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Delatycki MB, Wolthuizen M, Collins V, Varley E, Craven J, Allen KJ, Aitken MA, Bond L, Lockhart PJ, Wilson GR, Macciocca I, Metcalfe SA. Implementation of ironXS: a study of the acceptability and feasibility of genetic screening for hereditary hemochromatosis in high schools. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), most often due to HFE C282Y homozygosity, is an iron overload disorder that can result in severe morbidity including hepatic cirrhosis. Predisposition to HH is easily diagnosed and morbidity is preventable by maintaining normal body iron and thus calls have been made to introduce community screening. The current study has been designed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of HH screening in high schools. Students (mostly 15–16 years of age) watched a purpose-designed DVD for education about HH. Those with parental consent were then offered cheek-brush screening for C282Y. Students completed a questionnaire prior to screening. The program was offered to 9187 students at 32 schools and 3489 (38%) had screening. Nineteen C282Y homozygotes (1 in 183) and 376 heterozygotes (1 in 9.3) were identified. More than 90% of students answered each of five knowledge questions correctly. Eight homozygotes (42%) had elevated transferrin saturation, but only two (10.5%) had marginally elevated serum ferritin (SF). We have shown that genetic screening for HH can successfully be offered in the high school setting. Ongoing research in this study will answer questions about the impact of high school students learning that they are at risk of HH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand is diverse in alpine and subalpine environments, a consequence of Late Tertiary tectonic and climatic change. However, few studies have sought to evaluate the importance of these environments as abiotic drivers in the diversification of plant species. Of particular interest is the Late Tertiary radiation of Pachycladon, an endemic New Zealand genus of alpine cress. Here we report observations on genome-wide levels of differential expression measured in the habitats of two closely related species of Pachycladon with distinct altitudinal preferences. Using Arabidopsis microarrays, we have identified 310 predominantly hormone- and stress-response genes up-regulated in Pachycladon fastigiata and 324 genes up-regulated in Pachycladon enysii. Expression patterns for glucosinolate biosynthesis and hydrolysis genes (MAM1, MAM-I, MAM-D, AOP2, ESP, ESM1) as well as flavonoid biosynthesis genes (F3’H, FLS, FAH1) were found to be species specific. Predicted differences in flavonoid contents were partly confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Differences in glucosinolate profiles and glucosinolate hydrolysis products obtained by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, respectively, also supported inferences from expression analyses. Five glucosinolate chemotypes were matched to known Arabidopsis ecotypes, and the potential adaptive significance of these chemotypes has been discussed. Our findings, in contrast to expectations for evolution of the New Zealand flora, suggest that biotic drivers, such as plant–herbivore interactions, are likely to be as important as abiotic drivers in the diversification of Pachycladon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the types of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers that we have isolated using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) in closely related taxa from diverse plant genera. With these markers, both inter- and intraspecific differences have been identified. The characterization of the nucleotide sequences and fragment length polymorphisms of such AFLP-derived PCR markers is promising for investigating the ecology and evolution of closely related plant taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the importance of dispersal and recent speciation of flora in New Zealand. Interaction of tectonic plates; Phases of climatic and geological change; Distribution of long-distance dispersal.