bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional essentiality of succinate metabolism in adaptation to hypoxia in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Eoh Hyungjin , Rhee Kyu Y.
Published: April 2013

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is a chronic, facultative intracellular pathogen that spends the majority of its decades-long life cycle in a non- or slowly replicating state. However, the bacterium remains poised to resume replicating so that it can transmit itself to a new host. Knowledge of the metabolic adaptations used to facilitate entry into and exit from nonreplicative states remains incomplete. Here, we apply
13
C-based metabolomic profiling to characterize the activity of
M. tuberculosis
tricarboxylic acid cycle during adaptation to and recovery from hypoxia, a physiologically relevant condition associated with nonreplication. We show that, as
M. tuberculosis
adapts to hypoxia, it slows and remodels its tricarboxylic acid cycle to increase production of succinate, which is used to flexibly sustain membrane potential, ATP synthesis, and anaplerosis, in response to varying degrees of O
2
limitation and the presence or absence of the alternate electron acceptor nitrate. This remodeling is mediated by the bifunctional enzyme isocitrate lyase acting in a noncanonical role distinct from fatty acid catabolism. Isocitrate lyase-dependent production of succinate affords
M. tuberculosis
with a unique and bioenergetically efficient metabolic means of entry into and exit from hypoxia-induced quiescence.
Sandhya Koushika: Building new models and communities
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: April 2013

Koushika studies axonal transport primarily in the worm C.elegans.
The BLOC-1 complex promotes endosomal maturation by recruiting the Rab5 GTPase-activating protein Msb3
Authors: John Peter Arun T. , Lachmann Jens , Rana Meenakshi , Bunge Madeleine , Cabrera Margarita , Ungermann Christian
Published: April 2013

Membrane microcompartments of the early endosomes serve as a sorting and signaling platform, where receptors are either recycled back to the plasma membrane or forwarded to the lysosome for destruction. In metazoan cells, three complexes, termed BLOC-1 to -3, mediate protein sorting from the early endosome to lysosomes and lysosome-related organelles. We now demonstrate that BLOC-1 is an endosomal Rab-GAP (GTPase-activating protein) adapter complex in yeast. The yeast BLOC-1 consisted of six subunits, which localized interdependently to the endosomes in a Rab5/Vps21-dependent manner. In the absence of BLOC-1 subunits, the balance between recycling and degradation of selected cargoes was impaired. Additionally, our data show that BLOC-1 is both a Vps21 effector and an adapter for its GAP Msb3. BLOC-1 and Msb3 interacted in vivo, and both mutants resulted in a redistribution of active Vps21 to the vacuole surface. We thus conclude that BLOC-1 controls the lifetime of active Rab5/Vps21 and thus endosomal maturation along the endocytic pathway.
Binding to F-actin guides cadherin cluster assembly, stability, and movement
Authors: Hong Soonjin , Troyanovsky Regina B. , Troyanovsky Sergey M.
Published: April 2013

The cadherin extracellular region produces intercellular adhesion clusters through trans- and cis-intercadherin bonds, and the intracellular region connects these clusters to the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the interdependence of these binding events, cadherin adhesion was reconstructed from the minimal number of structural elements. F-actin–uncoupled adhesive clusters displayed high instability and random motion. Their assembly required a cadherin cis-binding interface. Coupling these clusters with F-actin through an α-catenin actin-binding domain (αABD) dramatically extended cluster lifetime and conferred direction to cluster motility. In addition, αABD partially lifted the requirement for the cis-interface for cluster assembly. Even more dramatic enhancement of cadherin clustering was observed if αABD was joined with cadherin through a flexible linker or if it was replaced with an actin-binding domain of utrophin. These data present direct evidence that binding to F-actin stabilizes cadherin clusters and cooperates with the cis-interface in cadherin clustering. Such cooperation apparently synchronizes extracellular and intracellular binding events in the process of adherens junction assembly.
Frobenius–Schur indicators of unipotent characters and the twisted involution module
Authors: Geck Meinolf , Malle Gunter
Published: April 2013

LetWWbe a finite Weyl group andσ\sigmaa non-trivial graph automorphism ofWW. We show a remarkable relation between theσ\sigma-twisted involution module forWWand the Frobenius–Schur indicators of the unipotent characters of a corresponding twisted finite group of Lie type. This extends earlier results of Lusztig and Vogan for the untwisted case and then allows us to state a general result valid for any finite group of Lie type. Inspired by recent work of Marberg, we also formally define Frobenius–Schur indicators for “unipotent characters” of twisted dihedral groups.
Calonectria pseudonaviculata can Cause Leaf Spot and Stem Blight of Pachysandra procumbens
Authors: LaMondia J. A. , Li D. W.
Published: April 2013

The authors' objective in this study was to determine the susceptibility of P. procumbens to C. pseudonaviculata. This is the first report of C. pseudonaviculatum causing a leaf spot and stem lesion disease on P. procumbens.

Accepted for publication 14 January 2012. Published 26 February 2013.
Evaluation of Biorational Products for Management of Phytophthora Blight of Bell Pepper Transplants
Authors: Ables Camilla Yandoc , Hong Jason C. , Kokalis-Burelle Nancy , Albano Joseph P. , Lamb Elizabeth M. , Rosskopf Erin N.
Published: April 2013

There is a critical need for pest control products that are compatible with sustainable agricultural practices, such as those based on natural antagonists or plant defense activators. Four separate, repeated experiments were conducted in which commercially available biopesticides and phosphonate-containing products were evaluated in the greenhouse for the management of Phytophthora blight of bell pepper caused by Phytophthora capsici. The phosphonate-containing product, FNX-100, applied as a soil drench, was found to be the most effective treatment for decreasing the incidence of stem and crown rot. A single soil drench of FNX-100 applied at the lowest concentration provided disease control that was as effective as multiple applications of the highest rate. Foliar applications of FNX-100 at any concentration or frequency were ineffective for disease control, and caused pronounced phytotoxicity when compared to the FNX-100 soil drench. The phosphorous acid K-Phite was found to be less effective than FNX-100, but disease symptoms were minimal in plants treated with a soil drench of that product. While the efficacy of three other phosphonate-containing products, Prophyt, Phostrol, and FNX-2500, were inconsistent, it was observed that these products were also more effective in managing disease when applied as a soil drench rather than as a foliar spray.

Accepted for publication 18 December 2012. Published 26 February 2013.
Molecular Detection of Tobacco rattle virus in Bleeding Heart [Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem.] Growing in Alaska
Authors: Robertson Nancy L.
Published: April 2013

Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) was detected in bleeding heart from South Central Alaskan home gardens in 2010-11. TRV M-type and NM-type isolates were confirmed from these symptomatic bleeding heart plants by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR polymerase chain reaction, protein, serological, and virus transmission assays. RNA1 was sequenced from one of the bleeding heart M-type isolates, and the nucleotide identity ranged from 91% to 94% when compared with six TRV isolates from potato, spinach, and alstroemeria. This is the first detection of TRV from D. spectabilis in Alaska. It is also the first time that M- and NM-type isolates have been distinguished from bleeding heart plants. The significance of these findings is that even though TRV infected plants containing NM-type isolates probably will not be spread to other plants by its specific nematode vector; vegetative propagated roots from TRV infected plants of either type of isolates will continue to be a source of diseased plants to home gardeners.

Accepted for publication 18 December 2012. Published 27 February 2013.
First Report of Powdery Mildew (Microsphaera palczewskii) on Siberian Peashrub in Montana
Authors: Lonergan Erin , Skoglund Linnea G.
Published: April 2013

The Siberian peashrub is a common ornamental shrub in Montana. Beginning in 2005, a powdery mildew was observed on samples from several counties. In 2012, samples were collected from Ravalli and Gallatin counties and identified as Microsphaera palczewskii. It was first reported from collections taken in Washington and Idaho and subsequently identified in Minnesota and North Dakota in 2006. This is the first report for Montana.

Accepted for publication 11 February 2013. Published 27 March 2013.
An Epidemic of Downy Mildew caused by Peronospora destructor on Vidalia Sweet Onions in Georgia in 2012
Authors: Parkunan Venkatesan , Gitaitis Ronald D. , Dutta Bhabesh , Langston David B. , Ji Pingsheng
Published: April 2013

The first reported occurrence of onion downy mildew (ODM) on Vidalia sweet onions in Georgia was in 1999. Although the disease is not common every year, two epidemics have occurred since 1999. The authors report here on the impact of a recent outbreak of ODM on the $100-million Vidalia onion crop in 2012.

Accepted for publication 29 January 2013. Published 28 March 2013.
Octodon degus (Molina 1782): A Model in Comparative Biology and Biomedicine
Authors: Ardiles Alvaro O. , Ewer John , Acosta Monica L. , Kirkwood Alfredo , Martinez Agustin D. , Ebensperger Luis A. , Bozinovic Francisco , Lee Theresa M. , Palacios Adrian G.
Published: April 2013

One major goal of integrative and comparative biology is to understand and explain the interaction between the performance and behavior of animals in their natural environment. The Caviomorph, Octodon degu, is a native rodent species from Chile, and represents a unique model to study physiological and behavioral traits, including cognitive and sensory abilities. Degus live in colonies and have a well-structured social organization, with a mostly diurnal–crepuscular circadian activity pattern. More notable is the fact that in captivity, they reproduce and live between 5 and 7 yr and show hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer's disease), diabetes, and cancer.
Clonal Analysis of Olfaction in Drosophila: Generation of Flies with Mosaic Labeling
Authors: Ostrovsky Aaron , Cachero Sebastian , Jefferis Gregory
Published: April 2013

Clonal analysis with the MARCM (mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker) system can be used for studying cell lineage, development, and anatomy in the Drosophila olfactory system and other parts of the fly brain. This protocol gives a method for generating flies with mosaic labeling. It describes how to establish a mating cage for MARCM in PNs (projection neurons) of the fly antennal lobe and then select appropriate flies for dissection and staining using immunohistochemistry. The protocol can be adapted to determine the birth order of neuroblast lineages or individual cells. Alternatively, it can be used to dissect a complicated Gal4 line into its component neuroblast lineages to help elucidate projection patterns and connectivity. Collecting newly hatched larvae during a short time window allows for precise control of the stage during development at which the heat shock is applied.
Clonal Analysis of Olfaction in Drosophila: Immunochemistry and Imaging of Fly Brains
Authors: Ostrovsky Aaron , Cachero Sebastian , Jefferis Gregory
Published: April 2013

Clonal analysis with the MARCM (mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker) system can be used for studying cell lineage, development, and anatomy in the Drosophila olfactory system and other parts of the fly brain. This protocol describes the dissection, staining, and imaging of brains from Drosophila with mosaic labeling. Staining for the presynaptic marker Bruchpilot (nc82) is performed in the example given here. The well-stained whole brain images that are obtained can be used to examine neuronal morphology. They are of sufficient quality to be used for image registration, which allows one to compare confocal images of labeled neurons in different brains.
Clonal Analysis of Olfaction in Drosophila: Image Registration
Authors: Ostrovsky Aaron , Cachero Sebastian , Jefferis Gregory
Published: April 2013

Clonal analysis with the MARCM (mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker) system can be used for studying cell lineage, development, and anatomy in the Drosophila olfactory system and other parts of the fly brain. To compare confocal images of labeled neurons in different brains, it may be desirable to register them to a template or standard brain. There are various image registration approaches available. Some depend on manually specifying landmarks on the brains to be registered. Others depend only on the grayscale intensity value of one of the channels in the confocal image. Another important difference between registration approaches is whether they apply linear or nonlinear (warping) transformations. Linear transformations typically include translation, rotation, and scaling along each axis. Nonlinear transformations are much more computationally intensive, but are required to register brains with different shapes. Here we describe the practical steps required for an intensity-based nonlinear registration that has been used to map the higher olfactory centers of the Drosophila brain using the staining for the presynaptic marker Bruchpilot (nc82). This registration is in fact a two-step process. The first step is a linear transformation that roughly aligns the two brains, followed by a second nonlinear step that allows different parts of the brain to move in slightly different directions.
RNA Structure Determination Using Nuclease Digestion
Authors: Nilsen Timothy W.
Published: April 2013

Determining RNA structures (i.e., single- and double-strand regions) is often useful when assessing the potential for certain RNAs to interact with proteins or when determining whether RNAs that are dissimilar in sequence can form the same structure. A number of ribonucleases (RNases) have been used to map RNA structure, but many of these are no longer available. However, three commonly available RNA endonucleases (RNase T1, RNase I, and RNase V1) can provide a wealth of structural information. Cleavages of end-labeled RNA are initiated by one of the RNases (H2O is used for mock-treated controls), terminated with aurintricarboxylic acid (a potent RNase inhibitor), and detected by electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Because there are enzymes that can cleave only when the RNA is single stranded (e.g., RNase T1) or double stranded (e.g., RNase V1), it is possible to do parallel analyses.
How to Make Calcium-Sensitive Minielectrodes
Authors: Thomas Roger C. , Bers Donald M.
Published: April 2013

In this protocol we describe how to make and use minielectrodes for measuring [Ca2+] in small volumes of solution. The minielectrodes are ∼2 mm in diameter and have sufficiently low resistances to be used with a standard pH meter. They are made by dipping polyethylene or borosilicate glass tubes (∼5 cm long) in a membrane solution. Although the chemicals used to make these Ca2+-sensitive minielectrodes are expensive, they can be used to make hundreds of electrodes, each with a useful life of several months.
How to Make Calcium-Sensitive Microelectrodes
Authors: Thomas Roger C. , Bers Donald M.
Published: April 2013

Ca2+-sensitive microelectrodes (CaSMs) directly measure the pCa at their tip, which can be in a small extracellular space or inside a large and robust cell. They do not add to buffering and do not require expensive equipment. But they are time-consuming to make, require a reference electrode in the same location, and tend to create a leak around the point of insertion. In addition, CaSMs only work well with a tip diameter of >1 μm. In this protocol, we describe how to make and use the electrodes and briefly consider possible problems.
Husbandry and Breeding in the Octodon degu (Molina 1782)
Authors: Palacios Adrian G. , Lee Theresa M.
Published: April 2013

The Octodon degu is a native rodent species from South America, which lives in colonies with a well-structured social organization grouping of 5–10 young and 2–5 adult animals sharing a burrow system. They show a temperature-dependent diurnal-crepuscular activity pattern. In nature they rarely survive 2 yr, mostly because of predation. However, in captivity, females reproduce for 4–4.5 yr, and both sexes live for 5–7 yr. Males remain fertile until death. Some care is required to maintain healthy degus, particularly breeding females. Here we describe husbandry and breeding guidelines from the experience of the University of Michigan degu colony. With the husbandry practices described here, 90% of pups born in our colony reach maturity (6 mo of age), and no diarrheal diseases are apparent in our adult population.
All-Optical In Situ Histology of Brain Tissue with Femtosecond Laser Pulses
Authors: Tsai Philbert S. , Blinder Pablo , Squier Jeffrey A. , Kleinfeld David
Published: April 2013

This protocol describes the application of laser pulses to image and ablate neuronal tissue for the purpose of automated histology. The histology is accomplished in situ using serial two-photon imaging of labeled tissue and removal of the imaged tissue with amplified, femtosecond pulses. Together with the use of endogenous fluorescent indicators and/or deep penetration of antibody labels and organic dyes, this method may be used to automatically image, reconstruct, and vectorize structures of interest across millimeter to centimeter regions of brain with micrometer resolution.
Microsurgical Approaches to Isolate Tissues from Xenopus Embryos for Imaging Morphogenesis
Authors: Kim Hye Young , Davidson Lance A.
Published: April 2013

To understand dynamic cell and tissue mechanics during Xenopus laevis morphogenesis requires the use of live reporters of cell architecture as well as reporters for the location and activity of proteins in cells within a multicellular tissue. Fluorescently tagged proteins are some of the most useful reporters for live cell work. Once the desired expression pattern of fluorescent reporters has been found, the next step is preparing samples of tissue explants to bring subcellular structures and protein dynamics within the range of high-numerical aperture (NA) objectives. Visualization of dynamic living structures like the cytoskeleton requires the use of high-resolution confocal microscopes outfitted with oil-immersion, high-NA objectives. These objectives, typically 40×, 63×, and 100×, have very short working distances (i.e., samples must be brought within 150 μm of the coverslip, but perform optimally only when samples are <25 μm from the coverslip). Thus, to visualize protein dynamics and follow cell behaviors during morphogenetic events, tissues must be isolated by microsurgery and cultured on the glass surface of custom-made culture chambers. To visualize multicellular tissues from Xenopus embryos, we microsurgically dissect tissues from the desired part of the embryo using fine tools made from human hair. In this protocol, we discuss tools, microsurgery technique, and specific surgical manipulations to isolate important tissues from the gastrulating embryo.
Purification and Culture of Spinal Motor Neurons from Rat Embryos
Authors: Graber David J. , Harris Brent T.
Published: April 2013

We describe an immunopanning protocol to isolate, enrich, and culture spinal motor neurons from rat embryonic spinal cords. The method takes advantage of several distinct properties of rat lower motor neurons to isolate them from neighboring cells. First, an ideal stage in development after motor neurons are born (embryonic day 14 during rat gestation), but prior to extensive axonal extension or developmental apoptosis, is exploited. Lower motor neurons cannot be viably isolated using this method after birth. After dissociating embryonic spinal cord tissue, which contains lower motor neurons among many other cell types, the uniquely large motor neurons are enriched using density gradient centrifugation. Finally, the collected cell population is further purified based on selective immunopanning for motor neurons, which express the low-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor often referred to as p75. The near-pure lower motor neuron cultures are plated and seeded in defined conditions optimal for survival and can be maintained for several weeks. The expected yield is approximately 70,000 cells per embryonic spinal cord.
Getting Started in Stereology
Authors: West Mark J.
Published: April 2013

Stereology involves sampling structural features in sections of tissue with geometrical probes. This article discusses some practical issues that must be dealt with when getting started in stereology, including tissue preparation methods and determining how many tissue sections and probes are needed to make a stereological estimate.
Investigating Morphogenesis in Xenopus Embryos: Imaging Strategies, Processing, and Analysis
Authors: Kim Hye Young , Davidson Lance A.
Published: April 2013

Methods have been developed for visualizing cell movement and protein dynamics during morphogenesis within live multicellular tissues isolated from Xenopus laevis embryos. These include the preparation and use of reporter constructs in Xenopus embryos, microsurgical techniques for isolating embryonic tissues, and methods for culturing live tissues for extended periods. In this article, we present strategies for successful imaging of large thick embryonic tissues by improving the signal and minimizing damage to cells and tissues from overexposure. We also describe strategies for image analysis, including construction of kymographs, use of time- and z-projected confocal stacks, and approaches to segment images using regions of interest. With these imaging tools, the “cut-and-paste” embryology of the Xenopus model system allows remarkable access to both the mechanics of cells and tissues as well as the complex cell biology of adhesion and the cytoskeleton during morphogenesis.
Comparative genomic analysis of magnetotactic bacteria from the Deltaproteobacteria provides new insights into magnetite and greigite magnetosome genes required for magnetotaxis
Authors: Lefèvre Christopher T. , Trubitsyn Denis , Abreu Fernanda , Kolinko Sebastian , Jogler Christian , de Almeida Luiz Gonzaga Paula , de Vasconcelos Ana Tereza R. , Kube Michael , Reinhardt Richard , Lins Ulysses , Pignol David , Schüler Dirk , Bazylinski Dennis A. , Ginet Nicolas
Published: April 2013

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) represent a group of diverse motile prokaryotes that biomineralize magnetosomes, the organelles responsible for magnetotaxis. Magnetosomes consist of intracellular, membrane‐bounded, tens‐of‐nanometre‐sized crystals of the magnetic minerals magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4) and are usually organized as a chain within the cell acting like a compass needle. Most information regarding the biomineralization processes involved in magnetosome formation comes from studies involving Alphaproteobacteria species which biomineralize cuboctahedral and elongated prismatic crystals of magnetite. Many magnetosome genes, the mam genes, identified in these organisms are conserved in all known MTB. Here we present a comparative genomic analysis of magnetotactic Deltaproteobacteria that synthesize bullet‐shaped crystals of magnetite and/or greigite. We show that in addition to mam genes, there is a conserved set of genes, designated mad genes, specific to the magnetotactic Deltaproteobacteria, some also being present in Candidatus Magnetobacterium bavaricum of the Nitrospirae phylum, but absent in the magnetotactic Alphaproteobacteria. Our results suggest that the number of genes associated with magnetotaxis in magnetotactic Deltaproteobacteria is larger than previously thought. We also demonstrate that the minimum set of mam genes necessary for magnetosome formation in Magnetospirillum is also conserved in magnetite‐producing, magnetotactic Deltaproteobacteria. Some putative novel functions of mad genes are discussed.
Vaginal examination does not improve diagnostic accuracy in early pregnancy bleeding
Authors: Johnstone Chris
Published: April 2013

Objective

The study aims to determine if a vaginal examination improves diagnostic accuracy when assessing women who present to the ED with vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐five women with first trimester bleeding were randomised to have a vaginal examination (n = 61) or not (n = 74). They were given a provisional diagnosis, and then a final diagnosis after ultrasound, beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin and gynaecological follow up. The provisional diagnosis was considered accurate if it matched the final diagnosis.

Results

The provisional and final diagnoses matched in a little over half of the cases, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (χ2 = 0.005, P = 0.94).

Conclusion

In a stable patient presenting to the ED with first trimester bleeding, clinical diagnosis is highly inaccurate and is not improved by vaginal examination. Routine vaginal examination is not necessary as part of the initial patient assessment.
The mitochondrial genome of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae): Presently known as the smallest in Heteroptera
Authors: Wang Pei , Li Hu , Wang Ying , Zhang Jian‐Hua , Dai Xun , Chang Jian , Hu Bao‐Wen , Cai Wan‐Zhi
Published: April 2013

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the plant bug, Apolygus lucorum, an important cotton pest, has been sequenced and annotated in this study. The entire circular genome is 14 768 bp in size and represents the smallest in presently known heteropteran mt genomes. The mt genome is encoding for two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 13 protein coding genes and a control region, and the order, content, codon usage and base organization show similarity to a great extent to the hypothetical ancestral model. All protein coding genes use standard initiation codons ATN. Conventional stop codons TAA and TAG have been assigned to the most protein coding genes; however, COIII, ND4 and ND5 genes show incomplete terminator signal (T). All tRNA genes possess the typical clover leaf structure, but the dihydrouridine arm of tRNASer(AGN) only forms a simple loop. Secondary structure models of rRNA genes are generally in accordance with the former models, although some differences exist in certain parts. Three intergenic spacers have never been found in sequenced mt genomes of Heteroptera. The phylogenetic study based on protein coding genes is largely congruent with previous phylogenetic work. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses highly support the sister relationship of A. lucorum and Lygus lineolaris, and Miridae presents a sister position to Anthocoridae.
Microencapsulation of Essential Oil for Insect Repellent in Food Packaging System
Authors: Chung Seong Kyun , Seo Ji Yeon , Lim Jung Hoon , Park Hyung Hwan , Yea Myeong Jai , Park Hyun Jin
Published: April 2013

Microcapsules containing thyme oil were prepared by in situ polymerization, using melamine–formaldehyde prepolymer as a wall material and 3 different emulsifiers (pluronic F‐127, tween 80, and sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS]). The general characteristics and release behavior of microcapsules, and their repellent effect against insects were investigated. The morphology of microcapsules using SLS was spherical shape with smooth surface. Microcapsules began to degrade at 150 °C. The particle size ranged from 1 to 10 μm and the loading efficiency of thyme oil was clearly affected by the emulsifier type. The highest loading efficiency appeared in microcapsules using SLS, which have good thermal resistance and smooth surface. The release rate of thyme oil from microcapsules was not only dependent on the storage temperature but also emulsifier type and microcapsules showed the sustained release properties for a long time. Diets, which were mixed with encapsulated thyme oil, expressed high insect repellent efficacy over 90% for 4 wk.

Practical Application: Essential oil has various pest‐control characteristics, including repellent, ovicidal, and antifeedant efficacy. This work showed the sustained release properties and long‐lasting repellency of encapsulated essential oil. The results suggest that the great potential of essential oil microcapsules can be applied in coating or printing of food packaging materials for the insects repelling effects.
CT‐guided core biopsy of malignant lung lesions: How many needle passes are needed?
Authors: Lim Chaehun , Lee Kyo Young , Kim Young Kyoon , Ko Jeong Min , Han Dae Hee
Published: April 2013

Aim

The study aims to determine the number of needle pass in the CT‐guided core needle biopsy (CNB) in making a diagnosis of pulmonary malignancy.

Materials and methods

A total of 434 CNB records were retrospectively reviewed. The specimen obtained from each needle pass was put in a formalin container and then labelled for separate histopathological reporting. The patients were divided into five groups according to the total number of needle passes (n = 1, n = 2, n = 3, n = 4 and n ≥ 5). In each of the groups 2–4, it was analysed how many needle passes are required before a plateau in diagnostic yield is achieved.

Results

CNB produced 283 true‐positive and 23 false‐negative diagnosis of malignancy. Cumulative sensitivity significantly (P < 0.05) increased between the first and second as well as the second and the third (if done) needle passes, but not between the third and fourth ones.

Conclusion

Three coaxial needle passes might be optimal in the diagnosis of lung malignancy.
A typing scheme for the honeybee pathogen Melissococcus plutonius allows detection of disease transmission events and a study of the distribution of variants
Authors: Haynes Edward , Helgason Thorunn , Young J. Peter W. , Thwaites Richard , Budge Giles E.
Published: April 2013

Melissococcus plutonius is the bacterial pathogen that causes European Foulbrood of honeybees, a globally important honeybee brood disease. We have used next‐generation sequencing to identify highly polymorphic regions in an otherwise genetically homogenous organism, and used these loci to create a modified MLST scheme. This synthesis of a proven typing scheme format with next‐generation sequencing combines reliability and low costs with insights only available from high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Using this scheme we show that the global distribution of M. plutonius variants is not uniform. We use the scheme in epidemiological studies to trace movements of infective material around England, insights that would have been impossible to confirm without the typing scheme. We also demonstrate the persistence of local variants over time.
Blackbirds Turdus merula as competent reservoirs for Borrelia turdi and Borrelia valaisiana in Portugal: evidence from a xenodiagnostic experiment
Authors: Norte Ana C. , Lopes de Carvalho Isabel , Núncio Maria S. , Ramos Jaime A. , Gern Lise
Published: April 2013

To confirm that thrushes, such as blackbirds Turdus merula, play a role as reservoir for some Borrelia genospecies, we performed a xenodiagnostic experiment with blackbirds captured in a mixed wood located in Western Portugal where Borrelia turdi, an uncommon genospecies in Europe, was the most prevalent genospecies associated with birds. Two out of five birds harboured B. turdi infected Ixodes frontalis at the time of capture. Four out of five birds transmitted spirochaetes to Ixodes ricinus xenodiagnostic ticks: two birds transmitted Borrelia valaisiana to 25.7% and 10.5% of ticks, and two transmitted B. turdi to 6.4% and 5.4% of ticks. Our results showed that blackbirds transmit B. valaisiana and B. turdi to I. ricinus feeding larvae, acting as reservoir hosts for these genospecies in nature.
Apoptosis in the pathogenesis of Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) in honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Higes Mariano , Juarranz Ángeles , Dias‐Almeida Joyce , Lucena Silvia , Botías Cristina , Meana Aránzazu , García‐Palencia Pilar , Martín‐Hernández Raquel
Published: April 2013

Nosema ceranae is a parasite of the epithelial ventricular cells of the honey bee that belongs to the microsporidian phylum, a biological group of single‐cell, spore‐forming obligate intracellular parasites found in all major animal lineages. The ability of host cells to accommodate a large parasitic burden for several days suggests that these parasites subvert the normal host cells to ensure optimal environmental conditions for growth and development. Once infected, cells can counteract the invasive pathogen by initiating their own death by apoptosis as a defence strategy. To determine whether N. ceranae blocks apoptosis in infected ventricular cells, cell death was assessed in sections of the ventriculum from experimentally infected honey bees using the TUNEL assay and by immunohistochemistry for caspase‐3. Ventricular epithelial cells from infected bees were larger than those in the uninfected control bees, and they contained N. ceranae at both mature and immature stages in the cytoplasm. Apoptotic nuclei were only observed in some restricted areas of the ventriculum, whereas apoptosis was typically observed throughout the epithelium in uninfected bees. Indeed, the apoptotic index was higher in uninfected versus infected ventriculi. Our results suggested that N. ceranae prevents apoptosis in epithelial cells of infected ventriculi, a mechanism possible designed to enhance parasite development.
nupoint: An R package for density estimation from point transects in the presence of nonuniform animal density
Authors: Cox Martin J. , Borchers David L. , Kelly Natalie
Published: April 2013

The R package nupoint provides tools for estimating animal density from point transect surveys in which the conventional point transect assumption of uniform animal distribution in the vicinity of the point is violated.

It includes tools for plotting, model selection, goodness‐of‐fit testing and simulation.

This paper describes the main features of the package and illustrates its use by application to two different kinds of survey dataset.
High incidence of post‐injury pneumonia in intensive care‐treated trauma patients
Authors: HYLLIENMARK P. , BRATTSTRÖM O. , LARSSON E. , MARTLING C.‐R. , PETERSSON J. , OLDNER A.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Trauma patients are susceptible to post‐injury infections. We investigated the incidence, as well as risk factors for development of pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU)‐treated trauma patients. In addition, we report pathogens identified in patients that developed pneumonia.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 322 trauma patients admitted to the ICU at a level‐one trauma centre following initial resuscitation. Patients 15 years or older with an ICU stay of more than 24 h were included. We investigated pre‐hospital and hospital parameters during the first 24 h after admission and their possible association with pneumonia within 10 days of ICU admission.

Results

Majority of the patients were male (78%) and the median age was 41 years. The overall degree of injury was high with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 24. Overall 30‐day mortality was 9%. Eighty‐five (26%) patients developed pneumonia during their first 10 days in the ICU. Univariate logistic regression revealed that intubation in the field, shock, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 3–8, major surgery within 24 h after admission, massive transfusion and ISS > 24 were all risk factors for subsequent development of pneumonia. In the multivariable model, only GCS 3–8 was identified as an independent risk factor. In 42 out of the 85 cases of pneumonia, the diagnosis was defined by significant growth of at least one pathogen where Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common.

Conclusions

Pneumonia is a common complication among ICU‐treated trauma patients. Reduced consciousness is an independent risk factor for development of pneumonia after severe injury.
Factors influencing outcome in patients with cardiac arrest in the ICU
Authors: LEE H.‐K. , LEE H. , NO J.‐M. , JEON Y.‐T. , HWANG J.‐W. , LIM Y.‐J. , PARK H.‐P.
Published: April 2013

Background

Post‐arrest variables associated with long‐term survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients remain unclear. This study was designed to identify pre‐ and intra‐arrest factors associated with survival 3 months after CPR in ICU patients and to identify post‐arrest factors associated with long‐term survival in those who survived 24 h after CPR.

Methods

A total of 131 ICU patients undergoing CPR from January 2009 to June 2010 were included. Data were retrospectively analysed and categorized based on the Utstein template.

Results

The overall survival rate 3 months after CPR was 20.6%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, 0.87 [0.83–0.93]; P < 0.001), ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF, 5.55 [1.55–19.83]; P = 0.032), and normoxia during CPR (4.45 [1.34–14.71]; P = 0.045) were significant independent pre‐ and intra‐arrest predictors of 3‐month survival after CPR in ICU patients. Fifty‐seven patients survived 24 h after CPR, and their 3‐month survival rate was 47.4%. Early enteral nutrition (9.94 [1.96–50.43]; P = 0.030) and normoxia after return of spontaneous circulation (10.75 [2.03–55.56]; P = 0.030) were predictive of 3‐month survival in patients who survived 24 h after CPR.

Conclusions

Normoxia during CPR and VT/VF were predictors of long‐term survival after CPR in ICU patients. In patients surviving 24 h after CPR, initiation of enteral nutrition within 48 h and maintenance of normoxia were associated with a positive outcome.
Age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system promotes matricidal hatching in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Pickett Christopher L. , Kornfeld Kerry
Published: April 2013

The identification and characterization of age‐related degenerative changes is a critical goal because it can elucidate mechanisms of aging biology and contribute to understanding interventions that promote longevity. Here, we document a novel, age‐related degenerative change in C. elegans hermaphrodites, an important model system for the genetic analysis of longevity. Matricidal hatching—intra‐uterine hatching of progeny that causes maternal death—displayed an age‐related increase in frequency and affected ~70% of mated, wild‐type hermaphrodites. The timing and incidence of matricidal hatching were largely independent of the levels of early and total progeny production and the duration of male exposure. Thus, matricidal hatching appears to reflect intrinsic age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system rather than use‐dependent damage accumulation. Consistent with this model, mutations that extend longevity by causing dietary restriction significantly delayed matricidal hatching, indicating age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system is controlled by nutrient availability. To identify the underlying tissue defect, we analyzed serotonin signaling that triggers vulval muscle contractions. Mated hermaphrodites displayed an age‐related decline in the ability to lay eggs in response to exogenous serotonin, indicating that vulval muscles and/or a further downstream function that is necessary for egg laying degenerate in an age‐related manner. By characterizing a new, age‐related degenerative event displayed by C. elegans hermaphrodites, these studies contribute to understanding a frequent cause of death in mated hermaphrodites and establish a model of age‐related reproductive complications that may be relevant to the birthing process in other animals such as humans.
Sub‐lethal effects of monoterpenes on reproduction by mountain pine beetles
Authors: Manning Clayton G. , Reid Mary L.
Published: April 2013

Plant defences may negatively affect the oviposition behaviour of insect herbivores. We exposed adult female mountain pine beetles Dendroctonus ponderosae (Hopkins) to monoterpene vapours and assessed their subsequent oviposition in lodgepole pine Pinus contorta.

Exposure to 31.25 and 125 p.p.m. of α‐pinene and limonene for 24 h did not affect the survival or establishment of oviposition galleries compared with controls. Females had fewer, smaller eggs and therefore lower cumulative reproduction after exposure to 125 p.p.m. compared with the other treatments. Limonene negatively affected oviposition more than did α‐pinene.

Female body condition, a measure of energetic state, influenced the responses (i.e. significant interactions between condition and monoterpene concentration). With exposure to 31.25 p.p.m., females in better condition tended to have fewer, larger eggs, whereas females in poorer condition tended to have more, smaller eggs, compared with controls. Overall, reproductive investment declined with body condition when exposed to monoterpenes. Egg size and number increased with female body size.

The findings of the present study may indicate the toxic effects of monoterpenes or may be a result of females choosing not to invest in adverse environments depending on body condition. In either case, reduced reproduction when exposed to high plant defences may be increasingly important as climate change affects plant defences.
Serum Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses to Influenza Virus Vaccine among Women during Pregnancy versus Non‐Pregnancy
Authors: Christian Lisa M. , Porter Kyle , Karlsson Erik , Schultz‐Cherry Stacey , Iams Jay D.
Published: April 2013

Objective

This study aimed to comprehensively describe inflammatory responses to trivalent influenza virus vaccine (TIV) among pregnant women and determine whether responses differ compared to non‐pregnancy.

Methods

Twenty‐eight pregnant and 28 non‐pregnant women were vaccinated. Serum cytokines were measured at baseline, and 1, 2, and 3 days post‐vaccination. Anti‐influenza antibody titers were measured at baseline and 1 month post‐vaccination.

Results

Overall, following vaccination, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin(IL)‐6 increased significantly, peaking at 1 day post‐vaccination (P's < 0.001). Pregnant versus non‐pregnant women showed no differences in IL‐6, TNF‐α, or IL‐1β responses. Pregnant women showed no change in IL‐8 and increases in migration inhibitory factor (MIF), while non‐pregnant showed decreases in both. Pregnancy did not significantly alter antibody responses.

Conclusions

Inflammatory responses to TIV are mild, transient, and generally similar in pregnant and non‐pregnant women. Given the variability evidenced, vaccination may provide a useful model for studying individual differences in inflammatory response propensity.
Fight the Youth: Youth Bulges and State Repression
Authors: Nordås Ragnhild , Davenport Christian
Published: April 2013

It is generally acknowledged that large youth cohorts or “youth bulges” make countries more susceptible to antistate political violence. Thus, we assume that governments are forewarned about the political demographic threat that a youth bulge represents to the status quo and will attempt to preempt behavioral challenges by engaging in repression. A statistical analysis of the relationship between youth bulges and state repression from 1976 to 2000 confirms our expectation. Controlling for factors known to be associated with coercive state action, we find that governments facing a youth bulge are more repressive than other states. This relationship holds when controlling for, and running interactions with, levels of actual protest behavior. Youth bulges and other elements that may matter for preemptive state strategies should therefore be included in future empirical models of state repression.
The effects of general trust on building new relationships after social exclusion: An examination of the ‘Settoku Nattoku Game’
Authors: Yanagisawa Kuniaki , Nishimura Takashi , Furutani Kaichiro , Ura Mitsuhiro
Published: April 2013

This study used the ‘Settoku Nattoku Game’ (SNG) to examine the effect of general trust on the formation of new relationships after social exclusion. The SNG is a game in which half of the players (the Persuaders) must try to convince the other half (the Persuaded) that a statement is true during an initial session (S1). The two groups then switch roles in a second session (S2). Following the SNG protocol, our dependent variable was the number of people sought out as interaction partners during S2. The frequency of being selected as an interaction partner by others during S1 (i.e. having experienced social exclusion or inclusion) significantly affected the number of interaction partners selected during S2. Those who were excluded during S1 engaged in fewer interactions with others during S2. However, this negative effect of social exclusion on subsequent interactions was moderated by general trust. After social exclusion, people low in general trust interacted less with others during S2 as compared to those who were included, but there was no such relationship for people high in general trust. On the contrary, socially excluded individuals high in general trust actively sought to build new relationships with those whom they did not interact with during S1. The relationship between general trust and interactions with others after a social exclusion experience is further discussed.
The pan‐culturality of well‐being: But how does culture fit into the equation?
Authors: Bond Michael Harris
Published: April 2013

This essay addresses the question of how best to do culturally sensitive research on social processes. This research aims to assess models for individual outcomes that hold across cultural groups but are moderated by cultural factors. Such research requires that social scientists identify and metricize cultural factors, like socialization goals, that have a face‐valid connection to these social processes. Relevant indigenous constructs need to be operationalized and included in our models to ensure their widest possible applicability. I argue that well‐being is a pan‐culturally relevant and important outcome of scientific interest in any cultural context. Conflating its study with that of happiness is confusing, however, since happiness is a separate individual outcome and but one component of a satisfying life. Other components of the good life, like doing one's duty, may be introduced and incorporated into a general equation with other such concepts to assess their validity in predicting well‐being. Culturally salient concepts of indigenous origin may thereby be introduced into a multicultural scientific discourse and the distinctiveness of any particular cultural system for its members depicted by the profile of beta weights attached to the constructs in the pan‐cultural equation predicting well‐being.