With the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, whole-plastome data can be obtained as a byproduct of low-coverage sequencing of the plant genomic DNA. This provides an opportunity to study plastid evolution across groups, as well as testing phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Within the order Malpighiales (∼16,000 spp.), the Podostemaceae (∼300 spp.) stand out for their unique habit, living attached to rocks in fast-flowing aquatic habitats, and displaying highly modified morphologies that confound our understanding of their classification, biology, and evolution. In this study, we used genome skimming data to assemble the full plastid genome of 5 species within Podostemaceae. We analyzed our data in a comparative framework within Malpighiales to determine the structure, gene content, and rearrangements in the plastomes of the family. The Podostemaceae have one of the smallest plastid genomes reported so far for the Malpighiales, possibly due to variation in length of inverted repeat (IR) regions, gene loss, and intergenic region variation. We also detected a major inversion in the large single-copy region unique to the family. The uncommon loss or pseudogenization of ycf1 and ycf2 in angiosperms and in land plants in general is also found to be characteristic of Podostemaceae, but the compensatory mechanisms and implications of this and of the pseudogenization of accD , rpl22 , and clpP and loss of rps16 remain to be explained in this group. In addition, we estimated a phylogenetic tree among selected species in Malpighiales. Our findings indicate that the Podostemaceae are a distinct lineage with long branches that suggest faster rates of evolution in the plastome of the group, compared with other taxa in the order. This study lays the foundations for future phylogenomic studies in the family.

Premise Lantana and Lippia (Verbenaceae) are two large Linnean genera whose classification has been based on associated fruit traits: fleshy vs. dry fruits and one vs. two seed‐bearing units. We reconstruct evolutionary relationships and the evolution of the two fruit traits to test the validity of these traits for classification. Methods Previous studies of plastid DNA sequences provided limited resolution for this group. Consequently, seven nuclear loci, including ITS, ETS, and five PPR loci, were sequenced for 88 accessions of the Lantana/Lippia clade and three outgroups. Results Neither Lantana nor Lippia is monophyletic. Burroughsia, Nashia, Phyla, and several Aloysia species are included within the clade comprising Lantana and Lippia. We provide a hypothesis for fruit evolution and biogeographic history in the group and their relevance for classification. Conclusions Fleshy fruits evolved multiple times in the Lantana/Lippia clade and thus are not suitable taxonomic characters. Several sections of Lantana and Lippia and the small genera are monophyletic, but Lippia section Zappania is broadly paraphyletic, making circumscription of genera difficult. Lippia sect. Rhodolippia is a polyphyletic group characterized by convergence in showy bracts. Species of Lantana sect. Sarcolippia, previously transferred to Lippia, are not monophyletic. The clade originated and diversified in South America, with at least four expansions into both Central America and the Caribbean and two to Africa. The types species of Lantana and Lippia occur in small sister clades, rendering any taxonomy that retains either genus similar to its current circumscription impossible.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood and causes acute and chronic morbidity as hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Objectives: To describe the demographic characteristics, infectious agent, antibiotic resistance patterns and empiric therapy response of UTI in pediatric population. Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective study. Results: Were included 144 patients, 1:2.06 male to female ratio. The most common symptom was fever (79.9%) and 31.3% had history of previous UTI. 72.0% of the patients had positive urine leukocyte count (>5 per field), urine gram was positive in 85.0% of samples and gram negative bacilli accounted for 77.8% for the total pathogens isolated. The most frequent uropathogens isolated were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our E.coli isolates had a susceptibility rate higher than 90% to most of the antibiotics used, but a resistance rate of 42.6% to TMP SMX and 45.5% to ampicillin sulbactam. 6.3% of E. coli was extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producer strains. The most frequent empirical antibiotic used was amikacin, used in 66.0% of the patients. 17 of 90 patients who undergone voiding cistouretrography (VCUG) had vesicoureteral reflux. Conclusion: This study revealed that E. coli was the most frequent pathogen of community acquired UTI. We found that E. coli and other uropathogens had a high resistance rate against TMP SMX and ampicillin sulbactam. In order to ensure a successful empirical treatment, protocols should be based on local epidemiology and susceptibility rates. ResumenAntecedentes: La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es una de las infecciones bacterianas más frecuentes en la infancia, se asocia con alta morbilidad aguda y de enfermedades a largo plazo como hipertensión arterial e insuficiencia renal crónica. Objetivo: Describir las características demográficas, agente etiológico, perfil de sensibilidad y respuesta al tratamiento empírico de una población pediátrica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo realizado en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (HPTU), Medellín (Colombia), entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2011. Resultados: Se incluyeron 144 pacientes, con una relación hombre: mujer de 1:2.06. El 79.9% consultó por fiebre objetiva y el 31.3% había tenido un episodio de ITU previa. El 72.0% presentó leucocituria y el gram de gota de orina sin centrifugar fue positivo en el 86.0% (77.8% de bacilos con tinción de gram negativos). Los uropatógenos más frecuentes fueron Escherichia coli y Klebsiella pneumoniae. Escherichia coli tuvo una sensibilidad mayor al 90% para la mayoría de antibióticos, excepto en el de trimetropín sulfametoxazol, con una resistencia del 42.6% y del 45.5% a la ampicilina sulbactam. Se usó la amikacina como tratamiento empírico en el 66.0%. En 17 de 90 pacientes se encontró algún grado de reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU). Conclusión: La elección del tratamiento empírico precoz debe basarse en el conocimiento de la epidemiología y el perfil de sensibilidad y resistencia...

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