The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

Background and Aims Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

Fibrinogen in traumatic haemorrhage: A narrative review

Haemorrhage in the setting of severe trauma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is increasing awareness of the important role fibrinogen plays in traumatic haemorrhage. Fibrinogen levels fall precipitously in severe trauma and the resultant hypofibrinogenaemia is associated with poor outcomes. Hence, it has been postulated that early fibrinogen replacement in severe traumatic haemorrhage may improve outcomes, although, to date there is a paucity of high quality evidence to support this hypothesis. In addition there is controversy regarding the optimal method for fibrinogen supplementation. We review the current evidence regarding the role of fibrinogen in trauma, the rationale behind fibrinogen supplementation and discuss current research.Griffith Health, School of Medical ScienceNo Full Tex

The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions.The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated.Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented.Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

Graft-versus-host disease, donor chimerism, and organ toxicity in stem cell transplantation after conditioning with fludarabine and melphalan

AbstractHematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be used to induce a graft-versus-tumor effect against a range of malignancies. Pretransplantation conditioning regimens vary considerably in their degree of myelosuppression and immunosuppression, which may result in marked differences in the rate of T-cell engraftment and, as a consequence, the onset and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We have examined the development of T-cell chimerism and the onset of GVHD following fludarabine and melphalan conditioning in 39 patients undergoing stem cell allografts from matched-sibling donors. Cyclosporin and short-course methotrexate were used as GVHD prophylaxis. Fatal regimen-related toxicity occurred in 4 patients. Rapid T-cell engraftment was found in all but 1 of the patients assessed, with more than 90% donor T-cell chimerism at 1 month posttransplantation. Of the evaluable patients, 43% developed grade 2-4 acute GVHD and 87% developed chronic GVHD (70% extensive). Overall, the combination of fludarabine and melphalan is intensely immunosuppressive, leads to rapid T-cell engraftment and results in substantial toxicity and GVHD, particularly in heavily pretreated patients

Pamidronate Therapy for One Year after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation (AlloBMT) Reduces Bone Loss from the Lumbar Spine, Femoral Neck and Total Hip.

Abstract We and others have demonstrated that substantial loss of bone mineral density (BMD) is very common following alloBMT, in part due to prolonged use of glucocorticoids. Intravenous (IV) pamidronate is a potent bisphosphonate with efficacy in preventing glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in the non-BMT setting. 116 alloBMT recipients were randomised at 5 institutions to receive pamidronate 90mg IV monthly from day-7 to one year post-transplant (n=63) or no pamidronate (n=53) in an open label, prospective, controlled trial. All patients received oral vitamin D and calcium supplements and all women also received hormone therapy with an oestrogen and progestin. The primary end-point was the reduction in bone loss from the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip at 12 months post BMT. Age, sex and conditioning regimen (total body irradiation versus chemotherapy only) were not significantly different between the groups. 37 patients were not evaluable, predominantly due to early death (n=29) or protocol violations (n=4). Significant reductions in BMD loss at 12 months were seen in all 3 evaluated sites in patients treated with pamidronate. Site No pamidronate Pamidronate p value n % change* n % change* *percentage change in BMD at 12 months Lumbar Spine 28 −3.77 46 2.53 &lt;.0001 Femoral neck 27 −9.33 45 2.82 &lt;.0001 Total Hip 23 −8.35 38 −3.32 .0072 There were no significant differences in the 12-month changes associated with age class (&lt;30, 30–40, 40–50, &gt;50 years) or sex. In preliminary analyses of steroid dose subgroups, statistically significant improvements in BMD loss were found in patients whose average daily equivalent prednisolone dosage in the first six months post transplant was i) &gt;25mg for all sites and ii) 10–25mg daily for the lumbar spine. We conclude that prophylactic pamidronate significantly reduces bone loss from the spine and hip after alloBMT. The impact on clinically relevant endpoints such as the subsequent incidence of fractures and avascular necrosis in these patients will determine the utility of this intervention.</jats:p

After the flames: Post-wildfire heavy metal mobilisation in a contaminated temperate peatland

Intact peatlands are key resources for freshwater that contribute to multiple hydrological ecosystem services. They retain rainwater and regulate water quality downstream by storing contaminants in the peat profile. The release of heavy metals and nutrients, through burning or erosion of near-surface deposits, has the potential to provide a persistent source of legacy contamination, namely metal contamination, to downstream drinking water supplies. With future climate change increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires in summer and heavy rainfall in winter, the risk of contaminant release from high-latitude peat regions and downstream impact is uncertain.In June 2018, a major wildfire affected an area of upland moorland (Saddleworth Moor, UK), which contains peat deposits contaminated with atmospherically derived metal deposits. We assessed potential water quality impacts from hillslope contaminant source to the fluvial system by monitoring of heavy metals in the catchment, namely lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni). Specifically, we quantified the (1) metal concentrations in ash deposits resulting from contrasting burn severities; (2) dissolution and erosion of ash and peat deposits under intense rainstorm events; and (3) their transport via the stream network to the receiving reservoir. Ash and peat samples obtained following the wildfire were analysed for total elemental concentration and leaching potential. We calculated ash loads at different burn severities and hillslope erosion was monitored through a series of sediment fences. Heavy metal concentrations in five rainstorm runoff events were measured at the stream outlet of a small catchment within the burn perimeter in the year following the wildfire.Both ash and peat samples had elevated total heavy metal concentrations, which varied spatially across the study site. The spatial variability was partly associated with different burn severities and ash loads. In extreme burn severity areas, ash loads reached nearly 40 t ha-1 and Pb concentrations in ash, for example, were as high as 2650 µg g-1, indicating particularly high potential for contamination of water sources. Conversely, the maximum concentration of dissolved heavy metals in the stream-flow were much lower during the initial post-wildfire storm events (Pb 0.77 µg g-1; Zn 38.67 µg g-1; Cu 5.05 µg g-1; Ni 0.26 µg g-1).The low solubility of heavy metals in both ash and peat samples likely constrains mobilisation by dissolution during storm events, suggesting low acute risk to drinking water quality post-wildfire. Instead, we hypothesise that metals likely remain bound to peat and ash particles, and are subsequently transported downstream in particulate form. Further quantification of heavy metals in sediment cores from sink zones will test if the metal contaminants pose a future chronic threat to drinking water quality

Current status of the Botryosphaeriaceae in Australia

The Botryosphaeriales, and in particular the Botryosphaeriaceae, are a well-studied group of fungi best known for the canker diseases they cause on woody hosts especially in stressed or damaged trees. Australian Plant Pathology herbaria contain many records for this group, but due to considerable taxonomic changes over the past decade, many of the species names have since been reclassified. In this article we used all published records with available sequence data of the Botryosphaeriaceae in Australia to examine the distribution and host range of these taxa. There are 24 genera encompassing 222 species in the Botryosphaeriaceae; 9 genera and 62 species have been recorded in Australia. Some genera such as Neoscytalidium are only found in warm, humid climates while Dothiorella species are more common in temperate climates. There were species, such as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum and Botryosphaeria dothidea, which had a wide host range with many records. However, there were also several species found only in one location on a single host. While systematic data collection is still required, the information presented here provides a baseline of species present in Australia and will underpin future studies into this group of important pathogens

Risk Factors for Blood Product Usage Following Sibling Allogeneic Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT).

Abstract Red cell and platelet transfusion requirements have been reported to be lower following reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIC allo-HCT) when compared to myeloablative (MA) allo-HCT. However, previous studies examined RIC regimens with lower haemopoietic toxicity than many of the regimens in use today. We investigated risk factors for red cell and platelet transfusion in patients enrolled prospectively in an Australian study investigating the non-HLA immunogenetics of sibling allo-HCT. The transfusion requirements in the first year post transplant were reviewed for 122 patients transplanted between 2002 and 2006 in three Australian transplant centres. Seventy-one patients received MA and 51 RIC regimens. Using regression analysis, the outcome variables of total red cell and platelet units transfused were analysed. The factors age, transplant centre, disease, transplant type (RIC v MA), days of neutropenia, death within 12 months, disease risk (high risk (HR) v standard risk (SR)) and ABO mismatch underwent univariate analysis. Associated variables with p&lt;0.2 were included in a multivariable analysis. Duration of neutropenia, disease risk, death within 12 months and transplant centre were significantly associated with higher red cell and platelet usage (p&lt;0.0001). Transplant type was not associated with transfusion requirement. Each additional day of neutropenia resulted in a 9% increase in number of red cell units transfused and 11% of platelet units. HR MA patients used an estimated 17 units of red cells compared to 12 units for SR. HR RIC patients used an estimated 26 units compared to 10 for SR RIC patients. HR patients used an estimated 16.9 platelet units compared to 8.5 for low risk. These data highlight the importance of disease risk and degree of myelosuppression as key risk factors for blood product usage following allo-HSCT.</jats:p

Potable water sources in a contaminated temperate peatland resistant to acute impacts but vulnerable to legacy effects of extreme wildfire

Climate change is increasing wildfire frequency and severity, expanding into ecosystems less historically prone to wildfires, such as temperate peatlands. These peatlands are significant potable water sources that have accumulated legacy contaminants for decades. A major concern and uncertainty for ecosystem health and drinking water supply is the timing and magnitude of pollutant release, particularly potentially harmful metals, following extreme disturbances. Here, we examine mobilisation of legacy metals in a contaminated temperate blanket peatland following extreme drought and wildfire occurrence, focussing on key metal sources, transport pathways and deposition on the lake-bed of the receiving reservoir. We found that erosion of metal-rich hillslope peat and ash peaked three months post-wildfire, particularly in extreme burn severity areas, contributing to substantial deposition of metal-rich material in the receiving reservoir. Elevated metal concentrations in suspended sediments were observed nine months post-wildfire during spring rainstorm events. Dissolved metals in the streamflow were comparatively orders of magnitude lower, but displayed similar timing in concentration increases. Together this indicates limited acute but potential chronic impacts that extend beyond our study’s monitoring period. These pathways can present different challenges for managing water supplies. Our findings provide critical insights into the spatio-temporal dynamics of metal transport in peatlands following severe drought and wildfire. Understanding these pathways is essential for assessing current and future risks to water quality and developing targeted management strategies in northern peatland regions that are reliant on peat-rich catchments for drinking water and that are increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced disturbances