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Ameroglossum is a rare plant genus endemic to northeastern of Brazil, initially monospecific (A. pernambucense) and recently expanded by the description of eight new species and two related genera. The genus was initially placed in the family Scrophulariaceae, but this has never been phylogenetically tested. This group is ecologically restricted to rocky inselberg habitats that function as island-like systems (ILS) with spatial fragmentation, limited area, environmental heterogeneity, temporal isolation and low connectivity. Here we use a phylogenetic perspective to test the hypothesis that Ameroglossum diversification was related to island-like radiation in inselbergs. Our results support that Ameroglossum is monophyletic only with the inclusion of Catimbaua and Isabelcristinia (named here as Ameroglossum sensu lato) and this group was well-supported in the family Linderniaceae. Biogeographic analyses suggest that the ancestral of Ameroglossum and related genus arrived in South America c.a. 15 million years ago by long-distance dispersal, given the ancestral distribution of Linderniaceae in Africa. In rocky outcrop habitats, Ameroglossum s.l. developed floral morphological specialization associated with pollinating hummingbirds, compatible with an island-like model. However, no increase in speciation rate was detected, which may be related to high extinction rates and/or slow diversification rate in this ecologically restrictive environment. Altogether, in Ameroglossum key innovations involving flowers seem to have offered opportunities for evolution of greater phenotypic diversity and occupation of new niches in rocky outcrop environments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: The entangled relationship of chromosome number and genome size with species distribution has been the subject of study for almost a century, but remains an open question due to previous ecological and phylogenetic knowledge constraints. To better address this subject, we used the clade Maxillariinae, a widely distributed and karyotypically known orchid group, as a model system to infer such relationships in a robust methodological framework., Methods: Based on the literature and new data, we gathered the chromosome number and genome size for 93 and 64 species, respectively. We built a phylogenetic hypothesis and assessed the best macroevolutionary model for both genomic traits. Additionally, we collected together ecological data (preferences for bioclimatic variables, elevation and habit) used as explanatory variables in multivariate phylogenetic models explaining genomic traits. Finally, the impact of polyploidy was estimated by running the analyses with and without polyploids in the sample., Key Results: The association between genomic and ecological data varied depending on whether polyploids were considered or not. Without polyploids, chromosome number failed to present consistent associations with ecological variables. With polyploids, there was a tendency to waive epiphytism and colonize new habitats outside humid forests. The genome size showed association with ecological variables: without polyploids, genome increase was associated with flexible habits, with higher elevation and with drier summers; with polyploids, genome size increase was associated with colonizing drier environments., Conclusions: The chromosome number and genome size variations, essential but neglected traits in the ecological niche, are shaped in the Maxillariinae by both neutral and adaptive evolution. Both genomic traits are partially correlated to bioclimatic variables and elevation, even when controlling for phylogenetic constraints. While polyploidy was associated with shifts in the environmental niche, the genome size emerges as a central trait in orchid evolution by the association between small genome size and epiphytism, a key innovation to Neotropical orchid diversification., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Chalcones are a widespread group of natural compounds characterized by the basic structure 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-one. In this study, we focused on the uncommon formylated chalcone 3'-formyl-2',4',6'-trihydroxy-5'-methyldihydrochalcone that possess interesting antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Considering the pharmacological relevance of this compound, we report its isolation and the first complete and unequivocal NMR data for this substance, corroborated by in silico theoretical study. In addition to that, its antibacterial potential was evaluated and the compound presented strong activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa .[Formula: see text].

Bignoniaceae is a diverse family composed of 840 species with Pantropical distribution. The chromosome number 2n = 40 is predominant in most species of the family, with n = 20 formerly being considered the haploid base number. We discuss here the haploid base number of Bignoniaceae and examine heterochromatin distributions revealed by CMA/DAPI fluorochromes in the Tabebuia alliance, as well as in some species of the Bignonieae, Tecomeae, and Jacarandeae tribes. When comparing the chromosome records and the phylogenies of Bignoniaceae it can be deduced that the base number of Bignoniaceae is probably n = 18, followed by an ascendant dysploidy (n = 18 → n = 20) in the most derived and diverse clades. The predominant heterochromatin banding patterns in the Tabebuia alliance were found to be two terminal CMA+ bands or two terminal and two proximal CMA+ bands. The banding pattern in the Tabebuia alliance clade was more variable than seen in Jacarandeae, but less variable than Bignonieae. Despite the intermediate level of variation observed, heterochromatin banding patterns offer a promising tool for distinguishing species, especially in the morphologically complex genus Handroanthus.

The genus Anthurium has a Neotropical distribution, with karyotype predominance of x = 15, although some species show disploidy or polyploid variations. The karyotypes of seven species and different populations of Anthurium were analyzed using fluorochrome CMA and DAPI staining. The karyotypes were composed of meta- and submetacentric chromosomes, with numbers varying from 2n = 30 to 2n = 60. Supernumerary euchromatic chromosomes were observed in A. affine, and supernumerary heterochromatic chromosomes were observed in A. gladiifolium and A. petrophilum. Polyploidy was recurrent in the Anthurium species analyzed, with records of 2n = 30 and 60 in different A. pentaphyllum populations. Fluorochrome staining revealed different CMA+ banding distributions between diploid and polyploid cytotypes of A. pentaphyllum, suggesting structural alteration events. Anthurium petrophilum, on the other hand, showed a more consistent banding profile, with 10 to 12 proximal CMA bands in the three populations analyzed. DAPI+/CMA0 regions occurred exclusively in populations of A. gracile and A. pentaphyllum. The heterochromatic fraction in Anthurium was found to be quantitatively variable among species and populations, which may be related with adaptive aspects, different environmental conditions, or phylogenetic position.

The clade ACPT (Anacampserotaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, and Talinaceae) is the most diverse lineage of the subordem Cactineae. The relationships between these families are still uncertain, with different topologies suggested by phylogenetic analyses with several combinations of markers. Different basic numbers (x) have been suggested for each family and for the subord, often in a contestable way. Comparative cytogenetic has helped to understand the evolutionary relationships of phylogenetically poorly resolved groups, as well as their mechanisms of karyotype evolution. The karyotype evolution in representatives of Cactineae was analyzed, focusing on the ACPT clade, through the analysis of chromosome number in a phylogenetic bias. The phylogeny obtained showed a well-resolved topology with support for the monophyly of the five families. Although a chromosomal number is known for less than 30% of the Cactineae species, the analyses revealed a high karyotype variability, from 2n = 8 to 2n = 110. The analysis of character reconstruction of the ancestral haploid numbers (p) suggested p = 12 for Cactineae, with distinct basic numbers for the clade family ACPT: Cactaceae and Montiaceae (p = 11), Talinaceae (p = 12), and Anacampserotaceae and Portulacaceae (p = 9). Talinaceae, Anacampserotaceae, and Cactaceae were stable, while Portulaca and Montiaceae were karyotypically variable. The chromosome evolution of this group was mainly due to events of descending disploidy and poliploidy. Our data confirm that the low phylogenetic resolution among the families of the ACPT clade is due to a divergence of this clade in a short period of time. However, each of these families can be characterized by basic chromosome numbers and unique karyotype evolution events.

Chromosome numbers and heterochromatin banding pattern variability have been shown to be useful for taxonomic and evolutionary studies of different plant taxa. Bignonieae is the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae, composed mostly by woody climber species whose taxonomies are quite complicated. We reviewed and added new data concerning chromosome numbers in Bignonieae and performed the first analyses of heterochromatin banding patterns in that tribe based on the fluorochromes chromomycin A3 (CMA) and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). We confirmed the predominant diploid number 2n = 40, as well as variations reported in the literature (dysploidy in Mansoa [2n = 38] and polyploidy in Dolichandra ungis-cati [2n = 80] and Pyrostegia venusta [2n = 80]). We also found a new cytotype for the genus Anemopaegma (Anemopaegma citrinum, 2n = 60) and provide the first chromosome counts for five species (Adenocalymma divaricatum, Amphilophium scabriusculum, Fridericia limae, F. subverticillata, and Xylophragma myrianthum). Heterochromatin analyses revealed only GC-rich regions, with six different arrangements of those bands. The A-type (one large and distal telomeric band) were the most common, although the presence and combinations of the other types appear to be the most promising for taxonomic studies.

The asymmetry indexes have helped cytotaxonomists to interpret and classify plant karyotypes for species delimitation efforts. However, there is no consensus about the best method to calculate the intrachromosomal asymmetry. The present study aimed to compare different intrachromosomal asymmetry indexes in order to indicate which are more efficient for the estimation of asymmetry in different groups of orchids. Besides, we aimed to compare our results with the Orchidaceae phylogenetic proposal to test the hypothesis of Stebbins (1971). Through a literature review, karyotypes were selected and analyzed comparatively with ideal karyotypes in a cluster analysis. All karyotypes showed some level of interchromosomal asymmetry, ranging from slightly asymmetric to moderately asymmetric. The five tested intrachromosomal asymmetry indexes indicated Sarcoglottis grandiflora as the species with the most symmetrical karyotype and Christensonella pachyphylla with the most asymmetrical karyotype. In the cluster analysis, the largest number of species were grouped with the intermediary ideal karyotypes B or C. Considering our results, we recommend the combined use of at least two indexes, especially Ask% or A1 with Syi, for cytotaxonomic analysis in groups of orchids. In an evolutionary perspective, our results support Stebbins' hypothesis that asymmetric karyotypes derive from a symmetric karyotypes.

Orchidaceae is a widely distributed plant family with very diverse vegetative and floral morphology, and such variability is also reflected in their karyotypes. However, since only a low proportion of Orchidaceae has been analysed for chromosome data, greater diversity may await to be unveiled. Here we analyse both genome size (GS) and karyotype in two subtribes recently included in the broadened Maxillariinea to detect how much chromosome and GS variation there is in these groups and to evaluate which genome rearrangements are involved in the species evolution. To do so, the GS (14 species), the karyotype - based on chromosome number, heterochromatic banding and 5S and 45S rDNA localisation (18 species) - was characterised and analysed along with published data using phylogenetic approaches. The GS presented a high phylogenetic correlation and it was related to morphological groups in Bifrenaria (larger plants - higher GS). The two largest GS found among genera were caused by different mechanisms: polyploidy in Bifrenaria tyrianthina and accumulation of repetitive DNA in Scuticaria hadwenii. The chromosome number variability was caused mainly through descending dysploidy, and x=20 was estimated as the base chromosome number. Combining GS and karyotype data with molecular phylogeny, our data provide a more complete scenario of the karyotype evolution in Maxillariinae orchids, allowing us to suggest, besides dysploidy, that inversions and transposable elements as two mechanisms involved in the karyotype evolution. Such karyotype modifications could be associated with niche changes that occurred during species evolution., (© 2016 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)

Most taxa in the Bignoniaceae have 2n = 40, but the basal clade Jacarandeae has 2n = 36, suggesting that x = 18 is the ancestral basic number for the family. Variations in heterochromatin band patterns in genera that are numerically stable, such as Jacaranda, could facilitate our understanding of the chromosomal and karyotypic evolution of the family. We characterized heterochromatin distributions in six Jacaranda species using chromomycin A3 (CMA) and 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). All of them had 2n = 36, including first counts for Jacaranda bracteata Bureau & K. Schum., Jacaranda irwinii A.H. Gentry, Jacaranda jasminoides (Thunb.) Sandwith, and Jacaranda rugosa A.H. Gentry. Their karyotypes had four to eight terminal CMA + /DAPI - bands per monoploid set. In the section Monolobos, Jacaranda brasiliana (Lam.) Pers. had eight terminal bands and Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don had four; in the section Dilobos, J. bracteata had six bands per monoploid set, with the other species having five. While three species in the section Dilobos had the same number of terminal bands, J. irwinii had two additional pericentromeric bands and a proximal heterozygotic band, and J. bracteata had two distended CMA bands. The consistent records of 2n = 36 in Jacaranda may represent a plesiomorphic condition for the Bignoniaceae; therefore, the family originated from an ancestor with x = 18. However, 2n = 36 may represent a derived condition, and the family could have had an ancestral basic number of x = 20 that is still conserved in most representatives of the family.

The assessment of cytotoxicity of nanostructures is a fundamental step for their development as biomedical tools. As widely used nanostructures, nickel nanowires (Ni NWs) seem promising candidates for such applications. In this work, Ni NWs were synthesized and then characterized using vibrating sample magnetometry, energy dispersive X-Ray analysis, and electron microscopy. After exposure to the NWs, cytotoxicity was evaluated in terms of cell viability, cell membrane damage, and induced apoptosis/necrosis on the model human cell line HCT 116. The influence of NW to cell ratio (10:1 to 1000:1) and exposure times up to 72 hours was analyzed for Ni NWs of 5.4 μm in length, as well as for Ni ions. The results show that cytotoxicity markedly increases past 24 hours of incubation. Cellular uptake of NWs takes place through the phagocytosis pathway, with a fraction of the dose of NWs dissolved inside the cells. Cell death results from a combination of apoptosis and necrosis, where the latter is the outcome of the secondary necrosis pathway. The cytotoxicity of Ni ions and Ni NWs dissolution studies suggest a synergistic toxicity between NW aspect ratio and dissolved Ni, with the cytotoxic effects markedly increasing after 24 hours of incubation.

The increasing interest in the use of magnetic nanostructures for biomedical applications necessitates rigorous studies to be carried out in order to determine their potential toxicity. This work attempts to elucidate the cytotoxic effects of nickel nanowires (NWs) in human fibroblasts WI-38 by a colorimetric assay (MTT) under two different parameters: NW concentration and exposure time. This was complemented with TEM and confocal images to assess the NWs internalization and to identify any changes in the cell morphology. Ni NWs were fabricated by electrodeposition using porous alumina templates. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy imaging were used for NW characterization. The results showed decreased cell metabolic activity for incubation times longer than 24 h and no negative effects for exposure times shorter than that. The cytotoxicity effects for human fibroblasts were then compared with those reported for HCT 116 cells, and the findings point out that it is relevant to consider the cellular size. In addition, the present study compares the toxic effects of equivalent amounts of nickel in the form of its salt to those of NWs and shows that the NWs are more toxic than the salts. Internalized NWs were found in vesicles inside of the cells where their presence induced inflammation of the endoplasmic reticulum.

The Cactaceae family is composed by 124 genera and about 1438 species. Pilosocereus gounellei, popularly known in Brazil as xique-xique, is used in folk medicine to treat prostate inflammation, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases. The pioneering phytochemical study of P. gounellei was performed using column chromatography and HPLC, resulting in the isolation of 10 substances: pinostrobin (1), β-sitosterol (2), a mixture of sitosterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside/stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3a/3b), 13²-hydroxyphaeophytin a (4), phaeophytin a (5), a mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (6a/6b), kaempferol (7), quercetin (8), 7'-ethoxy-trans-feruloyltyramine (mariannein, 9) and trans-feruloyl tyramine (10). Compound 9 is reported for the first time in the literature. The structural characterization of the compounds was performed by analyses of 1-D and 2-D NMR data. In addition, a phenolic and flavonol total content assay was carried out, and the anti-oxidant potential of P. gounellei was demonstrated.

The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that plants with higher ploidy levels are selected by environments under more extremely stressful conditions than the same (or closely related) species from less rigorous terrestrial or epiphytic habitats. Therefore, we analyzed the chromosome numbers of 26 species belonging to 21 genera and 13 families of angiosperms that were collected on 4 inselbergs in Paraiba State, northeastern Brazil. In addition, 13 rupicolous species that grow in the study area, whose chromosome numbers were previously determined, were included in our analysis. Plant chromosome numbers varied between 2n = 12 in Callisia filiformis (Commelinaceae) to 2n = ca. 240 in Epidendrum cinnabarinum (Orchidaceae). The data as a whole do not support the hypothesis that inselberg species have greater levels of ploidy than terrestrial or epiphytic populations of the same or closely related species because these rupicolous species demonstrate chromosomal evolution patterns that are independent of the stressful environments of inselberg formations.

We investigated the karyotypes of 13 species of six sections of the genus Inga (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) from Brazil. We used conventional Giemsa staining to identify numerical chromosomal variations and looked for karyotypic evolutionary patterns. The karyotypes generally had small chromosomes, varying from metacentric to submetacentric, with a basic number x=13. Nine of the species showed 2n=2x=26 (I. thibaudiana, I. cayennensis, I. ingoides, I. edulis, I. vera, I. subnuda, I. striata, I. bollandii, and Inga sp), while 2n=4x=52 was seen in a population of Inga cylindrical and of I. capitata, and in five populations of I. laurina. Additionally, 2n=8x=104 was observed in a population of I. cayennensis. Eight of these counts were new, while the counts of 2n=52 for I. laurina and 2n=26 for I. marginata, I. vera, I. subnuda, and I. edulis confirmed previous studies. We did not find cytological stability among the sections studied, with occurrence of significant intra- and inter-specific numerical variations. We conclude that polyploidy has played a significant role in karyotypic evolution in this group and that it occurred independently in several sections of the genus.

Most members of the subfamily Mimosoideae have pantropical distributions, variable habits, and a basic chromosome number x = 13. We examined karyotypic evolution of 27 species of this subfamily occurring principally in northeastern Brazil by examining chromosomes stained with Giemsa. All of the species had semi-reticulated interphase nuclei and early condensing segments in the proximal region of both chromosome arms. The basic number x = 13 was the most frequent, with 2n = 2x = 26 in 19 of the species, followed by 2n = 4x = 52 and 2n = 6x = 78. However, the three species of the genus Calliandra had the basic number x = 8, with 2n = 2x = 16, while Mimosa cordistipula had 2n = 4x = 32. The karyotypes were relatively symmetrical, although bimodality was accentuated in some species, some with one or two acrocentric pairs. As a whole, our data support earlier hypotheses that the Mimosoideae subfamily has a basic number of x = 13 and underwent karyotypic evolution by polyploidy. However, x = 13 seems to be a secondary basic number that originated from an ancestral stock with x₁ = 7, in which polyploidy followed by descending disploidy gave rise to the current lineages with x = 13. Another lineage, including current representatives of Calliandra with x = 8, may have arisen by ascending disploidy directly from an ancestral monoploid stock with x₁ = 7.

The chromosomes of 15 species of Iridaceae of the genera Alophia, Cipura, Eleutherine, Neomarica and Trimezia (subfamily Iridoideae) were examined after conventional Giemsa staining. The karyotypes of Alophia drummondii (2n = 14+1B, 28, 42 and 56), Cipura paludosa (2n = 14), C. xanthomelas (2n = 28) and Eleutherine bulbosa (2n = 12) were asymmetric; Neomarica candida, N. caerulea, N. humilis, N. glauca, N. gracilis, N. northiana and Neomarica sp. (2n = 18); N. cf. paradoxa (2n = 28), Trimezia fosteriana (2n = 52), T. martinicensis (2n = 54) and T. connata (2n = 82) were all generally symmetric. New diploid numbers of 2n = 56 for Alophia drummondii, 2n = 18 for N. candida, N. humilis, N. glauca, and N. gracilis, 2n = 28 for N. cf. paradoxa, and 2n = 82 for T. connata are reported. The karyotypic evolution of the studied species is discussed.

A hitherto undescribed inv(2) (p2300q11.2) was found in 2 generations of a family ascertained through a holoprosencephalic liveborn boy with normal karyotype. This inversion, quite probably not related to the child malformations, does not seem neither impair reproductive fitness nor to yield viable recombination aneusomies.

Blood samples from 9,929 individuals in Northwestern Mexico were assayed for abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs). alpha-thal, beta-thal, beta s and beta c traits, as well as rare abnormal Hbs were observed with variable low frequencies (0 to 0.45%). Eight out of eleven rare abnormal Hbs detected so far have been characterized: Three Hb Riyadh, one Hb J Georgia, one Hb Fannin-Lubbock, one Hb Chiapas and two Hb Tarrant. These results suggest that abnormal Hbs do not constitute a regional public health problem and reflect a wide ethnologic heterogeneity.