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Introduction The role that self-expanding stents play in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy is not well defined and controversial. Our aim is to describe the experience in a tertiary care hospital using these devices for treating dehiscence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Methods Descriptive observational study of patients who suffered anastomotic dehiscence after a transthoracic esophagectomy, and especially those treated with stents, in the period between 2011 and 2016 at our hospital. Results Ten patients (11.8%) presented anastomotic dehiscence. Eight patients received stents, one of them died due to causes unrelated to the device. Stent migration was observed in one case, and the devices were maintained an average of 47.3 days. The stent was not effective only in one patient who suffered early dehiscence due to acute ischemia of the stomach. The two patients who did not receive stents died after reoperation. Conclusions Stents are safe and effective devices that did not associate mortality in our series. They are especially indicated in intermediate or late-onset dehiscence and in fragile patients. The use of stents, together with mediastinal and pleural drainage, avoid reoperations with morbidity and mortality. Therefore, stents should be part of the usual therapeutic arsenal for the resolution of most suture dehiscences after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Randomized prospective studies would help to more precisely determine the role played by these devices in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy.

Resumen Introduccion El papel que desempenan las endoprotesis autoexpandibles en el tratamiento de las dehiscencias tras la esofagectomia transtoracica no esta bien definido y resulta controvertido. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel con el empleo de estos dispositivos en las dehiscencias tras la esofagectomia de Ivor Lewis. Metodos Estudio observacional descriptivo de los pacientes que han presentado una dehiscencia de anastomosis tras una esofagectomia transtoracica y, en especial, de aquellos tratados mediante endoprotesis, en el periodo comprendido entre 2011 y 2016 en nuestro centro hospitalario. Resultados Diez pacientes (11,8%) presentaron una dehiscencia anastomotica, 8 de los cuales recibieron endoprotesis. Un paciente portador de endoprotesis fallecio por causas ajenas a la misma. En un paciente se objetivo migracion del dispositivo, manteniendose una media de permanencia de 47,3 dias. La protesis no fue efectiva en un paciente que tuvo una dehiscencia precoz por isquemia aguda gastrica. Fallecieron los 2 pacientes que no recibieron endoprotesis despues de la reintervencion. Conclusiones Las endoprotesis son dispositivos seguros y efectivos que no asocian mortalidad en nuestra serie. Estan especialmente indicadas en dehiscencias intermedias o tardias y en pacientes fragiles, pues, junto con el drenaje mediastinico y pleural, evitan reintervenciones gravadas con morbimortalidad. Por tanto, las endoprotesis deben formar parte del arsenal terapeutico habitual para la resolucion de la mayoria de las dehiscencias de sutura tras la esofagectomia de Ivor Lewis. La puesta en marcha de estudios prospectivos aleatorizados ayudaria a determinar con mayor precision el papel que desempenan estos dispositivos en el tratamiento de las dehiscencias tras una esofagectomia transtoracica.

Resumen Introduccion Las medidas de rehabilitacion multimodal en cirugia abdominal se estan instaurando progresivamente. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la aplicacion de diferentes cuidados perioperatorios en la cirugia gastrica por parte de los cirujanos espanoles. Metodos Estudio descriptivo de 162 encuestas contestadas desde septiembre a diciembre de 2017 acerca del manejo y cuidados perioperatorios en cirugia de reseccion gastrica no bariatrica. Resultados Las profilaxis antibiotica y antitrombotica son empleadas siempre por el 96,9 y 99,4%, respectivamente. El tiempo de ayuno para liquidos es mayor de 6 horas para el 62,7%, empleando solo bebidas con sobrecarga de hidratos de carbono prequirurgicamente el 3%. Tan solo el 32,4 y el 13,3% de las gastrectomias subtotales y totales son realizadas laparoscopicamente. El 56,8% emplea analgesia epidural y los drenajes son colocados siempre por un 53,8% en la gastrectomia total. La sonda nasogastrica es empleada selectivamente por el 34,6% y siempre por el 11,3%. La retirada del cateter vesical es realizada durante las primeras 48 horas por el 77,2%. En las primeras 24 horas postoperatorias, menos del 20% indica la ingesta oral y un 15,4% moviliza a sus pacientes, comenzando la deambulacion a partir de las 24 horas el 49,3%. El 30,4% emplea una via clinica para el cuidado de estos pacientes y solo un 15,2% utiliza un protocolo de recuperacion intensificada. Conclusiones La aplicacion de medidas de rehabilitacion multimodal en la cirugia de reseccion gastrica no bariatrica se encuentra poco extendida en nuestro pais.

Introduction Enhanced recovery after surgery programs in abdominal surgery are being established progressively. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of different perioperative care measures in gastric surgery by Spanish surgeons. Methods A descriptive study of 162 surveys answered from September to December 2017 about the management and perioperative care in non-bariatric gastric resection surgery. Results Antibiotic and antithrombotic prophylaxis are always used by 96.9 and 99.4%, respectively; 62.7% recommend a fasting time for liquids greater than 6 hours and only 3% use preoperative carbohydrate drinks. Only 32.4 and 13.3% of subtotal and total gastrectomies are performed laparoscopically; 56.8% use epidural analgesia and drains are always placed by 53.8% in total gastrectomy. Nasogastric tubes are used selectively by 34.6% and always by 11.3%. Bladder catheters are removed during the first 48 hours by 77.2%. In the first 24 postoperative hours, less than 20% indicate oral intake and 15.4% mobilize their patients; 49.3% indicate walking after the first 24 hours; 30.4% apply a clinical pathway for the care of these patients and only 15.2% used an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Conclusions The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery measures in nonbariatric gastric resection surgery is not widespread in our country.

Español. Se presenta la revisión taxonómica del género Helminthotheca Vaill., basada en el estudio morfológico de material en toda su área de distribución. El género, que se incluye en la subtribu Hypochaeridinae de la tribu Cichorieae, tiene una distribución centrada principalmente en el oeste de la Región Mediterránea, y se diferencia del resto de los géneros de la subtribu por la presencia de acúleos ± espinosos y setas gloquidiadas en los tallos, hojas y a veces en las brácteas del involucro, pero sobre todo por la presencia de 5 hojas involucrantes que rodean al verdadero involucro del capítulo. Sobre la base del ciclo de vida, la morfología de las hojas involucrantes y los tipos de frutos, las distintas especies del género se reagrupan en tres secciones: Helminthotheca, Vigineixia y Eliptica. Las secciones Helminthotheca y Vigineixia, ambas monotípicas, comprenden especies anuales, con hojas involucrantes cordiformes y los frutos del capítulo dimorfos. La sección Eliptica, con 5 especies reconocidas, se diferencia de las otras secciones por incluir especies perennes, con hojas involucrantes ovadas o elípticas y frutos del capítulo homomorfos. En este trabajo se efectúa una combinación nueva, Helminthotheca sect. Vigineixia (Pomel) Talavera, y se da un nombre nuevo a Picris subgen. Deckera sensu Battandier: Helminthotheca sect. Eliptica Talavera & Tremetsberger. La sección Eliptica es la más compleja debido, sobre todo, a la hibridación interespecífica cuando las especies conviven, habiéndose detectado zonas híbridas en el N del Guadalquivir al W de Sierra Morena (S de España), en el extremo más occidental de las montañas del Rif, cerca de la Península Tingitana, en el E del Rif (NW of Marruecos), en las montañas del Atlas argelino y en las colinas arcillosas de Beni-Zenthis (Orán, Argelia).English. Based on a morphological study, we present the revision of the genus Helminthotheca Vaill., a small member of the subtribe Hypochaeridinae of the tribe Cichorieae, which is mainly distributed in the western part of the Mediterranean region. Helminthotheca is differentiated from the remaining genera of the subtribe by the presence of ± spiny prickles and glochid-like bristles in stems, leaves and, sometimes, involucral bracts. The main distinguishing character, however, is the presence of 5 outer involucral leaves, which surround the proper involucre of the head. Based on the life cycle, the morphology of the outer involucral leaves and the fruit types found in the head, species of Helminthotheca are rearranged in three sections: Helminthotheca, Vigineixia and Eliptica. The sections Helminthotheca and Vigineixia, both monotypic, are annuals with cordate outer involucral leaves and dimorphic fruits in the head. The section Eliptica, with five recognized species, is differentiated from the other sections by its perennial habit, ovate or elliptic outer involucral leaves and homomorphic fruits in the head. Here, we make a new combination, Helminthotheca sect. Vigineixia (Pomel) Talavera, and give a new name to Picris subgen. Deckera sensu Battandier, Helminthotheca sect. Eliptica Talavera & Tremetsberger. The section Eliptica is the most complex section, due mainly to interspecific hybridization between all species, when they co-occur, with hybrid zones having been detected in the N of the Guadalquivir River in the W of the Sierra Morena (S Spain), in the westernmost part of the Rif Mountains, near the Tangier Peninsula, in the E Rif and Middle Atlas (NW Morocco), in the Algerian Atlas Mountains and in the argillaceous hills of Beni-Zenthis (Oran, Algeria).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Although an evolutionary link between breeding system and dispersibility has been proposed, to date empirical data and theoretical models of plants show contrasting trends. METHODS We tested two competing hypotheses for the association between breeding systems and dispersibility in the heterocarpic Hypochaeris salzmanniana (Asteraceae) by using both an experimental approach and surveys over 2 years of five natural populations along an environmental cline with a gradient of pollinator availability. KEY RESULTS Hypochaeris salzmanniana produced two types of fruits, beaked (BF) and nonbeaked (NBF), which differ in their dispersal ability. The BF were lighter and had a lower dropping velocity and higher dispersal distance than the NBF. Potential for long-distance dispersal, measured as BF ratio per head, had high narrow-sense heritability. Greater dispersibility and selfing ability were linked at all the scales studied. Both selfed BF and NBF fruits had longer plumes and lower plume loading than outcrossed fruits, characteristics that promote farther dispersal. Natural populations with a higher percentage of self-compatible plants showed a higher BF ratio. Moreover, selfing led to a higher BF ratio than outcrossing. CONCLUSIONS The avoidance of inbreeding depression seems to be the most plausible selective pressure for the greater dispersibility traits of selfed seeds. Furthermore, the ability to modulate the BF ratio and thus the potential for long-distance dispersal of offspring based on its selfed or outcrossed origin could be advantageous, and therefore selected, under unpredictable pollination environments that favor higher dispersive selfers, which overcome both pollen limitation and inbreeding avoidance.

The convergence of two DNA replication forks creates unique problems during DNA replication termination. In E. coli and SV40, the release of torsional strain by type II topoisomerases is critical for converging replisomes to complete DNA synthesis, but the pathways that mediate fork convergence in eukaryotes are unknown. We studied the convergence of reconstituted yeast replication forks that include all core replisome components and both type I and type II topoisomerases. We found that most converging forks stall at a very late stage, indicating a role for additional factors. We showed that the Pif1 and Rrm3 DNA helicases promote efficient fork convergence and completion of DNA synthesis, even in the absence of type II topoisomerase. Furthermore, Rrm3 and Pif1 are also important for termination of plasmid DNA replication in vivo. These findings identify a eukaryotic pathway for DNA replication termination that is distinct from previously characterized prokaryotic mechanisms.

Hypochaeris leontodontoides is a rupicolous species endemic to the Atlas Mountains (Morocco), where it occurs in scattered populations. This study aims to understand the biogeographic structure of a high mountain species in a rather small area of NW Africa. We used Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) to investigate the population structure and phylogeography of H. leontodontoides in 19 populations sampled from the entire species distribution range. Multivariate analyses including PCoA, UPGMA analysis, and Bayesian clustering were applied to infer the influence of past biogeographic events. The AFLP differentiation among the populations was high (F ST = 0.508). A significant geographical pattern by mountain region was found. The different phylogeographical analyses revealed four main groups corresponding to four well-defined geographic regions: Middle Atlas, Eastern High Atlas, Central High Atlas, and Western High Atlas, and highlighted the Western High Atlas as the most divergent group. Our data also indicate two regions as refuges during the Pleistocene ice ages: the Middle Atlas and the northernmost area of the Western High Atlas.

The genus Hypochaeris has a recent evolutionary history caused by long-distance dispersal in conjunction with adaptive radiation in the South American continent. Hypochaeris lutea is a perennial herb that grows mostly at altitudes of around 1000 m in cold swamps of the southern regions of Brazil. We investigated the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in 270 individuals representing 11 Brazilian populations of H. lutea to elucidate the population genetic structure of this species. The frequencies of polymorphic loci and gene diversity ranged from 83.42% to 91.66% and from 0.26 to 0.34, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the genetic variability was found within (76.67%) rather than among (23.3%) populations, agreeing with the pattern of genetic distribution within and among populations observed in other allogamous species of Hypochaeris. A Mantel test showed no correlation between genetic and geographic distances when all populations were considered. Simulations performed using a Bayesian approach consistently identified two clusters with different admixture proportions of individuals, as also revealed by a UPGMA dendrogram of populations. The pattern of genetic structure observed in H. lutea is consistent with a process of successive colonization events by long-distance dispersal resembling the rapid and recent radiation that has been proposed to explain the origin of the South American species of Hypochaeris.

Introduction Enhanced recovery after surgery programs in abdominal surgery are being established progressively. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of different perioperative care measures in gastric surgery by Spanish surgeons. Methods A descriptive study of 162 surveys answered from September to December 2017 about the management and perioperative care in non-bariatric gastric resection surgery. Results Antibiotic and antithrombotic prophylaxis are always used by 96.9 and 99.4%, respectively; 62.7% recommend a fasting time for liquids >6 h and only 3% use preoperative carbohydrate drinks. Only 32.4 and 13.3% of subtotal and total gastrectomies are performed laparoscopically, respectively; 56.8% use epidural analgesia, and drains are always placed by 53.8% in total gastrectomy. Nasogastric tubes are used selectively by 34.6% and always by 11.3%. Bladder catheters are removed during the first 48 h by 77.2%. In the first 24 postoperative hours, less than 20% indicate oral intake and 15.4% mobilize their patients; 49.3% indicate walking after the first 24 h; 30.4% apply a clinical pathway for the care of these patients and only 15.2% used an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Conclusions The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery measures in non-bariatric gastric resection surgery is not widespread in our country.

In eukaryotes, the evolutionarily conserved RAD6/RAD18 pathway of DNA damage tolerance overcomes unrepaired DNA lesions that interfere with the progression of replication forks, helping to ensure the completion of chromosome replication and the maintenance of genome stability in every cell cycle. This pathway uses two different strategies for damage bypass: translesion DNA synthesis, which is carried out by specialized polymerases that can replicate across the lesions, and DNA damage avoidance, a process that relies on a switch to an undamaged-DNA template for synthesis past the lesion. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on DNA damage tolerance mechanisms mediated by RAD6/RAD18 that are used by eukaryotic cells to cope with DNA lesions during chromosome replication.

Chamaerops humilis L. is 1 of 2 native palms occurring in Europe and the only native palm in the West Mediterranean region. Our aims were: (1) to describe its phylogeographic structure; (2) to infer a biogeographic scenario to explain its present distribution; and (3) to assess changes in its distribution from the last interglacial period. Twenty-two populations were sampled. An amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis produced 226 fragments, which allowed recognition of 4 groups of populations: (1) E Iberian Peninsula plus Al Hoceima (NE Morocco), the Balearics, and Sardinia; (2) France, the Italian Peninsula, and Sicily; (3) SW Iberian Peninsula and NW Morocco; and (4) S Morocco (var. argentea André; the first 3 groups are currently included in var. humilis). The phylogenetic information and molecular clock-related estimates, combined with geological and fossil history from the Eocene to present, suggest that C. humilis occurred in Central Europe in the Tertiary, reaching (1) Spain and (2) Italy, with expansion from here across North Africa to (3) N Morocco and S Spain, and (4) S Morocco. Climatic changes may also help explain the fragmented current distribution of this species. The groups of populations are sufficiently genetically distinct to recommend conservation of at least some populations in each region. Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España CGL2005- 01951 Secretaría General de Universidades, Investigación y Tecnología. Junta de Andalucía

Background and aims The transition from outcrossing to selfing is a repeated pattern in angiosperm diversification and according to general theory this transition should occur quickly and mixed reproductive systems should be infrequent. However, a large proportion of flowering plants have mixed reproductive systems, even showing inbreeding depression. Recently, several theoretical studies have shown that mixed mating systems can be stable, but empirical studies supporting these assumptions are still scarce. • Methods Hypochaeris salzmanniana, an annual species with populations differing in their self-incompatibility expression, was used as a study case to assess the stability of its mixed reproductive system. Here a descriptive study of the pollination environment was combined with measurements of the stability of the self-incompatibility system, outcrossing rate, reproductive assurance and inbreeding depression in four populations for two consecutive years. • Key Results The reproductive system of populations exhibited a geographical pattern: the proportion of plants decreased from west to east. Pollinator environment also varied geographically, being less favourable from west to east. The self-incompatibility expression of some populations changed markedly in only one year. After selfing, progeny was mainly self-compatible, while after outcrossing both self-incompatible and self-compatible plants were produced. In general, both reproductive assurance and high inbreeding depression were found in all populations and years. The lowest values of inbreeding depression were found in 2014 in the easternmost populations, which experienced a marked increase in self-compatibility in 2015. • Conclusions The mixed reproductive system of H. salzmanniana seems to be an evolutionarily stable strategy, with selfing conferring reproductive assurance when pollinator attendance is low, but strongly limited by inbreeding depression. The fact that the highest frequencies of self-compatible plants appeared in the environments most unfavourable to pollination suggests that these plants are selected in these sites, although high rates of inbreeding depression should impede the complete loss of self-incompatibility. In H. salzmanniana, year-to-year changes in the frequency of self-incompatible individuals are directly derived from the balance between reproductive assurance and inbreeding depression. Ministerio de Ciencia Y Tecnología (MCYT) CGL2009-08257 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) CGL2012-33270, CGL2015-63827

Hypochaeris is an excellent system for studying different modes of chromosome evolution in plants. We carried out a cytogenetic analysis on populations of 2 Hypochaeris species, comprising 10 populations of H. catharinensis and 5 of H. lutea, to assess possible changes on chromosome organization in this interesting genus. Conventional Feulgen staining and fluorescent banding revealed that the general aspects of chromosome morphology for all populations of both species were similar, evidence of the typical bimodal karyotypes with 2n = 8 chromosomes that characterize the South American Hypochaeris. Comparative analysis of the karyotypes identified minor variations in the absolute size and arm ratio of corresponding chromosome pairs. One population of H. lutea was entirely polyploid adding a novel cytotype to this species. Fluorescent banding revealed strong chromomycin A3 (CMA3)-positive signals on both arms of chromosomes 3 and 4 of H. catharinensis, revealing a new pattern for the distribution of GC-rich heterochromatin in Hypochaeris. A strong CMA-positive signal was observed on the short arm of chromosome 3 in one population of H. lutea, while the other populations validated the CMA3 pattern already described for this species. While the overall karyotype similarities of the 2 species are in compass with all South American Hypochaeris, the presence of unusual large blocks of GC-rich heterochromatin suggests that chromosome rearrangements, related to dispersion of heterochromatin, are taking place in the karyotype of H. catharinensis. The novel polyploid cytotype identified in H. lutea provides support that polyploidization is an active process in the mode of chromosome evolution in Hypochaeris. Fil: Fiorin, F. G.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Ruas, P. M.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Ortiz, M. A.. Universidad de Sevilla; España Fil: Urtubey, Estrella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina Fil: Matzenbacher, N. I.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Ruas, C. F.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil

The conserved heterodimeric endonuclease Mus81–Eme1/Mms4 plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic integrity in eukaryotic cells. Here, we show that budding yeast Mus81–Mms4 is strictly regulated during the mitotic cell cycle by Cdc28 (CDK)- and Cdc5 (Polo-like kinase)-dependent phosphorylation of the non-catalytic subunit Mms4. The phosphorylation of this protein occurs only after bulk DNA synthesis and before chromosome segregation, and is absolutely necessary for the function of the Mus81–Mms4 complex. Consistently, a phosphorylation-defective mms4 mutant shows highly reduced nuclease activity and increases the sensitivity of cells lacking the RecQ-helicase Sgs1 to various agents that cause DNA damage or replicative stress. The mode of regulation of Mus81–Mms4 restricts its activity to a short period of the cell cycle, thus preventing its function during chromosome replication and the negative consequences for genome stability derived from its nucleolytic action. Yet, the controlled Mus81–Mms4 activity provides a safeguard mechanism to resolve DNA intermediates that may remain after replication and require processing before mitosis.

Rumex bucephalophorus is a very polymorphic species that has been subjected to various taxonomic studies in which diverse infraspecific taxa have been recognised on the basis of diaspore traits. In this study we used molecular markers (ITS and AFLP) to explore this remarkable diversity, to test previous hypotheses of classification, and attempt to explain biogeographic patterns. Results show that R. bucephalophorus forms a monophyletic group in which diversification began around 4.2 Mya, at the end of Messinian Salinity Crisis. The two molecular markers clearly show a deep divergence separating subsp. bucephalophorus from all other subspecific taxa, among which subsp. canariensis also constitutes a separate and well distinguishable unit. In contrast, subspecies hispanicus and subsp. gallicus constitute a monophyletic group in which three subgroups can be recognised: subsp. hispanicus, subsp. gallicus var. gallicus and subsp. gallicus var. subaegeus. However, these three subgroups are not clearly distinguished genetically or morphologically, so that in formal classification it would be preferable to treat them at the varietal level.

The objective was to determine perceived quality of care (PQC) in patients with multiple chronic conditions, whose care is structured in Andalusia (Spain) under polypathological patients (PP) care process, and identifying aspects for its improvement. The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey carried out in 4 primary care centers (which attended a total of 62,702 adults, of them, 662 were actively identified as PP). Finally, 461 PP and their caregivers were interviewed (69% of eligible population) including assessment of PQC following SERVQUAL model, clinical and demographical data. On a five-point Likert scale (from 1, 'much worse than expected'; to 5, 'much better'), PQC rated 3.68±0.59 (±S.D.). Independent PQC predictors were: empathy for family physician, identifying nurses, presence of peripheral artery disease or diabetes mellitus with vascular complications, and not having functional limitations. In this population-based survey, PP attended at primary care have an acceptable PQC. Measures aimed to lessening functional deterioration, supporting dependent patients, and improving relationship between PP and their healthcare professionals could increase PQC.

We used Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers (AFLP) and breeding system studies to investigate the population structure and reproductive biology of Hypochaeris angustifolia (Asteraceae: Cichorieae). This species is endemic to altiplanos of the Atlas Mountains (Morocco) where it occurs in scattered populations, and it is the sister species to c. 40 species of this genus in South America. PCoA, NJ, and Bayesian clustering, revealed that the populations are very isolated whilst AFLP parameters show that almost all populations have marked genetic divergence. We contend that these features are more in accord with a vicariance origin for the scattered populations of H. angustifolia, rather than establishment by long-distance dispersal. The breeding system studies revealed that H. angustifolia is a self-incompatible species, with low fecundity in natural and in experimental crosses, probably due to a low frequency of compatible phenotypes within and between the populations.

Aim To analyse phylogeographic patterns in the four species of Hypochaeris sect. Hypochaeris, evaluating possible areas of origin and the microevolutionary processes that have shaped their morphology, genetics and distribution. Location Western Mediterranean area. Methods We applied amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to a total of 494 individuals belonging to 82 populations of Hypochaeris arachnoidea, H. glabra, H. radicata and H. salzmanniana to determine population structure. Results Populations with the largest proportion of private and rare AFLP fragments were found in Morocco. This region was consequently inferred to be the ancestral area for H. arachnoidea, H. glabra, H. radicata and H. salzmanniana. The Guadalquivir River (southern Spain) was inferred to be an effective dispersal barrier for H. glabra and H. radicata. The Strait of Gibraltar was inferred to be a somewhat weaker barrier than the Guadalquivir River for H. radicata and a much weaker barrier for H. glabra. The main barrier for H. salzmanniana coincides with the extension of the Rif Mountains to the Atlantic coast in Morocco, and the Strait of Gibraltar is a much weaker barrier for this species. Hypochaeris arachnoidea appears to have originated in the Atlas Mountains. Main conclusions The highest levels of genetic variation in La Mamora forest (H. glabra and H. salzmanniana) or the adjacent central Middle Atlas (H. arachnoidea and H. radicata) in Morocco suggest that these areas were a centre of origin of Hypochaeris sect. Hypochaeris. All three potential barriers - the Guadalquivir River, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Rif Mountains - have been important in shaping genetic diversity in species of section Hypochaeris.

We report the isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci for Hypochaeris salzmanniana, an endangered species endemic to the southwestern coast of Spain and the Atlantic coast of Morocco. A total of 32 alleles were detected across a sample of 45 individuals, with an average number of 4.0 alleles per locus. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.533 and the observed (H O) and expected (H E) heterozygosity values varied from 0.022 to 0.978 and from 0.434 to 0.759, respectively. Five loci exhibited significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P ≤ 0.001) and three pairs of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium (P ≤ 0.01). The eight loci were tested for transferability in three others species (H. arachnoidea, H. glabra, and H. radicata) belonging to the same section of H. salzmanniana. With the exception of locus Hsalz7, all loci successfully amplified in the three species. These preliminary data confirm the usefulness of microsatellite markers for assessing the ecology and genetic structure of H. salzmanniana and to understand the evolution of species within the section Hypochaeris.

In an attempt to delineate the area of origin and migratory expansion of the highly successful invasive weedy species Hypochaeris radicata, we analysed amplified fragment length polymorphisms from samples taken from 44 populations. Population sampling focused on the central and western Mediterranean area, but also included sites from Northern Spain, Western and Central Europe, Southeast Asia and South America. The six primer combinations applied to 213 individuals generated a total of 517 fragments of which 513 (99.2%) were polymorphic. The neighbour-joining tree presented five clusters and these divisions were supported by the results of Bayesian analyses: plants in the Moroccan, Betic Sierras (Southern Spain), and central Mediterranean clusters are all heterocarpic. The north and central Spanish, southwestern Sierra Morena, and Central European, Asian and South American cluster contain both heterocarpic (southwestern Sierra Morena) and homocarpic populations (all other populations). The Doñana cluster includes two homocarpic populations. Analyses of fragment parameters indicate that the oldest populations of H. radicata are located in Morocco and that the species expanded from this area in the Late Quaternary via at least three migratory routes, the earliest of which seems to have been to the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, with subsequent colonizations to the central Mediterranean area and the Betic Sierras. Homocarpic populations originated in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula and subsequently spread across north and central Spain, Central Europe and worldwide, where they became a highly successful weed.

To detect potential Pleistocene refugia and colonization routes along the Atlantic coast, we analysed amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) in 140 individuals from 14 populations of Hypochaeris salzmanniana (Asteraceae), an annual species endemic to the southwestern European and northwestern African coastal areas. Samples covered the total distributional range of the species, with eight populations in southwestern Spain and six populations in northwestern Morocco. Using nine primer combinations, we obtained 546 fragments in H. salzmanniana and its sister species H. arachnoidea of which 487 (89.2%) were polymorphic. The neighbour-joining tree shows that the populations south of the Loukos river in Morocco are clearly differentiated, having more polymorphic, private, and rare fragments, and higher genetic diversity, than all the other populations. The southernmost populations in Morocco, south of the river Sebou, form a large panmictic population. They are probably the oldest populations that have been relatively unaffected by stochastic processes resulting from Pleistocene glaciations. Northward migration of populations during this period may have resulted in loss of genetic diversity in specific regions, perhaps due to bottlenecks caused by rise in sea level during interglacial periods, and, in some cases, by changes in the breeding system.

Phylogeography above the species level is a powerful tool for investigating patterns and processes at the boundary between divergent and reticulate relationships. We examined the evolutionary history of perennial species in the western Mediterranean composite genus Helminthotheca using DNA sequence and fingerprint data. The origin of the group was in western North Africa, a region of intensive Pleistocene speciation. From here it expanded to the Iberian Peninsula and Sicily. The inferred evolutionary history is compatible with the concept of ecogeographic isolation, which refers to the fact that geographic ranges of diverging lineages are largely non-overlapping due to adaptive differentiation., In phylogeography, DNA sequence and fingerprint data at the population level are used to infer evolutionary histories of species. Phylogeography above the species level is concerned with the genealogical aspects of divergent lineages. Here, we present a phylogeographic study to examine the evolutionary history of a western Mediterranean composite, focusing on the perennial species of Helminthotheca (Asteraceae, Cichorieae). We used molecular markers (amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), internal transcribed spacer and plastid DNA sequences) to infer relationships among populations throughout the distributional range of the group. Interpretation is aided by biogeographic and molecular clock analyses. Four coherent entities are revealed by Bayesian mixture clustering of AFLP data, which correspond to taxa previously recognized at the rank of subspecies. The origin of the group was in western North Africa, from where it expanded across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Iberian Peninsula and across the Strait of Sicily to Sicily. Pleistocene lineage divergence is inferred within western North Africa as well as within the western Iberian region. The existence of the four entities as discrete evolutionary lineages suggests that they should be elevated to the rank of species, yielding H. aculeata, H. comosa, H. maroccana and H. spinosa, whereby the latter two necessitate new combinations.

We studied the relationships between self-incompatibility mechanisms and floral parameters in the genus Hypochaeris L. sect. Hypochaeris (consisting of H. glabra, H. radicata, H. arachnoidea, and H. salzmanniana). We assessed at intra- and interspecific levels (1) the self-incompatibility (SI) mechanism and its distribution among populations, (2) the relationship between SI and floral parameters, and (3) the relationship of SI to reproductive success. Hypochaeris salzmanniana is semi-incompatible, H. glabra is self-compatible, and H. arachnoidea and H. radicata are self-incompatible. Floral parameters differed among populations of H. salzmanniana: plants in self-compatible populations had fewer flowers per head, a smaller head diameter on the flower, and a shorter period of anthesis than self-incompatible populations. We also detected this pattern within a semi-compatible population of H. salzmanniana, and these differences were also found between species with different breeding mechanisms. Fruit to flower ratio in natural populations was generally high (>60%) in all species, regardless of breeding system. It is hypothesized that self-compatibility may have arisen through loss of allelic diversity at the S locus due to bottleneck events and genetic drift.

The condensation of furfural with urea was conducted in aqueous and heterogeneous phases. In both of the synthetic procedures, the reaction was carried out using different furfural–urea molar ratios. The reaction in the aqueous phase was faster than the reaction in heterogeneous phase. The product’s characterization was assessed by 1 H , 13 C and 15 N NMR, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, DTA, TG and DSC. The NMR spectra showed that the reaction product was always difurfurilidentriurea, independent of the furfural–urea molar ratio used in the syntheses. However, the results of X-ray diffraction study reveal differences in sample crystalinity. Thus, the products obtained from heterogeneous phase syntheses are more crystalline than those obtained from homogeneous reaction, and their cristalinity increases as the urea/furfural molar ratio increases. According to the thermal analysis, the product is stable until 160 °C. The melting point, at 205 °C, is accompanied by an endothermic decomposition.

International audience; The current distribution of Western Mediterranean Abies species is a result of complex geodynamic processes and climatic oscillations that occurred in the past. Abies sect. Piceaster offers a good study model to explore how geo-climatic oscillations might have influenced its expansion and diversification on both sides of the W Mediterranean basin. We investigated the genetic variation within and among nine populations from five Abies species by molecular markers with high and low mutation rates and contrasting inheritance (AFLP and cpSSR). Analyses revealed the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar as an effective barrier against gene flow between the Southern Iberian (A. pinsapo) and North African (A. marocana and A. tazaotana) firs. The A. pinsapo populations in Spain and likewise those of the A. marocana – A. tazaotana population complex were not differentiated, and no evidence was found to distinguish A. tazaotana at the species level. Diversification of Abies across North Africa could occur by way of at least two vicariant events from Europe, in the west, giving rise to the A. marocana – A. tazaotana complex, and in the east, giving A. numidica. Secondary contacts among species from Abies sect. Piceaster (A. pinsapo and A. numidica), and with A. alba (Abies sect. Abies) are also indicated. However, there is a closer relationship between the Algerian fir (A. numidica) and the North Mediterranean widespread A. alba, than with the Moroccan firs (A. marocana and A. tazaotana) or the Southern Iberian (A. pinsapo). We also discuss the distribution range of these taxa in its paleogeological and paleoclimatic context, and propose that part of the modern geography of the South-Western Mediterranean firs might be traced back to the Tertiary.

Currently, most of esophageal diverticula arise as the result of a pulsion effect. Some esophageal motor disorders increase the intraluminal pressure and after some time, the diverticula grow through a weak point of esophageal wall. In these cases, the surgical treatment of choice is the myotomy associated with diverticulopexy or diverticulectomy. Adding a fundoplication is accepted to avoid the consequences of gastroesophageal reflux after myotomy in the epiphrenic diverticula surgery. There are other causes of esophageal diverticula that change the resistance of esophageal wall. Cutis laxa, a congenital or acquired connective disease, is a strange one. In our patient, a good result was reached modifying the standard technique accord to its ethiopathogenic mechanism.

Regular endoscopic surveillance is recommended for patients with Barrett's esophagus to detect dysplasia and to diagnose carcinoma while it is in an early and possibly treatable stage. However, there are numerous unknown aspects regarding the natural history of dysplasia in this disease, and there is still a need for more accurate markers of risk of a malignant change. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of DNA flow cytometry in Barrett's esophagus to define subgroups of patients showing similar histologic findings but with a different malignancy potential. Routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of 43 patients with Barrett's esophagus were processed for flow cytometric measurements (ploidy, proliferative index) and the results were compared with the histologic evolution observed in these patients. Only in the group of patients with "indefinite" dysplasia did we find statistically significant differences between the samples from patients with and without progression to more severe lesions (mean proliferative index of stable patients: 5.2% versus 8.3% in patients with progression, p = 0.001, Student's t-test). The presence in the flow cytometric analysis of a DNA aneuploid cell line is closely related to the presence of severe histologic alterations (i.e., high-grade dysplasia: p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Our results suggest that this procedure is at least capable of distinguishing between a real, although incipient, neoplastic process and morphologic changes of a reactive or reparative type. The increment in the tissue proliferative index could be an indicator of an early genomic instability which, with time, will develop into lesions with a more altered DNA content: aneuploidy.

BACKGROUND There is a considerable degree of subjectivity and, therefore, substantial interobserver and intraobserver disagreement in the diagnosis and grading of dysplastic lesions in Barrett's esophagus (BE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of DNA flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein as objective methods to complement the conventional histologic diagnosis of dysplasia in patients with this disease. The most common problems and the possible advantages of using these procedures are analyzed briefly in this article. METHODS Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue from 55 patients diagnosed with BE were processed for flow cytometric measurements (ploidy and proliferation index) and p53 immunostaining. RESULTS Both the cytometric data and the positivity of staining for p53 revealed a statistically significant increase throughout the following sequence: no dysplasia indefinite for dysplasia low grade dysplasia high grade dysplasia adenocarcinoma. There was also a highly significant correlation between the results of the cytometric study and the positivity of staining for p53. CONCLUSIONS In the future, the use of this procedure could play an important role in the evaluation of patients with BE. Considering that staining for p53 is technically simple, economical, and quick, and the materials required are available to most pathology laboratories, this method appears to be a firm candidate for application as a biomarker in BE. The authors have shown that it is possible to obtain adequate results for cytometric analysis with small formalin fixed, paraffin embedded biopsies if a strict protocol for the acceptance of tissue samples and/or histograms is observed. Cancer 1998;83:641-651. © 1998 American Cancer Society.

The structure-specific Mus81-Eme1/Mms4 endonuclease contributes importantly to DNA repair and genome integrity maintenance. Here, using budding yeast, we have studied its function and regulation during the cellular response to DNA damage and show that this endonuclease is necessary for successful chromosome replication and cell survival in the presence of DNA lesions that interfere with replication fork progression. On the contrary, Mus81-Mms4 is not required for coping with replicative stress originated by acute treatment with hydroxyurea (HU), which causes fork stalling. Despite its requirement for dealing with DNA lesions that hinder DNA replication, Mus81-Mms4 activation is not induced by DNA damage at replication forks. Full Mus81-Mms4 activity is only acquired when cells finish S-phase and the endonuclease executes its function after the bulk of genome replication is completed. This post-replicative mode of action of Mus81-Mms4 limits its nucleolytic activity during S-phase, thus avoiding the potential cleavage of DNA substrates that could cause genomic instability during DNA replication. At the same time, it constitutes an efficient fail-safe mechanism for processing DNA intermediates that cannot be resolved by other proteins and persist after bulk DNA synthesis, which guarantees the completion of DNA repair and faithful chromosome replication when the DNA is damaged, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [BFU2010-16989 and Consolider Ingenio CSD2007-00015 to J.A.T.]; Fundación Ramón Areces (Institutional Grant to the Centro de Biologıa Molecular Severo Ochoa); Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (predoctoral fellowships to M.V.V and M.A.O-B.); Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (predoctoral fellowship to M.G-F.); Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientıficas (JAE-Doc contract to M.S.). Funding for open access charge: Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [BFU2010-16989 and Consolider Ingenio CSD2007-00015]

The genus Hypochaeris offers an excellent model for studies of recent adaptive radiation in the South American continent. We used karyotype analysis with chromomycin A3 (CMA3)/4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting to investigate for the first time the Brazilian endemic H. catharinensis and define its position within the South American group of species. Strong CMA-positive signals were seen at the end of both arms of chromosome 3 and at the end of the long arm of chromosome 4. DAPI bands were only detected in subterminal position on short arm of chromosome 4. FISH with 5S and 35S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probes revealed a single 5S rDNA locus on short arm of chromosome 2, typical for all other South American Hypochaeris taxa analyzed to date. The 35S rDNA locus was identified at subterminal position on the short arm of chromosome 3, as reported so far for only two of the known species (H. lutea and H. patagonica). The AFLP study included 55 individuals, comprising nine species of the South American Hypochaeris plus their putative ancestor H. angustifolia. Eleven AFLP primer combinations generated a total of 401 fragments, of which 388 (96.7%) were polymorphic. High genetic similarities were observed among taxa, with all South American Hypochaeris species falling into one main cluster [100% bootstrap (BS)]. Hypochaeris catharinensis is closely related to H. lutea (82% BS), forming a well-separated subcluster within the South American species. Taken together, the karyological and AFLP data contribute to the placement of H. catharinensis within the phylogenetic framework of South American species of Hypochaeris and allow the definition of a novel and well-resolved phylogenetic group (the Lutea group). Fil: Reck, Maikel. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Benício, Lucas M.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Ruas, Eduardo Augusto. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Alves Rodrigues, Luana. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Ruas, Paulo Maurício. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Ortiz, María A.. Universidad de Sevilla; España Fil: Talavera, Salvador. Universidad de Sevilla; España Fil: Urtubey, Estrella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina Fil: Stuessy, Tod. Universidad de Viena; Austria Fil: Weiss Schneeweiss, Hanna. Universidad de Viena; Austria Fil: Tremetsberger, Karin. Universidad de Viena; Austria. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences; Austria Fil: Michelan, Vanessa S.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Matzenbacher, Nelson Ivo. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Vanzela, André L. L.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil Fil: Terrab, Anass. Universidad de Sevilla; España Fil: Samuel, Rose. Universidad de Viena; Austria Fil: Ruas, Claudete Fátima. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil

We report the phylogeographic pattern of the Patagonian and Subantarctic plant Hypochaeris incana endemic to southeastern South America. We applied amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) analysis to 28 and 32 populations, respectively, throughout its distributional range and assessed ploidy levels using flow cytometry. While cpDNA data suggest repeated or simultaneous parallel colonization of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego by several haplotypes and/or hybridization, AFLPs reveal three clusters corresponding to geographic regions. The central and northern Patagonian clusters (approximately 38-51 degrees S), which are closer to the outgroup, contain mainly tetraploid, isolated and highly differentiated populations with low genetic diversity. To the contrary, the southern Patagonian and Fuegian cluster (approximately 51-55 degrees S) contains mainly diploid populations with high genetic diversity and connected by high levels of gene flow. The data suggest that H. incana originated at the diploid level in central or northern Patagonia, from where it migrated south. All three areas, northern, central and southern, have similar levels of rare and private AFLP bands, suggesting that all three served as refugia for H. incana during glacial times. In southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the species seems to have expanded its populational system in postglacial times, when the climate became warmer and more humid. In central and northern Patagonia, the populations seem to have become restricted to favourable sites with increasing temperature and decreasing moisture and there was a parallel replacement of diploids by tetraploids in local populations.

This study analyses the resting pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter and the motor function of the oesophageal body in 53 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, diagnosed through clin

Two new species of genus Onopordum L. from the Atlantic coast (SW Spain and NW Morocco)Palabras clave. Onopordum, Compositae, costa atlántica, W Mediterráneo.Key words. Onopordum, Compositae, Atlantic coast, W Mediterranean.

This study aims to analyze the diversity of Ty1-copia retrotransposons in 18 taxa of Hypochaeris, including two Old World species H. maculata (2n=2x=10) and H. angustifolia (2n=2x=8), and representatives of the South American species (16 accessions of 15 species; all 2n=2x=8). Analysis of 380 PCR-amplified sequences, corresponding to a conserved domain of the subset of Ty1-copia reverse transcriptase (rt) gene amplifiable with degenerate standard primers, showed high levels of intra- and interspecific heterogeneity. Nucleotide diversity (Pi) of the copia fragments was high in all species and varied from 0.229 (H. angustifolia) to 0.412 (H. chillensis). Higher sequence heterogeneity correlates positively with larger genome size among analyzed species. Phylogenetic analyses of amplified fragments revealed different patterns of intraspecific heterogeneity within species, with most sequences forming one well-supported main clade while a few sequences fall into small clades or are left ungrouped. The combined analysis of all sequences revealed the presence of three main clades and showed that highly diverged species contain closely related Tyl-copia group retrotransposons. One of the main clades includes rt sequences of all South American species and three sequences of their putative ancestor, H. angustifolia, but no sequence of the Old World H. maculata. FISH with copia retrotransposons in four Hypochaeris species, including H. maculata and H. angustifolia and New World H. apargioides and H. spathulata, revealed differences in the chromosomal distribution between the two groups. In Old World species copia retroelements are distributed over the whole length of the chromosomes, excluding rDNA sites and some centromeres. In the South American species the two largest chromosome pairs are enriched in copia, while most of the long arms of the two small pairs of chromosomes are devoid of these elements. The patterns of heterogeneity and chromosomal distribution of Ty1-copia retrotransposons in Hypochaeris are discussed in the context of the origin, genome evolution and organization of the South American species.

Hypochaeris salzmanniana DC. (Asteraceae, Lactuceae) is an endangered species on the Iberian Peninsula, known from only eight coastal populations. Most authors have treated it as a variety, subspecies or simply as a synonym of H. glabra L. On the basis of morphological and cytological characters, Talavera recently separated H. salzmanniana (2n = 8) from H. glabra (2n = 10). Material of H. salzmanniana, H. glabra and H. radicata was collected from Spain, Italy, Sicily and Tunisia in order to assess taxonomic status and population relationships. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis revealed three well-differentiated species. A close relationship between H. salzmanniana and H. radicata is also confirmed by AFLP analysis and chromosome number (2n = 8), morphology, and rDNA localization (FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization). Hypochaeris salzmanniana and H. radicata share three fixed diagnostic AFLP fragments out of 348 fragments scored. The population structure of H. salzmanniana reveals distinct groups in southern Spain that are separated geographically. High differentiation among a western (Conil to Zahara), an intermediate (Punta Paloma and Los Algarbes) and an eastern (Algeciras and La Línea) group may reflect ancient separation. Population sizes and genetic compatibility differ greatly among populations and can be used to explain levels of within-population genetic diversity, together with recent documented loss of habitats resulting from tourist developments. Population structures of H. radicata and H. glabra show a similar geographical patterning: strongly differentiated populations from the Betic Cordillera and from the Iberian Massif, which are separated at present by the Guadalquivir river. Geological events at the end of the Tertiary (Tortonian-Messinian Miocene) might help explain patterns of differentiation in these three species of sect. Hypochaeris. Austrian Science Foundation FWF P-15225 Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología PB96-1352, REN2002-04634-C05-03, REN2002-04354-C02-02