bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 exploits CCR5 conformational heterogeneity to escape inhibition by chemokines
Authors: Colin Philippe , Bénureau Yann , Staropoli Isabelle , Wang Yongjin , Gonzalez Nuria , Alcami Jose , Hartley Oliver , Brelot Anne , Arenzana-Seisdedos Fernando , Lagane Bernard
Published: May 2013

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a receptor for chemokines and the coreceptor for R5 HIV-1 entry into CD4+T lymphocytes. Chemokines exert anti–HIV-1 activity in vitro, both by displacing the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 from binding to CCR5 and by promoting CCR5 endocytosis, suggesting that they play a protective role in HIV infection. However, we showed here that different CCR5 conformations at the cell surface are differentially engaged by chemokines and gp120, making chemokines weaker inhibitors of HIV infection than would be expected from their binding affinity constants for CCR5. These distinct CCR5 conformations rely on CCR5 coupling to nucleotide-free G proteins (NFG proteins). Whereas native CCR5 chemokines bind with subnanomolar affinity toNFG protein-coupled CCR5, gp120/HIV-1 does not discriminate betweenNFG protein-coupled and uncoupled CCR5. Interestingly, the antiviral activity of chemokines is G protein independent, suggesting that “low-chemokine affinity”NFG protein-uncoupled conformations of CCR5 represent a portal for viral entry. Furthermore, chemokines are weak inducers of CCR5 endocytosis, as is revealed by EC50values for chemokine-mediated endocytosis reflecting their low-affinity constant value forNFG protein-uncoupled CCR5. Abolishing CCR5 interaction withNFG proteins eliminates high-affinity binding of CCR5 chemokines but preserves receptor endocytosis, indicating that chemokines preferentially endocytose low-affinity receptors. Finally, we evidenced that chemokine analogs achieve highly potent HIV-1 inhibition due to high-affinity interactions with internalizing and/or gp120-binding receptors. These data are consistent with HIV-1 evading chemokine inhibition by exploiting CCR5 conformational heterogeneity, shed light into the inhibitory mechanisms of anti–HIV-1 chemokine analogs, and provide insights for the development of unique anti–HIV molecules.
Founder effects initiated rapid species radiation in Hawaiian cave planthoppers
Authors: Wessel Andreas , Hoch Hannelore , Asche Manfred , von Rintelen Thomas , Stelbrink Björn , Heck Volker , Stone Fred D. , Howarth Francis G.
Published: May 2013

The Hawaiian Islands provide the venue of one of nature’s grand experiments in evolution. Here, we present morphological, behavioral, genetic, and geologic data from a young subterranean insect lineage in lava tube caves on Hawai‘i Island. The
Oliarus polyphemus
species complex has the potential to become a model for studying rapid speciation by stochastic events. All species in this lineage live in extremely similar environments but show strong differentiation in behavioral and morphometric characters, which are random with respect to cave age and geographic distribution. Our observation that phenotypic variability within populations decreases with increasing cave age challenges traditional views on founder effects. Furthermore, these cave populations are natural replicates that can be used to test the contradictory hypotheses. Moreover, Hawaiian cave planthoppers exhibit one of the highest speciation rates among animals and, thus, radically shift our perception on the evolutionary potential of obligate cavernicoles.
Glutathione and tryptophan metabolism are required for
Arabidopsis
immunity during the hypersensitive response to hemibiotrophs
Authors: Hiruma Kei , Fukunaga Satoshi , Bednarek Paweł , Piślewska-Bednarek Mariola , Watanabe Satoshi , Narusaka Yoshihiro , Shirasu Ken , Takano Yoshitaka
Published: May 2013

The hypersensitive response (HR) is a type of strong immune response found in plants that is accompanied by localized cell death. However, it is unclear how HR can block a broad range of pathogens with different infective modes. In this study, we report that γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase GSH1, which is critical for glutathione biosynthesis, and tryptophan (Trp) metabolism contribute to HR and block development of fungal pathogens with hemibiotrophic infective modes. We found that GSH1 is involved in the penetration2 (PEN2)-based entry control of the nonadapted hemibiotroph
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.
However,
Arabidopsis
mutants specifically defective in entry control terminated further growth of the pathogen in the presence of HR cell death, whereas
gsh1
mutants supported pathogen invasive growth
in planta
, demonstrating the requirement of GSH1 for postinvasive nonhost resistance. Remarkably, on the basis of the phenotypic and metabolic analysis of
Arabidopsis
mutants defective in Trp metabolism, we showed that biosynthesis of Trp-derived phytochemicals is also essential for resistance to
C. gloeosporioides
during postinvasive HR. By contrast, GSH1 and these metabolites are likely to be dispensable for the induction of cell death during postinvasive HR. Furthermore, the resistance to
Ralstonia solanacearum
1/resistance to
Pseudomonas syringae
4 dual
Resistance
gene-dependent immunity of
Arabidopsis
to the adapted hemibiotroph shared GSH1 and cytochromes P450 CYP79B2/CYP79B3 with postinvasive nonhost resistance, whereas resistance to
P. syringae
pv.
maculicola
1 and resistance to
P. syringae
2-based
Resistance
gene resistance against bacterial pathogens did not. These data suggest that the synthesis of glutathione and Trp-derived metabolites during HR play crucial roles in terminating the invasive growth of both nonadapted and adapted hemibiotrophs.
Mosaic genome structure of the barley powdery mildew pathogen and conservation of transcriptional programs in divergent hosts
Authors: Hacquard Stéphane , Kracher Barbara , Maekawa Takaki , Vernaldi Saskia , Schulze-Lefert Paul , Ver Loren van Themaat Emiel
Published: May 2013

Significance

Powdery mildew fungi are widespread plant pathogens with an obligate biotrophic lifestyle causing devastating damage to many crops.Blumeria graminisf. sp.hordei(Bgh) infects only barley and is engaged in an evolutionary arms race with the host immune system. Genome sequencing ofBghisolates revealed an isolate-specific mosaic of monomorphic and polymorphic DNA blocks, suggesting a mechanism that provides a large standing genetic variation in virulence polymorphisms. DetailedBghtranscriptome profiles during early pathogenesis on barley and immunocompromisedArabidopsisrevealed a conservedBghtranscriptional program despite ∼200 million years of reproductive isolation of these hosts.
Country-level operational implementation of the Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management
Authors: Hemingway Janet , Vontas John , Poupardin Rodolphe , Raman Jaishree , Lines Jo , Schwabe Chris , Matias Abrahan , Kleinschmidt Immo
Published: May 2013

Malaria control is reliant on the use of long-lasting pyrethroid-impregnated nets and/or indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticide. The rapid selection and spread of operationally significant pyrethroid resistance in African malaria vectors threatens our ability to sustain malaria control. Establishing whether resistance is operationally significant is technically challenging. Routine monitoring by bioassay is inadequate, and there are limited data linking resistance selection with changes in disease transmission. The default is to switch insecticides when resistance is detected, but limited insecticide options and resistance to multiple insecticides in numerous locations make this approach unsustainable. Detailed analysis of the resistance situation inAnopheles gambiaeon Bioko Island after pyrethroid resistance was detected in this species in 2004, and the IRS program switched to carbamate bendiocarb, has now been undertaken. The pyrethroid resistance selected is a target-site knock-down resistancekdr-form, on a background of generally elevated metabolic activity, compared with insecticide-susceptibleA. gambiae, but the major cytochrome P450-based metabolic pyrethroid resistance mechanisms are not present. The available evidence from bioassays and infection data suggests that the pyrethroid resistance mechanisms in Bioko malaria vectors are not operationally significant, and on this basis, a different, long-lasting pyrethroid formulation is now being reintroduced for IRS in a rotational insecticide resistance management program. This will allow control efforts to be sustained in a cost-effective manner while reducing the selection pressure for resistance to nonpyrethroid insecticides. The methods used provide a template for evidence-based insecticide resistance management by malaria control programs.
Toxicity of Copper Sulfate to Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Rainbow Trout Eggs
Authors: Wagner Eric J. , Oplinger Randall W.
Published: May 2013

Tests were conducted to determine the concentrations of copper sulfate needed to kill Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the cause of bacterial coldwater disease, either in vitro or on Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss eggs. For the in vitro test, a plastic strip dipped in a solution of F. psychrophilum was exposed for 15 min to copper sulfate solutions of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 35, 50, 75, or 100 mg/L. Bacteria were “too numerous to count” at concentrations ≤10 mg/L CuSO4; significant reductions in prevalence relative to untreated controls were noted for concentrations ≥35 mg/L. However, CFUs were still observed at 50 and 75 mg/L (20% of plates with tryptone yeast extract salts media). No yellow-pigmented CFUs typical of F. psychrophilum were observed at 100 mg/L CuSO4. For the in vivo test, eggs were exposed for 15 min to 100, 300, 500, and 700 mg/L CuSO4 or 100 mg/L iodine (control). Survival to hatch was significantly lower at 500 (44.3 ± 15.2%, mean ± SD) or 700 mg/L CuSO4 (1.7 ± 0.8%) than for controls treated with 100 mg/L iodine (93.6 ± 0.9%) or at copper sulfate concentrations ≤300 mg/L. The 15-min LD50 and LD10 for copper sulfate were 461 mg/L (95% confidence interval: 457–466 mg/L) and 259 mg/L (251–266 mg/L). The prevalence of yellow CFUs at 100 mg/L CuSO4 (40.0%) was significantly higher than in untreated controls. Significant reductions in yellow CFUs were achieved using 300, 500, or 700 mg/L CuSO4 (7.5, 2.5, or 0.0% of plates with CFUs, respectively) or 100 mg/L iodine (2.5%), relative to untreated control eggs. Overall, since the concentrations of copper sulfate required to eliminate F. psychrophilum were toxic to the eggs, copper sulfate is not recommended for coldwater disease control in Rainbow Trout eggs based on conditions and parameters in this study.

Received July 7, 2011; accepted March 17, 2013
Sustainable development, environmental education, and the significance of being in place
Authors: Bonnett Michael
Published: May 2013

This paper begins by locating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the context of education more broadly and identifies some key concepts that form a backcloth to understanding it and some tensions and curriculum issues to which it gives rise. The paper examines some of the strengths and problems of different interpretations of ESD and argues that its future as force for good depends on it becoming disentangled from the scientism that characterises much modern and late‐modern thinking. It is further argued that this can be achieved by a focus on the character of our engagement with place and that this can reveal what is truly environing, including the intrinsic normativity, agency and value of transcendent nature.
Expertise Facilitates the Transfer of Anticipation Skill across Domains
Authors: Rosalie Simon M. , Müller Sean
Published: May 2013

It is unclear whether perceptual–motor skill transfer is based upon similarity between the learning and transfer domains per identical elements theory, or facilitated by an understanding of underlying principles in accordance with general principle theory. Here, the predictions of identical elements theory, general principle theory, and aspects of a recently proposed model for the transfer of perceptual–motor skill with respect to expertise in the learning and transfer domains are examined. The capabilities of expert karate athletes, near-expert karate athletes, and novices to anticipate and respond to stimulus skills derived from taekwondo and Australian football were investigated in ecologically valid contexts using an in situ temporal occlusion paradigm and complex whole-body perceptual–motor skills. Results indicated that the karate experts and near-experts are as capable of using visual information to anticipate and guide motor skill responses as domain experts and near-experts in the taekwondo transfer domain, but only karate experts could perform like domain experts in the Australian football transfer domain. Findings suggest that transfer of anticipation skill is based upon expertise and an understanding of principles but may be supplemented by similarities that exist between the stimulus and response elements of the learning and transfer domains.
Burden of Hospital-OnsetClostridium difficileInfection in Patients Discharged from Rhode Island Hospitals, 2010–2011: Application of Present on Admission Indicators
Authors: Jiang Yongwen , Viner-Brown Samara , Baier Rosa
Published: May 2013

Objective.

The year 2010 is the first time that the Rhode Island hospital discharge database included present on admission (POA) indicators, which give us the opportunity to distinguish cases of hospital-onsetClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) from cases of community-onset CDI and to assess the burden of hospital-onset CDI in patients discharged from Rhode Island hospitals during 2010 and 2011.

Design.

Observational study.

Patients.

Patients 18 years of age or older discharged from one of Rhode Island's 11 acute-care hospitals between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011.

Methods.

Using the newly available POA indicators in the Rhode Island 2010 and 2011 hospital discharge database, we identified patients with hospital-onset CDI and without CDI. Adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics using propensity score matching, we measured between-group differences in mortality, length of stay, and cost for patients with hospital-onset CDI and without CDI.

Results.

In 2010 and 2011, the 11 acute-care hospitals in Rhode Island had 225,999 discharges. Of 4,531 discharged patients with CDI (2.0% of all discharges), 1,211 (26.7%) had hospital-onset CDI. After adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics, discharged patients with hospital-onset CDI were found to have higher mortality rates, longer lengths of stay, and higher costs than those without CDI.

Conclusions.

Our results highlight the burden of hospital-onset CDI in Rhode Island. These findings emphasize the need to track longitudinal trends to tailor and target population-health and quality-improvement initiatives.
Effects of the Crinivirus Coat Protein–Interacting Plant Protein SAHH on Post-Transcriptional RNA Silencing and Its Suppression
Authors: Cañizares M. Carmen , Lozano-Durán Rosa , Canto Tomás , Bejarano Eduardo R. , Bisaro David M. , Navas-Castillo Jesús , Moriones Enrique
Published: May 2013

In plants, post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a sequence-specific mechanism of RNA degradation induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is processed into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). siRNAs are methylated and, thereby, stabilized by the activity of the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent RNA methyltransferase HEN1. PTGS is amplified by host-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDR), which generate dsRNA that is processed into secondary siRNAs. To counteract this RNA silencing-mediated response of the host, plant viruses express proteins with silencing suppression activity. Here, we report that the coat protein (CP) of crinivirus (family Closteroviridae, genus Crinivirus) Tomato chlorosis virus, a known suppressor of silencing, interacts with S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), a plant protein essential for sustaining the methyl cycle and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase activity. Our results show that, by contributing to an increased accumulation of secondary siRNAs generated by the action of RDR6, SAHH enhances local RNA silencing. Although downregulation of SAHH prevents local silencing, it enhances the spread of systemic silencing. Our results also show that SAHH is important in the suppression of local RNA silencing not only by the crinivirus Tomato chlorosis virus CP but also by the multifunctional helper component-proteinase of the potyvirus Potato virus Y.
Trichosanthes kirilowii: A New Host of Cucurbit mild mosaic virus in China
Authors: Fan H. Y. , Tao T. , Dong S. W. , Li D. W. , Yu J. L. , Han C. G.
Published: May 2013

Chinese cucumber (Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.) is a type of perennial liana plant of the Cucurbitaceae family that is mainly distributed in East Asia and northern Australia. It is an important medicinal plant and commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs (2). During the summer and autumn of 2012, T. kirilowii plants showing symptoms of mild mosaic on the upper leaves and bright yellow color on the lower leaves were observed in the Haidian district of Beijing, China. Recently similar symptoms induced by Cucurbit mild mosaic virus (CuMMV) on squash have been reported. CuMMV is a new member of the genus Fabavirus in the Comovirinae subfamily, discovered in China in 2006 (1). Total RNA was extracted from five leaf samples of independent plants and used for reverse transcription with an oligo (dT)18 primer, followed by PCR with a pair of CuMMV virus-specific primers FaR13012F (5′-CGAGTGCGAGTTAGAAATTGGGATG-3′) and FaR15783R (5′-TCACTTTGAGGTGATAAAACAATCC-3′) to amplify a 2,772-bp fragment including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) coding region. The expected target fragment was obtained in all symptomatic plant samples but not from an asymptomatic plant. Nucleotide sequence comparison analysis showed that the virus isolated from T. kirilowii (GenBank Accession No. KC959843) had 95.33% nucleotide identity and 99.15% amino acid identity in the RdRp sequence with a CuMMV isolate from squash (GenBank Accession No. FJ194941) (1). In addition, symptomatic samples tested positive for CuMMV by Western blot using CuMMV small coat protein (SCP) specific polyclonal antibody (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. kirilowii as natural host of CuMMV in China. The impact of CuMMV on T. kirilowii production remains to be determined; however, the extended host range for this virus suggests a potential threat of CuMMV to cucurbit crops in China.

References: (1) S. W. Dong et al. Arch. Virol.157:597, 2012. (2) J. H. Hong et al. China Pharmacist 7:561, 2004.
Spilocaea oleagina in Olive Groves of Southern Spain: Survival, Inoculum Production, and Dispersal
Authors: Viruega J. R. , Moral J. , Roca L. F. , Navarro N. , Trapero A.
Published: May 2013

Olive scab caused by the mitosporic fungus Spilocaea oleagina is the most important foliar disease of olive. Limited information is available on pathogen survival and disease epidemiology; however, this information is essential for development of new control strategies. Pathogen survival and inoculum production on infected olive leaves and conidial dispersal were evaluated during 4 years in an olive orchard of the susceptible ‘Picual’ in southern Spain. Infected leaves in the tree canopy were important for pathogen survival and conidia production. The number of conidia per square centimeter of scab lesion and their viability varied greatly throughout the seasons and between years; conidial density in lesions was highest (about 1 to 5 × 105 conidia cm–2) from November to February in favorable years. Conidial density declined sharply in other periods of the year (becoming zero in summer) or in less favorable years. The pathogen did not form new conidia in scab lesions, although some pseudothecia-like structures and chlamydospores were detected on fallen leaves. Under humid conditions, the pathogen could not be detected on fallen leaves after 3 months because the leaves were colonized by saprophytic fungi. The dispersal of conidia as a function of distance from infected leaves in the tree canopy was well described by an exponential model which, together with the lack of conidia in a Burkard spore trap, showed that conidia were mainly rain-splash dispersed. Some trapped conidia were attached to olive leaf trichomes, suggesting that detached trichomes might enhance wind dispersal of conidia.
Optimizing Preoperative Blood Ordering with Data Acquired from an Anesthesia Information Management System
Authors: Frank Steven M. , Rothschild James A. , Masear Courtney G. , Rivers Richard J. , Merritt William T. , Savage Will J. , Ness Paul M.
Published: May 2013

Background:

The maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) is used to determine preoperative blood orders for specific surgical procedures. Because the list was developed in the late 1970s, many new surgical procedures have been introduced and others improved upon, making the original MSBOS obsolete. The authors describe methods to create an updated, institution-specific MSBOS to guide preoperative blood ordering.

Methods:

Blood utilization data for 53,526 patients undergoing 1,632 different surgical procedures were gathered from an anesthesia information management system. A novel algorithm based on previously defined criteria was used to create an MSBOS for each surgical specialty. The economic implications were calculated based on the number of blood orders placed, but not indicated, according to the MSBOS.

Results:

Among 27,825 surgical cases that did not require preoperative blood orders as determined by the MSBOS, 9,099 (32.7%) had a type and screen, and 2,643 (9.5%) had a crossmatch ordered. Of 4,644 cases determined to require only a type and screen, 1,509 (32.5%) had a type and crossmatch ordered. By using the MSBOS to eliminate unnecessary blood orders, the authors calculated a potential reduction in hospital charges and actual costs of $211,448 and $43,135 per year, respectively, or $8.89 and $1.81 per surgical patient, respectively.

Conclusions:

An institution-specific MSBOS can be created, using blood utilization data extracted from an anesthesia information management system along with our proposed algorithm. Using these methods to optimize the process of preoperative blood ordering can potentially improve operating room efficiency, increase patient safety, and decrease costs.
Feasibility and Biomechanics of Multilevel Arthroplasty and Combined Cervical Arthrodesis and Arthroplasty
Authors: Safavi-Abbasi Sam , Reyes Phillip M. , Abjornson Celeste , Crawford Neil R.
Published: May 2013

Study Design:

A new experimental protocol was applied utilizing a simplified postural control model. Multiple constructs were tested nondestructively by interconnecting segmental rods to screws.

Objective:

To investigate how posture and distribution of segmental angles under physiological loads are affected by combined cervical arthroplasty and fusion.

Summary of Background Data:

Previous studies of biomechanics of multilevel arthroplasty have focused on range of motion and intradiscal pressure. No previous study has investigated postural changes and segmental angle distribution.

Methods:

In 7 human cadaveric C3–T1 specimens, C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7 disks were replaced with ProDisc-C (Synthes). Combinations of fusion (f) adjacent to arthroplasty (A) were simulated at C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7, respectively: fAA, AfA, AAf, ffA, fAf, Aff, fff. C3–C4 and C7–T1 remained intact. A compressive belt apparatus simulated normal muscle cocontraction and gravitational preload; C3–C4, C4–C5, C5–C6, C6–C7, and C7–T1 motions were tracked independently. Parameters studied were segmental postural compensation, neutral buckling, and shift in sagittal plane instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR).

Results:

With one or more levels unfused, the arthroplasty levels preferentially moved toward upright posture before the intact levels. Neutral buckling was greatest for 3-level arthroplasty, less for 2-level arthroplasty, and least for 1-level arthroplasty. Among the three 1-level arthroplasty groups (ffA, fAf, Aff), arthroplasty at the caudalmost level resulted in significantly greater buckling than with arthroplasty rostralmost or at mid-segment (P<0.04, analysis of variance/Holm-Sidak). Although IAR location was related to buckling, this correlation did not reach significance (P=0.112).

Conclusions:

Arthroplasty levels provide the “path of least resistance,” through which the initial motion is more likely to occur. The tendency for specimens to buckle under vertical compression became greater with more arthroplasty levels. Buckling appeared more severe with arthroplasty more caudal. Buckling only moderately correlated to shifts in IAR, meaning slight malpositioning of the devices would not necessarily cause buckling.
Management of Pharyngeal Fistulas After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Simon Christian , Fürstenberg Carl H. , Eichler Markus , Rohde Stefan , Bulut Cem , Wiedenhöfer Bernd
Published: May 2013

Study Design:

This study is a retrospective database query to identify all anterior spinal approaches.

Objectives:

The objectives were to assess all patients with pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) after anterior cervical spine surgery.

Summary of Background Data:

Patients with the diagnosis of PCFs were treated at the University of Heidelberg Spine Medical Center, Spinal Cord Injury Unit and Department of Otolaryngology (Germany), between 2005 and 2011.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study on 5 patients with PCF after anterior cervical spine surgery between 2005 and 2011 and analyzed their therapy management and outcome on the basis of the radiologic data and patient charts.

Results:

Upon presentation, 4 patients were paraplegic. Two patients had PCF arising from 1 piriform sinus, 2 patients had PCF arising from the posterior pharyngeal wall and piriform sinus combined, and 1 patient had PCF arising only from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Two patients previously underwent unsuccessful surgical repair elsewhere and 1 patient underwent a prior radiation therapy. In 3 patients, speech and swallowing could be completely restored. Two patients died, both of whom were paraplegic. The patients were needed to undergo an average of 2 or 3 procedures for complete functional recovery of primary closure with various vascularized regional flaps and refining laser procedures supplemented with the negative pressure wound therapy wherever needed.

Conclusions:

On the basis of our experience, we are able to provide a treatment algorithm that indicates that chronic, as opposed to acute, fistulas require a primary surgical closure combined with a vascularized flap that should be accompanied by the immediate application of a negative pressure wound therapy. We also conclude that particularly in paraplegic patients suffering from this complication the risk for a fatal outcome is substantial.
Facial attractiveness is related to women's cortisol and body fat, but not with immune responsiveness
Authors: Rantala Markus J. , Coetzee Vinet , Moore Fhionna R. , Skrinda Ilona , Kecko Sanita , Krama Tatjana , Kivleniece Inese , Krams Indrikis
Published: May 2013

Recent studies suggest that facial attractiveness indicates immune responsiveness in men and that this relationship is moderated by stress hormones which interact with testosterone levels. However, studies testing whether facial attractiveness in women signals their immune responsiveness are lacking. Here, we photographed young Latvian women, vaccinated them against hepatitis B and measured the amount of specific antibodies produced, cortisol levels and percentage body fat. Latvian men rated the attractiveness of the women's faces. Interestingly, in women, immune responsiveness (amount of antibodies produced) did not predict facial attractiveness. Instead, plasma cortisol level was negatively associated with attractiveness, indicating that stressed women look less attractive. Fat percentage was curvilinearly associated with facial attractiveness, indicating that being too thin or too fat reduces attractiveness. Our study suggests that in contrast to men, facial attractiveness in women does not indicate immune responsiveness against hepatitis B, but is associated with two other aspects of long-term health and fertility: circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol and percentage body fat.
Visualization of system dynamics using phasegrams
Authors: Herbst Christian T. , Herzel Hanspeter , Švec Jan G. , Wyman Megan T. , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: May 2013

A new tool for visualization and analysis of system dynamics is introduced: the
phasegram
. Its application is illustrated with both classical nonlinear systems (logistic map and Lorenz system) and with biological voice signals. Phasegrams combine the advantages of sliding-window analysis (such as the spectrogram) with well-established visualization techniques from the domain of nonlinear dynamics. In a phasegram, time is mapped onto the
x
-axis, and various vibratory regimes, such as periodic oscillation, subharmonics or chaos, are identified within the generated graph by the number and stability of horizontal lines. A phasegram can be interpreted as a bifurcation diagram in time. In contrast to other analysis techniques, it can be automatically constructed from time-series data alone: no additional system parameter needs to be known. Phasegrams show great potential for signal classification and can act as the quantitative basis for further analysis of oscillating systems in many scientific fields, such as physics (particularly acoustics), biology or medicine.
Bi-stiffness property of motion structures transformed into square cells
Authors: Tanaka Hiro
Published: May 2013

Cellular solids with internal microstructures enable the reduction in some environmental loads because of their lightweight bodies, and deliver unique elastic, electromagnetic and thermal properties. In particular, their large deformability without topological change is one of their most interesting solid properties. In this study, we propose a bar-and-joint framework assembled with a basic unit of motion structure, which has eightfold rotational symmetry (MS-8). The MS-8 is made of tetragons, arranged in a concentric fashion, which are transformed into either one of two different aligned patterns of square cells according to the coordinated rotations of the inside squares. Square cells are extremely anisotropic, which is why the stiffness of the MS-8 changes dramatically in the transformation process. Thus, the MS-8 exhibits bi-stiffness according to the two different motions. Taking advantage of the bi-stiffness property, the possibilities of deformation behaviours for repetitive structures of MS-8s are discussed.
More than a colour change: insect melanism, disease resistance and fecundity
Authors: Dubovskiy I. M. , Whitten M. M. A. , Kryukov V. Y. , Yaroslavtseva O. N. , Grizanova E. V. , Greig C. , Mukherjee K. , Vilcinskas A. , Mitkovets P. V. , Glupov V. V. , Butt T. M.
Published: May 2013

A ‘dark morph’ melanic strain of the greater wax moth,
Galleria mellonella
, was studied for its atypical, heightened resistance to infection with the entomopathogenic fungus,
Beauveria bassiana
. We show that these insects exhibit multiple intraspecific immunity and physiological traits that distinguish them from a non-melanic, fungus-susceptible morph. The melanic and non-melanic morphs were geographical variants that had evolved different, independent defence strategies. Melanic morphs exhibit a thickened cuticle, higher basal expression of immunity- and stress-management-related genes, higher numbers of circulating haemocytes, upregulated cuticle phenoloxidase (PO) activity concomitant with conidial invasion, and an enhanced capacity to encapsulate fungal particles. These insects prioritize specific augmentations to those frontline defences that are most likely to encounter invading pathogens or to sustain damage. Other immune responses that target late-stage infection, such as haemolymph lysozyme and PO activities, do not contribute to fungal tolerance. The net effect is increased larval survival times, retarded cuticular fungal penetration and a lower propensity to develop haemolymph infections when challenged naturally (topically) and by injection. In the absence of fungal infection, however, the heavy defence investments made by melanic insects result in a lower biomass, decreased longevity and lower fecundity in comparison with their non-melanic counterparts. Although melanism is clearly correlated with increased fungal resistance, the costly mechanisms enabling this protective trait constitute more than just a colour change.
Diurnal lighting patterns and habitat alter opsin expression and colour preferences in a killifish
Authors: Johnson Ashley M. , Stanis Shannon , Fuller Rebecca C.
Published: May 2013

Spatial variation in lighting environments frequently leads to population variation in colour patterns, colour preferences and visual systems. Yet lighting conditions also vary diurnally, and many aspects of visual systems and behaviour vary over this time scale. Here, we use the bluefin killifish (
Lucania goodei
) to compare how diurnal variation and habitat variation (clear versus tannin-stained water) affect opsin expression and the preference to peck at different-coloured objects. Opsin expression was generally lowest at midnight and dawn, and highest at midday and dusk, and this diurnal variation was many times greater than variation between habitats. Pecking preference was affected by both diurnal and habitat variation but did not correlate with opsin expression. Rather, pecking preference matched lighting conditions, with higher preferences for blue at noon and for red at dawn/dusk, when these wavelengths are comparatively scarce. Similarly, blue pecking preference was higher in tannin-stained water where blue wavelengths are reduced. In conclusion,
L. goodei
exhibits strong diurnal cycles of opsin expression, but these are not tightly correlated with light intensity or colour. Temporally variable pecking preferences probably result from lighting environment rather than from opsin production. These results may have implications for the colour pattern diversity observed in these fish.
Pleiotropy of
FRIGIDA
enhances the potential for multivariate adaptation
Authors: Lovell John T. , Juenger Thomas E. , Michaels Scott D. , Lasky Jesse R. , Platt Alexander , Richards James H. , Yu Xuhong , Easlon Hsien M. , Sen Saunak , McKay John K.
Published: May 2013

An evolutionary response to selection requires genetic variation; however, even if it exists, then the genetic details of the variation can constrain adaptation. In the simplest case, unlinked loci and uncorrelated phenotypes respond directly to multivariate selection and permit unrestricted paths to adaptive peaks. By contrast, ‘antagonistic’ pleiotropic loci may constrain adaptation by affecting variation of many traits and limiting the direction of trait correlations to vectors that are not favoured by selection. However, certain pleiotropic configurations may improve the conditions for adaptive evolution. Here, we present evidence that the
Arabidopsis thaliana
gene
FRI
(
FRIGIDA
) exhibits ‘adaptive’ pleiotropy, producing trait correlations along an axis that results in two adaptive strategies. Derived, low expression
FRI
alleles confer a ‘drought escape’ strategy owing to fast growth, low water use efficiency and early flowering. By contrast, a dehydration avoidance strategy is conferred by the ancestral phenotype of late flowering, slow growth and efficient water use during photosynthesis. The dehydration avoidant phenotype was recovered when genotypes with null
FRI
alleles were transformed with functional alleles. Our findings indicate that the well-documented effects of
FRI
on phenology result from differences in physiology, not only a simple developmental switch.
Unliganded progesterone receptor-mediated targeting of an RNA-containing repressive complex silences a subset of hormone-inducible genes
Authors: Vicent Guillermo Pablo , Nacht A. Silvina , Zaurin Roser , Font-Mateu Jofre , Soronellas Daniel , Le Dily Francois , Reyes Diana , Beato Miguel
Published: May 2013

A close chromatin conformation precludes gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Genes activated by external cues have to overcome this repressive state by locally changing chromatin structure to a more open state. Although much is known about hormonal gene activation, how basal repression of regulated genes is targeted to the correct sites throughout the genome is not well understood. Here we report that in breast cancer cells, the unliganded progesterone receptor (PR) binds genomic sites and targets a repressive complex containing HP1γ (heterochromatin protein 1γ), LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1), HDAC1/2, CoREST (corepressor for REST [RE1 {neuronal repressor element 1} silencing transcription factor]), KDM5B, and the RNA SRA (steroid receptor RNA activator) to 20% of hormone-inducible genes, keeping these genes silenced prior to hormone treatment. The complex is anchored via binding of HP1γ to H3K9me3 (histone H3 tails trimethylated on Lys 9). SRA interacts with PR, HP1γ, and LSD1, and its depletion compromises the loading of the repressive complex to target chromatin-promoting aberrant gene derepression. Upon hormonal treatment, the HP1γ–LSD1 complex is displaced from these constitutively poorly expressed genes as a result of rapid phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser 10 mediated by MSK1, which is recruited to the target sites by the activated PR. Displacement of the repressive complex enables the loading of coactivators needed for chromatin remodeling and activation of this set of genes, including genes involved in apoptosis and cell proliferation. These results highlight the importance of the unliganded PR in hormonal regulation of breast cancer cells.
A small RNA serving both the Hfq and CsrA regulons
Authors: Holmqvist Erik , Vogel Jörg
Published: May 2013

The abundant RNA-binding proteins CsrA and Hfq each impact bacterial physiology by working in conjunction with small RNAs to control large post-transcriptional regulons. The small RNAs involved were considered mechanistically distinct, regulating mRNAs either directly through Hfq-mediated base-pairing or indirectly by sequestering the global translational repressor CsrA. In this issue of Genes & Development, Jørgensen and colleagues (pp. 1132–1145) blur these distinctions with a dual-mechanism small RNA that acts through both Hfq and CsrA to regulate the formation of bacterial biofilms.
Deletion of a Tandem Gene Family in Arabidopsis: Increased MEKK2 Abundance Triggers Autoimmunity when the MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 Signaling Cascade Is Disrupted
Authors: Su Shih-Heng , Bush Susan M. , Zaman Najia , Stecker Kelly , Sussman Michael R. , Krysan Patrick
Published: May 2013

An Arabidopsis thaliana mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade composed of MEKK1, MKK1/MKK2, and MPK4 was previously described as a negative regulator of defense response. MEKK1 encodes a MAP kinase kinase kinase and is a member of a tandemly duplicated gene family with MEKK2 and MEKK3. Using T-DNA insertion lines, we isolated a novel deletion mutant disrupting this gene family and found it to be phenotypically wild-type, in contrast with the mekk1 dwarf phenotype. Follow-up genetic analyses indicated that MEKK2 is required for the mekk1, mkk1 mkk2, and mpk4 autoimmune phenotypes. We next analyzed a T-DNA insertion in the MEKK2 promoter region and found that although it does not reduce the basal expression of MEKK2, it does prevent the upregulation of MEKK2 that is observed in mpk4 plants. This mekk2 allele can rescue the mpk4 autoimmune phenotype in a dosage-dependent manner. We also found that expression of constitutively active MPK4 restored MEKK2 abundance to wild-type levels in mekk1 mutant plants. Finally, using mass spectrometry, we showed that MEKK2 protein levels mirror MEKK2 mRNA levels. Taken together, our results indicate that activated MPK4 is responsible for regulating MEKK2 RNA abundance. In turn, the abundance of MEKK2 appears to be under cellular surveillance such that a modest increase can trigger defense response activation.
Measuring clothing image similarity with bundled features
Authors: Chen Qijin , Li Jituo , Liu Zheng , Lu Guodong , Bi Xinyu , Wang Bei
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Clothing retrieval is very useful to help the clients to efficiently search out the apparel they want. Currently, the mainstream clothing retrieval methods are attribute semantics based, which however are inconvenient for common clients. The purpose of this paper is to provide an easy‐to‐operate apparels retrieval mode with the authors' novel approach of clothing image similarity measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measure the similarity between two clothing images by computing the weighted similarities between their bundled features. Each bundled feature consists of the point features (SIFT) which are further quantified into local visual words in a maximally stable extremal region (MSER). The authors weight the importance of bundled features by the precision of SIFT quantification and local word frequency that reflects the frequency of the common visual words appeared in two bundled features. The bundled features similarity is computed from two aspects: local word frequency; and SIFTs distance matrix that records the distances between every two SIFTs in a bundled feature.

Findings

Local word frequencies improves the recognition between two bundled features with the same common visual words but different local word frequency. SIFTs distance matrix has the merits of scale invariance and rotation invariance. Experimental results show that this approach works well in the situations with large clothing deformation, background exchange and part hidden, etc. And the similarity measurement of Weight+Bundled+LWF+SDM is the best.

Originality/value

This paper presents an apparel retrieval mode based on local visual features, and presents a new algorithm for bundled feature matching and apparel similarity measurement.
Effect of organizational culture on employee commitment in the Indian IT services sourcing industry
Authors: Messner Wolfgang
Published: May 2013

Purpose

As clients of India's IT services providers continue to complain about knowledge loss caused by high attrition rates in their offshore delivery factories, the linkages between organizational culture and commitment of the Indian employee base are of interest to researchers as well as practitioners. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected in the first half of 2012 through the ICCA™ appraisal framework from 291 Indian IT executives and managers working for two IT services sourcing provider organizations in Pune and Bangalore, India. To analyse the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used together with multiple regression and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Taken together, this research makes several contributions. First, the results of data analysis exhibit that, among the organizational culture dimensions, in‐group collectivism and performance orientation are the antecedents with the biggest effect on employee commitment. Other culture dimensions show varying degree of positive and negative influence on employee commitment. Second, this paper contributes to the cross‐cultural generalizability discussion of employee commitment. The data analysis unveils a stronger correlation between affective and normative commitment in the Indian context as compared to other North American studies. Third, it supports suggestions put forward in other research that continuance commitment should be split into the two subfactors c/alternative and c/sacrifice.

Practical implications

It is proposed that the Indian IT services sourcing industry should be adept at thinking about employee commitment from an organizational culture point of view.

Originality/value

The proposed model of this research posits and proves that employee commitment in an Indian IT services offshoring context is influenced by organizational culture.
Factors involved in intensive care unit mortality following medical retrieval: Identifying differences between intensive care unit survivors and non‐survivors
Authors: Visser Philip , Harriss Linton R , Hart Graeme K , Bohensky Megan , Sundaresan Lalitha , Kennedy Marcus
Published: May 2013

Objective

The study aimed to determine factors related to ICU mortality in critically ill patients transferred by Adult Retrieval Victoria (ARV) medical staff. Patients who died in ICU after interhospital transfer were compared against those who survived.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of ARV cases between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2010. Retrieval data were linked with data from the ANZICS CORE APD (Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation Adult Patient Database). Victoria Data Linkage (VDL) performed linkage of data. Data included demographic and clinical data obtained during transfer and clinical data recorded in ICU.

Results

Of the 601 cases transferred by ARV during the study period, 549 cases were eligible for linkage to 25 543 ANZICS APD case records for the same period. VDL matched 460 of these cases (83.8%). Mortality rate in the matched sample was 13.9%. Variables associated with mortality were: advanced age (odds ratios [OR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.04, P = 0.02), principal referral problem cardiac (OR 1.84, 95%CI 1.02–3.32, P = 0.04), lower mean arterial blood pressure (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99, P = 0.005) and tachycardia (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, P = 0.008) on arrival at destination hospital.

Conclusions

Advanced age, lower mean arterial blood pressure and tachycardia towards the completion of transfer were associated with increased ICU mortality in this population. Clinicians should be aware of the additional risk for cardiac patients.
Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) analysis of Tenebrio molitor larvae
Authors: Jeong Ji Eun , Kang Se Won , Hwang Hee Ju , Chae Sung‐Hwa , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Han Yeon Soo , Lee Jae Bong , Jo Yong Hun , Lee Bok Leul , Seog Dae‐Hyun , Lee Yong Seok
Published: May 2013

Tenebrio molitor has been seriously investigated as a model insect in elucidating Toll signaling pathway and related regulators of innate immunity. However, little is known with regards to the genomic information in T. molitor. In an attempt towards exploiting the rich transcriptomics data that would offer further insights into the study on insect immunity through potential screening of immune‐related genes in the model insect, we constructed a cDNA library (library titer = 5.0 × 105pfu/ml) of T. molitor larvae and analyzed expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences from 1056 clones. The base calling and quality check of obtained chromatogram files were performed by using the Phred program (trim_alt 0.05 (P‐score > 20). After removal of vector and 100 bp and less sequences, 1023 sequences were generated having an average insert size of 792 bp, including 160 clusters, 164 contigs and 387 singletons through clustering and assembling process using the TGI Clustering Tools (TGICL) package. The unique EST sequences were searched against the NCBI nr database by local BLAST (blastx, E < e−5) with 940 sequences showing significant hits. Subsequently, KOG (clusters of orthologous groups for eukaryotic complete genomes) analysis was conducted (blastx, E < e−10) towards prediction of transcriptomal functions, leading to the categorization of 638 genes. The majority of genes belonged to Z category (cytoskeleton‐related genes), R category (general function prediction), and C category (energy production and conversion related genes). These basic EST datasets and their bioinformatics analysis will be helpful in investigating the biological mechanism and molecular pathway related genes involved in innate immunity mechanisms of T. molitor.
Four new species of the linyphiid spider genus Arcuphantes (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from Korea
Authors: Seo Bo Keun
Published: May 2013

Four new Arcuphantes species are described: Arcuphante longipollex n. sp., Arcuphante profundus n. sp., Arcuphante rarus n. sp. and Arcuphante trifidus n. sp. Descriptions, diagnoses and illustrations of these new species are provided.