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Volatile analyses of cacti have previously been performed on the flowers, fruits, and consumed stems. During our own investigations, we and others have observed that the cut stems of certain species of the Graveolens clade of Cylindropuntia emitted odors similar to those of rancid butter or cyanoacrylate. Some species of Consolea, Opuntia, Quiabentia, and Tacinga were found to produce similar odors. Fresh samples of Cylindropuntia and these other genera were collected, and the volatile compound profiles were analyzed by solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Linear discriminate analysis found the compounds to be characteristic of the odiferous cacti as the aldehydes hexanal, 2-hexenal, and nonanal; the alcohol phenethyl alcohol; the terpene β-phellandrene; the ketone β-ionone; and the diol 5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol. Compounds characteristic of the non-odiferous cacti are the ketones 6-methyl-2-heptanone, 2-octanone, and 1,3-dihydro-5-methyl-2H-benzimidazol-2-one; the alkanes undecane, tridecane, pentadecane, and heptadecane; the aromatics p-cymene and 1,2,3,5-tetramethyl benzene; the esters octyl formate, methyl benzoate, and methyl salicylate; the aldehyde 2-octenal; the alcohol cyclooctyl alcohol; the imine methoxy-phenyl-oxime; the terpene 1-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)-benzene; and nine unknown compounds. Putative hybrid cacti were found to have a unique volatile profile in comparison to the parents. Additionally, differing infraspecific chromosome races, diploids (n = 11) and tetraploids (n = 22), were found to have differing volatile profiles with some compounds increasing with an increase in chromosome number while other compounds decreased with an increase in chromosome number.

Premise Although numerous phylogenetic studies have been conducted in Cactaceae, whole-plastome datasets have not been employed. We used the chollas to develop a plastome dataset for phylogeny reconstruction to test species relationships, biogeography, clade age, and morphological evolution. Methods We developed a plastome dataset for most known diploid members of the chollas (42 taxa) as well as for other members of Cylindropuntieae. Paired-end, raw reads from genome skimming were reference-mapped onto a de novo plastome assembly of one species of cholla, Cylindropuntia bigelovii, and were used to build our plastome dataset, which was analyzed using various methods. Results Our plastome dataset resolved the phylogeny of the chollas, including most interspecific and intraspecific relationships. Tribe Cylindropuntieae arose ~18 mya, during the early Miocene in southern South America, and is supported as sister to the South American clade Tephrocacteae. The (Micropuntia (Cylindropuntia + Grusonia)) clade most likely originated in the Chihuahuan Desert region around 16 mya and then migrated into other North American desert regions. Key morphological characters for recognizing traditional taxonomic series in Cylindropuntia (e.g., spiny fruit) are mostly homoplasious. Conclusions This study provides the first comprehensive plastome phylogeny for any clade within Cactaceae. Although the chollas s.l. are widespread throughout western North American deserts, their most recent common ancestor likely arose in the Chihuahuan Desert region during the mid-Miocene, with much of their species diversity arising in the early to mid-Pliocene, a pattern strikingly similar to those found in other western North American desert groups.

The following nomenclatural novelties are established in the genus Cylindropuntia: C. acanthocarpa subsp. ramosa (Peebles) M.A.Baker & Cloud-H., C. alcahes subsp. gigantensis (Rebman) Rebman; C. alcahes subsp. mcgillii (Rebman) Rebman; C. ganderi subsp. catavinensis (Rebman) Rebman; C. imbricata subsp. rosea (DC.) M.A.Baker; C. imbricata subsp. spinosior (Engelmann) M.A.Baker, Cloud-H. & Majure; C. imbricata subsp. spinotecta (Griffiths) M.A.Baker; C. thurberi subsp. versicolor (Engelmann ex J.M.Coulter) M.A.Baker; C. whipplei subsp. enodis (Peebles) M.A.Baker. A lectotype is designated for the name Opuntia whipplei var. enodis Peebles.

A gynodioecious hexaploid (n = 33), Cylindropuntia chuckwallensis M. A. Baker & M. A. Cloud-Hughes, is newly described. Populations of C. chuckwallensis extend from the Eagle Mountains of Joshua Tree National Park, through the Chuckwalla Mountains of Riverside County, to the north side of the Chocolate Mountains in Imperial County, California, USA, and occur on a variety of substrates primarily between 400–1600 m (1312–5250 ft) elevation. Of the flowering individuals studied, 38% produced only pollen-sterile flowers. Flower color in C. chuckwallensis ranges from dark red-purple (33%) through orange (54%) to yellow (13%). For most individuals (93%) the style and filaments are dark red to light pink. Morphological measurements were made for 15 populations of Cylindropuntia, including four of C. chuckwallensis, four of C. echinocarpa, three of C. multigeniculata, and four of C. acanthocarpa. Multivariate analyses indicated that C. chuckwallensis possesses a unique combination of characters. Fewer ...

The name Cylindropuntia wolfii, which has been used for a distinct cholla species, has had a problematic nomenclatural history. An attempt is made to clarify the validity of the name and to provide a revised description of the species and its presently-known distribution.

A high proportion of plant species is predicted to be threatened with extinction in the near future. However, the threat status of only a small number has been evaluated compared with key animal groups, rendering the magnitude and nature of the risks plants face unclear. Here we report the results of a global species assessment for the largest plant taxon evaluated to date under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria, the iconic Cactaceae (cacti). We show that cacti are among the most threatened taxonomic groups assessed to date, with 31% of the 1,478 evaluated species threatened, demonstrating the high anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity in arid lands. The distribution of threatened species and the predominant threatening processes and drivers are different to those described for other taxa. The most significant threat processes comprise land conversion to agriculture and aquaculture, collection as biological resources, and residential and commercial development. The dominant drivers of extinction risk are the unscrupulous collection of live plants and seeds for horticultural trade and private ornamental collections, smallholder livestock ranching and smallholder annual agriculture. Our findings demonstrate that global species assessments are readily achievable for major groups of plants with relatively moderate resources, and highlight different conservation priorities and actions to those derived from species assessments of key animal groups., La lista completa de autores que integran el documento puede consultarse en el archivo., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Documented chromosome numbers and meiotic behavior are recorded for an additional 30 taxa representing 25 species of Cactaceae of southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Diploid and polyploid taxa including two triploids were observed, all of which indicate the same base number,x = 11. Trisomism and inversions are reported for the first time in cacti.

Ventricular assist devices provide support for a failing heart and often serve as a bridge to transplantation. The use of these devices has also been associated with allosensitization to HLA antigens because of transfusion of blood products. Our program established a protocol mandating the use of leukoreduced, irradiated and ABO identical products, including platelets, in patients receiving initial implantations of VAD as a bridge to transplantation. Recipients were tested for anti-HLA antibodies before VAD implantation and monthly postimplantation by cytotoxicity and solid phase assays. We observed minimal de novo anti-HLA sensitization (50%). In conclusion, The use of leukoreduced, irradiated, ABO identical blood products abrogates broad allosensitization in this highly transfused population.

A multivariate analysis was performed for populations of Echinocereus (section Triglochidiatus) to facilitate the taxonomic circumscription of E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus. Twenty-one morphological characters for 16 populations evidenced the validity of at least two subspecific taxa within E. arizonicus: E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus and E. arizonicus subsp. nigrihorridispinus. Principle components analysis indicated that stem characters were most diagnostic in defining two distinct groups of populations, each including the type locality of one of the two subspecies. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustered populations of the two subspecies apart from one another and from those of the outgroup, E. triglochidiatus subsp. mojavensis. For most measured characters, means differed significantly between the two subspecies. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 97.0% for individuals of E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus and 94.7% for individuals of E. arizonicus subsp. ...

[1] Chyka PA, Erdman AR, Manoguerra AS, et al. Dextromethorphan poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Tox 2007;45:662–7. [2] Banerji S, Anderson IB. Abuse of Coricidin HBP cough & cold tablets: episodes recorded by a poison center. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2001;58(19):1811–4. [3] Miller SC. Dextromethorphan psychosis, dependence and physical withdrawal. Addict Biol 2005;10:325–7. [4] Wolfe TR, Caravati EM. Massive dextromethorphan ingestion and abuse. Am J Emerg Med 1995;13:174–6. [5] Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1981;30:239–45. [6] Deisemann H, Ahrens N, Schlobohm I, et al. Effects of common antitussive drugs on the hERG Potassium Channel Current. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2008;52(6):494–9. [7] Krantz MJ, Martin J, Stimmel B, Mehta D, Haigney MCP. QTc interval screening and methadone treatment. Ann Intern Med 2009;150(6):387–95. [8] Coats AJ. Ethical authorship and publishing. Int J Cardiol 2009;131:149–50.

Studies with an estrogen-dependent murine model of vaginal candidiasis suggest that local cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is more important than systemic CMI for protection against vaginitis. The present study, however, showed that, compared to uninfected mice, little to no change in the percentage or types of vaginal T cells occurred during a primary vaginal infection or during a secondary vaginal infection where partial protection was observed. Furthermore, depletion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) had no effect on infection in the presence or absence of pseudoestrus. These results indicate a lack of demonstrable effects by systemic CMI or PMN against vaginitis and suggest that if local T cells are important, they are functioning without showing significant increases in numbers within the vaginal mucosa during infection.

Heart failure is a disease of increasing prevalence and poor prognosis. Current data indicate that 5-year survival following the diagnosis of heart failure is 50%, and patients with end-stage disease face a 1-year survival rate of 50%. Recent predictions suggest that heart failure will become the leading cause of all disability by 2020. For patients with refractory end-stage heart failure, there are few options for effective treatment. Although cardiac transplantation provides the best therapeutic outcome for end-stage HF, substantial limitations of this surgical intervention include an extremely limited supply of acceptable donor hearts, having reached a plateau of less than 3000 per year worldwide. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support of end-stage heart failure patients was originally approved as a bridge to cardiac transplant, and recent reports suggest improved outcomes in transplant recipients supported by LVAD in comparison with those treated with chronic inotropes.1 Improved morbidity and mortality were found in the REMATCH trial of long-term LVAD support compared with optimized medical management in severe HF patients ineligible for transplant, leading to the approval of LVAD as destination therapy. Unloading the left ventricle in end-stage heart failure patients with LVAD support can lead to partial normalization of myocardial structure and function, termed reverse remodelling. Reverse remodelling has been associated with changes in gene expression following LVAD support2–6 or pharmacological therapy.7 In select patients, LVAD support in conjunction with pharmacological therapy may result in sufficient reverse remodelling to allow explant of the device. LVAD-associated reverse remodelling provides the unique opportunity to obtain myocardial tissue in humans in end-stage heart failure at the time … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 585 273 1094; fax: +1 585 276 1914. E-mail address : burns_blaxall{at}urmc.rochester.edu

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF STUDY Taxonomic circumscription of subspecific taxa within Coryphantha robustispina was evaluated with morphological data and microsatellites. This study was the first to compare adequately sampled morphological and DNA analyses at the population level in the Cactaceae. This comparison was important to test reliability of both methods and to gain a better understanding of phytogeography, evolution, and systematics of the species, knowledge that could prove useful for other taxa as well. Populations of C. robustispina subsp. robustispina are listed as endangered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our primary goal was to explore correlations among geographical distribution, morphology, and genetics of selected populations throughout the range of the species and the outgroup, C. poselgeriana. • METHODS Stem characters were measured for 638 individuals among 16 populations. Flower characters were measured for 180 individuals among 12 populations. Ten microsatellite DNA loci were isolated and characterized for 204 individuals among 13 populations. Data were analyzed using various multivariate analyses. • RESULTS Our results indicated that, within Coryphantha robustispina, there were three morphologically, genetically, and geographically coherent groups represented by the names C. robustispina subsp. robustispina, C. robustispina subsp. uncinata, and C. robustispina subsp. scheeri. For most analyses, distinctions among the three groups were primarily not as great as those between any one of them and the outgroup. • CONCLUSIONS Results suggested that the three subspecific taxa within Coryphantha robustispina are good subspecies but should not be elevated to species rank. The closely aligned results between morphology and microsatellite data support the design and utility of both methods.

The immunoregulatory effects of fentanyl and a fentanyl-related compound, OHM3295, were studied in mice. Male CD1 mice treated with a range of fentanyl doses (0.1–1.0 mg/kg, subcutaneously) showed suppression of splenic natural killer (NK) activity following 0.25–0.50 mg/kg fentanyl dose but not higher (0.75–1.0 mg/kg) or lower (0.1 mg/kg) doses. Fentanyl (0.01–32.0 mg/kg) also induced dose-related analgesia as measured by an increase in tail flick latency; these analgesic effects were antagonized by naltrexone (1.0–10.0 mg/kg). Pretreatment with naltrexone (1.0–3.2 mg/kg) resulted in significant suppression of splenic NK activity following fentanyl (10.0–32.0 mg/kg) administration. In comparison to fentanyl, OHM3295 (3.2–25.0 mg/kg) augmented splenic NK activity in a naltrexone-reversible manner. Similar to fentanyl, OHM3295 (1.0–32.0 mg/kg) also induced a naltrexone-sensitive, dose-related analgesia as measured by an increase in tail flick latency. These results with OHM3295 demonstrate a novel profile of effects which includes naltrexone-sensitive analgesic effects in the absence of immunosuppressive effects. In addition, this is the first reported case in which a compound with opioid analgesic effects has been shown to potentiate natural killer cytolytic activity following in vivo administration.

Cytokines are hormones once thought to be restricted to the immune system produced solely by hematopoietic-derived cells and acting on receptors expressed by cells of the immune system. However, it is now clear that many cytokines are produced not only by lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and dendritic cells but are also synthesized by cells outside the realm of the immune system in response to stimuli that may not be associated with immune homeostasis. In fact, there is evidence supporting a role of selected cytokines modifying behavior and neuroendocrine function. Recently, a potential relationship between the cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) reactivation has been found. This article discusses the relevance of these findings and considers the potential impact that HSV-1 infection has on behavior and chronic inflammatory processes that can occur in the nervous system during "latent" virus infection as a result of chronic IL-6 expression.

Cellular immunity including MHC-unrestricted natural killer (NK) cells and antigen-specific, class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) plays a central role in monitoring viral infections and tumor growth (1). NK activity has been shown to be modified by opioid compounds both in vitro and in vivo. The addition of endogenous opioid peptides (e.g., β-endorphin or [met]-enkephalin) to 4-hr 51Cr-release NK microcytotoxicity assays has been shown to augment NK activity; this augmentation is naloxone-sensitive (2). However, the acute administration of opioid drugs (e.g., morphine or fentanyl) in mice has been shown to suppress splenic NK activity through a naltrexone-sensitive mechanism (3-5). This suppression involves opioid receptors located in the periaqueductal gray matter of the mesencephalon (6). Pretreatment of the mice with the α-adrenoceptor antagonists phentolamine or prazocin blocks morphine-mediated suppression of splenic NK activity implicating α-adrenergic receptor involvement (7). Preadministration of mice with phentolamine (general α-adrenoceptor antagonist) but not doxazosin (peripheral-acting α-adrenergic receptor antagonist) inhibits morphine-mediated suppression of splenic NK activity further implicating central (brain) rather than peripheral α-adrenergic involvement (8). Alternatively, other neuroendocrine hormones may be utilized distal to the brain ultimately influencing NK effector cells. Specifically, splenic serotonin levels are elevated following acute morphine administration and such increases can be blocked by pretreating animals with phentolamine (8). These results suggest serotonin might be solicited by adrenergic processes ultimately resulting in suppression of splenic NK activity. Consistent with this notion, a recent study revealed serotonin suppressed NK activity in whole blood and such effects could be reversed with interferon-α (9). Certainly, this is a complicated issue involving many mediators which may have direct or indirect effects on the NK cells.

We used discriminant analysis to assess taxonomic status of three closely related, rare taxa within the cactus genus Escobaria (E. guadalupensis, E. sneedii var. sneedii, and E. sneedii var. leei). These three taxa consist of nine isolated populations; six of these populations consist of morphologically typical specimens (i.e., similar to the type specimen), while three populations are of questionable taxonomic status. We used the six morphologically typical populations (referred to as assigned populations) to derive predictive dis- criminant functions for each taxon. These discriminant functions were then applied to assigned populations to determine the status and taxonomic boundaries of each taxon, and to the three questionable populations (referred to as unassigned populations) to interpret their taxonomic status. Our model included four predictor variables: number of immature stems, mature stem diameter, number of radial spines, and length of the innermost central spines. Discriminant analysis correctly classified .93% of 186 individuals from the six assigned populations, suggesting a distinct status for each taxon. Applying the predictive discriminant func- tions to unassigned populations resulted in classifying a large percentage of individuals from each unas- signed population into each of two taxa. This suggests that the unassigned populations consist of morpho- logical intermediates, possibly as the result of hybridization. Meiotic chromosome numbers of n 5 11 were determined for E. guadalupensis, E. sneedii var. leei, and the three unassigned populations.

A total of 72 meiotic chromosome numbers were determined for 58 taxa representing 23 genera of Acanthaceae from the United States, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. Chromosome numbers of 41 of these taxa are reported for the first time. Chromosome numbers obtained in Aphanosperma (n = 18), Chalarothyrsus (n = 18), Gypsacanthus (n = 18), Ixtlania (n = 14), Razisea (n = 18), and Teliostachya (n = 9) are the first for these genera. Our counts for Dicliptera resupinata (n = 40), Elytraria imbricata (n = 12), Justicia pectoralis (n = 11), and Yeatesia mabryi (n = 18) differ from previously published numbers for these species. Constancy of chromosome number appears to be characteristic of certain genera of Acanthaceae whereas variation due to polyploidy and aneuploidy occurs in others. Various generic relationships are discussed with respect to the chromosome numbers now known for neotropical Acanthaceae.

A new, registered, asynchronous PAL device originated with suggestions from the manufacturer's customers.

A morphometric analysis ofOpuntia spinosior, O. fulgida, and their putative hybrid,O. × kelvinensis was supplemented with cytogenetic data and pollen stainability for all OTUs. The morphometric analysis supported the hypothesis for the hybrid origin ofO.×kelvinensis and indicated that limited backcrossing has occurred betweenO.×kelvinensis andO. spinosior. Almost all individuals investigated ofO.×kelvinensis are triploid, with 33 chromosomes, those ofOpuntia fulgida are mostly diploid, but in part triploid, and all ofO. spinosior investigated are diploid. The very high percentage of sterile seed produced by triploidO.×kelvinensis is almost certainly a consequence of unequal segregation of chromosomes in pollen mother cells during anaphase I. The ability ofO.×kelvinensis to reproduce vegetatively is attributable to itsO. fulgida parentage. It is hypothesized that the success ofO.×kelvinensis is a result of its particularly preadaptive genome isolated from infrequent backcrossing via meiotic irregularities of odd-polyploidy and its ability to reproduce vegetatively.

Meiotic chromosome numbers are reported for 30 taxa representing 12 genera of Acanthaceae from Mexico and the southwestern United States. Chromosome numbers of 25 of these taxa are reported for the first time. Chromosome numbers obtained in Henrya (n = 18), Hol- ographis (n = 13, 26, 39), Mexacanthus (n = 18), Mirandea (n = 18), and Stenandrium (n = 26) are the first for these genera. A newly reported chromosome number in Justicia is n = 11. Polyploidy and aneuploidy appear to have been frequent events in the family and are especially evident in the large, polymorphic genus Justicia. Generic relationships are discussed with respect to the known chromosome numbers.