Marked hybridization and introgression in Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys in the western Iberian Peninsula.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Orchids in the genus Ophrys represent extraordinary cases of tight coevolution between plants and their pollinators, and as a result, they present opportunities for studying hybridization, or a lack thereof, during speciation. However, few studies assess the real effect of hybridization in diversification. The three most representative species of section Pseudophrys in the western Iberian Peninsula-O. dyris, O. fusca, and O. lutea-were chosen to study evolutionary relationships and examine speciation. METHODS: Using eight specific nuclear microsatellite loci, 357 individuals from 28 locations were studied; 142 of these samples were also studied with four plastid microsatellite loci. Data were analyzed using Bayesian cluster analysis, a median-joint network, and multivariate analysis. KEY RESULTS: Many O. dyris and O. fusca specimens had three or four alleles and were therefore treated as tetraploid. Ophrys dyris is poorly genetically separated from O. fusca, and pure populations are rare. Ophrys fusca and O. lutea are distinct, but hybrids/introgressed individuals were detected in most of the populations and supported by plastid haplotypes. Ophrys fusca is subdivided into three well-delimited genetic lineages with a strict geographic correspondence confirmed by plastid haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Because postzygotic barriers are weak, leakage in this highly specialized orchid-pollinator system contributes to hybridization and introgression. These leakages may have occurred during periods of past climate change, promoting homogenization and the potential for generations of new biodiversity via production of novel genotypes/phenotypes interacting with pollinators.

Bone scan index as metastatic bone disease quantifier and predictor of radium-223-dichloride biochemical response.

OBJECTIVES: This work aims to assess whether the biochemical response of radium-223-dichloride treatment can be predicted based on the pretherapy bone scan, and consequently if bone scan index (BSI) and maximum lesion intensity have a place as alternatives or as complements to extent of bone disease (EOBD) scoring in predicting biochemical response to treatment. Many cases of advanced prostate cancer have evidence of bone metastasis. Accurate EOBD quantification could help predict the response to radium-223-dichloride therapy. Current EOBD score is simple to use but does not consider size, intensity or localisation of lesion BSI might be more suitable for stratification of bone metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bone scans (n=20) preceding radium-223-dichloride treatment for prostate cancer were assessed retrospectively using automated BSI software (EXINI) and by assessing maximum counts per lesion. Results were then compared to total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a measure of biochemical response to therapy using linear regressions and to their EOBD scores using box plot analysis. RESULTS: Moderate correlation was found between ALP response and maximum lesion intensity (R=0.41) and BSI (R=0.46). Strong correlation (R=0.71) was found between baseline ALP and BSI and between lesion number and BSI (R=0.60). Visual assessment of EOBD score was found to correlate well with baseline ALP and maximum ALP response. CONCLUSION: BSI is a useful asset in stratification of patients with metastatic bone disease. It may also have a place in prediction of biochemical response.

Entraves no Acolhimento por Enfermeirosde um Hospital Público / Barriers in Receptiveness by Nurses of a Public Hospital

A necessidade da humanização no âmbitohospitalar existe em um contexto social no qual alguns fatorestêm contribuído para a fragmentação do ser humano comoalguém compreendido com necessidades puramentebiológicas: a tecnologia, a visão de que a equipe de saúdedetém todo o saber e não ter a percepção da integralidadedo Ser Humano. Objetivo: Analisar os entraves encontradosno acolhimento por enfermeiros de um hospital público.Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo de caráterquantitativo, realizado na área vermelha de um Hospital deUrgência e Emergência, com 12 enfermeiros no período de2012-2013. Os dados foram coletados por meio de uminstrumento semi-estruturado. Resultados: Observa-se quea população de estudo foi predominantemente feminina 91,6%e que 41,6% tinham idade entre 34 e 41 anos e 75% dosparticipantes eram casados. Os sujeitos ressaltam que,dentre os principais entraves para o acolhimento, 66,6% édevido à falta de recursos humanos e materiais, 41,6% asuperlotação dos serviços e longa jornada de trabalho; e33,3% informa que este fator se dá pela falta de tempodisponível para cada paciente, essa demanda elevada notrabalho pode resultar em profissionais saturadosbiopsicossocioespiritual e ter consequência na qualidade daassistência prestada; e 25% relaciona ao atendimentoindividualizado. Conclusão: O estudo evidenciou váriosentraves que podem dificultar o acolhimento humanizado eestas questões devam ser consideradas quantos aodesenvolvimento de ações preventivas para reorientaçõesquanto ao cuidado humanizado...

The need for humanization in the hospital settinglies in a social context. Some factors have contributed to thefragmentation of the human being as someone onlyunderstood by biological needs, namely: technology; the viewthat the health team holds all the knowledge; and the lack ofa comprehensive perception of the human being. Objective:To analyze the obstacles faced by nurses concerningreceptiveness in a public hospital. Material and Methods:This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative studyperformed in the red area of an Urgency and EmergencyHospital in the period 2012-2013, including 12 nurses. Thedata were collected through a semi-structured instrument.Results: The study population was predominantly female(91.6%), 41.6% were aged between 34 and 41 years, and75% of participants were married. The subjects pointed outthat among the main barriers to receptiveness, 66.6% is lackof human and material resources; 41.6% overcrowdingservices and long working hours; and 33.3% lack of timeavailable for each patient. This high demand at work canresult in biological, psychological, social, and spiritual issuesto professionals and have an effect on the quality of careprovided; 25% of participants reported that it relates to theindividualized care. Conclusion: This study showed severalbarriers that may hinder a humanized receptiveness. Theseissues should be considered for the development ofpreventive actions to drive more humanized care...

Arabidopsis phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate 5-kinase 4 regulates pollen tube growth and polarity by modulating membrane recycling.

Phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate 5-kinases produce phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] and have been implicated in vesicle trafficking and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Here, we adopted a reverse genetics approach to investigate the function of the Arabidopsis thaliana pollen-expressed gene encoding phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate 5-kinase 4 (PIP5K4). Pollen germination, tube growth, and polarity were significantly impaired in homozygous mutant plants lacking PIP5K4 transcript. In vitro, supplementation with PtdIns(4,5)P(2) rescued these phenotypes. In vivo, mutant pollen fertilized ovules, leading to normal seed set and silique length. However, fertilization took longer than in wild-type plants, and the pip5k4 null mutant allele was transmitted through the pollen at a reduced frequency. Analysis of endocytic events using FM1-43 (or FM4-64) suggested a reduction in endocytosis and membrane recycling in pip5k4 null mutant pollen tubes. Imaging of elongating tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) pollen tubes transiently transformed with a PIP5K4-green fluorescent protein fusion construct revealed that the protein localized to the plasma membrane, particularly in the subapical region. Overexpression of PIP5K4-GFP delocalized the protein to the apical region of the plasma membrane, perturbed pollen tube growth, and caused apical cell wall thickening. Thus, PIP5K4 plays a crucial role in regulating the polarity of pollen tubes. This study supports a model for membrane secretion and recycling where the apical and subapical regions appear to contain the components required to promote and sustain growth.