RESUMEN

Phylogenomics has become increasingly popular in recent years mostly due to the increased affordability of next generation sequencing techniques. Phylogenomics has sparked interest in multiple fields of research, including systematics, ecology, epidemiology, and even personalized medicine, agriculture and pharmacy. Despite this trend, it is usually difficult to learn and understand how the analyses were done, how the results were obtained, and most importantly, how to replicate the study. Here we present the data and all of the code utilized to perform phylogenomic inferences using plastome data: from raw data to extensive phylogenetic inference and accuracy assessment. The data presented here utilizes plastome sequences available on GenBank (accession numbers of 94 species are available below) and the code is also available at https://github.com/deisejpg/rosids. Gonçalves et al. is the research article associated with the data analyses presented here.

RESUMEN

The idiosyncratic behaviours of seed dispersers are important contributors to plant spatial associations and genetic structures. In this study, we used a combination of field, molecular and spatial studies to examine the connections between seed dispersal and the spatial and genetic structures of a dominant neotropical palm Attalea phalerata. Field observation and genetic parentage analysis both indicated that the majority of A. phalerata seeds were dispersed locally over short distances (<30 m from the maternal tree). Spatial and genetic structures between adults and seedlings were consistent with localized and short-distance seed dispersal. Dispersal contributed to spatial associations among maternal sibling seedlings and strong spatial and genetic structures in both seedlings dispersed near (<10 m) and away (>10 m) from maternal palms. Seedlings were also spatially aggregated with juveniles. These patterns are probably associated with the dispersal of seeds by rodents and the survival of recruits at specific microsites or neighbourhoods over successive fruiting periods. Our cross-cohort analyses found palms in older cohorts and cohort pairs were associated with a lower proportion of offspring and sibling neighbours and exhibited weaker spatial and genetic structures. Such patterns are consistent with increased distance- and density-dependent mortality over time among palms dispersed near maternal palms or siblings. The integrative approaches used for this study allowed us to infer the importance of seed dispersal activities in maintaining the aggregated distribution and significant genetic structures among A. phalerata palms. We further conclude that distance- and density-dependent mortality is a key postdispersal process regulating this palm population.

Asunto(s)

Arecaceae/genética , Genética de Población , Dispersión de Semillas , Animales , ADN de Plantas/genética , Frutas/genética , Perú , Dinámica Poblacional , Semillas/genética

RESUMEN

ActRIB is a type I transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptor that has been shown to form heteromeric complexes with the type II activin receptors to mediate activin signal. To investigate the function of ActRIB in mammalian development, we generated ActRIB-deficient ES cell lines and mice by gene targeting. Analysis of the ActRIB-/- embryos showed that the epiblast and the extraembryonic ectoderm were disorganized, resulting in disruption and developmental arrest of the egg cylinder before gastrulation. To assess the function of ActRIB in mesoderm formation and gastrulation, chimera analysis was conducted. We found that ActRIB-/- ES cells injected into wild-type blastocysts were able to contribute to the mesoderm in chimeric embryos, suggesting that ActRIB is not required for mesoderm formation. Primitive streak formation, however, was impaired in chimeras when ActRIB-/- cells contributed highly to the epiblast. Further, chimeras generated by injection of wild-type ES cells into ActRIB-/- blastocysts formed relatively normal extraembryonic tissues, but the embryo proper developed poorly probably resulting from severe gastrulation defect. These results provide genetic evidence that ActRIB functions in both epiblast and extraembryonic cells to mediate signals that are required for egg cylinder organization and gastrulation.

Asunto(s)

Blastocisto/fisiología , Gástrula/fisiología , Receptores de Factores de Crecimiento/fisiología , Receptores de Activinas Tipo I , Animales , Blastocisto/química , Blastocisto/citología , Línea Celular , Embrión de Mamíferos/química , Embrión de Mamíferos/citología , Embrión de Mamíferos/metabolismo , Desarrollo Embrionario , Inducción Embrionaria/genética , Inducción Embrionaria/fisiología , Femenino , Gástrula/química , Gástrula/citología , Expresión Génica , Genes/genética , Genes Letales/genética , Genes Letales/fisiología , Humanos , Mesodermo/química , Mesodermo/citología , Mesodermo/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Mutantes , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida/genética , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida/fisiología , Mutación/genética , Mutación/fisiología , Embarazo , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Células Madre/fisiología , Transgenes/genética , Transgenes/fisiología

RESUMEN

A 7-week-old boy presented with a 6-week history of failure to thrive, acute intestinal obstruction, and an apparently irreducible intussusception (noted on contrast enema). He underwent abdominal exploration, during which a cecal mass was identified and resected. The mass proved to be a leiomyosarcoma. Histologically, it was an intermediate-grade malignancy with a predicted 5-year survival rate of 16% to 23% based on data from the adult experience. Three years after resection and without having received adjuvant therapy, he is healthy and free of disease. A review of the literature showed that in infants these tumors are predominantly colonic, compared with the predilection for small intestinal lesions found in the older pediatric and adult populations. Infantile intestinal leiomyosarcomata are rare malignancies that do well if complete surgical excision of the disease can be accomplished. The histological prognostic indicators proposed for intestinal leiomyosarcomas in the adult population cannot be extrapolated to infants because when they occur in infants, they appear to be less aggressive, and these patients do well without adjuvant therapy.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias del Ciego/cirugía , Leiomiosarcoma/cirugía , Edad de Inicio , Neoplasias del Ciego/patología , Colectomía , Enterostomía , Humanos , Lactante , Leiomiosarcoma/patología , Masculino , Pronóstico , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

The study of ligand receptor interactions and receptor function often requires multifaceted experimental approaches. In the course of studying the function and mechanism of action of müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS), we have used a wide range of molecular and cellular techniques. These have led to the identification, cloning, and characterization of the MIS receptors and of other receptors for the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) family. This article describes the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning to isolate candidate receptor genes, transfection and flow cytometry to study ligand binding, nonhomologous recombination targeted gene disruption (knockout) to analyze receptor function, and yeast genetics to identify other proteins that interact with the receptor complex. Together these techniques have led to the development of therapeutics and therapeutic strategies that are ready for clinical application.

Asunto(s)

Glicoproteínas , Receptores de Péptidos/fisiología , Receptores de Factores de Crecimiento Transformadores beta/fisiología , Hormona Antimülleriana , Técnicas Genéticas , Inhibidores de Crecimiento/aislamiento & purificación , Inhibidores de Crecimiento/fisiología , Humanos , Conductos Paramesonéfricos , Receptores de Péptidos/análisis , Receptores de Factores de Crecimiento Transformadores beta/análisis , Hormonas Testiculares/aislamiento & purificación , Hormonas Testiculares/fisiología

RESUMEN

Chronic constipation is a common childhood problem that accounts for 3% to 5% of pediatric visits and 10% to 25% of referrals to pediatric gastroenterologists. The etiology of constipation can be elusive, and extensive investigation often fails to identify a specific cause. The authors conducted a 5-year retrospective review of the patients referred for deep transanal rectal biopsy to determine the usefulness of this procedure in the evaluation and subsequent surgical management of refractory constipation. Specimens obtained by transanal rectal biopsy established a diagnosis for 30 of the 70 patients, and 17 of these 30 had subsequent procedures in the treatment of their constipation. The authors conclude that transanal rectal biopsy identifies a significant number of patients with previously unidentified neuroenteric disorders who may benefit from additional surgery in the treatment of constipation refractory to medical management.

Asunto(s)

Estreñimiento/patología , Estreñimiento/cirugía , Recto/patología , Biopsia , Preescolar , Enfermedad Crónica , Estreñimiento/etiología , Femenino , Enfermedad de Hirschsprung/complicaciones , Humanos , Masculino , Lipofuscinosis Ceroideas Neuronales/complicaciones , Derivación y Consulta , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Estudios Retrospectivos

RESUMEN

Complete laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (types III and IV) are rare congenital anomalies that occur when the primitive foregut fails to separate into the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus. This article summarizes a 10-year institutional experience with six infants who had type IV clefts, presents a modification of the authors' surgical approach, and identifies pitfalls in the management of these infants. Three of the six children are long-term survivors. The recognition of specific complicating issues leads to a standardized approach, which can result in successful repair and long-term survival.

Asunto(s)

Anomalías Múltiples/cirugía , Esófago/anomalías , Laringe/anomalías , Tráquea/anomalías , Anomalías Múltiples/clasificación , Anomalías Múltiples/diagnóstico por imagen , Anomalías Múltiples/embriología , Broncoscopía , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Radiografía , Estómago/anomalías , Análisis de Supervivencia , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

The association of species of yucca and their pollinating moths is considered one of the two classic cases of obligate mutualism between floral hosts and their pollinators. The system involves the active collection of pollen by females of two prodoxid moth genera and the subsequent purposeful placement of the pollen on conspecific stigmas of species of Yucca. Yuccas essentially depend on the moths for pollination and the moths require Yucca ovaries for oviposition. Because of the specificity involved, it has been assumed that the association arose once, although it has been suggested that within the prodoxid moths as a whole, pollinators have arisen from seed predators more than once. We show, by using phylogenies generated from three molecular data sets, that the supposed restriction of the yucca moths and their allies to the Agavaceae is an artifact caused by an incorrect circumscription of this family. In addition we provide evidence that Yucca is not monophyletic, leading to the conclusion that the modern Yucca-yucca moth relationship developed independently more than once by colonization of a new host.

Asunto(s)

Mariposas Nocturnas/genética , Filogenia , Plantas/genética , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Conducta Alimentaria , Modelos Biológicos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Desarrollo de la Planta , Plantas/clasificación , Polen , Reproducción , Conducta Sexual Animal

RESUMEN

This study reports the first in vivo results using an MR contrast agent manganese dipyridoxal diphosphate (Mn-DPDP) designed to estimate the functional status of the hepatocyte. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were studied in groups of 5 as follows: No. 1, control, MRI scans only; No. 2 MRI before and up to 90 min following 50 mumol/kg of Mn-DPDP iv; No. 3, rabbits received 9.3 g ethanol/kg and MRI; No. 4, as in No. 3 but following Mn-DPDP; No. 5, MRI as in No. 2 but 18 h. following 1000 mg/kg D-galactosamine used to induce hepatocyte necrosis; and No. 6, rabbits received D-galactosamine and MN-DPDP. In this study significant ethanol- and D-galactosamine-induced hepatocyte damage was indicated by the increased SGPt serum levels in the rabbit. The use of Mn-DPDP allowed detection of early hepatocyte necrosis in these animals whereas conventional spin-echo MRI did not. The fact that D-galactosamine curves with and without Mn-DPDP were not significantly different indicated virtually no membrane transport or metabolism of Mn-DPDP in the liver. Ethanol curves were not normal, but there was still considerable residual Mn-DPDP metabolism. Mn-DPDP appears to be an attractive agent in assessing hepatocyte function.

Asunto(s)

Medios de Contraste , Ácido Edético/análogos & derivados , Etanol/toxicidad , Galactosamina/toxicidad , Hepatopatías/diagnóstico , Hígado/patología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Manganeso , Fosfato de Piridoxal/análogos & derivados , Animales , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatopatías/patología , Conejos , Factores de Tiempo

Asunto(s)

Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Compuestos Organometálicos , Ácido Pentético , Medios de Contraste , Flúor , Gadolinio DTPA

RESUMEN

Vogel's report of the production of glycerides rather than nectar as rewards gathered by bees described an association involving several genera of insects and numerous plant families. We report here that members of the Krameriaceae produce floral lips more unusual than those described by Vogel. Our data also provide evidence that the oils of Krameria are collected by bees of only one genus, Centris (Anthophoridae), and used, mixed with pollen, as larval food.

Asunto(s)

Abejas/fisiología , Ácidos Grasos no Esterificados/metabolismo , Conducta Alimentaria/fisiología , Krameriaceae/metabolismo , Aceites de Plantas/metabolismo , Animales , Abejas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Dieta , Femenino , Flores/metabolismo , Larva/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Analyses of the floras of the high north Andean habitat islands (paramos) and the Galápagos Islands show that plant species diversity conforms to the MacArthur and Wilson model of island biogeography but that immigration occurred primarily during glacial periods. Modern plant species diversity is more significantly correlated with area and distance measures of the glacial forms of the islands than with similar measures of the present-day islands.