bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiperoxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of lycopene and ellagic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular lipid peroxidation and apoptosis
Authors: Türk Gaffari , Çeribaşi Ali Osman , Sakin Fatih , Sönmez Mustafa , Ateşşahin Ahmet
Published: March 2010

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene (LC) and ellagic acid (EA) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular and spermatozoal toxicity associated with the oxidative stress and apoptosis in male rats. Forty-eight healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of eight rats each. The control group was treated with placebo; the LC, EA and CP groups were given LC (10 mg kg–1), EA (2 mg kg–1) and CP (15 mg kg–1), respectively, alone; the CP+LC group was treated with a combination of CP (15 mg kg–1) and LC (10 mg kg–1); and the CP+EA group was treated with a combination of CP (15 mg kg–1) and EA (2 mg kg–1). All treatments were maintained for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, bodyweight and the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm concentration and motility, testicular tissue lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidant enzyme activity and apoptosis (i.e. Bax and Bcl-2 proteins) were determined. Administration of CP resulted in significant decreases in epididymal sperm concentration and motility and significant increases in malondialdehyde levels. Although CP significantly increased the number of Bax-positive (apoptotic) cells, it had no effect on the number of Bcl-2-positive (anti-apoptotic) cells compared with the control group. However, combined treatment of rats with LC or EA in addition to CP prevented the development of CP-induced lipid peroxidation and sperm and testicular damage. In conclusion, CP-induced lipid peroxidation leads to structural and functional damage, as well as apoptosis, in spermatogenic cells of rats. Both LC and EA protect against the development of these detrimental effects.
Seasonal reproduction in wild and captive male koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in south-east Queensland
Authors: Allen Camryn D. , de Villiers Deidré L. , Manning Brett D. , Dique David S. , Burridge Michelle , Chafer Mandy L. , Nicolson Vere N. , Jago Sophia C. , McKinnon Allan J. , Booth Rosemary J. , McKee Jeff J. , Pyne Michael J. , Zee Yeng Peng , Lundie-Jenkins Geoff , Theilemann Peter , Wilson Richard J. , Carrick Frank N. , Johnston Stephen D.
Published: March 2010

The effects of breeding season (late spring to early autumn) on south-east Queensland male koala fertility were examined to improve the efficacy of the AI procedure and to determine the practicality of using free-range animals as semen donors for a genome resource bank. Seasonal changes in male koala reproductive function were assessed in a wild free-range population (n = 14; obtained every 6 weeks from January to November 2005), a necropsied healthy wild population (n = 84; obtained monthly from September 2004 to August 2005) and a captive population (n = 7; obtained monthly from October 2005 to October 2006). Reproductive parameters investigated included bodyweight, coat score, sternal gland area and activity, testosterone secretion, reproductive anatomy volume and semen quality (before and after cryopreservation). Collectively, these findings show that reproduction in male koalas from south-east Queensland changes seasonally and that winter appears to be the optimal season in which to collect semen samples by electroejaculation. While it was possible to repeatedly collect semen from free-range koalas for future genetic management via potential storage in a genome resource bank, the survival of these spermatozoa after cryopreservation was poor and will require further improvement.
Numb regulates meiotic spindle organisation in mouse oocytes
Authors: Lv H. , Wang J. C. , Wu K. L. , Gao X. , Wang L. C. , You L. , Chen Z. J.
Published: March 2010

Numb is an adaptor protein that controls the fate of cells in different species through asymmetrical inheritance by sibling cells during division. It has been investigated extensively in mitosis, mostly in neural progenitor cells, but its function in meiosis remains unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the expression, subcellular localisation and functional roles of Numb during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, we found that the expression of Numb increased from the germinal vesicle (GV) to MII stages. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that Numb was mainly concentrated in the GV before meiosis resumption, aggregated in the vicinity of the chromosomes after GV breakdown and then localised to the spindle poles from prometaphase I to MII. Nocodazole treatment resulted in spindle destruction and Numb diffusion into the cytoplasm. However, Numb appeared at the spindle poles again once the spindles had formed when nocodazole-treated oocytes were washed and cultured for spindle recovery. Depletion of Numb by RNA interference resulted in chromosome misalignment, spindle deformation and even doubled spindle formation. Our results suggest that Numb is critical for spindle organisation during mouse oocytes meiosis. The present study provides evidence of a new function for Numb in addition to its action as a cell fate-determining factor.
Relationships between fabric, water retention, and strength of hard subsoils in the south of Western Australia
Authors: Kew G. A. , Gilkes R. J. , Evans D.
Published: March 2010

Crop yield in the sandy soils of the Western Australian wheatbelt is influenced strongly by the plant-available water (PAW) and strength of subsoils. The fabric of hard subsoils of fluvial and aeolian origin has been compared with that of in situ saprolite materials that also occur as subsoils in Western Australia. A fabric classification was developed and relationships between, fabric, water retention, and strength were examined. The clay matrix of hard subsoils is denser and is less porous than in saprolite. Hard subsoils contain rounded quartz grains and transported, rounded aggregates of clay (spherites), while saprolite contains angular quartz grains in a more porous isotropic kaolin clay matrix developed by in situ weathering. At all matric potentials there were large differences in water retention between hard subsoils and saprolite. The dry and wet strengths of subsoils are lower than for saprolite but the strength of both materials is similarly affected by changes in water content and matric potential. A variety of factors including the size, shape, degree of sorting of quartz grains, distribution of dense clay matrix, and cementing by iron oxides or amorphous silica affect the strength of subsoils. The fabric classification is predictive of water retention and strength.
A sub-grid, mixture - fraction-based thermodynamic equilibrium model for gas phase combustion in FIRETEC: development and results
Authors: Clark Michael M. , Fletcher Thomas H. , Linn Rodman R.
Published: March 2010

The chemical processes of gas phase combustion in wildland fires are complex and occur at length-scales that are not resolved in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of landscape-scale wildland fire. A new approach for modelling fire chemistry in HIGRAD/FIRETEC (a landscape-scale CFD wildfire model) applies a mixture–fraction model relying on thermodynamic chemical equilibrium to predict combustion flame temperatures and product species compositions. The mixture–fraction approach is common in combustor modelling applications. However, since individual flame sheets are not resolved in HIGRAD/FIRETEC, application of the mixture–fraction approach requires the development of a sub-grid model, which is based on the two assumptions (i) that combustible gases are concentrated into distinct pockets surrounded by air and combustion products and (ii) that reaction is limited by the mixing of the surrounding air with combustible gases from these pockets. The pocket radius and the thickness of the mixing zone are key parameters used in this model to characterise the sub-grid region where reaction occurs. The development of this sub-grid gas phase model is presented along with simulation results for various types of vegetation, including grass, California chaparral and ponderosa pine.
An examination of fire spread thresholds in discontinuous fuel beds
Authors: Finney Mark A. , Cohen Jack D. , Grenfell Isaac C. , Yedinak Kara M.
Published: March 2010

Many fuel beds, especially live vegetation canopies (conifer forests, shrub fields, bunch-grasses) contain gaps between vegetation clumps. Fires burning in these fuel types often display thresholds for spread that are observed to depend on environmental factors like wind, slope, and fuel moisture content. To investigate threshold spread behaviours, we conducted a set of laboratory burn experiments in artificial fuel beds where gap structure, depth, and slope were controlled. Results revealed that fire spread was limited by gap distance and that the threshold distance for spread was increased for deeper fuel beds and steeper slopes. The reasons for this behaviour were found using a high-speed thermal camera. Flame movements recorded by the camera at 120 Hz suggested fuel particles experience intermittent bathing of non-steady flames before ignition and that fuel particles across the gap ignited only after direct flame contact. The images also showed that the flame profile within the fuel bed expands with height, producing greater horizontal flame displacement in deeper beds. Slope, thus, enhances spread by increasing the effective depth in the uphill direction, which produces wider flames, and thereby increases the potential flame contact. This information suggests that fire spread across discontinuous fuel beds is dependent on the vertical flame profile geometry within the fuel bed and the statistical properties of flame characteristics.
An unconventional myosin required for cell polarization and chemotaxis
Authors: Breshears Laura M. , Wessels Deborah , Soll David R. , Titus Margaret A.
Published: March 2010

MyTH/FERM (myosin tail homology 4/band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin) myosins have roles in cellular adhesion, extension of actin-filled projections such as filopodia and stereocilia, and directional migration. The amoeba
Dictyostelium discoideum
expresses a simple complement of MyTH/FERM myosins, a class VII (M7) myosin required for cell-substrate adhesion and a unique myosin named MyoG. Mutants lacking MyoG exhibit a wide range of normal actin-based behaviors, including chemotaxis to folic acid, but have a striking defect in polarization and chemotaxis to cAMP. Although the
myoG
mutants respond to cAMP stimulation by increasing persistence and weakly increasing levels of cortical F-actin, they do not polarize; instead, they maintain a round shape and move slowly and randomly when exposed to a chemotactic gradient. The mutants also fail to activate and localize PI3K to the membrane closest to the source of chemoattractant. These data reveal a role for a MyTH/FERM myosin in mediating early chemotactic signaling and suggest that MyTH/FERM proteins have conserved roles in signaling and the generation of cell polarity.
Analysis of diverse regulatory networks in a hierarchical context shows consistent tendencies for collaboration in the middle levels
Authors: Bhardwaj Nitin , Yan Koon-Kiu , Gerstein Mark B.
Published: March 2010

Gene regulatory networks have been shown to share some common aspects with commonplace social governance structures. Thus, we can get some intuition into their organization by arranging them into well-known hierarchical layouts. These hierarchies, in turn, can be placed between the extremes of autocracies, with well-defined levels and clear chains of command, and democracies, without such defined levels and with more co-regulatory partnerships between regulators. In general, the presence of partnerships decreases the variation in information flow amongst nodes within a level, more evenly distributing stress. Here we study various regulatory networks (transcriptional, modification, and phosphorylation) for five diverse species,
Escherichia coli
to human. We specify three levels of regulators—top, middle, and bottom—which collectively govern the non-regulator targets lying in the lowest fourth level. We define quantities for nodes, levels, and entire networks that measure their degree of collaboration and autocratic vs. democratic character. We show individual regulators have a range of partnership tendencies: Some regulate their targets in combination with other regulators in local instantiations of democratic structure, whereas others regulate mostly in isolation, in more autocratic fashion. Overall, we show that in all networks studied the middle level has the highest collaborative propensity and coregulatory partnerships occur most frequently amongst midlevel regulators, an observation that has parallels in corporate settings where middle managers must interact most to ensure organizational effectiveness. There is, however, one notable difference between networks in different species: The amount of collaborative regulation and democratic character increases markedly with overall genomic complexity.
Compartmentalized MHC class I antigen processing enhances immunosurveillance by circumventing the law of mass action
Authors: Lev Avital , Princiotta Michael F. , Zanker Damian , Takeda Kazuyo , Gibbs James S. , Kumagai Chiharu , Waffarn Elizabeth , Dolan Brian P. , Burgevin Anne , Van Endert Peter , Chen Weisan , Bennink Jack R. , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: March 2010

MHC class I molecules function to display peptides generated from cellular and pathogen gene products for immune surveillance by CD8+T cells. Cells typically express ∼100,000 class I molecules, or ∼1 per 30,000 cellular proteins. Given “one protein, one peptide” representation, immunosurveillance would be heavily biased toward the most abundant cell proteins. Cells use several mechanisms to prevent this, including the predominant use of defective ribosomal products (DRiPs) to generate peptides from nascent proteins and, as we show here, compartmentalization of DRiP peptide generation to prevent competition from abundant cytosolic peptides. This provides an explanation for the exquisite ability of T cells to recognize peptides generated from otherwise undetected gene products.
Protein folding at the membrane interface, the structure of Nogo-66 requires interactions with a phosphocholine surface
Authors: Vasudevan Sheeja V. , Schulz Jessica , Zhou Chunyi , Cocco Melanie J.
Published: March 2010

Repair of damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is inhibited by the presence of myelin proteins that prevent axonal regrowth. Consequently, growth inhibitors and their common receptor have been identified as targets in the treatment of injury to the CNS. Here we describe the structure of the extracellular domain of the neurite outgrowth inhibitor (Nogo) in a membrane-like environment. Isoforms of Nogo are expressed with a common C terminus containing two transmembrane (TM) helices. The ectodomain between the two TM helices, Nogo-66, is active in preventing axonal growth [GrandPre T, Nakamura F, Vartanian T, Strittmatter SM (2000)
Nature
403:439–444]. We studied the structure of Nogo-66 alone and in the presence of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) vesicles and dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles as membrane mimetics. We find that Nogo-66 is largely disordered when free in solution. However, when bound to a phosphocholine surface Nogo-66 adopts a unique, stable fold, even in the absence of TM anchors. Using paramagnetic probes and protein-DPC nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs), we define portions of the growth inhibitor likely to be accessible on the cell surface. With these data we predict that residues (28-58) are available to bind the Nogo receptor, which is entirely consistent with functional assays. Moreover, the conformations and relative positions of side chains recognized by the receptor are now defined and provide a foundation for antagonist design.
Epigenomic analysis of Alu repeats in human ependymomas
Authors: Xie Hehuang , Wang Min , Bonaldo Maria de F. , Rajaram Veena , Stellpflug Wendy , Smith Christina , Arndt Kelly , Goldman Stewart , Tomita Tadanori , Soares Marcelo B.
Published: March 2010

Global loss of DNA methylation has been known for decades as an epigenomic aberration associated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Loss of DNA methylation affects predominantly repetitive elements, which encompass >50% of the CpG dinucleotides present in the human genome. Because of the lack of an effective approach, no studies have been conducted to reveal such genome-wide methylation changes at a single-base resolution. To precisely determine the CpG sites with methylation loss during progression of pediatric intracranial ependymomas, we exploited a high-throughput bisulfite sequencing approach that simultaneously generates methylation profiles for thousands of Alu elements and their flanking sequences. Comparison of the methylation profiles of normal and tumor tissues revealed that the methylation status of the majority of CpG sites adjacent to or within Alu repeats remain unaltered, while a small set of CpG sites gain or lose methylation in ependymomas. Compared to the CpG sites with stable methylation level between normal control and ependymomas, the differentially methylated CpG sites are enriched in the sequences with low CpG density in the flanking regions of Alu repeats, rather than within the Alu sequences themselves. In addition, the CpG sites that are hypermethylated in ependymomas are proximal to CpG islands, whereas those that are hypomethylated are overrepresented in intergenic regions. Lastly, aberrant methylation of several genomic loci was confirmed to be associated with the aggressive primary tumors and the relapsed ependymomas.
Oxidation state of the XRCC1 N-terminal domain regulates DNA polymerase β binding affinity
Authors: Cuneo Matthew J. , London Robert E.
Published: March 2010

Formation of a complex between the XRCC1 N-terminal domain (NTD) and DNA polymerase β (Pol β) is central to base excision repair of damaged DNA. Two crystal forms of XRCC1-NTD complexed with Pol β have been solved, revealing that the XRCC1-NTD is able to adopt a redox-dependent alternate fold, characterized by a disulfide bond, and substantial variations of secondary structure, folding topology, and electrostatic surface. Although most of these structural changes occur distal to the interface, the oxidized XRCC1-NTD forms additional interactions with Pol β, enhancing affinity by an order of magnitude. Transient disulfide bond formation is increasingly recognized as an important molecular regulatory mechanism. The results presented here suggest a paradigm in DNA repair in which the redox state of a scaffolding protein plays an active role in organizing the repair complex.
FM echolocating bats shift frequencies to avoid broadcast–echo ambiguity in clutter
Authors: Hiryu Shizuko , Bates Mary E. , Simmons James A. , Riquimaroux Hiroshi
Published: March 2010

Sonar broadcasts are followed by echoes at different delays from objects at different distances. When broadcasts are emitted rapidly in cluttered surroundings, echo streams from successive broadcasts overlap and cause ambiguity in matching echoes to corresponding broadcasts. To identify reactions to ambiguity in clutter, echolocating bats that emit multiple-harmonic FM sounds were trained to fly into a dense, extended array of obstacles (multiple rows of vertically hanging chains) while the sonar sounds the bat emitted were recorded with a miniature radio microphone carried by the bat. Flight paths were reconstructed from thermal-infrared video recordings. Successive rows of chains extended more than 6 m in depth, so each broadcast was followed by a series of echoes from multiple rows of chains that lasted up to 40 ms. Bats emitted sounds in pairs (“strobe groups”) at short (20–40 ms) interpulse intervals (IPIs) alternating with longer IPIs (>50 ms). For many short IPIs, the stream of echoes from the first broadcast was still arriving when the second broadcast was emitted. This overlap caused ambiguity about matching echoes with broadcasts. Bats shifted frequencies of the first sound in each strobe group upward and the second sound downward by 3–6 kHz. When overlap and ambiguity ceased, frequency shifts ceased also. Frequency differences were small compared with the total broadcast band, which was 75–80 kHz wide, but the harmonic structure of echoes enhances the differences in spectrograms. Bats could use time–frequency comparisons of echoes with broadcasts to assign echoes to the corresponding broadcasts and thus avoid ambiguity.
Key roles for MED1 LxxLL motifs in pubertal mammary gland development and luminal-cell differentiation
Authors: Jiang Pingping , Hu Qiuping , Ito Mitsuhiro , Meyer Sara , Waltz Susan , Khan Sohaib , Roeder Robert G. , Zhang Xiaoting
Published: March 2010

Mediator recently has emerged as a central player in the direct transduction of signals from transcription factors to the general transcriptional machinery. In the case of nuclear receptors, in vitro studies have shown that the transcriptional coactivator function of the Mediator involves direct ligand-dependent interactions of the MED1 subunit, through its two classical LxxLL motifs, with the receptor AF2 domain. However, despite the strong in vitro evidence, there currently is little information regarding in vivo functions of the LxxLL motifs either in MED1 or in other coactivators. Toward this end, we have generated MED1 LxxLL motif-mutant knockin mice. Interestingly, these mice are both viable and fertile and do not exhibit any apparent gross abnormalities. However, they do exhibit severe defects in pubertal mammary gland development. Consistent with this phenotype, as well as loss of the strong ligand-dependent estrogen receptor (ER)α-Mediator interaction, expression of a number of known ERα-regulated genes was down-regulated in MED1-mutant mammary epithelial cells and could no longer respond to estrogen stimulation. Related, estrogen-stimulated mammary duct growth in MED1-mutant mice was also greatly diminished. Finally, additional studies show that MED1 is differentially expressed in different types of mammary epithelial cells and that its LxxLL motifs play a role in mammary luminal epithelial cell differentiation and progenitor/stem cell determination. Our results establish a key nuclear receptor- and cell-specific in vivo role for MED1 LxxLL motifs, through Mediator-ERα interactions, in mammary gland development.
TRPC channels are necessary mediators of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Wu Xu , Eder Petra , Chang Baojun , Molkentin Jeffery D.
Published: March 2010

Pathologic hypertrophy of the heart is regulated through membrane-bound receptors and intracellular signaling pathways that function, in part, by altering Ca
2+
handling and Ca
2+
-dependent signaling effectors. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are important mediators of Ca
2+
-dependent signal transduction that can sense stretch or activation of membrane-bound receptors. Here we generated cardiac-specific transgenic mice that express dominant-negative (dn) TRPC3, dnTRPC6, or dnTRPC4 toward blocking the activity of the TRPC3/6/7 or TRPC1/4/5 subfamily of channels in the heart. Remarkably, all three dn transgenic strategies attenuated the cardiac hypertrophic response following either neuroendocrine agonist infusion or pressure-overload stimulation. dnTRPC transgenic mice also were partially protected from loss of cardiac functional performance following long-term pressure-overload stimulation. Importantly, adult myocytes isolated from hypertrophic WT hearts showed a unique Ca
2+
influx activity under store-depleted conditions that was not observed in myocytes from hypertrophied dnTRPC3, dnTRPC6, or dnTRPC4 hearts. Moreover, dnTRPC4 inhibited the activity of the TRPC3/6/7 subfamily in the heart, suggesting that these two subfamilies function in coordinated complexes. Mechanistically, inhibition of TRPC channels in transgenic mice or in cultured neonatal myocytes significantly reduced activity in the calcineurin–nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), a known Ca
2+
-dependent hypertrophy-inducing pathway. Thus, TRPC channels are necessary mediators of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy, in part through a calcineurin–NFAT signaling pathway.
A minority of foci or pan-nuclear apoptotic staining of γH2AX in the S phase after UV damage contain DNA double-strand breaks
Authors: de Feraudy Sebastien , Revet Ingrid , Bezrookove Vladimir , Feeney Luzviminda , Cleaver James E.
Published: March 2010

UV irradiation induces histone variant H2AX phosphorylated on serine 139 (γH2AX) foci and high levels of pan-nuclear γH2AX staining without foci, but the significance of this finding is still uncertain. We examined the formation of γH2AX and 53BP1 that coincide at sites of double-strand breaks (DSBs) after ionizing radiation. We compared UV irradiation and treatment with etoposide, an agent that causes DSBs during DNA replication. We found that during DNA replication, UV irradiation induced at least three classes of γH2AX response: a minority of γH2AX foci colocalizing with 53BP1 foci that represent DSBs at replication sites, a majority of γH2AX foci that did not colocalize with 53BP1 foci, and cells with high levels of pan-nuclear γH2AX without foci of either γH2AX or 53BP1. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase and JNK mediated the UV-induced pan-nuclear γH2Ax, which preceded and paralleled UV-induced S phase apoptosis. These high levels of pan-nuclear γH2AX were further increased by loss of the bypass polymerase Pol η and inhibition of ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related, but the levels required the presence of the damage-binding proteins of excision repair xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A and C proteins. DSBs, therefore, represent a small variable fraction of UV-induced γH2AX foci dependent on repair capacity, and they are not detected within high levels of pan-nuclear γH2AX, a preapoptotic signal associated with ATM- and JNK-dependent apoptosis during replication. The formation of γH2AX foci after treatment with DNA-damaging agents cannot, therefore, be used as a direct measure of DSBs without independent corroborating evidence.
Validating a Psychology as a Helping Profession Scale
Authors: Gervasio Amy Herstein , Wendorf Craig A. , Yoder Natalie F.
Published: March 2010

We developed an 11-item Psychology as a Helping Profession (PHP) scale that measured aspects of personal growth/helping skills and applied helping. The scale was only weakly correlated with Friedrich's (1996) Psychology as Science (PAS) scale, implying that the 2 scales measure different conceptions of the nature of psychology. Psychology majors were more likely to endorse psychology as both a helping profession and as a science than were nonmajors. Students with higher scores on the PAS were more likely to endorse the idea of conducting research in the future, whereas students with higher scores on the PHP were more likely to endorse the idea of being a therapist in the future. Using the PHP and PAS in tandem might help in departmental assessment of interests and needs of students.
Using Student Response Systems (“Clickers”) to Combat Conformity and Shyness
Authors: Stowell Jeffrey R. , Oldham Terrah , Bennett Dan
Published: March 2010

This study addressed how trait levels of classroom shyness can influence conformity when students answer opinion questions in different ways. We recruited 128 introductory psychology students to indicate their opinion on 50 controversial questions by raising their hand or anonymously pressing a button on a keypad (“clicker”). Compared to hand-raising, keypad responses had greater variability, suggesting that students were less likely to conform to the group's opinion. Students who typically experience shame and anxiety in class did not conform any more than other students did, but they felt more uncomfortable raising their hands and indicated a stronger preference for using keypads when answering controversial questions.
Consumerism, Activism, Intrinsic Motivation, and Balance: An Interview with Tim Kasser
Authors: Keeley Jared
Published: March 2010

A year after receiving his PhD in psychology from the University of Rochester, Tim Kasser accepted a position at Knox College, in Galesburg, Illinois, where he is currently professor of psychology. He regularly teaches psychology classes on personality, clinical and abnormal psychology, dreaming, and research methods, as well as an interdisciplinary American studies/environmental studies class on alternatives to consumerism. The year before receiving tenure, he won the Philip Green Wright/Lombard College Prize for distinguished teaching at Knox College. Kasser is the author of two books, has coedited another book, and has written more than 60 journal articles and book chapters on materialism, values, goals, and quality of life, among other topics. From 2005 through 2009, Tim served as an associate editor for Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Personality Processes and Individual Differences. He also works with activist groups that try to protect children from commercialization and that encourage a more “inwardly rich” lifestyle than what is offered by consumerism. Tim lives with his wife, two sons, and assorted animals in the western Illinois countryside.

Jared Keeley is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Mississippi State University, where he teaches abnormal psychology and psychopathology. He is an active member of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology and is a consulting editor for Teaching of Psychology. Jared's research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning as well as the classification of psychopathology.
Research Participation versus Classroom Lecture: A Comparison of Student Learning
Authors: Elliott Lisa Jo , Rice Stephen , Trafimow David , Madson Laura , Hipshur Malisa F.
Published: March 2010

Previous literature has focused on students' perceptions of participation in experiments, but has not measured the effect of participation on learning. In Study 1, students rated their perceptions of learning about psychology; they compared the classroom experience to experiment participation, reading about psychology, or summarizing a journal article. In Experiment 2, students either participated in an experiment or listened to a lecture on the experiment's concept. Results indicate that students not only preferred experimental participation to classroom lectures, but that students learned as much about the psychological concept by participating in an experiment as they did by listening to a lecture.
Caveolin-1–dependent occludin endocytosis is required for TNF-induced tight junction regulation in vivo
Authors: Marchiando Amanda M. , Shen Le , Graham W. Vallen , Weber Christopher R. , Schwarz Brad T. , Austin Jotham R. , Raleigh David R. , Guan Yanfang , Watson Alastair J.M. , Montrose Marshall H. , Turner Jerrold R.
Published: March 2010

Epithelial paracellular barrier function, determined primarily by tight junction permeability, is frequently disrupted in disease. In the intestine, barrier loss can be mediated by tumor necrosis factor (α) (TNF) signaling and epithelial myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activation. However, TNF induces only limited alteration of tight junction morphology, and the events that couple structural reorganization to barrier regulation have not been defined. We have used in vivo imaging and transgenic mice expressing fluorescent-tagged occludin and ZO-1 fusion proteins to link occludin endocytosis to TNF-induced tight junction regulation. This endocytosis requires caveolin-1 and is essential for structural and functional tight junction regulation. These data demonstrate that MLCK activation triggers caveolin-1–dependent endocytosis of occludin to effect structural and functional tight junction regulation.
AMP kinase–mediated activation of the BH3-only protein Bim couples energy depletion to stress-induced apoptosis
Authors: Concannon Caoimhín G. , Tuffy Liam P. , Weisová Petronela , Bonner Helena P. , Dávila David , Bonner Caroline , Devocelle Marc C. , Strasser Andreas , Ward Manus W. , Prehn Jochen H.M.
Published: March 2010

Excitotoxicity after glutamate receptor overactivation induces disturbances in cellular ion gradients, resulting in necrosis or apoptosis. Excitotoxic necrosis is triggered by rapid, irreversible ATP depletion, whereas the ability to recover cellular bioenergetics is suggested to be necessary for the activation of excitotoxic apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that even a transient decrease in cellular bioenergetics and an associated activation of adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) is necessary for the activation of excitotoxic apoptosis. We show that the Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)–only protein Bim, a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, is activated in multiple excitotoxicity paradigms, mediates excitotoxic apoptosis, and inhibits delayed Ca2+ deregulation, mitochondrial depolarization, and apoptosis-inducing factor translocation. We demonstrate that bim activation required the activation of AMPK and that prolonged AMPK activation is sufficient to induce bim gene expression and to trigger a bim-dependent cell death. Collectively, our data demonstrate that AMPK activation and the BH3-only protein Bim couple transient energy depletion to stress-induced neuronal apoptosis.
MicroRNA control of podosome formation in vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Quintavalle Manuela , Elia Leonardo , Condorelli Gianluigi , Courtneidge Sara A.
Published: March 2010

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) plasticity plays an important role during development and in vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. It was recently shown that down-regulation of microRNA (miR)-143 and -145, which are coexpressed from a single promoter, regulates the switch from contractile to synthetic phenotype, allowing SMCs to migrate and proliferate. We show in this study that loss of miR-143/145 in vitro and in vivo results in the formation of podosomes, which are actin-rich membrane protrusions involved in the migration of several cell types, including SMCs. We further show that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) mediates podosome formation in SMCs through the regulation of miR-143/145 expression via a pathway involving Src and p53. Moreover, we identify key podosome regulators as targets of miR-143 (PDGF receptor α and protein kinase C ε) and miR-145 (fascin). Thus, dysregulation of the miR-143 and -145 genes is causally involved in the aberrant SMC plasticity encountered during vascular disease, in part through the up-regulation of an autoregulatory loop that promotes podosome formation.
Philip Siekevitz: Bridging biochemistry and cell biology
Authors: Sabatini David D.
Published: March 2010

Philip Siekevitz, an Emeritus Professor at the Rockefeller University who made pioneering contributions to the development of modern cell biology, passed away on December 5th, 2009. He was a creative and enthusiastic scientist, as well as a great experimentalist who throughout his lifetime transmitted the joy of practicing science and the happiness that comes with the acquisition of new knowledge. He was a man of great integrity, with a thoroughly engaging personality and a humility not often found in people of his talent.
Evaluation of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision,
Clinical Modification Codes for Reporting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus Infections at a Hospital in Illinois
Authors: Schaefer Melissa K. , Ellingson Katherine , Conover Craig , Genisca Alicia E. , Currie Donna , Esposito Tina , Panttila Laura , Ruestow Peter , Martin Karen , Cronin Diane , Costello Michael , Sokalski Stephen , Fridkin Scott , Srinivasan Arjun
Published: March 2010

Background.

States, including Illinois, have passed legislation mandating the use of
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision,
Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for reporting
healthcare-associated infections, such as methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Objective.

To evaluate the sensitivity of ICD-9-CM code
combinations for detection of MRSA infection and to understand implications for
reporting.

Methods.

We reviewed discharge and microbiology databases from July through August
of 2005, 2006, and 2007 for ICD-9-CM codes or
microbiology results suggesting MRSA infection at a tertiary care hospital near
Chicago, Illinois. Medical records were reviewed to confirm MRSA infection.
Time from admission to first positive MRSA culture result was evaluated to
identify hospital-onset MRSA (HO-MRSA) infections. The sensitivity of MRSA code
combinations for detecting confirmed MRSA infections was calculated using all
codes present in the discharge record (up to 15); the effect of reviewing only
9 diagnosis codes, the number reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, was also evaluated. The sensitivity of the combination of diagnosis
codes for detection of HO-MRSA infections was compared with that for
community-onset MRSA (CO-MRSA) infections.

Results.

We identified 571 potential MRSA infections with the use of screening
criteria; 403 (71%) were confirmed MRSA infections, of which 61 (15%) were
classified as HO-MRSA. The sensitivity of MRSA code combinations was 59% for
all confirmed MRSA infections when 15 diagnoses were reviewed compared with 31%
if only 9 diagnoses were reviewed (P < .001).
The sensitivity of code combinations was 33% for HO-MRSA infections compared
with 62% for CO-MRSA infections (P <
.001).

Conclusions.

Limiting analysis to 9 diagnosis codes resulted in low sensitivity.
Furthermore, code combinations were better at revealing CO-MRSA infections than
HO-MRSA infections. These limitations could compromise the validity of
ICD-9-CM codes for interfacility comparisons and
for reporting of healthcare-associated MRSA infections.
Conserved nucleosome positioning defines replication origins
Authors: Eaton Matthew L. , Galani Kyriaki , Kang Sukhyun , Bell Stephen P. , MacAlpine David M.
Published: March 2010

The origin recognition complex (ORC) specifies replication origin location. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORC recognizes the ARS (autonomously replicating sequence) consensus sequence (ACS), but only a subset of potential genomic sites are bound, suggesting other chromosomal features influence ORC binding. Using high-throughput sequencing to map ORC binding and nucleosome positioning, we show that yeast origins are characterized by an asymmetric pattern of positioned nucleosomes flanking the ACS. The origin sequences are sufficient to maintain a nucleosome-free origin; however, ORC is required for the precise positioning of nucleosomes flanking the origin. These findings identify local nucleosomes as an important determinant for origin selection and function.
Synaptic plasticity and NO-cGMP-PKG signaling coordinately regulate ERK-driven gene expression in the lateral amygdala and in the auditory thalamus following Pavlovian fear conditioning
Authors: Ota Kristie T. , Monsey Melissa S. , Wu Melissa S. , Young Grace J. , Schafe Glenn E.
Published: March 2010

We have recently hypothesized that NO-cGMP-PKG signaling in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) during auditory fear conditioning coordinately regulates ERK-driven transcriptional changes in both auditory thalamic (MGm/PIN) and LA neurons that serve to promote pre- and postsynaptic alterations at thalamo-LA synapses, respectively. In the present series of experiments, we show that N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-driven synaptic plasticity and NO-cGMP-PKG signaling in the LA regulate the training-induced expression of ERK and the ERK-driven immediate early genes (IEGs) Arc/Arg3.1, c-Fos, and EGR-1 in the LA and the MGm/PIN. Rats receiving intra-LA infusion of the NR2B selective antagonist Ifenprodil, the NOS inhibitor 7-Ni, or the PKG inhibitor Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS exhibited significant decreases in ERK activation and in the training-induced expression of all three IEGs in the LA and MGm/PIN while intra-LA infusion of the PKG activator 8-Br-cGMP had the opposite effect. Remarkably, those rats given intra-LA infusion of the membrane impermeable NO scavenger c-PTIO exhibited significant decreases in ERK activation and ERK-driven IEG expression in the MGm/PIN, but not in the LA. Together with our previous experiments, these results suggest that synaptic plasticity and the NO-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway promote fear memory consolidation, in part, by regulating ERK-driven transcription in both the LA and the MGm/PIN. They further suggest that synaptic plasticity in the LA during fear conditioning promotes ERK-driven transcription in MGm/PIN neurons via NO-driven “retrograde signaling.”
Toxic epidermal necrolysis with severe hyperbilirubinemia: Complete re‐epithelialization after bilirubin reduction therapies
Authors: KAMADA Noriaki , YONEYAMA Kei , TOGAWA Yaei , SUEHIRO Keisuke , SHINKAI Hiroshi , YOKOTA Masaya , MATSUDA Kenichi , ODA Shigeto , HIRASAWA Hiroyuki , MATSUE Hiroyuki
Published: March 2010

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life‐threatening skin disorder, and its mortality rate is estimated to be approximately 20–30%. It is characterized that more than 30% of the skin surface is eroded, however, skin lesions are usually re‐epithelialized within 2–3 weeks. Previously, we reported a fatal case of toxic epidermal necrolysis with hyperbilirubinemia, and more than 60% of body surface areas had been eroded for 9 weeks. For the reason of delayed re‐epithelialization, we hypothesized that hyperbilirubinemia was the culprit because bilirubin damaged cultured keratinocytes in vitro. In this case, we had an opportunity to treat another case of toxic epidermal necrolysis with severe hyperbilirubinemia. In order to reduce serum bilirubin levels, we performed bilirubin adsorption therapies, and skin lesions were successfully re‐epithelialized within 4 weeks. Though further studies are required, we considered that bilirubin adsorption therapies are worth trying for toxic epidermal necrolysis with hyperbilirubinemia, especially for the cases suffering from delayed re‐epithelialization.
The composition and abundance of phytoplankton in Lake Bukoni, western Uganda
Authors: Nyakoojo Clement
Published: March 2010

Lake Bukoni is one of the crater lakes in western Uganda. Investigations into this lake is limited compared to other African lakes. Data on phytoplankton ecology in the lake are lacking. Phytoplankton consists of a community of photosynthetic, microscopic plants adapted to suspension in water. They constitute ‘hidden flora’ which make an important contribution to the primary productivity of a water mass. Some phytoplankton taxa, among them species belonging to Cyanophyta, are known to influence ecological transformations and to cause health hazards in water bodies that are used by humans. From July 2004 to December 2005, phytoplankton was collected from two sites (inshore and offshore) in Lake Bukoni. An inverted microscope, Sedgwick counting chamber and multiple tally denominator were used to quantify the phytoplankton. Phytoplankton was dominated by nonheterocystous cyanoprokaryotes especially Lyllgbya limnetica followed by the diatoms Synedra ulna and Fragillaria mutabilis. The inshore site had more phytoplankton species. Differences in phytoplankton diversity and density were mainly attributed to mixing and presence of macrophytes. The occurrence of large numbers of cyanoprokaryotes poses a potential health hazard to the local people who utilize the water from Lake Bukoni. The dominance of cyanoprokaryotes might result in ecological transformations like loss of biodiversity.
Joint 3D processing of active and passive seismic data
Authors: Vesnaver Aldo , Lovisa Lara , Böhm Gualtiero
Published: March 2010

Passive seismic provides additional illumination sources in producing reservoirs, improving the Earth's imaging obtained by standard 3D seismic surveys. The joint tomographic inversion of surface and borehole data, both active and passive, even allows the delineation of thin reservoirs that cannot be resolved by reflection tomography. As an application example, we present a feasibility study for a real case of CO2geological storage, showing that this operation may benefit both environment and reservoir monitoring.

The origin time of micro‐earthquakes due to production operations is critical for merging active and passive data. We show here that the Wadati's method is not accurate for borehole data in a layered earth model, when the ratio between P and S velocities is not constant, as occurs in most hydrocarbon reservoirs. This drawback can be solved by deploying a few receivers at the surface close to the well.
Calibration shifts in Scintrex CG‐3M gravimeters with an application to detection of microgravity changes at Iwo‐tou caldera, Japan
Authors: Ukawa Motoo , Nozaki Kyozo , Ueda Hideki , Fujita Eisuke
Published: March 2010

Calibration shift seriously influences gravity values measured using Scintrex CG‐3M gravimeters. We calibrated three Scintrex CG‐3M gravimeters three times (1999, 2003 and 2006) over eight years, using a calibration line with a gravity difference of 1.38 Gal. The scale factor correction coefficients (calibration factors) obtained here range from 0.9998–1.0005. The calibration factors vary with time by 89 ppm, −102 ppm and −126 ppm between the 1999–2003 surveys. The calibration shifts of two of the three gravimeters decreased to about 20 ppm or less in the second interval, the other remained about the same (142 ppm). The results indicate that they shifted at rates on the order of 10 ppm/year even several years after manufacturing. The large shift in calibration factors indicates that they must be corrected using calibrations done before and after the measurements to perform microgravity measurements when gravity differences between a reference gravity site and survey sites are on the order of a hundred milligals (mGal) or more. The results also indicate that the calibration factors change gradually with time, so their interpolation provides a good practical approximation for a specific survey time. We applied the time‐dependent calibration factors to microgravity monitoring at the Iwo‐tou caldera, Japan, where the gravity difference between the base site on the island and the reference site on Honshu (the mainland of Japan) is about 870 mGal mainly due to the 11° latitude difference. Gravity surveys were conducted every two years from 1998–2006. The correction of scale factors estimated from the repeated calibration surveys leads to satisfactory measurements, in which the average of the absolute differences between two Scintrex CG‐3M instruments in five surveys is reduced from 207μGal to 19μGal; for three of those surveys, it is less than 10 μGal. This result demonstrates the importance of repeated calibration surveys.