Morphological Variability in Vipera palaestinae along an Environmental Gradient

The effect of local habitat conditions on organisms, including environmentally-induced morphological changes, constitutes an important aspect of macroecology and evolution. The degree of geographic intraspecific variation in body dimensions, corporeal ratios and scalation pattern among male and female Palestine vipers(Vipera palaestinae) in Israel were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses using 20 variable features relating to metric and meristic characters were applied in order to determine the existence of geographic variability in this species. Univariate analysis revealed that the majority of morphological characters possess relatively minor interregional distinctions, with only a few traits demonstrating significant differences. Discriminant analysis of mixed-gender samples using a combination of variables did not distinguish between geographic groups within each sex. The multifactor approach slightly differentiated between samples when sexes were compared separately, but with much overlap. The continuous sampling method revealed no statistically significant relationship between geographic and metric variables across the distribution range. A weak latitudinal cline was observed in snout-vent length, with both sexes being larger in the south. Noticeable temperature-correlated intraspecific variability was found in both body and tail scale counts but not in head scalation features. Generally, both males and females demonstrate the same phenotype-environment correlation. The spatial variations in external morphology suggest that temperature conditions during early ontogenesis may induce quantitative changes in the scalation pattern of V. palaestinae.

Severe liver injury due to herbal and dietary supplements and the role of liver transplantation

Herbal and dietary supplements(HDS)are increasingly used worldwide for numerous,mainly unproven health benefits.The HDS industry is poorly regulated compared to prescription medicines and most products are easily obtainable.Drug induced liver injury(DILI)is a well-recognized entity associated with prescription and over the counter medications and many reports have emerged of potential HDS-related DILI.There is considerable geographic variability in the risk and severity of DILI associated with HDS but the presentation of severe liver injury is similar with a hepatocellular pattern accompanied by jaundice.This type of injury can lead to acute liver failure and the need for liver transplantation.Patients will often fail to mention their use of HDS,considering it natural and therefore harmless.Hence physicians should understand that these products can be associated with DILI and explicitly ask about HDS use in any patient with otherwise unexplained acute liver injury.

Precipitation variability in Portugal from 1960 to 2011

This study analyses spatial variab （amount and concentration） based on data lity and trends in annual and monthly precipitation from 42 stations in mainland Portugal during the period 1960-2011. Relationships between certain geographic variables （elevation, latitude and longitude） and precipitation variability were also determined in order to check for specific dependencies and spatial patterns in precipitation distribution, concentration and changing trends. Trends and relationships have been analysed using both parametric and non-parametric tests. The results showed that annual precipitation had decreased in all stations and that this trend is statistically significant for most of the time series （70% of the stations showed nega- tive trends with at least a 0.1 significance level）. The Annual Precipitation Concentration In- dex revealed an opposite behaviour pattern, suggesting that even though the annual trend for precipitation amount was negative overall, more than half of the udometric stations registered a more marked seasonality for precipitation during the period 1960-2011. However, only one station showed statistical significant time trend. Regarding the influence of geographical features, latitude is the most important variable, governing spatial distribution and variations in annual precipitation as well as its intra-annual changeability. These important changes in precipitation, involving both amount and concentration, may have severe consequences for ecosystems and societies.