bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of imidazoline I2 receptor agonist‐induced antinociception in rats: involvement of monoaminergic neurotransmission
Authors: Siemian Justin N , Wang Kaixuan , Zhang Yanan , Li Jun‐Xu
Published: February 2018

Background and Purpose

Although the antinociceptive efficacies of imidazoline I2 receptor agonists have been established, the exact post‐receptor mechanisms remain unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that monoaminergic transmission is critical for I2 receptor agonist‐induced antinociception.

Experimental Approach

von Frey filaments were used to assess antinociceptive effects of two I2 receptor agonists, 2‐BFI and CR4056 on chronic constriction injury (CCI)‐induced neuropathic pain or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced inflammatory pain in rats. Rectal temperature was measured to assess hypothermic effects of 2‐BFI. A two‐lever drug discrimination paradigm in which rats were trained to discriminate 5.6 mg·kg−1 2‐BFI (i.p.) from its vehicle was used to examine the discriminative stimulus effects of 2‐BFI. In each experiment, pharmacological mechanisms were investigated by combining 2‐BFI or CR4056 with various pharmacological manipulations of the monoaminergic system including selective reuptake inhibition, monoamine depletion and monoamine receptor antagonism.

Key Results

In the CCI model, selective reuptake inhibitors of 5‐HT (fluoxetine) or noradrenaline (desipramine), but not dopamine (GBR12909), enhanced 2‐BFI‐induced antinociception. Selective depletion of 5‐HT or noradrenaline almost abolished 2‐BFI‐induced antinociception. 5‐HT1A, 5‐HT2A and α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists, but not other monoaminergic antagonists, attenuated 2‐BFI and CR4056‐induced antinociception in CCI and/or CFA models. However, none of these monoamine receptor antagonists significantly altered 2‐BFI‐induced hypothermia or discriminative stimulus effects.

Conclusions and Implications

Antinociception induced by I2 receptor agonists was mediated by serotonergic and noradrenergic mechanisms with 5‐HT1A, 5‐HT2A and α1‐adrenoceptor being particularly important. In contrast, the hypothermic and discriminative stimulus effects of I2 receptor agonists were mediated by distinct, independent mechanisms.
Severity of cerebral palsy and likelihood of adverse events after botulinum toxin A injections
Authors: Swinney Caitlyn M , Bau Karen , Burton Karen L Oakley , O'Flaherty Stephen J , Bear Natasha L , Paget Simon P
Published: February 2018

Aim

To determine the incidence of common adverse events after botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injections in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify whether the severity of CP influences the incidence of adverse events.

Method

This was an observational study of patients attending a BoNT‐A clinic at a tertiary paediatric hospital (2010–2014). Data examined included procedural adverse events at the time of injection and at follow‐up. Systemic adverse events were defined as lower respiratory tract illnesses, generalized weakness, dysphagia, and death. Severity of CP was categorized by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The relationships between GMFCS and adverse events were analysed using negative binomial regression models.

Results

In total, 591 children underwent 2219 injection episodes. Adverse events were reported during the procedure (130 [6%] injection episodes) and at follow‐up (492 [22%] injection episodes). There were significantly increased rates of systemic adverse events in injection episodes involving children in GMFCS level IV (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 3.92 [95% confidence interval] 1.45–10.57]) and GMFCS level V (IRR 7.37 [95% confidence interval 2.90–18.73]; p<0.001).

Interpretation

Adverse events after BoNT‐A injections are common but mostly mild and self‐limiting. Children in GMFCS levels IV and V are at increased risk of systemic adverse events. The relationship between CP severity and BoNT‐A adverse events is complex and further research is required to better understand this relationship.

What this paper adds

Adverse events reported at the time of botulinum toxin A injection occurred in 6% of injection episodes.

Adverse events were reported at follow‐up in 22% of injection episodes.

Children in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V have increased rates of systemic adverse events.

Children in GMFCS levels IV and V report less local weakness and pain.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors as add‐on therapy to insulin for type 1 diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yamada Tomohide , Shojima Nobuhiro , Noma Hisashi , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: February 2018

New treatments for type 1 diabetes are an unmet need. We investigated the efficacy and safety of adding sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to insulin for type 1 diabetes by conducting a meta‐analysis of prospective randomized, placebo‐controlled trials. A search of electronic databases up to October 2017 identified 1361 studies, of which 14 were investigated (N = 4591). Meta‐analysis showed that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy significantly reduced glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration by 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35, 0.46; P < .001, I2 = 0%), fasting plasma glucose by 1.14 mmol/L (95% CI 0.8,1.47), body weight by 2.68 kg (95% CI 2.0, 3.36), and systolic blood pressure by 3.37 mmHg (95% CI 1.46, 5.28). In addition, bolus insulin decreased by 3.6 units/day (95% CI 2.0, 5.3), and basal insulin decreased by 4.2 units/day (95% CI 2.2, 6.3). Continuous glucose monitoring showed a decrease in glucose excursions compared with placebo, with reduced variation of mean blood glucose, glucose standard deviation, and mean amplitude of glucose excursion. There was no significant increase in the rate of hypoglycaemia or severe hypoglycaemia; however, SGLT2 inhibitor therapy increased diabetic ketoacidosis (odds ratio [OR] 3.38) and genital tract infection (OR 3.44). Add‐on SGLT2 inhibitor therapy might be advantageous for type 1 diabetes, but its use should be considered carefully.
Intrinsic changes of left ventricular function in patients with Behçet disease and comparison according to systemic disease activity
Authors: Sun Byung Joo , Park Jae‐Hyeong , Yoo Su‐Jin , Park Yunseon , Kim Yeon Ju , Lee In Suk , Kim Jinhyun , Yoo In Seol , Shim Seung Cheol , Kang Seong Wook , Kim Jun‐Hyung , Lee Jae‐Hwan , Choi Si Wan , Jeong Jin‐Ok , Seong In‐Whan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Although cardiac manifestation of Behçet disease (BD) has been described in sporadic reports, its timely diagnosis remains difficult. The objective of this study was to describe early cardiac manifestations of BD. We also performed a comprehensive classification of systemic BD activity and compared their cardiac manifestations.

Methods

A prospective screening using speckle tracking echocardiography was performed in 85 patients with BD who had no history of heart disease. After excluding subjects with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% (n = 1), atrial fibrillation (n = 2), or inadequate echocardiographic images (n = 1), we analyzed their clinical and echocardiographic parameters including LV global longitudinal strains (GLS) and compared them with those of an age‐ and gender‐matched control group (n = 145). Systemic BD activity was classified as minimal (Group A), controlled (Group B), and active (Group C).

Results

In 81 study patients (59 females, age of 51 ± 11 years), echocardiography revealed a mean LVEF of 64 ± 5% without any significant valvular dysfunction or aortic aneurysm. Although there was no difference in LVEF between the control group and the patient group, the patient group showed significant reduction in GLS (‐17.1 ± 2.9% vs ‐20.8 ± 2.2%, P < .001). Groups A (n = 21, 26%), B (n = 47, 58%), and C (n = 13, 58%) consistently showed reduction in GLS compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference in cardiac manifestations among these groups according to systemic disease activity.

Conclusion

Patients with BD present intrinsic LV dysfunction despite no apparent abnormality on routine echocardiography. However, their cardiac manifestations are not proportional to systemic BD activity.
Cortical projections to the superior colliculus in grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
Authors: Baldwin Mary K. L. , Young Nicole A. , Matrov Denis , Kaas Jon H.
Published: February 2018

The superior colliculus is an important midbrain structure involved with integrating information from varying sensory modalities and sending motor signals to produce orienting movements towards environmental stimuli. Because of this role, the superior colliculus receives a multitude of sensory inputs from a wide variety of subcortical and cortical structures. Proportionately, the superior colliculus of grey squirrels is among the largest in size of all studied mammals, suggesting the importance of this structure in the behavioural characteristics of grey squirrels. Yet, our understanding of the connections of the superior colliculus in grey squirrels is lacking, especially with respect to possible cortical influences. In this study, we placed anatomical tracer injections within the medial aspect of the superior colliculus of five grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and analysed the areal distribution of corticotectal projecting cells in flattened cortex. V1 projections to the superior colliculus were studied in two additional animals. Our results indicate that the superior colliculus receives cortical projections from visual, higher order somatosensory, and higher order auditory regions, as well as limbic, retrosplenial and anterior cingulate cortex. Few, if any, corticotectal projections originate from primary motor, primary somatosensory or parietal cortical regions. This distribution of inputs is similar to the distribution of inputs described in other rodents such as rats and mice, yet the lack of inputs from primary somatosensory and motor cortex is features of corticotectal inputs more similar to those observed in tree shrews and primates, possibly reflecting a behavioural shift from somatosensory (vibrissae) to visual navigation.
Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate monotherapy in patients converting from carbamazepine
Authors: Pazdera Ladislav , Sperling Michael R. , Harvey Jay H. , Sam Maria C. , Strom Laura A. , Blum David , Grinnell Todd , Cheng Hailong
Published: February 2018

Objective

To evaluate the influence of prior use of carbamazepine (CBZ) and other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with a putatively similar mechanism of action (inhibition of voltage‐gated sodium channels;VGSCs) on seizure outcomes and tolerability when converting to eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), using data pooled from 2 controlled conversion‐to‐ESLmonotherapy trials (studies: 093‐045, 093‐046).

Methods

Adults with treatment‐resistant focal (partial‐onset) seizures were randomized 2:1 toESL1600 or 1200 mg once daily. The primary efficacy endpoint was study exit (meeting predefined exit criteria related to worsening seizure control) versus an historical control group. Other endpoints included change in seizure frequency, responder rate, and tolerability. Endpoints were analyzed for subgroups of patients who receivedCBZ(or anyVGSCinhibitor [VGSCi]) during baseline versus those who received otherAEDs.

Results

Of 365 patients in the studies, 332 were evaluable for efficacy. The higher risk of study exit in the subgroups that receivedCBZ(or anyVGSCi) during baseline, versus otherAEDs, was not statistically significant (hazard ratios were 1.49 for +CBZvs −CBZ[P= .10] and 1.27 for +VGSCi vs. −VGSCi [P= .33]). Reductions in seizure frequency and responder rates were lower in patients who converted fromCBZor otherVGSCi compared with those who converted from otherAEDs. There were no notable differences in overall tolerability between subgroups, but the incidence of some adverse events (eg, dizziness, somnolence, nausea) differed between subgroups and/or between treatment periods.

Significance

Baseline use ofCBZor other major putativeVGSCinhibitors did not appear to significantly increase the risk of study exit due to worsening seizure control, or to increase the frequency of side effects when converting toESLmonotherapy. However, bigger improvements in efficacy may be possible in patients converting toESLmonotherapy from anAEDregimen that does not include aVGSCinhibitor.
Primary sebocytes and sebaceous gland cell lines for studying sebaceous lipogenesis and sebaceous gland diseases
Authors: Schneider Marlon R. , Zouboulis Christos C.
Published: February 2018

Sebocytes, the major cell type in sebaceous glands, are differentiated epithelial cells that gradually accumulate lipids and eventually disrupt, releasing their content (sebum) in a secretory process known as holocrine secretion. Via the hair canal, sebum reaches the skin surface, where it has several known or postulated functions, including pheromonal, thermoregulatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Altered sebum secretion and/or structural sebaceous gland changes have also been involved in the pathogenesis of skin diseases, such as acne vulgaris and some forms of alopecia. Here, we assess how recent work employing primary sebocytes and sebaceous gland cell lines contributed for our understanding of sebaceous lipogenesis and its role in skin health and disease.
Decreased anterior cingulate activation in a motor task in youths with bipolar disorder
Authors: King Jace B. , Anderson Jeffrey S. , Yurgelun‐Todd Deborah A. , Subramaniam Punitha , Ehrler Marie R. , Lopez‐Larson Melissa P.
Published: February 2018

Background

Bipolar disorder (BP) is characterized by abnormal shifts in mood between episodes of mania and severe depression, both of which have been linked with psychomotor disturbances. This study compares brain activation patterns in motor networks between euthymic youths with BP and healthy controls (HC) during the completion of a simple motor task.

Methods

Thirty‐five youths with BP and 35 HC (aged 10–19) completed a self‐paced sequential bilateral finger‐tapping task, consisting of a 4‐minute scan block with alternating 20‐second periods of either the tapping task (six blocks) or rest (six blocks), while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical and behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). A between‐group whole‐brain analysis compared activation pattern differences while controlling for effects of age and sex. Clusters meeting whole‐brain false discovery rate (FDR) correction (qFDR < .05) were considered statistically significant. Post hoc analyses evaluating comorbid attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the BP group were also conducted.

Results

Significantly decreased activation was found in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in youths with BP compared to HC. Furthermore, ACC activation was negatively correlated with CBCL mood dysregulation profile scores in the BP group. No significant differences in functional activation patterns were found between youths with BP and comorbid ADHD and those with only BP.

Conclusions

These findings suggest a potential common mechanism of impaired ACC modulation between emotion dysregulation and motor processing in youths with BP.
Identification and characterization of Cucurbita gummy stem blight fungi in Northeast China
Authors: Zhao Qian , Wu Jianzhong , Zhang Liyan , Xu Lizhen , Yan Chao , Gong Zhenping
Published: February 2018

Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin) is a typical cucurbit that is susceptible to gummy stem blight. In recent years, this major fungal disease has decimated pumpkin yields in Northeast China (Heilongjiang Province) in increasingly numerous outbreaks with more rapid spread in recent years. After culturing fungi on potato dextrose agar medium, we conducted a systematic study of the growth and morphological characteristics of various purified strains of Cucurbita gummy stem blight (GSB) fungus from across Northeast China. Subsequently, DNA samples of 30 isolates with distinct hyphal variations were subjected to internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Sequence analysis resulted in identification of the isolates as Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum and demonstrated that this is a dominant and widely distributed fungal species in this region. Subsequently, multi‐site phylogenetic analysis assigned the 30 aforementioned strains to two genotypes that aligned to seven phenotypic types of Cucurbita GSB fungi. By analysing ITS conserved sequences of these phenotypically diverse groups, we found that Cucurbita GSB pathogens broadly shared two motifs that contained sequence variations unique to two groups in addition to common identical motifs. Ultimately, this study provided useful data for rapid and accurate identification of S. cucurbitacearum and diagnosis in early symptoms of Cucurbita GSB. This work also provides tools to explore the distribution and regularity of GSB outbreaks spatially and temporally across Northeast China.
Transitions in sex determination and sex chromosomes across vertebrate species
Authors: Pennell Matthew W. , Mank Judith E. , Peichel Catherine L.
Published: February 2018

Despite the prevalence of sexual reproduction across eukaryotes, there is a remarkable diversity of sex‐determination mechanisms. The underlying causes of this diversity remain unclear, and it is unknown whether there are convergent trends in the directionality of turnover in sex‐determination mechanisms. We used the recently assembled Tree of Sex database to assess patterns in the evolution of sex‐determination systems in the remarkably diverse vertebrate clades of teleost fish, squamate reptiles and amphibians. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we find no evidence that the evolution of separate sexes is irreversible, as transitions from separate sexes to hermaphroditism occur at higher rates than the reverse in fish. We also find that transitions from environmental sex determination to genetic sex determination occur at higher rates than the reverse in both squamates and fish, suggesting that genetic sex determination is more stable. However, our data are not consistent with the hypothesis that heteromorphic sex chromosomes are an “evolutionary trap.” Rather, we find similar transition rates between homomorphic and heteromorphic sex chromosomes in both fish and amphibians, and to environmental sex determination from heteromorphic vs. homomorphic sex chromosome systems in fish. Finally, we find that transitions between male and female heterogamety occur at similar rates in amphibians and squamates, while transitions to male heterogamety occur at higher rates in fish. Together, these results provide the most comprehensive view to date of the evolution of vertebrate sex determination in a phylogenetic context, providing new insight into long‐standing questions about the evolution of sexual reproduction.
Measuring Syntactic Complexity in L2 Writing Using Fine‐Grained Clausal and Phrasal Indices
Authors: KYLE KRISTOPHER , CROSSLEY SCOTT A.
Published: February 2018

Syntactic complexity is an important measure of second language (L2) writing proficiency (Larsen–Freeman, 1978; Lu, 2011). Large‐grained indices such as the mean length of T‐unit (MLTU) have been used with the most consistency in L2 writing studies (Ortega, 2003). Recently, indices such as MLTU have been criticized, both for the difficulty in interpretation (e.g., Norris & Ortega, 2009) and for a potentially misplaced focus on clausal subordination (e.g., Biber, Gray, & Poonpon, 2011). In this article, we attempt to address both of these criticisms by using traditional indices of syntactic complexity (e.g., MLTU), fine‐grained indices of clausal complexity, and fine‐grained indices of phrasal complexity to predict holistic scores of writing quality. In 4 studies, we used indices of each index type to predict holistic writing quality scores in independent essays on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). We then used all index types in a combined analysis to predict a holistic writing score. The results indicated that fine‐grained indices of phrasal complexity were better predictors of writing quality than either traditional or fine‐grained clausal indices, though a single fine‐grained index of clausal complexity contributed to the combined model. These results provide some support for Biber et al.’s (2011) claims regarding complexity and academic L2 writing proficiency.
YODA MAP3K kinase regulates plant immune responses conferring broad‐spectrum disease resistance
Authors: Sopeña‐Torres Sara , Jordá Lucía , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Clara , Miedes Eva , Escudero Viviana , Swami Sanjay , López Gemma , Piślewska‐Bednarek Mariola , Lassowskat Ines , Lee Justin , Gu Yangnan , Haigis Sabine , Alexander Danny , Pattathil Sivakumar , Muñoz‐Barrios Antonio , Bednarek Pawel , Somerville Shauna , Schulze‐Lefert Paul , Hahn Michael G. , Scheel Dierk , Molina Antonio
Published: February 2018

Mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascades play essential roles in plants by transducing developmental cues and environmental signals into cellular responses. Among the latter are microbe‐associated molecular patterns perceived by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which trigger immunity.

We found that YODA (YDA) – a MAPK kinase kinase regulating several Arabidopsis developmental processes, like stomatal patterning – also modulates immune responses. Resistance to pathogens is compromised in yda alleles, whereas plants expressing the constitutively active YDA (CA‐YDA) protein show broad‐spectrum resistance to fungi, bacteria, and oomycetes with different colonization modes. YDA functions in the same pathway as ERECTA (ER) Receptor‐Like Kinase, regulating both immunity and stomatal patterning.

ER‐YDA‐mediated immune responses act in parallel to canonical disease resistance pathways regulated by phytohormones and PRRs. CA‐YDA plants exhibit altered cell‐wall integrity and constitutively express defense‐associated genes, including some encoding putative small secreted peptides and PRRs whose impairment resulted in enhanced susceptibility phenotypes. CA‐YDA plants show strong reprogramming of their phosphoproteome, which contains protein targets distinct from described MAPKs substrates.

Our results suggest that, in addition to stomata development, the ER‐YDA pathway regulates an immune surveillance system conferring broad‐spectrum disease resistance that is distinct from the canonical pathways mediated by described PRRs and defense hormones.
Evaluating the kinetic basis of plant growth from organs to ecosystems
Authors: Michaletz Sean T.
Published: February 2018

Contents

Summary
37

I.
Introduction
37

II.
Predictions for metabolic kinetics
38

III.
Kinetics of net photosynthesis
38

IV.
Kinetics of plant growth
40

V.
Hypotheses for higher‐level kinetic decoupling
41

VI.
Conclusions
42

Acknowledgements
42

References
42

Understanding how temperature influences the scaling of physiological rates through levels of biological organization is critical for predicting plant responses to climate. Metabolic theory predicts that many rates increase exponentially with temperature following an activation energy (E) of 0.32 eV for photosynthesis. Here, I evaluate this prediction for net photosynthesis and organ, individual, and ecosystem growth. Observed E for photosynthesis varied widely but was not statistically different from predictions, while E for organs was greater than predicted, and E for individuals and ecosystems only weakly characterized temperature responses. I review several hypotheses that may underlie these results. Understanding how multiple rate‐limiting processes coalesce into a single E that characterizes metabolic responses to temperature, and how to best estimate E from unimodal data, remain important challenges.
Phenological responses to multiple environmental drivers under climate change: insights from a long‐term observational study and a manipulative field experiment
Authors: Wadgymar Susana M. , Ogilvie Jane E. , Inouye David W. , Weis Arthur E. , Anderson Jill T.
Published: February 2018

Climate change has induced pronounced shifts in the reproductive phenology of plants, yet we know little about which environmental factors contribute to interspecific variation in responses and their effects on fitness.

We integrate data from a 43 yr record of first flowering for six species in subalpine Colorado meadows with a 3 yr snow manipulation experiment on the perennial forbBoechera stricta(Brassicaceae) from the same site. We analyze shifts in the onset of flowering in relation to environmental drivers known to influence phenology: the timing of snowmelt, the accumulation of growing degree days, and photoperiod.

Variation in responses to climate change depended on the sequence in which species flowered, with early‐flowering species reproducing faster, at a lower heat sum, and under increasingly disparate photoperiods relative to later‐flowering species. Early snow‐removal treatments confirm that the timing of snowmelt governs observed trends in flowering phenology ofB. strictaand that climate change can reduce the probability of flowering, thereby depressing fitness.

Our findings suggest that climate change is decoupling historical combinations of photoperiod and temperature and outpacing phenological changes for our focal species. Accurate predictions of biological responses to climate change require a thorough understanding of the factors driving shifts in phenology.
Factors influencing seedling emergence of three global invaders in greenhouses representing major eco‐regions of the world
Authors: Arfin‐Khan M. A. S. , Vetter V. M. S. , Reshi Z. A. , Dar P. A. , Jentsch A.
Published: February 2018

Successful germination and seedling emergence in new environments are crucial first steps in the life history of global plant invaders and thus play a key role in processes of range expansion.

We examined the germination and seedling emergence success of three global plant invaders – Lupinus polyphyllus, Senecio inaequidens and Verbascum thapsus – in greenhouses and climate chambers under climate regimes corresponding to seven eco‐regions. Seed materials were collected from one non‐native population for L. polyphyllus and S. inaequidens, and from 12 populations for V. thapsus (six natives and six non‐natives).

Experimental climates had significant effects on species responses. No species germinated in the dry (humidity ≤ 50%) and cool (≤ 5 °C) experimental climates. But all species germinated and emerged in two moderately cool (12–19 °C) and in three warm (24–27 °C) experimental climates. In general, V. thapsus showed higher fitness than S. inaequidens and L. polyphyllus. The climate of the seed source region influenced responses of native and non‐native populations of V. thapsus. Non‐native populations of V. thapsus, originating from the warmer seed source, showed higher performance in warm experimental climates and lower performance in moderately cool experimental climates compared to native populations. Responses of V. thapsus populations were also related to precipitation of the seed source region in moderately dry experimental climates.

The warm, semi‐arid and humid experimental climates are suitable for the crucial first steps of invasion success for L. polyphyllus, S. inaequidens and V. thapsus. The species adaptation to its source region modified the responses of our studied plants under different experimental climates representing major eco‐regions of the world.
Effect of flower orientation on the male and female traits ofMyrtillocactus geometrizans(Cactaceae)
Authors: Aguilar‐García S. A. , Figueroa‐Castro D. M. , Valverde P. L. , Vite F.
Published: February 2018

Intra‐individual variation in the production and size of reproductive traits has been documented in columnar cacti, being higher in equator‐facing flowers. Such variation is attributed to the high amount of PAR intercepted by stems oriented towards the equator. Most studies focused on this phenomenon have documented the existence of intra‐individual variation on traits associated with the female function; however, its impact on traits associated with the male function has been neglected. We tested the hypothesis that equator‐facing flowers ofMyrtillocactus geometrizansexhibit higher values on traits associated with both male and female functions than flowers facing against it.

Number and size of anthers and ovaries, pollen:ovule ratio and number and quality of pollen grains (diameter, germinability, viability and pollen tube length) were estimated from reproductive structures facing north and south, and compared witht‐tests between orientations.

Number of anthers per flower, number of pollen grains per anther and per floral bud; pollen size, viability and germinability; pollen tube length; ovary length and pollen:ovule ratio were significantly higher in reproductive structures oriented towards the south (i.e. equator).

These findings suggest that intra‐individual variation in floral traits ofM. geometrizansmight be associated with different availability of resources in branches with contrasting orientation. Our results provide new evidence of the existence of a response to an orientation‐dependent extrinsic gradient. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting the existence of intra‐individual variation on pollen quality and P:O ratio in Cactaceae species.
Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of granulosa cells during different stages of folliculogenesis in bovine ovaries
Authors: Teh APP , Izzati UZ , Mori K , Fuke N , Hirai T , Kitahara G , Yamaguchi R
Published: February 2018

Contents

Bovine granulosa cells (GC) vary in their morphological aspect during different stages of folliculogenesis. In this study, 10 morphologically normal bovine ovaries were collected to study the structural aspects of different stages of GC using intermediate filament protein antibodies including cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (AE1/AE3), vimentin, nectin‐4 and desmin. Hormonal immunolocalization was assessed using the immunomarkers anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin alpha. In addition, tumour markers and proliferation markers using c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively, were investigated. The immunolabelling of AE1/AE3 in GC was strongest in the early follicle stage and gradually decreased when reaching the Graafian follicle stage. Its immunolabelling increased again as the stage progressed from stage I to stage III. The immunolabelling of inhibin alpha was inversely proportional to that of AE1/AE3 in the developing ovarian follicles as their immunolabelling is opposite to each other during folliculogenesis. AMH was immunopositive in almost all GC stages in different intensities and percentages, except for some negative staining in the atretic IV follicles. The atretic IV follicle is a unique type of atretic follicle that shows Call‐Exner body formation, which was mainly found in older cows in this study. The distinct patterns of immunoreactivity for various types of immunomarkers in the different GC stages will play an important role in diagnostic assistance of various follicle conditions, including cystic ovaries and GC tumours.
Predation pressure by birds and arthropods on herbivorous insects affected by tropical forest restoration strategy
Authors: Roels Steven M. , Porter Jade L. , Lindell Catherine A.
Published: February 2018

Recovery of animal‐dependent ecosystem functions is a key component of ecological restoration on degraded tropical forest lands. One of these functions, regulation of herbivorous insects by predators, shapes tropical communities through cascading trophic effects. An improved understanding of how predation pressure on herbivorous insects varies with reforestation strategy, management decisions, and landscape context would guide restoration practice. We measured predation pressure by birds and arthropods on dummy caterpillars in five forest types in Panama. These land covers represent natural and managed forest conditions: non‐native monoculture plantation, native multispecies plantation, young natural forest succession, secondary gallery forest, and old‐growth forest. We also placed dummy caterpillars in residential countryside, a heavily disturbed nonforest land cover. In three land covers, we surveyed bird communities to examine the relationship between predator abundance and predation pressure. Predation pressure from birds was lowest in the intensively managed plantations and highest in land covers with structurally complex vegetation: successional forest, gallery forest, and residential countryside. In the non‐native plantation, bird predation increased with proximity to gallery forest. We found strong correspondence between bird abundance and bird attacks on dummy caterpillars. Arthropod predation pressure was highest in the native plantation but, unlike bird predation pressure, did not vary strongly by land cover. Our results suggest that ecosystem functions by insectivorous birds can be enhanced on reforestation lands by incorporating unmanaged areas and tolerating nonplanted understory vegetation. We recommend that, regardless of management objectives, forest managers adopt a holistic approach to reforestation to facilitate recovery of animal‐dependent ecosystem functions.
The co‐developmental dynamic of sport and school burnout among student‐athletes: The role of achievement goals
Authors: Sorkkila M. , Aunola K. , Salmela‐Aro K. , Tolvanen A. , Ryba T. V.
Published: February 2018

Student‐athletes who strive for success in high‐level sports while pursuing upper secondary education may be prone to sport and school burnout. This study examined the co‐developmental dynamic of sport and school burnout in Finnish adolescent student‐athletes (Ntime 1 = 391; Ntime 2 = 373) across the first year of upper secondary school using cross‐lagged structural equation modeling (SEM). Furthermore, we used sport and school‐related achievement goals as predictors of sport and school burnout, namely sport and school‐related exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of inadequacy. The results showed that burnout dimensions in a particular domain were substantially stable within the same domain during the first year of upper secondary school and that school‐related exhaustion at the beginning of upper secondary school predicted sport‐related exhaustion at the end of the school year. Mastery goals in sport and school were negatively associated with cynicism and feelings of inadequacy within the same domain. Furthermore, performance goals in school were positively associated with school‐related cynicism. The results can be used by healthcare professionals for early prevention of student‐athletes' burnout.
Face cooling reveals a relative inability to increase cardiac parasympathetic activation during passive heat stress
Authors: Schlader Zachary J. , O'Leary Morgan C. , Sackett James R. , Johnson Blair D.
Published: February 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does passive heat stress attenuate the increase in cardiac parasympathetic stimulation, vascular resistance and blood pressure evoked by face cooling?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Passive heat stress attenuates the capacity to increase cardiac parasympathetic activation and impairs the ability to increase vascular resistance during sympathoexcitation, which ultimately results in a relative inability to increase blood pressure. These findings cast doubt on the efficacy of face cooling at augmenting blood pressure during orthostasis while heat stressed.

We tested the hypothesis that passive heat stress attenuates the increase in cardiac parasympathetic stimulation, vascular resistance and blood pressure evoked by face cooling. During normothermia and when intestinal temperature was elevated by 1.0 ± 0.2°C, 10 healthy young adults underwent 3 min of face cooling. Face cooling was accomplished by placing a 2.5 litre bag of ice water (0 ± 0°C) over the cheeks, eyes and forehead. Primary variables included forehead skin temperature, mean arterial pressure and systemic, forearm and cutaneous vascular resistances. Indices of heart rate variability in the time domain provided an index of cardiac parasympathetic activity. The magnitude of reduction in forehead skin temperature during face cooling was slightly greater during normothermia (−17.6 ± 1.9 versus −16.3 ± 3.0°C, P = 0.03). Increases in heart rate variability evoked by face cooling were attenuated during heat stress. Changes in systemic, forearm and cutaneous vascular resistances during face cooling were virtually abolished during heat stress (P < 0.01). However, when forearm and vascular data were reported as conductance, differences between normothermia and heat stress were not apparent (P ≥ 0.62). Nevertheless, the increase in mean arterial pressure was attenuated during heat stress with face cooling (at 3 min: 2 ± 7 mmHg) compared with normothermia (at 3 min: 19 ± 7 mmHg, P < 0.01). These data indicate that passive heat stress attenuates face cooling‐evoked increases in cardiac parasympathetic activation, vascular resistance and blood pressure. However, they also indicate that changes in indices of vascular resistance do not always reflect equivalent changes in conductance.
The Effectiveness of “Pencasts” in Physics Courses
Authors: Weliweriya Nandana , Sayre Eleanor C. , Zollman Dean A.
Published: February 2018

Pencasts are videos of problem solving with narration by the problem solver. Pedagogically, students can create pencasts to illustrate their own problem solving to the instructor or to their peers. Pencasts have implications for teaching at multiple levels from elementary grades through university courses. In this article, we describe the use of pencasts in a university-level upper-division electromagnetic fields course usually taken by junior and senior physics majors. For each homework assignment, students created and submitted pencasts of ordinary problems several days before the problem set was due. We compare students’ performance in the class (grades for pencast submission excluded) with the pencast submission rate. Students who submitted more pencasts tend to do better in the course. We conclude with some practical suggestions for implementing pencasts in other courses.
Study of a variable mass Atwood’s machine using a smartphone
Authors: Lopez Dany , Caprile Isidora , Corvacho Fernando , Reyes Orfa
Published: February 2018

The Atwood machine was invented in 1784 by George Atwood and this system has been widely studied both theoretically and experimentally over the years. Nowadays, it is commonplace that many experimental physics courses include both Atwood’s machine and variable mass to introduce more complex concepts in physics. To study the dynamics of the masses that compose the variable Atwood’s machine, laboratories typically use a smart pulley. Now, the first work that introduced a smartphone as data acquisition equipment to study the acceleration in the Atwood’s machine was the one by M. Monteiro et al. Since then, there has been no further information available on the usage of smartphones in variable mass systems. This prompted us to do a study of this kind of system by means of data obtained with a smartphone and to show the practicality of using smartphones in complex experimental situations.
Plane nonlinear shear waves in relaxing media
Authors: Cormack John M. , Hamilton Mark F.
Published: February 2018

Model equations with cubic nonlinearity are developed for a plane shear wave of finite amplitude in a relaxing medium. The evolution equation for progressive waves is solved analytically for a jump in stress that propagates into an undisturbed medium. Weak-shock theory is used to determine the amplitude and location of the shock when the solution predicts a multivalued waveform. The solution is similar to that obtained by Polyakova, Soluyan, and Khokhlov [Sov. Phys. Acoust. 8, 78–82 (1962)] for a compressional wave with quadratic nonlinearity in a relaxing fluid. Numerical simulations illustrate the effect of relaxation on shock formation in an initially sinusoidal shear wave. The minimum source amplitude required for an initially sinusoidal waveform to develop shocks in a relaxing medium is determined as a function of the dispersion and relaxation time. Limiting forms of the evolution equation are considered, and analytical solutions incorporating weak-shock theory are presented in the high-frequency limit. A Duffing-type model for a nonlinear shear-wave resonator is developed and investigated.
Design of an underwater acoustic bend by pentamode metafluid
Authors: Sun Zhaoyong , Jia Han , Chen Yi , Wang Zhen , Yang Jun
Published: February 2018

In this paper, an impedance matching underwater acoustic bend with pentamode microstructure is designed. The proposed bend is assembled by pentamode lattice. The effective density and compressive modulus of each unit cell can be tuned simultaneously, which are modulated to guarantee both the bending effect and high transmission. The standard deviations (SDs) of transmitted phase are calculated to quantitatively evaluate the degree of the distortion of the transmitted wavefront, while the transmission is calculated to appraise the degree of acoustic impedance matching. The low SDs and high transmission indicate that the designed bend has a nice broadband bending effect and is impedance-matched to water. This design has potential applications in underwater communication and underwater detection.
The Chlamydia trachomatis Plasmid and CT135 Virulence Factors Are Not Essential for Genital Tract Infection or Pathology in Female Pig-Tailed Macaques
Authors: Patton Dorothy L. , Sweeney Yvonne C. , Baldessari Audrey E. , Cles Linda , Kari Laszlo , Sturdevant Gail L. , Yang Chunfu , Caldwell Harlan D.
Published: February 2018

The
Chlamydia trachomatis
plasmid and inclusion membrane protein CT135 are virulence factors in the pathogenesis of murine female genital tract infection. To determine if these virulence factors play a similar role in female nonhuman primates, we infected pig-tailed macaques with the same
C. trachomatis
strains shown to be important in the murine model. Wild-type
C. trachomatis
and its isogenic mutant strain deficient in both plasmid and CT135 were used to infect macaques. Macaques were given primary and repeated cervicovaginal challenges with the wild-type and mutant strains. The infection rate, infection duration, and antibody response were similar among macaques infected with both strains. Unexpectedly, colposcopy, laparoscopy, and histologic analysis revealed no substantial genital tract pathology following either primary or repeated cervicovaginal challenges. Cytokine analysis of cervicovaginal secretions from both challenged groups revealed low concentrations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and elevated levels of the interleukin 1 receptor agonist (IL-1RA). We propose that an imbalance of IL-1β and IL-1RA in macaques is the reason for the mild inflammatory responses observed in infected urogenital tissues. Thus, understanding the pathobiology of chlamydial infection requires a better understanding of host epigenetic and chlamydial genetic factors. Our findings also have implications for understanding the high frequency of asymptomatic infections in humans.
Roger Hendrix: Gentle Provocateur
Authors: Casjens Sherwood R. , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: February 2018

Roger W. Hendrix was at the forefront of bacteriophage biology for nearly 50 years and was central to our understanding of both viral capsid assembly and phage genomic diversity and evolution. Roger's warm and gentle demeanor belied a razor-sharp mind and warmed him to numerous highly productive collaborations that amplified his scientific impact. Roger was always completely open with scientific ideas while at the same time quietly agitating with a stream of new ways of thinking about problems and nudging our communities to search for innovative solutions: a gentle but highly effective provocateur.
Adaptation of Amoeba Plate Test To Recover Legionella Strains from Clinical Samples
Authors: Descours G. , Hannetel H. , Reynaud J. V. , Ranc A. G. , Beraud L. , Kolenda C. , Campese C. , Lina G. , Ginevra C. , Jarraud S.
Published: February 2018

The isolation of
Legionella
from respiratory samples is the gold standard for diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD) and enables epidemiological studies and outbreak investigations. The purpose of this work was to adapt and to evaluate the performance of an amoebic coculture procedure (the amoeba plate test [APT]) for the recovery of
Legionella
strains from respiratory samples, in comparison with axenic culture and liquid-based amoebic coculture (LAC). Axenic culture, LAC, and APT were prospectively performed with 133 respiratory samples from patients with LD. The sensitivities and times to results for the three techniques were compared. Using the three techniques,
Legionella
strains were isolated in 46.6% (
n
= 62) of the 133 respiratory samples. The sensitivity of axenic culture was 42.9% (
n
= 57), that of LAC was 30.1% (
n
= 40), and that of APT was 36.1% (
n
= 48). Seven samples were positive by axenic culture only; for those samples, there were <10 colonies in total. Five samples, all sputum samples, were positive by an amoebic procedure only (5/5 samples by APT and 2/5 samples by LAC); all had overgrowth by oropharyngeal flora with axenic culture. The combination of axenic culture with APT yielded a maximal isolation rate (i.e., 46.6%). Overall, the APT significantly reduced the median time for
Legionella
identification to 4 days, compared with 7 days for LAC (
P
< 0.0001). The results of this study support the substitution of LAC by APT, which could be implemented as a second-line technique for culture-negative samples and samples with microbial overgrowth, especially sputum samples. The findings provide a logical basis for further studies in both clinical and environmental settings.
Understanding the Complexities of Food Safety Using a “One Health” Approach
Authors: Kniel Kalmia E. , Kumar Deepak , Thakur Siddhartha
Published: February 2018

The philosophy of One Health is growing in concept and clarity. The interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health is the basis for the concept of One Health. One Health is a comprehensive approach to ensure the health of people, animals, and the environment through collaborative efforts. Preharvest food safety issues align with the grand concept of One Health. Imagine any food production system, and immediately, parallel images from One Health emerge: for example, transmission of zoonotic diseases, antibiotic residues, or resistance genes in the environment; environmental and animal host reservoirs of disease; challenges with rearing animals and growing fresh produce on the same farm; application and transport of manure or diseased animals. During a recent celebration of #OneHealthDay, information was shared around the globe concerning scientists dedicated to One Health research systems. An ever-growing trade and global commerce system mixed with our incessant desire for food products during the whole year makes it all the more important to take a global view through the One Health lens to solve these growing challenges. The recent explosion of Zika virus around the globe renewed the need for assessing transmissible diseases through the eyes of One Health. It is not good enough to know how a disease affects the human population without a thorough understanding of the environment and vector reservoirs. If 60 to 75% of infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin, the need for better One Health research strategies and overdue solutions is imperative.