Constituting approximately 10% of flowering plant species, orchids (Orchidaceae) display unique flower morphologies, possess an extraordinary diversity in lifestyle, and have successfully colonized almost every habitat on Earth. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Apostasia shenzhenica, a representative of one of two genera that form a sister lineage to the rest of the Orchidaceae, providing a reference for inferring the genome content and structure of the most recent common ancestor of all extant orchids and improving our understanding of their origins and evolution. In addition, we present transcriptome data for representatives of Vanilloideae, Cypripedioideae and Orchidoideae, and novel third-generation genome data for two species of Epidendroideae, covering all five orchid subfamilies. A. shenzhenica shows clear evidence of a whole-genome duplication, which is shared by all orchids and occurred shortly before their divergence. Comparisons between A. shenzhenica and other orchids and angiosperms also permitted the reconstruction of an ancestral orchid gene toolkit. We identify new gene families, gene family expansions and contractions, and changes within MADS-box gene classes, which control a diverse suite of developmental processes, during orchid evolution. This study sheds new light on the genetic mechanisms underpinning key orchid innovations, including the development of the labellum and gynostemium, pollinia, and seeds without endosperm, as well as the evolution of epiphytism; reveals relationships between the Orchidaceae subfamilies; and helps clarify the evolutionary history of orchids within the angiosperms.
A retrospective study of 53 patients with haematological disorders whose bacterial cultures were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), was performed to analyse the risk factors for MRSA infection, and the prognostic factors. Sixteen patients showed colonization by MRSA but never developed infection(C), 16 showed colonization and subsequent infection(C-I), while 21 had MRSA infection at the time of first culture (I). Poor performance status, thrombocytopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen and decreased serum cholinesterase were more prominent in (I) than (C) + (C-I). The risk factors associated with the development of infection from colonization were age and serum cholinesterase. In addition, lower respiratory tract infection as a type of infection, non-remission status of the haematological malignancy and an inappropriate antibiotic therapy were associated with a poor prognosis for MRSA infection.
Title: Improved survival from fungaemia in patients with haematological malignancies: analysis of risk factors for death and usefulness of early antifungal therapy Iwama A, Yoshida M, Miwa A, Obayashi T, Sakamoto S, Miura Y Ref: European Journal of Haematology, 51:156, 1993 : PubMed
Fourty-three episodes of fungaemia encountered from 1978 to 1991 in 43 patients with haematological malignancies are reviewed here to analyse the risk factors for death and to evaluate the efficacy of early antifungal therapy. Low serum cholinesterase and elevated serum blood urea nitrogen were significantly associated with fungaemic death, defined as death occurring within 2 weeks after documentation of fungaemia. Overall death rate from fungaemia was 62.8%. Before the introduction of early antifungal therapy in 1986, however, fungaemic mortality was 85.7%; it was reduced to 51.7% thereafter (p = 0.01). Determination of plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan was helpful in detecting deep fungal infections and initiating antifungal therapy early.
