bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined melatonin and exendin‐4 therapy preserves renal ultrastructural integrity after ischemia–reperfusion injury in the male rat
Authors: Yip Hon‐Kan , Yang Chih‐Chao , Chen Kuan‐Hung , Huang Tien‐Hung , Chen Yi‐Ling , Zhen Yen‐Yi , Sung Pei‐Hsun , Chiang Hsin‐Ju , Sheu Jiunn‐Jye , Chang Chia‐Lo , Chen Chih‐Hung , Chang Hsueh‐Wen , Chen Yen‐Ta
Published: August 2015

We tested whether combined melatonin (Mel) and exendin‐4 (Ex4) treatment can better preserve glomerular structural integrity after ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury compared with either alone. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 50) were equally divided into sham control (SC), IR, IR‐Ex4 (10 μg/kg subcutaneously 30 min after reperfusion and daily for 5 days), IR‐Mel (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally at 30 min postreperfusion and 50 mg/kg at 6 and 18 hr), and IR‐Ex4‐Mel were euthanized at day 14. Serum creatinine level and urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio at days 3 and 14 were highest in IR group and lowest in SC, significantly higher in IR‐Ex4 and IR‐Mel groups than in IR‐Ex4‐Mel group (all P < 0.001) without significant difference between IR‐Ex4 and IR‐Mel groups. Changes in podocyte injury score (PIS) and kidney injury score were highest in IR group and lowest in SC, significantly higher in IR‐Ex4 and IR‐Mel groups than in IR‐Ex4‐Mel, and significantly higher in IR‐Mel group than in IR‐Ex4 group (all P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical microscopic findings of the expressions of FSP‐1 and WT‐1 (two glomerular damage indicators) and KIM‐1 and snail (two renal tubular‐damaged indicators) showed an identical pattern, whereas the expressions of ZO‐1, p‐cadherin, podocin, dystroglycan, fibronectin, and synaptopodin (six indices of glomerular integrity) demonstrated an opposite pattern compared to that of PIS among five groups (all P < 0.001). Protein expressions of inflammatory (TNF‐α/NF‐κB/MMP‐9) and oxidative stress (NOX‐1, NOX‐2, oxidized protein) biomarkers exhibited an identical pattern to that of PIS among five groups (all P < 0.001). Combined melatonin–exednin‐4 therapy further protected glomerulus from IR injury.
Risk Factors and Outcomes in Cats with Acquired Myasthenia Gravis (2001–2012)
Authors: Hague D.W. , Humphries H.D. , Mitchell M.A. , Shelton G.D.
Published: August 2015

Background

Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) in cats most commonly causes generalized weakness without megaesophagus and is more often associated with a cranial mediastinal mass, compared to dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To extend the clinical findings described in the report of 2000 onMGin cats (J Am Vet Med Assoc 215:55–57).

Animals

Two hundred and thirty‐five cats withMG.

Methods

Retrospective case study to evaluate the long‐term outcome and incidence of spontaneous remission in myasthenic cats. Information including signalment, clinical presentation, presence of and type of cranial mediastinal mass, treatment including surgical versus medical, survival time, and outcome including spontaneous remissions was collected and analyzed in cats diagnosed at theComparativeNeuromuscularLaboratory,University ofCaliforniaSanDiego by detection of acetylcholine receptor antibody titers >0.3 nmol/L by immunoprecipitation radioimmunosassay.

Results

AcquiredMGin cats is associated with a euthanasia rate of 58%. Abyssinian and Somali cats had an increased incidence ofMGcompared to mixed breed cats or cats of other breeds. A cranial mediastinal mass, most commonly thymoma, was observed in 52% of the cats, which is higher than in the previous report. Spontaneous remission is not a characteristic ofMGin cats.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Myasthenia gravis in cats is a chronic disease associated with a high incidence of a cranial mediastinal mass. Spontaneous remission is not common and clinicians should warn owners of the necessity for long‐term treatment. The clinical outcome with a cranial mediastinal mass did not differ between surgical or medical treatment.
Patchiness of deep‐sea communities in Papua New Guinea and potential susceptibility to anthropogenic disturbances illustrated by seep organisms
Authors: Samadi Sarah , Puillandre Nicolas , Pante Eric , Boisselier Marie‐Catherine , Corbari Laure , Chen Wei‐Jen , Maestrati Philippe , Mana Ralph , Thubaut Justine , Zuccon Dario , Hourdez Stéphane
Published: August 2015

The deep‐sea part of the ‘Papua Niugini Biodiversity Expedition’ surveyed the deep‐sea environments along the coasts of New Guinea Island in the Bismarck Sea, from the Vitiaz Strait to the border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Irian Jaya. This expedition was a follow‐up of the BIOPAPUA cruise (2010) that gave some of the first insights into the diversity of the deep‐sea fauna of the Bismarck and Solomon Seas for environments other than deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. The main aims of the cruise were to survey the diversity of the fauna of (i) hard bottoms that are typically found on deep seamounts, (ii) Astrolabe Bay from 200 m to about 1000 m, (iii) the chemosynthetic environments of the deep sea, including cold‐seep environments and plant debris. Astrolabe Bay was one of our targets because its topography allows sampling over the complete bathymetric gradient covered by our sampling gear (down to 1000 m depth), and the recent start of nickel refining activities in the bay is a potential threat to its marine fauna for which little reference data are available. Sampling in the bay revealed not only a diversified fauna associated with soft bottoms and plant debris, but also a chemosynthetic fauna typical of cold‐seep environments (e.g. siboglinid worms and bathymodioline mussels) below the Ramu refinery. Although the refinery activities had officially started just one week before our work in the area, we observed impacts of these activities. Our molecular work indicates that the siboglinid tubeworm species and one of the two mussel species collected below the Ramu refinery have so far only been documented from this location, despite intensive sampling effort. This illustrates the potential destructive effects of human activities in areas where the diversity and uniqueness of deep‐sea communities are poorly understood.
Swimming speeds of polychaete larvae collected near deep‐sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Beaulieu Stace E. , Sayre‐McCord R. Thomas , Mills Susan W. , Pradillon Florence , Watanabe Hiromi
Published: August 2015

For benthic fauna endemic to hydrothermal vents, larval dispersal in the plankton is required for maintenance of populations and colonization of new vents. Dispersal distances in the plankton are expected to be influenced by vertical positioning into horizontal currents, and larval survival in the plankton as well as encounter rates for settlement cues may be influenced by swimming speed. Here, we present the first quantitative measurements of swimming speeds of polychaete larvae collected near deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. We focused on three polychaete larvae of different morphotypes, with two morphotypes identified genetically to Capitellidae and Spionidae. Mean swimming speeds and helical parameters of the deep‐sea polychaete larvae (measured at 1 atm) were similar to values reported for shallow‐water polychaete larvae, with mean helical 3D swimming speeds ranging from 0.8–1.4 mm·s−1. To account for swimming that deviated from helical patterns, we developed a new method to reconstruct 3D swimming trajectories, using the 2D track and larval orientation. Speeds were generally faster for downward swimming, with mean vertical displacement speeds ranging from 0.6–0.8 mm·s−1 downward as compared with 0.2–0.6 mm·s−1 upward. Mean swimming speeds and helical parameters differed among the individuals. Our results are a first step towards constraining a behavioral component in models of larval dispersal between deep‐sea hydrothermal vents.
Methane seep ecosystem functions and services from a recently discovered southern California seep
Authors: Grupe Benjamin M. , Krach Monika L. , Pasulka Alexis L. , Maloney Jillian M. , Levin Lisa A. , Frieder Christina A.
Published: August 2015

The recent discovery of a methane seep with diverse microhabitats and abundant groundfish in the San Diego Trough (1020 m) off the coast of Del Mar, California raised questions about the role of seep ecosystem functions and services in relation to continental margins. We used multicorer and ROV grab samples and an ROV survey to characterize macrofaunal structure, diversity, and trophic patterns in soft sediments and authigenic carbonates; seep microhabitats and taxa observed; and the abundance and spatial patterns of fishery‐relevant species. Biogenic microhabitats near the Del Mar Seep included microbially precipitated carbonate boulders, bacterial mats, vesicomyid clam beds, frenulate and ampharetid beds, vestimentiferan tubeworm clumps, and fields of Bathysiphon filiformis tubes. Macrofaunal abundance increased and mean faunal δ13C signatures decreased in multicorer samples nearer the seep, suggesting that chemosynthetic production enhanced animal densities outside the seep center. Polychaetes dominated sediments, and ampharetids became especially abundant near microbial mats, while gastropods, hydroids, and sponges dominated carbonate rocks. A wide range of stable isotopic signatures reflected the diversity of microhabitats, and methane‐derived carbon was the most prevalent source of nutrition for several taxa, especially those associated with carbonates. Megafaunal species living near the seep included longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis), Pacific dover sole (Microstomus pacificus), and lithodid crabs (Paralomis verrilli), which represent targets for demersal fisheries. Sebastolobus altivelis was especially abundant (6.5–8.2 fish·100 m−2) and appeared to aggregate near the most active seep microhabitats. The Del Mar Methane Seep, like many others along the world's continental margins, exhibits diverse ecosystem functions and enhances regional diversity. Seeps such as this one may also contribute ecosystem services if they provide habitat for fishery species, export production to support margin food webs, and serve as sinks for methane‐derived carbon.
Bivalve populations inhabiting hydrothermal vents on submarine volcanoes: using size frequency distributions to infer potential regulatory factors
Authors: Metaxas Anna
Published: August 2015

In this study, I used length frequency distributions of bivalve populations at hydrothermal vents on submarine volcanoes at the South Tonga Arc and the Valu Fa Ridge to infer processes that may be responsible for the observed population structures. On Volcano 19, the lucinid Bathyaustriella thionipta co‐occurred with the sea star Rumbleaster eructans at two sedimented sites. At one site, live clams were significantly smaller (in shell length, SL) than dead ones (showing signs of predation by sea stars), whereas at the other site, both, live and dead clams had similarly small SL, suggesting a size refuge from predation. At Volcano 1, mussel beds of Bathymodiolus sp. were present in two areas: one with vigorous hydrothermal discharge (‘Bubbles’), and another with some discharge but also in the photic zone (‘Barracuda’). Mussels were smaller in SL at ‘Bubbles’ than at ‘Barracuda’, a consequence of either a younger population or a nutritionally less favourable environment at ‘Bubbles’. At ‘Barracuda’, mussels utilized both chemo‐ and photosynthetically derived carbon, possibly allowing them to reach larger sizes. At Hine Hina on Valu Fa Ridge, a population of mussels was composed mainly of large individuals (>55 mm SL), estimated to be on average 7–13 years old. The combination of old mussels, absence of recruits, and presence of abundant empty mussel shells and of dead chimneys suggests that this is a waning hydrothermal system. My results indicate that the population structure of bivalves at hydrothermal vents can provide information on the processes that regulate these populations, which in turn can be used to generate testable hypotheses for the same location, should return visits occur, or for other locations with similarly structured populations.
How are microbial and detrital sources partitioned among and within gastropods species at East Pacific Rise hydrothermal vents?
Authors: Gaudron Sylvie M. , Marqué Lise , Thiébaut Eric , Riera Pascal , Duperron Sébastien , Zbinden Magali
Published: August 2015

For the last few decades, trophic ecology has usually been investigated by using stable isotopes. However, the isotopic signatures of potential food sources in hydrothermal vent ecosystems are often unknown and so their relative contribution to the consumers’ diet, as well as resource partitioning, are then difficult to estimate. Here, we used a recent Bayesian mixing model (stable isotope analysis in R, SIAR) based on δ13C and δ15N to estimate the contribution of multiple food sources to the diet of eight vent gastropods that can reach high densities at hydrothermal vents (Lepetodrilus elevatus, Lepetodrilus pustulosus, Lepetodrilus ovalis, Eulepetopsis vitrea, Cyathermia naticoides, Peltospira delicata, Peltospira operculata and Rhynchopelta concentrica). These species, known as primary consumers (mostly bacterivores and detritivores), were sampled on the South‐East Pacific Rise at 17°25′ S and the North‐East Pacific Rise at 9°50′ N and 12°50′ N. Several potential food sources were sampled according to the gastropod habitat on the chimney wall, or mussel beds (proxies of Gammaproteobacteria form I RubisCO, Gammaproteobacteria form II RubisCO and Epsilonproteobacteria, biofilms of siboglinid and alvinellid tubes, biofilms of mussel shells and particulate organic matter). Some of these microbial and detrital sources were confirmed as present in the gut content of some small specimens by transmission electron microscopy. Distinct stable isotopic signatures of the potential food sources allowed calculation of their relative contributions to primary consumers’ diets. This revealed that gastropod species living on siboglinid or bathymodiolin habitats are usually generalists, feeding on various pools of microbial or detrital origins. For a particular habitat, sympatric gastropod species partition the food sources, thus avoiding being in competition. Only for the alvinellid habitat Peltospira spp. appeared to be more specialists as the choice of food sources is more reduced.
Genetic diversity and distribution patterns of diploid and polyploid hybrid water frog populations (Pelophylax esculentus complex) across Europe
Authors: Hoffmann Alexandra , Plötner Jörg , Pruvost Nicolas B. M. , Christiansen Ditte G. , Röthlisberger Sandra , Choleva Lukáš , Mikulíček Peter , Cogălniceanu Dan , Sas‐Kovács István , Shabanov Dmitry , Morozov‐Leonov Svyatoslav , Reyer Heinz‐Ulrich
Published: August 2015

Polyploidization is a rare yet sometimes successful way for animals to rapidly create geno‐ and phenotypes that may colonize new habitats and quickly adapt to environmental changes. In this study, we use water frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex, comprising two species (Pelophylax lessonae, genotype LL; Pelophylax ridibundus, RR) and various diploid (LR) and triploid (LLR, LRR) hybrid forms, summarized as P. esculentus, as a model for studying recent hybridization and polyploidization in the context of speciation. Specifically, we compared the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of diploid and triploid hybrids across Europe to understand their origin, maintenance and potential role in hybrid speciation. We found that different hybrid and parental genotypes are not evenly distributed across Europe. Rather, their genetic diversity is structured by latitude and longitude and the presence/absence of parental species but not of triploids. Highest genetic diversity was observed in central and eastern Europe, the lowest in the northwestern parts of Europe. This gradient can be explained by the decrease in genetic diversity during postglacial expansion from southeastern glacial refuge areas. Genealogical relationships calculated on the basis of microsatellite data clearly indicate that hybrids are of multiple origin and include a huge variety of parental genomes. Water frogs in mixed‐ploidy populations without any parental species (i.e. all‐hybrid populations) can be viewed as evolutionary units that may be on their way towards hybrid speciation. Maintenance of such all‐hybrid populations requires a continuous exchange of genomes between diploids and triploids, but scenarios for alternative evolutionary trajectories are discussed.
SCR96, a small cysteine‐rich secretory protein of Phytophthora cactorum, can trigger cell death in the Solanaceae and is important for pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Ren , Li Yan‐Peng , Li Qi‐Yuan , Xing Yu‐Ping , Liu Bei‐Bei , Tong Yun‐Hui , Xu Jing‐You
Published: August 2015

Peptides and small molecules produced by both the plant pathogen Phytophthora and host plants in the apoplastic space mediate the relationship between the interplaying organisms. Various Phytophthora apoplastic effectors, including small cysteine‐rich (SCR) secretory proteins, have been identified, but their roles during interaction remain to be determined. Here, we identified an SCR effector encoded by scr96, one of three novel genes encoding SCR proteins in P. cactorum with similarity to the P. cactorum phytotoxic protein PcF. Together with the other two genes, scr96 was transcriptionally induced throughout the developmental and infection stages of the pathogen. These genes triggered plant cell death (PCD) in the Solanaceae, including Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato. The scr96 gene did not show single nucleotide polymorphisms in a collection of P. cactorum isolates from different countries and host plants, suggesting that its role is essential and non‐redundant during infection. Homologues of SCR96 were identified only in oomycetes, but not in fungi and other organisms. A stable protoplast transformation protocol was adapted for P. cactorum using green fluorescent protein as a marker. The silencing of scr96 in P. cactorum caused gene‐silenced transformants to lose their pathogenicity on host plants and these transformants were significantly more sensitive to oxidative stress. Transient expression of scr96 partially recovered the virulence of gene‐silenced transformants on plants. Overall, our results indicate that the P. cactorum scr96 gene encodes an important virulence factor that not only causes PCD in host plants, but is also important for pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance.
Guard cell hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide mediate elevated CO2‐induced stomatal movement in tomato
Authors: Shi Kai , Li Xin , Zhang Huan , Zhang Guanqun , Liu Yaru , Zhou Yanhong , Xia Xiaojian , Chen Zhixiang , Yu Jingquan
Published: August 2015

Climate change as a consequence of increasing atmospheric CO2 influences plant photosynthesis and transpiration. Although the involvement of stomata in plant responses to elevated CO2 has been well established, the underlying mechanism of elevated CO2‐induced stomatal movement remains largely unknown.

We used diverse techniques, including laser scanning confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, biochemical methodologies and gene silencing to investigate the signaling pathway for elevated CO2‐induced stomatal movement in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Elevated CO2‐induced stomatal closure was dependent on the production of RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE 1 (RBOH1)‐mediated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and NITRATE REDUCTASE (NR)‐mediated nitric oxide (NO) in guard cells in an abscisic acid (ABA)‐independent manner. Silencing of OPEN STOMATA 1 (OST1) compromised the elevated CO2‐induced accumulation of H2O2 and NO, upregulation of SLOW ANION CHANNEL ASSOCIATED 1 (SLAC1) gene expression and reduction of stomatal aperture, whereas silencing of RBOH1 or NR had no effects on the expression of OST1.

Our results demonstrate that as critical signaling molecules, RBOH1‐dependent H2O2 and NR‐dependent NO act downstream of OST1 that regulate SLAC1 expression and elevated CO2‐induced stomatal movement. This information is crucial to deepen the understanding of CO2 signaling pathway in guard cells.
Photosynthetic traits of Siebold's beech seedlings in changing light conditions by removal of shading trees under elevated CO2
Authors: Watanabe M. , Kitaoka S. , Eguchi N. , Watanabe Y. , Satomura T. , Takagi K. , Satoh F. , Koike T.
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to obtain basic information on acclimation capacity of photosynthesis in Siebold's beech seedlings to increasing light intensity under future elevated CO2 conditions. We monitored leaf photosynthetic traits of these seedlings in changing light conditions (before removal of shade trees, the year after removal of shade trees and after acclimation to open conditions) in a 10‐year free air CO2 enrichment experiment in northern Japan. Elevated CO2 did not affect photosynthetic traits such as leaf mass per area, nitrogen content and biochemical photosynthetic capacity of chloroplasts (i.e. maximum rate of carboxylation and maximum rate of electron transport) before removal of the shade trees and after acclimation to open conditions; in fact, a higher net photosynthetic rate was maintained under elevated CO2. However, in the year after removal of the shade trees, there was no increase in photosynthesis rate under elevated CO2 conditions. This was not due to photoinhibition. In ambient CO2 conditions, leaf mass per area and nitrogen content were higher in the year after removal of shade trees than before, whereas there was no increase under elevated CO2 conditions. These results indicate that elevated CO2 delays the acclimation of photosynthetic traits of Siebold's beech seedlings to increasing light intensity.
Implications for the Role of Retailers in Quality Assurance
Authors: Leng Mingming , Li Zaichen , Liang Liping
Published: August 2015

We investigate a manufacturer–retailer channel to explore the role of a retailer in assuring the quality of a manufacturer's product as a quality gatekeeper. Such a gatekeeping activity can entail a reduction in the defective rate for consumers, if the retailer charges the manufacturer a penalty for each identified defect that is no smaller than the market penalty for an unidentified defect. As a result of the retailer's gatekeeping, the change in the negotiated wholesale price only depends on the manufacturer's individual benefit, whereas the change in the retailer's optimal retail price is associated with the channel‐wide benefit. When the impact of quality relative to retail price on demand is higher, the retailer benefits more from her gatekeeping activity, thus having a greater incentive to take on the quality gatekeeping responsibility. Moreover, the retailer's gatekeeping generates a larger increase in the demand as well as each firm's profit, when the retailer has a stronger relative bargaining power.
Measuring and Accounting for the Deprivation Gap of Portuguese Immigrants in Luxembourg
Authors: Hildebrand Vincent A. , Pi Alperin María Noel , Van Kerm Philippe
Published: August 2015

This paper examines the relative well‐being of Portuguese immigrants in Luxembourg by looking at indicators of material deprivation. We document material deprivation differences between immigrants and nationals—the “deprivation gap”—and measure the extent to which income differentials (and other sociodemographic differences) explain this gap using a combination of non‐parametric methods and a versatile graphical device. We find a large and significant deprivation gap against Portuguese immigrants, whatever the indicator considered. The extent to which the gap is merely a reflection of differences in income, however, depends on what deprivation items are taken into consideration. Income differences almost fully account for material deprivation differences when the latter is measured using the items included in the official EU social indicator of material deprivation. Inclusion of housing condition indicators mitigates this relationship and we then find compelling evidence that the deprivation gap is not entirely accounted for by income differentials.
Reconstructing fluvial bar surfaces from compound cross‐strata and the interpretation of bar accretion direction in large river deposits
Authors: Almeida Renato P. , Freitas Bernardo T. , Turra Bruno B. , Figueiredo Felipe T. , Marconato André , Janikian Liliane
Published: August 2015

The interpretation of fluvial styles from the rock record is based for a significant part on the identification of different types of fluvial bars, characterized by the geometric relationship between structures indicative of palaeocurrent and surfaces interpreted as indicative of bar form and bar accretion direction. These surfaces of bar accretion are the boundaries of flood‐related bar increment elements, which are typically less abundant in outcrops than what would be desirable, particularly in large river deposits in which each flood mobilizes large volumes of sediment, causing flood‐increment boundary surfaces to be widely spaced. Cross‐strata set boundaries, on the other hand, are abundant and indirectly reflect the process of unit bar accretion, inclined due to the combined effect of the unit bar surface inclination and the individual bedform climbing angle, in turn controlled by changes in flow structure caused by local bar‐scale morphology. This work presents a new method to deduce the geometry of unit bar surfaces from measured pairs of cross‐strata and cross‐strata set boundaries. The method can be used in the absence of abundant flood‐increment bounding surfaces; the study of real cases shows that, for both downstream and laterally accreting bars, the reconstructed planes are very similar to measured bar increment surfaces.
GI Expertise
Authors: Duckham Matt
Published: August 2015

This article concerns the identification of the expertise that GI scientists have in common. Rather than attempt to be exhaustive, the approach is to identify a minimal set of expert topics shared across GI science. In this article, a set of five expert topics is proposed for this purpose: structure, uncertainty, dynamism, language and cognition, and design with geographic information. The article then examines the extent to which the literature lends support for these five topics, using two analyses: first, a qualitative analysis of the papers found in the 2006 Classics from IJGIS; and second a citation analysis investigating the occurrences of keywords related to the proposed expert topics. The results suggest that these five areas of expertise do indeed tend to distinguish research in GI science from that in other fields, and in particular where the expert topics occur in combination. The establishment of an acknowledged core of shared expertise should assist in interdisciplinary research and teaching collaboration, usually founded on a shared understanding of what expertise different partners can contribute.
Insect herbivory elicits genome‐wide alternative splicing responses in Nicotiana attenuata
Authors: Ling Zhihao , Zhou Wenwu , Baldwin Ian T. , Xu Shuqing
Published: August 2015

Changes in gene expression and alternative splicing (AS) are involved in many responses to abiotic and biotic stresses in eukaryotic organisms. In response to attack and oviposition by insect herbivores, plants elicit rapid changes in gene expression which are essential for the activation of plant defenses; however, the herbivory‐induced changes in AS remain unstudied. Using mRNA sequencing, we performed a genome‐wide analysis on tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) feeding‐induced AS in both leaves and roots of Nicotiana attenuata. Feeding by M. sexta for 5 h reduced total AS events by 7.3% in leaves but increased them in roots by 8.0% and significantly changed AS patterns in leaves and roots of existing AS genes. Feeding by M. sexta also resulted in increased (in roots) and decreased (in leaves) transcript levels of the serine/arginine‐rich (SR) proteins that are involved in the AS machinery of plants and induced changes in SR gene expression that were jasmonic acid (JA)‐independent in leaves but JA‐dependent in roots. Changes in AS and gene expression elicited by M. sexta feeding were regulated independently in both tissues. This study provides genome‐wide evidence that insect herbivory induces changes not only in the levels of gene expression but also in their splicing, which might contribute to defense against and/or tolerance of herbivory.
Serial ADAMTS13 measurements during initial plasma exchange therapy guide decisions for management of unresponsive thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: van der Veen Betty S. , Besseling Rens , Hoogendoorn Mels
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The standard therapy in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is plasma exchange. In unresponsive TTP, intensification of plasma exchange and immunomodulatory therapy can be initiated but it can be complicated to select for patients that will benefit from intensification.

CASE REPORT

We describe two cases of newly diagnosed TTP with a complicated clinical course during initial treatment with plasma exchange. In one case, after an initial response to plasma exchange, a decrease in platelet count was observed on Day 7. The normalized ADAMTS13 activity guided the clinicians in the diagnosis of a concurrent heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia due to the heparin lock, used for the indwelling catheter. The other case with TTP clinically deteriorated early during initial treatment. Reevaluation on Day 5, including ADAMTS13 activity, which was undetectably low, supported the clinical decision to intensify the plasma exchange to twice daily and start with the immunomodulating agent rituximab. In both clinically complicated cases measurements of ADAMTS13 activity during plasma exchange proved to be useful in guiding treatment decisions.

CONCLUSION

Serial measurements of ADAMTS13 activity should be considered in patients with newly diagnosed TTP with an unpredictable clinical course during initial therapeutic plasma exchange. These measurements may provide pivotal clinical insights on appropriate patient management.
Do Multinationals Deteriorate Developing Countries' Export Prices? The Impact of FDI on Net Barter Terms of Trade
Authors: Wacker Konstantin M.
Published: August 2015

This paper explores the economic relationship between foreign direct investment to developing countries and the export prices of the latter, measured by terms of trade. It is first shown that economic theory suggests such a relationship for various reasons but is inconclusive about the direction of the effect. To address this open issue empirically, I analyse data on more than 50 developing countries throughout the period 1980–2008 using robust dynamic panel data methods. The results show that FDI had an economically relevant and statistically significant positive impact on developing countries' net barter terms of trade. A higher level of education in the developing country fosters this effect.
Morphological and genetic differentiation of Eremina desertorum (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicidae) in Egypt
Authors: Ali Reham F. , Neiber Marco T. , Walther Frank , Hausdorf Bernhard
Published: August 2015

To understand the processes that result in morphological and genetic diversity, we studied the differentiation of the land snails Eremina d. desertorum and Eremina desertorum irregularis in the deserts of northern Egypt. These two taxa are differentiated with regard to shell size and shape and are separated by a narrow hybrid zone west of Alexandria. The lack of differences in the genitalia and the lack of reciprocal monophyly of the mitochondrial haplotypes of E. d. desertorum and E. desertorum irregularis support their classification as subspecies rather than distinct species. Low genetic distances indicate that the differentiation is probably less than half a million years old. The genetic data indicate a population expansion in agreement with other evidence that the Nile region in northern Egypt was more humid well into historical times than today. Shell size and shape are correlated with a climatic gradient from cooler and more humid conditions along the Mediterranean coast to arid and hot conditions in the interior. The decrease of body size with decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature might be explained by limited time for food intake in the more arid regions. The shape differences between the taxa are partly an indirect consequence of selection for body size, but are also directly affected by selection for reduction of aperture size.
Effect of the annealing temperature and ion-beam bombardment on the properties of solution-derived HfYGaO films as liquid crystal alignment layers
Authors: Park Hong-Gyu , Lee Yun-Gun , Jang Sang Bok , Lee Ju Hwan , Jeong Hae-Chang , Seo Dae-Shik , Oh Byeong-Yun
Published: August 2015

Hafnium yttrium gallium oxide (HfYGaO) films were applied to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) as liquid crystal (LC) alignment layers, replacing conventional polyimide (PI) layers. The HfYGaO alignment layers were prepared by fabricating solution-processed HfYGaO films, annealing them, and treating them with ion-beam (IB) irradiation. The authors studied the effects of annealing temperature and IB irradiation of the solution-derived HfYGaO films on the orientation of LC molecules. The LC molecules on the solution-derived HfYGaO films were homogeneously and uniformly aligned by IB irradiation, irrespective of the annealing temperature. Atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that the surface reformation of the HfYGaO films induced by IB irradiation strengthened the van der Waals force between the LC molecules and the HfYGaO films, leading to uniform LC alignment. Enhanced electro-optical characteristics were observed in the twisted-nematic (TN) LCDs based on IB-irradiated HfYGaO films compared with those of TN-LCDs based on PI layers, demonstrating the high application potential of the proposed solution-derived HfYGaO films as LC alignment layers.
Use of the CR100 Scale for Session Rating of Perceived Exertion in Soccer and Its Interchangeability With the CR10
Authors: Fanchini Maurizio , Ferraresi Ivan , Modena Roberto , Schena Federico , Coutts Aaron J. , Impellizzeri Franco M.
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

To examine the construct validity of the session rating perceived exertion (s-RPE) assessed with the Borg CR100 scale to measure training loads in elite soccer and to examine if the CR100 is interchangeable and can provide more-accurate ratings than the CR10 scale.

Methods:

Two studies were conducted. The validity of the CR100 was determined in 19 elite soccer players (age 28 ± 6 y, height 180 ± 7 cm, body mass 77 ± 6 kg) during training sessions through correlations with the Edwards heart-rate method (study 1). The interchangeability with CR10 was assessed in 78 soccer players (age 19.3 ± 4.1 y, height 178 ± 5.9 cm, body mass 71.4 ± 6.1 kg) through the Bland–Altman method and correlations between change scores in different sessions. To examine whether the CR100 is more finely graded than the CR10, the proportions of responses corresponding to the verbal expressions were calculated (study 2).

Results:

Individual correlations between the Edwards method and s-RPE were large to very large (.52–.85). The mean difference between the 2 scales was –0.3 ± 0.33 AU (90% CI –0.41 to –0.29) with 95% limits of agreements (0.31 to –0.96 AU). Correlations between scales and between-changes scores were nearly perfect (.95 and .91–.98). Ratings corresponding to the verbal anchors were 49% in CR10 and 26% in CR100.

Conclusions:

The CR100 is valid for assessing the training load in elite soccer players. It can be used interchangeably with the CR10 and may provide more-precise measures of exercise intensity.
Strength and Power Development in Professional Rugby Union Players Over a Training and Playing Season
Authors: Gannon Edward A. , Stokes Keith A. , Trewartha Grant
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

To investigate strength and power development in elite rugby players during the different phases of a professional season.

Methods:

Sixteen professional rugby union athletes from an English premiership team were monitored for measures of lower-body peak force, force at 50 ms, force at 100 ms (all isometric squat), and power (explosive hack squat). Athletes were assessed at the start of preseason (T1), postpreseason (T2), midway through the competitive season (T3), and at the end of the competitive season (T4). Effect-size (ES) statistics with magnitude-based inferences were calculated to interpret differences in physical performance between the different stages of the season.

Results:

Very likely beneficial increases in force at 50 ms (+16%, ES = 0.75 ± 0.4) and 100 ms (+14%, ES = 0.63 ± 0.4) were observed between T1 and T2. A likely beneficial increase in power was observed between T2 and T3 (+4%, ES = 0.31 ± 0.2). Between T3 and T4, decreases in force at 50 ms (–6%, ES = –0.39 ± 0.3) and 100 ms (–9%, ES = –0.52 ± 0.4) occurred, while peak force and power were maintained. Over the full season (T1–T4) clear beneficial increases in all measures of strength and power were identified.

Conclusions:

Meaningful increases in strength and power can be achieved in professional English premiership rugby players over a full playing season. The greatest opportunity for strength and power development occurs during pre- to midseason phases, while these measures are maintained or decrease slightly during the latter stages of a season.
Force Sense of the Knee Not Affected by Fatiguing the Knee Extensors and Flexors
Authors: Allison Katelyn F. , Sell Timothy C. , Benjaminse Anne , Lephart Scott M.
Published: August 2015

Context:

Knee injuries commonly occur in later stages of competition, indicating that fatigue may influence dynamic knee stability. Force sense (FS) is a submodality of proprioception influenced by muscle mechanoreceptors, which, if negatively affected by fatigue, may result in less-effective neuromuscular control.

Objectives:

To determine the effects of peripheral fatigue on FS of the quadriceps and hamstrings.

Design:

Quasi-experimental study design.

Participants:

20 healthy and physically active women and men (age 23.4 ± 2.7 y, mass 69.5 ± 10.9 kg, height 169.7 ± 9.4 cm).

Interventions:

Fatigue was induced during a protocol with 2 sets of 40 repetitions, and the last set was truncated at 90 repetitions or stopped if torque production dropped below 25% of peak torque.

Main Outcome Measures:

FS of the hamstrings and quadriceps was tested on separate days before and after 3 sets of isokinetic knee flexion and extension to fatigue by examining the ability to produce a target isometric torque (15% MVIC) with and without visual feedback (FS error). Electromyographic data of the tested musculature were collected to calculate and determine median frequency shift. T tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to examine prefatigue and postfatigue FS error for flexion and extension.

Results:

Despite verification of fatigue via torque-production decrement and shift in median frequency, no significant differences were observed in FS error for either knee flexion (pre 0.54 ± 2.28 N•m, post 0.47 ± 1.62 N•m) or extension (pre –0.28 ± 2.69 N•m, post –0.21 ± 1.78 N•m) prefatigue compared with the postfatigue condition.

Conclusions:

Although previous research has demonstrated that peripheral fatigue negatively affects threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM), it did not affect FS as measured in this study. The peripheral-fatigue protocol may have a greater effect on the mechanoreceptors responsible for TTDPM than those responsible for FS. Further investigation into the effects of fatigue across various modes of proprioception is warranted.
IgH sequences in common variable immune deficiency reveal altered B cell development and selection
Authors: Roskin Krishna M. , Simchoni Noa , Liu Yi , Lee Ji-Yeun , Seo Katie , Hoh Ramona A. , Pham Tho , Park Joon H. , Furman David , Dekker Cornelia L. , Davis Mark M. , James Judith A. , Nadeau Kari C. , Cunningham-Rundles Charlotte , Boyd Scott D.
Published: August 2015

Deep sequence analysis of the IgH repertoires of common variable immune deficiency patients highlights phenotypic features of the disorder and potential disease mechanisms.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 26 August 2015
Authors: Dylla Scott J. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: August 2015

Scott Dylla discusses a new antibody-drug conjugate that may be effective in treating high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine cancers.
A New Noncoding RNA Arranges Bacterial Chromosome Organization
Authors: Qian Zhong , Macvanin Mirjana , Dimitriadis Emilios K. , He Ximiao , Zhurkin Victor , Adhya Sankar
Published: August 2015

Repeated extragenic palindromes (
REP
s) in the enterobacterial genomes are usually composed of individual palindromic units separated by linker sequences. A total of 355 annotated
REP
s are distributed along the
Escherichia coli
genome. RNA sequence (RNAseq) analysis showed that almost 80% of the
REP
s in
E. coli
are transcribed. The DNA sequence of

REP
325

showed that it is a cluster of six repeats, each with two palindromic units capable of forming cruciform structures in supercoiled DNA. Here, we report that components of the

REP
325

element and at least one of its RNA products play a role in bacterial nucleoid DNA condensation. These RNA not only are present in the purified nucleoid but bind to the bacterial nucleoid-associated HU protein as revealed by RNA IP followed by microarray analysis (RIP-Chip) assays. Deletion of

REP
325

resulted in a dramatic increase of the nucleoid size as observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and expression of one of the

REP
325

RNAs, nucleoid-associated noncoding RNA 4 (naRNA4), from a plasmid restored the wild-type condensed structure. Independently, chromosome conformation capture (3C) analysis demonstrated physical connections among various
REP
elements around the chromosome. These connections are dependent in some way upon the presence of HU and the

REP
325

element; deletion of HU genes and/or the

REP
325

element removed the connections. Finally, naRNA4 together with HU condensed DNA
in vitro
by connecting

REP
325

or other DNA sequences that contain cruciform structures in a pairwise manner as observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). On the basis of our results, we propose molecular models to explain connections of remote cruciform structures mediated by HU and naRNA4.

IMPORTANCE
Nucleoid organization in bacteria is being studied extensively, and several models have been proposed. However, the molecular nature of the structural organization is not well understood. Here we characterized the role of a novel nucleoid-associated noncoding RNA, naRNA4, in nucleoid structures both
in vivo
and
in vitro
. We propose models to explain how naRNA4 together with nucleoid-associated protein HU connects remote DNA elements for nucleoid condensation. We present the first evidence of a noncoding RNA together with a nucleoid-associated protein directly condensing nucleoid DNA.
Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms Induce Macrophage Dysfunction Through Leukocidin AB and Alpha-Toxin
Authors: Scherr Tyler D. , Hanke Mark L. , Huang Ouwen , James David B. A. , Horswill Alexander R. , Bayles Kenneth W. , Fey Paul D. , Torres Victor J. , Kielian Tammy
Published: August 2015

The macrophage response to planktonic
Staphylococcus aureus
involves the induction of proinflammatory microbicidal activity. However,
S. aureus
biofilms can interfere with these responses in part by polarizing macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory profibrotic phenotype. Here we demonstrate that conditioned medium from mature
S. aureus
biofilms inhibited macrophage phagocytosis and induced cytotoxicity, suggesting the involvement of a secreted factor(s). Iterative testing found the active factor(s) to be proteinaceous and partially
agr
-dependent. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified alpha-toxin (Hla) and leukocidin AB (LukAB) as critical molecules secreted by
S. aureus
biofilms that inhibit murine macrophage phagocytosis and promote cytotoxicity. A role for Hla and LukAB was confirmed by using
hla
and
lukAB
mutants, and synergy between the two toxins was demonstrated with a
lukAB hla
double mutant and verified by complementation. Independent confirmation of the effects of Hla and LukAB on macrophage dysfunction was demonstrated by using an isogenic strain in which Hla was constitutively expressed, an Hla antibody to block toxin activity, and purified LukAB peptide. The importance of Hla and LukAB during
S. aureus
biofilm formation
in vivo
was assessed by using a murine orthopedic implant biofilm infection model in which the
lukAB hla
double mutant displayed significantly lower bacterial burdens and more macrophage infiltrates than each single mutant. Collectively, these findings reveal a critical synergistic role for Hla and LukAB in promoting macrophage dysfunction and facilitating
S. aureus
biofilm development
in vivo.

IMPORTANCE
Staphylococcus aureus
has a propensity to form multicellular communities known as biofilms. While growing in a biofilm,
S. aureus
displays increased tolerance to nutrient deprivation, antibiotic insult, and even host immune challenge. Previous studies have shown that
S. aureus
biofilms thwart host immunity in part by preventing macrophage phagocytosis. It remained unclear whether this was influenced solely by the considerable size of biofilms or whether molecules were also actively secreted to circumvent macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. This is the first report to demonstrate that
S. aureus
biofilms inhibit macrophage phagocytosis and induce macrophage death through the combined action of leukocidin AB and alpha-toxin. Loss of leukocidin AB and alpha-toxin expression resulted in enhanced
S. aureus
biofilm clearance in a mouse model of orthopedic implant infection, suggesting that these toxins could be targeted therapeutically to facilitate biofilm clearance in humans.
Nodular mucinosis misdiagnosed as non-responsive secondary syphilis
Authors: Patrício Catarina , Campos Sara , João Alexandre , Serrão Vasco
Published: August 2015

A previously healthy 24-year-old man presented with an erythematous, non-pruritic and painless papulonodular skin rash affecting the trunk, upper arms (excluding palms), neck, face, forehead and scalp. He had a penile ulcer for the past 2 weeks, almost healed at the time of observation. The patient tested positive for syphilis and HIV-1; he claimed being negative for HIV 6 months earlier. As the palms were not affected, we performed a skin biopsy for the differential diagnosis between secondary lues and acute HIV seroconversion reaction. Benzathine penicillin (2 400 000 units) was administrated and antiretroviral therapy started. Although the skin biopsy was compatible with secondary syphilis, there was no change in the skin rash 3 weeks after the first penicillin administration. Another 2 doses of penicillin were given but 4 weeks later the rash persisted. A second biopsy revealed a mucinous skin infiltration, compatible with nodular mucinosis.
Pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy as a cause of new-onset pulmonary hypertension in a patient with metastatic low-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Purga Scott L , Narula Navneet , Horn Evelyn M , Karas Maria G
Published: August 2015

A 78-year-old woman with metastatic low-grade serous ovarian cancer presented with rapidly progressive exertional dyspnoea and hypoxia, and was found to have new-onset severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) by right heart catheterisation. A diagnosis of pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) was made at autopsy. PTTM is a rare complication of advanced cancer that often presents as rapidly progressive PH or acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Widespread tumour cell emboli in the pulmonary arteries and arterioles are hypothesised to induce fibrocellular subintimal proliferation and microthrombi, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and PH. PTTM arising from serous ovarian cancer is exceedingly rare, with only two previously reported cases. A discussion of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of PTTM is presented.