bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Cardiomyopathy—A Case Series Demonstrating a Reversible Form of Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Ishimori Mariko L. , Agarwal Megha , Beigel Roy , Ng Rita K. , Firooz Nazanin , Weisman Michael H. , Siegel Robert J.
Published: November 2013

Objective

Myocarditis is reported to be a common postmortem finding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, most case reports on SLE cardiomyopathy (CM) have not found evidence of myocarditis upon biopsy. Our aim was to characterize the nature, course, and reversibility of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with SLE.

Methods

The records of 526 SLE patients were reviewed. Patients were included if: (1) at least 4 of 11 American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE were met, (2) testing for erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hs‐CRP were performed during hospitalization, and (3) echocardiogram demonstrated left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) <50%.

Results

We identified 14 patients meeting study criteria. Mean LVEF was 33.1 ± 9% upon presentation. The main echocardiographic pattern observed was generalized hypokinesis. Twelve patients demonstrated reversal of cardiomyopathy within 1 week, showing a mean improvement in LVEF of 21.0 ± 7%. Of these, 2 patients underwent coronary angiography demonstrating no evidence of obstructive coronary disease, and 1 underwent cardiac biopsy with no evidence of myocarditis. Four patients (29%) demonstrated improvement within 3 days. Two of the 14 patients died due to their underlying medical illness and did not have a repeat echocardiogram.

Conclusion

The pattern of wall‐motion abnormalities and reversibility demonstrated in the majority of these patients with SLE suggests an etiology more consistent with stress cardiomyopathy rather than myocarditis.
Irisin as a predictor of glucose metabolism in children: sexually dimorphic effects
Authors: Al‐Daghri Nasser M. , Alkharfy Khalid M. , Rahman Shakilur , Amer Osama E. , Vinodson Benjamin , Sabico Shaun , Piya Milan K. , Harte Alison L. , McTernan Philip G. , Alokail Majed S. , Chrousos George P.
Published: November 2013

Background

Irisin, a novel myokine, increases energy expenditure and glucose tolerance and, thus, improves carbohydrate homeostasis in humans. This hormone has potential therapeutic applications for weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance in subjects with obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In this cross‐sectional study, we aimed to associate circulating levels of irisin and several anthropometric and metabolic parameters among Arab children.

Methods

A cohort of 153 Saudi children, 81 boys [age: 12·4 ± 3·2 years; BMI: 19·5 ± 5·9 kg/m2] and 72 girls: [age: 12·9 ± 3·2 years; BMI: 20·6 ± 5·2], were examined. Anthropometry was obtained, and fasted bloods were collected for biochemical analyses. Irisin was assessed by a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Girls had higher circulating irisin levels than boys (P = 0·04). There were several significant correlations between circulating irisin and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = −0·35, P < 0·001), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) (r = −0·34, P < 0·001) and HDL cholesterol (r = 0·17, P = 0·04) across the entire cohort studied. Notably in girls, but not in boys, HOMA‐IR correlated negatively with irisin levels (r = −0·32, P = 0·02), as previously noted in adults. FBG was a significant predictor of circulating irisin (R2 = 0·16) followed by SAD. In multivariate linear regression analysis, after controlling for potential confounders such as gender, age and BMI, irisin levels were independently associated with FBG (β = −0·34, P = 0·01), particularly in girls.

Conclusion

Serum irisin levels were higher in girls than in boys and correlated negatively with HOMA‐IR. They were also independently associated with FBG predominantly in girls, suggesting that this hormone may play a crucial role in glucose metabolism from an early age.
Association of endostatin with mortality in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Gouya Ghazaleh , Siller‐Matula Jolanta M. , Fritzer‐Szekeres Monika , Neuhold Stephanie , Storka Angela , Neuhofer Lisa M. , Clodi Martin , Hülsmann Martin , Pacher Richard , Wolzt Michael
Published: November 2013

Background

Experimental data imply that in decompensated heart failure (HF), the anti‐angiogenic factor endostatin is increased. This study aimed to investigate whether the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin is related to the risk of all‐cause mortality in a prospective cohort study of chronic HF patients.

Methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, endostatin serum concentrations were determined in patients with chronic HF. Mortality data were recorded during a median follow‐up of 31 months.

Results

One fifty one patients were included. The overall mortality rate was 20%. Baseline endostatin concentrations > 245 ng/mL were associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality [HR 8·7 (95% CI 2·5–30·0); P = 0·001] in the multivariate analysis as compared to endostatin concentrations ≤ 245 ng/mL. When both endostatin and NT‐proBNP were above the calculated cut‐off of 245 ng/mL and 2386 pg/mL, respectively, the prognostic utility of both biomarkers increased [HR 40·8 (95% CI 4·7–354·6); P = 0·001] compared with values lower than the cut‐offs.

Conclusions

Serum endostatin concentrations are independently associated with all‐cause mortality. Furthermore, combination of endostatin and NT‐proBNP discriminates patients at high risk.
The vomeronasal cortex – afferent and efferent projections of the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala in mice
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Castellanos Nicolás , Pardo‐Bellver Cecília , Martínez‐García Fernando , Lanuza Enrique
Published: November 2013

Most mammals possess a vomeronasal system that detects predominantly chemical signals of biological relevance. Vomeronasal information is relayed to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), whose unique cortical target is the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala. This cortical structure should therefore be considered the primary vomeronasal cortex. In the present work, we describe the afferent and efferent connections of the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala in female mice, using anterograde (biotinylated dextranamines) and retrograde (Fluorogold) tracers, and zinc selenite as a tracer specific for zinc‐enriched (putative glutamatergic) projections. The results show that the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala is strongly interconnected not only with the rest of the vomeronasal system (AOBand its target structures in the amygdala), but also with the olfactory system (piriform cortex, olfactory‐recipient nuclei of the amygdala and entorhinal cortex). Therefore, the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala probably integrates olfactory and vomeronasal information. In addition, the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala shows moderate interconnections with the associative (basomedial) amygdala and with the ventral hippocampus, which may be involved in emotional and spatial learning (respectively) induced by chemical signals. Finally, the posteromedial cortical nucleus of the amygdala gives rise to zinc‐enriched projections to the ventrolateral septum and the ventromedial striatum (including the medial islands ofCalleja). This pattern of intracortical connections (with the olfactory cortex and hippocampus, mainly) and cortico‐striatal excitatory projections (with the olfactory tubercle and septum) is consistent with its proposed nature as the primary vomeronasal cortex.
Mechanism of the medium‐duration afterhyperpolarization in rat serotonergic neurons
Authors: Alix Philippe , Venkatesan Kumar , Scuvée‐Moreau Jacqueline , Massotte Laurent , Nguyen Trung Mai‐Linh , Cornil Charlotte A. , Seutin Vincent
Published: November 2013

Most serotonergic neurons display a prominent medium‐duration afterhyperpolarization (mAHP), which is mediated by small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (SK) channels. Recent ex vivo and in vivo experiments have suggested that SK channel blockade increases the firing rate and/or bursting in these neurons. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize the source of Ca2+ which activates the mAHP channels in serotonergic neurons. In voltage‐clamp experiments, an outward current was recorded at −60 mV after a depolarizing pulse to +100 mV. A supramaximal concentration of the SK channel blockers apamin or (‐)‐bicuculline methiodide blocked this outward current. This current was also sensitive to the broad Ca2+ channel blocker Co2+ and was partially blocked by both ω‐conotoxin and mibefradil, which are blockers of N‐type and T‐type Ca2+ channels, respectively. Neither blockers of other voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels nor DBHQ, an inhibitor of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release, had any effect on the SK current. In current‐clamp experiments, mAHPs following action potentials were only blocked by ω‐conotoxin and were unaffected by mibefradil. This was observed in slices from both juvenile and adult rats. Finally, when these neurons were induced to fire in an in vivo‐like pacemaker rate, only ω‐conotoxin was able to increase their firing rate (by ~30%), an effect identical to the one previously reported for apamin. Our results demonstrate that N‐type Ca2+ channels are the only source of Ca2+ which activates the SK channels underlying the mAHP. T‐type Ca2+ channels may also activate SK channels under different circumstances.
Partner manipulation stabilises a horizontally transmitted mutualism
Authors: Heil Martin , Barajas‐Barron Alejandro , Orona‐Tamayo Domancar , Wielsch Natalie , Svatos Ales
Published: November 2013

Mutualisms require protection from non‐reciprocating exploiters. Pseudomyrmex workers that engage in an obligate defensive mutualism with Acacia hosts feed exclusively on the sucrose‐free extrafloral nectar (EFN) that is secreted by their hosts, a behaviour linking ant energy supply directly to host performance and thus favouring reciprocating behaviour. We tested the hypothesis that Acacia hosts manipulate this digestive specialisation of their ant mutualists. Invertase (sucrose hydrolytic) activity in the ant midguts was inhibited by chitinase, a dominant EFN protein. The inhibition occurred quickly in cell‐free gut liquids and in native gels and thus likely results from an enzyme–enzyme interaction. Once a freshly eclosed worker ingests EFN as the first diet available, her invertase becomes inhibited and she, thus, continues feeding on host‐derived EFN. Partner manipulation acts at the phenotypic level and means that one partner actively controls the phenotype of the other partner to enhance its dependency on host‐derived rewards.
Leukotrienes as key mediators and amplifiers in allergic inflammation: insights from the bench and clinic
Authors: Honda Tetsuya , Kabashima Kenji
Published: November 2013

Lipid mediators, such as leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandins (PGs), have a variety of physiological roles through their respective receptors. They are involved in both the maintenance of homoeostasis and the pathobiology of many diseases. Recent developments in relevant gene‐targeted animals and receptor‐selective compounds have significantly advanced our understanding of the role of lipid mediators in the immune system. In the Viewpoint entitled, ‘Leukotrienes orchestrating allergic skin inflammation’, Dr Sadik and colleagues provide a comprehensive overview of the current progress on the new roles of LTs in cutaneous allergy and sketch important future research avenues.
Time in Parenting Activities in Dual‐Earner Families at the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Kotila Letitia E. , Schoppe‐Sullivan Sarah J. , Kamp Dush Claire M.
Published: November 2013

Time parenting was compared for new mothers and fathers in a sample of 182 dual‐earner families. Parenting domains included positive engagement, responsibility, routine child care, and accessibility. Time diaries captured parents' time use over a 24‐hour workday and nonworkday when infants were age 3 and 9 months. Parents were highly involved with their infants. Mothers were more involved than fathers in positive engagement and routine child care on days and at each assessment, and allocated more available time on workdays to these domains than fathers, with one exception. Fathers and mothers allocated similar shares of available workday time to positive engagement at 9 months. Greater equity in responsibility and accessibility was found; mothers spent more, and a greater share of, parenting time in responsibility than fathers on the 9‐month workday only, and were more accessible on the 3‐month workday only. Implications for parents in today's diverse families are discussed.
Religious Faith and Transformational Processes in Marriage
Authors: Goodman Michael A. , Dollahite David C. , Marks Loren D. , Layton Emily
Published: November 2013

Leading scholars of marital processes strongly recommend supplementing the current focus on marital conflict to include research on transformative processes. This qualitative study examines the connection between religion and the transformative processes of commitment and coping in marriage. The sample for this study includes 184 married couples (N = 368 individuals), making it far larger than most in‐depth, qualitative interview‐based studies. Participants included Christians, Jews, and Muslims with an over sampling of minorities and immigrant families living in all eight regions of the United States. For several decades studies have shown a largely positive correlation between (a) religiosity and marital commitment and (b) religiosity and (generally) positive coping, but with little explanation regarding how and why. Findings of this study indicate that there are specific religious beliefs and practices related to how these couples approach their marriages—including several that relate to the two transformative processes of commitment and coping.
Dissolution of UK High‐Level Waste Glass Under Simulated Hyperalkaline Conditions of a Colocated Geological Disposal Facility
Authors: Corkhill Claire L. , Cassingham Nathan J. , Heath Paul. G. , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: November 2013

We report analysis of chemical durability of UK HLW MW+25% simulant glass under model hyperalkaline conditions of a colocated geological disposal facility. Glass powders and monoliths were dissolved for 168 days in saturated Ca(OH)2. Dissolution in the presence of high concentrations of Ca (>200 mg/L) was an order of magnitude lower than dissolution in water. Dissolution of Si did not occur until a Ca:Si ratio of <2 was achieved. The mechanism of dissolution involved the incorporation of Ca into the hydrated surface (initial, incubation regime), the precipitation of C‐S‐H phases, including a range of compositions in the C‐(N)‐(A)‐S‐H and M‐S‐H systems (intermediate regime), and the precipitation of C‐S‐H phases (the residual regime). Thermodynamic analysis and consideration of the CaO‐SiO2‐H2O phase diagram suggest that the rate‐limiting step of glass dissolution in Ca‐rich solutions is Ca‐Si equilibrium, involving the precipitation of C‐S‐H phases, which change in chemical composition as a function of solution chemistry. In low SA/V ratio experiments, the dissolution progressed only to the initial incubation regime, resulting from fewer surface sites for Ca incorporation. Overall, these results suggest that Ca and Si in solution play an important role in the long‐term durability of UK HLW in Ca‐rich solutions.
A survey of spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions in 10 years of activity in a pharmacovigilance centre in Portugal
Authors: Marques Joana , Ribeiro-Vaz Inês , Pereira Altamiro Costa , Polónia Jorge
Published: November 2013

Objective

Reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may differ between countries.

Methods

In a retrospective descriptive study we analysed the potential causative drugs and clinical situations related to spontaneously reported ADRs over 10 years to a regional pharmacovigilance centre in Portugal.

Key findings

We collected 3165 cases (36% of all national reports) of ADRs reported by doctors (54%), pharmacists (31%), and nurses (15%), 56% of which were classified as serious, 22% as unexpected and 13% as both serious and unexpected. According to World Health Organization causality criteria of ADRs related to drugs, 67% where probable, 20% possible, 7% conditional, 6% certain and 1% unclassifiable or unlikely. There was a predominance of females (66%, P < 0.005) both for total and serious ADRs. Physicians, while working in hospitals, reported more (68%) and more serious ADRs (75%) than those working in primary care (29%). Pharmacists working outside hospitals reported more (90%) than those working in hospitals. Drugs more frequently associated with ADRs were antibiotics (22%), followed by vaccines (16%), drugs acting on the nervous system (15%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (14%) and those working on the cardiovascular system (11%). The most common systems, organs or disorders affected by ADRs were skin manifestations (21%), followed by general disorders (20%), gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary disorders (15%), nervous system disorders (11%) and immune system disorders (6%).

Conclusions

Our study shows a general commitment of Portuguese health professionals to ADR reporting with a clear predominance of serious rather than non-serious ADRs. This study may help to improve the recognition of the general aspects of ADRs occurring in Portugal.
Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera) gut transcriptome analysis: expression of RNA interference‐related genes
Authors: Swevers L. , Huvenne H. , Menschaert G. , Kontogiannatos D. , Kourti A. , Pauchet Y. , ffrench‐Constant R. , Smagghe G.
Published: November 2013

In the search for new methods of pest control, the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) is being explored. Because the gut is the first barrier for the uptake of double‐stranded (ds)RNA, pyrosequencing of the gut transcriptome is a powerful tool for obtaining the necessary sequences for specific dsRNA‐mediated pest control. In the present study, a dataset representing the gut transcriptome of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata) was generated and analysed for the presence of RNAi‐related genes. Almost all selected genes that were implicated in silencing efficiency at different levels in the RNAi pathway (core machinery, associated intracellular factors, dsRNA uptake, antiviral RNAi, nucleases), which uses different types of small RNA (small interfering RNA, microRNA and piwi‐RNA), were expressed in the CPB gut. Although the database is of lower quality, the majority of the RNAi genes are also found to be present in the gut transcriptome of the tobacco hornworm [TH; Manduca sexta (19 out of 35 genes analysed)]. The high quality of the CPB transcriptome database will lay the foundation for future gene expression and functional studies regarding the gut and RNAi.
An OLG Model for Optimal Investment and Insurance Decisions
Authors: Li Bingqing , Liao Pu , Xu Jingfeng
Published: November 2013

This article uses overlapping generation (OLG) model to study individuals' optimal decision on consumption, investment, insurance, and education expenses. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to discuss the individuals' demand for insurance with the consideration of intergenerational transfer payments. In the article, we incorporate insurance into the OLG model to describe individuals' optimization problem on consuming and saving, and we solve the optimal proportions of expenditure on investment, survival insurance, life insurance, and education, with the optimal consumption to be the remaining parts of expenditure. We observe that the numerical outputs are consistent with the actual data. It is also interesting to find that the human capital investment is independent of both risky asset investment and individuals' risk aversion coefficient.
The Impact of Insurer Name Changes on The Demand for Insurance
Authors: Cole Cassandra R. , Fier Stephen G. , Carson James M. , Andrews Demetra
Published: November 2013

Corporate name changes are relatively common events, with some evidence suggesting that name changes are strategic in nature. Although prior research has examined the effect of name changes on the firm, these studies have focused primarily on the stock price reaction to name changes. Such a focus has a number of limitations, including a reliance on samples that consist solely of publicly traded firms and an inability to determine whether the source of the impact is driven by increases in revenue, increases in efficiency, and/or reductions in costs. We overcome these limitations by testing the impact of corporate name changes on U.S. property–casualty insurers using detailed statutory data. We find a significant and positive relation between name changes and subsequent growth in premiums. The results are robust across various model specifications and suggest that name changes contain information that consumers interpret as meaningfully positive.
Passion and challenging goals: drawbacks of rushing into goal‐setting processes
Authors: Thorgren Sara , Wincent Joakim
Published: November 2013

This study shows that passion may have a potential downside for setting challenging goals. Hypotheses are developed by drawing on self‐determination theory and goal‐setting theory. Data is collected from a sample of 134 team leaders and hypotheses are tested using ordinary least squares regression analyses. Findings demonstrate that in a project context, team leaders' own competence positively influences their obsessive passion, while their perceptions of team members' competence positively influence their harmonious passion. Goal‐setting speed is included as a mediator in the relationship between passion and degree of goal challenge, proving both harmonious passion and obsessive passion ultimately negatively influence the ability to develop challenging goals because they increase the likelihood of rushing into the goal‐setting process.
Injection of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota affects autonomic nerve activities in a tissue‐specific manner, and regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in rats
Authors: Tanida Mamoru , Imanishi Kazuki , Akashi Haruna , Kurata Yasutaka , Chonan Osamu , Naito Eiichiro , Kunihiro Satoru , Kawai Mitsuhisa , Kato‐kataoka Akito , Shibamoto Toshishige
Published: November 2013

Aims/Introduction

Previously, it was observed that long‐term ingestion of a probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) ameliorates insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in rats fed a high‐fat diet. In the present study, we examined its possible role in the autonomic nervous system during LcS‐induced modulations in glucose and lipid metabolism or cardiovascular functions.

Materials and Methods

The present study examined the effects of intragastric (IG) LcS injection on autonomic nerve tones in anesthetized rats by electrophysiological method.

Results

We found that an IG injection of LcS suppressed neural activity of sympathetic nerves supplying the white adipose tissue of urethane‐anesthetized rats in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas sympathetic nerve outflow to brown adipose tissue was not affected by the IG LcS injection. Furthermore, the IG LcS injection reduced efferent sympathetic nerve outflow to the adrenal gland and liver, but did not alter gastric vagal nerve activity, renal sympathetic nerve activity, as well as mean arterial pressure. To test the involvement of afferent vagal nerves and the abdominal organs, we examined the adrenal sympathetic response to an LcS injection in rats with ablated afferent vagal nerves, and found that the adrenal sympathetic nerve response to LcS was inhibited in vagotomized rats. In addition, we found that oral ingestion of LcS attenuated the hyperglycemic response to glucose loading and blood glycerol levels in conscious rats.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LcS might affect tissue‐specific autonomic nerves through the afferent vagal nerve pathway to modulate glucose and lipid metabolism.
Using scale characteristics and water temperature to reconstruct growth rates of juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Beakes M. P. , Sharron S. , Charish R. , Moore J. W. , Satterthwaite W. H. , Sturm E. , Wells B. K. , Sogard S. M. , Mangel M.
Published: November 2013

Juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from a northern California Central Valley population were reared in a controlled laboratory experiment. Significantly different rates of growth were observed among fish reared under two ration treatments and three temperature treatments (8, 14 and 20° C). Wider circulus spacing and faster deposition was associated with faster growth. For the same growth rate, however, circulus spacing was two‐fold wider and deposited 36% less frequently in the cold compared to the hot temperature treatment. In a multiple linear regression, median circulus spacing and water temperature accounted for 68% of the variation in observed O. mykiss growth. These results corroborate previous research on scale characteristics and growth, while providing novel evidence that highlights the importance of water temperature in these relationships. Thus, this study establishes the utility of using scale analysis as a relatively non‐invasive method for inferring growth in salmonids.
HB‐EGF affects astrocyte morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and the expression of intermediate filament proteins
Authors: Puschmann Till B. , Zandén Carl , Lebkuechner Isabell , Philippot Camille , de Pablo Yolanda , Liu Johan , Pekny Milos
Published: November 2013

Heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF), a vascular‐derived trophic factor, belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of neuroprotective, hypoxia‐inducible proteins released by astrocytes in CNS injuries. It was suggested that HB–EGF can replace fetal calf serum (FCS) in astrocyte cultures. We previously demonstrated that in contrast to standard 2D cell culture systems, Bioactive3D culture system, when used with FCS, minimizes the baseline activation of astrocytes and preserves their complex morphology. Here, we show that HB‐EGF induced EGF receptor (EGFR) activation by Y1068 phosphorylation, Mapk/Erk pathway activation, and led to an increase in cell proliferation, more prominent in Bioactive3D than in 2D cultures. HB‐EGF changed morphology of 2D and Bioactive3D cultured astrocytes toward a radial glia‐like phenotype and induced the expression of intermediate filament and progenitor cell marker protein nestin. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin protein expression was unaffected. RT‐qPCR analysis demonstrated that HB‐EGF affected the expression of Notch signaling pathway genes, implying a role for the Notch signaling in HB‐EGF‐mediated astrocyte response. HB‐EGF can be used as a FCS replacement for astrocyte expansion and in vitro experimentation both in 2D and Bioactive3D culture systems; however, caution should be exercised since it appears to induce partial de‐differentiation of astrocytes.

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HB‐EGF (heparin‐binding EGF‐like growth factor) was previously suggested to replace serum, a common and undefined component in primary astrocyte cultures. We show that both in standard 2D and in our newly developed Bioactive3D culture system, HB‐EGF affects astrocyte morphology, proliferation, gene/protein expression and leads to partial de‐differentiation of astrocytes. Thus, HB‐EGF should only be used with caution as a serum replacement in astrocyte cultures.
Cross‐talk between IGF‐1 and estrogen receptors attenuates intracellular changes in ventral spinal cord 4.1 motoneuron cells because of interferon‐gamma exposure
Authors: Park Sookyoung , Nozaki Kenkichi , Smith Joshua A. , Krause James S. , Banik Naren L.
Published: November 2013

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is a neuroprotective growth factor that promotes neuronal survival by inhibition of apoptosis. To examine whether IGF‐1 exerts cytoprotective effects against extracellular inflammatory stimulation, ventral spinal cord 4.1 (VSC4.1) motoneuron cells were treated with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ). Our data demonstrated apoptotic changes, increased calpain:calpastatin and Bax:Bcl‐2 ratios, and expression of apoptosis‐related proteases (caspase‐3 and ‐12) in motoneurons rendered by IFN‐γ in a dose‐dependent manner. Post‐treatment with IGF‐1 attenuated these changes. In addition, IGF‐1 treatment of motoneurons exposed to IFN‐γ decreased expression of inflammatory markers (cyclooxygenase‐2 and nuclear factor‐kappa B:inhibitor of kappa B ratio). Furthermore, IGF‐1 attenuated the loss of expression of IGF‐1 receptors (IGF‐1Rα and IGF‐1Rβ) and estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) induced by IFN‐γ. To determine whether the protective effects of IGF‐1 are associated with ERs, ERs antagonist ICI and selective siRNA targeted against ERα and ERβ were used in VSC4.1 motoneurons. Distinctive morphological changes were observed following siRNA knockdown of ERα and ERβ. In particular, apoptotic cell death assessed by TUNEL assay was enhanced in both ERα and ERβ‐silenced VSC4.1 motoneurons following IFN‐γ and IGF‐1 exposure. These results suggest that IGF‐1 protects motoneurons from inflammatory insult by a mechanism involving pivotal interactions with ERα and ERβ.

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Pro‐inflammatory Th1 cytokine, IFN‐γ induced cellular damage was investigated in VSC4.1 motoneurons. IFN‐γ resulted in apoptosis and inflammatory changes in motoneurons. Apoptosis was mediated via up‐regulation of calpain and subsequent cleavage of caspase‐3. IGF‐1 is suggested as potentially neuroprotective in motoneuron following cytokine exposure. Cellular protective effects of IGF‐1 are mediated by cross‐talk with ERα and ERβ in VSC4.1 motoneurons.
What's in a Name? Distinguishing Between Routine Disclosure and Self‐Disclosure
Authors: Tilton‐Weaver Lauree C. , Marshall Sheila K. , Darling Nancy
Published: November 2013

A lack of specificity between two types of disclosure has emerged in research on adolescents’ relationship and communication with their parents. Researchers are obscuring the distinctions between self‐disclosure and routine disclosure (i.e., disclosure of their whereabouts and activities to parents). In this article, we describe where the problems have arisen and then outline the conceptual differences between the two. Illustrations of how the two types of disclosure overlap or co‐occur are provided to demonstrate how fruitful areas for future research can emerge from attending to the distinctions between these two constructs.
Hepatitis B virus x protein induces autophagy via activating death‐associated protein kinase
Authors: Zhang H.‐T , Chen G. G. , Hu B.‐G. , Zhang Z.‐Y. , Yun J.‐P , He M.‐L. , Lai P. B. S.
Published: November 2013

Hepatitis B virus x protein (HBX), a product of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a multifunctional protein that regulates viral replication and various cellular functions. Recently, HBX has been shown to induce autophagy; however, the responsible mechanism is not fully known. In this study, we established stable HBX‐expressing epithelial Chang cells as the platform to study how HBX induced autophagy. The results showed that the overexpression of HBX resulted in starvation‐induced autophagy. HBX‐induced autophagy was related to its ability to dephosphorylate/activate death‐associated protein kinase (DAPK). The block of DAPK by its siRNA significantly counteracted HBX‐mediated autophagy, confirming the positive role of DAPK in this process. HBX also induced Beclin 1, which functions at the downstream of the DAPK‐mediated autophagy pathway. Although HBX could activate JNK, a kinase known to participate in autophagy in certain conditions, the change in JNK failed to influence HBX‐induced autophagy. In conclusion, HBX induces autophagy via activating DAPK in a pathway related to Beclin 1, but not JNK. This new finding should help us to understand the role of autophagy in HBX‐mediated pathogenesis and thus may provide targets for intervening HBX‐related disorders.
A comparative analysis of ontogenetic bite‐force scaling among Crocodylia
Authors: Erickson G. M. , Gignac P. M. , Lappin A. K. , Vliet K. A. , Brueggen J. D. , Webb G. J. W.
Published: November 2013

Interspecific adult bite forces for all extant crocodylian species are now known. However, how bite forces scale during ontogeny across the clade has yet to be studied. Here we test the hypotheses that extant crocodylians share positively allometric and statistically comparable developmental scaling coefficients for maximal bite‐force capacity relative to body size. To do this, we measured bite forces in the Australian freshwater crocodile Crocodylus johnsoni and the Saltwater crocodile C. porosus, and determined how performance changed during ontogeny. We statistically compared these results with those for the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis using 95% prediction intervals and interpreted our findings in a phylogenetic context. We found no observable taxon‐specific shifts in the intraspecific scaling of biomechanical performance. Instead, all bite‐force values in our crocodylid dataset fell within the bounds of the A. mississippiensis 95% prediction intervals, suggesting similar bite‐force capacity when same‐sized individuals are compared. This holds true regardless of differences in developmental stage, potential adult body size, rostro‐dental form, bone mineralization, cranial suturing, dietary differences or phylogenetic relatedness. These findings suggest that intraspecific bite‐force scaling for crocodylians with feeding ecologies comparable with those of extant forms has likely remained evolutionarily static during their diversification.
Assessing the impact of introduced cats on island biodiversity by combining dietary and movement analysis
Authors: Hervías S. , Oppel S. , Medina F. M. , Pipa T. , Díez A. , Ramos J. A. , Ruiz de Ybáñez R. , Nogales M.
Published: November 2013

Populations of feral (not owned by humans) and domestic cats Felis catus coexist in most inhabited islands, and they have similar impacts on native species. Feral cats are generally believed to vary their diet according to prey availability; however, no previous studies of diet have tested this hypothesis on insular ecosystems with a limited range of available prey. Because domestic cats kill prey independently of hunger, the spatial extent of their impact on wildlife will be influenced by home‐range size. In this study, we combined dietary information with cat movements to assess the impacts of feral and domestic cats on island biodiversity. We quantified the diet of cats from scat samples collected across one year and tested whether diet varies by season. The abundance of main prey categories was also estimated to document seasonal variation in prey availability for cats. Finally, we tracked domestic cats by global positioning system units in all four seasons to examine whether home‐range patterns varied seasonally. The diet of cats constituted three prey groups (rodents, birds and invertebrates), and the seasonal variation in consumption of each taxon matched the seasonal variation in prey availability, thus supporting the generalist behaviour of cats on oceanic islands. Roaming behaviour varied among individuals and across seasons, but could not be explained by availability of prey. Unconfined cats had larger home‐ranges than confined cats, but most domestic cats strayed <1 km from home. Thus, confinement of domestic cats might reduce the spatial extent of cat impact on native prey populations on oceanic islands.
Likelihood‐based inference of population history from low‐coverage de novo genome assemblies
Authors: Hearn Jack , Stone Graham N. , Bunnefeld Lynsey , Nicholls James A. , Barton Nicholas H. , Lohse Konrad
Published: November 2013

Short‐read sequencing technologies have in principle made it feasible to draw detailed inferences about the recent history of any organism. In practice, however, this remains challenging due to the difficulty of genome assembly in most organisms and the lack of statistical methods powerful enough to discriminate between recent, nonequilibrium histories. We address both the assembly and inference challenges. We develop a bioinformatic pipeline for generating outgroup‐rooted alignments of orthologous sequence blocks from de novo low‐coverage short‐read data for a small number of genomes, and show how such sequence blocks can be used to fit explicit models of population divergence and admixture in a likelihood framework. To illustrate our approach, we reconstruct the Pleistocene history of an oak‐feeding insect (the oak gallwasp Biorhiza pallida), which, in common with many other taxa, was restricted during Pleistocene ice ages to a longitudinal series of southern refugia spanning the Western Palaearctic. Our analysis of sequence blocks sampled from a single genome from each of three major glacial refugia reveals support for an unexpected history dominated by recent admixture. Despite the fact that 80% of the genome is affected by admixture during the last glacial cycle, we are able to infer the deeper divergence history of these populations. These inferences are robust to variation in block length, mutation model and the sampling location of individual genomes within refugia. This combination of de novo assembly and numerical likelihood calculation provides a powerful framework for estimating recent population history that can be applied to any organism without the need for prior genetic resources.
How generalist herbivores exploit belowground plant diversity in temperate grasslands
Authors: Wallinger Corinna , Staudacher Karin , Schallhart Nikolaus , Mitterrutzner Evi , Steiner Eva‐Maria , Juen Anita , Traugott Michael
Published: November 2013

Belowground herbivores impact plant performance, thereby inducing changes in plant community composition, which potentially leads to cascading effects onto higher trophic levels and ecosystem processes and productivity. Among soil‐living insects, external root‐chewing generalist herbivores have the strongest impact on plants. However, the lack of knowledge on their feeding behaviour under field conditions considerably hampers achieving a comprehensive understanding of how they affect plant communities. Here, we address this gap of knowledge by investigating the feeding behaviour of Agriotes click beetle larvae, which are common generalist external root‐chewers in temperate grassland soils. Utilizing diagnostic multiplex PCR to assess the larval diet, we examined the seasonal patterns in feeding activity, putative preferences for specific plant taxa, and whether species identity and larval instar affect food choices of the herbivores. Contrary to our hypothesis, most of the larvae were feeding‐active throughout the entire vegetation period, indicating that the grassland plants are subjected to constant belowground feeding pressure. Feeding was selective, with members of Plantaginaceae and Asteraceae being preferred; Apiaceae were avoided. Poaceae, although assumed to be most preferred, had an intermediate position. The food preferences exhibited seasonal changes, indicating a fluctuation in plant traits important for wireworm feeding choice. Species‐ and instar‐specific differences in dietary choice of the Agriotes larvae were small, suggesting that species and larval instars occupy the same trophic niche. According to the current findings, the food choice of these larvae is primarily driven by plant identity, exhibiting seasonal changes. This needs to be considered when analysing soil herbivore–plant interactions.
Effect of nortriptyline on brain responses to painful esophageal acid infusion in patients with non‐erosive reflux disease
Authors: Forcelini C. M. , Tomiozzo J. C. , Farré R. , Van Oudenhove L. , Callegari‐Jacques S. M. , Ribeiro M. , Madalosso B. H. , Fornari F.
Published: November 2013

Background

Non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients generally present with heartburn as the main symptom. Antidepressants might help to relieve heartburn by acting on the esophagus‐brain axis. We aimed to assess the effect of nortriptyline on behavioral and brain responses to painful esophageal acid infusion in NERD patients evaluated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods

In a randomized double‐blind crossover design, 20 NERD patients off proton pump inhibitors (36.1 ± 9.3 years, 75% women) were assigned to 21 days of nortriptyline and placebo, in counterbalanced order, with a 21 days washout period in between both treatment periods. Changes in acid‐induced brain response on fMRI and heartburn perception were assessed and at the end of each treatment.

Key Results

Nortriptyline significantly reduced the acid‐induced brain response in prefrontal cortex (median [IQR]: −1.9 [−4.5 to −0.1] vs −0.3 [−2.5 to 2.3]; p = 0.050), caudate (−3.0 [−5.1 to −0.01] vs 0.48 [−1.9 to 3.1]; p = 0.029), insula (−2.4 [−4.8 to −0.6] vs −0.2 [−1.5 to 1.5]; p = 0.029), cingulate (−4.2 [−8.8 to −0.1] vs −0.6 [−1.8 to 3.0]; p = 0.017), and hippocampus (−2.7 [−6.0 to 0.5] vs −0.04 [−2.3 to 1.9]; p = 0.006) in comparison with placebo. However, there was no significant difference between nortriptyline and placebo in clinical outcomes and side effects.

Conclusions & Inferences

Nortriptyline decreased the brain response to esophageal acid infusion more markedly than placebo, but without clinical significance.
Mucosal adenosine triphosphate mediates serotonin release from ileal but not colonic guinea pig enterochromaffin cells
Authors: Patel B. A.
Published: November 2013

Background

Mechanical stimulation of the mucosal epithelium results in increased serotonin (5‐HT) release from enterochromaffin (EC) cells. Little is known about how this process varies in different regions of the intestinal tract; however, purines are felt to play a role. We studied the relationship between mechanical stimulation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and 5‐HT release from ileal and colonic mucosal tissue.

Methods

Amperometric recordings of ATP and 5‐HT were carried out using an ATP biosensor and boron‐doped diamond microelectrode. Levels of extracellular ATP and 5‐HT were monitored using high performance liquid chromatography.

Key Results

Under basal conditions, 5‐HT levels were significantly decreased in the ileum (p < 0.001) but not the colon in the presence of the P2 antagonist suramin (100 μM). Ecto‐ATPase inhibitor ARL67156 (10 μM) elevated ATP levels in the ileum and colon (both p < 0.001), but only 5‐HT levels in the ileum (p < 0.001). Exogenous ATP increased 5‐HT release in the presence of tetrodotoxin in the ileum (p < 0.001), but had not effect in the colon. Mechanical stimulation increased levels of 5‐HT in the ileum (p < 0.001) and colon (p < 0.01), but levels returned to baseline in the presence of suramin and MRS2179 in the ileum. The onset of 5‐HT release was delayed following mechanical stimulation. The rise time of the ATP response was quicker than that of 5‐HT during mechanical stimulation.

Conclusions & Inferences

During mechanical stimulation of the mucosal epithelium, ATP mediates 5‐HT release from EC cells in the ileum, but not the colon. Mucosal 5‐HT signaling following mechanical stimulation is varied in different regions of the intestinal tract.
On the Museum of Innocence: Caressing the World With Words
Authors: PAMUK ORHAN
Published: November 2013

The megacities arising around the planet are like the Internet where many events are taking place simultaneously. The urban scape today is becoming more a space of flows—migrants, trade, capital, information, microbes—than a space of places rooted in an historical identity.

The megaurban condition today encompasses many realities, from the glittering generic city‐state of Singapore to the slums climbing up the hillsides around Mexico City or Sao Paulo. In these spaces we work, love and live out the intimate moments of our lives. In these spaces we consume and spew out climate warming gases.

In this section, two of the world's “star architects”—Rem Koolhaas and Frank Gehry—the visionary “arcologist” Paolo Soleri and the Turkish novelist and Nobel laureate, Orhan Pamuk, grasp at chronicling the reality of where we live.
Psychopaths of Faith vs. The Muse of Irreverence
Authors: SOYINKA WOLE
Published: November 2013

Going through a protracted period of transition since the end of the Cold War, the world order in the making is neither what was nor what it is yet to become. It is in “the middle of the future.”

To get our bearings in this uncertain transition, we explore the two grand post‐Cold War narratives—“The End of History” as posited by Francis Fukuyama and “The Clash of Civilizations” posited by the late Samuel Huntington. Mikhail Gorbachev looks back at his policies that brought the old order to collapse. The British philosopher John Gray critiques the supposed “universality” of liberalism and, with Homi Bhabha, sees a world of hybrid identities and localized cultures. The Singaporean theorist Kishore Mahbubani peels away the “veneer” of Western dominance. Amartya Sen, the economist and Nobel laureate, assesses whether democratic India or autocratic China is better at building “human capacity” in their societies.
Revolutionary Wealth
Authors: TOFFLER ALVIN
Published: November 2013

Civilizations are mortal. Some rise to meet their challenges, others collapse and disappear into history. Why do some posses the capacity to change, and others not?

Jared Diamond warns that the Anthropocentric Age, in which the human species for the first time is the dominant influence on the planet, could end up like the extinct Maya, terminating our civilization's accomplishments if we don't squarely face our ecological challenges.

Bruce Mau, like Alvin Toffler, sees hope in the “distributed power” enabled by new technologies. Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt examine the paradoxes of the digital age which has transformed how we live our lives in every respect.
The Central Paradox of the Digital Age
Authors: SCHMIDT ERIC , COHEN JARED
Published: November 2013

Civilizations are mortal. Some rise to meet their challenges, others collapse and disappear into history. Why do some posses the capacity to change, and others not?

Jared Diamond warns that the Anthropocentric Age, in which the human species for the first time is the dominant influence on the planet, could end up like the extinct Maya, terminating our civilization's accomplishments if we don't squarely face our ecological challenges.

Bruce Mau, like Alvin Toffler, sees hope in the “distributed power” enabled by new technologies. Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt examine the paradoxes of the digital age which has transformed how we live our lives in every respect.
Clinical Effectiveness of the Obturator Externus Muscle Injection in Chronic Pelvic Pain Patients
Authors: Kim Shin Hyung , Kim Do Hyeong , Yoon Duck Mi , Yoon Kyung Bong
Published: November 2013

Background

Because of its anatomical location and function, the obturator externus (OE) muscle can be a source of pain; however, this muscle is understudied as a possible target for therapeutic intervention in pain practice. In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the OE muscle injection with a local anesthetic in chronic pelvic pain patients with suspected OE muscle problems.

Methods

Twenty‐three patients with localized tenderness on the inferolateral side of the pubic tubercle accompanied by pain in the groin, anteromedial thigh, or hip were studied. After identifying the OE with contrast dye under fluoroscopic guidance, 5 to 8 mL of 0.3% lidocaine was injected. Pain scores were assessed before and after injection; patient satisfaction was also assessed.

Results

Mean pain score decreased by 44.7% (6.6 ± 1.8 to 3.5 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) 2 weeks after OE muscle injection as compared with pain score before injection. In addition, 82% of patients (19 of 23 patients) reported excellent or good satisfaction during 2 weeks after injection. No patients reported complications from OE muscle injection.

Conclusions

Fluoroscopy‐guided injection of the OE muscle with local anesthetic reduced pain scores and led to a high level of satisfaction at short‐term follow‐up in patients with suspected OE muscle problem. The results of this study suggest that OE muscle injection may be a valuable therapeutic option for a select group of chronic pelvic pain patients who present with localized tenderness in the OE muscle that is accompanied by groin, anteromedial thigh, or hip pain.