bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aphids decelerate litter nitrogen mineralisation through changes in litter quality
Authors: KATAYAMA NOBORU , SILVA ALESSANDRO OLIVERIA , KISHIDA OSAMU , OHGUSHI TAKAYUKI
Published: August 2013

Herbivorous insects may have significant impacts on litter decomposition through modification of plant litter quality and quantity. The effects of herbivorous insects on decomposition processes are of growing interest.

Here, experiments were conducted to examine how sap‐feeding aphids modify plant litter and whether the aphid‐induced modification influences litter decomposition processes, using a plant–herbivore system consisting of soybean [Glycine max (L.)] and soybean aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura).

First, litter traits produced by aphid‐free and aphid‐infected plants were compared, and it was found that aphids did not affect litter mass and carbon concentration, but significantly decreased the nitrogen concentration. Such aphid‐mediated modification of litter quality may cause deceleration of litter decomposition as the higher C/N ratio inhibits litter decomposition.

A decomposition experiment was then carried out to compare the decomposition of litter between the aphid‐free and aphid‐infected plants. No impacts of aphid herbivory were found on litter carbon mineralisation but negative impacts were found on nitrogen mineralisation. Litter nitrogen mineralisation of aphid‐infected plants decreased by 40% and 28% compared with that of aphid‐free plants 1 and 3 months after commencement of the experiment, respectively.

The experimental results clearly showed that aphids decelerated litter nitrogen mineralisation by modifying litter quality.
Identification and characterization of the biochemical function of Agrobacterium T‐complex‐recruiting protein Atu5117
Authors: Gao Diankun , Bian Xiaowei , Guo Minliang , Wang Jing , Zhang Xin
Published: August 2013

Atu5117 from Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a highly conserved protein with a putative nucleotidyltransferase domain in its N‐terminal region and a putative higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes nucleotide‐binding domain in its C‐terminal region. This protein has been shown to be a T‐complex‐recruiting protein that can recruit T‐complex from the cytosol to the polar VirB/D4 type IV secretion system (T4SS). However, the biochemical function of Atu5117 is still unknown. Here, we show that Atu5117 is a (d)NTPase. Although no proteins with nucleotidyltransferase and higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes nucleotide‐binding domains were identified as (d)NTPases, Atu5117 was able to convert all eight canonical NTPs and dNTPs to NDP, dNDP and inorganic phosphate in vitro, and required Mg2+ for its (d)NTPase activity. The kinetic parameters of Atu5117 (d)NTPase for eight substrates were characterized. Kinetic data showed that Atu5117 (d)NTPase preferred ATP as its substrate. The optimal conditions for (d)NTPase activity of Atu5117 were very similar to those required for Agrobacterium tumorigenesis. The kinetic parameters of (d)NTPase of Atu5117 for all four canonical NTPs were in the same orders of magnitude as the kinetic parameters of the ATPases identified in some components of the VirB/D4 T4SS. These results suggest that Atu5117 might function as an energizer to recruit T‐complex to the T4SS transport site.
Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations
Authors: Rode Karyn D. , Regehr Eric V. , Douglas David C. , Durner George , Derocher Andrew E. , Thiemann Gregory W. , Budge Suzanne M.
Published: July 2013

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have experienced substantial changes in the seasonal availability of sea ice habitat in parts of their range, including the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas. In this study, we compared the body size, condition, and recruitment of polar bears captured in the Chukchi and Bering Seas (CS) between two periods (1986–1994 and 2008–2011) when declines in sea ice habitat occurred. In addition, we compared metrics for the CS population 2008–2011 with those of the adjacent southern Beaufort Sea (SB) population where loss in sea ice habitat has been associated with declines in body condition, size, recruitment, and survival. We evaluated how variation in body condition and recruitment were related to feeding ecology. Comparing habitat conditions between populations, there were twice as many reduced ice days over continental shelf waters per year during 2008–2011 in the SB than in the CS. CS polar bears were larger and in better condition, and appeared to have higher reproduction than SB bears. Although SB and CS bears had similar diets, twice as many bears were fasting in spring in the SB than in the CS. Between 1986–1994 and 2008–2011, body size, condition, and recruitment indices in the CS were not reduced despite a 44‐day increase in the number of reduced ice days. Bears in the CS exhibited large body size, good body condition, and high indices of recruitment compared to most other populations measured to date. Higher biological productivity and prey availability in the CS relative to the SB, and a shorter recent history of reduced sea ice habitat, may explain the maintenance of condition and recruitment of CS bears. Geographic differences in the response of polar bears to climate change are relevant to range‐wide forecasts for this and other ice‐dependent species.
Fiscal Austerity and the Multiplier in Times of Crisis
Authors: Müller Gernot J.
Published: August 2013

To address concerns about the sustainability of public debt, most industrialized countries shifted towards fiscal austerity after 2010. A popular concern is that austerity is self-defeating, because fiscal multipliers can be large. Specifically, a number of recent studies find that multipliers tend to be large during financial crises and/or if monetary policy is constrained by the zero lower bound. However, public debt crises tend to have an offsetting effect by making multipliers smaller than during normal times. Consequently, while austerity is no cure for all, it is unlikely to be literally self-defeating when sovereign risk is high.
Ordoliberal Lessons for Economic Stability: Different Kinds of Regulation, Not More Regulation
Authors: Siems Mathias , Schnyder Gerhard
Published: August 2013

Since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 the term “ordoliberalism” has experienced a marked revival. This discussion tends to focus on the need for more state intervention. Yet this misrepresents the core ideas of ordoliberalism because its main concern is not with “how much” but with “what kind of” intervention is needed. Thus, this article seeks to clarify the ordoliberal position, in particular its key distinction between market conforming and nonconforming state intervention. Discussing the current financial crisis, it also evaluates the potential benefits and drawbacks of ordoliberalism. The article rebukes rhetorical shortcuts that equate every economic policy coming out of Germany with ordoliberalism. It also suggests that while the ordoliberal conception does not necessarily provide a solution to the current problems in the short run, in the long run it may form the basis for a sounder conception of economic regulation than more libertarian views can offer.
Length of Carotid Stenosis Predicts Peri-Procedural Stroke or Death and Restenosis in Patients Randomized to Endovascular Treatment or Endarterectomy
Authors: Bonati Leo H. , Ederle Jörg , Dobson Joanna , Engelter Stefan , Featherstone Roland L. , Gaines Peter A. , Beard Jonathan D. , Venables Graham S. , Markus Hugh S. , Clifton Andrew , Sandercock Peter , Brown Martin M.
Published: July 2013

Background

The anatomy of carotid stenosis may influence the outcome of endovascular treatment or carotid endarterectomy. Whether anatomy favors one treatment over the other in terms of safety or efficacy has not been investigated in randomized trials.

Methods

In 414 patients with mostly symptomatic carotid stenosis randomized to endovascular treatment (angioplasty or stenting; n = 213) or carotid endarterectomy ( n = 211) in the Carotid and Vertebral Artery Transluminal Angioplasty Study (CAVATAS), the degree and length of stenosis and plaque surface irregularity were assessed on baseline intraarterial angiography. Outcome measures were stroke or death occurring between randomization and 30 days after treatment, and ipsilateral stroke and restenosis ⩾50% during follow-up.

Results

Carotid stenosis longer than 0·65 times the common carotid artery diameter was associated with increased risk of peri-procedural stroke or death after both endovascular treatment [odds ratio 2·79 (1·17–6·65), P = 0·02] and carotid endarterectomy [2·43 (1·03–5·73), P = 0·04], and with increased long-term risk of restenosis in endovascular treatment [hazard ratio 1·68 (1·12–2·53), P = 0·01]. The excess in restenosis after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy was significantly greater in patients with long stenosis than with short stenosis at baseline (interaction P = 0·003). Results remained significant after multivariate adjustment. No associations were found for degree of stenosis and plaque surface.

Conclusions

Increasing stenosis length is an independent risk factor for peri-procedural stroke or death in endovascular treatment and carotid endarterectomy, without favoring one treatment over the other. However, the excess restenosis rate after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy increases with longer stenosis at baseline. Stenosis length merits further investigation in carotid revascularisation trials.
Business Group Affiliation, Innovation, Internationalization, and Performance: A SemiParametric Analysis
Authors: Iona Alfonsina , Leonida Leone , Navarra Pietro
Published: August 2013

We use firm‐level data provided by the fourth U.K. Community Innovation Survey (CIS4) to investigate the relationship between business group affiliation, innovation, internationalization, and firm performance. We carry out a semiparametric estimation procedure and find that: (1) firm performance is higher for those firms that join business groups rather than for stand‐alone firms; (2) the introduction of innovation through organizational and/or managerial practices provides higher performance in business groups affiliated than in unaffiliated firms; (3) the joint adoption of innovations is more beneficial than the individual adoption; (4) the interplay between business group affiliation and innovation leads to better performance in those firms that face competition in international markets rather than in those whose product market is domestic only.
Familial confounding of the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and ADHD in offspring
Authors: Skoglund Charlotte , Chen Qi , D′Onofrio Brian M , Lichtenstein Paul , Larsson Henrik
Published: July 2013

Background

Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy (SDP) has consistently been associated with increased risk of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring, but recent studies indicate that this association might be due to unmeasured familial confounding.

Methods

A total of 813,030 individuals born in Sweden between 1992 and 2000 were included in this nationwide population‐based cohort study. Data on maternal SDP and ADHD diagnosis were obtained from national registers and patients were followed up from the age of 3 to the end of 2009. Hazard Ratios (HRs) were estimated using stratified Cox regression models. Cousin and sibling data were used to control for unmeasured familial confounding.

Results

At the population level maternal SDP predicted ADHD in offspring (HRModerateSDP = 1.89; HRHighSDP = 2.50). This estimate gradually attenuated toward the null when adjusting for measured confounders (HRModerateSDP = 1.62; HRHighSDP = 2.04), unmeasured confounders shared within the extended family (i.e., cousin comparison) (HRModerateSDP = 1.45; HRHighSDP = 1.69), and unmeasured confounders within the nuclear family (i.e., sibling comparison) (HRModerateSDP = 0.88; HRHighSDP = 0.84).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the association between maternal SDP and offspring ADHD are due to unmeasured familial confounding.
Delirium Outcomes in a Randomized Trial of Blood Transfusion Thresholds in Hospitalized Older Adults with Hip Fracture
Authors: Gruber‐Baldini Ann L. , Marcantonio Edward , Orwig Denise , Magaziner Jay , Terrin Michael , Barr Erik , Brown Jessica P. , Paris Barbara , Zagorin Aleksandra , Roffey Darren M. , Zakriya Khwaja , Blute Mary‐Rita , Hebel J. Richard , Carson Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To determine whether a higher blood transfusion threshold would prevent new or worsening delirium symptoms in the hospital after hip fracture surgery.

Design

Ancillary study to a randomized clinical trial.

Setting

Thirteen hospitals in the United States and Canada.

Participants

One hundred thirty‐nine individuals hospitalized with hip fracture aged 50 and older (mean age 81.5 ± 9.1) with cardiovascular disease or risk factors and hemoglobin concentrations of less than 10 g/dL within 3 days of surgery recruited in an ancillary study of the Transfusion Trigger Trial for Functional Outcomes in Cardiovascular Patients Undergoing Surgical Hip Fracture Repair.

Intervention

Individuals in the liberal treatment group received one unit of packed red blood cells and as much blood as needed to maintain hemoglobin concentrations at greater than 10 g/dL; those in the restrictive treatment group received transfusions if they developed symptoms of anemia or their hemoglobin fell below 8 g/dL.

Measurements

Delirium assessments were performed before randomization and up to three times after randomization. The primary outcome was severity of delirium according to the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). The secondary outcome was the presence or absence of delirium defined according to the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).

Results

The liberal group received a median two units of blood and the restrictive group zero units of blood. Hemoglobin concentration on Day 1 after randomization was 1.4 g/dL higher in the liberal group. Treatment groups did not differ significantly at any time point or over time on MDAS delirium severity (P = .28) or CAM delirium presence (P = .83).

Conclusion

Blood transfusion to maintain hemoglobin concentrations greater than 10 g/dL alone is unlikely to influence delirium severity or rate in individuals with hip fracture after surgery with a hemoglobin concentration less than 10 g/dL.
Hepatic and gastrointestinal first-pass effects of vitexin-4″-O-glucoside in rats
Authors: Chen Yinghui , Zhang Wenjie , Li Di , Ai Junjun , Meng Yihan , Ying Xixiang , Kang Tingguo
Published: July 2013

Objectives

This paper was to clarify the reasons of low bioavailability of vitexin-4″-O-glucoside (VOG) in rats via hepatic combined with gastrointestinal first-pass effect.

Methods

Observed the hepatic first-pass effect through the comparison of area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0→∞) of VOG in arterial plasma after femoral and portal vein administration (10 mg/kg), similarly, evaluated the gastrointestinal first-pass effect after portal vein (10 mg/kg) and gastrointestinal administration (20 mg/kg). For the study on regulatory mechanisms of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on the bioavailability of VOG, the solution of verapamil hydrochloride (60 mg/kg) was instilled into intestine at 10 min before the infusion of VOG.

Key findings

The bioavailability of VOG after intraportal, intestinal as well as gastric administration was 45.1%, 8.1% and 9.8%, respectively. The value of AUC0→∞ for verapamil group was approximately 1.4-fold higher than that for normal saline group, meaning that perhaps CYP3A participated in the metabolism of VOG or P-gp transported VOG outside.

Conclusions

The hepatic and intestinal first-pass effect were considered to mostly contribute to the low bioavailability of VOG in rats, and the gastric first-pass effect should be neglected. Also, the contribution of CYP3A to metabolism and P-gp mediated efflux have played a significant role in low bioavailability of VOG.
Modulation of P-glycoprotein in rat brain microvessel endothelial cells under oxygen glucose deprivation
Authors: Ji Bian-Sheng , Cen Juan , He Ling , Liu Meng , Liu Yan-Qing , Liu Lu
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To investigate modulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (rBMECs) under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD).

Methods

The coculture of rBMECs and astrocytes was established to investigate the time course of P-gp, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and protein kinase C (PKC) expression in the rBMECs as well as rhodamine 123 (Rh123) transendothelial transfer under OGD using Western blot and HPLC, respectively. The influence of pharmacological tools including H398, JKC-301, RES-701-1, L-NMMA, BIM and SN50 on the P-gp expression as well as Rh123 transendothelial transfer was evaluated at 3 h time point of OGD.

Key findings

Elevated P-gp, TNF-α, ET-1, NOS and PKC expression in the rBMECs, as well as increased P-gp efflux activity were observed after 2 h or more time of OGD. Incubation of H398 and other pharmacological tools downregulated P-gp expression and functional activity in the rBMECs at 3 h time point of OGD.

Conclusions

This report suggested that TNF-α, ET-1, NOS and PKC may mediate upregulation of P-gp in the rBMECs under OGD, which may be worthy of being referenced for the investigation of P-gp at the blood–brain barrier in the early period of stroke.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Peyronie's Disease: Results of a Placebo-Controlled, Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blind Study
Authors: Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Meisner Christoph , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Stenzl Arnulf , Lahme Sven
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) is controversial.

Aim

To study the efficacy of ESWT by a placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Methods

Patients with PD (n = 102) were randomly assigned (n = 51) to each group (ESWT or placebo). All patients were given 6 weekly treatments. Patients in the ESWT-group received 2,000 shock waves per session, using the Piezoson 100 lithotripter (Richard Wolf, Knittlingen, Germany). Patients in the placebo-group were treated with interposition of a plastic membrane, which prevented any transmission of shock waves.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary end point was decrease of pain between baseline and after 4 weeks follow-up. Secondary end points were changes in deviation, plaque size, and sexual function. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale. Deviation was measured by a goniometer after artificial erection using Alprostadil (Viridal®, Schwarz Pharma, Monheim, Germany). Plaque size was measured with a ruler and sexual function assessed by a scale regarding the ability to perform sexual intercourse.

Results

Overall, only 45 patients experienced pain at baseline. In the subgroup analysis of these patients, pain decreased in 17/20 (85.0%) patients in the ESWT group and 12/25 (48.0%) patients in the placebo group (P = 0.013, relative risk [RR] = 0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.87). Penile deviation was not reduced by ESWT (P = 0.66) but worsened in 20/50 (40%) and 12/49 (24.5%) patients of the ESWT and placebo-group, respectively (P = 0.133). Plaque size reduction was not different between the two groups (P = 0.33). Additional, plaque size increased in five patients (10.9%) of the ESWT group only. An improvement in sexual function could not be verified (P = 0.126, RR = 0.46).

Conclusions

Despite some potential benefit of ESWT in regard to pain reduction, it should be emphasized that pain usually resolves spontaneously with time. Given this and the fact that deviation may worsen with ESWT, this treatment cannot be recommended.
High mortality and annual fecundity in a free‐ranging basal placental mammal, Setifer setosus (Tenrecidae: Afrosoricida)
Authors: Levesque D. L. , Lovasoa O. M. A. , Rakotoharimalala S. N. , Lovegrove B. G.
Published: August 2013

The spiny tenrecs, an endemic subfamily of Malagasy insectivores (Tenrecinae), are wide ranging and fairly conspicuous, yet long‐term studies on free‐ranging populations remain sparse. Basal to most eutherian mammals, they share many ecological and morphological traits with proposed eutherian ancestors. Understanding of their unusual life histories is therefore important to the understanding of mammalian evolution. Here we present the results of a 3‐year study on a population of Setifer setosus in the dry deciduous forest of Western Madagascar. The annual activity cycle of this species includes a 5–7‐month hibernation period, during the dry season, and a dramatic increase in body mass during the active season. Females, observed giving birth to up to three litters in a single season, entered hibernation later than males, after weaning their last litter. Short intervals between parturition dates and simultaneous gestation and lactation provide evidence of post‐partum oestrus, previously observed in only one other species of tenrec (Geogale aurita, subfamily:Geogalinae). High levels of mortality, primarily by snakes and ground predators, were also observed and likely contribute, along with the unpredictability of Madagascar's climate, to the unusually fast life history of these mammals.
Reproduction in the East African root rat (Tachyoryctes splendens; Rodentia: Spalacidae) from Tanzania: the importance of rainfall
Authors: Katandukila J. V. , Faulkes C. G. , Chimimba C. T. , Bennett N. C.
Published: August 2013

The East African root rat Tachyoryctes splendens (Rüppell, 1835) is a solitary subterranean rodent mole. The present study investigated breeding patterns in both sexes of T. splendens from data collected at monthly intervals over an entire calendar year. The study focused on the analyses from post‐mortem examination of male and female East African root rats to assess the presence of foetuses, gonadal histology, reproductive tract morphometrics, measurement of gonadal steroids (plasma progesterone and oestradiol‐17β in females and testosterone in males) and field observations (i.e. the presence of infants, juveniles, subadults and lactating females). The objective of this study was to assess if the reproductive biology of root rats reflected the bimodal pattern of rainfall that is characteristic of East Africa. Rainfall has been suggested to trigger breeding in many subterranean rodents and as a consequence, this study aimed to assess the relationship between rainfall and reproductive characteristics of T. splendens. Peaks in mean gonadal mass, increases in concentration of reproductive hormones and the presence of graafian follicles and corpora lutea in the ovaries of females, and testes mass, seminiferous tubule diameter and testosterone titre mirrored the annual peaks of precipitation at the study area. Together with field observations of the temporal occurrence of pregnancies, infants, juveniles and subadults, the data show that T. spendens cues its breeding with the patterns of rainfall, such that offspring are born in the latter half of each rainy season, from April to July and November to December.
Gene expression under chronic heat stress in populations of the mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) from different thermal environments
Authors: Kenkel C. D. , Meyer E. , Matz M. V.
Published: July 2013

Recent evidence suggests that corals can acclimatize or adapt to local stress factors through differential regulation of their gene expression. Profiling gene expression in corals from diverse environments can elucidate the physiological processes that may be responsible for maximizing coral fitness in their natural habitat and lead to a better understanding of the coral's capacity to survive the effects of global climate change. In an accompanying paper, we show that Porites astreoides from thermally different reef habitats exhibit distinct physiological responses when exposed to 6 weeks of chronic temperature stress in a common garden experiment. Here, we describe expression profiles obtained from the same corals for a panel of 9 previously reported and 10 novel candidate stress response genes identified in a pilot RNA‐Seq experiment. The strongest expression change was observed in a novel candidate gene potentially involved in calcification, SLC26, a member of the solute carrier family 26 anion exchangers, which was down‐regulated by 92‐fold in bleached corals relative to controls. The most notable signature of divergence between coral populations was constitutive up‐regulation of metabolic genes in corals from the warmer inshore location, including the gluconeogenesis enzymes pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the lipid beta‐oxidation enzyme acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase. Our observations highlight several molecular pathways that were not previously implicated in the coral stress response and suggest that host management of energy budgets might play an adaptive role in holobiont thermotolerance.
Novel statistical methods for integrating genetic and stable isotope data to infer individual‐level migratory connectivity
Authors: Rundel Colin W. , Wunder Michael B. , Alvarado Allison H. , Ruegg Kristen C. , Harrigan Ryan , Schuh Andrew , Kelly Jeffrey F. , Siegel Rodney B. , DeSante David F. , Smith Thomas B. , Novembre John
Published: July 2013

Methods for determining patterns of migratory connectivity in animal ecology have historically been limited due to logistical challenges. Recent progress in studying migratory bird connectivity has been made using genetic and stable‐isotope markers to assign migratory individuals to their breeding grounds. Here, we present a novel Bayesian approach to jointly leverage genetic and isotopic markers and we test its utility on two migratory passerine bird species. Our approach represents a principled model‐based combination of genetic and isotope data from samples collected on the breeding grounds and is able to achieve levels of assignment accuracy that exceed those of either method alone. When applied at large scale the method can reveal specific migratory connectivity patterns. In Wilson's warblers (Wilsonia pusilla), we detect a subgroup of birds wintering in Baja that uniquely migrate preferentially from the coastal Pacific Northwest. Our approach is implemented in a way that is easily extended to accommodate additional sources of information (e.g. bi‐allelic markers, species distribution models, etc.) or adapted to other species or assignment problems.
Live imaging of symbiosis: spatiotemporal infection dynamics of a GFP‐labelled Burkholderia symbiont in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris
Authors: Kikuchi Yoshitomo , Fukatsu Takema
Published: July 2013

Many insects possess endosymbiotic bacteria inside their body, wherein intimate interactions occur between the partners. While recent technological advancements have deepened our understanding of metabolic and evolutionary features of the symbiont genomes, molecular mechanisms underpinning the intimate interactions remain difficult to approach because the insect symbionts are generally uncultivable. The bean bug Riptortus pedestris is associated with the betaproteobacterial Burkholderia symbiont in a posterior region of the midgut, which develops numerous crypts harbouring the symbiont extracellularly. Distinct from other insect symbiotic systems, R. pedestris acquires the Burkholderia symbiont not by vertical transmission but from the environment every generation. By making use of the cultivability and the genetic tractability of the symbiont, we constructed a transgenic Burkholderia strain labelled with green fluorescent protein (GFP), which enabled detailed observation of spatiotemporal dynamics and the colonization process of the symbiont in freshly prepared specimens. The symbiont live imaging revealed that, at the second instar, colonization of the symbiotic midgut M4 region started around 6 h after inoculation (hai). By 24 hai, the symbiont cells appeared in the main tract and also in several crypts of the M4. By 48 hai, most of the crypts were colonized by the symbiont cells. By 72 hai, all the crypts were filled up with the symbiont cells and the symbiont localization pattern continued during the subsequent nymphal development. Quantitative PCR of the symbiont confirmed the infection dynamics quantitatively. These results highlight the stinkbug‐Burkholderia gut symbiosis as an unprecedented model for comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning insect symbiosis.
Overexpression of cotton GhMKK4 enhances disease susceptibility and affects abscisic acid, gibberellin and hydrogen peroxide signalling in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Li Yuzhen , Zhang Liang , Lu Wenjing , Wang Xiuling , Wu Chang‐Ai , Guo Xingqi
Published: August 2013

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are involved in plant development, stress responses and hormonal signal transduction. MAPK kinases (MAPKKs), as the key nodes in these cascades, link MAPKs and MAPKK kinases (MAPKKKs). In this study, GhMKK4, a novel group C MAPKK gene from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), was isolated and identified. Its expression can be induced by various stresses and signalling molecules. The overexpression of GhMKK4 in Nicotiana benthamiana enhanced its susceptibility to bacterial and fungal pathogens, but had no significant effects on salt or drought tolerance. Notably, the overexpressing plants showed increased sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin A3 (GA3), and ABA and gibberellin (GA) signalling were affected on infection with Ralstonia solanacearum bacteria. Furthermore, the overexpressing plants showed more reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and stronger inhibition of catalase (CAT), a ROS‐scavenging enzyme, than control plants after salicylic acid (SA) treatment. Interestingly, two genes encoding ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), the key enzymes in polyamine synthesis, exhibited reduced R. solanacearum‐induced expression in overexpressing plants. These findings broaden our knowledge about the functions of MAPKKs in diverse signalling pathways and the negative regulation of disease resistance in the cotton crop.
The presence of 5‐HT in myenteric varicosities is not due to uptake of 5‐HT released from the mucosa during dissection: use of a novel method for quantifying 5‐HT immunoreactivity in myenteric ganglia
Authors: Keating D. J , Peiris H. , Kyloh M. , Brookes S. J. H. , Spencer N. J.
Published: August 2013

Background

Quantifying the relative abundance of different neurotransmitters in the myenteric plexus has proved challenging using conventional immunocytochemical approaches. Here, we present a new method of quantifying neurotransmitter content of an important enteric signalling molecule, serotonin (5‐HT), in the myenteric plexus of guinea pig colon under different experimental conditions.

Methods

Sections of guinea pig distal colon were exposed to different conditions including changes in temperature, dissection protocol, stimulation with faecal pellet distension and exogenous 5‐HT. Sections were fixed and immuno‐labelled for 5‐HT. 5‐HT staining density was quantified within myenteric plexus ganglia using defined settings and an analysis approach that uses threshold settings allowing for variances in background and tissue staining intensities and which calculates the area of tissue containing 5‐HT above these thresholds.

Key Results

No differences were found in 5‐HT immunoreactivity in the myenteric plexus when compared between tissues that were freshly fixed, undissected, or with mucosa and submucous plexus dissected away at either 4 or 37 °C. Increased myenteric plexus 5‐HT density was observed in preparations repeatedly stimulated using faecal pellet stimulation prior to fixation. Furthermore, exogenous 5‐HT also increased 5‐HT density.

Conclusions & Inferences

We demonstrate that quantitative differences in 5‐HT immunoreactivity can be characterized using immunohistochemistry. This approach may be applied to measuring other neurotransmitter(s) within the enteric nervous system. While 5‐HT is present in the guinea‐pig enteric ganglia, this is not due to accumulation via in vitro handling and release from the mucosa, and furthermore, repeated colonic stimulation via distension increases 5‐HT in the myenteric plexus.
Peripheral contribution of NGF and ASIC1a to colonic hypersensitivity in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Matricon J. , Muller E. , Accarie A. , Meleine M. , Etienne M. , Voilley N. , Busserolles J. , Eschalier A. , Lazdunski M. , Bourdu S. , Gelot A. , Ardid D.
Published: August 2013

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with idiopathic colonic hypersensitivity (CHS). However, recent studies suggest that low‐grade inflammation could underlie CHS in IBS. The pro‐inflammatory mediator nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a key role in the sensitization of peripheral pain pathways and several studies have reported its contribution to visceral pain development. NGF modulates the expression of Acid‐Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs), which are proton sensors involved in sensory neurons sensitization. This study examined the peripheral contribution of NGF and ASICs to IBS‐like CHS induced by butyrate enemas in the rat colon.

Methods

Colorectal distension and immunohistochemical staining of sensory neurons were used to evaluate NGF and ASICs contribution to the development of butyrate‐induced CHS.

Key Results

Systemic injection of anti‐NGF antibodies or the ASICs inhibitor amiloride prevented the development of butyrate‐induced CHS. A significant increase in NGF and ASIC1a protein expression levels was observed in sensory neurons of rats displaying butyrate‐induced CHS. This increase was specific of small‐ and medium‐diameter L1 + S1 sensory neurons, where ASIC1a was co‐expressed with NGF or trkA in CGRP‐immunoreactive somas. ASIC1a was also overexpressed in retrogradely labeled colon sensory neurons. Interestingly, anti‐NGF antibody administration prevented ASIC1a overexpression in sensory neurons of butyrate‐treated rats.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our data suggest that peripheral NGF and ASIC1a concomitantly contribute to the development of butyrate‐induced CHS NGF‐ASIC1a interplay may have a pivotal role in the sensitization of colonic sensory neurons and as such, could be considered as a potential new therapeutic target for IBS treatment.
Acute antibody‐mediated rejection in pediatric kidney transplants: A single center experience
Authors: Twombley Katherine , Thach Lonnie , Ribeiro Annelise , Joseph Catherine , Seikaly Mouin
Published: August 2013

aAMR is a potentially devastating complication of kidney transplantation. The incidence of aAMR in children, while thought to be rare, is not well defined, and there is a paucity of data on treatment regimens in children. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of our pediatric patients that were treated for aAMR between 2007 and 2009. Three adolescent Hispanic males were found to have aAMR. All three received deceased donor transplants, and all three verbalized non‐adherence. Treatment consisted of rituximab, solumedrol, PE, and IVIgG in one patient, and PE, IVIgG, and bortezomib in two patients. The only side effect of therapy noted was mild hypotension with rituximab that resolved after decreasing the infusion rate. There were no reported infections two yr after treatment, and all of the viral monitoring in these patients remained negative.
Practical‐Political Jurisprudence and the Dual Nature of Law
Authors: Nason Sarah
Published: August 2013

Law contains many dualities, though most, if not all, of these dualities resolve into one complex puzzle: To what extent is law a matter of pure social facts, or moral value untethered to social facts? I argue that each concept of law reconciles this duality in a different way on the basis of certain beneficial consequences that might result. Instead of pitting concepts against one another universally, we should accept that the balance between law's social fact and moral value dimensions is context‐specific in relation to particular legal puzzles. This balance can be achieved only by considering both political theory and empirical data.
Bachelors, Energy, Cats and Water: Putnam on Kinds and Kind Terms
Authors: Wikforss Åsa
Published: August 2013

Since Hilary Putnam and Saul Kripke's first attacks on traditional, descriptivist theories of natural kind terms, it has become customary to speak of the ‘Putnam‐Kripke’ view of meaning and reference. This article argues that this is a mistake, and that Putnam's account of natural kind terms is importantly different from that of Kripke. In particular, Putnam has from the very start been sceptical of Kripke's modal claims, and in later papers he explicitly rejects the proposal that theoretical identity statements are metaphysically necessary (if true). I suggest that this is wholly in line with Putnam's earlier, Quine‐inspired writings on general terms, and his preoccupation with the philosophy of science. Moreover, I argue that the picture of general terms that emerges from Putnam's writings is more plausible than that suggested by Kripke. However, contrary to Putnam, I also suggest that Putnam's later views on natural kinds and natural kind terms do not support standard Twin Earth externalism.
Troponin T autoantibodies correlate with chronic cardiomyopathy in human Chagas disease
Authors: Nunes Daniela Ferreira , Guedes Paulo Marcos da Matta , de Mesquita Andrade Cléber , Câmara Antonia Cláudia Jácome da , Chiari Egler , Galvão Lúcia Maria da Cunha
Published: August 2013

Objective

To evaluate the potential involvement of anti‐Trypanosoma cruzi and cardiac protein antibody (IgG total and isotypes) production and their possible association with different clinical forms of human chronic Chagas disease.

Methods

IgG total and isotypes were measured by ELISA, using epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi as antigens and human cardiac proteins (myosin and troponin T) in sera of patients with indeterminate (IND, n = 72), cardiac (CARD, n = 47) and digestive/cardiodigestive (DIG/CARD‐DIG, n = 12) clinical forms of the disease. Samples from uninfected health individuals (CONT, n = 30) and patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ISCH, n = 15) were used as controls. Autoantibody levels were correlated with parameters of cardiac function obtained by electrocardiographic, radiographic and echocardiographic examinations.

Results

Fifty five per cent of patients were classified as IND, 35.9% as CARD and 9.1% as DIG/CARD‐DIG. Greater total IgG production was observed in IND, CARD and DIG/CARD‐DIG chagasic patients than in CONT and ISCH, using trypomastigote, epimastigote and cardiac antigens. Moreover, patients with CARD and DIG/CARD‐DIG presented greater total IgG production (trypomastigote and epimastigote antigen) than IND, and a negative correlation was determined between total IgG and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients with IND and CARD presented similar higher levels of total IgG specific to troponin T and myosin than CONT and ISCH individuals. Patients with chronic Chagas disease presented a negative correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the production of anti‐myosin and troponin T autoantibodies. When grouped as low and high antibody producers and compared with LVEF, we observed that high anti‐troponin T (P = 0.042) and myosin (P = 0.013) producers presented lower LVEF than low producers. Moreover, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.9508, P = 0.0001) between the production of troponin T and myosin autoantibodies.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that increased production of anti‐cardiac troponin T and myosin autoantibodies probably influences the left ventricular ejection fraction and could be related to chagasic cardiomyopathy.
Markers of lipid peroxidation and α‐tocopherol levels in the blood and neoplastic tissue of dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors
Authors: Karayannopoulou Maria , Fytianou Anna , Assaloumidis Nikolaos , Psalla Dimitra , Constantinidis Theodoros C. , Kaldrymidou Eleni , Koutinas Alexander F.
Published: July 2013

Background

Excess reactive oxygen species due to oxidative stress and the ensuing lipid peroxidation are believed to be involved in mammary gland tumor (MGT) pathogenesis.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation as evidenced by thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) formation, and the concentration of α‐tocopherol as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, in blood and neoplastic tissue of dogs with malignant MGT. The correlation between inflammatory cell infiltration score and TBARS or α‐tocopherol in MGT was also evaluated.

Methods

Sixteen intact female dogs with malignant MGT and 12 clinically healthy and age/weight‐matched controls were included in the study. In all dogs, serum TBARS, α‐tocopherol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. Tissue TBARS and α‐tocopherol levels were determined in 1 cm3 sized tissue samples collected from MGT and adjacent, ipsilateral, normal mammary gland tissue from the 16 affected dogs. The degree of inflammatory cell tumor infiltration was evaluated histologically.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in serum levels of TBARS, α‐tocopherol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides between dogs with and without malignant MGT. TBARS were significantly higher, whereas α‐tocopherol was lower in neoplastic tissue when compared with normal mammary gland tissue. There was no correlation between TBARS or α‐tocopherol concentration and the inflammatory cell infiltration score in neoplastic tissue.

Conclusion

The increased level of TBARS suggests oxidative stress induction in canine malignant MGT. The origin of this phenomenon is not clear, as a potential oxidative burst could not be attributed to inflammatory cells infiltrating the tumors.
Mast cell tumor invading the cornea in a horse
Authors: Halse Stacey , Pizzirani Stefano , Parry Nicola M. A. , Burgess Kristine E.
Published: August 2013

A 3‐year‐oldMarwari mare was presented for evaluation of an irregular, reddish mass protruding from behind the right third eyelid. The mass appeared to arise at the ventral limbal area, involved the perilimbal bulbar conjunctiva and widely extended into corneal tissue. No other ocular or systemic abnormalities were detected at the time of presentation. The mass was surgically removed by lamellar keratectomy, with defocusedCO2laser used as adjunctive therapy to treat the surgical exposed area and its surroundings. Histopathologic evaluation showed sheets of densely packed, well‐differentiated neoplastic mast cells separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. Nuclear staining forKi‐67 was performed, and an average of 370 cells were positive per 1000 counted cells. Two months postoperatively, the surgical site was filled with flat fibrovascular and pigmented tissue, while the surrounding cornea was transparent with no superficial vascularization around the fibrotic scar. Thirty‐two months after treatment, no recurrence of the neoplasia was reported.
Specific amino acids inhibit food intake via the area postrema or vagal afferents
Authors: Jordi Josua , Herzog Brigitte , Camargo Simone M. R. , Boyle Christina N. , Lutz Thomas A. , Verrey François
Published: July 2013

Key points

Proteins are more satiating than fats or lipids. Proteins are built by the 20 proteogenic amino acids.

Here, we identified l‐arginine, l‐lysine and l‐glutamic acid as the most potent anorectic amino acids in rats.

l‐Arginine and l‐glutamic acid require intact neurons in the area postrema to inhibit food intake, whereas l‐lysine requires intact afferent fibres of the vagus nerve. All three mediate their effect by the blood stream.

All three amino acids induce gastric distension by delaying gastric emptying and inducing secretion. However, the gastric phenotype does not mediate the anorectic response.

These results unravel amino acid‐specific mechanisms regulating digestion and eating behaviour and thereby contribute to the understanding of nutrient sensing in vivo.

Abstract  To maintain nutrient homeostasis the central nervous system integrates signals that promote or inhibit eating. The supply of vital amino acids is tuned by adjusting food intake according to its dietary protein content. We hypothesized that this effect is based on the sensing of individual amino acids as a signal to control food intake. Here, we show that food intake was most potently reduced by oral l‐arginine (Arg), l‐lysine (Lys) and l‐glutamic acid (Glu) compared to all other 17 proteogenic amino acids in rats. These three amino acids induced neuronal activity in the area postrema and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Surgical lesion of the area postrema abolished the anorectic response to Arg and Glu, whereas vagal afferent lesion prevented the response to Lys. These three amino acids also provoked gastric distension by differentially altering gastric secretion and/or emptying. Importantly, these peripheral mechanical vagal stimuli were dissociated from the amino acids’ effect on food intake. Thus, Arg, Lys and Glu had a selective impact on food processing and intake suggesting them as direct sensory input to assess dietary protein content and quality in vivo. Overall, this study reveals novel amino acid‐specific mechanisms for the control of food intake and of gastrointestinal function.
Film Cooling From Short Holes With Sister Hole Influence
Authors: Ely Marc J. , Jubran B. A.
Published: August 2013

This paper reports a computational analysis on the effect of sister hole control on film cooling from short holes. The proposed method includes surrounding a primary injection hole by two or four smaller sister holes to actively maintain flow adhesion along the surface of the blade. A numerical study using the realizable k-ε turbulence model led to the determination that the use of sister holes significantly improves adiabatic effectiveness by countering the primary vortical flow structure. Research was carried out to determine the optimum hole configuration, arriving at the conclusion that placing sister holes slightly downstream of the primary injection hole improves the near-hole effectiveness, while placing sister holes slightly upstream of the primary hole improves downstream effectiveness. Similar results were found in evaluating both long and short hole geometries with a significantly less coherent flow field arising from the short hole. However, on the whole, the sister hole approach to film cooling was found to offer viable improvements over standard cooling regimes.