bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological and Evolutionary Oscillations in Host-Parasite Population Dynamics, and The Red Queen
Authors: Rabajante Jomar F.
Published: January 2014

In a host-parasite system, the constitutive interaction among the species, regulated by the growth rates and functional response, may induce populations to approach equilibrium or sometimes to exhibit simple cycles or peculiar oscillations, such as chaos. A large carrying capacity coupled with appropriate parasitism effectiveness frequently drives long-term apparent oscillatory dynamics in population size. We name these oscillations due to the structure of the constitutive interaction among species asecological.

On the other hand, there are also exceptional cases when the evolving quantitative traits of the hosts and parasites induce oscillating population size, which we call asevolutionary. This oscillatory behavior is dependent on the speed of evolutionary adaptation and degree of evolutionary trade-off. A moderate level of negative trade-off is essential for the existence of oscillations. Evolutionary oscillations due to the host-parasite coevolution (known as the Red Queen) can be observed beyond the ecological oscillations, especially when there are more than two competing species involved.

One Sentence Summary

We investigate several cases yielding to oscillating host-parasite populations, and we found that the Red Queen hypothesis can explain some of the exceptional cases.

Graphical Abstract:
Opposing Microtubule Motors Control Motility, Morphology, and Cargo Segregation During ER-to-Golgi Transport
Authors: Brown Anna K. , Hunt Sylvie D. , Stephens David J.
Published: January 2014

We recently demonstrated that dynein and kinesin motors drive multiple aspects of endosomal function in mammalian cells. These functions include driving motility, maintaining morphology (notably through providing longitudinal tension to support vesicle fission), and driving cargo sorting. Microtubule motors drive bidirectional motility during traffic between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Here, we have examined the role of microtubule motors in transport carrier motility, morphology, and domain organization during ER-to-Golgi transport. We show that consistent with our findings for endosomal dynamics, microtubule motor function during ER-to-Golgi transport of secretory is required for motility, morphology of, and cargo sorting within vesicular tubular carriersen routeto the Golgi. Our data are consistent with previous findings that defined roles for dynein-1 and kinesin-1 (KIF5B) and kinesin-2 in this trafficking step. Our high resolution tracking data identify some intriguing aspects. Depletion of kinesin-1 reduces the number of motile structures seen which is in line with other findings relating to the role of kinesin-1 in ER export. However, those transport carriers that were produced had a much greater run length suggesting that this motor can act as a brake on anterograde motility. Kinesin-2 depletion did not significantly reduce the number of motile transport carriers but did cause a similar increase in run length. These data suggest that kinesins act as negative regulators of ER-to-Golgi transport. Depletion of dynein not only reduced the number of motile carriers formed but also caused tubulation of carriers similar to that seen for SNX-coated early endosomes. Our data indicated that the previously observed anterograde-retrograde polarity of transport carriers in transit to the Golgi from the ER is maintained by microtubule motor function.
Age-related epigenetic drift in the pathogenesis of MDS and AML
Authors: Maegawa Shinji , Gough Sheryl M. , Watanabe-Okochi Naoko , Lu Yue , Zhang Nianxiang , Castoro Ryan J. , Estecio Marcos R.H. , Jelinek Jaroslav , Liang Shoudan , Kitamura Toshio , Aplan Peter D. , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: January 2014

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal hematologic disorder that frequently evolves to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but mutations in epigenetic modifiers are common and the disease often responds to DNA methylation inhibitors. We analyzed DNA methylation in the bone marrow and spleen in two mouse models of MDS/AML, the NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) mouse and the RUNX1 mutant mouse model. Methylation array analysis showed an average of 512/3445 (14.9%) genes hypermethylated in NHD13 MDS, and 331 (9.6%) genes hypermethylated in RUNX1 MDS. Thirty-two percent of genes in common between the two models (2/3 NHD13 mice and 2/3 RUNX1 mice) were also hypermethylated in at least two of 19 human MDS samples. Detailed analysis of 41 genes in mice showed progressive drift in DNA methylation from young to old normal bone marrow and spleen; to MDS, where we detected accelerated age-related methylation; and finally to AML, which markedly extends DNA methylation abnormalities. Most of these genes showed similar patterns in human MDS and AML. Repeat element hypomethylation was rare in MDS but marked the transition to AML in some cases. Our data show consistency in patterns of aberrant DNA methylation in human and mouse MDS and suggest that epigenetically, MDS displays an accelerated aging phenotype.
Transcriptional Regulation of Fruit Ripening by Tomato FRUITFULL Homologs and Associated MADS Box Proteins
Authors: Fujisawa Masaki , Shima Yoko , Nakagawa Hiroyuki , Kitagawa Mamiko , Kimbara Junji , Nakano Toshitsugu , Kasumi Takafumi , Ito Yasuhiro
Published: January 2014

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) MADS box FRUITFULL homologs FUL1 and FUL2 act as key ripening regulators and interact with the master regulator MADS box protein RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN). Here, we report the large-scale identification of direct targets of FUL1 and FUL2 by transcriptome analysis of FUL1/FUL2 suppressed fruits and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with microarray analysis (ChIP-chip) targeting tomato gene promoters. The ChIP-chip and transcriptome analysis identified FUL1/FUL2 target genes that contain at least one genomic region bound by FUL1 or FUL2 (regions that occur mainly in their promoters) and exhibit FUL1/FUL2-dependent expression during ripening. These analyses identified 860 direct FUL1 targets and 878 direct FUL2 targets; this set of genes includes both direct targets of RIN and nontargets of RIN. Functional classification of the FUL1/FUL2 targets revealed that these FUL homologs function in many biological processes via the regulation of ripening-related gene expression, both in cooperation with and independent of RIN. Our in vitro assay showed that the FUL homologs, RIN, and tomato AGAMOUS-LIKE1 form DNA binding complexes, suggesting that tetramer complexes of these MADS box proteins are mainly responsible for the regulation of ripening.
Accuracy of background matching and prey detection: predation by blue tits indicates intense selection for highly matching prey colour pattern
Authors: Merilaita Sami , Dimitrova Marina
Published: January 2014

Although background matching decreases prey detectability, resemblance between camouflaged prey and their visual background is seldom perfect. This could be because even a moderate resemblance might provide sufficient protection, and additional adjustment of colour pattern might give little benefit. Alternatively, close resemblance to background may not be attained due to trade‐offs or constraints. To understand selection on colour patterns of camouflaged prey and the existence of inaccurate background matching, it is necessary to investigate how detectability of a colour pattern varies with its resemblance to the background.

We trained wild‐caught blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) to search for artificial prey. We manipulated the resemblance of the artificial prey items to the visual backgrounds.

For the first half of the twelve repeated prey presentations, we found a nonlinear relationship between resemblance and detectability such that for prey that had high background matching, a change in resemblance resulted in a larger change in detectability than an equal change in resemblance did for prey with lower background matching. However, for the second half of the presentations, this relationship was linear. Moreover, in a two‐patch‐type habitat, a prey pattern that was a compromise between the two different backgrounds did after few initial presentations equally well as the prey pattern that matched highly one of the backgrounds.

Our results indicate an intense selection for close matching in a single background. Yet, in the heterogeneous environment that consisted of two backgrounds, the compromise, which only loosely resembled either background, provided good protection. Therefore, we conclude that cryptic colour patterns that bear only a loose resemblance to a given background, and thus represent inaccurate background matching, may be adaptive outcomes.
Large‐scale movements in European badgers: has the tail of the movement kernel been underestimated?
Authors: Byrne Andrew W. , Quinn John L. , O'Keeffe James J. , Green Stuart , Paddy Sleeman D. , Wayne Martin S. , Davenport John
Published: January 2014

Characterizing patterns of animal movement is a major aim in population ecology, and yet doing so at an appropriate spatial scale remains a major challenge. Estimating the frequency and distances of movements is of particular importance when species are implicated in the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

European badgers (Meles meles) are classically viewed as exhibiting limited dispersal, and yet their movements bring them into conflict with farmers due to their potential to spread bovine tuberculosis in parts of their range. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the movement potential of badgers, and this may be related to the spatial scale of previous empirical studies. We conducted a large‐scale mark–recapture study (755 km2; 2008–2012; 1935 capture events; 963 badgers) to investigate movement patterns in badgers, and undertook a comparative meta‐analysis using published data from 15 European populations.

The dispersal movement (>1 km) kernel followed an inverse power‐law function, with a substantial ‘tail’ indicating the occurrence of rare long‐distance dispersal attempts during the study period. The mean recorded distance from this distribution was 2·6 km, the 95 percentile was 7·3 km and the longest recorded was 22·1 km. Dispersal frequency distributions were significantly different between genders; males dispersed more frequently than females, but females made proportionally more long‐distance dispersal attempts than males.

We used a subsampling approach to demonstrate that the appropriate minimum spatial scale to characterize badger movements in our study population was 80 km2, substantially larger than many previous badger studies. Furthermore, the meta‐analysis indicated a significant association between maximum movement distance and study area size, while controlling for population density. Maximum long‐distance movements were often only recorded by chance beyond the boundaries of study areas.

These findings suggest that the tail of the badger movement distribution is currently underestimated. The implications of this for understanding the spatial ecology of badger populations and for the design of disease intervention strategies are potentially significant.
Optimisation of a pilot‐scale spray drying process for probiotic yoghurt, using response surface methodology
Authors: Izadi Masoumeh , Eskandari Mohammad Hadi , Niakousari Mehrdad , Shekarforoush Shahram , Hanifpour Mahammad Amin , Izadi Zahra
Published: January 2014

The influence of drying air temperatures, drying air flow rate and feed flow rate on percentage survival rate (% SR) of starter and probiotic bacteria, moisture content, water activity and colour of probiotic yoghurt powder produced using a pilot‐scale spray dryer was investigated. Optimisation of spray drying conditions was achieved based on the desirability value. Results showed that inlet air temperature, drying air flow rate, feed flow rate and outlet air temperature of 150 °C, 478 m3/h, 2 L/h and 63.3 °C, respectively, were optimal conditions to produce powder that meets quality specifications and with a satisfactory% SR.
Evaluating the Evidence on Income Inequality in Australia in the 2000s
Authors: Wilkins Roger
Published: January 2014

Published ABS data from the Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) show a substantial increase in income inequality between 2001 and 2010. However, almost all of the increase occurred over a period when changes in survey methodology and income concept were occurring. I present results of analysis of the SIH unit record data, as well as independent evidence provided by the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. On the basis of this analysis, I conclude that the SIH overstates the growth in income inequality, even when the income variable examined is notionally consistently defined across surveys. The extent of overstatement is, however, uncertain. Furthermore, it is likely that the picture provided by the SIH data in 2010 is more accurate than the picture provided by the SIH data in 2001 – that is, the ABS is now better measuring income in its household income surveys. Therefore, measured inequality at the start of the decade was too low, rather than measured inequality at the end of the decade being too high.
Risk‐Sharing, Vulnerability and the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Miller Stephen Matteo
Published: January 2014

Tests using Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia unit record data from 2006–07 to 2010–11 indicate that Australian households on average insure against idiosyncratic income shocks. For a 10 per cent change in income, non‐durable expenditures change by 0.14 per cent, while food expenditures change by 0.05 per cent; both results are statistically insignificant. Non‐durable expenditures respond asymmetrically to positive and negative income shocks, especially during the Global Financial Crisis, rising by 0.1 per cent for a 10 per cent income rise but falling by 0.6 per cent for a 10 per cent income decline in 2009; the latter result is statistically significant. Controlling for risk tolerance heterogeneity yields identical results.
Mevalonate kinase gene mutations and their clinical correlations in Behçet's disease
Authors: Arslan Taş Didem , Erken Eren , Yildiz Fatih , Dinkçi Suzan , Sakalli Hakan
Published: January 2014

Aim

Genetics is suggested to play a role in the development of Behçet's disease (BD). Shared phenotipic features requires an approach to differential diagnosis from periodic febrile syndromes. We planned to study for mevalonate kinase (MVK) as a candidate for a susceptibility gene for Behçet's disease.

Method

Consecutive Behçet patients and apperently healthy subjects were included. Severity score of Behçet disease was calculated. Genotyping of mevalonate kinase gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction/sequence‐based typing technique.

Results

Fifty BD patients (median age: 38.30 ± 11.06 years) and 51 controls (median age: 33.88 ± 12.47 years) were recruited. Three types of mutations have been found: first, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.769‐38C>T (rs35191208) in 21 of 50 BD patients and in 15 of 51 controls. Both groups were comparable for the frequency of c.769‐38C>T (P > 0.05). In all of the cases with c.769‐38C>T, a second SNP, c885+24G>A (rs2270374) was also present (previously reported to be in linkage disequilibrium with the first SNP). A third SNP, c.769‐7T>G (rs104895331) was found in three of 50 BD patients and in one of the control group. We found this SNP together with c769‐38C>T and c.885+24G>A. The neurological involvement was found to be more frequent in the BD patients with c.769‐3C>T when compared to the BD patients without this polymorphism (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the effects of MVK mutations in Behçet's disease could be an additional genetic susceptibility factor for the patients with neurological involvement. However, these results need confirmation in larger study populations and in different ethnic groups.
Decreased vitamin D levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Anık Ahmet , Çatlı Gönül , Makay Balahan , Abacı Ayhan , Küme Tuncay , Ünsal Erbil , Böber Ece
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and to investigate the factors associated with low vitamin D status.

Design and methods

Forty‐four patients with FMF and 39 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, FMF symptoms, disease duration, time to delay for diagnosis, duration of follow‐up, disease severity score, MEFV gene mutation, cumulative colchicine dose, compliance to treatment and serum C‐reactive protein levels were recorded for each patient. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured by an original commercial kit based on chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA).

Results

The serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in FMF patients than the healthy controls (12.9 ± 3.6 and 16.3 ± 5.5 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.001). Vitamin D levels were similar in patients homozygous for M694V and other genotypes (11.8 ± 3.7 and 13.2 ± 3.6 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.21). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that the cumulative colchicine dose was the strongest independent variable correlating with vitamin D levels (r2 = 0.194, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels are decreased in children with FMF. Cumulative colchicine dose appears to negatively affect vitamin D levels. The role of colchicine on vitamin D metabolism needs to be elicited.
Expression changes in human skeletal muscle miRNAs following 10 days of bed rest in young healthy males
Authors: Režen T. , Kovanda A. , Eiken O. , Mekjavic I. B. , Rogelj B.
Published: January 2014

Aim

Studies in humans show global changes in mRNA and protein expression occur in human skeletal muscle during bed rest. As microRNAs are important regulators of expression, we analysed the global microRNA expression changes in human muscle following 10 days of sustained bed rest, with the rationale that miRNAs play key roles in atrophy of skeletal muscle.

Methods

We analysed expression of miRNA and selected target proteins before and after 10 days of bed rest in biopsies obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of 6 healthy males.

Results

Fifteen of 152 miRNAs detected in human muscle tissue were differentially expressed, and all of them with exception of two were downregulated. The downregulated miRNAs include the following: miR‐206, a myomir involved in function and maintenance of skeletal muscle; miR‐23a, involved in insulin response and atrophy defence; and several members of the let‐7 family involved in cell cycle, cell differentiation and glucose homeostasis. Predicted gene targets of these miRNAs are members of the MAPK, TNF receptor, ALK1, TGF‐beta receptor and SMAD signalling pathways. All of these pathways were previously indicated to be involved in skeletal muscle response to physical inactivity. We also measured protein expression of selected miRNA targets and observed a decrease in HDAC4.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that miRNAs in postural muscles are affected by sustained inactivity and unloading, as induced by prolonged bed rest, and hence are potentially involved in regulation of skeletal muscle adjustments to inactivity. We also propose new miRNAs involved in regulation of biological processes in adult human muscle.
The role of the vagal pathway and gastric dopamine in the gastroparesis of rats after a 6‐hydroxydopamine microinjection in the substantia nigra
Authors: Zheng L.‐F. , Song J. , Fan R.‐F. , Chen C.‐L. , Ren Q.‐Z. , Zhang X.‐L. , Feng X.‐Y. , Zhang Y. , Li L.‐S. , Zhu J.‐X.
Published: January 2014

Aim

Gastroparesis is a common non‐motor system symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism responsible for the gastric motor abnormality is not clear. We previously reported on the impaired gastric motility in 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) rats, which were treated with a bilateral microinjection of 6‐OHDA in the substantia nigra (SN). We hypothesize that the enhanced dopamine system and reduced acetylcholine (Ach) in gastric tissues might contribute to the delayed gastric emptying observed in PD.

Methods

A strain gauge force transducer, digital X‐ray imaging system, Western blot, immunofluorescence and Radio Immunoassay were used in this study.

Results

Dopaminergic neurones in the SN were greatly reduced following the bilateral microinjection of 6‐OHDA. 6‐OHDA rats exhibited impaired gastric motility and delayed gastric emptying, accompanied by increased dopamine content and the overexpression of D2 receptors in the stomach. The administration of the D2 receptor antagonist domperidone relieved gastric dysmotility in 6‐OHDA rats, but the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 failed to do so. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy prevented the increase in the gastric dopamine content and D2 receptor expression and improved gastric dysmotility in 6‐OHDA rats.

Conclusion

Dopaminergic deficiency in the SN results in impaired gastric motility, possibly as a result of the enhanced activity of dopamine system and reduced Ach in gastric tissue. The vagus nerve plays an important role in peripheral gastric motility disorder.
A randomized, controlled trial of Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) for outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Roberts David L. , Combs Dennis R. , Willoughby Michael , Mintz Jim , Gibson Clare , Rupp Betty , Penn David L.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

In schizophrenia, the ability to adaptively infer the thoughts and feelings of others (i.e., social cognition) is strongly associated with community functioning. Researchers have designed psychosocial interventions to improve social cognition with the aim of improving downstream social functioning. Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) is one such intervention. Previous research on SCIT has been promising, but has consisted largely of smaller trials with insufficient experimental control.

Design

Randomized, controlled trial.

Methods

The current article reports on a controlled trial of 66 adults with schizophrenia randomized to receive either SCIT (n = 33), delivered in weekly group sessions, or treatment as usual (n = 33) for 6 months. Participants completed assessments of social cognition, social functioning, neurocognition and symptoms at baseline, post‐treatment, and 3‐month follow‐up.

Results

Primary analyses suggest that SCIT may improve social functioning, negative symptoms, and possibly hostile attributional bias. Post‐hoc analyses suggest a dose–response effect.

Conclusions

Findings are discussed in the context of continuing to refine and improve social cognitive interventions for schizophrenia.

Practitioner points

Social cognitive intervention is a feasible and promising approach to improving social functioning among individuals with schizophrenia‐spectrum disorders.

Dose–response findings suggest that delivering social cognitive interventions with greater frequency may maximize their benefit to patients.

Research on social cognitive interventions is still young and effects from well‐controlled trials have been inconsistent.

It is not yet clear which components of social cognitive training may be the key active ingredients.
Pubertal growth spurt: the rapid progress and future directions for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Authors: Ford Tamsin
Published: January 2014

Child and Adolescent Mental Health aims to publish high‐quality, clinically relevant research to assist practitioners working in and/or interested in young people's mental health in their clinical practice and continuing professional development. This is last editorial that I will write for Child and Adolescent Mental Health before leaving the journal in the capable hands of Crispin Day, so it seems important to reflect on the rapid and important changes I have seen over the last 7 years.
What's mom got to do with it? Contributions of maternal executive function and caregiving to the development of executive function across early childhood
Authors: Cuevas Kimberly , Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Kim‐Spoon Jungmeen , Watson Amanda J. , Morasch Katherine C. , Bell Martha Ann
Published: January 2014

Executive functions (EFs; e.g. working memory, inhibitory control) are mediated by the prefrontal cortex and associated with optimal cognitive and socio‐emotional development. This study provides the first concurrent analysis of the relative contributions of maternal EF and caregiving to child EF. A group of children and their mothers (n = 62) completed age‐appropriate interaction (10, 24, 36 months) and EF tasks (child: 24, 36, and 48 months). Regression analyses revealed that by 36 months of age, maternal EF and negative caregiving behaviors accounted for unique variance in child EF, above and beyond maternal education and child verbal ability. These findings were confirmed when using an early child EF composite‐our most reliable measure of EF – and a similar pattern was found when controlling for stability in child EF. Furthermore, there was evidence that maternal EF had significant indirect effects on changes in child EF through maternal caregiving. At 24 months, EF was associated with maternal EF, but not negative caregiving behaviors. Taken together, these findings suggest that links between negative caregiving and child EF are increasingly manifested during early childhood. Although maternal EF and negative caregiving are related, they provide unique information about the development of child EF.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPKXFbbrkps
Some views are better than others: evidence for a visual bias in object views self‐generated by toddlers
Authors: James Karin H. , Jones Susan S. , Swain Shelley , Pereira Alfredo , Smith Linda B.
Published: January 2014

How objects are held determines how they are seen, and may thereby play an important developmental role in building visual object representations. Previous research suggests that toddlers, like adults, show themselves a disproportionate number of planar object views – that is, views in which the objects' axes of elongation are perpendicular or parallel to the line of sight. Here, three experiments address three explanations of this bias: (1) that the locations of interesting features of objects determine how they are held and thus how they are viewed; (2) that ease of holding determines object views; and (3) that there is a visual bias for planar views that exists independently of holding and of interesting surface properties. Children 18 to 24 months of age manually and visually explored novel objects (1) with interesting features centered in planar or ¾ views; (2) positioned inside Plexiglas boxes so that holding biased either planar or non‐planar views; and (3) positioned inside Plexiglas spheres, so that no object properties directly influenced holding. Results indicate a visual bias for planar views that is influenced by interesting surface properties and ease of holding, but that continues to exist even when these factors push for alternative views.
Young‐age gender differences in mathematics mediated by independent control or uncontrollability
Authors: Zirk‐Sadowski Jan , Lamptey Charlotte , Devine Amy , Haggard Mark , Szűcs Dénes
Published: January 2014

We studied whether the origins of math anxiety can be related to a biologically supported framework of stress induction: (un)controllability perception, here indicated by self‐reported independent efforts in mathematics. Math anxiety was tested in 182 children (8‐ to 11‐year‐olds).Latent factor modelingwas used to test hypotheses on plausible causal processes and mediations within competing models in quasi‐experimental contrasts. Uncontrollability perception in mathematics, or (in)dependence of efforts, best fit the data as an antecedent of math anxiety. In addition, the relationship of math anxiety with gender was fully mediated by adaptive perception of control (i.e. controllability). That is, young boys differ from girls in terms of their experience of control in mathematics learning. These differences influence math anxiety. Our findings are consistent with recent suggestions in clinical literature according to which uncontrollability makes women more susceptible to fear and anxiety disorders.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4b_47Y-e_U
Contributions ofCOMTVal158Met to cognitive stability and flexibility in infancy
Authors: Markant Julie , Cicchetti Dante , Hetzel Susan , Thomas Kathleen M.
Published: January 2014

Adaptive behavior requires focusing on relevant tasks while remaining sensitive to novel information. In adult studies of cognitive control, cognitive stability involves maintaining robust cognitive representations while cognitive flexibility involves updating of representations in response to novel information. Previous adult research has shown that the Met allele of theCOMTVal158Met gene is associated with enhanced cognitive stability whereas the Val allele is associated with enhanced cognitive flexibility. Here we propose that the stability/flexibility framework can also be applied to infant research, with stability mapping onto early indices of behavioral regulation and flexibility mapping onto indices of behavioral reactivity. From this perspective, the present study examined whetherCOMTgenotype was related to 7‐month‐old infants' reactivity to novel stimuli and behavioral regulation. Cognitive stability and flexibility were assessed using (1) a motor approach task, (2) a habituation task, and (3) a parental‐report measure of temperament. Val carriers were faster to reach for novel toys during the motor approach task and received higher scores on the temperament measure of approach to novelty. Met carriers showed enhanced dishabituation to the novel stimulus during the habituation task and received higher scores on the temperament measures of sustained attention and behavioral regulation. Overall, these results are consistent with adult research suggesting that the Met and Val alleles are associated with increased cognitive stability and flexibility, respectively, and thus suggest thatCOMTgenotype may similarly affect cognitive function in infancy.
Emotional engagements predict and enhance social cognition in young chimpanzees
Authors: Bard Kim A. , Bakeman Roger , Boysen Sarah T. , Leavens David A.
Published: January 2014

Social cognition in infancy is evident in coordinated triadic engagements, that is, infants attending jointly with social partners and objects. Current evolutionary theories of primate social cognition tend to highlight species differences in cognition based on human‐unique cooperative motives. We consider a developmental model in which engagement experiences produce differential outcomes. We conducted a 10‐year‐long study in which two groups of laboratory‐raised chimpanzee infants were given quantifiably different engagement experiences. Joint attention, cooperativeness, affect, and different levels of cognition were measured in 5‐ to 12‐month‐old chimpanzees, and compared to outcomes derived from a normative human database. We found that joint attention skills significantly improved across development for all infants, but by 12 months, the humans significantly surpassed the chimpanzees. We found that cooperativeness was stable in the humans, but by 12 months, the chimpanzee group given enriched engagement experiences significantly surpassed the humans. Past engagement experiences and concurrent affect were significant unique predictors of both joint attention and cooperativeness in 5‐ to 12‐month‐old chimpanzees. When engagement experiences and concurrent affect were statistically controlled, joint attention and cooperation were not associated. We explain differential social cognition outcomes in terms of the significant influences of previous engagement experiences and affect, in addition to cognition. Our study highlights developmental processes that underpin the emergence of social cognition in support of evolutionary continuity.
Screening for childhood mental health disorders using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: the validity of multi‐informant reports
Authors: Johnson Samantha , Hollis Chris , Marlow Neil , Simms Victoria , Wolke Dieter
Published: January 2014

Aim

This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a population of children born extremely preterm (<26wks gestation).

Method

Parents and teachers of 219 extremely preterm children (118 females, 101 males; age 11y) were asked to complete the SDQ to screen for psychological problems. Multi‐informant ratings were aggregated using two methods: combined (parent or teacher rated the child with problems) and pervasive (parent and teacher rated the child with problems). Psychiatric diagnoses were assigned using the Development and Well‐Being Assessment.

Results

Pervasive ratings had the greatest diagnostic accuracy for emotional disorders (89%), conduct disorders (94%), attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 90%), and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs; 94%), but were associated with low sensitivity (≤50%). For clinical use, combined ratings were best for detecting emotional disorders (sensitivity 77%, specificity 75%), conduct disorders (83%, 88%), and ADHD (85%, 72%). Parent ratings were best for ASDs (93%, 66%). Teacher ratings significantly improved prediction over parent ratings alone for conduct disorders (∆χ2=9.3, p=0.002) and ADHD (∆χ2=24.1, p<0.001) only.

Interpretation

Multi‐informant data are preferable for assessing most mental health outcomes using the SDQ. As an outcome measure, pervasive ratings have the best predictive accuracy. For screening, combined ratings are best for detecting ADHD and emotional and conduct disorders. For ASDs, parent ratings were best.
Global suppression of electrocortical activity in unilateral perinatal thalamic stroke
Authors: Kharoshankaya Liudmila , Filan Peter M , Bogue Conor O , Murray Deirdre M , Boylan Geraldine B
Published: January 2014

We present an unusual case of persistent generalized electroencephalography (EEG) suppression and right‐sided clonic seizures in a male infant born at 40+2 weeks' gestation, birthweight 3240g, with an isolated unilateral thalamic stroke. The EEG at 13 hours after birth showed a generalized very low amplitude background pattern, which progressed to frequent electrographic seizures over the left hemisphere. The interictal background EEG pattern remained grossly abnormal over the next 48 hours, showing very low background amplitudes (<10μV). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an isolated acute left‐sided thalamic infarction. This is the first description of severe global EEG suppression caused by an isolated unilateral thalamic stroke and supports the role of the thalamus as the control centre for cortical electrical activity.
The Importance of Bureaucratic Hierarchy: Conflicting Preferences, Incomplete Control, and Policy Outcomes
Authors: Jo Jinhee , Rothenberg Lawrence S.
Published: January 2014

Existing theories of legislative delegation feature spatial models in which a principal chooses a single agent to whom to delegate authority. In the canonical model, the ally principle holds – the principal picks the ideologically closest agent. However, elected politicians typically decide whether to delegate not to an individual but to an institution, which consists of many individuals with differing preferences. To improve on existing work, we model delegation with bureaucratic hierarchy. Our results show that hierarchy is sufficient to undercut the ally principle. Indeed, capturing the logic of delegation and its results requires incorporating agency structure, especially the costs of an agency head controlling her subordinates resulting in incomplete control, as different structures are associated with different policy outcomes even when the same people constitute a bureaucracy. We also demonstrate that integrating hierarchy has important implications for a wide range of considerations, such as agency structural choice and the measurement of agency ideal points.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation for targeted disruption and over expression of genes in the poplar pathogenSphaerulina musiva
Authors: Foster A. J. , Morency M. J. , Séguin A. , Tanguay P.
Published: January 2014

Sphaerulina musivacauses both leaf spots and cankers on poplar. Leaf spots can lead to defoliation and cankers on branches and primary stems can lead to stem breakage and tree mortality. The recent availability of both theS. musivaandPopulus trichocarpagenomes offers a great opportunity to study host–pathogen interactions. To better understand the factors involved inS. musivapathology, we present a strategy for the transformation of this species usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Binary plasmids were generated with hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) flanked by upstream and downstream sequences of polyketide synthase‐like (PKS‐L1) gene to generate targeted gene disruptants by homologous recombination. Plasmids were also constructed for constitutive expression reporter geneseGFPandmCherry to help with histological characterization of the pathogen during infection. Gene knockouts were identified byPCRand confirmed by sequencing and Southern blotting. No significant differences were observed in melanin production betweenPKS‐L1 disruptants and wild type isolates. Colonies expressing reporter genes were identified by fluorescent stereomicroscopy. This method is a promising tool for the characterization of pathogen genes through reverse and forward genetics and for introducing markers for histopathological study.
Functional connectivity‐based parcellation of the human sensorimotor cortex
Authors: Long Xiangyu , Goltz Dominique , Margulies Daniel S. , Nierhaus Till , Villringer Arno
Published: January 2014

Task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been successfully employed to obtain somatotopic maps of the human sensorimotor cortex. Here, we showed through direct comparison that a similar functional map can be obtained, independently of a task, by performing a connectivity‐based parcellation of the sensorimotor cortex based on resting‐state fMRI. Cortex corresponding to two adjacent Brodmann areas (BA 3 and BA 4) was selected as the sensorimotor area. Parcellation was obtained along a medial–lateral axis, which was confirmed to be somatotopic (corresponding roughly to an upper, middle and lower limb, respectively) by comparing it with maps obtained using motoric task‐based fMRIin the same participants. Interestingly, the resting‐state parcellation map demonstrated higher correspondence to the task‐based divisions after individuals performed the motor task. Using the resting‐state fMRIdata, we also observed higher functional correlations between the centrally located hand region and the other two regions, than between the foot and tongue. The functional relevance of these somatosensory parcellation results indicates the feasibility of a wide range of potential applications to brain mapping.
Purinergic control of hippocampal circuit hyperexcitability in Dravet syndrome
Authors: Gu Feng , Hazra Anupam , Aulakh Ahmad , Žiburkus Jokūbas
Published: January 2014

Objective

Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) or Dravet syndrome is one of the most devastating childhood epilepsies. Children with SMEI have febrile and afebrile seizures (FS and aFS), ataxia, and social and cognitive dysfunctions. SMEI is pharmacologically intractable and can be fatal in 10–20% of patients. It remains to be elucidated how channelopathies that cause SMEI impact synaptic activities in key neural circuits, and there is an ongoing critical need for alternative methods of controlling seizures in SMEI. Using the SCN1A gene knock‐in mouse model of SMEI (mSMEI), we studied hippocampal cell and circuit excitability, particularly during hyperthermia, and tested whether an adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) agonist can reliably control hippocampal circuit hyperexcitability.

Methods

Using a combination of electrophysiology (extracellular and whole‐cell voltage clamp) and fast voltage‐sensitive dye imaging (VSDI), we quantified synaptic excitation and inhibition, spatiotemporal characteristics of neural circuit activity, and hyperthermia‐induced febrile seizure‐like events (FSLEs) in juvenile mouse hippocampal slices. We used hyperthermia to elicit FSLEs in hippocampal slices, while making use of adenosine A1R agonist N6‐cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) to control abnormally widespread neural activity and FSLEs.

Results

We discovered a significant excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance in mSMEI hippocampi, in which inhibition was decreased and excitation increased. This imbalance was associated with an increased spatial extent of evoked neural circuit activation and a lowered FSLE threshold. We found that a low concentration (50 nm) of CPA blocked FSLEs and reduced the spatial extent of abnormal neural activity spread while preserving basal levels of excitatory synaptic transmission.

Significance

Our study reveals significant hippocampal synapse and circuit dysfunctions in mSMEI and demonstrates that the A1R agonist CPA can reliably control hippocampal hyperexcitability and FSLEs in vitro. These findings may warrant further investigations of purinergic agonists as part of the development of new therapeutic approaches for Dravet syndrome.
Relationship Quality in Adult Siblings with and without Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Burbidge Julia , Minnes Patricia
Published: January 2014

The authors' first study compared participants' relationships between their siblings with and without a developmental disability (DD) and examined the effect of gender on sibling relationships. The second study explored how adults with a DD perceived their sibling relationships. Adults (n = 128) who had a sibling with and without a DD completed questionnaires about relationship closeness and contact. Participants reported more in‐person and telephone contact with siblings with a DD and more positive feelings about the sibling relationship. Gender was not related to the relationship with a sibling with a DD, whereas sisters reported closer relationships and more contact with sisters without a DD as compared to brothers without a DD. Seventeen adults with a DD also completed interviews about shared activities, contact, and sibling support. Participants indicated a desire to spend more time with siblings and reported that they provided support to and received support from their siblings.
Daily Work Stress and Awakening Cortisol in Mothers of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Wong Jen D. , Mailick Marsha R. , Greenberg Jan S. , Hong Jinkuk , Coe Christopher L.
Published: January 2014

The effect of daily work stress on the next morning's awakening cortisol level was determined in a sample of 124 mothers (M age = 49.89, SD = 6.33) of adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and compared to 115 mothers (M age = 46.19, SD = 7.08) of individuals without disabilities. Mothers participated in 8 days of diary telephone interviews and provided saliva samples. Multilevel models revealed that mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities had lower awakening cortisol levels than comparison mothers. Work stress interacted with parental status to predict the awakening cortisol level on the following morning. When mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities experienced a work stressor, their awakening cortisol level was significantly higher on the subsequent morning, but for comparison mothers, work stressors were not significantly associated with cortisol level. Findings extend understanding of the differential impacts of specific types of stressors on physiological functioning of mothers of individuals with and without developmental disabilities.
A Wicked Problem: Can Governments be Fair to Families Living with Disabilities?
Authors: Swenson Sue , Lakin Charlie
Published: January 2014

Families provide priceless support to members with disabilities. Without the support of families the lives of most individuals with disabilities would be diminished in comfort, independence, opportunity, and caring relationships. Without the support provided to individuals with disabilities by family members, public expenditures for nonfamily assistance would be several times what is currently expended. In its responsibilities to the well‐being of individual citizens and to the efficient and effective use of public resources, governments struggle to accommodate the great diversity among families in what they want and what they need. Governments are challenged in targeting limited resources to reach those who need them most, in the amounts that are most cost‐effective, and in a manner that is most beneficial to the family and its member(s) with disabilities. The attention on support to families is further complicated by changes in families and their individual members as they pass through lifecycles of changing relationships, expectations, aspirations, and capabilities. This article offers a modest commentary on how in the midst of such complexities our society can develop fair, effective, and cost‐beneficial approaches to supporting families and their individual members.
Identification of the rate‐limiting step of the peroxygenase reactions catalyzed by the thermophilic cytochrome P450 from Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7
Authors: Hayakawa Shohei , Matsumura Hirotoshi , Nakamura Nobuhumi , Yohda Masafumi , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: January 2014

Cytochrome P450 from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7 (P450st) is a thermophilic cytochrome P450 that shows high tolerance of harsh conditions and is capable of catalyzing some peroxygenase reactions. Here, we investigated the pH dependence of the peroxygenase reactions catalyzed by wild‐type P450st and a mutant in which the residues located close to the proximal heme ligand are mutated. Both hydrogen peroxide‐driven ethylbenzene hydroxylation and styrene epoxidation by wild‐type P450st were found to be activated in weak acidic and weak basic solutions. Under these conditions, the Michaelis constant for hydrogen peroxide ( ) was decreased. The turnover rate (kcat) of ethylbenzene hydroxylation was increased and followed an S‐shaped curve, with an increase in the pH value. The apparent acid dissociation constant (pKaapp) of the kcat was 7.0, which suggests that the rate‐limiting step of this reaction is deprotonation of the FeIII–H2O2 complex. By introducing a double mutation around the proximal heme ligand, the peroxygenase activity was increased over a wide pH range, and was dramatically increased at pH 5. The spectroscopic properties of this F310A/A320Q mutant indicated that the Lewis acidity of the heme was increased by this mutation. Kinetic investigations showed that the increase in the Lewis acidity of the heme facilitates the reaction rate of the rate‐limiting step of peroxygenase reactions and decreases the value. Differences in the pH dependence of the kcat value between wild‐type P450st and the mutant suggest that the rate‐limiting step switches to protonation of the ferric‐hydroperoxo species (compound 0) under alkaline conditions.