bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat markers for 17 Linum species
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi , Peterson Gregory W.
Published: May 2010

One major challenge in genetic and evolutionary studies of wild flax species is the lack of informative molecular markers. A set of 100 informative expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) primer pairs developed in cultivated flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) were characterized on 35 Linum accessions representing 17 Linum species for their transferability to other Linum species. Ninety-nine primer pairs displayed scorable polymorphisms across 35 Linum samples and generated 627 bands likely from 121 loci. About 50% of the detected bands occurred only in three or fewer samples. A total of 393 bands, likely from 116 loci, were detected by 97 primer pairs in Linum bienne Mill. samples, but only up to 60 bands, likely from up to 39 loci, were revealed by 6 to 37 primer pairs in the samples of the other 15 Linum species. The L. bienne samples displayed 23.7% more EST-SSR variation than the L. usitatissimum samples. These characterized EST-SSR markers should be useful for future genetic diversity and evolutionary studies of Linum species, particularly for the progenitor of cultivated flax.
Ultrastructure of pit membrane dissolution and movement of Xylella fastidiosa through pit membranes in petioles of Vitis vinifera
Authors: Ellis E. Ann , McEachern George Ray , Clark Samantha , Cobb B. Greg
Published: May 2010

Xylella fastidiosa is the causative agent in Pierce’s disease (PD) in Vitis vinifera L. (grape) vines. Xylella fastidiosa colonizes and disseminates itself from one xylem element to another by dissolution and breach of pit membranes. These studies on naturally infected V. vinifera grown under vineyard conditions document by transmission electron microscopy that there is dissolution and breach of pit membranes by X. fastidiosa in vertical and lateral colonization in PD. These processes were documented in two cultivars of V. vinifera: ‘Syrah’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon.’
Drought-triggered false ring formation in a Mediterranean shrub
Authors: Copenheaver Carolyn A. , Gärtner Holger , Schäfer Isabelle , Vaccari Francesco P. , Cherubini Paolo
Published: May 2010

Recently, the Mediterranean region has experienced unprecedented drought. Climate models continue to predict an increase in drought frequency and duration, which increases the importance of quantifying the response of already drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants to increased drought. We examined the wood anatomy and dendroecological features of a Mediterranean shrub, Arbutus unedo L., at a xeric and a mesic site on the Italian island of Elba to identify shrub growth response to drought. Cross-sectional microsections of A. unedo stems were stained, described, and crossdated. Annual ring widths of radial microsections were measured and compared with regional climatic variables. False rings (intra-annual bands of latewood typically formed in response to a specific stressor) were visible in the wood samples when viewing radial microsections under high magnification. False ring formation coincided with below-average rainfall in late summer at the xeric site, and below-average rainfall and high temperatures in spring and summer at the mesic site. If increased drought occurs in the Mediterranean region, it is likely that plants in this region will experience a drought-induced growth response similar to that seen in A. unedo, and slight differences in drought tolerance may become more important as plants compete for moisture under drier conditions.
Virulence and molecular polymorphisms of the wheat leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina in Canada from 1997 to 2007
Authors: Wang Xiben , Bakkeren Guus , McCallum Brent
Published: May 2010

Populations of Puccinia triticina , one of the casual agents of wheat leaf rust disease, in the pacific (British Columbia and Alberta), prairie (Manitoba and Saskatchewan), and eastern regions (Quebec and Ontario) of Canada from 1997 to 2007 were analyzed for virulence and genetic diversity by revealing expressed sequence tag derived simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) polymorphisms. Since 1997, a significant shift in the virulence of P. triticina occurred across Canada. The diversity of P. triticina virulence phenotypes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as measured by Shannon and Simpson indexes, decreased due to the directional selection toward predominant virulence phenotypes, whereas it remained relatively constant in Quebec and Ontario. The clustering of P. triticina virulence phenotypes from 1997 to 2007 was similar to that found in previous years, and was correlated with virulence to leaf rust resistance genes Lr2a, Lr2c, and Lr17a. Distinct EST-SSR profiles were found in different groups of P. triticina virulence phenotypes based on virulence to Lr2a, Lr2c, and Lr17a. In addition, the population of P. triticina in Manitoba and Saskatchewan was different from that in Quebec and Ontario from 1997 to 2007, based on both virulence characteristics and EST-SSR genotypes.
ROI-BASED 3D HUMAN BRAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES COMPRESSION USING ADAPTIVE MESH DESIGN AND REGION-BASED DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORM
Authors: FATEMIZADEH EMAD , SHOOSHTARI PARISA
Published: May 2010

Due to the large volume required for medical images for transmission and archiving purposes, the compression of medical images is known as one of the main concepts of medical image processing. Lossless compression methods have the drawback of a low compression ratio. In contrast, lossy methods have a higher compression ratio and suffer from lower quality of the reconstructed images in the receiver. Recently, some selective compression methods have been proposed in which the main image is divided into two separate regions: Region of Interest (ROI), which should be compressed in a lossless manner, and Region of Background (ROB), which is compressed in a lossy manner with a lower quality. In this research, we introduce a new selective compression method to compress 3D brain MR images. To this aim, we design an adaptive mesh on the first slice and estimate the gray levels of the next slices by computing the mesh element's deformations. After computing the residual image, which is the difference between the main image and the estimated one, we transform it to the wavelet domain using a region-based discrete wavelet transform (RBDWT). Finally, the wavelet coefficients are coded by an object-based SPIHT coder.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIWAVELET BI-FRAMES AND APPLICATIONS TO VARIATIONAL IMAGE DENOISING
Authors: EHLER MARTIN , KOCH KARSTEN
Published: May 2010

We remove noise from images by solving a parameter depending variational problem. The choice of the parameter is essential for the success of the approach, and in order to compute a solution, the problem must be discretized. It is commonly known that the parameter choice according to the H-curve criterion performs well in combination with discretizations derived from a dyadic orthonormal wavelet basis. However, the concept of orthonormal wavelet bases is restrictive and bears limitations. In order to have a more flexible tool, we construct new nondyadic wavelet bi-frames by convolving scalar wavelets with wavelet vectors. We discretize the variational problem by these new bi-frames, and we verify that the H-curve method performs well for this much more flexible discretization technique.
GENERATING A FAST ROI MASK USING APPROXIMATE DIVISION OF CODE BLOCKS IN JPEG2000
Authors: SEO YEONG GEON , KIM KWON SOO , KIM SUNG GYUN
Published: May 2010

In the current methods of ROI coding methods, after all the pixels have been scanned in order and the ROI is distinguished, an ROI mask is generated. So, to support a dynamic Region-of-Interest (ROI) in JPEG2000, fast ROI mask generation is needed. Our method scans 4 pixels of the corners in one code block and then, based on the information, scans the edges from the corners to get the boundaries of the ROI and background. This information consists of distributed information about the ROI and two coordinates of the pixels, which are the points where the edges and boundaries meet. This information is transmitted to the encoder and supported for fast ROI mask generation. There are no great differences between the proposed method and the existing methods in terms of quality, but the proposed method showed superiority in speed.
LOCAL DESCRIPTOR MATCHING WITH SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES
Authors: CHENG D. , XIE S. Q. , HÄMMERLE E.
Published: May 2010

Local descriptor matching is the most overlooked stage of the three stages of the local descriptor process, and this paper proposes a new method for matching local descriptors based on support vector machines. Results from experiments show that the developed method is more robust for matching local descriptors for all image transformations considered. The method is able to be integrated with different local descriptor methods, and with different machine learning algorithms and this shows that the approach is sufficiently robust and versatile.
DESIGN, MODELING, AND MICROMANIPULATION EXPERIMENTS OF A NOVEL 2-D MICRO FORCE SENSOR
Authors: LIU YIYANG , WANG YUECHAO , YU PENG , DONG ZAILI
Published: May 2010

Because of the micro/nano manipulation's complexity, the accurate feedback information of the micro interactive force acting on micro devices is quite important and necessary for micro/nano manipulation, especially the 2-D micro interactive force feedback information. At present, there are no reliable and accurate 2-D micro force sensors applied in micro/nano manipulation. To solve the above problem, a novel 2-D micro force sensor that can reliably measure force in the range of submicro Newton (μN) is designed and developed in this paper. Based on the model of 1-D micro force sensor designed by us, the model of this 2-D sensor is set up. To verify the model of the 2-D sensor, micromanipulation experiments are designed and realized. Experiment results show the submicro Newton resolution, and verify the validity of the 2-D sensor's model. The developed 2-D micro force sensor will contribute to promoting the complexity of micro/nano manipulation, and will facilitate to automate the micro/nano manipulation.
Oxidative stress, apoptosis, and proteolysis in skeletal muscle repair after unloading
Authors: Andrianjafiniony Tina , Dupré-Aucouturier Sylvie , Letexier Dominique , Couchoux Harold , Desplanches Dominique
Published: May 2010

Although several lines of evidence link muscle-derived oxidants and inflammation to skeletal muscle wasting via regulation of apoptosis and proteolysis, little information is currently available on muscle repair. The present work was designed to study oxidative stress response, inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic, or proteolytic pathways during the early (1 and 5 days) and later (14 days) stages of the regrowth process subsequent to 14 days of hindlimb unloading. During the early stages of reloading, muscle mass recovery ( day 5) was facilitated by transcriptional downregulation ( day 1) of pathways involved in muscle proteolysis [μ-calpain, atrogin-1/muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), and muscle RING finger-1/(MuRF1) mRNA] and upregulation of an autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 ( day 5). At the same time, oxidative stress (glutathione vs. glutathione disulfide ratio, superoxide dismutase, catalase activities) remained still enhanced, whereas the increased uncoupling protein 3 gene expression recovered. Increased caspase-9 (mitochondrial-driven apoptosis) and decreased caspase-12 (sarcoplasmic reticulum-mediated apoptosis) activation was also normalized at early stages ( day 5). Conversely, the receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway initiated by ligand-induced (tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) binding and promoting the activation of caspase-8 remained elevated until 14 days. Our data suggest that at early stages, muscle repair is mediated via the modulation of mitochondrial-driven apoptosis and muscle proteolysis. Despite full muscle mass recovery, oxidative stress and TNF-α-mediated apoptotic pathway are still activated till later stages of muscle remodeling.
A possible mechanism for ezrin to establish epithelial cell polarity
Authors: Zhu Lixin , Crothers James , Zhou Rihong , Forte John G.
Published: May 2010

Ezrin is an important membrane/actin cytoskeleton linker protein, especially in epithelia. Ezrin has two important binding domains: an NH2-terminal region that binds to plasma membrane and a COOH-terminal region that binds to F-actin only after a conformational activation by phosphorylation at Thr567 of ezrin. The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the detailed cellular changes in the time course of expression of ezrin-T567 mutants (nonphosphorylatable T567A and permanent phospho-mimic T567D) in parietal cells and to assess ezrin distribution and its influence on the elaborate membrane recruitment processes of these cells. T567A mutant and wild-type (WT) ezrin were consistently localized to the apical plasma membrane, even with overexpression. On the other hand, T567D went first to apical membrane at early times and low expression levels, then accumulated mainly at the basal surface after 24 h. Overexpression of WT or T567A led to incorporation of internal membranes to apical vacuoles, while overexpression of T567D led to large incorporation of apical and intracellular membranes (including H-K-ATPase) to the basal surface. Differences in polar distribution of ezrin suggest a role for the linker protein in promoting formation and plasticity of membrane surface projections, forming the basis for a novel theory for ezrin as an organizer and regulator of membrane recruitment. A model simulating the cellular distribution of ezrin and its associated membrane- and F-actin-binding forms is given to predict redistributions observed with phosphorylation and mutant overexpression, and it can easily be modified as more specific information regarding binding constants and specific sites becomes available.
Dominant role of the MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in mediating early endotoxin-induced murine ileus
Authors: Buchholz Bettina M. , Billiar Timothy R. , Bauer Anthony J.
Published: May 2010

TLR4 ligation by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as Gram-negative bacteria-derived LPS, triggers a nonhematopoietic cell-mediated ileus during early endotoxemia. Our objective was to investigate the quantitative contributions of the two downstream signaling pathways of TLR4, namely the adapter proteins myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and Toll-IL-1-resistance (TIR) domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF). Six hours after intraperitoneal injection of highly purified LPS (UP-LPS, 5 mg/kg), in vivo gastrointestinal transit and intestinal muscularis gene transcripts of inflammatory mediators chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10, synonymous IP-10 (CXCL10), granulomonocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF, synonymous CSF-2), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were assessed in mice with transgenic loss-of-function for MyD88 or TRIF. LPS-induced MyD88 and TRIF mRNA upregulation was quantified within the intestinal muscularis of TLR4-competent and TLR4-mutant mice, and MyD88 mRNA levels were additionally measured in TLR4 bone marrow chimeras. MyD88 deficiency completely protected mice from early endotoxin-induced ileus, while TRIF deficiency partially ameliorated ileus severity. LPS induction of the primary downstream signaling element MyD88 was TLR4 dependent and was derived in equal amounts from both the hematopoietic and the nonhematopoietic cells. Conversely, no induction of TRIF mRNA was detectable. Significant gene induction of all inflammatory mediators was dependent on intracellular signal transduction by MyD88, while the TRIF MyD88-independent pathway predominantly regulated the molecular levels of CXCL10. In summary, MyD88 and TRIF are nonredundant signaling pathways in early endotoxin-induced rodent ileus, but MyD88 is the essential adaptor molecule for transduction of early TLR4-induced ileus and inflammatory signaling. The dependency of ileus on individual adaptor protein pathways is also reflected in the manifestation of specific molecular inflammatory events within the intestinal muscularis externa.
Propensity to high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats is associated with changes in the gut microbiota and gut inflammation
Authors: de La Serre Claire Barbier , Ellis Collin L. , Lee Jennifer , Hartman Amber L. , Rutledge John C. , Raybould Helen E.
Published: May 2010

Consumption of diets high in fat and calories leads to hyperphagia and obesity, which is associated with chronic “low-grade” systemic inflammation. Ingestion of a high-fat diet alters the gut microbiota, pointing to a possible role in the development of obesity. The present study used Sprague-Dawley rats that, when fed a high-fat diet, exhibit either an obesity-prone (DIO-P) or obesity-resistant (DIO-R) phenotype, to determine whether changes in gut epithelial function and microbiota are diet or obese associated. Food intake and body weight were monitored daily in rats maintained on either low- or high-fat diets. After 8 or 12 wk, tissue was removed to determine adiposity and gut epithelial function and to analyze the gut microbiota using PCR. DIO-P but not DIO-R rats exhibit an increase in toll-like receptor (TLR4) activation associated with ileal inflammation and a decrease in intestinal alkaline phosphatase, a luminal enzyme that detoxifies lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Intestinal permeability and plasma LPS were increased together with phosphorylation of myosin light chain and localization of occludin in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Measurement of bacterial 16S rRNA showed a decrease in total bacterial density and an increase in the relative proportion of Bacteroidales and Clostridiales orders in high-fat-fed rats regardless of phenotype; an increase in Enterobacteriales was seen in the microbiota of DIO-P rats only. Consumption of a high-fat diet induces changes in the gut microbiota, but it is the development of inflammation that is associated with the appearance of hyperphagia and an obese phenotype.
Interleukin-6 stimulates epithelial sodium channels in mouse cortical collecting duct cells
Authors: Li Ke , Guo Dehuang , Zhu Haidong , Hering-Smith Kathleen S. , Hamm L. Lee , Ouyang Jingping , Dong Yanbin
Published: May 2010

The aim of this study is to elucidate the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the expression and activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), which is one of the key mechanisms underlying tubular sodium reabsorption. M-1 cortical collecting duct cells were treated with IL-6 (100 ng/ml) for 12 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were employed to examine the mRNA and protein abundance. Transepithelial voltage ( Vte) and resistance ( Rte) were measured with an ohm/voltmeter (EVOM, WPI). The equivalent current was calculated as the ratio of Vteto Rte.Treatment with IL-6 ( n = 5) increased the mRNA abundance of α-ENaC by 11 ± 7% ( P = not significant), β-ENaC by 78 ± 14% ( P = 0.01), γ-ENaC by 185 ± 38% ( P = 0.02), and prostasin by 29 ± 5% ( P = 0.01), all normalized by β-actin. Treatment with IL-6 increased the protein expression of α-ENaC by 19 ± 3% ( P = 0.001), β-ENaC by 89 ± 21% ( P = 0.01), γ-ENaC by 36 ± 12% ( P = 0.02), and prostasin by 33 ± 6% ( P = 0.02). The amiloride-sensitive sodium current increased by 37 ± 5%, from 6.0 ± 0.4 to 8.2 ± 0.3 μA/cm2( P < 0.01), in the cells treated with IL-6 compared with controls ( P = 0.01). Aprotinin (28 μg/ml), a prostasin inhibitor, reduced the amiloride-sensitive sodium current by 61 ± 5%, from 6.1 ± 0.3 to 3.7 ± 0.2 μA/cm2( P = 0.01). The magnitude of the IL-6-induced amiloride-sensitive sodium current in the presence of aprotinin dropped by 57 ± 2%, from 8.6 ± 0.2 to 4.9 ± 0.2 μA/cm2( P < 0.01). This study has identified a novel function of IL-6, namely, IL-6 may activate ENaC. Therefore, renal inflammation mediated by IL-6 likely contributes to impaired pressure natriuresis.
Topographical specificity of regulation of respiratory and renal sympathetic activity by the midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal gray
Authors: Iigaya Kamon , Horiuchi Jouji , McDowall Lachlan M. , Dampney Roger A. L.
Published: May 2010

The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) mediates the physiological responses to a wide range of stressors. It consists of four longitudinal columns that have different anatomical connections and functional properties. Previous anatomical and behavioral studies have led to the hypothesis that the dorsolateral PAG, but not the adjacent lateral and dorsomedial subregions, is a key center that integrates the behavioral response to acute psychological threatening stimuli. In this study, we tested whether, consistent with this hypothesis, activation of neurons in the dorsolateral PAG evokes a pattern of cardiovascular and respiratory responses that is distinct from that evoked from surrounding regions. Arterial pressure, heart rate, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and phrenic nerve activity (PNA) were recorded simultaneously in urethane-anesthetized rats. Microinjections of very small amounts of d,l-homocysteic acid (750 pmol in 15 nl) were made in sites throughout the dorsomedial, dorsolateral, and lateral PAG subregions. Increases in RSNA of similar magnitude accompanied by small to moderate increases in arterial pressure and heart rate were evoked from all three PAG subregions. In contrast, large increases in both PNA burst rate (respiratory rate) and overall respiratory activity were evoked only from a highly circumscribed region that corresponded closely to the dorsolateral PAG subregion at an intermediate to caudal level. Within this region, the evoked increases in RSNA and respiratory activity were highly correlated ( r = 0.914, P < 0.001), suggesting the possibility that a common population of “command neurons” within the dorsolateral PAG may generate both sympathetic and respiratory responses from this region.
Inspiratory muscle training enhances pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise tolerance in humans
Authors: Bailey Stephen J. , Romer Lee M. , Kelly James , Wilkerson Daryl P. , DiMenna Fred J. , Jones Andrew M.
Published: May 2010

Fatigue of the respiratory muscles during intense exercise might compromise leg blood flow, thereby constraining oxygen uptake (V̇o2) and limiting exercise tolerance. We tested the hypothesis that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) would reduce inspiratory muscle fatigue, speed V̇o2 kinetics and enhance exercise tolerance. Sixteen recreationally active subjects (mean ± SD, age 22 ± 4 yr) were randomly assigned to receive 4 wk of either pressure threshold IMT [30 breaths twice daily at ∼50% of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)] or sham treatment (60 breaths once daily at ∼15% of MIP). The subjects completed moderate-, severe- and maximal-intensity “step” exercise transitions on a cycle ergometer before (Pre) and after (Post) the 4-wk intervention period for determination of V̇o2 kinetics and exercise tolerance. There were no significant changes in the physiological variables of interest after Sham. After IMT, baseline MIP was significantly increased (Pre vs. Post: 155 ± 22 vs. 181 ± 21 cmH2O; P < 0.001), and the degree of inspiratory muscle fatigue was reduced after severe- and maximal-intensity exercise. During severe exercise, the V̇o2 slow component was reduced (Pre vs. Post: 0.60 ± 0.20 vs. 0.53 ± 0.24 l/min; P < 0.05) and exercise tolerance was enhanced (Pre vs. Post: 765 ± 249 vs. 1,061 ± 304 s; P < 0.01). Similarly, during maximal exercise, the V̇o2 slow component was reduced (Pre vs. Post: 0.28 ± 0.14 vs. 0.18 ± 0.07 l/min; P < 0.05) and exercise tolerance was enhanced (Pre vs. Post: 177 ± 24 vs. 208 ± 37 s; P < 0.01). Four weeks of IMT, which reduced inspiratory muscle fatigue, resulted in a reduced V̇o2 slow-component amplitude and an improved exercise tolerance during severe- and maximal-intensity exercise. The results indicate that the enhanced exercise tolerance observed after IMT might be related, at least in part, to improved V̇o2 dynamics, presumably as a consequence of increased blood flow to the exercising limbs.
Influence of vagal afferents on supraspinal and spinal respiratory activity following cervical spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Lee Kun-Ze , Sandhu Milapjit S. , Dougherty Brendan J. , Reier Paul J. , Fuller David D.
Published: May 2010

C2 spinal hemisection (C2HS) interrupts ipsilateral bulbospinal pathways and induces compensatory increases in contralateral spinal and possibly supraspinal respiratory output. Our first purpose was to test the hypothesis that after C2HS contralateral respiratory motor outputs become resistant to vagal inhibitory inputs associated with lung inflation. Bilateral phrenic and contralateral hypoglossal (XII) neurograms were recorded in anesthetized and ventilated rats. In uninjured (control) rats, lung inflation induced by positive end-expired pressure (PEEP; 3–9 cmH2O) robustly inhibited both phrenic and XII bursting. At 2 wk post-C2HS, PEEP evoked a complex response associated with phrenic bursts of both reduced and augmented amplitude, but with no overall change in the mean burst amplitude. PEEP-induced inhibition of XII bursting was still present but was attenuated relative to controls. However, by 8 wk post-C2HS PEEP-induced inhibition of both phrenic and XII output were similar to that in controls. Our second purpose was to test the hypothesis that vagal afferents inhibit ipsilateral phrenic bursting, thereby limiting the incidence of the spontaneous crossed phrenic phenomenon in vagal-intact rats. Bilateral vagotomy greatly enhanced ipsilateral phrenic bursting, which was either weak or absent in vagal-intact rats at both 2 and 8 wk post-C2HS. We conclude that 1) compensatory increases in contralateral phrenic and XII output after C2HS blunt the inhibitory influence of vagal afferents during lung inflation and 2) vagal afferents robustly inhibit ipsilateral phrenic bursting. These vagotomy data appear to explain the variability in the literature regarding the onset of the spontaneous crossed phrenic phenomenon in spontaneously breathing (vagal intact) vs. ventilated (vagotomized) preparations.
Force-Independent Distribution of Correlated Neural Inputs to Hand Muscles During Three-Digit Grasping
Authors: Poston Brach , Danna-Dos Santos Alessander , Jesunathadas Mark , Hamm Thomas M. , Santello Marco
Published: May 2010

The ability to modulate digit forces during grasping relies on the coordination of multiple hand muscles. Because many muscles innervate each digit, the CNS can potentially choose from a large number of muscle coordination patterns to generate a given digit force. Studies of single-digit force production tasks have revealed that the electromyographic (EMG) activity scales uniformly across all muscles as a function of digit force. However, the extent to which this finding applies to the coordination of forces across multiple digits is unknown. We addressed this question by asking subjects ( n = 8) to exert isometric forces using a three-digit grip (thumb, index, and middle fingers) that allowed for the quantification of hand muscle coordination within and across digits as a function of grasp force (5, 20, 40, 60, and 80% maximal voluntary force). We recorded EMG from 12 muscles (6 extrinsic and 6 intrinsic) of the three digits. Hand muscle coordination patterns were quantified in the amplitude and frequency domains (EMG–EMG coherence). EMG amplitude scaled uniformly across all hand muscles as a function of grasp force (muscle × force interaction: P = 0.997; cosines of angle between muscle activation pattern vector pairs: 0.897–0.997). Similarly, EMG–EMG coherence was not significantly affected by force ( P = 0.324). However, coherence was stronger across extrinsic than that across intrinsic muscle pairs ( P = 0.0039). These findings indicate that the distribution of neural drive to multiple hand muscles is force independent and may reflect the anatomical properties or functional roles of hand muscle groups.
Sensory Activation and Receptive Field Organization of the Lateral Giant Escape Neurons in Crayfish
Authors: Liu Yen-Chyi , Herberholz Jens
Published: May 2010

Crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) have bilateral pairs of giant interneurons that control rapid escape movements in response to predatory threats. The medial giant neurons (MGs) can be made to fire an action potential by visual or tactile stimuli directed to the front of the animal and this leads to an escape tail-flip that thrusts the animal directly backward. The lateral giant neurons (LGs) can be made to fire an action potential by strong tactile stimuli directed to the rear of the animal, and this produces flexions of the abdomen that propel the crayfish upward and forward. These observations have led to the notion that the receptive fields of the giant neurons are locally restricted and do not overlap with each other. Using extra- and intracellular electrophysiology in whole animal preparations of juvenile crayfish, we found that the receptive fields of the LGs are far more extensive than previously assumed. The LGs receive excitatory inputs from descending interneurons originating in the brain; these interneurons can be activated by stimulation of the antenna II nerve or the protocerebral tract. In our experiments, descending inputs alone could not cause action potentials in the LGs, but when paired with excitatory postsynaptic potentials elicited by stimulation of tail afferents, the inputs summed to yield firing. Thus the LG escape neurons integrate sensory information received through both rostral and caudal receptive fields, and excitatory inputs that are activated rostrally can bring the LGs' membrane potential closer to threshold. This enhances the animal's sensitivity to an approaching predator, a finding that may generalize to other species with similarly organized escape systems.
Neural Tuning for Face Wholes and Parts in Human Fusiform Gyrus Revealed by fMRI Adaptation
Authors: Harris Alison , Aguirre Geoffrey Karl
Published: May 2010

Although the right fusiform face area (FFA) is often linked to holistic processing, new data suggest this region also encodes part-based face representations. We examined this question by assessing the metric of neural similarity for faces using a continuous carryover functional MRI (fMRI) design. Using faces varying along dimensions of eye and mouth identity, we tested whether these axes are coded independently by separate part-tuned neural populations or conjointly by a single population of holistically tuned neurons. Consistent with prior results, we found a subadditive adaptation response in the right FFA, as predicted for holistic processing. However, when holistic processing was disrupted by misaligning the halves of the face, the right FFA continued to show significant adaptation, but in an additive pattern indicative of part-based neural tuning. Thus this region seems to contain neural populations capable of representing both individual parts and their integration into a face gestalt. A third experiment, which varied the asymmetry of changes in the eye and mouth identity dimensions, also showed part-based tuning from the right FFA. In contrast to the right FFA, the left FFA consistently showed a part-based pattern of neural tuning across all experiments. Together, these data support the existence of both part-based and holistic neural tuning within the right FFA, further suggesting that such tuning is surprisingly flexible and dynamic.
Association ofTNFAIP3Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Japanese Population
Authors: Kawasaki Aya , Ito Ikue , Ito Satoshi , Hayashi Taichi , Goto Daisuke , Matsumoto Isao , Takasaki Yoshinari , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Sumida Takayuki , Tsuchiya Naoyuki
Published: May 2010

Recent genome-wide association studies demonstrated association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theTNFAIP3region at 6q23 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in European-American populations. In this study, we investigated whether SNPs in theTNFAIP3region are associated with SLE also in a Japanese population. A case-control association study was performed on the SNPs rs13192841, rs2230926, and rs6922466 in 318 Japanese SLE patients and 444 healthy controls. Association of rs2230926 G allele with SLE was replicated in Japanese (allelic associationP=.033, odds ratio [OR] 1.47, recessive modelP=.023, OR 8.52). The association was preferentially observed in the SLE patients with nephritis. When theTNFAIP3mRNA levels of the HapMap samples were examined using GENEVAR database, the presence ofTNFAIP3rs2230926 G allele was associated with lower mRNA expression ofTNFAIP3(P=.013). These results indicated thatTNFAIP3is a susceptibility gene to SLE both in the Caucasian and Asian populations.
Angiogenesis: From Chronic Liver Inflammation to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Sanz-Cameno Paloma , Trapero-Marugán María , Chaparro María , Jones Evan Anthony , Moreno-Otero Ricardo
Published: May 2010

Recently, new information relating to the potential relevance of chronic hepatic inflammation to the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been generated. Persistent hepatocellular injury alters the homeostatic balance within the liver; deregulation of the expression of factors involved in wound healing may lead to the evolution of dysplastic lesions into transformed nodules. Progression of such nodules depends directly on the development and organization of a vascular network, which provides the nutritional and oxygen requirements to an expanding nodular mass. Angiogenic stimulation promotes intense structural and functional changes in liver architecture and physiology, in particular, it facilitates transformation of dysplasia to nodular lesions with carcinogenic potential. HCC depends on the growth and spreading of vessels throughout the tumor. Because these vascular phenomena correlate with disease progression and prognosis, therapeutic strategies are being developed that focus on precluding vascular expansion in these tumors. Accordingly, an in-depth study of factors that promote and support pathological angiogenesis in chronic hepatic diseases may provide insights into methods of preventing the development of HCC and/or stimulating the regression of established HCC.
Stress as a Possible Mechanism in Melanoma Progression
Authors: Sanzo M. , Colucci R. , Arunachalam M. , Berti S. , Moretti S.
Published: May 2010

The incidence of melanoma, the most aggressive type of cutaneous malignant tumor, is currently on the rise. Treatment in advanced stages is still unsuccessful compared with other malignant tumors, thus it is important to indentify the key mechanisms responsible for melanoma progression and metastasis. Genetic and molecular components, in particular, that are up‐ or downregulated in melanoma cells, affect the invasive potential of melanoma. Another possible important cofactor highlighted by recent studies is chronic stress, involving environmental and psychological factors, which can be an important cofactor in not only cancer progression in general but also in melanoma spreading. The negative effects of chronic stress have been evaluated epidemiologically in patients with breast and prostate cancer. In particular, the effects of stress mediators, namely, catecholamines have been studied on various human malignancies, including melanoma and have highlighted a significant increase of progression‐related molecules. As such, this could be the starting point for a new approach in the treatment of advanced melanoma, in which the negative effects of stress are reduced or blocked.
Deep Blue Cannot Play Checkers: The Need for Generalized Intelligence for Mobile Robots
Authors: Kelley Troy D. , Long Lyle N.
Published: May 2010

Generalized intelligence is much more difficult than originally anticipated when Artificial Intelligence (AI) was first introduced in the early 1960s. Deep Blue, the chess playing supercomputer, was developed to defeat the top rated human chess player and successfully did so by defeating Gary Kasporov in 1997. However, Deep Blue only played chess; it did not play checkers, or any other games. Other examples of AI programs which learned and played games were successful at specific tasks, but generalizing the learned behavior to other domains was not attempted. So the question remains: Why is generalized intelligence so difficult? If complex tasks require a significant amount of development, time and task generalization is not easily accomplished, then a significant amount of effort is going to be required to develop an intelligent system. This approach will require a system of systems approach that uses many AI techniques: neural networks, fuzzy logic, and cognitive architectures.
New Record Holders for Maximum Genome Size in Eudicots and Monocots
Authors: Zonneveld B. J. M.
Published: May 2010

This paper presents the largest genome sizes reported so far for angiosperms: for the monocotsTrillium hagae(Melanthiaceae)  pg and for the eudicotsViscum album(Santalaceae) with  pg. They were found during ongoing measurements of nuclear DNA content in more than 4000 accessions. Moreover, it is demonstrated that both of the values for the largest genome size so far for the monocots ofFritillaria assyriacaand for the eudicots ofViscum cruciatumneed to be corrected.
An Analysis of the Influence of Fundamental Values′ Estimation Accuracy on Financial Markets
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi
Published: May 2010

This research analyzed the influence of the differences in the forecast accuracy of fundamental values on the financial market. As a result of intensive experiments in the market, we made the following interesting findings: (1) improvements in forecast accuracy of fundamentalists can contribute to an increase in the number of fundamentalists; (2) certain situations might occur, according to the level of forecast accuracy of fundamentalists, in which fundamentalists and passive management coexist, or in which fundamentalists die out of the market, and furthermore; (3) where a variety of investors exist in the market, improvements in the forecast accuracy could increase the number of fundamentalists more than the number of investors that employ passive investment strategy. These results contribute to clarifying the mechanism of price fluctuations in financial markets and also indicate one of the factors for the low ratio of passive investors in asset management business.
Mood Disorders Are Glial Disorders: Evidence fromIn VivoStudies
Authors: Schroeter Matthias L. , Abdul-Khaliq Hashim , Sacher Julia , Steiner Johann , Blasig Ingolf E. , Mueller Karsten
Published: May 2010

It has recently been suggested that mood disorders can be characterized by glial pathology as indicated by histopathologicalpostmortemfindings. Here, we review studies investigating the glial marker S100B in serum of patients with mood disorders. This protein might act as a growth and differentiation factor. It is located in, and may actively be released by, astro- and oligodendrocytes. Studies consistently show that S100B is elevated in mood disorders; more strongly in major depressive than bipolar disorder. Successful antidepressive treatment reduces S100B in major depression whereas there is no evidence of treatment effects in mania. In contrast to the glial marker S100B, the neuronal marker protein neuron-specific enolase is unaltered. By indicating glial alterations without neuronal changes, serum S100B studies confirm specific glial pathology in mood disordersin vivo. S100B can be regarded as a potential diagnostic biomarker for mood disorders and as a biomarker for successful antidepressive treatment.
Proteomics of Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: González-Fernández Raquel , Prats Elena , Jorrín-Novo Jesús V.
Published: May 2010

Plant pathogenic fungi cause important yield losses in crops. In order to develop efficient and environmental friendly crop protection strategies, molecular studies of the fungal biological cycle, virulence factors, and interaction with its host are necessary. For that reason, several approaches have been performed using both classical genetic, cell biology, and biochemistry and the modern, holistic, and high-throughput, omic techniques. This work briefly overviews the tools available for studying Plant Pathogenic Fungi and is amply focused on MS-based Proteomics analysis, based on original papers published up to December 2009. At a methodological level, different steps in a proteomic workflow experiment are discussed. Separate sections are devoted to fungal descriptive (intracellular, subcellular, extracellular) and differential expression proteomics and interactomics. From the work published we can conclude that Proteomics, in combination with other techniques, constitutes a powerful tool for providing important information about pathogenicity and virulence factors, thus opening up new possibilities for crop disease diagnosis and crop protection.
Sequential Changes in Serum Cytokines and Chemokines in a Rat Model of Japanese Encephalitis
Authors: Misra Usha Kant , Srivastava Ruchi , Kalita Jayantee , Khan Mohammad Yahiya
Published: May 2010

Objectives: The mechanisms underlying inflammation and immune responses in viral encephalitis are not fully understood. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to investigate the cytokine and chemokine levels in Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected rats. Methods: Twelve-day-old Wistar rats were infected with 3 × 106 plaque-forming units of JEV intracerebrally. Cytokine and chemokine levels were analyzed in serum 3, 6, 10 and 20 days post inoculation (dpi). Results: There were increased levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and a chemokine (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in the serum of rats after JEV infection compared to controls. The levels of cytokines and chemokine peaked at 10 dpi and had declined significantly by 20 dpi. The neurological deficit also increased in the acute stage of disease and partially recovered thereafter. Conclusion: Serum cytokine and chemokine levels decline at 10 dpi and do not significantly correlate with neurological dysfunction.
Effects of Cold Stress, Corticosterone and Catecholamines on Phagocytosis in Mice: Differences between Resting and Activated Macrophages
Authors: Baccan Gyselle C. , Sesti-Costa Renata , Chedraoui-Silva Silvana , Mantovani Bernardo
Published: May 2010

Objective: We subjected mice to acute cold stress and studied the effect on phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages mediated by 3 types of phagocytic receptors: Fcγ, complement receptors 3 (CR3) and mannose and β-glucan receptors. Methods: Mice were subjected to a cold stress condition (4°C for 4 h), and then peritoneal macrophages were harvested and phagocytosis assays performed in vitro. Results: We found a striking difference between resting and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages (by intraperitoneal injection of LPS 4 days before the stress experiment): for resting macrophages cold stress caused a decrease in phagocytosis mediated by Fcγ or mannose receptors, while for activated macrophages we observed an increase in phagocytosis by the 3 types of receptors. These effects were associated with an increase in plasma concentrations of corticosterone and catecholamines following the cold stress. In order to verify whether these hormone changes could account for the observed effects on phagocytosis, we performed in vitro assays by incubating macrophages harvested from nonstressed animals with these hormones for 4 h at 37°C and measuring their phagocytic capacity. The following experiments were done: (a) with resting (nonactivated) macrophages; (b) with macrophages previously activated in vitro by incubation with LPS; (c) with macrophages previously activated in vivo by intraperitoneal injection of mice with LPS, 4 days before harvesting the cells. We found that for resting macrophages, corticosterone decreased phagocytosis mediated by Fcγ and mannose and β-glucan receptors, but catecholamines had no effect. For macrophages activated either in vivo or in vitro, catecholamines caused an increase in phagocytosis (excluding mannose receptors) while corticosterone had no effect. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that stress can regulate phagocytosis in different ways, depending on the kind of phagocytic receptor involved, the level of stress hormones and the physiological state of the macrophages.
Psychological Stress and Its Influence on Salivary Flow Rate, Total Protein Concentration and IgA, IgG and IgM Titers
Authors: Matos-Gomes Nathália , Katsurayama Marilise , Makimoto Fabiano Hiromichi , Santana Linda Luciana Oliveira , Paredes-Garcia Edijane , Becker Maria Alice d’Ávila , Dos-Santos Maria Cristina
Published: May 2010

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenomedullary axes are the main systems activated in response to stress. Alterations in salivary components and flow rate have been associated with oral health problems and psychological stress. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of psychological stress on salivary flow, total protein concentration and IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations. Methods: Thirty-eight medical students, average age of 21.4 ± 2.1 years and enrolled in the 2nd to 5th years of their course, took part voluntarily in the study which involved two different periods: the first after vacations and the second during the final exams (a gap of 4 months). An Oral Health Questionnaire and the Lipp Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL) were applied during both these periods. The flow rate, total protein concentration and immunoglobulin titers of saliva samples, collected after stimulation and stored in a container with protease inhibitor, were measured. Results: Analysis of the ISSL showed that 42.1% (n = 16) of the students had stress during the post-vacation period, and 44.7% (n = 17) during the final exams. The students’ salivary flow rate was significantly lower during the latter period than during the post-vacation period (p < 0.0001), regardless of the presence or absence of psychological stress as measured by the ISSL. There was a reduction in salivary flow rate and a consequent reduction in total protein concentration during the exam period (p = 0.0058). However, during both periods of the study there was no significant difference in total salivary protein concentration between the groups of students with or without psychological stress according to the ISSL (p > 0.05). IgG predominated over IgA and IgM (p < 0.001) during both study periods, regardless of the presence or absence of psychological stress. The study period and the presence of stress influenced the secretion of salivary immunoglobulins. IgM titers during the post-vacation period (p = 0.0044), and IgA (p = 0.028), IgG (p = 0.022) and IgM (p = 0.0075) titers during the final exams were higher in students with symptoms of psychological stress. Conclusions: Although the immunoglobulin titers were high, there was a reduction in the students’ salivary flow rates and a consequent reduction in total protein concentrations.
Renal Cell Carcinoma and Proteomics
Authors: Sandim Vanessa , Pereira Denise A. , Ornellas Antonio A. , Alves Gilda
Published: May 2010

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 3% of adult malignancies. About 30% of RCC patients develop metastatic disease. So far, drugs cannot significantly increase the survival of these patients. We present a recent review of proteomics and RCC. Proteomic technologies have been used in the research to discover new markers of RCC that might increase survival. Furthermore, newly discovered markers cannot increase patient survival, rather their prognostic value supporting therapeutic decisions or new agents targeted at these new markers. More research is required to develop proteomic technologies and biomarkers for identification and validation.