This study reports how the reproductive cycle of a land snail endemic from an oceanic island is shaped by abiotic factors over an altitudinal gradient of 800 m. In addition, the validity of two morphometric shell para...This study reports how the reproductive cycle of a land snail endemic from an oceanic island is shaped by abiotic factors over an altitudinal gradient of 800 m. In addition, the validity of two morphometric shell parameters （maximum diameter and total height） was assessed, as maturation diagnostic characteristics. The authors＇ findings suggest that, at Piedade （200 m）, individuals are active and mature from October/November to March, and they exhibit dormancy in the remaining months, as a consequence of soil dryness. Thus, at low altitude, gonadal maturation was considered to be primarily influenced by photoperiod, rainfall and temperature At Cabeqo da Bola （1000 m）, in turn, individuals are mature from March to July/August and they seem to have minimal gametogenic conditions throughout the remaining months of the year to reproduce. As soil moisture is never a limiting factor, gonadal maturation is mainly shaped by photoperiod and temperature at high altitude. The morphometric shell parameters under analysis were unable to diagnose gonadal maturation, as recently described for related Azorean species.展开更多
Background: Atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the major manifestations underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Both result from an interaction betwe...Background: Atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the major manifestations underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Both result from an interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. The goal of our study was to evaluate several polymorphisms identified as predisposing factors to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Material and Methods: A series of 155 healthy unrelated individuals of Azorean origin were analyzed using the CVD StripAssay (ViennaLab Diagnostics, Austria) for the most established polymorphisms involved in blood coagulation (F2, F5, F13A1, FGB), fibrinolitic system (SERPINE1), platelet adhesion (ITGB3), homocysteine metabolism (MTHFR), reninangio-tensin system (ACE) and lipid metabolism (APOE). Results: No significant differences were observed in allelic frequencies when comparing our data to mainland Portugal. Group stratification according to the number of “increased” risk alleles, demonstrated that 116/155 (75%) individuals belong to the moderate risk group (5 - 10 risk alleles). Conclusions: Although acknowledging the fact that the allelic states at the analysed loci lack predictive value, the fact that a high frequency of individuals presents at least 5 risk alleles (124/155;80%) is important for the establishment of the appropriate preventive measures in the Azorean population.展开更多
文摘This study reports how the reproductive cycle of a land snail endemic from an oceanic island is shaped by abiotic factors over an altitudinal gradient of 800 m. In addition, the validity of two morphometric shell parameters （maximum diameter and total height） was assessed, as maturation diagnostic characteristics. The authors＇ findings suggest that, at Piedade （200 m）, individuals are active and mature from October/November to March, and they exhibit dormancy in the remaining months, as a consequence of soil dryness. Thus, at low altitude, gonadal maturation was considered to be primarily influenced by photoperiod, rainfall and temperature At Cabeqo da Bola （1000 m）, in turn, individuals are mature from March to July/August and they seem to have minimal gametogenic conditions throughout the remaining months of the year to reproduce. As soil moisture is never a limiting factor, gonadal maturation is mainly shaped by photoperiod and temperature at high altitude. The morphometric shell parameters under analysis were unable to diagnose gonadal maturation, as recently described for related Azorean species.
基金T.C.[SFRH/BPD/38659/2007]is supported by a Post-doctoral grant from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a TecnologiaN.K.[M3.1.3/F/004/2009]is supported by a Post-doctoral grant from the Secretaria Regional da Ciencia,Tecnologia e Equipamentos
文摘Background: Atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the major manifestations underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Both result from an interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. The goal of our study was to evaluate several polymorphisms identified as predisposing factors to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Material and Methods: A series of 155 healthy unrelated individuals of Azorean origin were analyzed using the CVD StripAssay (ViennaLab Diagnostics, Austria) for the most established polymorphisms involved in blood coagulation (F2, F5, F13A1, FGB), fibrinolitic system (SERPINE1), platelet adhesion (ITGB3), homocysteine metabolism (MTHFR), reninangio-tensin system (ACE) and lipid metabolism (APOE). Results: No significant differences were observed in allelic frequencies when comparing our data to mainland Portugal. Group stratification according to the number of “increased” risk alleles, demonstrated that 116/155 (75%) individuals belong to the moderate risk group (5 - 10 risk alleles). Conclusions: Although acknowledging the fact that the allelic states at the analysed loci lack predictive value, the fact that a high frequency of individuals presents at least 5 risk alleles (124/155;80%) is important for the establishment of the appropriate preventive measures in the Azorean population.
