Vascular variants in seed plants-a developmental perspective.

Over centuries of plant morphological research, biologists have enthusiastically explored how distinct vascular arrangements have diversified. These investigations have focused on the evolution of steles and secondary growth and examined the diversity of vascular tissues (xylem and phloem), including atypical developmental pathways generated through modifications to the typical development of ancestral ontogenies. A shared vernacular has evolved for communicating on the diversity of alternative ontogenies in seed plants. Botanists have traditionally used the term 'anomalous secondary growth' which was later renamed to 'cambial variants' by late Dr. Sherwin Carlquist (1988). However, the term 'cambial variants' can be vague in meaning since it is applied for developmental pathways that do not necessarily originate from cambial activity. Here, we review the 'cambial variants' concept and propose the term 'vascular variants' as a more inclusive overarching framework to interpret alternative vascular ontogenies in plants. In this framework, vascular variants are defined by their developmental origin (instead of anatomical patterns), allowing the classification of alternative vascular ontogenies into three categories: (i) procambial variants, (ii) cambial variants and (iii) ectopic cambia. Each category includes several anatomical patterns. Vascular variants, which represent broader developmental based groups, can be applied to both extant and fossil plants, and thereby offer a more adequate term from an evolutionary perspective. An overview of the developmental diversity and phylogenetic distribution of vascular variants across selected seed plants is provided. Finally, this viewpoint discusses the evolutionary implications of vascular variants.

Mujeres transgénero viviendo con síntomas asociados al tratamiento antirretroviral: estudio fenomenológico

Objetivo: Comprender las experiencias de mujeres transgénero con VIH que viven con síntomas asociados al tratamiento antirretroviral en Bucaramanga. Material y Método: se realizó un estudio fenomenológico basado en el método de Colaizzi durante los meses de febrero a marzo de 2022; los participantes fueron invitados a contribuir en el estudio por intermedio de una madre transgénero, contactada a través de una red comunitaria; se utilizó un muestreo de "bola de nieve"; el primer contacto se realizó de manera telefónica con cada una de las posibles participantes, verificando los criterios de inclusión; se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad y la saturación teórica se dio al realizar la séptima entrevista, pero se decidió completar 10 entrevistas para ampliar el análisis. Resultados: Se identificaron 5 unidades temáticas: cerrando los ojos a la verdad, experimentado expresiones negativas, entre el ir y venir de los síntomas, generando estrategias para el control de síntomas y renaciendo a una nueva vida. Conclusiones: En las mujeres transgénero, la experiencia de síntomas asociados al tratamiento antirretroviral, es un proceso difícil, pero se posibilita por el apoyo en el control de síntomas y el apoyo familiar y social.

Objective: To understand the experiences of HIV-positive transgender women living with antiretroviral treatment-related symptoms in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Material and Method: A phenomenological study was conducted based on Colaizzi's, between February and March 2022; participants were invited to contribute to the study through a Transgender mother, contacted through a community network; a snowball sampling method was used, the initial contact was made via telephone with each potential participant, verifying inclusion criteria; in-depth interviews were conducted and theoretical saturation was achieved after the seventh interview, but it was decided to complete 10 interviews to further expand the analysis. Results: Five thematic units were identified: closing eyes to the truth, experiencing negative expressions, the coming and going of symptoms, generating strategies for symptom control, and rebirth to a new life. Conclusion: Among transgender women, the experience of symptoms associated with antiretroviral treatment is a difficult process, but is made possible by symptom management support, as well as family and social support.

Objetivo: Compreender as vivências de mulheres transgênero com HIV que convivem com sintomas associados ao tratamento antirretroviral em Bucaramanga, Colômbia. Material e Método: Foi realizado um estudo fenomenológico baseado no método de Colaizzi durante os meses de fevereiro a março de 2022; os participantes foram convidados a contribuir para o estudo através de uma mãe transgênero, contactada através de uma rede comunitária; foi utilizada amostragem "bola de neve"; o primeiro contato foi feito por telefone com cada um dos possíveis participantes, verificando os critérios de inclusão; foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade e a saturação teórica ocorreu quando foi realizada a sétima entrevista, mas optou-se por realizar 10 entrevistas para ampliar a análise. Resultados: Foram identificadas cinco unidades temáticas: fechar os olhos para a verdade, vivenciar expressões negativas, o ir e vir dos sintomas, gerar estratégias para o controle dos sintomas e renascer para uma nova vida. Conclusão: Entre as mulheres transgênero, a experiência dos sintomas associados ao tratamento antirretroviral é um processo difícil, mas que é possível graças ao apoio na gestão dos sintomas e ao apoio familiar e social.

IM ketorolac vs diclofenac potassium powder for oral solution for the acute treatment of severe migraine: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Diclofenac potassium for oral solution (CAMBIA®) may be an alternative for patients who would otherwise need to be seen in a healthcare setting for parenteral ketorolac. CAMBIA® is FDA-approved for the abortive treatment of migraine and has demonstrated superiority over generic diclofenac tablets with rapid migraine reduction. This study assessed for efficacy of CAMBIA® as an alternative outpatient treatment for refractory migraine to parenteral ketorolac. METHODS: We performed an exploratory, single-center, double-blind, double-dummy randomized controlled trial comparing CAMBIA® with IM ketorolac. Participants were randomized to receive either ketorolac 60 mg IM with dummy oral solution or CAMBIA® 50 mg, together with IM injection of normal saline. The primary endpoint was headache severity, self-rated on a scale 0-3. Secondary endpoints included self-rated nausea, disability, and photo- or phonophobia, as well as presence of side effects and need for additional rescue therapy. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were enrolled. Ten patients received the study drug and 13 patients received IM ketorolac as the control. There were no major differences observed with respect to the primary outcome of mean headache severity at successive time points over a 24-h follow-up period. No major differences were found with respect to average disability, nausea, and photo- or phonophobia ratings. No major adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: In treatment of refractory migraine headache, CAMBIA® may provide similar benefits as IM ketorolac without increasing the risk of treatment failure, major bleeding, or cardiovascular events. However, larger studies are needed to confirm this finding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT # 02664116, Titled "IM Ketorolac vs Diclofenac Potassium Powder for Oral Solution (CAMBIA®) for the Acute Treatment of Severe Migraine". Registered 26 January 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02664116?term=02664116&rank=1.

The Cambia Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program: Projects and Reflections on Leadership in Palliative Care.

Background: Effective leadership is necessary to meet the complex care needs of patients with serious, life-limiting illness. The Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholars Program is advancing leadership in palliative care through supporting emerging leaders. The 2016 Cohort has implemented a range of projects to promote their leadership development. Objective: To describe the leadership themes emerging from individual project implementation of the 2016 Sojourns Leadership. Methods: We summarize the synthesized leadership themes derived from both remote and in-person meetings and written reflections of the 2016 Cambia Sojourn Leadership Cohort. Results: The 2016 Cambia Sojourn Leadership Scholar Cohort projects are described. We identified three leadership themes related to palliative care initiatives: openness and flexibility, partnership and team building, and leveraging expertise and risk. Discussion: Unprecedented challenges in a rapidly changing health environment demand palliative care leadership to influence care quality, delivery, policy, and clinical care. Flexibility and openness; partnership and team building; and expertise to implement change emerged as critical themes to advancing the care of patients with serious, life-limiting illness. These leadership themes are consistent with both previous Cambia Sojourns Scholar cohorts and the literature, are essential for the next generation of leaders to implement new models of quality palliative care, payment for palliative care, and education for patients, caregivers, and health care providers. Conclusion: In order to design and implement quality palliative care, leadership development is essential. Use of flexibility and openness; partnership and team building; and expertise to implement change are important themes for success. Whether through the Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Leadership Program or opportunities within professional organizations, cultivation of the next generation of leaders is critical.

Mechanical wounding-induced laticifer differentiation in rubber tree: An indicative role of dehydration, hydrogen peroxide, and jasmonates.

The secondary laticifer in the secondary phloem of rubber tree are a specific tissue differentiating from vascular cambia. The number of the secondary laticifers is closely related to the rubber productivity of Hevea. Factors involved in the mechanical wounding-induced laticifer differentiation were analyzed by using paraffin section, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Northern-blot techniques. Dehydration of the wounded bark tissues triggered a burst of hydrogen peroxide, abscisic acid, and jasmonates and up-regulated the expression of HbAOSa, which was associated with the secondary laticifer differentiation strictly limited to the wounded area. Application of exogenous hydrogen peroxide, methyl jasmonate, and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) could induce the secondary laticifer differentiation, respectively. Moreover, 6-Benzylaminopurine, a synthetic cytokinin, enhanced the methyl jasmonate-induced secondary laticifer differentiation. However, the dehydration-induced secondary laticifer differentiation was inhibited by exogenous abscisic acid. Diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, was effective in inhibiting the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide as well as of jasmonates upon dehydration. It blocked the dehydration-induced but not the methyl jasmonate-induced secondary laticifer differentiation. The results suggested a stress signal pathway mediating the wound-induced secondary laticifer differentiation in rubber tree.

How to catch the patch? A dendrometer study of the radial increment through successive cambia in the mangrove Avicennia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Successive vascular cambia are involved in the secondary growth of at least 200 woody species from >30 plant families. In the mangrove Avicennia these successive cambia are organized in patches, creating stems with non-concentric xylem tissue surrounded by internal phloem tissue. Little is known about radial growth and tree stem dynamics in trees with this type of anatomy. This study aims to (1) clarify the process of secondary growth of Avicennia trees by studying its patchiness; and (2) study the radial increment of Avicennia stems, both temporary and permanent, in relation to local climatic and environmental conditions. A test is made of the hypothesis that patchy radial growth and stem dynamics enable Avicennia trees to better survive conditions of extreme physiological drought. Methods Stem variations were monitored by automatic point dendrometers at four different positions around and along the stem of two Avicennia marina trees in the mangrove forest of Gazi Bay (Kenya) during 1 year. KEY RESULTS: Patchiness was found in the radial growth and shrinkage and swelling patterns of Avicennia stems. It was, however, potentially rather than systematically present, i.e. stems reacted either concentrically or patchily to environment triggers, and it was fresh water availability and not tidal inundation that affected radial increment. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the ability to develop successive cambia in a patchy way enables Avicennia trees to adapt to changes in the prevailing environmental conditions, enhancing its survival in the highly dynamic mangrove environment. Limited water could be used in a more directive way, investing all the attainable resources in only some locations of the tree stem so that at least at these locations there is enough water to, for example, overcome vessel embolisms or create new cells. As these locations change with time, the overall functioning of the tree can be maintained.