OBJECTIVE: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSjS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes dry eye and mouth. No laboratory parameters to monitor the activation of this disease have been identified. Therefore, any possible relationships between salivary and blood myxovirus resistance 1 (MX1) and pSjS must be prospectively studied. METHODS: Thirty female patients with pSjS, 30 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without secondary Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) and 28 healthy control women were enrolled in this investigation. Analyses of MX1 by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, SS-A (Ro) and SS-B (La) tests by the strip immunoblot method, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) tests by immunofluorescence and the measurement of serum rheumatoid factor (RF), C3, C4, immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were performed. RESULTS: The serum level of MX1 in patients without Raynaud phenomenon was higher than in those with Raynaud phenomenon (p:0.029, p<0.05, statistically significant). There was a statistically significant positive association between hemoglobin levels and MX1 serum levels. No statistically significant association was found among the other parameters. Low MX1 levels were shown to be associated with both a low disease activity score based on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and hydroxychloroquine use in all patients. CONCLUSION: MX1 levels have a considerable impact on the assessment of the disease activity in SjS. We believe that more-comprehensive studies should be performed on patients with pSjS who do not use hydroxychloroquine to prove this relationship and that MX1 levels should be used as a routine marker for the assessment of pSjS disease activity. Further studies are needed to create awareness of the role that MX1 has in the diagnosis of pSjS, which may help to uncover novel pathways for new therapeutic modalities.

Spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground biomass and nutritive value of rangeland species with respect to the influence of grazing and soil moisture were investigated. The research was conducted during two years at the Tomagh Research Station, near Sanjawi, Ziarat District, Balochistan, Pakistan. This area is protected from grazing since 1998; however, some of the area is open for grazing. Tree sites were selected for research purposes: a protected plain, a protected hilly, and an unprotected plain grazed area. Sampling was carried out during the spring, summer and autumn seasons. Results revealed that soil moisture was greater at the protected than unprotected sites. The aboveground plant biomass was 66% to 76% lower at unprotected than protected sites. The biomass of annual plant species was nearly 0 at grazed sites. Species differed in their nutrient concentrations, but these were similar among protected and unprotected grazed areas. Our findings indicate lower nutrient use eficiency at grazed than ungrazed, protected sites. Eleven years of protection from grazing increased significantly plant biomass, enhanced their nutrient use eficiency and allowed growth of annual plant species.

Se investigaron los modelos temporal y espacial de la biomasa aérea y el valor nutritivo de especies vegetales de pastizales naturales con respecto a la influencia del pastoreo y el contenido de agua del suelo. La investigación se condujo durante dos años en la Estación de Investigación Tomagh, cerca de Sanjawi, Distrito de Ziarat, Balochistan, Pakistan. Esta área está protegida del pastoreo desde 1998; sin embargo, parte del area es pastoreada. Se seleccionaron tres sitios con propósitos de investigación: dos sitios protegidos (planicie o zona de colinas), y un sitio no protegido, pastoreado. El muestreo se efectuó durante la primavera, y el verano y otoño. Los resultados revelaron que la humedad del suelo fue mayor en los sitios protegidos que en aquellos no protegidos. La biomasa vegetal aérea fue 66 a 76% más baja en los sitios no protegidos que en aquellos protegidos. La biomasa de las especies anuales fue cercana a cero en los sitios pastoreados. Las especies difirieron en sus concentraciones de nutrientes, pero estas fueron similares entre sitios protegidos y aquellos pastoreados, no protegidos. Nuestros resultados indican una menor eficiencia en el uso de nutrientes en los sitios pastoreados que en aquellos no pastoreados, protegidos. Once años de protección del pastoreo incrementaron signifcativamente la biomasa vegetal, mejoraron su eficiencia de uso de nutrientes y permitieron el crecimiento de especies anuales.

RESUMO Objetivo A artrite gostosa e a febre familiar do Mediterrâneo (FFM) compartilham algumas características clínicas e patológicas, como ser classificada como uma doença autoimune inflamatória, ter associação com o inflamassoma, manifestar artrite intermitente de curta duração e boa resposta a tratamentos com colchicina e anti-interleucina-1. Como o gene da febre familiar do Mediterrâneo (MEFV) é o fator causador da FFM, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a prevalência de mutações do gene MEFV e seu efeito sobre as manifestações da doença em pacientes turcos com artrite gotosa. Métodos Foram incluídos no estudo 97 pacientes com diagnóstico de artrite gotosa primária (93 M e 4 F; 54 [37-84] anos) e 100 controles saudáveis (94 M e 6 F; 57 [37-86] anos). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos à análise do genótipo à procura de variações no MEFV. Também foi registrado o número de crises de gota, o uso de diuréticos e a história de nefrolitíase e presença de tofos. Resultados A frequência de portadores de mutações no MEFV em pacientes e controles foi de 22,7% (n = 22) e 24% (n = 24), respectivamente. A comparação entre os pacientes e os controles não produziu diferença estatisticamente significativa em termos de frequência de portadores de mutações no MEFV (p = 0,87). As frequências alélicas de mutações no MEFV nos pacientes foram de 11,9% (n = 23) e 14% (n = 28) nos controles (p = 0,55). A presença de variantes do MEFV não mostrou qualquer associação com as características clínicas da artrite gotosa. A análise por subgrupos de pacientes revelou que aqueles com artrite gotosa com mutações tinham frequências semelhantes de tofo, história de nefrolitíase e podogra em comparação com os indivíduos sem mutações (p > 0,05). Conclusões As mutações no gene MEFV não exercem um papel relevante em pacientes turcos com artrite gotosa.

ABSTRACT Objective Gouty arthritis and familial Mediterranean fever share some clinical and pathological features such as being classified as auto-inflammatory disease, association with inflammasome, short-lived intermittent arthritis, and good response to colchicine and anti-interleukin-1 treatments. As Mediterranean fever gene is the causative factor of familial Mediterranean fever, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of Mediterranean fever gene mutations and their effect on disease manifestations in Turkish gouty arthritis patients. Methods Ninety-seven patients diagnosed with primary gouty arthritis (93 M and 4 F, 54 [37–84] years) and 100 healthy controls (94 M and 6 F, 57 [37–86] years) were included in the study. All subjects were genotyped for the Mediterranean fever gene variations. Number of gout attacks, diuretic use, history of nephrolithiasis and presence of tophus were also recorded. Results The carriage rate of Mediterranean fever mutations for patients and controls was 22.7% (n = 22) and 24% (n = 24), respectively. The comparison of the patient and control groups yielded no significant difference in terms of the Mediterranean fever mutations’ carriage rate (p = 0.87). The allelic frequencies of the Mediterranean fever mutations in patients were 11.9% (n = 23) and 14% (n = 28) in controls (p = 0.55). The presence of Mediterranean fever variants did not show any association with clinical features of gouty arthritis. The subgroup analysis of patients revealed that gouty arthritis patients with mutations had similar frequencies of tophus, history of nephrolithiasis and podagra compared to the ones without mutations (p > 0.05). Conclusions This study does not provide support for a major role of Mediterranean fever mutations in Turkish gouty arthritis patients.

The effect of fre on growth and nutritive value of Saccharum griffithii Munro ex Boiss-ravennae (Linn.) Murr. hybrid, a low palatable perennial grass in the semi-arid region of the highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan, was evaluated during 2008 and 2009. Prescribed fire treatments were applied in February 2008 and 2009 at the dormant stage of vegetation. Different growth parameters (tiller height, tiller number/plant), forage production (fresh, dry) and nutritive value (crude protein, ash) were compared with control (unburnt) plots. Fire increased the number of tillers, and the fresh and dry forage production in both years. Fire also improved the crude protein contents. Prescribed fire at the dormant stage of vegetation can be used as a vegetation tool to improve the forage quality and quantity of the less preferred grass species Saccharum grifthii Munro ex Boiss-ravennae (Linn.) Murr. hybrid.

Se evaluó el efecto del fuego sobre el crecimiento y valor nutritivo del híbrido de Saccharum griffithii Munro ex Boissravennae (Linn.) Murr., una gramínea perenne de baja palatabilidad en la región semiárida de las altas montañas de Balochistan, Pakistan, durante 2008 y 2009. Se aplicaron tratamientos de fuego prescripto en Febrero 2008 y 2009 en el estado de reposo de la vegetación. Se compararon diferentes parámetros con parcelas control (no quemadas): parámetros de crecimiento (altura de macollas, número de macollas/planta), producción de forraje (fresco, seco) y valor nutritivo (proteína cruda, cenizas). El fuego incrementó el número de macollas, y la producción de forraje fresco y seco en ambos años. El fuego también aumentó los contenidos de proteína cruda. El fuego prescripto en el estado de reposo de la vegetación se puede usar como una herramienta para mejorar la calidad y cantidad de forraje de la especie de gramínea híbrido menos preferida Saccharum grifthii Munro ex Boiss-ravennae (Linn.) Murr.

Seedling growth and development of Seriphidium quettense were examined under water stress (WS) and non-water stress (NWS) conditions. Seedlings were grown in pots to investigate their response to NWS conditions. Impact of WS on seedling growth was assessed in pre-existing plants grown under a semi-arid, natural environment. Seedling growth attributes were recorded on a monthly basis. Seedling growth exhibited a significant positive response under NWS conditions. Length of the main root axis at the first leaf emergence stage was 5.69 cm under NWS conditions; however, it was 4.8 cm in the natural environment (WS). At the end of the growing season, length of their primary root was 118 cm in NWS conditions. At the same time, it reached 8.8 cm in the WS natural environment. Lateral roots emerged from 2.09 cm of the main root axis, and a high lateral root density was found in the 2-10 cm region. The average lateral root length of NWS plants by the end of the first growing season was 33.07 cm, whereas in the WS environment it was 21 cm. Shoot length was 0.34 and 27.4 cm at the beginning and end of the growing season, respectively, under NWS conditions. In the natural WS environment, shoot length was 0.78 and 21 cm at the beginning and end of the same growing season, respectively. Under NWS conditions, seedlings remained green all year round, and 41% of the seedlings reached their physiological maturity. Mean values for number of panicles/plant, panicle length, number of floral branches/panicle, length of floral branches, number of florets/capitulum, and number of seeds/capitulum were 3.6, 16.77 cm, 43.7, 5.46 cm, 3.89, and 1.12, respectively, on seedlings which reached reproductive maturity. However, seedlings didn't exhibit a similar response in the natural WS environment. Our results support that Seriphidium quettense has a substantial potential for establishment and population propagation if supplemental water is provided during their first year of growth.

El crecimiento y desarrollo de las plántulas de Seriphidium quettense se examinó bajo condiciones con o sin estrés hídrico. Las plántulas crecieron en potes para investigar su respuesta a estas condiciones. La respuesta del crecimiento de las plántulas ante condiciones de estrés hídrico se midió en plantas que ya estaban creciendo bajo condiciones semiáridas naturales. El crecimiento de las plántulas se midió mensualmente. Dicho crecimiento exhibió una respuesta positiva significativa ante condiciones de agua no limitantes. La longitud del eje principal de la raíz en el estado fenológico de primera hoja producida fue de 5,69 cm bajo condiciones no limitantes de agua; sin embargo, éste fue 4,8 cm bajo condiciones naturales. Al final de la estación de crecimiento, la longitud de la raíz primaria fue de 118 cm bajo condiciones no limitantes de agua. Al mismo tiempo, dicha raíz alcanzó 8,8 cm bajo condiciones naturales. Las raíces laterales emergieron a partir de 2,09 cm del eje principal de la raíz. Se observó una alta densidad de raíces laterales en la región de 2-10 cm de dicho eje principal. La longitud de las raíces laterales promedio en las plantas que no estuvieron limitadas por agua fue de 33,07 cm hacia el final de la primera estación de crecimiento. Esta longitud sólo alcanzó 21 cm en las plantas expuestas a estrés hídrico. Las longitudes de los tallos al inicio y final de la estación de crecimiento fueron de 0,34 y 27,4 cm, respectivamente, bajo condiciones no limitantes de agua. Cuando las plantas crecieron bajo condiciones naturales, sin embargo, dicho crecimiento fue de 0,78 y 21 cm al comienzo y final del ciclo de crecimiento. Bajo condiciones no limitantes de agua, las plántulas permanecieron verdes todo el año, y 41% de las mismas alcanzaron la madurez fisiológica. En estas plantas, los valores promedio para número de panojas/planta; longitud de la panoja; número de ramas florales/panoja; longitud de las ramas florales; número de flores/capítulo, y número de semillas/capítulo fueron 3,6; 16,77 cm; 43,7; 5,46 cm; 3,89, y 1,12, respectivamente. Sin embargo, las plántulas no exhibieron una respuesta similar bajo condiciones naturales de crecimiento. Nuestros resultados sustentan que S. quettense tiene un buen potencial para establecerse, y permitir la propagación de la población, si crece bajo condiciones no limitantes de agua durante el primer año de crecimiento y desarrollo.