Exploration of photoprotective and antibiotic activity of wild Polypodiaceae ferns from Costa Rica.

Skin disorders affect millions of people all over the world. There are limited options to treat dermal illnesses such as vitiligo, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Central American ferns are a potential source of bioactive metabolites against those diseases. Currently, Polypodium leucotomos Poir. is the only one being commercially utilized for this purpose. In this work, we evaluated the concentration of the skin bioactive compounds: quinic and chlorogenic acid, in the extract of 20 wild ferns from Costa Rica. We also evaluated the antimicrobial capabilities of the crude extracts of wild ferns and the sun protection factor (SPF) of the extracts. We found 19 out of 20 have either an important concentration of the compounds mentioned above or antimicrobial properties. Also, most samples result in higher SPF than P. aureum's rhizome. We also have studied the fern acclimatization, at different shading conditions, finding a significant influence of the culturing conditions on metabolite production. After acclimatization. So far, we demonstrate that various ferns included in this study are a potential source of treatments for skin conditions.

Smartwatch inertial sensors continuously monitor real-world motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

Longitudinal, remote monitoring of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) could enable more precise treatment decisions. We developed the Motor fluctuations Monitor for Parkinson's Disease (MM4PD), an ambulatory monitoring system that used smartwatch inertial sensors to continuously track fluctuations in resting tremor and dyskinesia. We designed and validated MM4PD in 343 participants with PD, including a longitudinal study of up to 6 months in a 225-subject cohort. MM4PD measurements correlated to clinical evaluations of tremor severity (ρ = 0.80) and mapped to expert ratings of dyskinesia presence (P < 0.001) during in-clinic tasks. MM4PD captured symptom changes in response to treatment that matched the clinician's expectations in 94% of evaluated subjects. In the remaining 6% of cases, symptom data from MM4PD identified opportunities to make improvements in pharmacologic strategy. These results demonstrate the promise of MM4PD as a tool to support patient-clinician communication, medication titration, and clinical trial design.

LINC00261 Is an Epigenetically Regulated Tumor Suppressor Essential for Activation of the DNA Damage Response.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are a class of regulatory molecules whose role in lung carcinogenesis is poorly understood. In this study, we profiled lncRNA expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell lines, compared their expression with that of purified alveolar epithelial type II cells (the purported cell of origin for LUAD), cross-referenced these with lncRNAs altered in the primary human tumors, and interrogated for lncRNAs whose expression correlated with patient survival. We identified LINC00261, a lncRNA with unknown function in LUAD, adjacent to the pioneering transcription factor FOXA2. Loss of LINC00261 was observed in multiple tumor types, including liver, breast, and gastric cancer. Reintroduction of LINC00261 into human LUAD cell lines inhibited cell migration and slowed proliferation by inducing G2-M cell-cycle arrest, while upregulating DNA damage pathway genes and inducing phosphorylation-mediated activation of components of the DNA damage pathway. FOXA2 was able to induce LINC00261 expression, and the entire locus underwent hypermethylation in LUAD, leading to loss of expression. We have thus identified an epigenetically deregulated lncRNA, whose loss of expression in LUAD promotes the malignant phenotype and blocks activation of the DNA damage machinery, predisposing lung cells to cancer development. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify LINC00261 as a tumor suppressor that blocks cellular proliferation by activating the DNA damage response and suggest that epigenetic therapy to inhibit DNA methylation may enhance treatment of LUAD. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/12/3050/F1.large.jpg.See related commentary by Davalos and Esteller, p. 3028.

Reconstruction of irregularly-sampled volumetric data in efficient box spline spaces.

We present a variational framework for the reconstruction of irregularly-sampled volumetric data in, nontensor-product, spline spaces. Motivated by the sampling-theoretic advantages of body centered cubic (BCC) lattice, this paper examines the BCC lattice and its associated box spline spaces in a variational setting. We introduce a regularization scheme for box splines that allows us to utilize the BCC lattice in a variational reconstruction framework. We demonstrate that by choosing the BCC lattice over the commonly-used Cartesian lattice, as the shift-invariant representation, one can increase the quality of signal reconstruction. Moreover, the computational cost of the reconstruction process is reduced in the BCC framework due to the smaller bandwidth of the system matrix in the box spline space compared to the corresponding tensor-product B-spline space. The improvements in accuracy are quantified numerically and visualized in our experiments with synthetic as well as real biomedical datasets.

Time-based compression and classification of heartbeats.

Heart function measured by electrocardiograms (ECG) is crucial for patient care. ECG generated waveforms are used to find patterns of irregularities in cardiac cycles in patients. In many cases, irregularities evolve over an extended period of time that requires continuous monitoring. However, this requires wireless ECG recording devices. These devices consist of an enclosed system that includes electrodes, processing circuitry, and a wireless communication block imposing constraints on area, power, bandwidth, and resolution. In order to provide continuous monitoring of cardiac functions for real-time diagnostics, we propose a methodology that combines compression and analysis of heartbeats. The signal encoding scheme is the time-based integrate and fire sampler. The diagnostics can be performed directly on the samples avoiding reconstruction required by the competing finite rate of innovation and compressed sensing. As an added benefit, our scheme provides an efficient hardware implementation and a compressed representation for the ECG recordings, while still preserving discriminative features. We demonstrate the performance of our approach through a heartbeat classification application consisting of normal and irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmia. Our approach that uses simple features extracted from ECG signals is comparable to results in the published literature.

Una nueva especie de helecho del género Danaea (Marattiales: Marattiaceae) endémica de Costa Rica / A new species of fern, genus Danaea (Marattiales: Marattiaceae) endemic to Costa Rica

Danaea tuomistoana A. Rojas (Marattiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Costa Rica; it differs from D. crispa Endres et Richb. by a truncate blade, and by the pinnae, which are 2/5-1/2 incised, cuneated at the base and with a flat margin. The range of D. erecta H. Tuomisto & R.C. Moran in Costa Rica is expanded with a new locality in Puntarenas (8 degrees 57'15[quot ] N-82 degrees 50'1[quot ] W, 1,500-1,580 masl).

Se describe e ilustra una especie nueva endémica de helecho de Costa Rica, Danaea tuomistoana A. Rojas (Marattiaceae), caracterizada porque las pinnas son incisas 2/5-1/2 entre la costa y el margen, y son cuneadas en la base. Se amplia el ámbito geográfico de D. erecta H. Tuomisto & R.C. Moran a Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Una especie nueva de helecho del género Pteris (Pteridaceae) endémica de Costa Rica / A new species of fern of the genus Pteris (Filicales: Pteridaceae) endemic to Costa Rica

The new fern species Pteris herrerae A. Rojas & M. Palacios, endemic to Costa Rica, is described. It differs from P. decurrens C. Presl in basal segments reduced to 1/5-1/2 of the next segment (vs. 2/3-3/4), basal pinnae not bifurcated (vs. bifurcated), pinnae apex mucronate (vs. acuminate) and segment apex undulate (vs. dentate). It differs from Pteris consanguinea in the elliptic pinnae (vs. oblong), two segments reduced on the base (vs. lack), segments entire to undulate (vs. dentate), basal pinnae without basiscopic lobes (vs. with basiscopic lobes) and segment apex entire to undulate (vs. dentate).

Se describe Pteris herrerae A. Rojas & M. Palacios, endémica de Costa Rica. Esta es diferente de P. decurrens C. Presl por segmentos basales reducidos a 1/5-1/2 del tamaño de los siguientes (vs. 2/3-3/4), pinnas basales no bifurcadas (vs. bifurcadas), ápice de las pinnas mucronado (vs. acuminado) y ápice de los segmentos ondulado (vs. dentado). También es diferente de Pteris consanguinea Mett. ex Kuhn por pinnas deltado-lanceoladas (vs. oblongas), con un par de segmentos reducidos en la base (vs. sin ellos), pinnas basales sin lóbulos basicópicos alargados (vs. con lóbulos basiscópicos) y segmentos enteros a ondulados (vs. dentados).

[A new species of fern, genus Danaea (Marattiales: Marattiaceae) endemic to Costa Rica]. / Una nueva especie de helecho del género Danaea (Marattiales: Marattiaceae) endémica de Costa Rica.

Danaea tuomistoana A. Rojas (Marattiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Costa Rica; it differs from D. crispa Endres et Richb. by a truncate blade, and by the pinnae, which are 2/5-1/2 incised, cuneated at the base and with a flat margin. The range of D. erecta H. Tuomisto & R.C. Moran in Costa Rica is expanded with a new locality in Puntarenas (8 degrees 57'15" N-82 degrees 50'1" W, 1,500-1,580 masl).

[A new species of fern of the genus Pteris (Filicales: Pteridaceae) endemic to Costa Rica]. / Una especie nueva de helecho del género Pteris (Pteridaceae) endémica de Costa Rica.

The new fern species Pteris herrerae A. Rojas & M. Palacios, endemic to Costa Rica, is described. It differs from P. decurrens C. Presl in basal segments reduced to 1/5-1/2 of the next segment (vs. 2/3-3/4), basal pinnae not bifurcated (vs. bifurcated), pinnae apex mucronate (vs. acuminate) and segment apex undulate (vs. dentate). It differs from Pteris consanguinea in the elliptic pinnae (vs. oblong), two segments reduced on the base (vs. lack), segments entire to undulate (vs. dentate), basal pinnae without basiscopic lobes (vs. with basiscopic lobes) and segment apex entire to undulate (vs. dentate).

New taxa, new records and redefined concepts in the Elaphoglossum sect. Elaphoglossum subsec. Pachyglossa (Lomariopsidaceae) from Mexico and Central America

Twelve new species are described in the taxonomically difficult Elaphoglossum (sect. Elaphoglossum): Elaphoglossum angustifrons A. Rojas, E. delgadilloanum A. Rojas, E. ellipticifolium A. Rojas, E. incognitum A. Rojas, E. mesoamericanum A. Rojas, E. nicaraguese A. Rojas, E. polypodium A. Rojas, E. tejeroanum A. Rojas, E. reptans A. Rojas, E. terrestre A. Rojas, E. variabile A. Rojas and E. zavale A. Rojas. Also, E. latifolium (Sw.) J. Sm., E. sartorii (Liebm.) Mickel and E. viride (E. Fourn.) C. Chr. are amended, E. andicola (Fée) T. Moore and E. sporadolepis (Kunze ex Kuhn) T. Moore are reported.

Notes on Elaphoglossum (Lomariopsidaceae) section Polytrichia subsection Hybrida in Mexico and Central America

In Elaphoglossum sect. Polytrichia subsect. Hybrida six new species are described: E. angustioblongum A. Rojas, E. baquianorum A. Rojas, E. cotoi A. Rojas, E. jinoteganum A. Rojas, E. neeanum A. Rojas and E. silencioanum A. Rojas. New combination is made for Elaphoglossum mexicanum (E. Fourn.) A. Rojas. Two species are reported: E. barbatum (H. Karst.) Hieron. and E. scolopendrifolium (Raddi) J. Sm. Two species are redefined: E. erinaceum (Fée) T. Moore and E. tambillense (Hook.) T. Moore. E. pallidum (Baker ex Jenman) C. Chr. is eliminated for Mexico and Central America. Of the new species only E. neeanum is present outside of the region. A key is given to those species in Mexico and Central America.

New taxa, new records and redefined concepts in the Elaphoglossum sect. Elaphoglossum subsec. Pachyglossa (Lomariopsidaceae) from Mexico and Central America.

Twelve new species are described in the taxonomically difficult Elaphoglossum (sect. Elaphoglossum): Elaphoglossum angustifrons A. Rojas, E. delgadilloanum A. Rojas, E. ellipticifolium A. Rojas, E. incognitum A. Rojas, E. mesoamericanum A. Rojas, E. nicaraguese A. Rojas, E. polypodium A. Rojas, E. tejeroanum A. Rojas, E. reptans A. Rojas, E. terrestre A. Rojas, E. variabile A. Rojas and E. zavale A. Rojas. Also, E. latifolium (Sw.) J. Sm., E. sartorii (Liebm.) Mickel and E. viride (E. Fourn.) C. Chr. are amended, E. andicola (Fée) T. Moore and E. sporadolepis (Kunze ex Kuhn) T. Moore are reported.

Notes on Elaphoglossum (Lomariopsidaceae) section Polytrichia subsection Hybrida in Mexico and Central America.

In Elaphoglossum sect. Polytrichia subsect. Hybrida six new species are described: E. angustioblongum A. Rojas, E. baquianorum A. Rojas, E. cotoi A. Rojas, E. jinoteganum A. Rojas, E. neeanum A. Rojas and E. silencioanum A. Rojas. New combination is made for Elaphoglossum mexicanum (E. Fourn.) A. Rojas. Two species are reported: E. barbatum (H. Karst.) Hieron. and E. scolopendrifolium (Raddi) J. Sm. Two species are redefined: E. erinaceum (Fée) T. Moore and E. tambillense (Hook.) T. Moore. E. pallidum (Baker ex Jenman) C. Chr. is eliminated for Mexico and Central America. Of the new species only E. neeanum is present outside of the region. A key is given to those species in Mexico and Central America.

New species, new combinations and new distributions in neotropical species of Elaphoglossum (Lomariopsidaceae)

More new species, new combinations and new distributions are made in the large and difficult genus Elaphoglossum in Neotropic. Ten new species are described, this are: Elaphoglossum adrianae A. Rojas, E. betancuri A. Rojas, E. caridadae A. Rojas, E. glabromarginatum A. Rojas, E. kessleri A. Rojas, E. macdougalii A. Rojas, E. paramicola A. Rojas, E. paxense A. Rojas, E. pseudoherminieri A. Rojas and E. solomonii A. Rojas. Three species are combined, this are: Elaphoglossum beitelii (Mickel) A. Rojas, E. curvans (Kunze) A. Rojas and E. eutecnum (Mickel) A. Rojas. Finally, 86 species are reported from other countries and some species names are synonymized

Una especie nueva de Dennstaedtia (Filicales: Dennstaedtiaceae) para México / New species of Dennstaedtia (Filicales: Dennstaedtiaceae) to Mexico

Dennstaedtia gracilis A. Rojas et Tejero (Dennstaedtiaceae) is herein described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Mexico. Its belongs to the group of winged adaxial secondary costae species but it differs by the combination of characters as smaller fronds, deltate pinnules and lobed segment apex

New species, new combinations and new distributions in neotropical species of Elaphoglossum (Lomariopsidaceae).

More new species, new combinations and new distributions are made in the large and difficult genus Elaphoglossum in Neotropic. Ten new species are described, this are: Elaphoglossum adrianae A. Rojas, E. betancuri A. Rojas, E. caridadae A. Rojas, E. glabromarginatum A. Rojas, E. kessleri A. Rojas, E. macdougalii A. Rojas, E. paramicola A. Rojas, E. paxense A. Rojas, E. pseudoherminieri A. Rojas and E. solomonii A. Rojas. Three species are combined, this are: Elaphoglossum beitelii (Mickel) A. Rojas, E. curvans (Kunze) A. Rojas and E. eutecnum (Mickel) A. Rojas. Finally, 86 species are reported from other countries and some species names are synonymized.

[New species of Dennstaedtia (Filicales: Dennstaedtiaceae) to Mexico]. / Una especie nueva de Dennstaedtia (Filicales: Dennstaedtiaceae) para México.

Dennstaedtia gracilis A. Rojas et Tejero (Dennstaedtiaceae) is herein described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Mexico. Its belongs to the group of winged adaxial secondary costae species but it differs by the combination of characters as smaller fronds, deltate pinnules and lobed segment apex.