of diversification within six geographically widespread Blepharoneura species that have been collected and reared from at least two host plant species or host plant parts. We use microsatellites to (1) test for evidence of local genetic differentiation associated with different sympatric hosts (different plant species or flower sexes) and (2) examine geographic patterns of genetic differentiation across multiple South American collection sites. In four of the six fly species, we find evidence of local genetic differences between flies collected from different hosts. All six species show evidence of geographic structure, with consistent differences between flies collected in the Guiana Shield and flies collected in Amazonia. Continent-wide analyses reveal - in all but one instance - that genetically differentiated flies collected in sympatry from different host species or different sex flowers are not one another's closest relatives, indicating that genetic differences often arise in allopatry before, or at least coincident with, the evolution of novel host use.

A prospective study of the effectiveness of early intervention with high-risk back-injured workers--a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: It was postulated that workers, at the sub-acute stage after injury, respond differently to clinical and occupational interventions offered in a workers' compensation environment. Individual worker risk of disability, it was further believed, would influence the effectiveness of early intervention. The objective of the current pilot study was to evaluate return to work (RTW) outcomes following proactive, combined clinical, occupational and case management-based interdisciplinary early intervention, provided in a workers' compensation environment 4-10 weeks of onset of back pain, to workers with medium and high risk for disability. METHODS: The project was a controlled study comparing conventional workers' compensation case management with integrated, interdisciplinary and multimodal early intervention (hereinafter referred to as "EI"). At baseline, risk status was determined by a validated Risk for Disability Questionnaire by Carragee et al. (Spine 5(1):24-35, 2005). Seventeen workers at high risk of protracted disability and 20 workers at moderate risk of disability received conventional case management, and 17 workers assessed at high risk of protracted disability and 18 workers at moderate risk of disability received the Early Intervention. RESULTS: At 3 months post back pain onset, no statistically significant differences were identified in RTW outcomes between conventional case management and the Early Intervention. However, by 6 months post back pain onset, workers at high risk of work disability who received the Early Intervention were significantly more likely to RTW than high risk workers who received conventional case management. In contrast, moderate risk workers continued to exhibit no statistically significant differences in RTW outcomes. CONCLUSION: Multimodal Early Intervention in the workers' compensation case management context is likely effective for workers with sub-acute back pain who are at high risk of occupational disability. The comprehensive Early Intervention is, however, likely redundant for workers who are not at high risk for disability and should not be applied indiscriminately. Further studies are required to determine longer-term Early Intervention outcomes, and to replicate the findings using a randomized control design. Also, with a larger sample size, it will be possible to determine predictors of occupational outcomes.

Spaceflight and clinorotation cause cytoskeleton and mitochondria changes and increases in apoptosis in cultured cells.

The cytoskeleton is a complex network of fibers that is sensitive to environmental factors including microgravity and altered gravitational forces. Cellular functions such as transport of cell organelles depend on cytoskeletal integrity; regulation of cytoskeletal activity plays a role in cell maintenance, cell division, and apoptosis. Here we report cytoskeletal and mitochondria alterations in cultured human lymphocyte (Jurkat) cells after exposure to spaceflight and in insect cells of Drosophila melanogaster (Schneider S-1) after exposure to conditions created by clinostat rotation. Jurkat cells were flown on the space shuttle in Biorack cassettes while Schneider S-1 cells were exposed to altered gravity forces as produced by clinostat rotation. The effects of both treatments were similar in the different cell types. Fifty percent of cells displayed effects on the microtubule network in both cell lines. Under these experimental conditions mitochondria clustering and morphological alterations of mitochondrial cristae was observed to various degrees after 4 and 48 hours of culture. Jurkat cells underwent cell divisions during exposure to spaceflight but a large number of apoptotic cells was also observed. Similar results were obtained in Schneider S-1 cells cultured under clinostat rotation. Both cell lines displayed mitochondria abnormalities and mitochondria clustering toward one side of the cells which is interpreted to be the result of microtubule disruption and failure of mitochondria transport along microtubules. The number of mitochondria was increased in cells exposed to altered gravity while cristae morphology was severely affected indicating altered mitochondria function. These results show that spaceflight as well as altered gravity produced by clinostat rotation affects microtubule and mitochondria organization and results in increases in apoptosis. Grant numbers: NAG 10-0224, NAG2-985.

Effect of vibrational stress and spaceflight on regulation of heat shock proteins hsp70 and hsp27 in human lymphocytes (Jurkat).

Heat shock protein levels are increased in cells as a result of exposure to stress. To determine whether heat shock protein regulation could be used to evaluate stress in cells during spaceflight, the response of Jurkat cells to spaceflight and simulated space shuttle launch vibration was investigated by evaluating hsp70 and hsp27 gene expression. Gene expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using mRNA extracted from vibrated, nonvibrated, space-flown, and ground control cells. Results indicate that mechanical stresses of vibration and low gravity do not up-regulate the mRNA for hsp70, although the gene encoding hsp27 is up-regulated by spaceflight but not by vibration. In ground controls, the mRNA for hsp70 and hsp27 increased with time in culture. We conclude that hsp70 gene expression is a useful indicator of stress related to culture density but is not an indicator of the stresses of launch vibration or microgravity. Up-regulation of hsp27 gene expression in microgravity is a new finding.

Long-term follow-up of unoperated macular holes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomic and visual acuity outcomes among patients with unoperated macular holes and at least 5 years of follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series from an institutional practice setting. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with unoperated full-thickness macular holes evaluated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1968 and December 31, 1993 and observed for at least 5 years. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patients' medical records and ophthalmologic photography records. For patients with bilateral macular holes, only one eye was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and clinical features on initial examination, at 5 years, and at final follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 65 eyes of 65 patients with a median age of 65 years (range, 52-85 years) and a median follow-up of 9.3 years (range, 5-29 years). On initial examination at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the macular hole was stage 2 in 15 eyes (24%), stage 3 in 23 eyes (37%), and stage 4 in 25 eyes (40%). At final follow-up, the macular hole was stage 3 in 10 eyes (16%) and stage 4 in 53 eyes (84%). Visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 35 eyes (54%) on initial examination, in 43 eyes (74%) at 5 years, and in 53 eyes (82%) at final follow-up. Poorer visual acuity on initial examination was a significant predictor of poorer final vision (P < 0.01). Other accompanying clinical features such as the presence of operculum, posterior vitreous detachment, and epiretinal membrane were not significantly associated with final vision. Throughout follow-up, there was a redistribution and reduced number of yellow nodular opacities at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium at the base of the macular holes and the development of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy around the macular holes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up of unoperated macular holes demonstrates progression in hole size and stage, vision loss which generally stabilizes at the 20/200 to 20/400 level, a redistribution and reduced number of yellow nodular opacities at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, and the development of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy surrounding the macular hole, resulting in a "bull's-eye" macular appearance.

The effects of intense physical exercise on secondary antibody response in young and old mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Based largely on data from young subjects, intense physical exercise is believed to suppress immune function. In addition, immune function, including secondary antibody response, declines with advancing age. Therefore, intense exercise in old subjects may further suppress the secondary antibody response. The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate the effects of intense physical exercise on secondary antibody response in young (6-8 weeks) and old (22-24 months) C57BL/6 mice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from 22 young and 18 old C57BL/6 mice that were immunized to human serum albumin (HSA) and randomly divided into 3 groups. Two groups were exposed to a single bout of intense exercise to exhaustion and immediately boosted with an injection of HSA. The first group did not exercise further, but the second group continued with daily bouts of intense exercise to exhaustion for 9 days. The third group (control group) did not undergo intense exercise, but received the booster injection of HSA at the same time as the other groups. Ten days after the HSA booster injection, when high level of antibodies are produced in secondary antibody response, serum anti-HSA antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Young mice did not show suppression of secondary antibody response following intense exercise. However, old mice, exposed to a single bout of intense exercise, had an enhanced response similar to the response seen in young control mice. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The widely accepted hypothesis of immunosuppression resulting from intense exercise may not be true for old mice.

Streptococcal toxic shock in a horse.

A 14-year-old horse was admitted to the veterinary hospital for treatment of tachycardia and lethargy. Initial diagnoses were ventricular tachycardia and renal dysfunction. During hospitalization other findings included fever, renal failure, hepatic failure, hypotension, and intermittent ventricular arrhythmias. Bacteriologic culture of 2 blood samples collected during febrile crises 7 days apart yielded Streptococcus mitis. These culture results along with other clinical and physical examination findings fulfill the criteria for a diagnosis of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, previously described for humans and dogs. To our knowledge this is the first reported instance of this disease in a horse.

Lumbar interbody fusion using the Brantigan I/F cage for posterior lumbar interbody fusion and the variable pedicle screw placement system: two-year results from a Food and Drug Administration investigational device exemption clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN: A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage implant filled with autologous bone was designed to separate the mechanical and biologic functions of posterior lumbar interbody fusion. OBJECTIVES: To test the safety and efficacy of the carbon cage with pedicle screw fixation in a 2-year prospective study performed at six centers under a protocol approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and to present the data supporting the Food and Drug Administration approved indications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The success of posterior lumbar interbody fusion has been limited by mechanical and biologic deficiencies of the donor bone. Some failures of pedicle screw fixation may be attributable to the absence of adequate load sharing through the anterior column. Combining an interbody fusion device with pedicle screw fixation may address some limitations of posterior lumbar interbody fusion or pedicle screw fixation in cases that are more complex mechanically. METHODS: This clinical study of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation involved a prospective group of 221 patients. RESULTS: Fusion success was achieved in 176 (98.9%) of 178 patients. In the management of degenerative disc disease in patients with prior failed discectomy surgery, clinical success was achieved in 79 (86%) of 92 patients, and radiographic bony arthrodesis in 91 (100%) of 91 patients. Disc space height, averaging 7.9 mm before surgery, was increased to 12.3 mm at surgery and maintained at 11.7 mm at 2 years. Fusion success was notdiminished over multiple fusion levels. These results were significantly better than those reported in prior literature. Although significant surgical complications occurred, those attributable to the implant devices occurred less frequently and generally were minor. CONCLUSIONS: The Brantigan I/F Cage for posterior lumbar interbody fusion and the Variable Screw Placement System are safe and effective for the management of degenerative disc disease.

Fas/APO-1 protein is increased in spaceflown lymphocytes (Jurkat).

Human lymphocytes flown on the Space Shuttle respond poorly to mitogen stimulation and populations of the lymphoblastoid T cell line, Jurkat, manifest growth arrest, increase in apoptosis and time- and microgravity-dependent increases in the soluble form of the cell death factor, Fas/APO-1 (sFas). The potential role of apoptosis in population dynamics of space-flown lymphocytes has not been investigated previously. We flew Jurkat cells on Space Transportation System (STS)-80 and STS-95 to determine whether apoptosis and the apparent microgravity-related release of sFas are characteristic of lymphocytes in microgravity. The effects of spaceflight and ground-based tests simulating spaceflight experimental conditions, including high cell density and low serum concentration, were assessed. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed increased cell associated Fas in flown cells. Results of STS-80 and STS-95 confirmed increase in apoptosis during spaceflight and the release of sFas as a repeatable, time-dependent and microgravity-related response. Ground-based tests showed that holding cells at 1.5 million/ml in medium containing 2% serum before launch did not increase sFas. Reports of increased Fas in cells of the elderly and the increases in spaceflown cells suggest possible similarities between aging and spaceflight effects on lymphocytes.

FePer 1, a gene encoding an evolutionarily conserved 1-Cys peroxiredoxin in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), is expressed in a seed-specific manner and induced during seed germination.

A cDNA corresponding to 1-Cys peroxiredoxin, an evolutionarily conserved thiol-specific antioxidant enzyme, was isolated from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), a dicotyledonous plant species belonging to the Polygonaceae family. The cDNA, which we have designated as FePer1, contains a major open reading frame capable of encoding a polypeptide of 219 residues with a predicted molecular mass of 24.3kDa. The deduced primary structure of FePer1 polypeptide shows a high level (about 70%) of sequence homology to other recently identified plant 1-Cys peroxiredoxins. FePer1 also exhibits a significant level of sequence similarity to non-plant 1-Cys peroxiredoxins, sharing 52 and 42% identities with mammalian and fungal 1-Cys peroxiredoxins, respectively. As for all 1-Cys peroxiredoxins identified from various organisms, the amino acid sequence proposed to constitute the active site of the enzyme is highly conserved in FePer1 polypeptide. The gene corresponding to FePer1 cDNA is a single-copy gene in the buckwheat genome. Its expression is regulated in a seed-specific and temporal manner during seed development. FePer1 gene is induced transiently for a short period immediately after seed imbibition.

Regulation of heat shock protein message in Jurkat cells cultured under serum-starved and gravity-altered conditions.

Although our understanding of effects of space flight on human physiology has advanced significantly over the past four decades, the potential contribution of stress at the cellular and gene regulation level is not characterized. The objective of this ground-based study was to evaluate stress gene regulation in cells exposed to altered gravity and environmentally suboptimal conditions. We designed primers to detect message for both the constitutive and inducible forms of the heat shock protein, HSP-70. Applying the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we probed for HSP-70 message in human acute T-cell leukemia cells, Jurkat, subjected to three types of environmental stressors: (1) altered gravity achieved by centrifugation (hypergravity) and randomization of the gravity vector in rotating bioreactors, (2) serum starvation by culture in medium containing 0.05% serum, and (3) temperature elevation (42 degrees C). Temperature elevation, as the positive control, significantly increased HSP-70 message, while centrifugation and culture in rotating bioreactors did not upregulate heat shock gene expression. We found a fourfold increase in heat shock message in serum-starved cells. Message for the housekeeping genes, actin and cyclophilin, were constant and comparable to unstressed controls for all treatments. We conclude that gravitational perturbations incurred by centrifugal forces, exceeding those characteristic of a Space Shuttle launch (3g), and culture in rotating bioreactors do not upregulate HSP-70 gene expression. In addition, we found RT-PCR useful for evaluating stress in cultured cells.

Hair combing interactions: a new paradigm for research with African-American mothers.

The hair combing interaction is proposed as a naturalistic observational research paradigm, within the conceptual framework of attachment theory, for understanding the socioemotional domains of African-American mother-child relationships. A pilot study of 11 mother-daughter dyads explores the validity of the hair combing context for assessing strategies of racial and gender socialization of children, evolving mother-child relationships, and the formation of internal working models of attachment relationships. The model is discussed as a method for research into enduring qualities of the mother-child relationship.

Visual acuity outcomes of patients 50 years of age and older with high myopia and untreated choroidal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate visual outcomes of untreated submacular choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients 50 years of age and older with high myopia. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two eyes in 22 patients were studied. All were 50 years of age and older with myopia of 6.0 diopters (D) or greater or an axial length of 25.5 mm or greater. Patients had untreated CNV documented by clinical examination and fluorescein angiography at two medical centers between 1986 and 1997. INTERVENTION: Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patients' medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Visual acuity at 1 year after CNV diagnosis. RESULTS: The study included 22 eyes of 22 patients (mean age, 63.1 years; mean refraction, -11.0 D). Baseline visual acuity (VA) in the study eye was 20/40 or greater in 2 (9%) patients, 20/50 to 20/150 in 9 (41%) patients, and 20/200 or less in 11 (50%) patients. Drusen were present in seven (32%) eyes, and lacquer cracks were noted in ten (45%) eyes. Mean refractive error was -7.0 D for patients with drusen and -12.5 D for patients without drusen. Choroidal neovascularization was less than 0.25 disc diameters (DD) in 11 (50%) eyes, 0.25 to 0.5 DD in 5 (23%) eyes, and greater than 0.5 DD in 6 (27%) eyes. Visual acuity in the study eye 1 year after CNV diagnosis was 20/40 or greater in 3 (14%) patients, 20/50 to 20/150 in 3 (14%) patients, and 20/200 or less in 16 (73%) eyes. The presence of drusen was significantly associated with older age and a lower degree of myopia but was not associated with size of the CNV or visual acuity outcome. CONCLUSION: When compared to patients younger than 50 years of age with high myopia and CNV reported in previous publications, the patients in the current series generally have poorer visual outcomes.

Women's approaches to decision making about mammography.

Health professionals have an obligation to understand women's decision making about mammography and to advocate for their active participation in health care decision making. Although mammography is a major screening measure for the second largest cancer killer of women, only approximately half of women older than age 50 years, and fewer older than age 70 years, undergo mammography in accordance with American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify women's overall decision-making approaches when considering mammography. Subjects were a purposive, convenience sample of 50 women in the community who had made a decision about mammography; they included those who chose to have mammograms and those who decided not to have mammograms according to the pre-1997 ACS guidelines. Subjects participated in audiotaped interviews. Results indicated that women approached the mammography decision differently, regardless of the decision they made. Three overall decision-making approaches to addressing risk factors, issues about mammography, or other factors before their decision were evident. The approaches were (1) thoughtful consideration; (2) cursory consideration; and (3) little or no consideration. Each approach has implications for nurses who assist women in making decisions about mammography.

Cognitive behavioral group therapy for residents in assisted-living facilities.

Geriatric depression is a disabling illness that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and deserves aggressive and early intervention. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy is an effective intervention for the treatment of geriatric depression and can be used with residents in an assisted living facility to manage and prevent depression. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy protocol modifications for residents in assisted-living facilities aids their participation and learning.

The kinetics of translocation and cellular quantity of protein kinase C in human leukocytes are modified during spaceflight.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases that play an important role in mediating intracellular signal transduction in eukaryotes. U937 cells were exposed to microgravity during a space shuttle flight and stimulated with a radiolabeled phorbol ester ([3H]PDBu) to both specifically label and activate translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the particulate fraction of the cell. Although significant translocation of PKC occurred at all g levels, the kinetics of translocation in flight were significantly different from those on the ground. In addition, the total quantity of [3H]PDBu binding PKC was increased in flight compared to cells at 1 g on the ground, whereas the quantity in hypergravity (1.4 g) was decreased with respect to 1 g. Similarly, in purified human peripheral blood T cells the quantity of PKCdelta varied in inverse proportion to the g level for some experimental treatments. In addition to these novel findings, the results confirm earlier studies which showed that PKC is sensitive to changes in gravitational acceleration. The mechanisms of cellular gravisensitivity are poorly understood but the demonstrated sensitivity of PKC to this stimulus provides us with a useful means of measuring the effect of altered gravity levels on early cell activation events.