Genetic distance from wolves affects family dogs' reactions towards howls.

Domestication dramatically changes behaviour, including communication, as seen in the case of dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus). We tested the hypothesis that domestication may affect an ancient, shared communication form of canids, the howling which seems to have higher individual variation in dogs: the perception and usage of howls may be affected by the genetic relatedness of the breeds to their last common ancestor with wolves ('root distance') and by other individual features like age, sex, and reproductive status. We exposed 68 purebred dogs to wolf howl playbacks and recorded their responses. We identified an interaction between root distance and age on the dogs' vocal and behavioural responses: older dogs from more ancient breeds responded longer with howls and showed more stress behaviours. Our results suggest that domestication impacts vocal behaviour significantly: disintegrating howling, a central, species-specific communication form of canids and gradually eradicating it from dogs' repertoire.

Natural products as leads for tuberculosis drug development.

New therapeutics are urgently needed to combat the immense disease burden of tuberculosis and related mycobacterial diseases worldwide. Natural products continue to provide leads for the development of novel drugs to treat the rapidly growing numbers of patients with multi- and extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis. This review presents natural products and synthesized analogues with anti-mycobacterial activity published between 2006 through 2009. Structure activity relationships, synthetic analogues and newly reported activities of known compounds reported during this period are also included.

Hymenopsins A and B and a macrophorin analogue from a fungicolous Hymenopsis sp.

Hymenopsin A (1), hymenopsin B (2), and a new macrophorin analogue, 2',3'-epoxy-13-hydroxy-4'-oxomacrophorin A (3), have been isolated from a fungicolous isolate of Hymenopsis sp. (MYC-1703; NRRL 37638). The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were assigned on the basis of 2D NMR and MS data, and the identity of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The absolute configuration of 2 was proposed on the basis of CD analysis using both empirical and computational methods. Compounds 2 and 3 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Compound 3 was also active against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides.

Solanapyrone analogues from a Hawaiian fungicolous fungus.

Four new solanapyrone analogues (solanapyrones J-M; 1-4) have been isolated from an unidentified fungicolous fungus collected in Hawaii. The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were determined by analysis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and MS data. Solanapyrone J (1) showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides, while both 1 and 2 showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.

Case reports and review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a type of orthostatic intolerance that is characterized by excessive tachycardia and decreased cerebral blood flow in the upright position. This can result in significant symptoms of dizziness and light-headedness that can eventually lead to syncope. In this review, we describe two patients with POTS that varied in their degree of symptoms and treatment. One patient was able to be treated as an outpatient, while the other required hospitalization and extensive medical therapy. We would like to emphasize with this review that POTS is probably more common than it is diagnosed and is often confused with other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or functional syncope. It is important to make the correct diagnosis in order to allow appropriate treatment and to improve the quality of life for these patients.