bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stage racing at altitude induces hemodilution despite an increase in hemoglobin mass
Authors: Garvican-Lewis Laura A. , Schumacher Yorck O. , Clark Sally A. , Christian Ryan , Menaspà Paolo , Plowman Jamie , Stephens Brian , Qi Jiliang , Fan Rongyun , He Yingying , Martin David T. , Thompson Kevin G. , Gore Christopher J. , Ma Fuhai
Published: July 2014

Plasma volume (PV) can be modulated by altitude exposure (decrease) and periods of intense exercise (increase). Cycle racing at altitude combines both stimuli, although presently no data exist to document which is dominant. Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), and percent reticulocytes (%Retics) of altitude (ALT; n = 9) and sea-level (SL; n = 9) residents were measured during a 14-day cycling race, held at 1,146–4120 m, as well as during a simulated tour near sea level (SIM; n = 12). Hbmass was assessed before and on days 9 and 14 of racing. Venous blood was collected on days 0, 3, 6, 10, and 14. PV was calculated from Hbmass and [Hb]. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the impact of racing at altitude over time, within and between groups. [Hb] decreased significantly in all groups over time ( P < 0.0001) with decreases evident on the third day of racing. %Retics increased significantly in SL only ( P < 0.0001), with SL values elevated at day 6 compared with prerace ( P = 0.02), but were suppressed by the end of the race ( P = 0.0002). Hbmass significantly increased in SL after 9 ( P = 0.0001) and 14 ( P = 0.008) days of racing and was lower at the end of the race than midrace ( P = 0.018). PV increased in all groups ( P < 0.0001). Multiday cycle racing at altitude induces hemodilution of a similar magnitude to that observed during SL racing and occurs in nonacclimatized SL residents, despite an altitude-induced increase in Hbmass. Osmotic regulatory mechanisms associated with intense exercise appear to supersede acute enhancement of oxygen delivery at altitude.
Intrinsic stiffness of extracellular matrix increases with age in skeletal muscles of mice
Authors: Wood Lauren K. , Kayupov Erdan , Gumucio Jonathan P. , Mendias Christopher L. , Claflin Dennis R. , Brooks Susan V.
Published: July 2014

Advanced age is associated with increases in muscle passive stiffness, but the contributors to the changes remain unclear. Our purpose was to determine the relative contributions of muscle fibers and extracellular matrix (ECM) to muscle passive stiffness in both adult and old animals. Passive mechanical properties were determined for isolated individual muscle fibers and bundles of muscle fibers that included their associated ECM, obtained from tibialis anterior muscles of adult (8–12 mo old) and old (28–30 mo old) mice. Maximum tangent moduli of individual muscle fibers from adult and old muscles were not different at any sarcomere length tested. In contrast, the moduli of bundles of fibers from old mice was more than twofold greater than that of fiber bundles from adult muscles at sarcomere lengths >2.5 μm. Because ECM mechanical behavior is determined by the composition and arrangement of its molecular constituents, we also examined the effect of aging on ECM collagen characteristics. With aging, muscle ECM hydroxyproline content increased twofold and advanced glycation end-product protein adducts increased threefold, whereas collagen fibril orientation and total ECM area were not different between muscles from adult and old mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that the ECM of tibialis anterior muscles from old mice has a higher modulus than the ECM of adult muscles, likely driven by an accumulation of densely packed extensively crosslinked collagen.
Pyrvinium Attenuates Hedgehog Signaling Downstream of Smoothened
Authors: Li Bin , Fei Dennis Liang , Flaveny Colin A. , Dahmane Nadia , Baubet Valérie , Wang Zhiqiang , Bai Feng , Pei Xin-Hai , Rodriguez-Blanco Jezabel , Hang Brian , Orton Darren , Han Lu , Wang Baolin , Capobianco Anthony J. , Lee Ethan , Robbins David J.
Published: July 2014

The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway represents an important class of emerging developmental signaling pathways that play critical roles in the genesis of a large number of human cancers. The pharmaceutical industry is currently focused on developing small molecules targeting Smoothened (Smo), a key signaling effector of the HH pathway that regulates the levels and activity of the Gli family of transcription factors. Although one of these compounds, vismodegib, is now FDA-approved for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, acquired mutations in Smo can result in rapid relapse. Furthermore, many cancers also exhibit a Smo-independent activation of Gli proteins, an observation that may underlie the limited efficacy of Smo inhibitors in clinical trials against other types of cancer. Thus, there remains a critical need for HH inhibitors with different mechanisms of action, particularly those that act downstream of Smo. Recently, we identified the FDA-approved anti-pinworm compound pyrvinium as a novel, potent (IC50, 10 nmol/L) casein kinase-1α (CK1α) agonist. We show here that pyrvinium is a potent inhibitor of HH signaling, which acts by reducing the stability of the Gli family of transcription factors. Consistent with CK1α agonists acting on these most distal components of the HH signaling pathway, pyrvinium is able to inhibit the activity of a clinically relevant, vismodegib -resistant Smo mutant, as well as the Gli activity resulting from loss of the negative regulator suppressor of fused. We go on to demonstrate the utility of this small molecule in vivo, against the HH-dependent cancer medulloblastoma, attenuating its growth and reducing the expression of HH biomarkers. Cancer Res; 74(17); 4811–21. ©2014 AACR.
Hsp70–Bag3 Interactions Regulate Cancer-Related Signaling Networks
Authors: Colvin Teresa A. , Gabai Vladimir L. , Gong Jianlin , Calderwood Stuart K. , Li Hu , Gummuluru Suryaram , Matchuk Olga N. , Smirnova Svetlana G. , Orlova Nina V. , Zamulaeva Irina A. , Garcia-Marcos Mikel , Li Xiaokai , Young Z.T. , Rauch Jennifer N. , Gestwicki Jason E. , Takayama Shinichi , Sherman Michael Y.
Published: July 2014

Bag3, a nucleotide exchange factor of the heat shock protein Hsp70, has been implicated in cell signaling. Here, we report that Bag3 interacts with the SH3 domain of Src, thereby mediating the effects of Hsp70 on Src signaling. Using several complementary approaches, we established that the Hsp70–Bag3 module is a broad-acting regulator of cancer cell signaling by modulating the activity of the transcription factors NF-κB, FoxM1, Hif1α, the translation regulator HuR, and the cell-cycle regulators p21 and survivin. We also identified a small-molecule inhibitor, YM-1, that disrupts the Hsp70–Bag3 interaction. YM-1 mirrored the effects of Hsp70 depletion on these signaling pathways, and in vivo administration of this drug was sufficient to suppress tumor growth in mice. Overall, our results defined Bag3 as a critical factor in Hsp70-modulated signaling and offered a preclinical proof-of-concept that the Hsp70–Bag3 complex may offer an appealing anticancer target. Cancer Res; 74(17); 4731–40. ©2014 AACR.
A Bispecific HER2-Targeting FynomAb with Superior Antitumor Activity and Novel Mode of Action
Authors: Brack Simon , Attinger-Toller Isabella , Schade Babette , Mourlane Frédéric , Klupsch Kristina , Woods Richard , Hachemi Helen , von der Bey Ulrike , Koenig-Friedrich Susann , Bertschinger Julian , Grabulovski Dragan
Published: July 2014

Upregulation of HER2 is a hallmark of 20% to 30% of invasive breast cancers, rendering this receptor an attractive target for cancer therapy. Although HER2-targeting agents have provided substantial clinical benefit as cancer therapeutics, there is a need for the development of new agents aiming at circumventing anti-HER2 resistance. On the basis of the approved antibody pertuzumab, we have created a panel of bispecific FynomAbs, which target two epitopes on HER2. FynomAbs are fusion proteins of an antibody and a Fyn SH3–derived binding protein. One bispecific FynomAb, COVA208, was characterized in detail and showed a remarkable ability to induce rapid HER2 internalization and apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, it elicited a strong inhibition of downstream HER2 signaling by reducing HER2, HER3, and EGFR levels in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, COVA208 demonstrated superior activity in four different xenograft models as compared with the approved antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab. The bispecific FynomAb COVA208 has the potential to enhance the clinical efficacy and expand the scope of HER2-directed therapies, and delineates a paradigm for designing a new class of antibody-based therapeutics for other receptor targets. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(8); 2030–9. ©2014 AACR.
Decreased Expression of Cystathionine β-Synthase Promotes Glioma Tumorigenesis
Authors: Takano Naoharu , Sarfraz Yasmeen , Gilkes Daniele M. , Chaturvedi Pallavi , Xiang Lisha , Suematsu Makoto , Zagzag David , Semenza Gregg L.
Published: July 2014

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) catalyzes metabolic reactions that convert homocysteine to cystathionine. To assess the role of CBS in human glioma, cells were stably transfected with lentiviral vectors encoding shRNA targeting CBS or a nontargeting control shRNA, and subclones were injected into immunodeficient mice. Interestingly, decreased CBS expression did not affect proliferation in vitro but decreased the latency period before rapid tumor xenograft growth after subcutaneous injection and increased tumor incidence and volume following orthotopic implantation into the caudate–putamen. In soft-agar colony formation assays, CBS knockdown subclones displayed increased anchorage-independent growth. Molecular analysis revealed that CBS knockdown subclones expressed higher basal levels of the transcriptional activator hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α/EPAS1). HIF2α knockdown counteracted the effect of CBS knockdown on anchorage-independent growth. Bioinformatic analysis of mRNA expression data from human glioma specimens revealed a significant association between low expression of CBS mRNA and high expression of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) and VEGF transcripts, which are HIF2 target gene products that were also increased in CBS knockdown subclones. These results suggest that decreased CBS expression in glioma increases HIF2α protein levels and HIF2 target gene expression, which promotes glioma tumor formation.

Implications: CBS loss-of-function promotes glioma growth. Mol Cancer Res; 12(10); 1398–406. ©2014 AACR.
Total Cholesterol and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: The Impact of Total Cholesterol Level and Gender
Authors: Hall James R. , Wiechmann April R. , Johnson Leigh A. , Edwards Melissa , Barber Robert C. , Cunningham Rebecca , Singh Meharvan , O'Bryant Sid E. ,   for the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium
Published: July 2014

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are a major factor in nursing home placement and a primary cause of stress for caregivers. Elevated cholesterol has been linked to psychiatric disorders and has been shown to be a risk factor for AD and to impact disease progression. The present study investigated the relationship between cholesterol and NPS in AD. Methods: Data on cholesterol and NPS from 220 individuals (144 females, 76 males) with mild-to-moderate AD from the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) cohort were analyzed. The total number of NPS and symptoms of hyperactivity, psychosis, affect and apathy were evaluated. Groups based on total cholesterol (TC; ≥200 vs. <200 mg/dl) were compared with regard to NPS. The impact of gender was also assessed. Results: Individuals with high TC had lower MMSE scores as well as significantly more NPS and more symptoms of psychosis. When stratified by gender, males with high TC had significantly more NPS than females with high TC or than males or females with low TC. Conclusion: The role of elevated cholesterol in the occurrence of NPS in AD appears to be gender and symptom specific. A cross-validation of these findings will have implications for possible treatment interventions, especially for males with high TC.
Recurrence of Endometrial Polyps
Authors: Paradisi Roberto , Rossi Stefania , Scifo Maria Cristina , Dall'O' Francesca , Battaglia Cesare , Venturoli Stefano
Published: July 2014

Aims: To estimate the recurrence rate of patients with endometrial polyps and to evaluate whether the recurrence can be correlated with the histopathologic features of the polyp. Methods: Two hundred and eighty-two women with endometrial polyps in both pre- or postmenopausal period and suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding or not were treated by resectoscopic surgery in a tertiary university hospital and were subsequently followed to check for polyp recurrence. Results: Polyp recurrence rate after hysteroscopic surgery and correlation between recurrence and main demographic, hysteroscopic and histopathologic characteristics were analyzed. During mean ± SD follow-up period of 26.3 ± 19.7 months, the overall recurrence rate was high (13.3%) and did not vary (p = NS) with age, parity, weight or other demographic characteristics of the patients or with the hysteroscopic appearance. On the contrary, the histopathologic features showed significant differences between patients with and without polyp recurrence. Recurrence rate was higher (p < 0.001) in women with histopathologically hyperplastic polyps without atypia and lower (p < 0.001) in women with benign polyps. Conclusion: The study shows that after resectoscopic polypectomy, the recurrence rate of endometrial polyps is high (13.3%). Moreover, the hyperplastic polyps without atypia recur more frequently than benign ones.
Phase II Multicentered Study of Low-Dose Everolimus plus Cisplatin and Weekly 24-Hour Infusion of High-Dose 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Shen Ying-Chun , Li Chung-Pin , Yen Chia-Jui , Hsu Chiun , Lin Yu-Lin , Lin Zhong-Zhe , Chen Li-Tzong , Su Wu-Chou , Chao Yee , Yeh Kun-Huei , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: July 2014

Objective: This phase II trial investigates the efficacy and safety of low-dose everolimus in combination with cisplatin-fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Eligible patients with chemotherapy-naïve advanced gastric cancer received low-dose everolimus (10 mg p.o. on days 1, 8 and 15) plus cisplatin and a weekly 24-hour infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (HDFL) chemotherapy (cisplatin 35 mg/m2 intravenous infusion for 24 h on days 1 and 8, 5-fluorouracil 2,000 mg/m2 and leucovorin 300 mg/m2 intravenous infusion for 24 h on days 1, 8 and 15) every 28 days. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0. Results: Forty patients (19 men; 21 women; median age, 54.1 years; range, 33.7-73.3 years) received a median of 6 (range, 1-30; 95% CI, 4.9-8.0) cycles of study treatment. The ORR was 52.5% (21 confirmed partial response). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.9 (95% CI, 4.9-8.4) and 10.5 (95% CI, 8.6-12.3) months, respectively. Most adverse events were mild. Conclusion: Adding low-dose everolimus to cisplatin-HDFL chemotherapy failed to increase the ORR as in a preplanned statistical assumption but may prolong progression-free survival in treatment-naïve advanced gastric cancer patients.
The Efficacy of Short-Term Psycho-Oncological Interventions for Women with Gynaecological Cancer: A Randomized Study
Authors: Goerling Ute , Jaeger Carolin , Walz Annette , Stickel Anna , Mangler Mandy , van der Meer Elke
Published: July 2014

Objectives: We aimed to examine the efficacy of two psycho-oncological interventions in anxiety, depression, and self-perceived as well as physiological stress in inpatients with gynaecological cancer. Methods: Forty-five women were included in the trial. Thirty-five were categorized as being at high risk of anxiety and depression, and were randomized to either a single psycho-oncological therapy session or a single-session relaxation intervention. Results: A significant decrease in anxiety [mean (t₀) = 12, mean (t1) = 7.47, p = 0.001] and depression [mean (t₀) = 9.71, mean (t1) = 6.35, p < 0.001] was observed in the psycho-oncological intervention group. In the relaxation group, anxiety also significantly decreased [mean (t₀) = 11.67, mean (t1) = 8.22, p = 0.003], whereas depression did not. A comparative analysis of both interventions showed a trend in favour of psycho-oncological therapy for the treatment of depression (F = 3.3, p = 0.078). However, self-reported stress (p = 0.031) and different objective stress parameters only significantly decreased in the relaxation group. Conclusions: Psycho-oncological interventions should represent an essential part of interdisciplinary care for gynaecological cancer patients. Both types of intervention may reduce anxiety. However, the single psycho-oncological therapy session might be slightly more effective in treating depression, whereas the single-session relaxation intervention seems to have a stronger effect on physiological stress parameters.
Pharmacokinetics of Dexamethasone and Nefopam Administered Alone or in Combination Using a Newly Developed Prefilled Multi-Drug Injector in Rats
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhang Junhai , Yang Tao , Fan Kaihua , Gu Jianwen , Yin Guangfu
Published: July 2014

Background/Aim: It is significant for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to receive prehospital emergency treatment as early as possible to reduce mortality. Therefore, a new prefilled multi-drug injector was developed to improve the treatment of TBI. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone (DXM) and nefopam using the injector to investigate the significance of drug interactions and the necessity of dose adjustment. Methods: Rats were administered DXM and nefopam intramuscularly alone or in combination using the injector. The concentrations of DXM and nefopam were measured by means of HPLC. The noncompartmental approach was used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters. Results: All animals appeared to tolerate the injection very well. The maximum concentration 90% confidence interval (CI) of nefopam was in the bioequivalence range when nefopam was co-administered with DXM. However, the AUC 90% CI of nefopam was out of the range. A statistically significant alteration was also observed in the clearance of nefopam. The co-administration exhibited no significant influence on the pharmacokinetic parameters of DXM. Conclusions: These results indicate that the co-administration of DXM and nefopam using the prefilled multi-drug injector significantly alters some pharmacokinetic parameters of nefopam and has a minor effect on DXM pharmacokinetics.
Intracranial Hemorrhage Mortality in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated With Dabigatran or Warfarin
Authors: Alonso Alvaro , Bengtson Lindsay G.S. , MacLehose Richard F. , Lutsey Pamela L. , Chen Lin Y. , Lakshminarayan Kamakshi
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—

In randomized trials, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving dabigatran, a direct oral anticoagulant, had lower risk of intracranial bleeding (ICB) than those on warfarin. However, concerns exist about potential worse outcomes in dabigatran users if bleeding occurs, given the lack of approved reversal agents. Thus, we examined in-hospital mortality in AF patients with ICB being treated with dabigatran versus warfarin in a real-world population in the United States.

Methods—

We analyzed healthcare utilization claims in the Truven Health Marketscan Research Databases. The study sample included patients with AF admitted to a hospital with a primary diagnosis of ICB. Information on medications, inpatient, and outpatient diagnoses was obtained from available claims. Propensity score–adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals of in-hospital mortality comparing current users of dabigatran versus warfarin were estimated using relative risk regression.

Results—

Among 2391 AF patients admitted with ICB (2290 on warfarin, 101 on dabigatran), 531 died during their admission. In-hospital mortality was similar in those treated with warfarin (22%) or dabigatran (20%). Compared with warfarin users, the propensity score–adjusted risk ratio (95% confidence interval) of mortality in dabigatran users was 0.93 (0.62–1.37). Associations were similar across different ICB subtypes (intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural hematoma).

Conclusions—

In this sample of AF patients with ICB on oral anticoagulants, dabigatran was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared with warfarin. Hence, reluctance to use dabigatran because of a lack of approved reversal agents is not supported by our results.
An Epistemic Shift in Islamic Law
Authors: Nakissa Aria
Published: July 2014

In this article, I combine textual research with ethnographic data collected at al-Azhar and Dār al-ʿUlūm to investigate how the modernization of traditional religious learning has transformed the character of Islamic legal doctrine. I argue that changes in educational techniques have produced a shift in “episteme”. Whereas traditional religious learning was dominated by language-based conceptions of knowledge, modern reforms have reoriented education towards new conceptions modeled on the natural sciences. This transformation has fundamentally altered patterns of legal reasoning, particularly with respect to ijtihād and taqlīd. I use these observations to urge a rethinking of the perspectives on ijtihād and taqlīd that currently structure Western research on Islamic legal history.
Cooling Out the Mark in Companion Animal Adoption
Authors: Thompson Carol Y. , Young Robert L.
Published: July 2014

This research examines conflict resolution in the companion animal adoption process. Such adoptions typically occur in public settings where volunteers (1) advise potential adopters about the physical, emotional, and environmental needs of companion animals; (2) evaluate adopters and the environment the companion animal will inhabit; and (3) assess the quality and quantity of interaction the adopted cat or dog will receive in the home. The process often involves adjusting adopters’ perceptions and expectations and occasionally rejecting applicants. Our analysis revealed the use of rhetorical devices by adoption workers to soften the blow of rejection. When rejected applicants refuse to accept adoption worker “accounts” for their decisions, the interactions often become acrimonious. In such cases, adoption workers typically resort to “cooling-out strategies” to restore the face of the rejected applicant, protect the reputation of adoption workers and the group, and control the appearance of discord to facilitate successful adoptions.
Longitudinal Study of Dutch Children’s Attachment to Companion Animals
Authors: Endenburg Nienke , van Lith Hein A. , Kirpensteijn Jolle
Published: July 2014

The goals of the current studies were (1) to develop a new child-companion animal attachment scale; (2) to determine if children are more attached to dogs than to cats; (3) to examine sex and age differences in attachment to companion animals; and (4) to measure stability of children’s attachment to their companion animals over time. Because the Companion Animal Bonding Scale failed to measure Dutch children’s attachment to companion animals, a preliminary 10-question version of a new questionnaire was tested in a pilot study involving 235 children aged 4 to 12 years. The results indicated that the questionnaire is reliable and valid. In a larger 5-year, longitudinal study involving 631 schoolchildren, the final version of the questionnaire was administered 3 times at 2.5-year intervals to children aged 3, 8, and 13 years at the start of the study. The results indicated that children’s attachment to their companion animals is stable.
Orientations to Nonhuman Animal Welfare: A View from the Border
Authors: Faver Catherine A. , Muñoz Jacqueline D.
Published: July 2014

This study employed an online survey to investigate the nonhuman animal welfare attitudes and behaviors of 104 social work students (85% female) enrolled in a Hispanic-serving university near the U.S.–Mexico border. Approximately three-fourths of the respondents were moderately or very concerned about animal welfare issues. Level of concern about animal welfare issues was significantly related to four pro-animal welfare behaviors: making one’s yard friendly to small animals, encouraging others to adopt rather than purchase companion animals, purchasing products labeled “not tested on animals,” and avoiding meat and dairy products. Female respondents had significantly higher scores on the Animal Attitude Scale, indicating more positive attitudes toward animals, and women and graduate students were significantly more likely to purchase products labeled “not tested on animals.” The findings of the study suggest that social workers are potential allies for animal welfare advocates.
Acoustic structure and variation in mountain and western gorilla close calls: a syntactic approach
Authors: Hedwig Daniela , Hammerschmidt Kurt , Mundry Roger , Robbins Martha M. , Boesch Christophe
Published: July 2014

Our understanding of the functioning of a species’ vocal repertoire can be greatly improved by investigating acoustic variation and using objective classification schemes based on acoustic structure. Here we used a syntactic approach to investigate the acoustic structure of the gorilla close distance vocalizations (‘close calls’), which remain as yet little understood. We examined 2130 calls of 10 mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, and 5 western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) from Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. We segmented calls into units using distinct acoustic features and employed model-based cluster analyses to define the repertoire of unit types. We then examined how unit types were combined into calls. Lastly, we compared unit type use between age–sex classes and the two study groups. We found that the gorilla close calls consist of 5 intergraded acoustic unit types which were flexibly but yet non-randomly concatenated into 159 combinations. Our results are in line with previous quantitative acoustic analyses demonstrating a high degree of acoustic variation in a variety of animal vocal repertoires, particularly close distance vocalizations. Our findings add on to (1) the recent argument that the common practice of describing vocal repertoires as either discrete or graded may be of little value as such distinctions may be driven by human perception and non-quantitative descriptions of vocal repertoires, and (2) recent studies indicating that flexibility in close range social calls can come about through combinatorial systems, which previously have been studied primarily in long distance vocalizations. Furthermore, our study highlights differences in the vocal repertoire of western and mountain gorillas, as expected given differences in environment and social behaviour. Our results offer opportunities for further in-depth studies investigating the function of the gorilla close calls, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ape vocal communication in general.
Sociosexual behaviours in cycling, intact female rats (Rattus norvegicus) housed in a seminatural environment
Authors: Chu Xi , Ågmo Anders
Published: July 2014

Groups of 3 males and 4 females were housed in a seminatural environment for a period of 8 days. Female sociosexual behaviours were recorded and analysed from the beginning of behavioural oestrus (defined as the first lordosis response observed in the environment) until the end of oestrus (defined to occur at the moment of a lordosis that was not followed by another one within 60 min). The duration of behavioural oestrus varied between 4.05 and 10.87 h, with a mean of 7.41 ± 0.49 h. In order to analyse changes in behaviour during oestrus, the entire period was divided in 5% segments for each female. The frequency and/or duration of some behaviours changed during the period of oestrus, while others remained stable. Most remarkable among the latter are the frequency of lordosis and the lordosis quotient. From the start of oestrus until the end, the females responded with lordosis to every male mount. Rejections were most frequent at the beginning of the period of oestrus. Then there was a decline, and thereafter rejections remained at a low level, even when the end of oestrus was approached. Paracopulatory behaviours reached a maximum towards the end of the first quarter of the oestrus period. There was no evident decline at the end of oestrus. Females having a high frequency of lordosis showed more paracopulatory behaviours and were pursued more by the males than females with low lordosis frequency. When the behaviour of females with a large number of offspring was compared to that of females with a low number of offspring, no difference in sexual behaviours was found. Comparisons between the females’ behaviour in response to preferred (either defined as the male producing the largest number of lordosis responses or as the male that was most sniffed by the female) and non-preferred males revealed a few minor differences. Location of behaviour was also analysed. Comparisons were made between the environment’s open area and burrow and between different sectors in these parts. Some important differences were found. This is the first detailed description of female rat sociosexual behaviour during the entire period of behavioural oestrus in a seminatural environment.
The role of avpr1a microsatellite length on reproductive success of female Microtus ochrogaster
Authors: Harris Meaghan N. , Alvarez Rose M. , Keane Brian , Talib Alexander D. , Eiswerth Michael J. , Solomon Nancy G.
Published: July 2014

Vasopressin and its’ interactions with the vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) are important in the formation of social attachments and parental behavior in male mammals but there also is evidence that vasopressin is involved in maternal behavior in female mammals. Laboratory studies have shown that female rats with greater expression of V1aR in particular brain regions display more maternal behavior than those with less V1aR expression. Previous data showed that variation in neural V1aR expression in males of several species of rodents was influenced by the length of microsatellite DNA within the regulatory region of gene (avpr1a) encoding V1aR. In male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), the neural expression of V1aR differs between individuals with longer versus shorter avpr1a microsatellites. Males with longer avpr1a microsatellites had greater V1aR expression in particular brain regions, spent more time with their female social partner, and licked and groomed pups more than males with shorter avpr1a microsatellite lengths. If avpr1a microsatellite length is correlated with V1aR expression in females in a similar fashion to that in male prairie voles, females with longer avpr1a microsatellites should have greater reproductive success since maternal care should be critical for offspring survival. In addition, female prairie voles may benefit by living with males that have longer avpr1a microsatellites due to increased male presence at the nest and paternal care. We tested these predictions with prairie voles from semi-natural populations. Females that had summed avpr1a microsatellite allele lengths greater than the median produced more litters and total offspring than females with summed avpr1a lengths less than the median. Females with summed avpr1a microsatellite allele lengths greater than the median also produced offspring sired by more males. The avpr1a length of male social and genetic partners did not influence female reproductive success. This is the first field study showing a relationship between avpr1a microsatellite allele length and female reproductive success in any species.
Dissociating Effects of Movement Preparation and Spatial Attention on Visual Processing: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Ley Pia , Röder Brigitte
Published: July 2014

The present study investigated whether effects of movement preparation and visual spatial attention on visual processing can be dissociated. Movement preparation and visual spatial attention were manipulated orthogonally in a dual-task design. Ten participants covertly prepared unimanual lateral arm movements to one hemifield, while attending to visual stimuli presented either in the same or in the hemifield opposite to the movement goal. Event-related potentials to task-irrelevant visual stimuli were analysed.

Both joint and distinct modulations of visual ERPs by visual spatial attention and movement preparation were observed: The latencies of all analysed peaks (P1, N1, P2) were shorter for matching (in terms of direction of attention and movement) versus non-matching sensory–motor conditions. The P1 amplitude, as well, depended on the sensory–motor matching: The P1 was larger for non-matching compared to matching conditions. By contrast, the N1 amplitude showed additive effects of sensory attention and movement preparation: with attention and movement preparation directed towards the visual stimulus the N1 was largest, with both directed opposite to the stimulus the N1 was smallest. P2 amplitudes, instead, were only modulated by sensory attention.

The present data show that movement preparation and sensory spatial attention are tightly linked and interrelated, showing joint modulations throughout stimulus processing. At the same time, however, our data argue against the idea of identity of the two systems. Instead, sensory spatial attention and movement preparation seem to be processed at least partially independently, though still exerting a combined influence on visual stimulus processing.
Divided Multimodal Attention: Sensory Trace and Context Coding Strategies in Spatially Congruent Auditory and Visual Presentation
Authors: Kristjánsson Tómas , Páll Thorvaldsson Tómas , Kristjánsson Árni
Published: July 2014

Previous research involving both unimodal and multimodal studies suggests that single-response change detection is a capacity-free process while a discriminatory up or down identification is capacity-limited. The trace/context model assumes that this reflects different memory strategies rather than inherent differences between identification and detection. To perform such tasks, one of two strategies is used, a sensory trace or a context coding strategy, and if one is blocked, people will automatically use the other. A drawback to most preceding studies is that stimuli are presented at separate locations, creating the possibility of a spatial confound, which invites alternative interpretations of the results. We describe a series of experiments, investigating divided multimodal attention, without the spatial confound. The results challenge the trace/context model. Our critical experiment involved a gap before a change in volume and brightness, which according to the trace/context model blocks the sensory trace strategy, simultaneously with a roaming pedestal, which should block the context coding strategy. The results clearly show that people can use strategies other than sensory trace and context coding in the tasks and conditions of these experiments, necessitating changes to the trace/context model.
Xylogenesis, Genetic and Environmental Regulation-A Review-
Authors: Savidge Rodney Arthur
Published: July 2014

A critique is provided of the physical and chemical control of primary and secondary xylem development in terms of mechanics, genetics, phylogenetics, and the larger field of plant physiology. Strengths and weaknesses of the phytohormone theory of vascular development are analyzed. Homeobox genes, sub-cellular phytohormone localization, anatomical responses to varied phytohormone ratios and dosages, polar auxin transport, second messengers, radial fluxes in water potential, intercellular signalling, lignin biochemistry, and the phylogenetic position of bryophytes in relation to xylogenesis are identified as some areas for future research. Homeodomain proteins are addressed in terms of cambial initials and cell-fate determination, and other genetic and environmental factors controlling differentiation of diverse cellular phenotypes are reviewed. As a 'continuum hypothesis', it is proposed that the extent of secondary wall sculpturing during tracheary element differentiation is a function of the duration of homeotic gene expression.
Dicotyledonous Fossil Wood Flora and Early Evolution of Wood Characters in the Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Takahashi Ken'ichi , Suzuki Mitsuo
Published: July 2014

Fossil woods are abundant in the Cretaceous Yezo Group in Hokkaido, Japan, in strata of Albian to Santonian ages. From 144 dicotyledonous samples, fourteen species representing 10 genera were identified: Castanoradix cretacea gen. et sp. nov., C. biseriata gen. et sp. nov., Frutecoxylon yubariense gen. et sp. nov., Hamamelidoxylon obiraense sp. nov., Icacinoxylon kokubunii sp. nov., I. nishidae sp. nov., Magnoliaceoxylon hokkaidoense sp. nov., Nishidaxylon jezoense gen. et sp. nov., Paraphyllanthoxylon cenomaniana sp. nov., P. obiraense sp. nov., Plataninium jezoensis sp. nov., P. ogasawarae sp. nov., Sabiaceoxylon jezoense gen. et sp. nov. and Ulminium kokubunii sp. nov. All 14 species are new and four of the 10 genera are new. Five genera (lcacinoxylon, Magnoliaceoxylon, Paraphyllanthoxylon, Plataninium and Ulminium) already are known from the Cretaceous and Tertiary, one (Hamamelidoxylon) previously is known only from the Tertiary. The species distribution by age is: Albian: one species; Cenomanian: four species in four genera; Turonian: ten species in eight genera; Coniacian: six species in five genera; Santonian: eight species in seven genera. The two specimens of Icacin oxylon kokubunii from the Albian are the oldest records of dicotyledonous woods in Japan.
Wood Anatomy of the Subfamily Euphorbioideae
Authors: Mennega Alberta M. W.
Published: July 2014

The wood anatomy was studied of 82 species from 34 out of 54 genera in the subfamily Euphorbioideae, covering all five tribes recognized in this subfamily.

In general the woods show a great deal of similarity. They are characterized by a relative paucity of vessels, often arranged in short to long, dumbbell-shaped or twin, radial multiples, and by medium-sized to large intervessel pits; fibres often have gelatinous walls; parenchyma apotracheal in short, wavy, narrow bands and diffuse-in-aggregates; mostly uni- or only locally biseriate rays, strongly heterocellular (except Hippomane, Hura and Pachystroma). Cell contents, either silica or crystals, or both together, are nearly always present and often useful in distinguishing between genera. Radiallaticifers were noticed in most genera, though they are scarce and difficult to trace. The laticifers are generally not surrounded by special cells, except in some genera of the subtribe Euphorbiinae where radiallaticifers are comparatively frequent and conspicuous.
Wood Anatomy of Actinostrobus (Cupressaceae)
Authors: Heady R. D. , Evans P. D.
Published: July 2014

The wood anatomy of the Western Australian species Actinostrobus arenarius (Cupressaceae) is described for the first time and its features are compared with those of the two other species in the genus: A. acuminatus and A. pyramidalis. Mature heartwood in A. arenarius is light-brown in colour and has an air-dry density of 0.56 g/cm3. Average tracheid length is 4.3 mm. A very prominent warty layer, with individual warts commonly greater than one micron in height and large enough to be visible to light microscopy, lines the inner walls of tracheids. Callitroid thickening is commonly present in narrow (latewood) tracheids, but is absent from wide ones (earlywood). Axial parenchyma cells with dark-red resinous inc1usions are tangentially zonate in earlywood. Bordered pitting in earlywood and latewood is uniseriate. Pit borders are circular and there is a raised torus. Average ray height is low. Cross-field pitting is cupressoid and the number of pits per cross field ranges from two to five, with a mean of 3.1. Average ray heights, ray frequencies, ray volumes, and numbers of pits present in cross fields are higher in A. arenarius than in A. pyramidalis, thus supporting the classification of A. arenarius as aseparate species within Actinostrobus. Veins of distorted xylem cells, similar in appearance to 'frost rings' occur sporadically in the sterns of a11 three species. If such rings are confined to Actinostrobus, then the combination of a very prominent warty layer, and the common occurrence of frost rings could provide a means of separating Actinostrobus from Callitris. Validation of this scheme requires further research to determine if such rings commonly occur in Callitris.
Tension Wood Formed in Fagus Sylvatica and Alnus Glutinosa After Simulated Mass Movement Events
Authors: Heinrich Ingo , Gärtner Holger , Monbaron Michel
Published: July 2014

Due to the likelihood of global climate change, the frequency and magnitude of natural hazards such as mass movements may likewise change, thus favouring the refinement of methods to detect and quantify geomorphic events when precise records are not available. Geomorphic events typically have a significant effect on tree growth, e.g., reaction wood marked by changes in ring widths and wood density. To date, several dendroecological techniques have been developed to document the occurrence of these events but it rarely has been possible to retrieve additional information from reaction wood concerning the precise kind and intensity of geomorphic events. Additional qualitative information inferred from reaction wood of trees holds the potential to not only document but also estimate important characteristics of natural hazard events. To refine the methods already used in dendrogeomorpology, experiments simulating various geomorphic events were used to monitor subsequent wood anatomical responses of Fagus sylvatica and Alnus glutinosa. The preliminary results indicate that these two common broadleaf tree species show variations in their reactions to different experimental treatments.
WOOD IDENTIFICATION IN THE CAPPELLA PALATINA CEILING (12th CENTURY) IN PALERMO (SICILY, ITALY)
Authors: Romagnolj M. , Sarlatto M. , Terranova F. , Bizzarrj E. , Cesettj S.
Published: July 2014

Anatomical studies were made on the structural and decorative elements of the wooden ceiling of the 12th century Cappella Palatina in Palermo, Sicily, to identify the timbers used, analyse their likely provenance, and discuss the selection criteria used by the builders. One hundred and fifty fragments were examined. Abies sp., Pinus sp., Betula sp., Populus sp. and Fagus sylvatica were found and all are most probably from Sicily. Some of the Abies fragments probably belong to Abies nebrodensis as they have exceptionally long tracheids, very tall rays, and abundant crystals. This species was over-Iogged in the past and now only 29 trees remain in the Madonie Natural Reserve in Sicily. Abies and Pinus are found in vertieal and horizontal painted panels, while Populus, Betula and Fagus were used in smaller parts of the muqarnas (painted niches). The choice of species seems to have been related to original tree size. The large size of the Abies boles meant that quarter sawn panels could be used. Sieilian Abies was highly valued at that time for its wood quality.

Special attention was paid to the problem of distinguishing partly degraded Abies and Cedrus woods. However, the scalloped torus in some sampies displayed ambiguous features and these sampies were therefore classified as Abies/Cedrus.
MENISPERMACEAE WOOD ANATOMY AND CAMBIAL VARIANTS
Authors: Jacques Frédéric M.B. , De Franceschi Dario
Published: July 2014

Menispermaceae are comprised almost entirely of lianas. Study of its wood anatomy is of interest for understanding adaptation to the liana habit. We set out here to present a general overview of Menispermaceae wood. The wood anatomy of 77 species of 44 genera, representative of an tribes and from an continents, is described. The wood of 18 of these genera was previously unknown. We observed two secondary growth types within the family: wood with successive cambia and wood with a single cambium. The distribution of these types is partly consistent with the c1assification of the family by Diels. General characters of the family are: wide rays, enlarged vessel pits near the perforation plates, and pitted tyloses. The fun range of wood anatomical diversity is given in Table 1.
GROWTH STRAINS AND RELATED WOOD STRUCTURES IN THE LEANING TRUNKS AND BRANCHES OF TROCHODENDRON ARALIOIDES - A VESSEL-LESS DICOTYLEDON
Authors: Kuo-Huang Ling-Long , Chen Shin-Shin , Huang Yan-San , Chen Shiang-Jiuun , Hsieh Yi-In
Published: July 2014

Leaning trunks and branches of Trochodendron aralioides Sieb. & Zucc., a primitive vessel-less dicotyledon, show increased radial growth and gelatinous fibers on the upper side similar to the features found in dicotyledons with vessels. The patterns of peripheral longitudinal growth strain are variable among trees but similar at different heights within the same leaning trunk. Growth strains on the lower side of the trunks are very small but they are relatively large on the lower side of the branches. Growth stress in the branches is partly affected by the gravitational bending stress, which would be exerted mostly on the lower side. Large spring back strains of branches are associated with large surface strains. Both the microfibril angle (MFA) and the percentage area of gelatinous fiber show positive relationships with the measured strains. The MFA of the S2 wall layer in tracheids in the opposite wood is 24.6 ± 2.2°, whereas the MFA of gelatinous layer in the tension wood is only 14.2 ± 2.7°. The difference of MFA between the gelatinous fibers and the opposite wood is one of the factors accounting for the large contracting force for reorientation.
Ring-Width Chronologies of the Alpine Dwarf Shrub Empetrum Hermaphroditum FROM THE NORWEGIAN MOUNTAINS
Authors: Bär Annette , Bräuning Achim , Löffler Jörg
Published: July 2014

In this study, we present the first ring-width chronologies of the dwarf shrub species Empetrum hermaphroditum. For a proper synchronization of the growth rings, serial sectioning was applied in order to deal with the high intern al growth variability and the high proportion of discontinuous rings. The plants were collected from three micro-sites in the middle alpine belt of the Norwegian Scandes wh ich differed regarding solar insolation, snow accumulation and wind exposure. The constructed ringwidth chronologies cover aperiod of max. 80 years. Irrespective of microclimatic differences, the chronologies are highly correlated among each other and with temperatures during the growth period (June-August). However, ecological differences between the micro-sites are reflected by the mean annual growth increments of the plants. We compared the Empetrum chronologies with a ring-width chronology of Betula pubescens trees from the local tree line. Despite the differences in life form and local site conditions, the growth patterns are very similar, an observation which underscores the dominant influence of temperature on growthring formation. Due to the strong climatic signal recorded in the growth curves of E. hermaphroditum, this dwarf shrub provides a significant potential for climate-growth studies in arctic and alpine regions beyond the tree line.