Calidad de vida, adherencia y satisfacción en pacientes con fibrilación auricular tratados con dabigatrán o antagonistas de la vitamina K / Quality of life, adherence and satisfaction of patients with auricular fibrillation treated with dabigatran or vitamin K antagonists

Objetivo: Analizar la calidad de vida, la adherencia y la percepción del grado de satisfacción del tratamiento con dabigatrán frente a antagonistas de vitamina K (AVK) en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular (FANV) atendidos en consultas de cardiología en España. Métodos: Estudio observacional, comparativo, prospectivo y multicéntrico en pacientes con FANV atendidos en Cardiología, que iniciaron tratamiento con dabigatrán o AVK en el mes previo a la visita basal. El seguimiento fue de 6 meses. Se analizaron la calidad de vida mediante el cuestionario validado AF-QoL 18 (0: mínimo; 100: máximo), la adherencia mediante el test de Morisky-Green y la percepción del cardiólogo mediante un cuestionario específico (0: completamente insatisfecho; 10: totalmente satisfecho). Resultados: Se analizó a 1.015 pacientes (73,3+/- 9,4 años; 57% varones; CHA2DS2VASc: 3,4+/- 1,5; HAS-BLED: 1,5+/- 1,0), tratados con dabigatrán (74,7%) o con AVK (25,3%). Las puntuaciones totales de calidad de vida se mantuvieron constantes durante el seguimiento (47,9+/- 23,5 basalmente vs. 48,6+/- 24,4 a los 6 meses; p=NS), pero superiores a los 6 meses en el grupo de dabigatrán (50,6+/- 24,7 vs. 42,8+/- 22,5; p<0,001). La adherencia al tratamiento fue elevada durante el estudio, pero superior con dabigatrán a los 6 meses (89,2% vs. 81,1%; p=0,001). Existió una mejor percepción del cardiólogo sobre la satisfacción de los pacientes tratados con dabigatrán a los 6 meses (9,0+/-1,2 vs. 6,6+/-2,2; p<0,001). Conclusiones: En pacientes con FANV y alto riesgo tromboembólico atendidos en consultas de Cardiología, tanto la adherencia como la satisfacción y la calidad de vida fueron superiores en los pacientes tratados con dabigatrán que con AVK

Objective: To analyse the quality of life, adherence and satisfaction of patients with nonvalvular auricular fibrillation (NVAF) treated with dabigatran versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in cardiology consultations in Spain. Methods: We conducted an observational, comparative, prospective and multicentre study of patients with NVAF treated in cardiology departments, who started treatment with dabigatran or VKA in the month prior to the baseline visit. The follow-up lasted 6 months. We analysed quality of life (using the validated AF-QoL 18 questionnaire [0, minimum; 100, maximum]), adherence (using the Morisky-Green test) and the cardiologist's perception (using a specific questionnaire [0, completely dissatisfied; 10, completely satisfied]). Results: We analysed 1015 patients (mean age, 73.3+/-9.4 years; 57% men; CHA2DS2VASc, 3.4+/-1.5; HAS-BLED, 1.5+/-1.0) who were treated with dabigatran (74.7%) or with VKA (25.3%). The total quality-of-life scores remained constant throughout the follow-up (47.9+/-23.5 and 48.6+/-24.4 at baseline and at 6 months, respectively; P=NS) but were higher at 6 months for the dabigatran group (50.6+/-24.7 vs. 42.8+/-22.5; P<.001). Treatment adherence was high during the study but greater with dabigatran at 6 months (89.2% vs. 81.1%; P=.001). There was a better perception of the cardiologist regarding the satisfaction of the patients treated with dabigatran at 6 months (9.0+/-1.2 vs. 6.6+/-2.2; P<.001). Conclusions: For patients with NVAF and high thromboembolic risk treated in cardiology consultations, the adherence, satisfaction and quality of life were higher for the patients treated with dabigatran than for those treated with VKA

Heat and drought determine flower female allocation in a hermaphroditic Mediterranean plant family.

In animal-pollinated hermaphroditic species, larger and xenogamous flowers increase male-biased resource allocation, whereas smaller and selfing flowers invest disproportionally more resources to female function. In Cistaceae, an entomophilous and hermaphroditic Mediterranean family, this pattern generally follows a phylogenetic signal. However, resource allocation to carpels is independent of phylogeny, which suggests trait divergences among closely related species during the diversification into different environmental conditions. We tested this hypothesis across 37 species of Cistaceae along a temperature and precipitation gradient, including semiarid, dry, subhumid and humid sites. We quantified the proportions of dry mass and nutrient investment to carpels and tested the influence of the climatic gradient and site-specific precipitation on the interspecific variation in carpel resource allocation. Lowest and highest percentages of resource allocation to carpels ranged from 1.5-4.2% to 24.2-36.6%, respectively. The proportion of resources comprised in carpels significantly decreased with increasing precipitation/decreasing temperature. Thus, carpels comprised proportionally more resources under drier and hotter conditions, especially in semiarid sites. Our results demonstrate how the extent of climatic constraints is more important than phylogenetic relationships in determining stress-induced differences in carpel resource allocation across species of Cistaceae in a Mediterranean environment. We suggest that allocation of proportionally more resources to carpels in drier and hotter sites lies within a strategy to deal with the most stressful conditions by means of a high reproductive effort.

Quality of life, adherence and satisfaction of patients with auricular fibrillation treated with dabigatran or vitamin K antagonists. / Calidad de vida, adherencia y satisfacción en pacientes con fibrilación auricular tratados con dabigatrán o antagonistas de la vitamina K.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the quality of life, adherence and satisfaction of patients with nonvalvular auricular fibrillation (NVAF) treated with dabigatran versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in cardiology consultations in Spain. METHODS: We conducted an observational, comparative, prospective and multicentre study of patients with NVAF treated in cardiology departments, who started treatment with dabigatran or VKA in the month prior to the baseline visit. The follow-up lasted 6 months. We analysed quality of life (using the validated AF-QoL 18 questionnaire [0, minimum; 100, maximum]), adherence (using the Morisky-Green test) and the cardiologist's perception (using a specific questionnaire [0, completely dissatisfied; 10, completely satisfied]). RESULTS: We analysed 1015 patients (mean age, 73.3±9.4 years; 57% men; CHA2DS2VASc, 3.4±1.5; HAS-BLED, 1.5±1.0) who were treated with dabigatran (74.7%) or with VKA (25.3%). The total quality-of-life scores remained constant throughout the follow-up (47.9±23.5 and 48.6±24.4 at baseline and at 6 months, respectively; P=NS) but were higher at 6 months for the dabigatran group (50.6±24.7 vs. 42.8±22.5; P<.001). Treatment adherence was high during the study but greater with dabigatran at 6 months (89.2% vs. 81.1%; P=.001). There was a better perception of the cardiologist regarding the satisfaction of the patients treated with dabigatran at 6 months (9.0±1.2 vs. 6.6±2.2; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with NVAF and high thromboembolic risk treated in cardiology consultations, the adherence, satisfaction and quality of life were higher for the patients treated with dabigatran than for those treated with VKA.

Whole-plant reddening in Silene germana is due to anthocyanin accumulation in response to visible light.

The phenology of anthocyanin accumulation in leaves has been widely studied in perennial plants; several hypotheses have been proposed to explain their adaptive significance. Here, we explored the photoprotection hypothesis in Silene germana, a Mediterranean annual plant with late-spring/summer flowering. We analysed the temporal patterns of anthocyanin accumulation in photosynthetic calyces, leaves and stems and throughout the reproductive season, and their relationship with flower abortion, florivory and plant mortality due to drought. In addition, the flavonoid production and the photoinhibitory response were measured in a shading experiment. The whole plant becomes red at the end of the flowering and remains red until fruiting and senescence. Calyces were redder on the side with more sun exposition. Aborted flowers showed redder calyces than those of fruiting flowers. No effect of plant redness on florivory or plant mortality was found. The shading experiment showed a positive relationship between anthocyanin accumulation and intensity of solar radiation, but plants growing in absence of UV showed similar redness than full sunlight plants. Plants growing in natural shade lack anthocyanins but produced the same amount of non-anthocyanin flavonoids. Anthocyanic and non-anthocyanic plants showed similar photochemical efficiency (Fv /Fm ) after sun exposition, but in early morning, the former showed lower Fv /Fm values. Plants growing in full sunlight produced more fruits than those of natural shade plants. Whole-plant reddening during fruiting and senescence appears to be a property of S. germana. Our results suggest that anthocyanin accumulation depends on sunlight intensity, but non-anthocyanin flavonoids are produced constitutively.

Morphofunctional basis of the different types of angiogenesis and formation of postnatal angiogenesis-related secondary structures.

We review the morpho-functional basis of the different types of angiogenesis and report our observations, including the formation of angiogenesis-related secondary structures. First of all, we consider the following issues: a) conceptual differences between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, b) incidence of angiogenesis in pre- and postnatal life, c) regions of vascular tree with angiogenic capacity, d) cells (endothelial cells, pericytes, CD34+ adventitial stromal cells of the microvasculature and inflammatory cells) and extracellular matrix components involved in angiogenesis, e) events associated with angiogenesis, f) different types of angiogenesis, including sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis, and other angiogenic or vascularization forms arising from endothelial precursor cells (postnatal vasculogenesis), vasculogenesis mimicry, vessel co-option and piecemeal angiogenesis. Subsequently, we consider the specific morpho-functional characteristics of each type of angiogenesis. In sprouting angiogenesis, we grouped the events in three phases: a) activation phase, which includes vasodilation and increased permeability, EC, pericyte and CD34+ adventitial stromal cell activation, and recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, b) sprouting phase, encompassing EC migration (concept and characteristics of endothelial tip cells, tip cell selection, lateral inhibition, localized filopodia formation, basal lamina degradation and extracellular changes facilitating EC migration), EC proliferation (concept of endothelial stalk cells), pericyte mobilization, proliferation, recruitment and changes in CD34+ adventitial stromal cells and inflammatory cells, tubulogenesis, formation of a new basal lamina, and vascular anastomosis with capillary loop formation, and c) vascular remodelling and stabilization phase (concept of phalanx cells). Subsequently, the concept, incidence, events and mechanisms are considered in the other forms of angiogenesis. Finally, we contribute the formation of postnatal angiogenesis-related secondary structures: a) intravascular structures through piecemeal angiogenesis, including intravascular papillae in vessel tumours and pseudotumours (intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, vascular transformation of the sinus in lymph nodes, papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma or Dabska tumour, retiform hemangioendothelioma, hemangiosarcoma and lymphangiosarcoma), vascular septa in hemorrhoidal veins and intravascular projections in some tumours; b) arterial intimal thickening; c) intravascular tumours and pseudotumours (e.g. intravenous pyogenic granulomas and intravascular myopericytoma); d) vascular glomeruloid proliferations; and e) pseudopalisading necrosis in glioblastoma multiform.

Phylogeny determines flower size-dependent sex allocation at flowering in a hermaphroditic family.

In animal-pollinated hermaphroditic plants, optimal floral allocation determines relative investment into sexes, which is ultimately dependent on flower size. Larger flowers disproportionally increase maleness whereas smaller and less rewarding flowers favour female function. Although floral traits are considered strongly conserved, phylogenetic relationships in the interspecific patterns of resource allocation to floral sex remain overlooked. We investigated these patterns in Cistaceae, a hermaphroditic family. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among Cistaceae species and quantified phylogenetic signal for flower size, dry mass and nutrient allocation to floral structures in 23 Mediterranean species using Blomberg's K-statistic. Lastly, phylogenetically-controlled correlational and regression analyses were applied to examine flower size-based allometry in resource allocation to floral structures. Sepals received the highest dry mass allocation, followed by petals, whereas sexual structures increased nutrient allocation. Flower size and resource allocation to floral structures, except for carpels, showed a strong phylogenetic signal. Larger-flowered species allometrically allocated more resources to maleness, by increasing allocation to corollas and stamens. Our results suggest a major role of phylogeny in determining interspecific changes in flower size and subsequent floral sex allocation. This implies that flower size balances the male-female function over the evolutionary history of Cistaceae. While allometric resource investment in maleness is inherited across species diversification, allocation to the female function seems a labile trait that varies among closely related species that have diversified into different ecological niches.

Telocyte Behaviour During Inflammation, Repair and Tumour Stroma Formation.

In this chapter, we outline the role of human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+ SC/TCs) as progenitor cells during repair. The in vivo activation phenomena of CD34+ SC/TCs in this process include increased size; separation from the neighbouring structures (mainly of the vascular walls); association with inflammatory cells, predominantly macrophages; development of the organelles of synthesis (rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus); cell proliferation with presence of mitosis and high proliferative index (transit-amplifying cells); and fibroblastic and myofibroblastic differentiation. A procedure to study these tissue-resident cells, comparison of their behaviour in vivo and in vitro and different behaviour depending on location, time, type of injury (including tumour stroma) and greater or lesser proximity to the injury are also considered.

Simulated herbivory does not constrain phenotypic plasticity to shade through ontogeny in a relict tree.

Ecological limits to phenotypic plasticity (PP), induced by simultaneous biotic and abiotic factors, can prevent organisms from exhibiting optimal plasticity, and in turn lead to decreased fitness. Herbivory is an important biotic stressor and may limit plant functional responses to challenging environmental conditions such as shading. In this study we investigated whether plant functional responses and PP to shade are constrained by herbivory, and whether such constraints are due to direct effects based on resource limitation by considering ontogeny. We used as a model system the relict tree Prunus lusitanica and implemented an indoor experiment to quantify the response of saplings of different ages to shade and herbivory. We measured five functional traits and quantitatively calculated PP. Results showed that herbivory did not constrain functional responses or PP to shade except for shoot:root ratio (SR), which, despite showing a high PP in damaged saplings, decreased under shade instead of increasing. Damaged saplings of older age did not exhibit reduced constraints on functional responses to shade and generally presented a lower PP than damaged saplings of younger age. Our findings suggest that herbivory-mediated constraints on plant plasticity to shade may not be as widespread as previously thought. Nonetheless, the negative effect of herbivory on SR plastic expression to shade could be detrimental for plant fitness. Finally, our results suggest a secondary role of direct effects (resource-based) on P. lusitanica plasticity limitation. Further studies should quantify plant resources in order to gain a better understanding of this seldom-explored subject.

CD34+ stromal cells/fibroblasts/fibrocytes/telocytes as a tissue reserve and a principal source of mesenchymal cells. Location, morphology, function and role in pathology.

We review the morphofunctional characteristics of CD34+ stromal fibroblastic/fibrocytic cells (CD34+ SFCs) and report our observations. We consider the following aspects of CD34+ SFCs: A) The confusing terms applied to this cell type, often combining the prefix CD34 with numerous names, including fibroblasts, fibrocytes, dendrocytes, keratocytes, telocytes and stromal, dendritic, adventitial, supraadventitial, perivascular, paravascular and delimiting cells; B) Changes in their immunophenotype, e.g., loss of CD34 expression and gain of other markers, such as those defining mesenchymal and derivate cells (myofibroblasts, osteoblasts, chondroblasts, adipocytes); C) Morphology (elongated or triangular cell body and thin, moniliform, bipolar or multipolar cytoplasmic processes), immunohistochemistry (co-expression of and changes in molecular expression) and structure (characteristics of nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles, and points of contact and junctions in quiescent and activated stages by light and electron microscopy); D) Location and distribution in the vessels (adventitia or external layer), in the tissues (connective, adipose, blood, muscle and nervous) and in the organs and systems (skin, oral cavity and oropharynx, respiratory, digestive, urinary, male, female, endocrine and lymphoid systems, serosal and synovial membranes, heart, eye and meninges); E) Origin from the mesoderm and cranial neural crest in the embryo, and from stem cells (themselves or other cells) and/or peripheral blood pluripotent stem cells (circulating progenitor cells) in post-natal life; F) Functions, such as synthesis of different molecules, progenitor of mesenchymal cells, immunomodulation, parenchymal regulation (growth, maturation and differentiation of adjacent cells), induction of angiogenesis, scaffolding support of other cells and phagocytic properties. Since CD34+ SFCs are the main reservoir of tissue mesenchymal cells (great mesenchymal potential, probably higher than that proposed for pericytes and other stromal cells), we dedicate a broad section to explain their in vivo behaviour during proliferation and differentiation in different physiologic and pathologic conditions, in addition to their characteristics in the human tissues of origin (adult stem cell niches); G) Involvement in pathological processes, e.g., repair (regeneration and repair through granulation tissue), fibrosis, tumour stroma formation and possible CD34+ SFC-derived tumours (e.g., solitary fibrous tumour, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, giant cell fibroblastoma, nuchal-type fibroma, mammary and extramammary myofibroblastoma, spindle and pleomorphic cell lipoma, and elastofibroma) and H) Clinical and therapeutic implications.

Plasticity in reproduction and growth among 52 range-wide populations of a Mediterranean conifer: adaptive responses to environmental stress.

A plastic response towards enhanced reproduction is expected in stressful environments, but it is assumed to trade off against vegetative growth and efficiency in the use of available resources deployed in reproduction [reproductive efficiency (RE)]. Evidence supporting this expectation is scarce for plants, particularly for long-lived species. Forest trees such as Mediterranean pines provide ideal models to study the adaptive value of allocation to reproduction vs. vegetative growth given their among-population differentiation for adaptive traits and their remarkable capacity to cope with dry and low-fertility environments. We studied 52 range-wide Pinus halepensis populations planted into two environmentally contrasting sites during their initial reproductive stage. We investigated the effect of site, population and their interaction on vegetative growth, threshold size for female reproduction, reproductive-vegetative size relationships and RE. We quantified correlations among traits and environmental variables to identify allocation trade-offs and ecotypic trends. Genetic variation for plasticity was high for vegetative growth, whereas it was nonsignificant for reproduction. Size-corrected reproduction was enhanced in the more stressful site supporting the expectation for adverse conditions to elicit plastic responses in reproductive allometry. However, RE was unrelated with early reproductive investment. Our results followed theoretical predictions and support that phenotypic plasticity for reproduction is adaptive under stressful environments. Considering expectations of increased drought in the Mediterranean, we hypothesize that phenotypic plasticity together with natural selection on reproductive traits will play a relevant role in the future adaptation of forest tree species.

Ultrastructure of myopericytoma: a continuum of transitional phenotypes of myopericytes.

The authors report the ultrastructural characteristics of myopericytoma, a recently described variant of perivascular (pericytic) tumors, mainly with regard to their myopericytic cells and vessels. Myopericytes range between pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in a morphologic continuum. The principal findings of the intermediate phenotypes are (1) elongated or annular morphology with processes of varying length and thickness (usually long and thin); (2) a continuous, irregularly thickened and zonally duplicated basement membrane; (3) heterocellular "peg and socket" junctions with neighboring endothelial cells, and scarce specialized junctions between myopericytes; (4) numerous micropinocytotic vesicles, whether continuous or forming focal rows; (5) abundant thin microfilaments, grouped in bundles with dense bodies and adhesion plaques; (6) poorly developed synthetic system (RER and Golgi); (7) pseudointracellular bodies formed by invagination of basement and plasma membranes, with numerous endocytic vesicles; and (8) zones of cytoplasmic rarefaction near micropinocytotic vesicles and intracellular organelles. The ultrastructure of myopericytes therefore makes it possible to distinguish them from pericytes, SMCs, and fibroblast/myofibroblasts, which is useful for myopericytoma diagnosis. The main pattern of the vessels, with perivascular concentric and multilayered growth of myopericytes (a thick wall in contrast to a small lumen) and lack of elastic material, also supports an intermediate form between pericytic and muscular microvasculature. The presence of myopericytes more similar to SMCs and of hemangiopericytoma-like vessels concurs with transitional forms with angioleyomyoma and true hemangiopericytoma, histogenetically representing a morphologic continuum for the perivascular tumors.

Phenotypic plasticity to light of two congeneric trees from contrasting habitats: Brazilian Atlantic Forest versus cerrado (savanna).

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a typically multi-layer tropical forest, while cerrado (savanna) is a patchy habitat with different physiognomy. Despite these differences, both habitats have high light heterogeneity. Functional traits of Dalbergia nigra and D. miscolobium from the Atlantic Forest and cerrado, respectively, were evaluated under shade (25% of full sunlight) and full sunlight in a nursery experiment. We hypothesised that both species should benefit from high phenotypic plasticity in relation to light. Plasticity was estimated using the relative distance phenotypic index (RDPI). D. miscolobium had lower shoot growth under both light conditions, suggesting it has low competitive capacity in the forest environment, which could explain its limited ability to expand over areas of Atlantic Forest. The studied species exhibited photoprotection strategies under high light and improved light capture under low light. Stomatal conductance, ETR(max) (maximum electron transport rate), PPFD(sat) (saturating photosynthetically active photon flux density), chlorophyll and carotenoid content had higher RDPI than stem morphological traits. Although both species showed considerable phenotypic plasticity, D. miscolobium had higher RDPI for eight of 11 evaluated traits. This high plasticity could be one of the factors that explain the occurrence of this species in a wide range of environmental conditions, from open grassland to dense woodlands, and it could also reflect its adaptation to high light. D. nigra also had considerable plasticity and good growth performance in both shade and full sunlight, but its absence in areas of cerrado suggests that factors other than light limit its occurrence in these habitats.

Light interception efficiency explained by two simple variables: a test using a diversity of small- to medium-sized woody plants.

• Plant light interception efficiency is a crucial determinant of carbon uptake by individual plants and by vegetation. Our aim was to identify whole-plant variables that summarize complex crown architecture, which can be used to predict light interception efficiency. • We gathered the largest database of digitized plants to date (1831 plants of 124 species), and estimated a measure of light interception efficiency with a detailed three-dimensional model. Light interception efficiency was defined as the ratio of the hemispherically averaged displayed to total leaf area. A simple model was developed that uses only two variables, crown density (the ratio of leaf area to total crown surface area) and leaf dispersion (a measure of the degree of aggregation of leaves). • The model explained 85% of variation in the observed light interception efficiency across the digitized plants. Both whole-plant variables varied across species, with differences in leaf dispersion related to leaf size. Within species, light interception efficiency decreased with total leaf number. This was a result of changes in leaf dispersion, while crown density remained constant. • These results provide the basis for a more general understanding of the role of plant architecture in determining the efficiency of light harvesting.

Peg-and-socket junctions between smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in femoral veins are stimulated to angiogenesis by prostaglandin E2 and glycerols.

The administration of prostaglandin (PG) E2, triacetylglycerol and glycerol induce the formation of numerous vascular buds arising from the femoral vein, as previously demonstrated by our group. In the present study, a great number of peg-and-socket junctions (PSJs) between smooth muscle cells (SMCs) (providing the pegs) and ECs (forming the sockets) were demonstrated. At the first stage, days 1 to 3, PSJs connect subendothelial penetrating processes from activated SMCs with activated ECs of the intima. Subsequently, during angiogenesis (days 4 to 6), SMCs, showing transitional aspects with pericytes, also form PSJs with intimal ECs, but also new PSJs between SMCs and sprouting ECs in the media layer were now observed. Immunohistochemically, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and H-caldesmon are positive in the cytoplasm of the SMCs, showing a higher expression in pegs. Desmin, however, although it is also positive in the cytoplasm of the SMCs, is negative in the pegs. The expression of CD34 in ECs reveals abundant positive folding that appears to correspond to the sockets. The peculiar expression of caldesmon, whose isoforms may contribute to the regulation of cell motility, and to vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, may have a role in the different mechanisms by which PSJs act in the vein wall.

Plant phenotypic plasticity in a changing climate.

Climate change is altering the availability of resources and the conditions that are crucial to plant performance. One way plants will respond to these changes is through environmentally induced shifts in phenotype (phenotypic plasticity). Understanding plastic responses is crucial for predicting and managing the effects of climate change on native species as well as crop plants. Here, we provide a toolbox with definitions of key theoretical elements and a synthesis of the current understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying plasticity relevant to climate change. By bringing ecological, evolutionary, physiological and molecular perspectives together, we hope to provide clear directives for future research and stimulate cross-disciplinary dialogue on the relevance of phenotypic plasticity under climate change.

Choroid plexus papilloma with stromal deposition of amyloid and elastic material.

Congophilic birefringent amyloid deposits, with immunostaining for transthyretin (TTR) and amyloid P, associated with numerous coarse, enlarged and thick elastic fibres, are reported in the stroma of two choroid plexus papillomas, a finding not previously described in choroid plexus tumours. TTR was expressed as aggregates of 'doughnut-shaped' bodies, in which the TTR-positive peripheral area encircled the elastic fibre (TTR-negative core). Ultrastructurally, the amyloid microfibrils surrounded the elastic fibres and appeared to continue into the microfibrillar mantle of the latter. The stromal TTR-amyloid deposits associated with abundant elastic fibres in tumours that occur in the choroid plexus may be related to the alteration (production/accumulation, insufficient breakdown and/or extracellular matrix modifications) of some of the choroid plexus functions (removal, target and source of polypeptides, including TTR synthesis) and may be of interest for future studies on choroid plexus polypeptide activity and on protein development into elastomeric and amyloidogenic microfibrils.

Different flowering phenology of alien invasive species in Spain: Evidence for the use of an empty temporal niche?

Flowering phenology is an important and poorly understood plant trait that may possibly be related to the invasiveness potential of alien species. The present work evaluates whether flowering time of invasive alien species is a key trait to overcome the climatic filters operating in continental Mediterranean ecosystems of Spain (characterised by summer drought and low temperatures in winter). We conducted comparisons between the flowering phenology of the invasive species in their native range and in Spain, and between flowering phenology of 91 coexisting invasive-native species pairs. For the alien species, geographical change from the native to the invaded region did not result in shifts in the start and the length of the flowering period. Overall, climatic conditions in the native range of species selected for a flowering pattern is maintained after translocation of the species to another region. Flowering of tropical and temperate invasive alien species peaked in summer, which contrasts with the spring flowering of native and invasive alien species of Mediterranean climate origin. By exploiting this new temporal niche, these invasive alien species native to tropical and temperate regions benefit from reduced competition with natives for abiotic and biotic resources. We suggest that human-mediated actions have reduced the strength of the summer drought filter in particular microhabitats, permitting the invasion of many summer-flowering aliens.

Elucidating the role of genetic drift and natural selection in cork oak differentiation regarding drought tolerance.

Drought is the main selection agent in Mediterranean ecosystems and it has been suggested as an important evolutionary force responsible for population diversification in these types of environments. However, population divergence in quantitative traits can be driven by either natural selection, genetic drift or both. To investigate the roles of these forces on among-population divergence in ecophysiological traits related to drought tolerance (carbon isotope discrimination, specific leaf area, leaf size and leaf nitrogen content), we compared molecular and quantitative genetic differentiation in a common garden experiment including thirteen cork oak (Quercus suber L.) populations across a gradient of rainfall and temperature. Population differentiation for height, specific leaf area, leaf size and nitrogen leaf content measured during a dry year far exceeded the molecular differentiation measured by six nuclear microsatellites. Populations from dry-cool sites showed the lowest nitrogen leaf content and the smallest and thickest leaves contrasting with those from humid-warm sites. These results suggest (i) these traits are subjected to divergence selection and (ii) the genetic differences among populations are partly due to climate adaptation. By contrast, the low among-population divergence found in basal diameter, annual growth and carbon isotopic discrimination (a surrogate for water use efficiency) suggests low or no divergence selection for these traits. Among-population differentiation for neutral markers was not a good predictor for differentiation regarding the quantitative traits studied here, except for leaf size. The correlation observed between the genetic differentiation for leaf size and that for molecular markers was exclusively due to the association between leaf size and the microsatellite QpZAG46, which suggests a possible linkage between QpZAG46 and genes encoding for leaf size.

Pericytes. Morphofunction, interactions and pathology in a quiescent and activated mesenchymal cell niche.

We review the morphofunctional characteristics of pericytes and report our observations. After a brief historical background, we consider the following aspects of pericytes: A) Origin in embryonic vasculogenesis (mesenchymal stem cells, neurocrest and other possible sources) and in embryonic and postnatal life angiogenesis (pre-existing pericytes, fibroblast/ myofibroblasts and circulating progenitor cells). B) Location in pericytic microvasculature and in the other blood vessels (including transitional cell forms and absence in lymphatic vessels), incidence (differences depending on species, topographical location, and type and stage of vessels) and distribution (specific polarities) in blood vessels. C) Morphology (cell body, and longitudinal and circumferential cytoplasmic processes), structure (nucleus, cytoplasmic organelles and distribution of microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments) and surface (caveolae system). D) Basement membrane disposition, formation, components and functions. E) Contacts with endothelial cells (ECs) (peg and socket arrangements, adherent junctions and gap junctions) and with basal membrane (adhesion plaques). F) Molecular expression (pericyte marker identification). G) Functions, such as vessel stabilization, regulation of vascular tone and maintenance of local and tissue homeostasis (contractile capacity and vessel permeability regulation), matrix protein synthesis, macrophage-like properties, immunological defense, intervention in coagulation, participation in mechanisms that regulate the quiescent and angiogenic stages of blood vessels (including the behaviour of pericytes during sprouting angiogenesis and intussuceptive vascular growth, as well as pericyte interactions with endothelium and other cells, and with extracellular matrix) and plasticity, as progenitor cells with great mesenchymal potential, originating other pericytes, fibroblast/myofibroblasts, preadipocytes, chondroblasts, osteoblasts, odontoblasts, vascular smooth muscle and myointimal cells. This mesenchymal capacity is seen in a broad section on the perivascular mesenchymal cell niche hypothesis and in the concept of pericyte and EC "marriage and divorce". H) Peculiar pericyte types, such as hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells), bone marrow reticular cells and mesangial cells. I) Involvement in pathological processes, such as repair through granulation tissue, pericyte-derived tumors, tumor angiogenesis and tumoral cell metastasis, diabetic microangiopathy, fibrosis, atherosclerosis and calcific vasculopathy, lymphedema distichiasis, chronic venous insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, Alzheimer disease and multiple sclerosis. J) Clinical and therapeutic implications (de-stabilization of vessels or formation of a stable vasculature).

Differential and interactive effects of temperature and photoperiod on budburst and carbon reserves in two co-occurring Mediterranean oaks.

Effects of temperature and photoperiod and their interactions on budburst and on the use of carbon reserves were examined in two Mediterranean oaks differing in wood anatomy and leaf habit. Seedlings of Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (evergreen and diffuse-porous wood) and Q. faginea (semi-deciduous and ring-porous wood) were grown under two temperatures (12 and 19 degrees C) and two photoperiods (10 and 16 h) in a factorial experiment. In the 16 h photoperiod at 19 degrees C, photosynthesis was suppressed in half of the seedlings by covering leaves with aluminium foil. The concentration of soluble sugars, starch and lipids in leaves, stems and roots was assessed before and after budburst. Under the 12 degrees C treatment (mean current temperature in early spring in the Iberian Peninsula), budburst in Q. faginea occurred earlier than in Q. ilex. Higher temperature promoted earlier budburst in both species, mostly under the 16 h photoperiod. This response was less pronounced in Q. faginea because its budburst was also controlled by photoperiod, and because this species needs to construct a new ring of xylem before budburst to supply its growth demands. Therefore, dates of budburst of the two species became closer to each other in the warmer treatment, which might alter competitive relations between the species with changing climate. While Q. ilex relied on carbon reserves for budburst, Q. faginea relied on both carbon reserves and current photoassimilates. The different responses of the two Quercus species to temperature and photoperiod related more to xylem structure than to the source of carbon used for budburst.