Disentangling functional trait variation and covariation in epiphytic lichens along a continent-wide latitudinal gradient.

Characterizing functional trait variation and covariation, and its drivers, is critical to understand the response of species to changing environmental conditions. Evolutionary and environmental factors determine how traits vary among and within species at multiple scales. However, disentangling their relative contribution is challenging and a comprehensive trait-environment framework addressing such questions is missing in lichens. We investigated the variation in nine traits related to photosynthetic performance, water use and nutrient acquisition applying phylogenetic comparative analyses in lichen epiphytic communities on beech across Europe. These poikilohydric organisms offer a valuable model owing to their inherent limitations to buffer contrasting environmental conditions. Photobiont type and growth form captured differences in certain physiological traits whose variation was largely determined by evolutionary processes (i.e. phylogenetic history), although the intraspecific component was non-negligible. Seasonal temperature fluctuations also had an impact on trait variation, while nitrogen content depended on photobiont type rather than nitrogen deposition. The inconsistency of trait covariation among and within species prevented establishing major resource use strategies in lichens. However, we did identify a general pattern related to the water-use strategy. Thus, to robustly unveil lichen responses under different climatic scenarios, it is necessary to incorporate both among and within-species trait variation and covariation.

A case study on the re-establishment of the cyanolichen symbiosis: where do the compatible photobionts come from?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In order to re-establish lichen symbiosis, fungal spores must first germinate and then associate with a compatible photobiont. To detect possible establishment limitations in a sexually reproducing cyanolichen species, we studied ascospore germination, photobiont growth and photobiont association patterns in Pectenia plumbea. METHODS: Germination tests were made with ascospores from 500 apothecia under different treatments, and photobiont growth was analysed in 192 isolates obtained from 24 thalli. We determined the genotype identity [tRNALeu (UAA) intron] of the Nostoc cyanobionts from 30 P. plumbea thalli from one population. We also sequenced cyanobionts of 41 specimens of other cyanolichen species and 58 Nostoc free-living colonies cultured from the bark substrate. KEY RESULTS: Not a single fungal ascospore germinated and none of the photobiont isolates produced motile hormogonia. Genetic analyses revealed that P. plumbea shares Nostoc genotypes with two other cyanolichen species of the same habitat, but these photobionts were hardly present in the bark substrate. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the inability of both symbionts to thrive independently, the establishment of P. plumbea seems to depend on Dendriscocaulon umhausense, the only cyanolichen species in the same habitat that reproduces asexually and acts as a source of appropriate cyanobionts. This provides support to the hypothesis about facilitation among lichens.

A Strategic Study about Quality Characteristics in e-Health Systems Based on a Systematic Literature Review.

e-Health Systems quality management is an expensive and hard process that entails performing several tasks such as analysis, evaluation, and quality control. Furthermore, the development of an e-Health System involves great responsibility since people's health and quality of life depend on the system and services offered. The focus of the following study is to identify the gap in Quality Characteristics for e-Health Systems, by detecting not only which are the most studied, but also which are the most used Quality Characteristics these Systems include. A strategic study is driven in this paper by a Systematic Literature Review so as to identify Quality Characteristics in e-Health. Such study makes information and communication technology organizations reflect and act strategically to manage quality in e-Health Systems efficiently and effectively. As a result, this paper proposes the bases of a Quality Model and focuses on a set of Quality Characteristics to enable e-Health Systems quality management. Thus, we can conclude that this paper contributes to implementing knowledge with regard to the mission and view of e-Health (Systems) quality management and helps understand how current researches evaluate quality in e-Health Systems.

Blend design tools for Medium Combustion Plants (MCP) firing biomass wastes.

A feasible alternative for agricultural or forestry waste management is the operation of a distributed network of sustainable Medium Combustion Plants (MCPs). However, one of the main factors that hinder its development is the propensity to operational problems derived from corrosion, slagging and fouling characteristics of both bottom and fly ashes. Therefore, a cost-effective approach for these multi-product MCP could be based on predictive tools for an optimal formulation of a fuel blend. This work focuses on the assessment of the ability of these methods to provide guidance for preventing ash-related operational problems and to provide fuel-blending rules. The more widespread tools pertain to two types: compositional classification based on chemical analysis of laboratory ashes, and thermodynamic prediction of the most likely species and phases. Both criterion numbers and compositional maps are ranking methods based on the chemical analysis at a given ashing temperature. Thermodynamic equilibrium modeling is not constrained by any difference in the physical conditions of the MCP compared to those in the laboratory. Both kind of prediction tools have been validated in an MCP firing olive tree pruning residues as well as its typical blends in order to mimic a plausible pattern of fuels along a full year operating campaign. An intensive experimental campaign encompasses plant monitoring and off-line analysis of the ashes along the process line. Interpretation of compositional plots has revealed to be potentially sensitive to ashing temperature. Here are presented examples showing how this variable could lead to either insignificant differences or to a substantial disparity in the a priori fuel diagnosis. Some inconsistencies have been observed between the predictions based on criterion numbers, even for the same fuel and for ranking rules specifically formulated for biomasses. Moreover, it does not match consistently with the information obtained from phase diagrams. Therefore, their use should be limited to the case of a well-established selection of a fuel index for a well-defined fuel provided empirical evidence of an enough good description of the ash behavior, which is not the most frequent case. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations allow a more precise prediction of the main species in the condensed phase, without the constraint of the ashing temperature. Elemental closure of main ash-forming elements with the chemical analysis of the process ashes presents small differences, and their proximity localization on the phase diagrams denote similar prediction between predicted and process ashes.

[Leprosy and severe neuropathy in two native Spaniards]. / Lepra y neuropatía grave en dos nativos españoles.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a widespread infectious disease in humans that is endemic to regions with poor sanitary conditions, especially in cases of overcrowding, malnutrition and bad hygiene. The disease is characterised by dermopathy, which is quite typical, but above all by neuropathy, which often becomes the most important element. In most cases, alterations to nerves are defined by sensory deficits that are predominantly distal and multiple neuritis in areas where nerve entrapment has taken place. CASE REPORTS: Two patients, both native Spaniards, presented largely overlapping clinical pictures, that is, a history of 'glove and stocking' type paresthesias and dysesthesias going back months or even years and functional impotence, which gave rise to a very pronounced gait disorder. In the two cases, the immunological situation was determined to be borderline lepromatous leprosy. The neurophysiological study revealed the presence of severe, diffuse sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy that was predominantly distal, and several entrapped nerves. The dermatological illness was greatly improved by the treatment. The same was partially true, although to a satisfactory extent, of the neurological disease. CONCLUSION: We describe the cases of two Spaniards with borderline lepromatous leprosy with no past history of the disease, in whom neuropathy was the predominant symptom. We highlight the speed with which the neuropathies progressed, probably due to a change in 'polarity', and the severity of the neurological deficits in comparison with the dermopathy, in an unusual immunological situation. The growing number of native patients in the first world, even when there is no relevant history, suggests that we should not think of leprosy as something only occurring in immigrant patients from places where it is endemic, although the epidemiological relationship has still not been determined.

Prognostic factors for local control, regional control and survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

We have performed univariate and multivariate analysis to identify the clinical and treatment-related prognostic factors in a series of 254 patients with newly diagnosed, histologically proven, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radical radiation therapy. The probabilities of local control, regional control, disease-free survival (DFS) and adjusted survival (AS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences between curves were evaluated by the Mantel-Cox test. The obtained significant variables in the univariate analysis were analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model. In the Cox multivariate analysis, four variables significantly influenced local control probability in the following order: tumour diameter, N stage, alcohol intake and weight loss. N stage significantly influenced the probability of regional control. Five variables influenced both DFS and AS: N stage, tumour diameter, weight loss, alcohol intake and tumour origin within the posterior oropharyngeal wall.

Intracranial tumors with risk of dissemination in neuroaxis.

The experience of the Radiotherapy Service, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid (Spain), in the treatment of intracranial tumors with risk of neural axis dissemination is analyzed. In 15 years (1964-1979) 415 primary central nervous system tumors were studied and treated; 67 corresponded to tumors with risk of meningeal dissemination. Clinical dissemination in cerebrospinal fluid was proven in 14 patients. The actuarial survival of 10 years for patients with neural axis dissemination, without prophylactic treatment to the neuroaxis, is 14% with an average survival of 10.5 months. In approximately 20% of meduloblastomas, ependymal and pineal region tumors, meningeal metastases at some distance from the primary tumor can take place. Patients at risk wtih these types of neoplasia must be identified, and an adequate radical therapeutic focus devised, not only for the primary tumor, but also for the risk of dissemination.

Radiation therapy in craniopharyngiomas.

Eighteen patients with cranipharyngiomas, who were studied and treated between 1970-1980, are presented. Each patient was treated with surgery and radiotherapy (50-60 Gy). Six patients were treated with radiotherapy because the tumor recurred after surgery. An extensive representation of the clinical symptomatology typical of this tumor was seen. In 3 patients an improvement in visual symptoms was demonstrated; in 11 the headaches and vomiting were controlled after treatment. The 18 treated patients are still alive without evidence of progression of the tumor, after a period of 2 to 12 years. Our experience supports the contention that conservative surgery coupled with radical radiotherapy remains the treatment of choice for the craniopharyngioma.

Episcleral iridium-192 wire therapy for choroidal melanomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectivity of high-dose episcleral iridium-192 wires in the treatment of choroidal melanoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 1983, the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Ophthalmology at the Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain, initiated a clinical study using removable episcleral iridium-192 wires in the treatment of choroidal melanoma. Sixty-six evaluable patients were treated from January 1983 through July 1992. Two patients had a small sized tumor (3%), 28 had a medium sized tumor (42%), and 36 patients had a large tumor (54%). The mean follow-up was 40 months (6-118 months). The dose to the apex of the tumor ranged from 66 to 97 Gy (mean 76.6 Gy), and the doses at 2 mm depth ranged from 77 to 433 Gy (mean 200 Gy). RESULTS: Tumor regression or stabilization was observed in 53 of the 66 patients (90%). Visual acuity improved following treatment in 5 out of 54 patients (9%), remaining unchanged in 30 out of 54 (56%), and decreased in 19 out of 54 (35%) patients. The remaining seven patients had undergone enucleation. Late complications have been documented in 20 out of 66 patients (30%), including 6 patients in whom enucleation was required because of radiation-related complications. The probability of survival and survival free of local progression was 93% at 5 years and 79% at 10 years. The probability of retaining the treated eye is 82% after the fifth year posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of choroidal melanomas with episcleral iridium-192 wires is as effective as treatment with other radioactive applications. We feel that our results using iridium-192 wires are comparable to the other methods. However, we think that our technique is simple to implement, relatively inexpensive, and well tolerated.

Phase II study of radiochemotherapy with UFT and low-dose oral leucovorin in patients with unresectable rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the activity and evaluate the toxicity of uracil and tegafur in a 4:1 molar concentration (UFT) plus low-dose leucovorin administered concomitantly with pelvic irradiation in patients with unresectable or recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-five patients (22 with primary unresectable tumors and 13 with locally recurrent tumors) were enrolled in the trial. Thirty-five patients were evaluable for toxicity and 32 of these were evaluable for clinical response. Patients received 300 mg/m2/day UFT and 30 mg/day leucovorin on days 8-35 concomitantly with pelvic radiotherapy, to a total dose of 45 Gy. RESULTS: Eight of the 35 (23%) patients developed Grade 3 diarrhea and were treated with radiotherapy alone after this event. Of the 22 patients with unresectable primary tumors, 17 underwent surgery, and resection was feasible in 15 cases (88%). Of the 32 patients evaluable for clinical response, 4 (13%) had a complete clinical response (CR) and 22 (69%) a partial response (PR). A complete pathologic response was observed in 3 cases (18%) and, a PR in 11 cases (65%). CONCLUSION: The response rates achieved with this schedule seem comparable to those obtained with 5-FU and radiotherapy. These results warrant further evaluation of this combination in patients with unresectable or locally advanced tumors.

Growth and differentiation of human lens epithelial cells in vitro on matrix.

PURPOSE: To characterize the growth and maturation of nonimmortalized human lens epithelial (HLE) cells grown in vitro. METHODS: HLE cells, established from 18-week prenatal lenses, were maintained on bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) extracellular matrix (ECM) in medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). The identity, growth, and differentiation of the cultures were characterized by karyotyping, cell morphology, and growth kinetics studies, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: HLE cells had a male, human diploid (2N = 46) karyotype. The population-doubling time of exponentially growing cells was 24 hours. After 15 days in culture, cell morphology changed, and lentoid formation was evident. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated expression of alphaA- and betaB2-crystallin, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), and major intrinsic protein (MIP26) in exponential growth. Western analyses of protein extracts show positive expression of three immunologically distinct classes of crystallin proteins (alphaA-, alphaB-, and betaB2-crystallin) with time in culture. By Western blot analysis, expression of p57(KIP2), a known marker of terminally differentiated fiber cells, was detectable in exponential cultures, and levels increased after confluence. MIP26 and gamma-crystallin protein expression was detected in confluent cultures, by using immunofluorescence, but not in exponentially growing cells. CONCLUSIONS: HLE cells can be maintained for up to 4 months on ECM derived from BCE cells in medium containing FGF-2. With time in culture, the cells demonstrate morphologic characteristics of, and express protein markers for, lens fiber cell differentiation. This in vitro model will be useful for investigations of radiation-induced cataractogenesis and other studies of lens toxicity.

Conjunctival intraepithelial and invasive squamous cell carcinomas treated with strontium-90.

Twenty-seven patients with malignant epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva were treated between 1967 and 1987. Histological diagnosis was intraepithelial epithelioma in 15 cases (56%) and squamous cell carcinoma in 12 (44%). All patients were treated with a strontium-90 source on cup-shaped applicators of different sizes according to the extension of the tumor. Surface dose ranged from 60 Gy in a single treatment to 140 Gy in 7 fractions, depending on the thickness of the lesion. Fifteen patients were previously untreated, 7 were irradiated after some type of surgical treatment and 5 were treated for recurrence after multiple surgical excisions. Follow-up period ranged from 2 to 15 years. No patient died of his tumor. There were four local recurrences, three of them in patients with intraepithelial carcinoma. Two of the recurrences were salvaged with a new beta-ray treatment and the other two with enucleation. Since 1981, standard policy was to irradiate the entire conjunctiva in patients with diagnosis of intraepithelial epithelioma. Five patients developed cataracts. Considering the high primary control rate and minimal morbidity, strontium irradiation should be considered as a first-choice treatment for conjunctival tumors.

Chordoma: results of radiation therapy in eighteen patients.

Between 1975 and 1990, eighteen patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of chordoma were treated at our institution. All patients initially underwent a surgical procedure and were referred for irradiation due to residual disease or postsurgical relapse. The mean dose administered was 50.1 Gy (range, 29.9-64.8 Gy). Eight patients were treated according to a hyperfractionated schedule. The overall actuarial 5-year survival and 5-year progression-free survival were 38% and 17%, respectively. The progression-free interval was longer for patients receiving doses greater than 48 Gy when compared with doses below 40 Gy (actuarial 5-year progression-free survival of 31 +/- 35% vs. 0%, respectively; p = 0.04). We conclude that in the treatment of chordoma, the administration of high radiation doses may increase the disease-free interval. The objective response and dose-response relationships were analyzed in twelve patients for whom sequential CT scans were available.

Particle irradiation induces FGF2 expression in normal human lens cells.

Particle Irradiation Induces FGF2 Expression in Normal Human Lens Cells. Particle radiations, including both proton and helium-ion beams, have been used to successfully treat choroidal melanoma, but with the complication of radiation-induced cataract. We have investigated a role for radiation-induced changes in the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) gene expression as part of the mechanism(s) underlying lens cell injury associated with cataract. Normal human lens epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured in vitro on extracellular matrix (ECM) originated from bovine corneal endothelial cells. This study reports evidence for rapid but transient induction of FGF2 transcripts, an increase of between 5- and 8-fold, within 0.5 h after exposure to particle radiation, followed by another wave of increased transcription at 2-3 h postirradiation. Immunofluorescence results confirm the enhanced levels of FGF2 protein rapidly after exposure to protons or helium ions, followed by another wave of increased activity unique to helium at 6 h postirradiation. This second wave of increased immunoreactivity was not observed in the proton-irradiated samples. Total FGF2 protein analysis after helium-ion exposures shows induced expression of three FGF2 isoforms, with an increase of up to 2-fold in the 18-kDa low-molecular-weight species. Studies of the effects of protons on individual FGF2 protein isoforms are in progress. Several mechanisms involving a role for FGF2 in radiation-induced cataract are discussed.

Fatal hepatic hemorrhage after trauma.

Two hundred twenty-five cases of acute hepatic trauma were reviewed. Thirty-four patients died, 28 (82 per cent) as a direct result of exsanguination. The successful management of hemorrhage associated with severe liver injuries requires early diagnosis, prompt hemostasis and restoration of blood volume, close attention to coagulation factors, and the precise application of surgical techniques.

Complications of tube thoracostomy for acute trauma.

Closed tube thoracostomy is a common and very useful procedure in therapy of acute thoracic injury. However, it is not without risk. With aggressive use of this procedure in the emergency department, the incidence of technical complications was 1 percent. Our review suggests that complications can be further diminished by the routine use of large thoracostomy tubes that are placed well up on the chest after confirmation of an open pleural space, by avoiding the use of a trocar for tube placement, and by the use of a high volume, low pressure suction system. Empyema was the most common complication associated with tube thoracostomy after trauma. It occurred in 2.4 percent of the patients. Its exact causes is not known, and the role of prophylactic antibiotics needs to be established.

Failure of splenic implants to protect against fatal postsplenectomy infection.

Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection is not a phenomenon confined to children. In all age groups, splenic trauma that requires surgery should be managed by splenorrhaphy if possible. Autoimplantation of splenic fragments into omental pockets has been performed in the few patients we have seen who required splenectomy. A case has been presented in which these small implants failed to protect a 61 year old woman from the development of fatal pneumococcal sepsis. The patient had received a pneumococcal vaccination, and her implants had shown activity on radionuclide scanning. Concerns about critical splenic mass, blood supply to the implant, and hepatic function require further study before this technique can be considered efficacious.

Arterial embolism from a bullet: a case report.

Accounting for each wounding bullet represents an important part of the emergency room evaluation of gunshot victims. Physical examination must include a thorough search for exit wounds. Medical personnel must be aware of the possibility of intra-arterial passage of a wounding missile and routinely obtain appropriate roentgenagraphic studies so that patients with arterial bullet embolization will be identified preoperatively and can receive optimal surgical repair of their injuries.