A class-wide phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes.

We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from 5 genes, nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2, for 356 isolates and 41 families (six newly described in this volume) in Dothideomycetes. All currently accepted orders in the class are represented for the first time in addition to numerous previously unplaced lineages. Subclass Pleosporomycetidae is expanded to include the aquatic order Jahnulales. An ancestral reconstruction of basic nutritional modes supports numerous transitions from saprobic life histories to plant associated and lichenised modes and a transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats are confirmed. Finally, a genomic comparison of 6 dothideomycete genomes with other fungi finds a high level of unique protein associated with the class, supporting its delineation as a separate taxon.

An application of apo(a) isoforms for the clinical assessment of Lp(a).

To examine whether or not Lp(a) is applicable as a diagnostic marker for atherosclerosis, we studied the correlation between Lp(a) levels and molecular weights of apo(a) isoforms in sera from both normal healthy adults and diabetic patients. Serum Lp(a) level was measured by turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA) and the molecular weight of apo(a) isoform was determined by Western blotting analysis. The serum Lp(a) levels of the diabetic patients (25.0 mg/dl +/- 2.2 [mean +/- SE], n = 54) were significantly higher than those of the normal subjects (14.4 mg/dl +/- 0.57, n = 500). With respect to the correlation between serum Lp(a) levels and the molecular weights of apo(a) isoforms, there was an inverse correlation in sera from normal subjects (n = 298), whereas there was no correlation in sera from the diabetic patients. Statistical significant inverse correlation (r = -0.91, y = 224.25 - 3.07x) was especially observed in 50 representative apo(a) isotypes from the normal subjects. By applying a standardized curve based on the significant inverse correlation to serum Lp(a) levels, 40.7% (22/54) of the diabetic patients were revealed to have an abnormally high value of serum Lp(a). Moreover, it was found that the significantly higher mean value of serum Lp(a) in the diabetic group was caused by the 22 patients with higher value of Lp(a). The present findings suggest that determination of apo(a) isoform size provides estimation of the serum Lp(a) value and that the inverse correlation curve between serum Lp(a) level and the molecular weight of apo(a) isoform may be applicable to the clinical use of Lp(a).

Population persistence and spatially limited social interaction.

We investigate the persistence of a population composed of socially interacting individuals living in a lattice structured habitat and the effect of spatially limited social interaction, reproduction, and migration. Both cooperative interaction (enhancing the survivorship of neighboring individuals) and competitive interaction (reducing it) are examined. Mathematical analysis based on pair approximation (or doublet decoupling approximation) and computer simulation are used. Results are: If migration rate is not very large, the population tends to form clusters of individuals (clumped distribution) due to spatially limited reproduction. Although cooperative interaction is more effective in a spatially structured population, the population is more difficult to persist than in the corresponding population without spatial structure, because the shortage of nearest neighbor vacant sites reduces reproduction. Migration of individuals reduces the clumping of the spatial pattern. Pair approximation predicts the equilibrium density fairly accurately when the predicted density is sufficiently high (i.e., more than 40% sites are occupied). If the predicted density is low however, the pair approximation overestimates the equilibrium population level. To overcome this disagreement, we examined improved pair approximation.

[Assessment of transient dilation of the left ventricular cavity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy].

Exercise Tl scintigraphy (EX-Tl) provides a noninvasive means of identifying myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients (pts) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We have noted that some pts with HCM have a pattern of transient dilation of the left ventricle (LV) on the immediate post exercise images as compared with 3 hour redistribution images. We presumed that left ventricular dilation was caused by subendocardial hypoperfusion. So we studied transient dilation of the LV in 50 pts with HCM and 20 controls (C). Initial and delayed conventional short tomographic images were obtained after reconstruction of 30 projections acquired over 180 degrees. Thirty six radii every 10 degrees were generated from the center of the middle myocardial images of the short axis. An area surrounded by the thirty six points of maximal count on each radius was calculated in initial and delayed images. Transient Dilation Index (TDI) as an index of dilation was determined by dividing an area in initial image by an area in delayed image. TDI in pts with HCM was larger than that in C. Pts with HCM were classified into the two groups, Group A: TDI greater than 1.11 (mean + 2 SD in C), 24 pts, Group B: TDI greater than 1.11, 26 pts. Frequency of pts with history of chest pain in Group A was higher than that in Group B, and frequency of pts with positive exercise ECG in Group A was higher than that in Group B. End diastolic volume in Group B did not change 10 minutes after exercise by radionuclide ventriculography. In conclusion, transient dilation of the LV in pts with HCM by EX-Tl is in appearance, and may reflect subendocardial ischemia.

Assessment of left ventricular function before and after Fontan's operation for the correction of tricuspid atresia. Changes in left ventricular function determined by left ventricular volume change.

Functional change in the left ventricle was studied in the light of changes in the left ventricular (LV) volume preload before and after Fontan's operation. Six cases with tricuspid atresia (TA) were studied, and they had either types Ib or IIb. The preoperative LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) was 123 +/- 44 ml/m2, which corresponds to 166% +/- 45% of normal values. This suggests that in TA the preload of the LV volume is increased because of its peculiar hemodynamic situation. After Fontan's operation, the LVEDV decreased by 24.6% to 119.6 +/- 87.7 ml (P = 0.01), which corresponds to 120% +/- 50.9% of normal values. Presenting a striking contrast to the decrease in LVEDV, the postoperative reduction in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) was approximately 8%. Preoperative and postoperative values for LVESV were 67.1 +/- 50.8 ml and 62 +/- 45.6 ml, thus, the systolic volume was decreased. Because of the small change in LVESV, the ejection fraction (EF) of the left ventricle significantly decreased from 0.61 +/- 0.1 preoperatively to 0.48 +/- 0.1 postoperatively. The cardiac index (CI) remained in the range of 1.9-2.5 l/min/m2 with a mean of 2.2 +/- 0.2 l/min/m2 at 1 month after operation. But, later, improvement in EF was observed in one case, in which the CI increased from 2.5 to 3.2 l/min/m2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)