bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From induced resistance to defence in plant‐insect interactions
Authors: Poelman Erik H.
Published: September 2015

Plant–insect interactions typically take place in complex settings of interactions among multiple trophic levels as well as multiple species in each trophic level. The complex interaction network may strongly impact on extrapolations of resistance traits to have a defensive function. For example, the induced response plants express to their current attacker often enhances resistance to that attacker, but may make a plant more susceptible to attack by another herbivore. Hence, the defensive function or plant fitness benefit of the response to a single attacker may be misinterpreted from pairwise interactions. Moreover, plant physiological responses to a first stress by herbivory may hamper the response to a second stress and lead to conclusions of maladaptation in plant defence responses. In light of the entire community of attackers and beneficial organisms the plant interacts with, the susceptibility to some attackers may be a consequence of adaptations that reduce fitness costs of herbivory when considering the full sweep of species that affect plant fitness. A similar argumentation may apply for indirect resistance in which predators or parasitoids dampen the effect of herbivores on plants. Plant volatiles that attract third trophic level organisms such as parasitoids may at the same time attract enemies of the parasitoids in the fourth trophic level, hyperparasitoids, which again dampen the effect of parasitoids on herbivores. In addition, the effectiveness of predators and parasitoids may be dependent on habitat complexity. Here, I plea for studies on the full plant‐associated community to understand the fitness outcome of an (induced) plant trait and hence coin it induced direct or indirect plant defence.
Responses of adult Hydrellia lagarosiphon to a revised diet: implications for life cycle studies and laboratory culturing techniques
Authors: Mangan Rosie , Dirilgen Tara , Baars Jan‐Robert
Published: September 2015

Preservation of an insect culture under laboratory conditions is essential for its study. Numerous diets have been developed for entomophagous insects undergoing screening as biological control agents in attempts to improve the nutritional quality of food provided in laboratory settings. However, less emphasis has been given to developing a more effective laboratory diet for phytophagous insects with the adult life stage not dependant on the target species. The larvae of Hydrellia lagarosiphon Deeming (Diptera: Ephydridae) mine the leaves of Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager (Hydrocharitaceae). This species is currently under consideration as a biological control agent of this aquatic invasive. Rearing techniques for the adult stage of other Hydrellia species have been developed but current diets are not ideal as they result in relatively low reproduction rates. We compared alternative nutritional regimes and quantified their impact on life history attributes of H. lagarosiphon. The diets included the previously developed yeast‐sugar diet, a newly developed insect‐derived diet, and a diet that combined the two. Total fecundity was significantly higher for females on an insect‐derived diet compared with the traditional carbohydrate diet and the net reproductive rate (Ro) was also higher. Population doubling time (Td) was lower, decreasing by 30% compared to the traditional laboratory diet developed for Hydrellia species. Adult females fed the combination diet, including both insect and non‐insect foods, laid 30% fewer eggs than those reared on an insect diet alone. Consequently, insect‐derived nutritional regimes could improve culturing techniques significantly and if permission to release the agent is granted, this diet may benefit mass rearing efforts potentially saving time and reducing associated costs.
Differential survival and reproduction in colour forms of Philaenus spumarius give new insights to the study of its balanced polymorphism
Authors: SILVA SARA E. , RODRIGUES ANA S. B. , MARABUTO EDUARDO , YURTSEVER SELÇUK , BORGES PAULO A. V. , QUARTAU JOSÉ A. , PAULO OCTÁVIO S. , SEABRA SOFIA G.
Published: September 2015

1. Colour polymorphisms are common across animals and are often the result of complex selection regimes. Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) shows a widely studied dorsal colour polymorphism with several described phenotypes whose variation in their occurrence and frequency, as well as their maintenance across time, have been reported. Several selective influences have been suggested to play a role, but the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of this polymorphism are still poorly understood.

2. To explore the adaptive significance of the colour polymorphism of P. spumarius, an experiment was conducted in captivity under semi‐natural conditions to measure survival, reproductive success, and duration of egg maturation.

3. It was found that there was higher longevity, a higher number of oviposition events, and a higher number of eggs laid by trilineatus phenotype females than by typicus and marginellus, supporting previous reports of an increase in trilineatus frequency during the season. The duration of egg maturation did not differ among phenotypes.

4. The higher longevity and fertility of the trilineatus phenotype may compensate, for example, the higher rate of attack by parasitoids and/or higher solar radiation reflectance in this phenotype, which have already been reported in previous studies, constituting a possible mechanism for the maintenance of this polymorphism.
Differential contribution of Ih to the integration of excitatory synaptic inputs in substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Masi Alessio , Narducci Roberto , Resta Francesco , Carbone Carmen , Kobayashi Kazuto , Mannaioni Guido
Published: September 2015

The selective vulnerability of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons is an enigmatic trait of Parkinson's disease (PD), especially if compared to the remarkable resistance of closely related DA neurons in the neighboring ventral tegmental area (VTA). Overall evidence indicates that specific electrophysiological, metabolic and molecular factors underlie SNc vulnerability, although many pieces of the puzzle are still missing. In this respect, we recently demonstrated that 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of the parkinsonizing toxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), alters the electrophysiological properties of SNc DA neurons in vitro by inhibiting the hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih). Here, we present an electrophysiological investigation of the functional role of Ih in the integration of synaptic inputs in identified SNc and VTA DA neurons, comparatively, in acute midbrain slices from TH‐GFP mice. We show that pharmacological suppression of Ih increases the amplitude and decay time of excitatory postsynaptic potentials, leading to temporal summation of multiple excitatory potentials at somatic level. Importantly, these effects are quantitatively more evident in SNc DA neurons. We conclude that Ih regulates the responsiveness to excitatory synaptic transmission in SNc and VTA DA neurons differentially. Finally, we present the hypothesis that Ih loss of function may be linked to PD trigger mechanisms, such as mitochondrial failure and ATP depletion, and act in concert with SNc‐specific synaptic connectivity to promote selective vulnerability.
Kick with the finger: symbolic actions shape motor cortex excitability
Authors: Betti Sonia , Castiello Umberto , Sartori Luisa
Published: September 2015

A large body of research indicates that observing actions made by others is associated with corresponding motor facilitation of the observer's corticospinal system. However, it is still controversial whether this matching mechanism strictly reflects the kinematics of the observed action or its meaning. To test this issue, motor evoked potentials induced by single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from hand and leg muscles while participants observed a symbolic action carried out with the index finger, but classically performed with the leg (i.e., a soccer penalty kick). A control condition in which participants observed a similar (but not symbolic) hand movement was also included. Results showed that motor facilitation occurs both in the observer's hand (first dorsal interosseous) and leg (quadriceps femoris) muscles. The present study provides evidence that both the kinematics and the symbolic value of an observed action are able to modulate motor cortex excitability. The human motor system is thus not only involved in mirroring observed actions but is also finely tuned to their symbolic value.
Testing the effects of diversity on ecosystem multifunctionality using a multivariate model
Authors: Dooley Áine , Isbell Forest , Kirwan Laura , Connolly John , Finn John A. , Brophy Caroline
Published: September 2015

Most ecosystems provide multiple services, thus the impact of biodiversity losses on ecosystem functions may be considerably underestimated by studies that only address single functions. We propose a multivariate modelling framework for quantifying the relationship between biodiversity and multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality). Our framework consolidates the strengths of previous approaches to analysing ecosystem multifunctionality and contributes several advances. It simultaneously assesses the drivers of multifunctionality, such as species relative abundances, richness, evenness and other manipulated treatments. It also tests the relative importance of these drivers across functions, incorporates correlations among functions and identifies conditions where all functions perform well and where trade‐offs occur among functions. We illustrate our framework using data from three ecosystem functions (sown biomass, weed suppression and nitrogen yield) in a four‐species grassland experiment. We found high variability in performance across the functions in monocultures, but as community diversity increased, performance increased and variability across functions decreased.
Customer‐Base Management in Network Industries: The Moderating Role of Network Size and Market Growth
Authors: Maicas Juan P. , Sese F. Javier
Published: September 2015

The study of network industries has emerged as an important research theme. In these markets, the customer base is a critical strategic asset for assessing the firm's current and future competitive position. To manage the customer base optimally in these industries, it is crucial to understand the key drivers of customer acquisition and retention. In this study, we integrate strategic and customer management research and provide a framework to understand the direct role of price and the moderating influences of two central characteristics of network markets, namely, network size and market growth, on a firm's ability to acquire and retain customers. The proposed framework is empirically tested in the European mobile communications industry using a longitudinal panel that contains information (quarterly data during 1998 to 2008) for 65 companies in 19 European markets. Our findings offer mixed support for the proposed framework as they reveal that, while network size and market growth do moderate the effect of price on customer acquisition, they only exert a direct influence on customer retention.
Improvement of lipoatrophy by switching from efavirenz to lopinavir/ritonavir
Authors: Rojas J , Lonca M , Imaz A , Estrada V , Asensi V , Miralles C , Domingo P , Montero M , del Rio L , Fontdevila J , Perez I , Cruceta A , Gatell JM , Arnedo M , Martínez E
Published: September 2015

Objective

To assess whether changes in antiretroviral drugs other than thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) may have a body fat impact in HIV‐infected patients with lipoatrophy.

Methods

Ninety‐six‐week phase IV, open‐label, multicentre, pilot randomized trial. HIV‐infected patients with moderate/severe lipoatrophy at one or more body sites despite long‐term thymidine NRTI‐free therapy were randomized to continue their efavirenz (EFV)‐based antiretroviral regimen or to switch from EFV to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). The primary endpoint was the absolute change in limb fat mass measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry from baseline to 96 weeks. Changes in other body fat measurements, subjective perception of lipoatrophy, subcutaneous fat gene expression and plasma lipids were also assessed.

Results

Thirty‐three patients (73% men, median age 52 years) were recruited. At 96 weeks, absolute limb fat mass increased in the LPV/r arm vs. the EFV arm (estimated difference +1082.1 g; 95% CI +63.7 to +2103.5; P = 0.04); this difference remained significant after adjustment by gender, age, fat mass, body mass index and CD4 cell count at baseline. Subjective lipoatrophy perception scores also improved in the LPV/r arm relative to the EFV arm. Adipogenesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial gene expression increased in the LPV/r arm compared with the EFV arm at 96 weeks. HDL cholesterol decreased in the LPV/r arm relative to the EFV arm.

Conclusions

Switching from EFV to LPV/r in HIV‐infected patients with lipoatrophy may offer further limb fat gain beyond thymidine NRTI discontinuation, although this strategy decreased plasma HDL cholesterol and caused changes in subcutaneous fat gene expression that may be associated with increased insulin resistance.
Agreement between 2D and 3D radiographic outcome assessment one year after periapical surgery
Authors: von Arx T. , Janner S. F. M. , Hänni S. , Bornstein M. M.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To compare 2D with 3D radiography in assessing the treatment outcome 1 year after periapical surgery.

Methodology

In this prospective study, periapical radiographs (PA) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed 1 year after periapical surgery. Three calibrated observers independently evaluated the radiographs for the presence and type of periapical radiolucencies. Ratings in PA were compared to those in bucco‐lingual and mesio‐distal CBCT images (coronal and sagittal planes), and the ratings of the latter two were also compared between each other. Further, maximum size diameters of radiolucencies were measured on CBCT scans, and the calculated means were correlated with the types of radiolucency. Statistical analysis was completed using Friedman rank sum tests, the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

A total of 61 roots in 54 patients were eligible for the final assessment. On average, the intra‐observer ratings were identical in 59.6% when comparing PA and CBCT (kappa 0.112 to 0.192). A very high intra‐observer agreement (93.4%) was noted when comparing bucco‐lingual and mesio‐distal CBCT ratings (kappa 0.797 to 1). Interobserver agreement was higher for PA (68.8%) than for CBCT (bucco‐lingual 45.9%, mesio‐distal 47.5%), but without reaching significant differences. The calculated mean size of persistent radiolucencies in CBCT scans correlated well with the assigned types of radiolucency.

Conclusion

CBCT images showed in nearly a third of the evaluated cases a worse situation than PA. There is a need to define criteria to assess the ‘radiographic healing’ in CBCT following periapical surgery.
Stroke Preparedness in Children: Translating Knowledge into Behavioral Intent: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ottawa Cassandra , Sposato Luciano A. , Nabbouh Fadl , Saposnik Gustavo
Published: September 2015

Background

If translated into behavioral intent, improving stroke knowledge may potentially impact on better outcomes. Children are an attractive target population since they can drive familial behavioral changes. However, the impact of interventions on stroke knowledge among children is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether educational interventions targeting children improve stroke knowledge and lead to behavioral changes.

Methods

We searched Ovid, PubMed, and Embase between January 2000 and December 2014. We included studies written in English reporting the number of children aged 6–15 years undergoing educational interventions on stroke and providing the results for baseline and early and late postintervention tests. We compared the proportion of correct answers between baseline, early, and late responses for two endpoints: knowledge and behavioral intent.

Results

Of the initial 58 articles found, we included nine that met the inclusion criteria. Compared with baseline tests (51·7%, 95% confidence interval 40·9–62·4), there was improvement in stroke knowledge in early (74·0%, 95% confidence interval 64·4–82·5, P = 0·002) and late (67·3%, 95% confidence interval 55·4–78·2, P = 0·027) responses. There was improvement in the early (92·1%, 95% confidence interval 86·0–96·6, P < 0·001) and late (83·9%, 95% confidence interval 73·5–92·1, P = 0·001) responses for behavioral intent compared with the baseline assessment (63·8%, 95% confidence interval 53·5–73·4).

Conclusion

Children are a potentially attractive target population for improvement in stroke knowledge and behavioral intent, both in the short and long term. Our findings may support the implementation of large-scale stroke educational initiatives targeting children.
Association between Tobacco Smoking and Cognitive Functioning in Young Adults
Authors: Chamberlain Samuel R. , Odlaug Brian L. , Schreiber Liana R. N. , Grant Jon E.
Published: September 2015

Background: Tobacco smoking represents a considerable public health burden globally. Smoking in older adults is associated with cognitive impairment and more rapid age‐associated cognitive decline, but there is a paucity of studies in younger people.

Method: Adults aged 18–29 years were recruited from a longitudinal study investigating impulsivity in young people. Exclusion criteria were presence of any axis‐I morbidity or cannabis use. Subjects undertook neurocognitive assessment using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Demographic, clinical, and cognitive differences between smokers (N = 37) and nonsmokers (N = 177) were characterized.

Results: Groups were well matched in terms of age, education, income, and gender. In comparison to nonsmokers, nicotine users showed significant cognitive impairments on sustained attention (target detection: p= .005), spatial working memory (errors: p= .023, strategy use: p= .004), executive planning (p= .002), and did not appropriately adjust behavior as a function of risk (Gamble task risk adjustment: p= .004). Smokers were intact on general response speeds and response inhibition.

Conclusions: These data, using objective translational paradigms, support an association between tobacco smoking and cognitive problems in young people, with implications for such individuals and for society. Future studies should extend these results longitudinally to explore causality, and evaluate effects of nicotinic agents (including anti‐smoking medications) on cognition. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S14–S19)
Psychopathology and Pain Correlates of Dispositional Optimism in Methadone‐Maintained Patients
Authors: Beitel Mark , Savant Jonathan D. , Cutter Christopher J. , Peters Skye , Belisle Nicole , Barry Declan T.
Published: September 2015

Background and Objectives: Although higher levels of dispositional optimism are associated with decreased levels of psychopathology and pain, and higher levels of mental health functioning—important outcomes in opioid treatment programs—a paucity of studies has examined dispositional optimism among individuals with opioid use disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical correlates (ie, psychopathology, pain status) of dispositional optimism in opioid dependent patients enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: A survey targeting demographics, pain, psychopathology, and dispositional optimism was administered to 150 MMT patients.

Results: In multivariable analyses, higher levels of dispositional optimism were significantly associated with lower levels of: depression, screened personality disorder criteria, screened symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and pain‐related emotional strain. In comparison to those without a history of chronic pain (ie, noncancer related physical pain lasting at least 3 months), MMT patients who reported either lifetime or current chronic pain exhibited significantly lower levels of dispositional optimism.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance: The associations among higher levels of dispositional optimism, lower levels of psychopathology, and lower pain‐related emotional strain suggest that research focusing on the efficacy of specific interventions to promote dispositional optimism in MMT patients is warranted. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S56–S62)
Alcohol Craving as a Predictor of Relapse
Authors: Schneekloth Terry D. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Hall‐Flavin Daniel K. , Karpyak Victor M. , Frye Mark A. , Loukianova Larissa L. , Stevens Susanna R. , Drews Maureen S. , Geske Jennifer R. , Mrazek David A.
Published: September 2015

Background and Objectives: Alcoholism treatment interventions, both psychosocial and pharmacologic, aim to reduce cravings to drink. Yet, the role of craving in treatment outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluated craving intensity measured with the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) at admission and discharge from residential treatment as a predictive factor of relapse after treatment.

Methods: The study cohort included 314 alcohol‐dependent subjects. Associations between relapse after discharge, PACS score, and clinical variables were investigated using time‐to‐event analyses. The primary analysis, based on the intent‐to‐treat principle, presumed relapse in those declining follow‐up or not responding to contact attempts. Secondary analysis utilized data from 226 subjects successfully contacted after discharge with a median follow‐up time of 365 days.

Results: The intent‐to‐treat analysis demonstrated that relapse was associated with higher level of craving at admission (p= .002) and discharge (p < .001). The analysis of data from patients successfully contacted after discharge led to similar results. A multivariable analysis indicated that relapse rates increased as PACS scores increased, and a higher discharge PACS score was significantly associated with relapse (p= .006) even after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance: This study demonstrates that higher PACS scores at the time of admission and discharge are associated with relapse following residential addiction treatment. These data support the role of craving in relapse and the utility of craving measurement as a clinical guide in assessing relapse risk. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S20–S26)
STIP overexpression confers oncogenic potential to human non‐small cell lung cancer cells by regulating cell cycle and apoptosis
Authors: Tang Yani , Yan Guobei , Song Xin , Wu Kuangpei , Li Zhen , Yang Chao , Deng Tanggang , Sun Yang , Hu Xiaoxiao , Yang Cai , Bai Huarong , Li Hui , Tan Weihong , Ye Mao , Liu Jing
Published: September 2015

Sip1/tuftelin‐interacting protein (STIP), a multidomain nuclear protein, is a novel factor associated with the spliceosome, yet its role and molecular function in cancer remain unknown. In this study, we show, for the first time, that STIP is overexpressed in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues compared to adjacent normal lung tissues. The depletion of endogenous STIP inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, caused cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. Cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase was associated with the expression and activity of the cyclin B1‐CDK1 (cyclin‐dependent kinase 1) complex. We also provide evidence that STIP knockdown induced apoptosis by activating both caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 and by altering the Bcl‐2/Bax expression ratio. RNA sequencing data indicated that the MAPK mitogen‐activated protein kinases, Wnt, PI3K/AKT, and NF‐κB (nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells) signalling pathways might be involved in STIP‐mediated tumour regulation. Collectively, these results suggest that STIP may be a novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS): clinicopathological study of 45 cases
Authors: Skowron F. , Bensaid B. , Balme B. , Depaepe L. , Kanitakis J. , Nosbaum A. , Maucort‐Boulch D. , Bérard F. , D'Incan M. , Kardaun S.H. , Nicolas J.F.
Published: September 2015

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare and severe adverse drug reaction. Large detailed studies of histopathological features of DRESS are sparse and suggest an association between keratinocyte damage and the severity of visceral involvement.

Objectives

To describe the dermatopathological features in a large series of DRESS and their possible association with clinical features and the severity of the disease.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the clinicobiological and dermatopathological features in a monocentric cohort of patients with DRESS.

Results

From January 2005 to January 2013, 45 patients were validated as probable or definite cases of DRESS. The median age was 64 years (range 3–87). The most frequent clinical and biological features included: fever ≥38.5°C (95%), facial oedema (72%), enlarged lymph nodes (51%), visceral involvement (75%), blood eosinophilia (97%) and atypical lymphocytes (82%). Severe DRESS occurred in 24% and a fatal outcome in 6% of patients. Histopathological analysis showed that no specific histopathological pattern was characteristic for DRESS. However, several changes in different cutaneous compartments were observed in 2 of 3 of cases. Spongiosis (55%) and keratinocyte damage (53%) were the most common epidermal changes. Spongiosis was associated with non‐severe DRESS (P = 0.041) whereas confluent keratinocyte necrosis correlated with severe DRESS (P = 0.011). Vascular changes were frequent (88%). A moderate dermal perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate was invariably present, containing eosinophils, neutrophils and/or atypical lymphocytes in 57% of cases.

Conclusions

Epidermal changes are indicative for the severity of DRESS.
Parting ways: parasite release in nature leads to sex‐specific evolution of defence
Authors: Dargent F. , Rolshausen G. , Hendry A. P. , Scott M. E. , Fussmann G. F.
Published: September 2015

We evaluated the extent to which males and females evolve along similar or different trajectories in response to the same environmental shift. Specifically, we used replicate experimental introductions in nature to consider how release from a key parasite (Gyrodactylus) generates similar or different defence evolution in male vs. female guppies (Poecilia reticulata). After 4–8 generations of evolution, guppies were collected from the ancestral (parasite still present) and derived (parasite now absent) populations and bred for two generations in the laboratory to control for nongenetic effects. These F2 guppies were then individually infected with Gyrodactylus, and infection dynamics were monitored on each fish. We found that parasite release in nature led to sex‐specific evolutionary responses: males did not show much evolution of resistance, whereas females showed the evolution of increased resistance. Given that male guppies in the ancestral population had greater resistance to Gyrodactylus than did females, evolution in the derived populations led to reduction of sexual dimorphism in resistance. We argue that previous selection for high resistance in males constrained (relative to females) further evolution of the trait. We advocate more experiments considering sex‐specific evolutionary responses to environmental change.
Open access of evidence‐based publications: the case of the orthopedic and musculoskeletal literature
Authors: Yammine Kaissar
Published: September 2015

The open access model, where researchers can publish their work and make it freely available to the whole medical community, is gaining ground over the traditional type of publication. However, fees are to be paid by either the authors or their institutions. The purpose of this paper is to assess the proportion and type of open access evidence‐based articles in the form of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in the field of musculoskeletal disorders and orthopedic surgery. PubMed database was searched and the results showed a maximal number of hits for low back pain and total hip arthroplasty. We demonstrated that despite a 10‐fold increase in the number of evidence‐based publications in the past 10 years, the rate of free systematic reviews in the general biomedical literature did not change for the last two decades. In addition, the average percentage of free open access systematic reviews and meta‐analyses for the commonest painful musculoskeletal conditions and orthopedic procedures was 20% and 18%, respectively. Those results were significantly lower than those of the systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in the remaining biomedical research. Such findings could indicate a divergence between the efforts engaged at promoting evidence‐based principles and those at disseminating evidence‐based findings in the field of musculoskeletal disease and trauma. The high processing fee is thought to be a major limitation when considering open access model for publication.
Structural and neurochemical correlates of individual differences in gamma frequency oscillations in human visual cortex
Authors: Robson Siân E. , Muthukumarawswamy Suresh D. , John Evans C. , Shaw Alexander , Brealy Jennifer , Davis Brittany , McNamara Grainne , Perry Gavin , Singh Krish D.
Published: September 2015

Neuronal oscillations in the gamma frequency range play an important role in stimulus processing in the brain. The frequency of these oscillations can vary widely between participants and is strongly genetically determined, but the cause of this variability is not understood. Previous studies have reported correlations between individual differences in gamma frequency and the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as with age and primary visual cortex (V1) area and thickness. This study assessed the relationships between all of these variables in the same group of participants. There were no significant correlations between gamma frequency and GABA+ concentration, V1 area or V1 thickness, although the relationship with GABA+/Cr approached significance. Considering age as a covariate further reduced the strength of all correlations and, in an additional dataset with a larger age range, gamma frequency was strongly inversely correlated with age but not V1 thickness or area, suggesting that age modulates gamma frequency via an additional, as yet unknown, mechanism. Consistent with other recent studies, these findings do not demonstrate a clear relationship between gamma frequency and GABA+ concentration. Further investigation of additional variables and the interactions between them will be necessary in order to more accurately determine predictors of the frequency of gamma oscillations.
Ultrastructure of dragonfly wing veins: composite structure of fibrous material supplemented by resilin
Authors: Appel Esther , Heepe Lars , Lin Chung‐Ping , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: September 2015

Dragonflies count among the most skilful of the flying insects. Their exceptional aerodynamic performance has been the subject of various studies. Morphological and kinematic investigations have showed that dragonfly wings, though being rather stiff, are able to undergo passive deformation during flight, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance. Resilin, a rubber‐like protein, has been suggested to be a key component in insect wing flexibility and deformation in response to aerodynamic loads, and has been reported in various arthropod locomotor systems. It has already been found in wing vein joints, connecting longitudinal veins to cross veins, and was shown to endow the dragonfly wing with chordwise flexibility, thereby most likely influencing the dragonfly's flight performance. The present study revealed that resilin is not only present in wing vein joints, but also in the internal cuticle layers of veins in wings of Sympetrum vulgatum (SV) and Matrona basilaris basilaris (MBB). Combined with other structural features of wing veins, such as number and thickness of cuticle layers, material composition, and cross‐sectional shape, resilin most probably has an effect on the vein′s material properties and the degree of elastic deformations. In order to elucidate the wing vein ultrastructure and the exact localisation of resilin in the internal layers of the vein cuticle, the approaches of bright‐field light microscopy, wide‐field fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser‐scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were combined. Wing veins were shown to consist of up to six different cuticle layers and a single row of underlying epidermal cells. In wing veins of MBB, the latter are densely packed with light‐scattering spheres, previously shown to produce structural colours in the form of quasiordered arrays. Longitudinal and cross veins differ significantly in relative thickness of exo‐ and endocuticle, with cross veins showing a much thicker exocuticle. The presence of resilin in the unsclerotised endocuticle suggests its contribution to an increased energy storage and material flexibility, thus to the prevention of vein damage. This is especially important in the highly stressed longitudinal veins, which have much lower possibility to yield to applied loads with the aid of vein joints, as the cross veins do. These results may be relevant not only for biologists, but may also contribute to optimise the design of micro‐air vehicles.
In vivo relationship between pelvis motion and deep fascia displacement of the medial gastrocnemius: anatomical and functional implications
Authors: Cruz‐Montecinos Carlos , González Blanche Alberto , López Sánchez David , Cerda Mauricio , Sanzana‐Cuche Rodolfo , Cuesta‐Vargas Antonio
Published: September 2015

Different authors have modelled myofascial tissue connectivity over a distance using cadaveric models, but in vivo models are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pelvic motion and deep fascia displacement in the medial gastrocnemius (MG). Deep fascia displacement of the MG was evaluated through automatic tracking with an ultrasound. Angular variation of the pelvis was determined by 2D kinematic analysis. The average maximum fascia displacement and pelvic motion were 1.501 ± 0.78 mm and 6.55 ± 2.47 °, respectively. The result of a simple linear regression between fascia displacement and pelvic motion for three task executions by 17 individuals was r = 0.791 (P < 0.001). Moreover, hamstring flexibility was related to a lower anterior tilt of the pelvis (r = 0.544, P < 0.024) and a lower deep fascia displacement of the MG (r = 0.449, P < 0.042). These results support the concept of myofascial tissue connectivity over a distance in an in vivo model, reinforce the functional concept of force transmission through synergistic muscle groups, and grant new perspectives for the role of fasciae in restricting movement in remote zones.
Extending the Queen Bee Effect: How Hindustani Workers Cope with Disadvantage by Distancing the Self from the Group
Authors: Derks Belle , van Laar Colette , Ellemers Naomi , Raghoe Gauwrie
Published: September 2015

Previous research revealed that one way by which members of minority groups resist disadvantage is through strategic “self‐group distancing” by evaluating this group negatively, describing themselves according to outgroup stereotypes and supporting the status hierarchy, hereby limiting societal change. Drawing upon recent work on the Queen Bee phenomenon among women at work, we explain self‐group distancing as a coping response of low identified minority employees who experience social identity threat. Whereas queen bee behavior is often discussed as a response typical for women, new experimental data are presented revealing similar responses among ethnic minority employees. In parallel to queen bees, low identified Hindustanis reported less positive ingroup affect and presented themselves as more stereotypically Dutch when reminded of ethnic bias—but not in a control condition. This suggests that the Queen Bee phenomenon exemplifies a more generic individual mobility response to group disadvantage experienced by minority groups at work.
How Does Intergroup Contact Affect Social Change? Its Impact on Collective Action and Individual Mobility Intentions among Members of a Disadvantaged Group
Authors: Tausch Nicole , Saguy Tamar , Bryson Jeff
Published: September 2015

A current debate surrounds the issue of whether prejudice‐reducing interventions such as intergroup contact may reduce resistance to unequal intergroup relations among disadvantaged groups. Addressing this question, this research investigates how positive contact with members of the advantaged group shapes action strategies to cope with disadvantage. Using survey data from a sample of Latino Americans (N = 112), structural equation modeling revealed that friendship contact with Anglo‐Whites was overall negatively associated with interest in collective action. This relation was due to both reduced identification with the disadvantaged group and positive attitudes toward the advantaged group, which predicted reduced anger about inequality. Contact was also positively associated with an individual mobility orientation, a relation which was explained through increased perceived permeability. Individual mobility orientation did not, however, predict reduced motivation for collective action. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for societal change and novel directions for future research are discussed.
When “a Group in Itself” becomes “a Group for Itself”: Overcoming Inhibitory Effects of Superordinate Categorization on LGBTQ Individuals
Authors: Górska Paulina , Bilewicz Michał
Published: September 2015

Specific social categories differently affect the motivation to resist the disadvantage among the members of low‐status groups. While subgroup identity instigates collective action, common identity inhibits support for societal change. We propose that individuals who construe their disadvantage in terms of group relative deprivation (GRD) rather than individual relative deprivation are less prone to the demobilizing force of common identity salience. The moderating role of GRD in responding to superordinate category (i.e., “Poles”) was demonstrated in two studies conducted in the Polish LGBTQ community. In Study 1 (N= 125), GRD moderated the effect that common identity (relative to subgroup identity) exerted on in‐group pride, which translated into support for social change. Study 2 (N= 165) confirmed GRD as the moderator of common identity influence. Both studies showed that LGBTQs who exhibited low but not high level of GRD were susceptible to the quieting effect of superordinate category.
Broadening Perspectives on Achieving Social Change
Authors: Stroebe Katherine , Wang Katie , Wright Stephen C.
Published: September 2015

The articles in this special issue challenge readers to reconsider the relationships among individual mobility, collective action, and social change. Taken together, they reveal an increasing and broadening interest in the concept of social change and raise important questions about its societal applications. In this commentary, we expand on this rich body of research by considering how surface indicators of (lack of) social change such as individual versus collective action may be related to a wider range of motives than has been assumed. Moreover, we consider more carefully what constitutes social change, and discuss different forms of equality as a means to conceptualizing social change. In doing so, we attempt to move beyond implied dichotomies between individual and collective strategies and actions to consider alternative perspectives on classifying and studying social change.
Separation of Uncorrelated Stationary time series using Autocovariance Matrices
Authors: Miettinen Jari , Illner Katrin , Nordhausen Klaus , Oja Hannu , Taskinen Sara , Theis Fabian J.
Published: September 2015

In blind source separation, one assumes that the observed p time series are linear combinations of p latent uncorrelated weakly stationary time series. To estimate the unmixing matrix, which transforms the observed time series back to uncorrelated latent time series, second‐order blind identification (SOBI) uses joint diagonalization of the covariance matrix and autocovariance matrices with several lags. In this article, we find the limiting distribution of the well‐known symmetric SOBI estimator under general conditions and compare its asymptotical efficiencies to those of the recently introduced deflation‐based SOBI estimator. The theory is illustrated by some finite‐sample simulation studies.
Nitric oxide synthesis by nitrate reductase is regulated during development in Aspergillus
Authors: Marcos Ana T. , Ramos María S. , Marcos Jose F. , Carmona Lourdes , Strauss Joseph , Cánovas David
Published: September 2015

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signalling molecule involved in many biological processes in bacteria, plants and mammals. However, little is known about the role and biosynthesis of NO in fungi. Here we show that NO production is increased at the early stages of the transition from vegetative growth to development in Aspergillus nidulans. Full NO production requires a functional nitrate reductase (NR) gene (niaD) that is upregulated upon induction of conidiation, even under N‐repressing conditions in the presence of ammonium. At this stage, NO homeostasis is achieved by balancing biosynthesis (NR) and catabolism (flavohaemoglobins). niaD and flavohaemoglobin fhbA are transiently upregulated upon induction of conidiation, and both regulators AreA and NirA are necessary for this transcriptional response. The second flavohaemoglobin gene fhbB shows a different expression profile being moderately expressed during the early stages of the transition phase from vegetative growth to conidiation, but it is strongly induced 24 h later. NO levels influence the balance between conidiation and sexual reproduction because artificial strong elevation of NO levels reduced conidiation and induced the formation of cleistothecia. The nitrate‐independent and nitrogen metabolite repression‐insensitive transcriptional upregulation of niaD during conidiation suggests a novel role for NR in linking metabolism and development.
A strange family, or how a new pleolipovirus reveals its friends and relatives
Authors: Dyall‐Smith Mike , Porter Kate
Published: September 2015

A new virus of halophilic Archaea is reported by Liu et al., and is remarkable in many ways. SNJ2 is the first temperate, pleomorphic virus (pleolipovirus) that integrates into the genome of its host. Analyses of the virus structure and its genome have provided an unexpected puzzle while at the same time solving another. On the one hand, the study shows a curious relationship exists between SNJ2 and an unrelated provirus (SNJ1) found as a plasmid in the same cell. The presence of SNJ1 appears to allow much higher levels of SNJ2 virus to be produced, although the mechanism involved remains unclear. On the other hand, the curious occurrence of a conserved cluster of pleolipovirus‐related genes found widely distributed among haloarchaeal genomes and known for almost 10 years, now appears to correspond to SNJ2‐related proviruses.
Identification of a chemoreceptor that specifically mediates chemotaxis toward metabolizable purine derivatives
Authors: Fernández Matilde , Morel Bertrand , Corral‐Lugo Andrés , Krell Tino
Published: September 2015

Chemotaxis is an essential mechanism that enables bacteria to move toward favorable ecological niches. Escherichia coli, the historical model organism for studying chemotaxis, has five well‐studied chemoreceptors. However, many bacteria with different lifestyle have more chemoreceptors, most of unknown function. Using a high throughput screening approach, we identified a chemoreceptor from Pseudomonas putida KT2440, named McpH, which specifically recognizes purine and its derivatives, adenine, guanine, xanthine, hypoxanthine and uric acid. The latter five compounds form part of the purine degradation pathway, permitting their use as sole nitrogen sources. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies show that these six compounds bind McpH‐Ligand Binding Domain (LBD) with very similar affinity. In contrast, non‐metabolizable purine derivatives (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine), nucleotides, nucleosides or pyrimidines are unable to bind McpH‐LBD. Mutation of mcpH abolished chemotaxis toward the McpH ligands identified – a phenotype that is restored by complementation. This is the first report on bacterial chemotaxis to purine derivatives and McpH the first chemoreceptor described that responds exclusively to intermediates of a catabolic pathway, illustrating a clear link between metabolism and chemotaxis. The evolution of McpH may reflect a saprophytic lifestyle, which would have exposed the studied bacterium to high concentrations of purines produced by nucleic acid degradation.
Efficient disruption and replacement of an effector gene in the oomycetePhytophthora sojaeusingCRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Fang Yufeng , Tyler Brett M.
Published: September 2015

Phytophthora sojaeis an oomycete pathogen of soybean. As a result of its economic importance,P. sojaehas become a model for the study of oomycete genetics, physiology and pathology. The lack of efficient techniques for targeted mutagenesis and gene replacement have long hampered genetic studies of pathogenicity inPhytophthoraspecies. Here, we describe aCRISPR/Cas9 system enabling rapid and efficient genome editing inP. sojae. Using theRXLReffector geneAvr4/6as a target, we observed that, in the absence of a homologous template, the repair ofCas9‐induced DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) inP. sojaewas mediated by non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ), primarily resulting in short indels. Most mutants were homozygous, presumably as a result of gene conversion triggered byCas9‐mediated cleavage of non‐mutant alleles. When donorDNAwas present, homology‐directed repair (HDR) was observed, which resulted in the replacement ofAvr4/6with theNPT IIgene. By testing the specific virulence of severalNHEJmutants andHDR‐mediated gene replacements in soybean, we have validated the contribution ofAvr4/6 to recognition by soybeanRgene loci,Rps4 andRps6, but also uncovered additional contributions to resistance by these two loci. Our results establish a powerful tool for the study of functional genomics inPhytophthora, which provides new avenues for better control of this pathogen.