bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevation of cortical serotonin transporter activity upon peripheral immune challenge is regulated independently of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation and transporter phosphorylation
Authors: Schwamborn Robert , Brown Eric , Haase Jana
Published: February 2016

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is responsible for high‐affinity serotonin (5‐HT) uptake from extracellular fluid and is a prominent pharmacological target in the treatment of depression. In recent years, depression has also been linked to immune system activation. Inflammatory conditions can cause sickness behaviour and depression‐like symptoms in both animals and humans. Since SERT has been proposed as one of the molecular targets in inflammation‐induced depression, we applied the widely used lipopolysaccharides (LPS) model to study the effects of peripheral inflammation on SERT activity in the brain. We show that 24 h after intraperitoneal LPS administration, SERT‐mediated 5‐HT uptake is significantly enhanced in the frontal cortex. Analysis of uptake kinetics revealed that the transport capacity (Vmax) of cortical SERT was increased in LPS‐injected animals, while the Km value remained unchanged. The increase in Vmax was neither due to increased SERT protein expression nor increased synaptic surface exposure. The suppression of SERT activity upon inhibition of p38 MAPK was not selective for LPS‐induced enhancement of SERT function. In addition, SERT activity changes in LPS‐treated rats are unaffected by nitric oxide synthase and protein kinase G inhibitors. Using the Phos‐Tag method, we identified five SERT‐specific protein bands representing distinct phosphorylation states of SERT. However, the enhancement of SERT activity in LPS‐treated rats was not correlated with altered transporter phosphorylation. Together with previous studies by others, our results suggest that SERT is regulated by multiple mechanisms in response to peripheral immune system activation.

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Peripheral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces characteristic sickness and depression‐like behaviour in rats over a period of at least 24 h. We show here that the activity of the serotonin transporter (SERT), a prominent antidepressant target, is up‐regulated 24 h following LPS administration. In contrast to previous studies focusing on earlier responses to LPS treatment, we found that SERT function is selectively enhanced in the frontal cortex, independently of the p38 MAPK pathway. Our study provides further insight into molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation‐induced depression.
High Oestradiol Replacement Reverses Response Memory Bias in Ovariectomised Female Rats Regardless of Dopamine Levels in the Dorsal Striatum
Authors: Hussain D. , Cossette M.‐P. , Brake W. G.
Published: February 2016

Oestrogens influence memory system bias in female rats such that high levels of oestrogen are associated with place (or spatial) memory use, and low oestrogen levels with response (or habitual) memory use. Moreover, striatal‐dependent response memory is sensitive to dopamine transmission in the dorsal striatum, and oestrogens have been shown to affect dopamine release in that brain area. In the present study, the effects of oestrogens and dopamine transmission on multiple memory system bias were explored in ovariectomised rats receiving low or high 17β‐oestradiol replacement under saline, autoreceptor‐activating doses of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist, apomorphine (50 and 80 μg/kg), or amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg) administration. Furthermore, dorsal striatal dopamine release was measured after administration of the same drug conditions using in vivo microdialysis. As expected, high oestradiol rats predominantly used place memory, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in low oestradiol rats. However, the high apomorphine dose statistically significantly altered memory bias in high oestradiol rats from predominant place to predominant response memory, with a similar trend in the low apomorphine dose and the amphetamine group. There was no effect of drugs on memory bias in low oestradiol rats. Rats with high oestradiol replacement receiving amphetamine exhibited greater dorsal striatal dopamine release than low oestradiol replacement rats, and this difference was amplified in the right hemisphere. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis revealed that oestradiol, but not dorsal striatal dopamine levels, significantly predicted response memory bias. These findings provide further evidence that oestradiol modulates memory system bias, and also that memory bias is changed by systemic apomorphine administration. However, although oestradiol affects dopamine transmission in the dorsal striatum in a lateralised manner, this does not predict memory system bias.
Family presence during resuscitation in a paediatric hospital: health professionals’ confidence and perceptions
Authors: McLean Julie , Gill Fenella J , Shields Linda
Published: February 2016

Aims and objectives

To investigate medical and nursing staff's perceptions of and self‐confidence in facilitating family presence during resuscitation in a paediatric hospital setting.

Background

Family presence during resuscitation is the attendance of family members in a location that affords visual or physical contact with the patient during resuscitation. Providing the opportunity for families to be present during resuscitation embraces the family‐centred care philosophy which underpins paediatric care. Having families present continues to spark much debate amongst health care professionals.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional randomised survey using the ‘Family Presence Risk/Benefit Scale’ and the ‘Family Presence Self‐Confidence Scale ‘to assess health care professionals’ (doctors and nurses) perceptions and self‐confidence in facilitating family presence during resuscitation of a child in a paediatric hospital.

Methods

Surveys were distributed to 300 randomly selected medical and nursing staff. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare medical and nursing, and critical and noncritical care perceptions and self‐confidence.

Results

Critical care staff had statistically significant higher risk/benefit scores and higher self‐confidence scores than those working in noncritical care areas. Having experience in paediatric resuscitation, having invited families to be present previously and a greater number of years working in paediatrics significantly affected participants’ perceptions and self‐confidence. There was no difference between medical and nursing mean scores for either scale.

Conclusion

Both medical and nursing staff working in the paediatric setting understood the needs of families and the philosophy of family‐centred care is a model of care practised across disciplines.

Relevance to clinical practice

This has implications both for implementing guidelines to support family presence during resuscitation and for education strategies to shift the attitudes of staff who have limited or no experience.
Learning about Mutual Fund Managers
Authors: CHOI DARWIN , KAHRAMAN BIGE , MUKHERJEE ABHIROOP
Published: February 2016

We study capital allocations to managers with two mutual funds, and show that investors learn about managers from their performance records. Flows into a fund are predicted by the manager's performance in his other fund, especially when he outperforms and when signals from the other fund are more useful. In equilibrium, capital should be allocated such that there is no cross‐fund predictability. However, we find positive predictability, particularly among underperforming funds. Our results are consistent with incomplete learning: while investors move capital in the right direction, they do not withdraw enough capital when the manager underperforms in his other fund.
Theory Building Surrounding Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Assessing What We Know, Exploring Where to Go
Authors: Markman Gideon D. , Krause Daniel
Published: February 2016

This special topic forum (STF) features four articles that focus on sustainability, which is generally defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Our own research of the 500 most cited studies on sustainability shows that scholars and managers often struggle with the concept and applications of sustainability. To some, sustainability is about environmental preservation, to others, it is about addressing societal needs, and yet for those who use a financial lens, sustainability is primarily about the economic bottom line. Then, there are scholars and managers for whom sustainability is synonymous with corporate social responsibility, ethical issues, shared value creation, and/or legal compliance. Naturally, all of the above are critical, and efforts in these areas should continue. But as we explain, none of these are sustainability per se, and to date, no firm is truly or fully sustainable. Also, most research and practice in sustainability follows a preservation view. We advance a new paradigm and evince that sustainable practices—whether in supply chain management or any other business activity—are a function of two inseparable principles: (1) they must enhance ecological health, follow ethical standards to further social justice, and improve economic vitality; and (2) they must prioritize the environment first, society second, and economics third. Our introduction to this STF elaborates on what sustainability is and is not, and it also summarizes the four articles in the STF.
Evolution of the PEBP gene family and selective signature on FT‐like clade
Authors: Zheng Xiao‐Ming , Wu Fu‐Qing , Zhang Xin , Lin Qi‐Bing , Wang Jie , Guo Xiu‐Ping , Lei Cai‐Lin , Cheng Zhi‐Jun , Zou Cheng , Wan Jian‐Min
Published: February 2016

The PEBP family of proteins, which encode a phosphatidyl ethanolamine‐binding protein (PEBP) domain, serve as a hub in the network of integrating environmental and developmental signals to regulate flowering in all angiosperms. To understand how PEBP duplication genes arose and evolved during plant evolution, we identified 259 genes involved in the PEBP domain from 25 species, including angiosperms, gymnosperms, and embryophytes. We found that plant PEBP genes could be divided into three monophyletic groups, including FT‐like, TFL‐like and MFT‐like subgroups. Based on the phylogeny, FT‐like and TFL‐like subgroups split before the angiosperm divergence. The likelihood ratio test indicates that the FT‐like clade is significantly different in Ka/Ks with TFL‐like and MFT‐like clades. We found this shift in mutation might be attributed to the positive selection imposed on the fourth exon of recent FT duplications. Divergent expression patterns of FT paralogs indicated that they had undergone subfunctionalization after duplication. In addition, some of the FT‐like genes have been targets of selection during domestication in rice and maize, for which the flowering time is an important agronomic trait. These results imply potential recent positive selection on FT‐like genes with potential to increase the prevalence of novel functional alleles leading to extensive plant flowering time diversity and adaptation to environmental changes.
Finding the undiagnosed: a qualitative exploration of hepatitis C diagnosis delay in the United Kingdom
Authors: Harris M. , Ward E. , Gore C.
Published: February 2016

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related morbidity and mortality will continue to rise unless HCV testing and treatment uptake increases. In the European region, an estimated nine million people live with HCV, yet only 10–40% are diagnosed. Over 100 000 undiagnosed people live with HCV in the United Kingdom (UK). For some, a late diagnosis can come too late. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the context of a diagnosis delay among people living with HCV in the UK. Participants were recruited through two London Hospitals and The Hepatitis C Trust. Eligible participants identified a recent (<3 years) HCV diagnosis and a historical HCV transmission risk period (>15 years). The primary method of data collection was in‐depth interviews (12 participants) and focus groups (16 participants). Analysis was informed by grounded theory principles. The sample, 17 men and 11 women, reported an average gap of 28 years between their HCV‐risk period and first HCV test. Forty per cent had cirrhosis at HCV diagnosis. Diagnosis delay was attributed to limited HCV relevance, felt wellness, stigma, compartmentalization of former injecting practices, unexplained symptoms and general practitioner inaction. Diagnosis context involved a change of health care providers or a chance medical encounter. Trust in providers was impacted by a delayed diagnosis, with implications for future engagement in care. These data indicate that risk awareness does not necessarily result in action. A multipronged approach is needed to increase HCV case finding in the UK, particularly among ‘hidden populations’ such as former injectors and transfusion recipients.
Effect of oral administration of carprofen on intraocular pressure in normal dogs
Authors: Meekins J. M. , Overton T. L. , Rankin A. J. , Roush J. K.
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of carprofen on intraocular pressure in normal dogs. Twelve young adult beagle dogs were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 6) or control (n = 6) groups. After an 11‐day acclimation period, the treatment group received approximately 2.2 mg/kg carprofen per os every 12 h for 7 days, and the control group received a placebo gel capsule containing no drug per os every 12 h for 7 days. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by a rebound tonometer at three time points per day (8 am, 2 pm, and 8 pm) during the acclimation (days 1–11) and treatment (days 12–18) phases and for 48 h (days 19–20) after the completion of treatment. There was no statistically significant change inIOPfor either eye in the dogs receiving oral carprofen during the treatment phase (days 12–18). After day 4, no significant dailyIOPchanges were seen in control group dogs. Carprofen administered orally every 12 h for 7 days had no effect onIOPin normal beagle dogs. An acclimation period to frequentIOPmeasurements of at least 5 days is necessary to establish baselineIOPvalues and minimize possible anxiety‐related effects onIOPmeasurements.
Pharmacokinetics of methocarbamol and phenylbutazone in exercised Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Knych H. K. , Stanley S. D. , Seminoff K. N. , McKemie D. S. , Kass P. H.
Published: February 2016

Methocarbamol (MCBL) is commonly used in performance horses for the treatment of skeletal muscle disorders. Current regulatory recommendations for show horses and racehorses are based on a single oral dose of 5 g, although doses in excess of this are often administered. The goal of the current study was to characterize the disposition of MCBL following higher dose administration and administration in combination with another commonly used drug in performance horses, phenylbutazone (PBZ). Exercised Thoroughbred horses were administered various doses of MCBL as a sole agent and MCBL in combination with PBZ. Blood samples were collected at various times, concentrations of MCBL and PBZ measured using LC‐MS/MS and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated using compartmental analysis. Following administration of 15 g of MCBL, either as part of a single‐ or multiple‐dose regimen, a number of horses exceeded the Association of Racing Commissioners International and the United States Equestrian Federation's recommended regulatory threshold at the recommended withdrawal time. There was not a significant difference between horses that received only MCBL and those that received MCBL and PBZ. Results of the current study support an extended withdrawal guideline when doses in excess of 5 g are administered.
Does succession run towards potential natural vegetation? An analysis across seres
Authors: Prach Karel , Tichý Lubomír , Lencová Kamila , Adámek Martin , Koutecký Tomáš , Sádlo Jiří , Bartošová Alena , Novák Jan , Kovář Pavel , Jírová Alena , Šmilauer Petr , Řehounková Klára
Published: February 2016

Questions

(1) Do 17 seres studied proceed towards corresponding potential natural vegetation; (2) what are the similarities between seral and potential natural vegetation, and is it possible to estimate how long it takes to reach potential natural vegetation; and (3) do primary and secondary seres differ?

Location

Extracted peatlands, corridors of the former iron curtain, artificial fishpond islands and barriers, sedimentary basins, various spoil heaps after mining, various stone quarries, forest clearings, burned‐down forests, road verges, sand and gravel‐sand pits, river gravel bars and abandoned arable fields located in various parts of the Czech Republic.

Methods

Seral stages were sampled by phytosociological relevés (2602). The following categories of successional age were considered: early (1–10 yrs), intermediate (11–25 yrs) and late (>25 yrs). Phytosociological relevés (386) representing corresponding potential natural vegetation were extracted from the National Phytosociological Database. DCA and CCA ordinations were performed to compare the pattern of seral stages with potential natural vegetation and between primary and secondary seres. Dissimilarity between seral stages of primary and secondary successions and the corresponding potential natural vegetation was further assessed using the Bray‐Curtis dissimilarity measure. Extrapolation was performed to estimate when the seres will reach the stage corresponding to potential natural vegetation.

Results

The ordination showed that successions proceeded towards the corresponding potential natural vegetation and reflected substrate pH, site moisture and successional age. The estimated average time needed to reach potential natural vegetation was about 180 yrs for primary successions and about 260 yrs for secondary successions, considering presence–absence species data, and 200 and 250 yrs, respectively, considering cover data. All species recorded in potential natural vegetation (421) were also recorded in seral vegetation.

Conclusions

In the general view across the high number of seres spread over the whole country, successions advanced in the direction of the corresponding potential natural vegetation. The extrapolated recovery of potential natural vegetation is faster in primary seres than in secondary ones, and seres sooner resemble the corresponding potential natural vegetation in species composition than in vegetation structure.
Alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves
Authors: Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Voultsiadou Eleni , Issaris Yiannis , Zenetos Argyro
Published: February 2016

The number of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is increasing rapidly, but few attempts have been made to evaluate impacts on specific habitat types. The present study investigated alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves, both by contributing new records of Eastern Mediterranean cave aliens, and by reviewing the scattered existing literature; the main goals were to highlight potential impacts and investigate the importance of cave environments for the expansion of alien species. Seven new alien species were found in marine caves of the Aegean and Ionian seas, raising the total number of aliens reported from Mediterranean marine caves to 56 species, classified as molluscs, cnidarians, bryozoans, polychaetes, crustaceans, macroalgae, fishes and tunicates. Most cave aliens (66%) were recorded from the Southeastern Levantine coasts, specifically from Lebanese caves. Shipping and Lessepsian migration have been suggested as the main pathways of alien introduction into caves of the Mediterranean Sea. The comparison of alien cave biodiversity with the updated Mediterranean alien inventory (32 species added to the latest inventory) showed similar patterns and trends for species richness, biogeographical origin and major introduction pathways, corroborating previous findings on the high local representativeness of Mediterranean cave biodiversity. Alien species seem to have invaded mostly the entrance and semi‐dark zones of shallow and/or semi‐submerged caves and tunnels, whereas only a few have reached the dark inner sectors or caves of the anchialine type; thus, the unfavourable cave environment seems to be naturally protected from impacts related to opportunistic invasive species, at least to a certain point. Currently there is no research confirming any direct impacts of alien biota on the native cavernicolous one. However, some issues have emerged, implying potential threats that need to be further explored: (i) the presence of a considerable proportion of aliens in most studied marine caves of the Southeastern Mediterranean basin, (ii) the recently observed population explosion of alien cave‐dwelling fishes in the same area, (iii) several indications that alien diversity in marine caves is much higher than we know today. Quantitative surveys and monitoring schemes are needed in order to evaluate potential effects of alien diversity on cave community structure and the role of marine caves as stepping stones for its expansion in the Mediterranean.
Impact of the Baby‐friendly Hospital Initiative on breastfeeding and child health outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Pérez‐Escamilla Rafael , Martinez Josefa L. , Segura‐Pérez Sofia
Published: February 2016

The Baby‐friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a key component of the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. The primary aim of this narrative systematic review was to examine the impact of BFHI implementation on breastfeeding and child health outcomes worldwide and in the United States. Experimental, quasi‐experimental and observational studies were considered eligible for this review if they assessed breastfeeding outcomes and/or infant health outcomes for healthy, term infants born in a hospital or birthing center with full or partial implementation of BFHI steps. Of the 58 reports included in the systematic review, nine of them were published based on three randomized controlled trials, 19 followed quasi‐experimental designs, 11 were prospective and 19 were cross‐sectional or retrospective. Studies were conducted in 19 different countries located in South America, North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia, Eurasia and Sub‐Saharan Africa. Adherence to the BFHI Ten Steps has a positive impact on short‐term, medium‐term and long‐term breastfeeding (BF) outcomes. There is a dose–response relationship between the number of BFHI steps women are exposed to and the likelihood of improved BF outcomes (early BF initiation, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at hospital discharge, any BF and EBF duration). Community support (step 10) appears to be essential for sustaining breastfeeding impacts of BFHI in the longer term.
Coexisting cryptic species of the Litoditis marina complex (Nematoda) show differential resource use and have distinct microbiomes with high intraspecific variability
Authors: Derycke S. , De Meester N. , Rigaux A. , Creer S. , Bik H. , Thomas W. K. , Moens T.
Published: February 2016

Differences in resource use or in tolerances to abiotic conditions are often invoked as potential mechanisms underlying the sympatric distribution of cryptic species. Additionally, the microbiome can provide physiological adaptations of the host to environmental conditions. We determined the intra‐ and interspecific variability of the microbiomes of three cryptic nematode species of the Litoditis marina species complex that co‐occur, but show differences in abiotic tolerances. Roche 454 pyrosequencing of the microbial 16S rRNA gene revealed distinct bacterial communities characterized by a substantial diversity (85–513 OTUs) and many rare OTUs. The core microbiome of each species contained only very few OTUs (2–6), and four OTUs were identified as potentially generating tolerance to abiotic conditions. A controlled experiment in which nematodes from two cryptic species (Pm1 and Pm3) were fed with either an E. coli suspension or a bacterial mix was performed, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using the MiSeq technology. OTU richness was 10‐fold higher compared to the 454 data set and ranged between 1118 and 7864. This experiment confirmed the existence of species‐specific microbiomes, a core microbiome with few OTUs, and high interindividual variability. The offered food source affected the bacterial community and illustrated different feeding behaviour between the cryptic species, with Pm3 exhibiting a higher degree of selective feeding than Pm1. Morphologically similar species belonging to the same feeding guild (bacterivores) can thus have substantial differences in their associated microbiomes and feeding strategy, which in turn may have important ramifications for biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships.
Genetic loci with parent‐of‐origin effects cause hybrid seed lethality in crosses between Mimulus species
Authors: Garner Austin G. , Kenney Amanda M. , Fishman Lila , Sweigart Andrea L.
Published: February 2016

In flowering plants, F1 hybrid seed lethality is a common outcome of crosses between closely related diploid species, but the genetic basis of this early‐acting and potentially widespread form of postzygotic reproductive isolation is largely unknown.

We intercrossed two closely related species of monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus tilingii, to characterize the mechanisms and strength of postzygotic reproductive isolation. Then, using a reciprocal backcross design, we performed high‐resolution genetic mapping to determine the genetic architecture of hybrid seed lethality and directly test for loci with parent‐of‐origin effects.

We found that F1 hybrid seed lethality is an exceptionally strong isolating barrier between Mimulus species, with reciprocal crosses producing < 1% viable seeds. This form of postzygotic reproductive isolation appears to be highly polygenic, indicating that multiple incompatibility loci have accumulated rapidly between these closely related Mimulus species. It is also primarily caused by genetic loci with parent‐of‐origin effects, suggesting a possible role for imprinted genes in the evolution of Mimulus hybrid seed lethality.

Our findings suggest that divergence in loci with parent‐of‐origin effects, which is probably driven by genomic coevolution within lineages, might be an important source of hybrid incompatibilities between flowering plant species.
Variation in wood nutrients along a tropical soil fertility gradient
Authors: Heineman Katherine D. , Turner Benjamin L. , Dalling James W.
Published: February 2016

Wood contains the majority of the nutrients in tropical trees, yet controls over wood nutrient concentrations and their function are poorly understood.

We measured wood nutrient concentrations in 106 tree species in 10 forest plots spanning a regional fertility gradient in Panama. For a subset of species, we quantified foliar nutrients and wood density to test whether wood nutrients scale with foliar nutrients at the species level, or wood nutrient storage increases with wood density as predicted by the wood economics spectrum.

Wood nutrient concentrations varied enormously among species from fourfold in nitrogen (N) to > 30‐fold in calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P). Community‐weighted mean wood nutrient concentrations correlated positively with soil Ca, K, Mg and P concentrations. Wood nutrients scaled positively with leaf nutrients, supporting the hypothesis that nutrient allocation is conserved across plant organs. Wood P was most sensitive to variation in soil nutrient availability, and significant radial declines in wood P indicated that tropical trees retranslocate P as sapwood transitions to heartwood. Wood P decreased with increasing wood density, suggesting that low wood P and dense wood are traits associated with tree species persistence on low fertility soils.

Substantial variation among species and communities in wood nutrient concentrations suggests that allocation of nutrients to wood, especially P, influences species distributions and nutrient dynamics in tropical forests.
Preserved retinotopic brain connectivity in macular degeneration
Authors: Haak Koen V. , Morland Antony B. , Rubin Gary S. , Cornelissen Frans W.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The eye disease macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. There is no cure for MD, but several promising treatments aimed at restoring vision at the level of the retina are currently under investigation. These treatments assume that the patient's brain can still process appropriately the retinal input once it is restored, but whether this assumption is correct has yet to be determined.

Methods

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and connective field modelling to determine whether the functional connectivity between the input‐deprived portions of primary visual cortex (V1) and early extrastriate areas (V2/3) is still retinotopically organised. Specifically, in both patients with juvenile macular degeneration and age‐matched controls with simulated retinal lesions, we assessed the extent to which the V1‐referred connective fields of extrastriate voxels, as estimated on the basis of spontaneous fMRI signal fluctuations, adhered to retinotopic organisation.

Results

We found that functional connectivity between the input‐deprived portions of visual areas V1 and extrastriate cortex is still largely retinotopically organised in MD, although on average less so than in controls. Patients with stable fixation exhibited normal retinotopic connectivity, however, suggesting that for the patients with unstable fixation, eye‐movements resulted in spurious, homogeneous signal modulations across the entire input‐deprived cortex, which would have hampered our ability to assess their spatial structure of connectivity.

Conclusions

Despite the prolonged loss of visual input due to MD, the cortico‐cortical connections of input‐deprived visual cortex remain largely intact. This suggests that the restoration of sight in macular degeneration can rely on a largely unchanged retinotopic representation in early visual cortex following loss of central retinal function.
A new Upper Cretaceous titanosaur nesting site from La Rioja (NW Argentina), with implications for titanosaur nesting strategies
Authors: Hechenleitner E. Martín , Fiorelli Lucas E. , Grellet‐Tinner Gerald , Leuzinger Léa , Basilici Giorgio , Taborda Jeremías R. A. , de la Vega Sergio R. , Bustamante Carlos A.
Published: February 2016

Cretaceous titanosaur nesting sites are currently known only from Europe, Asia and South America. In the latter, only the Auca Mahuevo and Sanagasta nesting sites have been confidently assigned to this clade of sauropod dinosaurs. Here we report the discovery of the first eggs and egg clutches found at Tama, a new Upper Cretaceous fossiliferous locality in the Los Llanos Formation, Sierra de Los Llanos (La Rioja, NW Argentina). At least five egg clutches, several partially preserved, isolated eggs and many eggshell fragments were discovered in a single outcrop of a sandstone horizon which represents a cumulative palaeosol profile. Although the mechanical and digital preparation of eggs did not reveal any embryonic remains in ovo, the morphology of the eggs and eggshells closely matches that of titanosaur eggs and eggshells found worldwide. The morphology and spatial grouping of the titanosaur eggs from Tama, along with geological observations support a burrow‐nesting strategy for these dinosaurs. Although the Sanagasta and Tama eggs were found in the same stratigraphical unit and share several morphological characters, they clearly differ in shell thickness and egg size. This, coupled with the interpretation of different sedimentary contexts for these nesting sites, strongly suggests that at least two different titanosaur species nested in La Rioja during the Late Cretaceous, using different nesting strategies. The occurrence of this new titanosaur nesting site in a semiarid palaeoenvironment represents an interesting case study for the reproductive biology of the titanosaur dinosaurs, particularly their labile nesting behaviour.
Transcriptome analysis reveals a comprehensive insect resistance response mechanism in cotton to infestation by the phloem feeding insect Bemisia tabaci (whitefly)
Authors: Li Jianying , Zhu Lizhen , Hull J. Joe , Liang Sijia , Daniell Henry , Jin Shuangxia , Zhang Xianlong
Published: February 2016

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) causes tremendous damage to cotton production worldwide. However, very limited information is available about how plants perceive and defend themselves from this destructive pest. In this study, the transcriptomic differences between two cotton cultivars that exhibit either strong resistance (HR) or sensitivity (ZS) to whitefly were compared at different time points (0, 12, 24 and 48 h after infection) using RNA‐Seq. Approximately one billion paired‐end reads were obtained by Illumina sequencing technology. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the cotton transcriptional response to whitefly infestation involves genes encoding protein kinases, transcription factors, metabolite synthesis, and phytohormone signalling. Furthermore, a weighted gene co‐expression network constructed from RNA‐Seq datasets showed that WRKY40 and copper transport protein are hub genes that may regulate cotton defenses to whitefly infestation. Silencing GhMPK3 by virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) resulted in suppression of the MPK‐WRKY‐JA and ET pathways and lead to enhanced whitefly susceptibility, suggesting that the candidate insect resistant genes identified in this RNA‐Seq analysis are credible and offer significant utility. Taken together, this study provides comprehensive insights into the cotton defense system to whitefly infestation and has identified several candidate genes for control of phloem‐feeding pests.
The enhancement of tolerance to salt and cold stresses by modifying the redox state and salicylic acid content via the cytosolic malate dehydrogenase gene in transgenic apple plants
Authors: Wang Qing‐Jie , Sun Hong , Dong Qing‐Long , Sun Tian‐Yu , Jin Zhong‐Xin , Hao Yu‐Jin , Yao Yu‐Xin
Published: February 2016

In this study, we characterized the role of an apple cytosolic malate dehydrogenase gene (MdcyMDH) in the tolerance to salt and cold stresses and investigated its regulation mechanism in stress tolerance. The MdcyMDH transcript was induced by mild cold and salt treatments, and MdcyMDH‐overexpressing apple plants possessed improved cold and salt tolerance compared to wild‐type (WT) plants. A digital gene expression tag profiling analysis revealed that MdcyMDH overexpression largely altered some biological processes, including hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, citrate cycle and oxidation–reduction. Further experiments verified that MdcyMDH overexpression modified the mitochondrial and chloroplast metabolisms and elevated the level of reducing power, primarily caused by increased ascorbate and glutathione, as well as the increased ratios of ascorbate/dehydroascorbate and glutathione/glutathione disulphide, under normal and especially stress conditions. Concurrently, the transgenic plants produced a high H2O2 content, but a low production rate was observed compared to the WT plants. On the other hand, the transgenic plants accumulated more free and total salicylic acid (SA) than the WT plants under normal and stress conditions. Taken together, MdcyMDH conferred the transgenic apple plants a higher stress tolerance by producing more reductive redox states and increasing the SA level; MdcyMDH could serve as a target gene to genetically engineer salt‐ and cold‐tolerant trees.
Psychophysiological arousal and inter‐ and intraindividual differences in risk‐sensitive decision making
Authors: Studer Bettina , Scheibehenne Benjamin , Clark Luke
Published: February 2016

The current study assessed peripheral responses during decision making under explicit risk, and tested whether intraindividual variability in choice behavior can be explained by fluctuations in peripheral arousal. Electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate (HR) were monitored in healthy volunteers (N = 68) during the Roulette Betting Task. In this task, participants were presented with risky gambles to bet on, with the chances of winning varying across trials. Hierarchical Bayesian analyses demonstrated that EDA and HR acceleration responses during the decision phase were sensitive to the chances of winning. Interindividual differences in this peripheral reactivity during risky decision making were related to trait sensitivity to punishment and trait sensitivity to reward. Moreover, trial‐by‐trial variation in EDA and HR acceleration responses predicted a small portion of intraindividual variability in betting choices. Our results show that psychophysiological responses are sensitive to explicit risk and can help explain intraindividual heterogeneity in choice behavior.
Multiple neural signatures of social proof and deviance during the observation of other people's preferences
Authors: Schnuerch Robert , Richter Jasmin , Koppehele‐Gossel Judith , Gibbons Henning
Published: February 2016

Detecting one's agreement with or deviation from other people, a key principle of social cognition, relies on neurocognitive mechanisms involved in reward processing, mismatch detection, and attentional orienting. Previous studies have focused on explicit depictions of the (in)congruency of individual and group judgments. Here, we report data from a novel experimental paradigm in which participants first rated a set of images and were later simply confronted with other individuals’ ostensible preferences. Participants strongly aligned their judgments in the direction of other people's deviation from their own initial rating, which was neither an effect of regression toward the mean nor of evaluative conditioning (Experiment 1). Most importantly, we provide neurophysiological evidence of the involvement of fundamental cognitive functions related to social comparison (Experiment 2), even though our paradigm did not overly boost this process. Mismatches, as compared to matches, of preferences were associated with an amplitude increase of a broadly distributed N400‐like deflection, suggesting that social deviance is represented in the human brain in a similar way as conflicts or breaches of expectation. Also, both early (P2) and late (LPC) signatures of attentional selection were significantly modulated by the social (mis)match of preferences. Our data thus strengthen and valuably extend previous findings on the neurocognitive principles of social proof.
Do Leadership Training and Development Make a Difference in the Public Sector? A Panel Study
Authors: Seidle Brett , Fernandez Sergio , Perry James L.
Published: February 2016

Although significant progress has been made in developing leadership theory and understanding the traits, skills, behaviors, and styles that make a good leader, progress in bridging the gap between theory and practice using models of leadership training and development has been slow. This research attempts to answer the question of whether leadership training and development programs in the public sector improve leader and organizational performance. The findings indicate that a combination of coaching, classroom instruction, feedback, and experiential training has a significant impact on leader performance. In addition, organizational effectiveness improves for organizations whose leaders received the intervention. This article enhances our understanding of the impact that training and development can have on leader and organizational outcomes.
Prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population in Singapore: A community‐based study
Authors: Tan Adeline , Cheung Yan Yi , Yin Jason , Lim Wei‐Yen , Tan Linda W.L. , Lee Chi‐Hang
Published: February 2016

Background and objective

Limited data exist on the prevalence variation in sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) across different Asian ethnicities. This population study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDB in Singapore, a multiethnic nation, and to quantify the prevalence variation among Chinese, Malays and Indians.

Methods

The Singapore Health Study 2012 was a cross‐sectional population study conducted on adults aged 21–79 years. Among 2329 participants who completed baseline examination, a sample of 242 subjects completed home‐based sleep testing with an Embletta device (type 3 monitor). Moderate‐to‐severe SDB, defined as an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) of ≥15 events/h, was used to estimate prevalence.

Results

The weighted estimates of the population prevalence of moderate‐to‐severe SDB and sleep apnoea syndrome were 30.5% and 18.1%, respectively. Of subjects with AHI ≥15, 91.0% were previously undiagnosed. Moderate‐to‐severe SDB prevalence varied across the Chinese (32.1%), Malays (33.8%) and Indians (16.5%). The mean body mass index (BMI) was lowest in Chinese (23.3 kg/m2) and highest among Malays (26.0 kg/m2) and Indians (25.4 kg/m2). Compared with Chinese, Indians had lower odds of moderate‐to‐severe SDB after adjustment for age, sex and BMI (odds ratio 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70–0.96, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Sleep‐disordered breathing is prevalent but mostly undiagnosed among Asians in Singapore. There was a lower prevalence of SDB among Indians compared with Chinese that remained after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Strategies are needed to optimize diagnosis and recognize ethnic differences in SDB prevalence.
Attention‐shift vs. response‐priming explanations for the spatial cueing effect in cross‐modal tasks
Authors: Paavilainen Petri , Illi Janne , Moisseinen Nella , Niinisalo Maija , Ojala Karita , Reinikainen Johanna , Vainio Lari
Published: February 2016

The task‐irrelevant spatial location of a cue stimulus affects the processing of a subsequent target. This “Posner effect” has been explained by an exogenous attention shift to the spatial location of the cue, improving perceptual processing of the target. We studied whether the left/right location of task‐irrelevant and uninformative tones produces cueing effects on the processing of visual targets. Tones were presented randomly from left or right. In the first condition, the subsequent visual target, requiring response either with the left or right hand, was presented peripherally to left or right. In the second condition, the target was a centrally presented left/right‐pointing arrow, indicating the response hand. In the third condition, the tone and the central arrow were presented simultaneously. Data were recorded on compatible (the tone location and the response hand were the same) and incompatible trials. Reaction times were longer on incompatible than on compatible trials. The results of the second and third conditions are difficult to explain with the attention‐shift model emphasizing improved perceptual processing in the cued location, as the central target did not require any location‐based processing. Consequently, as an alternative explanation they suggest response priming in the hand corresponding to the spatial location of the tone. Simultaneous lateralized readiness potential (LRP) recordings were consistent with the behavioral data, the tone cues eliciting on incompatible trials a fast preparation for the incorrect response and on compatible trials preparation for the correct response.
Constituents' Responses to Descriptive and Substantive Representation in Congress*
Authors: Jones Philip Edward
Published: February 2016

Objectives: This article examines whether the descriptive representation of race and ethnicity influences how constituents respond to the substantive representation of their policy preferences. Hypotheses derived from theories of descriptive representation suggest that voters may overestimate policy congruence, or downplay its importance, while evaluating politicians who “look like” them. Methods: A unique sample of black, Hispanic, and white Americans was asked to evaluate a (fictitious) member of the U.S. Congress whose race/ethnicity and policy positions are randomly manipulated. Results: Regardless of their actual policy positions, blacks perceived greater substantive representation from black politicians. Also holding policy congruence constant, whites approved of white politicians at distinctly higher rates. Education moderates this effect, such that less‐educated whites respond more negatively to representation by nonwhite legislators. Conclusions: Being represented by someone of the same race can diminish accountability for legislators' substantive records, an important cost of descriptive representation.
Discovery of HLA‐B*55:02:10, a novel HLA‐B*55:02 variant, in a Taiwanese hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: February 2016

One nucleotide substitution at residue 448 of HLA‐B*55:02:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*55:02:10.
Current practices for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus and other non‐influenza respiratory viruses in high‐risk patient populations: a survey of institutions in the Midwestern Respiratory Virus Collaborative
Authors: Beaird O.E. , Freifeld A. , Ison M.G. , Lawrence S.J. , Theodoropoulos N. , Clark N.M. , Razonable R.R. , Alangaden G. , Miller R. , Smith J. , Young J.A.H. , Hawkinson D. , Pursell K. , Kaul D.R.
Published: February 2016

Background

The optimal treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adult immunocompromised patients is unknown. We assessed the management of RSV and other non‐influenza respiratory viruses in Midwestern transplant centers.

Methods

A survey assessing strategies for RSV and other non‐influenza respiratory viral infections was sent to 13 centers.

Results

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay was used for diagnosis in 11/12 centers. Eight of 12 centers used inhaled ribavirin (RBV) in some patient populations. Barriers included cost, safety, lack of evidence, and inconvenience. Six of 12 used intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), mostly in combination with RBV. Inhaled RBV was used more than oral, and in the post‐stem cell transplant population, patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), graft‐versus‐host disease, and more recent transplantation were treated at higher rates. Ten centers had experience with lung transplant patients; all used either oral or inhaled RBV for LRTI, 6/10 treated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). No center treated non‐lung solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with URTI; 7/11 would use oral or inhaled RBV in the same group with LRTI. Patients with hematologic malignancy without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were treated with RBV at a similar frequency to non‐lung SOT recipients. Three of 12 centers, in severe cases, treated parainfluenza and metapneumovirus, and 1/12 treated coronavirus.

Conclusions

Treatment of RSV in immunocompromised patients varied greatly. While most centers treat LRTI, treatment of URTI was variable. No consensus was found regarding the use of oral versus inhaled RBV, or the use of IVIG. The presence of such heterogeneity demonstrates the need for further studies defining optimal treatment of RSV in immunocompromised hosts.