Phylogenetic Relationships, Breeding Implications, and Cultivation History of Hawaiian Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) Through Genome-Wide SNP Genotyping.

Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is one of the world's oldest root crops and is of particular economic and cultural significance in Hawai'i, where historically more than 150 different landraces were grown. We developed a genome-wide set of more than 2400 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from 70 taro accessions of Hawaiian, South Pacific, Palauan, and mainland Asian origins, with several objectives: 1) uncover the phylogenetic relationships between Hawaiian and other Pacific landraces, 2) shed light on the history of taro cultivation in Hawai'i, and 3) develop a tool to discriminate among Hawaiian and other taros. We found that almost all existing Hawaiian landraces fall into 5 monophyletic groups that are largely consistent with the traditional Hawaiian classification based on morphological characters, for example, leaf shape and petiole color. Genetic diversity was low within these clades but considerably higher between them. Population structure analyses further indicated that the diversification of taro in Hawai'i most likely occurred by a combination of frequent somatic mutation and occasional hybridization. Unexpectedly, the South Pacific accessions were found nested within the clades mainly composed of Hawaiian accessions, rather than paraphyletic to them. This suggests that the origin of clades identified here preceded the colonization of Hawai'i and that early Polynesian settlers brought taro landraces from different clades with them. In the absence of a sequenced genome, this marker set provides a valuable resource towards obtaining a genetic linkage map and to study the genetic basis of phenotypic traits of interest to taro breeding such as disease resistance.

Variant middle meningeal artery origin from the ophthalmic artery: a case report.

We present a rare case of a variant middle meningeal artery (MMA) originating from the ophthalmic artery. During cadaveric dissection of the cranial base of an adult female, it was noted that the foramen spinosum was absent unilaterally. After identifying the MMA, its origin was traced back to the ophthalmic artery within the orbit. Although exceedingly rare, a variant MMA originating from the ophthalmic artery should be kept in mind by surgeons during skull base procedures in order to avoid unwanted complications including potential retrograde thrombosis of the ophthalmic artery with MMA manipulation or coagulation.

Fusiform aneurysm of a persistent trigeminal artery associated with rare intracranial arterial variations and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The trigeminal artery is one of four primitive anastomoses between the internal carotid artery and vertebrobasilar system that regresses in the sixth week of fetal development. A persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is generally an incidental finding but may also be associated with intracranial vascular pathologies such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and cranial nerve compression syndromes. We present an extremely rare case of a right PTA with an associated bleeding fusiform aneurysm located in the carotidian (lateral) part of the PTA. In addition, this rare anatomic variation was associated with bilateral absence of the posterior communicating arteries, a left posterior cerebral artery originating from the left internal carotid artery, and agenesis of the A1 segment of the left anterior cerebral artery.

Special Challenges of Sensitive Images: A HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper.

Sensitive images represent a new challenge in enterprise imaging. These images, often containing nudity or gruesome content, have the potential to cause emotional harm to patients and people who view the images. Unfortunately, the interoperability standards used in imaging informatics have not yet addressed this issue. Because of this, the software solutions used in healthcare information technology are not able to offer patients and other viewers of image protections. In this Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS)/Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper, we define sensitive images, identify unique challenges related to their management, and provide recommendations for future solutions to protect our patients.

The Inferolateral Surgical Triangle of the Cavernous Sinus: A Cadaveric and MRI Study with Neurosurgical Significance.

BACKGROUND: The inferolateral triangle is a surgical skull base triangle used as a neurosurgical landmark. There are few reports of its measurements with little attention paid to anatomic variations. METHODS: The inferolateral triangle was measured in 10 adult human cadaveric heads via dissection then direct measurement and 5 participants undergoing neuroimaging using tracing features. RESULTS: In the cadavers, mean lengths (mm) of the superior, anterior, and posterior borders were 17.0 (±5.5), 12.9 (±1.7), and 17.8 (±3.3), respectively, with mean area of 97.85 (±28.17) mm2. In the participants, mean lengths (mm) of the superior, anterior, and posterior borders were 17.35 (±4.01), 14.36 (±1.36), and 18.01 (±2.43), respectively, with mean area of 113.6 (±25.46) mm2. No statistical difference in triangle areas between groups was found. CONCLUSIONS: Intimate understanding of the inferolateral triangle is essential to skull-based surgery; knowing its anatomy and variations aids in surgical planning and understanding of regional pathology.

The DNA sequence and comparative analysis of human chromosome 5.

Chromosome 5 is one of the largest human chromosomes and contains numerous intrachromosomal duplications, yet it has one of the lowest gene densities. This is partially explained by numerous gene-poor regions that display a remarkable degree of noncoding conservation with non-mammalian vertebrates, suggesting that they are functionally constrained. In total, we compiled 177.7 million base pairs of highly accurate finished sequence containing 923 manually curated protein-coding genes including the protocadherin and interleukin gene families. We also completely sequenced versions of the large chromosome-5-specific internal duplications. These duplications are very recent evolutionary events and probably have a mechanistic role in human physiological variation, as deletions in these regions are the cause of debilitating disorders including spinal muscular atrophy.

The DNA sequence and biology of human chromosome 19.

Chromosome 19 has the highest gene density of all human chromosomes, more than double the genome-wide average. The large clustered gene families, corresponding high G + C content, CpG islands and density of repetitive DNA indicate a chromosome rich in biological and evolutionary significance. Here we describe 55.8 million base pairs of highly accurate finished sequence representing 99.9% of the euchromatin portion of the chromosome. Manual curation of gene loci reveals 1,461 protein-coding genes and 321 pseudogenes. Among these are genes directly implicated in mendelian disorders, including familial hypercholesterolaemia and insulin-resistant diabetes. Nearly one-quarter of these genes belong to tandemly arranged families, encompassing more than 25% of the chromosome. Comparative analyses show a fascinating picture of conservation and divergence, revealing large blocks of gene orthology with rodents, scattered regions with more recent gene family expansions and deletions, and segments of coding and non-coding conservation with the distant fish species Takifugu.

Novel diagnostic imaging features of facial lupus panniculitis: ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging with histopathology correlate.

Lupus panniculitis (LP), also referred to as lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP), is a chronic recurrent inflammation condition of the subcutaneous fat. It occurs in 1 to 3% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 10% of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), but can also occur as an entity of its own. Patients with lupus panniculitis usually present with persistent, often tender and painful skin lesions, or subcutaneous nodules, that range from 1 to 5 cm in diameter. The overlying skin may appear erythematous; lesions may become ulcerated, and heal with atrophy, skin depression, dimpling and scaring. Lesions tend to resolve spontaneously and may follow a chronic course of remission and exacerbation that persists for months to years. The imaging features of facial LP are extremely scarce in the literature. We present a case of facial lupus panniculitis and describe the associated characteristic ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging findings along with histopathologic correlation.

Correction: Evaluating the role of land cover and climate uncertainties in computing gross primary production in Hawaiian Island ecosystems.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184466.].

Anterolateral Triangle: A Cadaveric Study with Neurosurgical Significance.

The anterolateral triangle is one of 10 surgical triangles of the cavernous sinus and serves as an important anatomic landmark for the skull base surgeon. There are few studies in the English literature that have precisely defined and measured the borders of the anterolateral triangle and little agreement has been made regarding the nomenclature within the English literature. A total of 12 midsagittally hemisected adult human cadaveric head halves were dissected to expose the anterolateral triangle. The triangle was defined and measurements of the anterior, posterior, and lateral borders were taken. The mean lengths and standard deviations of the anterior, posterior, and lateral borders were 8.3 ± 2.2 mm, 5.9 ± 2.0 mm, and 11.5 ± 2.9 mm, respectively. The mean area and standard deviation were 20.46 ± 9.30 mm2. The anterolateral triangle is helpful in understanding and planning surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus and middle cranial fossa. As such, normal anatomic relationships and the sizes of the anterolateral triangle must first be recognized to better access the pathologic changes within and around this region.

Evaluating the role of land cover and climate uncertainties in computing gross primary production in Hawaiian Island ecosystems.

Gross primary production (GPP) is the Earth's largest carbon flux into the terrestrial biosphere and plays a critical role in regulating atmospheric chemistry and global climate. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS)-MOD17 data product is a widely used remote sensing-based model that provides global estimates of spatiotemporal trends in GPP. When the MOD17 algorithm is applied to regional scale heterogeneous landscapes, input data from coarse resolution land cover and climate products may increase uncertainty in GPP estimates, especially in high productivity tropical ecosystems. We examined the influence of using locally specific land cover and high-resolution local climate input data on MOD17 estimates of GPP for the State of Hawaii, a heterogeneous and discontinuous tropical landscape. Replacing the global land cover data input product (MOD12Q1) with Hawaii-specific land cover data reduced statewide GPP estimates by ~8%, primarily because the Hawaii-specific land cover map had less vegetated land area compared to the global land cover product. Replacing coarse resolution GMAO climate data with Hawaii-specific high-resolution climate data also reduced statewide GPP estimates by ~8% because of the higher spatial variability of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in the Hawaii-specific climate data. The combined use of both Hawaii-specific land cover and high-resolution Hawaii climate data inputs reduced statewide GPP by ~16%, suggesting equal and independent influence on MOD17 GPP estimates. Our sensitivity analyses within a heterogeneous tropical landscape suggest that refined global land cover and climate data sets may contribute to an enhanced MOD17 product at a variety of spatial scales.

Ossification of the Posterior Petroclinoid Dural Fold: A Cadaveric Study with Neurosurgical Significance.

Objectives The roof of the porus trigeminus, composed of the posterior petroclinoid dural fold, is an important landmark to the skull base surgeon. Ossification of the posterior petroclinoid dural fold is an anatomical variation rarely mentioned in the literature. Such ossification results in the trigeminal nerve traversing a bony foramen as it enters Meckel cave. The authors performed this study to better elucidate this anatomical variation. Design Fifteen adult cadaveric head halves were subjected to dissection of the middle cranial fossa. Microdissection techniques were used to examine the posterior petroclinoid dural folds. Skull base osteology was also studied in 71 dry human skulls with attention paid to the attachment point of the posterior petroclinoid dural folds at the trigeminal protuberances. Setting Cadaver laboratory Main Outcome Measures Measurements were made using a microcaliper. Digital images were made of the dissections. Results Completely ossified posterior petroclinoid folds were present in 20% of the specimens. Of the 142 dry skull sides examined, 9% had large trigeminal protuberances. Conclusions Based on this study, the posterior petroclinoid dural fold may completely ossify in adults that may lead to narrowing of the porus trigeminus and potential compression of the trigeminal nerve at the entrance to Meckel cave.

Fenestration of the middle cerebral artery in a patient who presented with transient ischemic attack.

Cerebral artery fenestrations are usually detected incidentally during angiography, have a reported incidence ranging from of 0.03% to 1%, and rarely cause neurological symptoms. They can, however, be associated with aneurysmal dilatation at the proximal or distal end of the fenestration, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, or (rarely) ischemic symptoms. We present a case of a 54-year-old obese woman who presented with a large convex-lens-like fenestration of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) at the M1 segment (distal to the origin of the temporopolar artery) associated with a transient ischemic attack. The MCA fenestration caused a local change in hemodynamic blood flow, which leads to cerebral ischemia. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) also revealed an associated small slit-like fenestration of the basilar artery (BA), hypoplasia of the A1 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery, bilateral fetal posterior cerebral arteries, and bilateral absence of the posterior communicating arteries. To our knowledge, this is the sixth reported case of MCA fenestration with an associated ischemic attack. In our case, fenestrations of the MCA, the BA, and hypoplasia of the A1 segment of ACA were not associated with any aneurysms.

Toxic waste disposal in Escherichia coli.

About 10% of the nalidixic acid-resistant (Nal(r)) mutants in a transposition-induced library exhibited a growth factor requirement as the result of cysH, icdA, metE, or purB mutation. Resistance in all of these mutants required a functional AcrAB-TolC efflux pump, but the EmrAB-TolC pump played no obvious role. Transcription of acrAB was increased in each type of Nal(r) mutant. In the icdA and purB mutants, each of the known signaling pathways appeared to be used in activating the AcrAB-TolC pump. The metabolites that accumulate upstream of the blocks caused by the mutations are hypothesized to increase the levels of the AcrAB-TolC pump, thereby removing nalidixic acid from the organism.