bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbiont‐conferred protection against Hymenopteran parasitoids in aphids: how general is it?
Authors: CAYETANO LUIS , VORBURGER CHRISTOPH
Published: October 2014

1. Hosts are often targeted by multiple species of parasites, leading to a confluence of selective pressures on them. In response, hosts may either evolve defences that act very generally, or specific defences against particular parasites. Aphids are attacked by multiple species of endoparasitoid wasps, and there is clear evidence that heritable endosymbionts can confer resistance against some of these wasps. Less clear is how symbiont‐conferred resistance in a single host acts against multiple parasitoid species.

2. This question was addressed in the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae (Scopoli). Unprotected aphids and aphids protected by three different strains of the defensive endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa were exposed to four species of parasitic wasps: the parthenogenetic species Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), which was represented by three different asexual lines, and the sexual species Aphidius colemani (Viereck), Binodoxys angelicae (Halliday), and Aphelinus chaonia (Walker).

3. Hamiltonella defensa provided strong protection against L. fabarum and Aphidius colemani, but there was no evidence that H. defensa‐infected aphids were more resistant to the other parasitoid species. While Aphidius colemani was virtually unable to parasitise any aphids harbouring H. defensa, there was variation among the three asexual lines of L. fabarum in how susceptible they were to the defence provided by the different symbiont strains, resulting in a significant genotype‐by‐genotype interaction.

4. The present results suggest that symbiosis with H. defensa does not provide aphids with a general defence against parasitoid wasps, possibly because some species have evolved specific counter adaptations or because biological differences preclude the symbiont's effectiveness against these species.
Persistent reduction of hippocampal glutamine synthetase expression after status epilepticus in immature rats
Authors: van der Hel W. Saskia , Hessel Ellen V. S. , Bos Ineke W. M. , Mulder Sandra D. , Verlinde Suzanne A. M. W. , van Eijsden Pieter , de Graan Pierre N. E.
Published: October 2014

Mesiotemporal sclerosis (MTS), the most frequent form of drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, often develops after an initial precipitating injury affecting the immature brain. To analyse early processes in epileptogenesis we used the juvenile pilocarpine model to study status epilepticus (SE)‐induced changes in expression of key components in the glutamate–glutamine cycle, known to be affected in MTS patients. SE was induced by Li+/pilocarpine injection in 21‐day‐old rats. At 2–19 weeks after SE hippocampal protein expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry and neuron damage by FluoroJade staining. Spontaneous seizures occurred in at least 44% of animals 15–18 weeks after SE. As expected in this model, we did not observe loss of principal hippocampal neurons. Neuron damage was most pronounced in the hilus, where we also detected progressive loss of parvalbumin‐positive GABAergic interneurons. Hilar neuron loss (or end‐folium sclerosis), a common feature in patients with MTS, was accompanied by a progressively decreased glutamine synthetase (GS)‐immunoreactivity from 2 (−15%) to 19 weeks (−33.5%) after SE. Immunoreactivity for excitatory amino‐acid transporters, vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein was unaffected. Our data show that SE elicited in 21‐day‐old rats induces a progressive reduction in hilar GS expression without affecting other key components of the glutamate–glutamine cycle. Reduced expression of glial enzyme GS was first detected 2 weeks after SE, and thus clearly before spontaneous recurrent seizures occurred. These results support the hypothesis that reduced GS expression is an early event in the development of hippocampal sclerosis in MTS patients and emphasize the importance of astrocytes in early epileptogenesis.
Predicting rates of interspecific interaction from phylogenetic trees
Authors: Nuismer Scott L. , Harmon Luke J.
Published: October 2014

Integrating phylogenetic information can potentially improve our ability to explain species' traits, patterns of community assembly, the network structure of communities, and ecosystem function. In this study, we use mathematical models to explore the ecological and evolutionary factors that modulate the explanatory power of phylogenetic information for communities of species that interact within a single trophic level. We find that phylogenetic relationships among species can influence trait evolution and rates of interaction among species, but only under particular models of species interaction. For example, when interactions within communities are mediated by a mechanism of phenotype matching, phylogenetic trees make specific predictions about trait evolution and rates of interaction. In contrast, if interactions within a community depend on a mechanism of phenotype differences, phylogenetic information has little, if any, predictive power for trait evolution and interaction rate. Together, these results make clear and testable predictions for when and how evolutionary history is expected to influence contemporary rates of species interaction.
Neural Gene Expression Profiles and Androgen Levels Underlie Alternative Reproductive Tactics in the Ocellated Wrasse, Symphodus ocellatus
Authors: Stiver Kelly A. , Harris Rayna M. , Townsend Jeffrey P. , Hofmann Hans A. , Alonzo Suzanne H.
Published: October 2014

Discrete variation in reproductive behavior and physiology is observed in diverse taxa. Although it is known that most within‐sex alternative reproductive tactics arise as a consequence of phenotypic plasticity, relatively little is known about differential neural gene expression among plastic alternative reproductive phenotypes. In the ocellated wrasse Symphodus ocellatus, males exhibit one of three alternative tactics (nesting, satellite, and sneaker) within a reproductive season, but switch tactics between years. Satellites and sneakers spawn parasitically in dominant (nesting) males' nests, but only nesting males provide parental care. Nesting and satellite males show transient cooperative defense of nests against sneakers. Here, we analyze circulating sex steroid hormone levels and neural gene expression profiles in these three male phenotypes and in females. 11‐ketotestosterone (but not testosterone) was highest in nesting males, while estradiol was highest in females. Brain transcriptomes of satellites and females were most similar to each other and intermediate to nesting and sneaker males. Sneakers showed more total expression differences, whereas nesting males showed higher magnitude expression differences. Our findings reveal the surprising extent to which neural gene expression patterns vary across reproductive tactics that vary in a number of social traits, including aggression, territoriality, and cooperation, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms that may underlie variation in cooperative and reproductive behavior.
Psoriasis is not an autoimmune disease?
Authors: Fry Lionel , Baker Barbara S. , Powles Anne V. , Engstrand Lars
Published: October 2014

The concept that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease needs to be questioned. The autoimmune label has been based on molecular mimicry between streptococcal and keratin proteins and the existence of homologous peptides between these proteins. However, it is only peripheral blood CD8, and not CD4, T lymphocytes that respond to the homologous peptides. This ignores the fact that it is CD4 T cells which are necessary to initiate psoriasis. Recent studies on skin bacterial microbiota have found a variety of bacteria in both normal skin and psoriatic lesions. In biopsy specimens, the most common phylum was Firmicutes and the most common genus streptococcus in both psoriasis and normal skin. The innate immune system is activated in psoriasis, and recent genetic findings have shown the majority of susceptibility loci are associated with innate immunity. There is a known clinical relationship between both Crohn's disease (CD) and periodontitis, and psoriasis, and patients with psoriasis share mutations in some innate immunity genes with individuals with CD. It is now accepted that CD is due to a breakdown of immune tolerance (dysbiosis) to bacteria in the intestine. These findings suggest that psoriasis is initiated by an abnormal response to bacteria in the skin due to genetic factors.
Filamentous cyanobacteria alter the relative fitness in a Daphnia hybrid species complex
Authors: Brzeziński Tomasz
Published: October 2014

Interspecific hybridisation is common in freshwater cladocerans. Within the Daphnia longispina complex hybrids frequently dominate over parental species, and environmental heterogeneity in the pelagial of lakes has been invoked to explain the coexistence of hybrids and parental species.

In laboratory conditions, I investigated the effects of filamentous cyanobacteria on the relative fitness of Daphnia hyalina, Daphnia galeata and Daphnia hyalina×galeata hybrids. For each taxon, the performance of three clones was measured using animals fed with two diets: (i) a mixture of the filamentous cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus and (ii) Scenedesmus obliquus in non‐limiting concentration.

Inter‐ and intraspecific differences in ability to cope with cyanobacterial filaments were found; hybrids were, on average, superior to parental species in the absence of filaments, but in the presence of filaments one of the parental species (D. hyalina) was superior, while performance of hybrids did not differ from D. galeata.

No relationship was found between size at first reproduction (range 1.3–2.0 mm) and reduced fitness due to the presence of cyanobacterial filaments.

Shifts in relative fitness of daphnids due to variation in food quality, mediated by the presence of filamentous cyanobacteria, may promote coexistence of hybrids and parental species of the D. longispina complex.
Living roots magnify the response of soil organic carbon decomposition to temperature in temperate grassland
Authors: Hill Paul W. , Garnett Mark H. , Farrar John , Iqbal Zafar , Khalid Muhammad , Soleman Nawaf , Jones Davey L.
Published: October 2014

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is both a strong driver of primary productivity and widely believed to be the principal cause of recent increases in global temperature. Soils are the largest store of the world's terrestrial C. Consequently, many investigations have attempted to mechanistically understand how microbial mineralisation of soil organic carbon (SOC) to CO2 will be affected by projected increases in temperature. Most have attempted this in the absence of plants as the flux of CO2 from root and rhizomicrobial respiration in intact plant‐soil systems confounds interpretation of measurements. We compared the effect of a small increase in temperature on respiration from soils without recent plant C with the effect on intact grass swards. We found that for 48 weeks, before acclimation occurred, an experimental 3 °C increase in sward temperature gave rise to a 50% increase in below ground respiration (ca. 0.4 kg C m−2; Q10 = 3.5), whereas mineralisation of older SOC without plants increased with a Q10 of only 1.7 when subject to increases in ambient soil temperature. Subsequent 14C dating of respired CO2 indicated that the presence of plants in swards more than doubled the effect of warming on the rate of mineralisation of SOC with an estimated mean C age of ca. 8 years or older relative to incubated soils without recent plant inputs. These results not only illustrate the formidable complexity of mechanisms controlling C fluxes in soils but also suggest that the dual biological and physical effects of CO2 on primary productivity and global temperature have the potential to synergistically increase the mineralisation of existing soil C.
The Broadband Provision Tensor
Authors: Grubesic Tony H.
Published: October 2014

This paper introduces the Broadband Provision Tensor (BPT), a new fusion‐based multivariate approach for exploring the spatial, economic, and quality of service dimensions of broadband telecommunication services. Specifically, theBPTallows for the development of a more complex and realistic typology of broadband provision between regions within a uniform geographic scale. Thus, regardless of theBPTbeing implemented for states, metropolitan areas, counties, municipalities, census tracts, or block groups, the units included in the chosen scale of analysis can be compared and benchmarked against their peers. Ultimately, theBPTallows analysts and policy makers to succinctly visualize the broadband provision status regions across multiple dimensions for comparative purposes. This paper highlights an application of theBPTfor 439 municipalities in theU.S. using a combination ofOoklaNetMetrics data and provision information from theNationalBroadbandMap. Results suggest a highly varied spectrum of wireline broadband provision profiles in theU.S. Policy implications are discussed.
Role of RIP1 in physiological enterocyte turnover in mouse small intestine via nonapoptotic death
Authors: Matsuoka Yosuke , Tsujimoto Yoshihide
Published: October 2014

Enterocyte shedding in the small intestine is often referred as an example of programmed cell death. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, although both apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death have been suggested to play an important role. Here, we show by electron microscope that the majority of cells dying in the mouse small intestine do not display apoptotic characteristics. Chemical biological approach in vivo and in an organ culture showed that necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1), an inhibitor of receptor‐interacting protein 1 (RIP1, also called RIPK1), inhibited the shedding/nonapoptotic death of enterocyte, resulting in suppression of physiological enterocyte turnover. Moreover, RIP1 knockdown in vivo and RIP1 haploinsufficiency significantly suppressed physiological enterocyte turnover. Unlike Nec‐1‐sensitive (RIP1‐dependent) cell death, so called necroptosis, which is also dependent on RIP3, physiological enterocyte turnover in RIP3‐deficient mice was executed normally and still inhibited by Nec‐1. As inhibition of the shedding/nonapoptotic death of enterocyte by Nec‐1 resulted in suppression of crypt cell proliferation, the shedding process plays a dominant role over cell proliferation in maintaining homeostasis of enterocyte turnover. These results indicate that RIP1 plays a major role in physiological enterocyte turnover through a RIP3‐independent nonapoptotic death mechanism in the mouse small intestine.
A study on seasonal variation of skin parameters in Korean males
Authors: Song E. J. , Lee J. A. , Park J. J. , Kim H. J. , Kim N. S. , Byun K. S. , Choi G. S. , Moon T. K.
Published: October 2014

Synopsis

Objective

The physiological characteristics of the skin are varied greatly, depending on gender, age, region and race, and many dermatologic researches have been performed through various research methods. This study aimed to examine how Korean men's skin conditions were influenced by temperature or humidity changes caused by seasonal rotations.

Methods

A total of 100 healthy Korean men, age range 20–59 years, participated in the study for both summer and winter. We compared on the characteristics of skin between summer and winter. The skin hydration, skin pH and TEWL were evaluated on the forehead, cheek and forearm. The skin sebum content of the glabella, nasal ala and cheek was measured using Sebumeter® (SM810, Courage+Khazaka, Germany). Cutometer® (MPA 580 Courage+Khazaka, Germany) the elasticity was measured by on the cheeks, and PRIMOS lite® (Phase shift Rapid in vivo Measurement of Skin, GFMesstechnik GmbH, Germany) was used to evaluate wrinkles on crow's feet. Lastly, in addition, the skin pore of the face was measured using the Janus® (PSI, Korea) which is a facial analysis system.

Results

The results were as follows: the comparison of hydration in summer and winter shows significant differences in their forehead, cheeks and forearm. The pH values of the skin surface were generally higher in winter, and significantly different on each site, and the sebum content was higher in summer than in winter. As a result of the pore measurement, the summer showed more pores compared to the winter, and there was a statistically significant difference in skin pores between summer and winter. The sensitivity measured by stinging test increases significantly more in winter than in summer. However, there were no seasonal differences in wrinkles and skin brightness.

Conclusion

The skin surface pH, TEWL, sebum content, hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, skin pore and skin sensitivity vary with seasons and body regions in Korean men.
Borofloat and Starphire Float Glasses: A Comparison,
Authors: Wereszczak Andrew A. , Anderson Charles E.
Published: October 2014

Borofloat® borosilicate float glass and Starphire® soda‐lime silicate float glass are used in transparent protective systems. They are known to respond differently in some ballistic and triaxial loading conditions, and efforts are underway to understand the causes of those differences. Toward that, a suite of test and material characterizations were completed in this study on both glasses so to identify what differences exist among them. Compositional, physical properties, elastic properties, flaw size distributions and concentrations, tensile/flexure strength, fracture toughness, spherical indentation and hardness, transmission electron microscopy, striae, high‐pressure responses via diamond anvil cell testing, laser shock differences, and internal porosity were examined. Differences between these two float glasses were identified for many of these properties and characteristics, and the role of three (striae, high pressures where permanent densification can initiate, and submicrometer‐sized porosity) lack understanding and deserve further attention. The contributing roles of any of those properties or characteristics to triaxial or ballistic loading responses are not definitive; however, they provide potential correlations that may lead to improved understanding and management of loading responses in glasses used in transparent protective systems.
Comparison of the effects of gabapentin and pregabalin on wound healing in rats
Authors: Sarıtaş Tuba Berra , Korkmaz Musa , Sevimli Alper , Sarıtaş Zulfikar Kadir
Published: October 2014

Gabapentinoids are effective adjunct drugs for reducing postoperative pain. However, the effects of gabapentinoids on wound healing have not been evaluated yet. In this study we evaluated their effects on wound healing. A total of 17 male Wistar‐Albino rats, 250–350 g, were divided into three groups randomly: control group (n = 5, 2 ml saline), gabapentin group (n = 6, 20 mg/kg gabapentin) and pregabalin group (n = 6, 20 mg/kg pregabalin). Until day 13 inflammation scores were significantly lower (P < 0·05) and wound healing was significantly better in the control group when compared with gabapentin and pregabalin groups (P < 0·001). Inflammation scores were significantly lower in pregabalin group when compared with gabapentin group until day 13. But wound healing was significantly better in gabapentin group than in pregabalin group between days 13 and 21. In conclusion when gabapentin and pregabalin were compared, although pregabalin decreases inflammation scores, gabapentin has better results in wound healing.
Primary Growth Parameters of Three Alfalfa Cultivars Adapted to Highland Climatic Conditions
Authors: Seker H. , Yolcu H. , Acikgoz E.
Published: October 2014

An irrigated field study was conducted to determine the relative importance and inter‐relationships of growth parameters of three dormant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars grown in the highlands of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, in 2000–2003. The fast‐growing cultivar Savas had the greatest dry matter (DM) yield at the final sampling date with the greatest mean crop growth rate. In addition to a greater relative growth rate (RGR), this cultivar had more stem branching and greater leaf area in the canopy, which resulted in greater leaf area index (LAI) and greater leaf area duration. Despite the considerable increase in leaf area ratio (LAR: leaf area per unit shoot DM), the reduction in RGR of all cultivars over time was the result of a large decline in net assimilation rate (NAR) due to increasing specific leaf area (SLA). Intracultivar variation in the RGR of alfalfa is mainly determined by NAR and SLA, and both were significantly higher for Savas than the other two cultivars. The relative importance of NAR and SLA to RGR changed due to increasing self‐shading as the LAI of the canopy increased, creating a trade‐off between NAR and SLA.
Politically Connected CEOs, Corporate Governance, and the Post‐IPO Performance of China's Partially Privatized Firms
Authors: Fan Joseph P. H. , Wong T. J. , Zhang Tianyu
Published: October 2014

The authors' study provides suggestive evidence of the negative effects of politically connected CEOs on the corporate performance and governance of publicly listed companies in China. Newly listed Chinese companies with politically connected CEOs are more likely to have boards that are populated by current or former government bureaucrats, and that generally exhibit low degrees of professionalism, as indicated by fewer directors with relevant professional backgrounds. At the same time, the operating and stock‐return performance of such firms has failed to match that of their politically unconnected counterparts.

Thus, the authors' study provides more support for the argument that bureaucrats and politicians extract resources from listed SOEs under their control to fulfill objectives that are not consistent with firm value maximization. Expressed in more general terms, the main finding of the study is that the constraints on property rights faced by Chinese SOEs—namely the non‐transferability of state ownership and the right of the government to appoint CEOs—appear to have significantly negative effects on firm performance as well as board professionalism and governance. Removing these constraints will likely have to be a critical part of any future reforms that aim to improve the productivity of listed Chinese companies.
Low genetic diversity and strong but shallow population differentiation suggests genetic homogenization by metapopulation dynamics in a social spider
Authors: Settepani V. , Bechsgaard J. , Bilde T.
Published: October 2014

Mating systems and population dynamics influence genetic diversity and structure. Species that experience inbreeding and limited gene flow are expected to evolve isolated, divergent genetic lineages. Metapopulation dynamics with frequent extinctions and colonizations may, on the other hand, deplete and homogenize genetic variation, if extinction rate is sufficiently high compared to the effect of drift in local demes. We investigated these theoretical predictions empirically in social spiders that are highly inbred. Social spiders show intranest mating, female‐biased sex ratio, and frequent extinction and colonization events, factors that deplete genetic diversity within nests and populations and limit gene flow. We characterized population genetic structure in Stegodyphus sarasinorum, a social spider distributed across the Indian subcontinent. Species‐wide genetic diversity was estimated over approximately 2800 km from Sri Lanka to Himalayas, by sequencing 16 protein‐coding nuclear loci. We found 13 SNPs in 6592 bp (π = 0.00045) indicating low species‐wide nucleotide diversity. Three genetic lineages were strongly differentiated; however, only one fixed difference among them suggests recent divergence. This is consistent with a scenario of metapopulation dynamics that homogenizes genetic diversity across the species' range. Ultimately, low standing genetic variation may hamper a species' ability to track environmental change and render social inbreeding spiders ‘evolutionary dead‐ends’.
Legal Institutions and Social Values: Theory and Evidence from Plea Bargaining Regimes
Authors: Givati Yehonatan
Published: October 2014

How do social values shape legal institutions across countries? To address this question I focus on one important legal institution—the use of plea bargaining in criminal cases. I develop a model in which the optimal scope of plea bargaining depends on social values. Specifically, a lower social emphasis on ensuring that innocent individuals are not punished, and a greater social emphasis on ensuring that guilty individuals are punished, lead to a greater use of plea bargaining. Using unique cross‐country data on social preferences for punishing the innocent versus letting the guilty go free, as well as an original coding of plea bargaining regimes across countries, I obtain results that are consistent with the model.
Hydrosols evaluation in pest control: insecticidal and settling inhibition potential against Myzus persicae (Sulzer)
Authors: Petrakis E. A. , Kimbaris A. C. , Lykouressis D. P. , Polissiou M. G. , Perdikis D. Ch.
Published: October 2014

The hydrosols are by‐products derived during the extraction of essential oils. Although essential oils have been widely evaluated for their insecticidal activities, the possible use of hydrosols in pest control has been almost unknown. The effects of the hydrosols of Origanum majorana (marjoram), Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal), and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) on the survival and settling behaviour of the aphid pest Myzus persicae were investigated. The hydrosols were isolated using Clevenger hydrodistillation (i) with conventional heating (HD) and (ii) assisted by microwaves (MWHD). GC‐MS analysis showed that the volatiles occurring in the hydrosols were similar between the two techniques. Hydrosols were assayed for possible settling inhibitory effects on M. persicae in Petri dishes (15 cm diameter). In each dish, a sprayed together with an unsprayed eggplant leaf piece was placed. An adult aphid <24 h old was released on the treated leaf and its path length was recorded during the initial 10 min. Then, its position (on the treated or untreated leaf) was recorded 10, 20, 30, 60 min and 24 h after spraying. M. officinalis HD hydrosol resulted in fourfold increase of the path length compared with the control (deionized water). The last observation (24 h) revealed that M. officinalis and M. pulegium HD hydrosols had the strongest inhibitory effect. Additionally, O. majorana hydrosols caused 10–15% aphid mortality after 24 h. In this study, the wider use of the MWHD technique is further supported as in addition to its well‐known advantages (i.e. shorter distillation time, less energy consumption), the effects of the hydrosols produced are comparable to those obtained by HD. Most importantly, the results clearly showed that the potential of hydrosols in pest control ought not to be ignored and should attract the interest of future studies.
Deletion of Atf6α impairs astroglial activation and enhances neuronal death following brain ischemia in mice
Authors: Yoshikawa Akifumi , Kamide Tomoya , Hashida Koji , Ta Hieu Minh , Inahata Yuki , Takarada‐Iemata Mika , Hattori Tsuyoshi , Mori Kazutoshi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Hayashi Yutaka , Kitao Yasuko , Hori Osamu
Published: October 2014

To dissect the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response in brain ischemia, we investigated the relevance of activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α), a master transcriptional factor in the unfolded protein response, after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. Enhanced expression of glucose‐regulated protein78, a downstream molecular chaperone of ATF6α, was observed in both neurons and glia in the peri‐infarct region of wild‐type mice after MCAO. Analysis using wild‐type and Atf6α−/− mice revealed a larger infarct volume and increased cell death in the peri‐ischemic region of Atf6α−/− mice 5 days after MCAO. These phenotypes in Atf6α−/− mice were associated with reduced levels of astroglial activation/glial scar formation, and a spread of tissue damage into the non‐infarct area. Further analysis in mice and cultured astrocytes revealed that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)‐glial fibrillary acidic protein signaling were diminished in Atf6α−/− astrocytes. A chemical chaperone, 4‐phenylbutyrate, restored STAT3‐glial fibrillary acidic protein signaling, while ER stressors, such as tunicamycin and thapsigargin, almost completely abolished signaling in cultured astrocytes. Furthermore, ER stress‐induced deactivation of STAT3 was mediated, at least in part, by the ER stress‐responsive tyrosine phosphatase, TC‐PTP/PTPN2. These results suggest that ER stress plays critical roles in determining the level of astroglial activation and neuronal survival after brain ischemia.

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We here suggest a mechanism triggered after brain ischemia in which the enhanced level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress—caused by deletion of the activating transcription factor ATF6α—leads to suppression of the STAT3‐GFAP signaling, inhibition of astroglial activation/glial scar formation, and enhanced level of neuronal death in the peri‐ischemic area. This is mediated, at least in part, through the ER stress‐responsive tyrosine phosphatase, TC‐PTP. CNTF, ciliary neurotrophic factor; GFAP, Glial fibrillary acidic protein; IL‐6, interleukin 6; LIF, leukemia inhibitory factor; STAT3, signal transducer, and activator of transcription 3.
Inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling prevents epileptiform behavior in rats prone to audiogenic seizures
Authors: Glazova Margarita V. , Nikitina Liubov S. , Hudik Kirill A. , Kirillova Olga D. , Dorofeeva Nadezhda A. , Korotkov Anatoly A. , Chernigovskaya Elena V.
Published: October 2014

It has recently been proposed that extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are one of the factors mediating seizure development. We hypothesized that inhibition of ERK1/2 activity could prevent audiogenic seizures by altering GABA and glutamate release mechanisms. Krushinsky–Molodkina rats, genetically prone to audiogenic seizure, were recruited in the experiments. Animals were i.p. injected with an inhibitor of ERK1/2 SL 327 at different doses 60 min before audio stimulation. We demonstrated for the first time that inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by SL 327 injections prevented seizure behavior and this effect was dose‐dependent and correlated with ERK1/2 activity. The obtained data also demonstrated unchanged levels of GABA production, and an increase in the level of vesicular glutamate transporter 2. The study of exocytosis protein expression showed that SL 327 treatment leads to downregulation of vesicle‐associated membrane protein 2 and synapsin I, and accumulation of synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25). The obtained data indicate that the inhibition of ERK1/2 blocks seizure behavior presumably by altering the exocytosis machinery, and identifies ERK1/2 as a potential target for the development of new strategies for seizure treatment.

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Extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are one of the factors mediating seizure development. Here we report that inhibition of ERK1/2 by SL 327 prevented seizure behavior and this effect was dose‐dependent and correlated with ERK1/2 activity. Accumulation of VGLUT2 was associated with differential changing of synaptic proteins VAMP2, SNAP‐25 and synapsin I. The obtained data indicate that the inhibition of ERK1/2 alters neurotransmitter release by changing the exocytosis machinery, thus preventing seizures.
Estimating Oil Risk Factors Using Information from Equity and Derivatives Markets
Authors: CHIANG I‐HSUAN ETHAN , HUGHEN W. KEENER , SAGI JACOB S.
Published: October 2014

We introduce a novel approach to estimating latent oil risk factors and establish their significance in pricing nonoil securities. Our model, which features four factors with simple economic interpretations, is estimated using both derivative prices and oil‐related equity returns. The fit is excellent in and out of sample. The extracted oil factors carry significant risk premia, and are significantly related to macroeconomic variables as well as portfolio returns sorted on characteristics and industry. The average nonoil portfolio exhibits a sensitivity to the oil factors amounting to a sixth (in magnitude) of that of the oil industry itself.
First Report of a Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CYVMV) Associated with Tomato Leaf Curl Disease in India
Authors: Khan Mohammad Sajid , Tiwari Ajay Kumar , Ji Sang Hye , Chun Se Chul
Published: October 2014

Leaf curl disease symptoms were observed in tomato crop grown in a tomato field at Matera district of Bahraich, India, in March 2013 with an 85% disease incidence. The infected plants exhibited leaf curl symptoms accompanied with puckering, vein swelling and stunting of the whole plant. PCR carried out with begomovirus coat protein gene and DNA beta‐specific primer sets resulted in positive amplification of ~775 bp and 1.35 kbp, respectively, with all symptom‐bearing plant samples. BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses of CP gene sequences showed highest and close relationship with Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CYVMV) isolates, while the phylogenetic study of betasatellite sequence showed distinct relationships with other begomovirus associated betasatellites reported from India and abroad. This is a first report of a CYVMV associated with tomato leaf curl disease in India.
An action phase approach to offender profiling
Authors: Goodwill Alasdair M. , Lehmann Robert J. B. , Beauregard Eric , Andrei Andreea
Published: October 2014

Purpose

Continued debate surrounds whether or not offender profiling is a valid practice. Critics have mainly contended that few studies have produced clear, quantifiable, evidence of a link between crime scene actions (A) and offender characteristics (C). Arguing that this is due to a failure to study offender actions as part of a dynamic decision‐making process, this study sought to identify action phases that are representative of the general decisions an offender must make during the commission of a sexual offence, and relate these decisions to known characteristics of the offender (C).

Methods

Two‐step cluster analyses were performed on data from 347 stranger sexual offences, committed by 69 serial sexual offenders, by action phase: (1) search; (2) selection; (3) approach; (4) assault; and also for an offender's (5) characteristics. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was then utilized to investigate the inter‐relationship of action phase clusters and offender characteristics.

Results

The MCA results indicated that specific behavioural macro‐clusters formed across the various actions phase and offender characteristic clusters in a meaningful way. Additionally, the macro‐clusters themselves corresponded to the extant literature on sexual assault, revealing several points of congruence between offender crime scene actions and offender characteristics.

Conclusion

The results of the study demonstrate that when crime scene behaviours are interpreted within a dynamic decision‐making process (i.e., utilizing action phases), reliable and valid empirical links may potentially be drawn between an offenders behavioural actions and their characteristics.
Using Number Lines to Solve Math Word Problems: A Strategy for Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Gonsalves Nicola , Krawec Jennifer
Published: October 2014

Students with learning disabilities (LD) consistently struggle with word problem solving in mathematics classes. This difficulty has made curricular, state, and national tests particularly stressful, as word problem solving has become a predominant feature of such student performance assessments. Research suggests that students with LD perform poorly on word problem–solving items due primarily to deficits in problem representation. Therefore, it is imperative that teachers provide these students with supplemental problem–solving instruction that specifically targets the development of representational strategies. This article describes how one representational strategy, using number lines, can be used to model word problems as part of a comprehensive problem–solving intervention to improve the conceptual understanding of math word problems and, subsequently, the problem–solving performance of students with LD.
The UCP2 ‐866 G>A promoter region polymorphism is associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Authors: Fares Roberta , Petta Salvatore , Lombardi Rosa , Grimaudo Stefania , Dongiovanni Paola , Pipitone Rosaria , Rametta Raffaela , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Mozzi Enrico , Craxì Antonio , Fargion Silvia , Sesti Giorgio , Valenti Luca
Published: October 2014

Background & Aims

Uncoupling protein 2 ‐ UCP2 ‐ regulates mitochondrial lipid fluxes and reactive oxygen species production by the respiratory chain. The −866 G>A UCP2 promoter region polymorphism has been linked to insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess whether the −866 G>A UCP2 polymorphism predisposes to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients at risk, and the relationship with lipid metabolism and hepatic UCP2 expression.

Methods

We considered 688 Italian patients who underwent liver biopsy for suspected NASH, and 232 healthy controls. The UCP2 −866 G>A polymorphism was determined by allele specific oligonucleotide probes, hepatic UCP2 mRNA levels by quantitative real‐time PCR.

Results

UCP2 A/A genotype was associated with a reduced risk of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (Odds Ratio 0.49, 95% C.I. 0.26–0.90; P = 0.02; adjusted for age, sex, BMI, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes, PNPLA3 I148M alleles and recruitment centre). The A/A genotype was associated with reduced risk of steatosis grade G2–G3 and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients without (P = 0.003 and P = 0.01 respectively), but not in those with (P = NS) impaired fasting glucose/diabetes. The UCP2 A/A genotype was associated with higher hepatic UCP2 mRNA levels (adjusted P = 0.008). Concerning the metabolic traits, the UCP2 A/A genotype was associated with higher total serum cholesterol levels (adjusted P = 0.03), but not with serum HDL, triglycerides or impaired fasting glucose/diabetes.

Conclusions

UCP2 −866 A/A genotype is associated with increased hepatic UCP2 expression and reduced risk of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, particularly in subjects with normal fasting glucose.
Correlation between Bladder Neck Mobility and Voiding Phase Urodynamic Parameters in Female Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence
Authors: HUANG I‐Shen , FAN Yu‐Hua , LIN Alex T. L. , CHEN Kuang‐Kuo
Published: October 2014

Objective

The correlation between bladder neck mobility (BNM) and voiding function in females has not been examined before. This study investigated the correlation between BNM and voiding phase urodynamic parameters in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

We recruited female patients with SUI between January 2005 and 2010. All patients underwent video urodynamic study (VUDS) including measurement of the bladder neck descent using the Valsalva maneuver and leak point pressure. BNM was defined as maximal bladder neck descent under Valsalva maneuver. The correlation between BNM and urodynamic parameters was analyzed with Spearman correlation.

Results

A total of 158 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 ± 10.4 years (range: 27–83). BNM was significantly correlated with mean flow rate. Using the cutoff value of 60 cmH2O for valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP), the patients were classified into intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and non‐ISD. In ISD patients (n = 74), BNM was significantly correlated with maximal and mean flow rate. In non‐ISD patients, there was no significant correlation between BNM and urodynamic parameters. Detrusor pressure on voiding was significantly lower in ISD patients compared with non‐ISD.

Conclusions

In ISD patients, we found a positive correlation between BNM and flow rates. This is the first study to identify a close association between bladder neck mobility and voiding function in female SUI patients. Future studies are required to clarify the mechanism and to determine the significance of this finding.
Study on Physiological Roles of Stimulation of Prostaglandin E2 Receptor Subtype EP2 in Urethral Function in Rats
Authors: KURIHARA Ryoko , ISHIZU Kenichiro , TAKAMATSU Hajime , YOSHINO Taiji , MASUDA Noriyuki
Published: October 2014

Objectives

We investigated the relaxant effect of stimulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor subtype EP2 as well as the involvement of a cyclic AMP (cAMP)‐dependent pathway related to stimulation of EP2 receptors in urethral function in rats by evaluating effects of PGE2 and selective EP2 receptor agonist CP‐533,536.

Methods

Effects of PGE2 and CP‐533,536 on cAMP accumulation were assessed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)‐K1 cells expressing rat EP2 or EP4 receptors. Relaxant responses to PGE2 and CP‐533,536 (0.01–10 µmol/L) in rat urethral tissue pre‐contracted with 10 µmol/L phenylephrine were evaluated, and cAMP levels in isolated rat urethral tissue treated with these compounds were determined as well. The effects of PGE2 and CP‐533,536 (0.003–0.3 mg/kg intravenously) on urethral perfusion pressure (UPP) in anesthetized rats were also evaluated.

Results

PGE2 concentration‐dependently increased the accumulation of cAMP in cells expressing rat EP2 (EC50 value = 1.3 nmol/L) and EP4 receptors (EC50 value = 17 nmol/L). While CP‐533,536 similarly increased the accumulation of cAMP in cells expressing rat EP2 receptors (EC50 value = 3.0 nmol/L), no such effects were noted in cells expressing rat EP4 receptors up to 10 µmol/L. Both PGE2 and CP‐533,536 produced relaxation and increased cAMP levels in urethral tissues in a concentration‐dependent manner. PGE2 and CP‐533,536 both dose‐dependently decreased UPP in anesthetized rats.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that stimulation of EP2 receptors induces relaxation likely via activation of cAMP‐dependent mechanisms in rat urethral tissue, leading to a reduction of UPP.
Troubling Gifts of Care: Vulnerable Persons and Threatening Exchanges in Chicago's Home Care Industry
Authors: Buch Elana D.
Published: October 2014

By tracing the transformations of troubling exchanges in paid home care, this article examines how differently positioned individuals strive to build caring relations within potentially restrictive regimes of care. In paid home care in Chicago, older adults and their workers regularly participate in exchanges of money, time, and material goods. These gifts play a crucial role in building good care relationships that sustain participants’ moral personhood. Amid widespread concern about vulnerable elders, home care agencies compete in a crowded marketplace by prohibiting these exchanges, even as they depend on them to strengthen relationships. Supervisors thus exercise discretion, sometimes reclassifying gift exchanges as punishable thefts. In this context, the commodification of care did not lead to the actual elimination of gift relations, but rather transformed gift relations into a suspicious and troublesome source of value.
Folic acid induces salicylic acid‐dependent immunity in Arabidopsis and enhances susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola
Authors: Wittek Finni , Kanawati Basem , Wenig Marion , Hoffmann Thomas , Franz‐Oberdorf Katrin , Schwab Wilfried , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe , Vlot A. Corina
Published: October 2014

Folates are essential for one‐carbon transfer reactions in all organisms and contribute, for example, to de novo DNA synthesis. Here, we detected the folate precursors 7,8‐dihydropteroate (DHP) and 4‐amino‐4‐deoxychorismate (ADC) in extracts from Arabidopsis thaliana plants by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance‐mass spectrometry. The accumulation of DHP, but not ADC, was induced after infection of plants with Pseudomonas syringae delivering the effector protein AvrRpm1. Application of folic acid or the DHP precursor 7,8‐dihydroneopterin (DHN) enhanced resistance in Arabidopsis to P. syringae and elevated the transcript accumulation of the salicylic acid (SA) marker gene PATHOGENESIS‐RELATED1 in both the treated and systemic untreated leaves. DHN‐ and folic acid‐induced systemic resistance was dependent on SA biosynthesis and signalling. Similar to SA, folic acid application locally enhanced Arabidopsis susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicicola. Together, the data associate the folic acid pathway with innate immunity in Arabidopsis, simultaneously activating local and systemic SA‐dependent resistance to P. syringae and suppressing local resistance to A. brassicicola.
Linking soil microbial communities to vascular plant abundance along a climate gradient
Authors: Bragazza Luca , Bardgett Richard D. , Mitchell Edward A. D. , Buttler Alexandre
Published: October 2014

The ongoing expansion of shrub cover in response to climate change represents a unique opportunity to explore the link between soil microbial communities and vegetation changes. This link is particularly important in peatlands where shrub expansion is expected to feed back negatively on the carbon sink capacity of these ecosystems.

Microbial community structure and function were measured seasonally in four peatlands located along an altitude gradient representing a natural gradient of climate and associated vascular plant abundance.

We show that increased soil temperature and reduced water content are associated with greater vascular plant biomass, in particular that of ericoids, and that this, in turn, is correlated with greater microbial biomass. More specifically, microbial community structure is characterized by an increasing dominance of fungi over bacteria with improved soil oxygenation. We also found that the carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry of microbial biomass differs in relation to soil microbial community structure and that this is ultimately associated with a different investment in extracellular enzymatic activity.

Our findings highlight the fact that the determination of the structural identity of microbial communities can help to explain the biogeochemical dynamics of organic matter and provide a better understanding of ecosystem response to environmental changes.