bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HSP70 and HSP70 mRNA localization in heat-stressed tissues of broilers
Authors: Pei-Ming Sun , Yu-Tian Liu , Qing-Hua Wang , Zhi-Liang Wang , En-Dong Bao
Published: February 2008

The localization of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP70 mRNA in the heart, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, thymus and cloacal bursa in broilers that were heat stressed for 6 h was conducted using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. Positive HSP70 mRNA signals were detected in the liver and lung, especially in the vessel walls. A weak presence was found in the myocardial cells. No significant signals were observed in spleen, thymus and cloacal bursa. HSP70 was observed in the vessel walls of all investigated broiler tissues. Localizations of HSP70 and HSP70 mRNA suggest that HSP70 could be correlated with cardiovascular function.
Cloning and expression of Ma duck interleukin-18 mature protein gene and biological activity detection
Authors: Hong-Ying Chen , Bao-An Cui , Ping-An Xia , Xin-Sheng Li , Ming-Fan Yang , Lan-Lan Zheng
Published: February 2008

Duck interleukin (IL)-18 mature protein gene was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from total RNA extracted from Ma duck (Tadorna ferruginea) splenocytes. The PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector for sequencing. The result revealed that the nucleotide sequence of duck IL-18 mature protein gene (mDuIL-18) consisted of a 513 bp band. A prokaryotic plasmid of mDuIL-18, pQE30-mDuIL18, was obtained by subcloning the encoding region of the DuIL-18 mature peptide into pQE30. pQE30-mDuIL18 transformed Escherichia coli M15. The expression of mDuIL-18 gene was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Its molecular weight was 19.76 kDa, and could be specifically recognized by rabbit sera to chicken IL-18. The expressed products existed as inclusion bodies. After being degenerated, then renatured, the activities of the inclusion bodies were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. In ducks injected intramuscularly with mDuIL-18 protein (150 ng or 200 ng per duck) and Avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine 2 weeks after immunization, the average titres of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies to AIV reached 7.5–7.7 log2, while those of HI antibody ranged between 6.3 and 6.6 log2 in ducks vaccinated with AIV vaccine only or with 100 ng mDuIL-18 and AIV vaccine. The results clearly showed that 150 ng mDuIL-18 per duck strengthened the in vivo immune responses induced by the inactivated oil emulsion AIV vaccine.
Phylogenetic analysis ofCryptosporidiumisolates in Henan
Authors: Jin-Chan Wang , Wei-Wei Qi , Long-Xian Zhang , Chang-Shen Ning , Fu-Chun Jian , Jin-Feng Zhao , Ming Wang
Published: February 2008

The functional mitochondrial protein alternative oxidase (AOX) gene was used as a marker to analyse the phylogenetic relationship betweenCryptosporidiumisolates. This gene was characterized, and the phylogentic tree was established fromCryptosporidiumisolates and compared to those generated from 18S rRNA and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene sequences. The present trial aimed at finding out whether the AOX gene is suitable for phylogenetic analysis of theCryptosporidiumgenus. The results revealed that the genusCryptosporidiumcontained the phylogenetically distinct speciesC. parvum,C. hominis,C. suisandC. baileyi, which were consistent with the biological characterization and host specificity reported earlier.Cryptosporidiumspecies formed two clades: one includedC. hominis,C. suis,C. parvumcattle genotypes andC. parvummouse genotype; and the other comprisedC. meleagridisandC. baileyiisolates. WithinC. parvum, both the mouse genotype and the pig genotype I (also known asC. suis) isolates differed from cattle and human (also known asC. hominis) genotypes, based on the aligned nucleotide sequences. The sequence identity of the AOX gene was higher betweenC. meleagridisandC. baileyithan betweenC. meleagridisandC. parvum. The phylogenetic trees showed thatC. meleagridiswas closer toC. baileyithan toC. parvum. This result was inconsistent with the phylogenetic analysis deduced from 18S rRNA and HSP70 gene sequences, respectively. The present results suggest that the AOX gene is not only equally suitable for the phylogenetic analysis ofCryptosporidium, but also provides an outstanding and new approach in determiningCryptosporidiumheredity.
QTL identification for seed setting rate of rice in various environments
Authors: Qing-Quan Chen , Si-Bin Yu , Chun-Hai Li , Tong-Min Mou
Published: February 2008

To understand the genetic basis of seed setting rate (SSR) in rice, two breeding lines (Oryza sativa ssp. indica), T226 with higher and stable SSR and T219 with lower and fluctuating SSR from different natural conditions, were used for constructing recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Genotype by environment (G×E) interaction and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SSR were analysed using a population with 202 RILs under eight differing environments. A significant G×E interaction for SSR was detected in rice using the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) statistical model, and the IPCA1 and IPCA2 of the G×E interaction accounted for a variation of 57.6%. QTL controlling the SSR were detected by the method of interval analysis. Seventeen QTL on nine chromosomes were identified across eight environments, totally explaining the phenotypic variances from 4.6 to 35.7%. Most of the QTL, each explaining a small part of the phenotypic variances and interacting with environments, were detected in one or two environments, and their alleles for increasing the SSR were derived from T226. However, the QTL (MRG5959–MRG2180) on chromosome 3 was detected across six different environments. It explained maximum phenotypic variances in each detected environment and its allele for increasing the SSR was derived from T226. Another QTL, mapped between markers RM592 and RM169 on chromosome 5, was detected in five various environments and its allele increasing the SSR was derived from T219.
A lowering effect of reconstructed Holocene changes in sea surface temperatures on the atmospheric CO2 concentration
Authors: Brovkin Victor , Kim Jung‐Hyun , Hofmann Matthias , Schneider Ralph
Published: February 2008

One of the mechanisms proposed to explain the roughly 20 ppmv increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration from the early to late Holocene is a warming of the ocean surface that reduces CO2 solubility (Indermühle et al., 1999). Here we show that this hypothesis is not supported by reconstructed changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) because of an inhomogeneous distribution of SST changes across the globe during the course of Holocene. While alkenone‐based SST reconstructions compiled in the GHOST database (Kim et al., 2004; Kim and Schneider, 2004) suggest a net warming of the surface ocean on a global scale by 0.2 ± 0.2°C, both data and model results support a significant cooling trend for the North Atlantic during the last 8000 years. In response to the reconstructed cooling of the North Atlantic by 1.1 ± 0.2°C, a zonally averaged model of oceanic biogeochemistry simulates a drawdown of atmospheric CO2 by 7 ± 0.8 ppmv, while a reconstructed warming of the Pacific Ocean by 0.6 ± 0.4°C counterbalances this effect by about 1 ppmv. On a global scale, this model simulates a lowering of atmospheric CO2 from the Holocene to pre‐industrial times by 6 ± 2 ppmv due to changes in SSTs, while more complex, three‐dimensional biogeochemistry model indicates a moderate decrease by 1 ppmv after 300 years of the model integration. Our study suggests that changes in SSTs may have altered atmospheric CO2 in a direction opposite to the observed trend and that other mechanisms, presumably related to the changes in carbonate chemistry, could be responsible for the CO2 increase during the Holocene.
Seasonal cycle of O2 and pCO2 in the central Labrador Sea: Atmospheric, biological, and physical implications
Authors: Körtzinger A. , Send U. , Wallace D. W. R. , Karstensen J. , DeGrandpre M.
Published: February 2008

We present full 2004–2005 seasonal cycles of CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) and dissolved oxygen (O2) in surface waters at a time series site in the central Labrador Sea (56.5°N, 52.6°W) and use these data to calculate annual net air‐sea fluxes of CO2 and O2 as well as atmospheric potential oxygen (APO). The region is characterized by a net CO2 sink (2.7 ± 0.8 mol CO2 m−2 yr−1) that is mediated to a major extent by biological carbon drawdown during spring/summer. During wintertime, surface waters approach equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. Oxygen changes from marked undersaturation of about 6% during wintertime to strong supersaturation by up to 10% during the spring/summer bloom. Overall, the central Labrador Sea acts as an O2 sink of 10.0 ± 3.1 mol m−2 yr−1. The combined CO2 and O2 sink functions give rise to a sizable APO flux of 13.0 ± 4.0 mol m−2 yr−1 into surface waters of the central Labrador Sea. A mixed layer carbon budget yields a net community production of 4.0 ± 0.8 mol C m−2 during the 2005 productive season about one third of which appears to undergo subsurface respiration in a depth range that is reventilated during the following winter. The timing of the spring bloom is discussed and eddies from the West Greenland Current are thought to be associated with the triggering of the bloom. Finally, we use CO2 and O2 mixed layer dynamics during the 2005 spring bloom to evaluate a suite of prominent wind speed‐dependent parameterizations for the gas transfer coefficient. We find very good agreement with those parameterizations which yield higher transfer coefficients at wind speeds above 10 m s−1.
Dating Saharan dust deposits on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) by luminescence dating techniques and their implication for palaeoclimate reconstruction of NW Africa
Authors: von Suchodoletz H. , Fuchs M. , Zöller L.
Published: February 2008

Lava flow dammed valleys (Vegas) on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) represent unique sediment traps, filled with autochthonous volcanic material and allochthonous Saharan dust. These sediments and the intercalated palaeosoil sediments document past environmental change of the last glacial‐interglacial cycles, both on Lanzarote and in NW Africa. A reliable chronology must be established to use these sediment archives for palaeoclimate reconstructions. Owing to the lack of organic material and the limiting time range of the14C‐dating method, luminescence dating is the most promising method for these sediments. However, the fluvio‐eolian character of these sediments is a major problem for luminescence dating, because these sediments are prone to insufficient resetting of the parent luminescence signal (bleaching) prior to sedimentation. To check for the best age estimates, we compare the bleaching behavior of (1) different grain sizes (coarse‐ versus fine‐grain quartz OSL) and (2) different minerals (fine‐grain feldspar IRSL versus fine‐grain quartz OSL). The results show that owing to its bleaching characteristics, quartz is the preferable mineral for luminescence dating. On the basis of the fine‐ and coarse‐grain quartz OSL age estimates, a chronostratigraphy up to 100 ka could be established. Beyond this age limit for OSL quartz, the chronostratigraphy could be extended up to 180 ka by correlating the vega sediments with dated marine sediment archives.
Ocean's least productive waters are expanding
Authors: Polovina Jeffrey J. , Howell Evan A. , Abecassis Melanie
Published: February 2008

A 9‐year time series of SeaWiFS remotely‐sensed ocean color data is used to examine temporal trends in the ocean's most oligotrophic waters, those with surface chlorophyll not exceeding 0.07 mg chl/m3. In the North and South Pacific, North and South Atlantic, outside the equatorial zone, the areas of low surface chlorophyll waters have expanded at average annual rates from 0.8 to 4.3%/yr and replaced about 0.8 million km2/yr of higher surface chlorophyll habitat with low surface chlorophyll water. It is estimated that the low surface chlorophyll areas in these oceans combined have expanded by 6.6 million km2 or by about 15.0% from 1998 through 2006. In both hemispheres, evidence shows a more rapid expansion of the low surface chlorophyll waters during the winter. The North Atlantic, which has the smallest oligotrophic gyre is expanding most rapidly, both annually at 4.3%/yr and seasonally, in the first quarter at 8.5%/yr. Mean sea surface temperature in each of these 4 subtropical gyres also increased over the 9‐year period. The expansion of the low chlorophyll waters is consistent with global warming scenarios based on increased vertical stratification in the mid‐latitudes, but the rates of expansion we observe already greatly exceed recent model predictions.
First radar measurements of ionospheric electric fields at sub‐second temporal resolution
Authors: Greenwald Raymond A. , Oksavik Kjellmar , Barnes Robin , Ruohoniemi J. Michael , Baker Joseph , Talaat Elsayed R.
Published: February 2008

A new multipulse sounding technique currently being used at the Wallops Island and Goose Bay SuperDARN radars has produced significant improvements in the temporal resolution of Doppler velocity measurements from which plasma velocities and electric fields are determined. The new technique allows Doppler velocities to be determined from every 200 ms multipulse sequence transmitted by the radar (equivalent to a 5 Hz measurement rate). To our knowledge, this is the highest Doppler measurement rate that has ever been attained with ionospheric radars. Tests of the new technique with the Wallops radar and Ottawa magnetometer revealed bursts of subauroral electric and magnetic field pulsations with periods of 13–20 s during a substorm expansion phase. These results indicate that SuperDARN measurements can be used to study highly dynamic processes in the coupled magnetosphere‐ionosphere system, including storm and substorm electrodynamics, short‐period pulsations and short‐term variability in Joule heating.
Seasonal evolution of hydrographic fields in the central Middle Atlantic Bight from glider observations
Authors: Castelao Renato , Glenn Scott , Schofield Oscar , Chant Robert , Wilkin John , Kohut Josh
Published: February 2008

The first sustained glider observations in the Middle Atlantic Bight are used to describe the seasonal evolution of hydrographic fields off New Jersey. Near‐surface temperatures respond to the seasonal cycle of surface heating, while waters at depth are primarily influenced by advection of cold waters from the north in the cold‐pool during spring/summer, and warming due to mixing during fall. The thermocline thickness increases in the offshore direction. Salinity presents seasonal variability due to river discharge and wind variations, with low‐salinity waters spanning ∼100 km across the shelf from May to September in a ∼10 m thick surface layer. Stratification intensifies from April/May to late summer, especially within 80 km from the coast. The pycnocline deepens in the water column during late summer, while the passage of storms during fall rapidly reduces the stratification. The glider high‐resolution observations allowed for unprecedented detailed characterization of the spatial scales of variability.
Geodetic measurements of postglacial adjustments in Greenland
Authors: Khan Shfaqat Abbas , Wahr John , Leuliette Eric , van Dam Tonie , Larson Kristine M. , Francis Olivier
Published: February 2008

We analyze data from seven continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and one tide gauge, all located along the edge of the Greenland ice sheet, to determine vertical uplift rates. We compare our results with predictions based on the ICE‐5G deglaciation model of Peltier (2004). Results from the GPS receiver at Kellyville (−1.2 ± 1.1 mm/a) and from the tide gauge at Nuuk (−2.2 ± 1.3 mm/a), indicate that ICE‐5G overestimates the subsidence rates at those locations by 2.1 and 1.1 mm/a, respectively. Kellyville and Nuuk are located along the southwestern margin of the Greenland ice sheet, and the observed negative uplift rates are consistent with independent evidence that the ice margin along the southwestern edge readvanced during the last ∼8 ka to its current position. The ICE‐5G glaciation‐deglaciation history includes a readvance between the latitudes of 62°N and 72°N. The GPS measurements suggest the ICE‐5G readvance may be too large or mistimed. Our GPS results at Qaqortoq, located at the southern tip of Greenland, suggest a secular subsidence rate of −0.3 ± 1.1 mm/a, while ICE‐5G predicts an uplift rate of 1.0 mm/a. ICE‐5G assumes no ice sheet readvance in south Greenland, including no readvance of the Qassimiut lobe. The difference of 1.3 ± 1.1 mm/a can tentatively be explained as due to a ∼33 km readvance of the Qassimiut lobe during the last ∼3 ka. For the other GPS sites, the observed/predicted uplift rates are 3.6 ± 1.1/−0.1 mm/a at Thule, 0.0 ± 1.1/2.0 mm/a at Scoresbysund, and −0.4 ± 1.1/−1.7 mm/a at Kulusuk. For Thule, Kulusuk, and Scoresbysund the differences between the observed and predicted rates are on the order of 1.3–3.7 mm/a, though with opposite signs, and indicate that ICE‐5G does not exactly reproduce the correct rebound signal at those locations.
Energy dissipation of wind‐generated waves and whitecap coverage
Authors: Hwang Paul A. , Sletten Mark A.
Published: February 2008

The energy dissipation per unit area of the ocean surface attributed to fetch‐ or duration‐limited wind‐generated waves can be expressed in terms of wind speed, significant wave height and peak wave frequency. Such a parameterization equation can be exploited for obtaining a first order estimation of the rate of energy input through the air‐sea interface in the world's oceans using satellite output of wind speed, wave height and wave period. For general wind wave events in the ocean with event duration longer than one hour, the energy dissipation (in W/m2) is equal to the product of the density of air, wind speed cubed and a proportionality coefficient between 0.00037 and 0.00057. Using the equation to calculate the wave energy dissipation, the whitecap coverage is proportional linearly to the energy dissipation. The threshold energy dissipation for whitecap inception is between 0.013 and 0.038 W/m2, which corresponds to a threshold wind speed of between 2.5 and 3.6 m/s. The proportionality coefficient is relatively constant for a wide range of wave growth conditions in comparison to the data scatter in the whitecap measurements. This may explain why it is so difficult to establish an unequivocal dependence on the explicit surface wave parameters in the whitecap data. The weak explicit wave signal can be detected after the cubic wind speed dependence is removed.
Coatings and their enhancement of black carbon light absorption in the tropical atmosphere
Authors: Schwarz J. P. , Spackman J. R. , Fahey D. W. , Gao R. S. , Lohmann U. , Stier P. , Watts L. A. , Thomson D. S. , Lack D. A. , Pfister L. , Mahoney M. J. , Baumgardner D. , Wilson J. C. , Reeves J. M.
Published: February 2008

Black carbon (BC) is the dominant aerosol absorber of solar radiation in the atmosphere and is an important component of anthropogenic climate forcing. BC's role is strongly dependent on its physical state, which can influence the way that BC particles may act as ice and cloud nuclei, as well as the way they interact with solar radiation. In situ measurements made with a single‐particle soot photometer flown on a NASA high‐altitude research aircraft show the mass and size of individual BC particles in the tropics, as well as their propensity to be found mixed with additional materials. Mie theory was used to connect observed light scattering off BC particles to the optical effects of coatings on the particles. The observations indicate that as BC from ground‐based emission sources rises in altitude to the lower stratosphere, coatings on BC particles become both thicker and more prevalent, while BC mass mixing ratios decrease dramatically from their values near the ground. Coatings enhance light absorption by the ambient BC column by at least 30%. These results reveal the microphysical state of BC in the atmosphere while providing important constraints for models evaluating BC's role in climate change.
A new paleogeographic configuration of the Eurasian landmass resolves a paleomagnetic paradox of the Tarim Basin (China)
Authors: Gilder Stuart A. , Gomez Julia , Chen Yan , Cogné Jean‐Pascal
Published: February 2008

New paleomagnetic data from Permian red beds and Middle Jurassic limestones from the Tarim Basin pose a paradox. Their declinations are similar to Upper Carboniferous to Neogene rocks collected from the same sections, and their inclinations parallel present values. When assuming that lower than expected inclinations in continental sedimentary rocks arise from inclination shallowing effects, then the paleolatitudes of all Upper Carboniferous to Present rocks from Tarim are indistinguishable. Local vertical axis block rotations occurring in the last 20 million years explain why declinations vary at different localities in the basin. Our Middle Jurassic data positions Tarim 23.6 ± 8.4° farther south than that predicted from the coeval reference pole for Eurasia; however, no geologic argument exists to support the closure of a large ocean basin between Tarim and Siberia since the Middle Jurassic. Thus the paradox: are the rocks from Tarim totally overprinted, or is the middle Mesozoic part of the reference Eurasian apparent polar wander path erroneous? Several lines of evidence suggest the Tarim rocks are not remagnetized. We conclude that Tarim has experienced little or no apparent polar wander since the Carboniferous. Moreover, our Middle Mesozoic reconstruction of Eurasia using the new Middle Jurassic pole from Tarim results in a more geologically compatible solution for the eastern Asian blocks over previous reconstructions.
Combinatorial augmentation of voltage-gated KCNQ potassium channels by chemical openers
Authors: Xiong Qiaojie , Sun Haiyan , Zhang Yangming , Nan Fajun , Li Min
Published: February 2008

Noninactivating potassium current formed by KCNQ2 (Kv7.2) and KCNQ3 (Kv7.3) subunits resembles neuronal M-currents which are activated by voltage and play a critical role in controlling membrane excitability. Activation of voltage-gated potassium channels by a chemical opener is uncommon. Therefore, the mechanisms of action are worthy further investigation. Retigabine and zinc pyrithione are two activators for KCNQ channels but their molecular interactions with KCNQ channel remain largely elusive. Here we report that retigabine and zinc pyrithione recognize two different sites of KCNQ2 channels. Their agonistic actions are noncompetitive and allow for simultaneous binding of two different activators on the same channel complex, hence giving rise to combinatorial potentiation with characteristic properties of both openers. Examining their effects on mutant channels, we showed zinc pyrithione is capable of opening nonconductive channels and coapplication of zinc pyrithione and retigabine could restore a disease mutant channel similar to wild type. Our results indicate two independent activator binding sites present in KCNQ channels. The resultant combinatorial potentiation by multiple synthetic chemical openers indicates that KCNQ channels are accessible to various types and combinations of pharmacological regulation.
Selective suicide of cross-presenting CD8
+
dendritic cells by cytochrome
c
injection shows functional heterogeneity within this subset
Authors: Lin Ming Lee , Zhan Yifan , Proietto Anna I. , Prato Sandro , Wu Li , Heath William R. , Villadangos Jose A. , Lew Andrew M.
Published: February 2008

Cross-presentation as a fundamental pathway of activating CD8
+
T cells has been well established. So far the application of this concept
in vivo
is limited, and the mechanisms that specialize CD8
+
dendritic cells (DCs) for this task are not fully understood. Here we take advantage of the specific cytosolic export feature of cross-presenting DCs together with the property of cytosolic cytochrome
c
(cyt
c
) in initiating Apaf-1-dependent apoptosis selectively in cross-presenting DCs. A single i.v. injection of cyt
c
in B6 mice produced a 2- to 3-fold reduction in splenic CD8
+
DCs but not in Apaf-1-deficient mice. Functional studies both
in vivo
and
in vitro
showed that cyt
c
profoundly abrogated OVA-specific CD8
+
T cell proliferation through its apoptosis-inducing effect on cross-presenting DCs. More importantly,
in vivo
injection of cyt
c
abolished the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to exogenous antigen and reduced subsequent immunity to tumor challenge. In addition, only a proportion of CD8
+
DCs that express abundant IL-12 and Toll-like receptor 3 were efficient cross-presenters. Our data support the hypothesis that cross-presentation
in vivo
requires cytosolic diversion of endocytosed proteins, conferring cross-presentation specialization to a proportion of CD8
+
DCs. We propose that DCs incapable of such transfer, even within the CD8
+
DC subset, are unable to cross-present. Our model opens an avenue to specifically target cross-presenting DCs
in vivo
for manipulating cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses toward infections, tumors, and transplants.
Using Category Structures to Test Iterated Learning as a Method for Identifying Inductive Biases
Authors: Griffiths Thomas L. , Christian Brian R. , Kalish Michael L.
Published: February 2008

Many of the problems studied in cognitive science are inductive problems, requiring people to evaluate hypotheses in the light of data. The key to solving these problems successfully is having the right inductive biases—assumptions about the world that make it possible to choose between hypotheses that are equally consistent with the observed data. This article explores a novel experimental method for identifying the biases that guide human inductive inferences. The idea behind this method is simple: This article uses the responses produced by a participant on one trial to generate the stimuli that either they or another participant will see on the next. A formal analysis of this “iterated learning” procedure, based on the assumption that the learners are Bayesian agents, predicts that it should reveal the inductive biases of these learners, as expressed in a prior probability distribution over hypotheses. This article presents a series of experiments using stimuli based on a well‐studied set of category structures, demonstrating that iterated learning can be used to reveal the inductive biases of human learners.
Child sexual abuse, coping strategies and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder among female inmates
Authors: Huang Guoping , Zhang Yalin , Momartin Shakeh , Huang Xuanyin , Zhao Lan
Published: February 2008

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in female inmates in China. A total of 471 participants were assessed for CSA, personality traits, coping strategies, and frequency of lifetime PTSD. Results demonstrated that CSA and negative coping were predictive factors for lifetime PTSD among female inmates after personality traits were controlled. The findings suggest that CSA is one potential factor contributing to lifetime PTSD among female inmates. The importance of screening for CSA among female inmates was highly emphasized. Early intervention and prevention programmes based on coping skills may be useful to forestall the development of chronic PTSD in female inmates.
Inflammatory Mediators Increase Nav1.9 Current and Excitability in Nociceptors through a Coincident Detection Mechanism
Authors: Maingret François , Coste Bertrand , Padilla Françoise , Clerc Nadine , Crest Marcel , Korogod Sergiy M. , Delmas Patrick
Published: February 2008

Altered function of Na+ channels is responsible for increased hyperexcitability of primary afferent neurons that may underlie pathological pain states. Recent evidence suggests that the Nav1.9 subunit is implicated in inflammatory but not acute pain. However, the contribution of Nav1.9 channels to the cellular events underlying nociceptor hyperexcitability is still unknown, and there remains much uncertainty as to the biophysical properties of Nav1.9 current and its modulation by inflammatory mediators. Here, we use gene targeting strategy and computer modeling to identify Nav1.9 channel current signature and its impact on nociceptors' firing patterns. Recordings using internal fluoride in small DRG neurons from wild-type and Nav1.9-null mutant mice demonstrated that Nav1.9 subunits carry the TTX-resistant “persistent” Na+ current called NaN. Nav1.9−/− nociceptors showed no significant change in the properties of the slowly inactivating TTX-resistant SNS/Nav1.8 current. The loss in Nav1.9-mediated Na+ currents was associated with the inability of small DRG neurons to generate a large variety of electrophysiological behaviors, including subthreshold regenerative depolarizations, plateau potentials, active hyperpolarizing responses, oscillatory bursting discharges, and bistable membrane behaviors. We further investigated, using CsCl- and KCl-based pipette solutions, whether G-protein signaling pathways and inflammatory mediators upregulate the NaN/Nav1.9 current. Bradykinin, ATP, histamine, prostaglandin-E2, and norepinephrine, applied separately at maximal concentrations, all failed to modulate the Nav1.9 current. However, when applied conjointly as a soup of inflammatory mediators they rapidly potentiated Nav1.9 channel activity, generating subthreshold amplification and increased excitability. We conclude that Nav1.9 channel, the molecular correlate of the NaN current, is potentiated by the concerted action of inflammatory mediators that may contribute to nociceptors' hyperexcitability during peripheral inflammation.
Exceptionally Potent Cross-Reactive Neutralization of Nipah and Hendra Viruses by a Human Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Zhu Zhongyu , Bossart Katharine N , Bishop Kimberly A , Crameri Gary , Dimitrov Antony S , McEachern Jennifer A , Feng Yang , Middleton Deborah , Wang Lin-Fa , Broder Christopher C , Dimitrov Dimiter S
Published: February 2008

We have previously identified neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) by panning a large nonimmune antibody library against a soluble form of the HeV attachment-envelope glycoprotein G (sGHeV). One of these antibodies, m102, which exhibited the highest level of cross-reactive neutralization of both NiV and HeV G, was affinity maturated by light-chain shuffling combined with random mutagenesis of its heavy-chain variable domain and panning against sGHeV. One of the selected antibody Fab clones, m102.4, had affinity of binding to sGHeV that was equal to or higher than that of the other Fabs; it was converted to IgG1 and tested against infectious NiV and HeV. It exhibited exceptionally potent and cross-reactive inhibitory activity with 50% inhibitory concentrations below 0.04 and 0.6 μg/mL, respectively. The virus-neutralizing activity correlated with the binding affinity of the antibody to sGHeV and sGNiV. m102.4 bound a soluble form of NiV G (sGNiV) better than it bound sGHeV, and it neutralized NiV better than HeV, despite being originally selected against sGHeV. These results suggest that m102.4 has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diseases caused by henipaviruses. It could be also used for prophylaxis and diagnosis, and as a research reagent
Pass the Pork: Measuring Legislator Shares in Congress
Authors: Lauderdale Benjamin E.
Published: February 2008

Linear regression models are frequently used to analyze distributive politics in the U.S. Congress; however, authors have used a variety of specifications with different implicit assumptions about how bicameralism shapes legislative bargaining. I derive a model that describes district or state spending authorizations as the aggregation of spending secured by multiple legislators working on behalf of overlapping constituencies. This bicameral shares model allows the disaggregation of House and Senate influence through simultaneous estimation of the relative bargaining power of the two chambers and the advantages that accrue to legislators holding partisan, committee, and other relevant affiliations. In the 2005 transportation bill, the model better predicts the functional form of small state advantage than recently employed specifications in the literature.
Primary naïve and interleukin-2-activated natural killer cells do not support efficient ectromelia virus replication
Authors: Parker April Keim , Yokoyama Wayne M. , Corbett John A. , Chen Nanhai , Buller R. Mark L.
Published: February 2008

Natural killer (NK) cells are known for their ability to lyse tumour cell targets. Studies of infections by a number of viruses, including poxviruses and herpesviruses, have demonstrated that NK cells are vital for recovery from these infections. Little is known of the ability of viruses to infect and complete a productive replication cycle within NK cells. Even less is known concerning the effect of infection on NK cell biology. This study investigated the ability of ectromelia virus (ECTV) to infect NK cellsin vitroandin vivo. Following ECTV infection, NK cell gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production was diminished and infected cells ceased proliferating and lost viability. ECTV infection of NK cells led to early and late virus gene expression and visualization of immature and mature virus particles, but no detectable increase in viable progeny virus. It was not unexpected that early gene expression occurred in infected NK cells, as the complete early transcription system is packaged within the virions. The detection of the secreted early virus-encoded immunomodulatory proteins IFN-γ-binding protein and ectromelia inhibitor of complement enzymes (EMICE) in NK cell culture supernatants suggests that even semi-permissive infection may permit immunomodulation of the local environment.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells increase the permeability of dengue virus-infected endothelial cells in association with downregulation of vascular endothelial cadherin
Authors: Dewi Beti Ernawati , Takasaki Tomohiko , Kurane Ichiro
Published: February 2008

Plasma leakage is one of the characteristic features of dengue haemorrhagic fever. The interaction among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), dengue virus and endothelial cells was analysedin vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were infected with dengue-2 virus (DV-2) at an m.o.i. of 0.5 p.f.u. per cell. PBMCs were added to DV-2-infected HUVECs, and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and transalbumin permeability were assessed. Dengue virus infection at an m.o.i. of 0.5 p.f.u. per cell alone did not decrease the TEER, but addition of PBMCs decreased the TEER, increased the albumin permeability and induced morphological changes of HUVECs. The extent of the decrease was more profound with adherent PBMCs than with non-adherent PBMCs. The expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) was examined using real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. Addition of PBMCs to DV-2-infected HUVECs decreased the levels of mRNA transcripts and cell-surface expression of VE-cadherin. The results indicate that PBMCs increased the permeability of DV-2-infected HUVECs and that the increased permeability was concomitant with morphological change and the decrease in VE-cadherin expression. The results suggest that functional impairment of the DV-2-infected HUVEC monolayer was caused by interaction with PBMCs.
Structure-based mutagenesis identifies important novel determinants of the NS2B cofactor of the West Nile virus two-component NS2B–NS3 proteinase
Authors: Radichev Ilian , Shiryaev Sergey A. , Aleshin Alexander E. , Ratnikov Boris I. , Smith Jeffrey W. , Liddington Robert C. , Strongin Alex Y.
Published: February 2008

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes neuronal damage in the absence of treatment. In many flaviviruses, including WNV, the NS2B cofactor promotes the productive folding and the functional activity of the two-component NS3 (pro)teinase. Based on an analysis of the NS2B–NS3pro structure, we hypothesized that the G22 residue and the negatively charged patch D32DD34 of NS2B were part of an important configuration required for NS2B–NS3pro activity. Our experimental data confirmed that G22 and D32DD34 substitution for S and AAA, respectively, inactivated NS2B–NS3pro. An additional D42G mutant, which we designed as a control, had no dramatic effect on either the catalytic activity or self-proteolysis of NS2B–NS3pro. Because of the significant level of homology in flaviviral NS2B–NS3pro, our results will be useful for the development of specific allosteric inhibitors designed to interfere with the productive interactions of NS2B with NS3pro.
Remodelling of the nuclear lamina during human cytomegalovirus infection: role of the viral proteins pUL50 and pUL53
Authors: Camozzi Daria , Pignatelli Sara , Valvo Cecilia , Lattanzi Giovanna , Capanni Cristina , Dal Monte Paola , Landini Maria Paola
Published: February 2008

A fundamental step in the efficient production of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) progeny is viral egress from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of infected cells. In the family Herpesviridae, this process involves alteration of nuclear lamina components by two highly conserved proteins, whose homologues in HCMV are named pUL50 and pUL53. This study showed that HCMV infection induced the mislocalization of nuclear lamins and that pUL50 and pUL53 play a role in this event. At late stages of infection, both lamin A/C and lamin B showed an irregular distribution on the nuclear rim, coincident with areas of pUL53 accumulation. No variations in the total amount of nuclear lamins could be detected, supporting the view that HCMV induces a qualitative, rather than a quantitative, alteration of these cellular components, as has been suggested previously for other herpesviruses. Interestingly, pUL53, in the absence of other viral products, localized diffusely in the nucleus, whilst the co-expression and interaction of pUL53 with its partner, pUL50, restored its nuclear rim localization in distinct patches, thus indicating that pUL50 is sufficient to induce the localization of pUL53 observed during virus infection. Importantly, analysis of the nuclear lamina in the presence of pUL50–pUL53 complexes at the nuclear boundary and in the absence of other viral products showed that the two viral proteins were sufficient to promote alterations of lamins, strongly resembling those observed during HCMV infection. These results suggest that pUL50 and pUL53 may play an important role in the exit of virions from the nucleus by inducing structural modifications of the nuclear lamina.
Broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies to the hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein
Authors: Owsianka Ania M. , Tarr Alexander W. , Keck Zhen-Yong , Li Ta-Kai , Witteveldt Jeroen , Adair Richard , Foung Steven K. H. , Ball Jonathan K. , Patel Arvind H.
Published: February 2008

The humoral response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) may contribute to controlling infection. We previously isolated human monoclonal antibodies to conformational epitopes on the HCV E2 glycoprotein. Here, we report on their ability to inhibit infection by retroviral pseudoparticles incorporating a panel of full-length E1E2 clones representing the full spectrum of genotypes 1–6. We identified one antibody, CBH-5, that was capable of neutralizing every genotype tested. It also potently inhibited chimeric cell culture-infectious HCV, which had genotype 2b envelope proteins in a genotype 2a (JFH-1) background. Analysis using a panel of alanine-substitution mutants of HCV E2 revealed that the epitope of CBH-5 includes amino acid residues that are required for binding of E2 to CD81, a cellular receptor essential for virus entry. This suggests that CBH-5 inhibits HCV infection by competing directly with CD81 for a binding site on E2.
Characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus with a deletion of the baculovirus core gene Bm67
Authors: Ge Jun-Qing , Yang Zhang-Nv , Tang Xu-Dong , Xu Hai-Jun , Hong Jian , Chen Jian-Guo , Zhang Chuan-Xi
Published: February 2008

Open reading frame (ORF) 67 (Bm67) of the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a highly conserved gene that is found in all completely sequenced baculoviruses; its function is unknown. In the present study, a Bm67-knockout virus was generated for studying the role of Bm67 in the BmNPV infection cycle. Furthermore, a Bm67-repair bacmid was constructed by transposing the Bm67 native promoter-promoted Bm67 ORF into the polyhedrin locus of the Bm67-knockout bacmid. After these recombinant bacmids were transfected into BmN cells, the Bm67-knockout bacmid caused defects in the production of infectious budded viruses. However, the Bm67-repair bacmid could rescue the defect, and budded virus titres reached wild-type levels. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that Bm67 is required for normal levels of DNA synthesis or for the stability of nascent viral DNA at the early stage. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that the formation of normal-appearing nucleocapsids is reduced in Bm67-knockout bacmid-transfected cells, and nucleocapsids are rarely found in the cytoplasm. The presence of ‘enveloped’ nucleocapsids at the nucleoplasm bilayer indicated that they are enveloped abnormally. These results indicated that Bm67 is required for the production of infectious budded viruses and for assembly of envelope and nucleocapsids.
Genomic sequence analysis of a fast-killing isolate of Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Harrison Robert L. , Puttler Benjamin , Popham Holly J. R.
Published: February 2008

Six clones of Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) were plaque-purified from field isolates collected in Missouri, USA. In bioassays, four of the plaque-purified isolates killed neonate S. frugiperda larvae more rapidly than the field isolates from which they were derived, with LT50 values (mean time to kill 50 % of the test larvae) ranging from 34.4 to 49.7 h post-infection. The complete genomic sequence of one of these isolates, SfMNPV-3AP2, was determined and analysed. The SfMNPV-3AP2 genome was 131 330 bp with a G+C content of 40.2 %. A total of 144 open reading frames (ORFs) was identified and examined, including the set of 62 genes in common among lepidopteran nucleopolyhedrovirus genomes. Comparisons of ORF content, order and predicted amino acid sequences with other nucleopolyhedoviruses indicated that SfMNPV is part of a cluster of viruses within NPV group II that includes NPVs isolated from Spodoptera, Agrotis and Mamestra host species. SfMNPV-3AP2 shared a high degree of nucleotide sequence similarity with partial sequences from other SfMNPV isolates. Comparison of the SfMNPV-3AP2 genome sequence with a partial sequence from a Brazilian isolate of SfMNPV revealed that SfMNPV-3AP2 contained a deletion that removed parts of ORF sf27 and the gene encoding ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt). An examination of the egt region in the other isolates revealed that the other five SfMNPV clones also contained deletions of varying length in this region. Variant genotypes with deletions extending around the egt gene have been reported previously from a Nicaraguan field isolate of SfMNPV, suggesting that the presence of such variants is a common feature of SfMNPV populations.
Changes in breeding status are associated with rapid bill darkening in male red‐backed fairy‐wrens Malurus melanocephalus
Authors: Karubian Jordan
Published: February 2008

In many animals, an individual's social environment and status can change quickly and unpredictably, suggesting an advantage for signals capable of responding to these changes. However, many signaling traits are fixed for relatively long periods. In birds, for example, most plumage‐based signals are constrained by molt and unable to respond to sudden changes in social environment. Soft parts, conversely, are vascularized and may provide an alternative signaling system that can be updated relatively quickly. In this study, the effects of changes in breeding status are documented for a putative plumage‐based signal, plumage brightness, and a putative soft part signal, bill darkness, in the red‐backed fairy‐wren Malurus melanocephalus. Males that switched from unpaired helper to paired breeder within a breeding season developed significantly darker bills within three weeks of the switch relative to males that did not change status. There was no clear corresponding change in plumage brightness, though the data suggests that changes in plumage brightness are at least possible. These results suggest that bill color is a socially mediated trait capable of responding rapidly to changes in breeding status, and it is proposed that the importance of soft parts as labile signals in birds may be currently under‐appreciated.
Bill sweeping in spoonbills Platalea: no evidence for an effective suction force at the tip
Authors: Swennen Cornelis , Yu Yat‐tung
Published: February 2008

We analysed the hypothesis of Weihs and Katzir (1994) that feeding spoonbills use their broad bills by sweeping it through the water to shed a vortex. This would result in a hydrodynamic suction on the bottom for catching prey immediately or during the next sweep besides providing some extra benefits. The basic assumptions appear to be erroneous. (1) A spoonbill does not mainly feed on small, benthic invertebrates, but mainly on nekton such as fish and shrimps. (2) The inner surface of the upper mandible of a spoonbill is not concave but convex. (3) During feeding, a spoonbill does not keep its bill tip close to the bottom independent of the water depth. The outcomes of the tests supporting the hypothesis do not hold and the suggested benefits are dubious. Therefore, we reject the hypothesis and the claim that the bill of a spoonbill is used as a hydrofoil. The discussed paper tried to give an explanation of the behaviour of a bird with the help of hydrodynamic formulae. The fundamental mistake in the paper is that the use of the formulae is based on wrong assumptions concerning the food of the bird, its feeding behaviour as well as its anatomical details. The tests with a bird kept in captivity suggesting a proof of the rightness of the hypothesis lack a proper connection to the situation in the wild.
Temporal pattern of vocalization type usage in singing sessions of male tyrant flycatchers (Tyranninae)
Authors: Hughes Austin L.
Published: February 2008

It has been hypothesized that variation (e.g., of repertoire elements) in prolonged vocalization sessions of passerine birds can serve to minimize habituation by conspecifics. The repertoire of vocalization types limited in suboscine passerines, raising the question of how a limited set of elements can create patterns that minimize habituation. This question was studied by computational analysis of recorded singing sessions of 20 suboscine species from the subfamily Tyranninae, family Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatchers). The recordings of 12 of the species included two or more distinct vocalization types (VTs). In these species, the interval between vocalization units when the VT changed was on average shorter than that when the VT remained the same. In addition, when the VT changed, the mean interval length between successive vocalization units differed depending on which VT preceded the interval and which VT followed it. On the other hand, species with just a single VT in the session analyzed showed a surprisingly high degree of absolute difference between adjacent vocalization units with respect to both the length of the vocalization and percentage of time elapsed until peak amplitude. A change in the rhythm of vocalization accompanying a change in VT provided a potential means of drawing a conspecific listener's attention to the change in VT. The results showed that tyrant flycatchers use temporal patterning to achieve a high level of variety in vocalization sessions despite a limited vocal repertoire.