bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary supplementation with an ethanolic extract of propolis on broiler intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activity
Authors: Eyng C. , Murakami A. E. , Duarte C. R. A. , Santos T. C.
Published: August 2013

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of an ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, weight of gastrointestinal organs, intestinal morphometry and digestive enzyme activity. 1020 male broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomised experimental design to six treatments (EEP supplement levels of 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm) and five replications, and 34 birds per experimental unit. The experimental diets were administered from 1 to 21 days of age, and the birds were subsequently provided a ration based on corn and soybean meal. EEP supplementation from 1 to 7 days negatively affected (p < 0.05) the weight gain and feed intake. The proventriculus weight at 7 days exhibited a quadratic response (p < 0.05), which predicted a lower weight at a dose of 2865 ppm of the EEP. For the duodenum at 21 days of age, the response pattern (p < 0.05) predicted that birds that were fed 2943 and 3047 ppm of the EEP would exhibit an improved crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio respectively. The villus height, crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio in the jejunum and the ileum were not affected (p > 0.05). With increased EEP doses, the duodenal sucrase activity linearly decreased at 7 days of age and linearly increased in the jejunum at 21 days of age (p < 0.05), while pancreatic enzyme activity was unaffected (p > 0.05). Although the carcass and cut yields did not improve, the percentage of abdominal fat decreased (p < 0.05). The supplementation of the broiler pre‐starter diet with 1000–5000 ppm of the EEP impaired performance at this stage, most likely due to the decreased sucrase activity. However, the EEP supplementation from 3000 ppm improved intestinal morphophysiology at 21 days of age and did not affect the performance or carcass yield at 42 days of age.
Representativeness of tree diversity in the modern pollen rain of Andean montane forests
Authors: Jantz Nele , Homeier Jürgen , Behling Hermann
Published: August 2013

Questions

To assess the relationship between modern pollen rain and Andean montane forest vegetation for diversity, and provide a basis for interpretations of palaeoecological data in the northern Andes, we asked: (1) can the reduction of plant and pollen data to family level preserve information about diversity in both data sets; (2) how precisely do tree pollen and spore types represent richness patterns along an altitudinal gradient on tropical mountains; and (3) how similar are tree pollen and spore family richness in relationship to tree family richness?

Location

Tropical montane rain forests, Podocarpus National Park in the Andes of South Ecuador (3°S, 79°W, 1000–3000 m a.s.l.).

Methods

We analysed tree diversity and species composition in three different rain forest types: Premontane (PMF), lower montane (LMF) and upper montane (UMF). We investigated modern pollen rain using pollen traps. After testing the reliability of a taxonomic surrogacy on the plant data, we compared abundance and representation, as well as diversity of the two data sets at family level. This was done using rarefaction and Sørensen indices.

Results

The correlation between tree species and families was high (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Sample rarefaction on tree pollen and plant family data revealed highest pollen diversity on sites of the UMF, but highest tree diversity on LMF and PMF sites. The Sørensen indices indicate down‐drift of pollen from higher altitudes in PMF and LMF and up‐drift in UMF. Between 1% and 50% of pollen taxa of each sample originate from outside the plot.

Conclusions

Taxonomic surrogacy at family level is a good tool for comparing presence–absence patterns of plant and pollen data in tropical regions with high tree diversity. On a family basis, pollen presence–absence data represent the corresponding tree vegetation data, but uncertainties increase with decreasing altitude. The higher diversity in pollen data of the UMF, but slightly lower diversity in the LMF and PMF, can at least partly be explained by wind patterns, local abundance of shrubs and herbs and differences in evenness.
Towards a unified paradigm for sequence‐based identification of fungi
Authors: Kõljalg Urmas , Nilsson R. Henrik , Abarenkov Kessy , Tedersoo Leho , Taylor Andy F. S. , Bahram Mohammad , Bates Scott T. , Bruns Thomas D. , Bengtsson‐Palme Johan , Callaghan Tony M. , Douglas Brian , Drenkhan Tiia , Eberhardt Ursula , Dueñas Margarita , Grebenc Tine , Griffith Gareth W. , Hartmann Martin , Kirk Paul M. , Kohout Petr , Larsson Ellen , Lindahl Björn D. , Lücking Robert , Martín María P. , Matheny P. Brandon , Nguyen Nhu H. , Niskanen Tuula , Oja Jane , Peay Kabir G. , Peintner Ursula , Peterson Marko , Põldmaa Kadri , Saag Lauri , Saar Irja , Schüßler Arthur , Scott James A. , Senés Carolina , Smith Matthew E. , Suija Ave , Taylor D. Lee , Telleria M. Teresa , Weiss Michael , Larsson Karl‐Henrik
Published: August 2013

The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is the formal fungal barcode and in most cases the marker of choice for the exploration of fungal diversity in environmental samples. Two problems are particularly acute in the pursuit of satisfactory taxonomic assignment of newly generated ITS sequences: (i) the lack of an inclusive, reliable public reference data set and (ii) the lack of means to refer to fungal species, for which no Latin name is available in a standardized stable way. Here, we report on progress in these regards through further development of the UNITE database (http://unite.ut.ee) for molecular identification of fungi. All fungal species represented by at least two ITS sequences in the international nucleotide sequence databases are now given a unique, stable name of the accession number type (e.g. Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus|GU586904|SH133781.05FU), and their taxonomic and ecological annotations were corrected as far as possible through a distributed, third‐party annotation effort. We introduce the term ‘species hypothesis’ (SH) for the taxa discovered in clustering on different similarity thresholds (97–99%). An automatically or manually designated sequence is chosen to represent each such SH. These reference sequences are released (http://unite.ut.ee/repository.php) for use by the scientific community in, for example, local sequence similarity searches and in the QIIME pipeline. The system and the data will be updated automatically as the number of public fungal ITS sequences grows. We invite everybody in the position to improve the annotation or metadata associated with their particular fungal lineages of expertise to do so through the new Web‐based sequence management system in UNITE.
Migration and dispersal may drive to high genetic variation and significant genetic mixing: the case of two agriculturally important, continental hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria scripta)
Authors: Raymond Lucie , Plantegenest Manuel , Vialatte Aude
Published: August 2013

Population structure of pests and beneficial species is an important issue when designing management strategies to optimize ecosystem services. In this study, we investigated for the first time the population structure at a continental scale of two migratory species of hoverflies providing both pest regulation and pollination services [Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria scripta (Diptera: Syrphidae)]. To achieve this objective, we used two sets of 12 species‐specific microsatellite markers on a large‐scale sampling from all over Europe. Our findings showed a high level of genetic mixing resulting in a lack of genetic differentiation at a continental scale and a great genetic diversity in the two species. All the pairwise FST values between European localities were less 0.05 in the two species. These low values reflect a large‐scale genetic mixing probably caused by the existence of frequent migratory movements in the two species. Mantel tests revealed isolation‐by‐distance pattern on the East–West axis, but not on the North–South axis. This isolation‐by‐distance pattern confirms the existence of North–South migratory movements in both directions and suggests an important step by step dispersal. Population features shown by this study are common in invasive species and pests, but are not often observed in beneficial species. They reflect great colonization abilities and a high adaptive potential when dealing with a changing environment. Our results highlight the two studied species as particularly interesting beneficial insects for pollination and pest predation in the current context of global change.
An exotic invader drives the evolution of plant traits that determine mycorrhizal fungal diversity in a native competitor
Authors: Lankau Richard A. , Nodurft Rachel N.
Published: August 2013

The symbiosis between land plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is one of the most widespread and ancient mutualisms on the planet. However, relatively little is known about the evolution of these symbiotic plant–fungal interactions in natural communities. In this study, we investigated the symbiotic AMF communities of populations of the native plant species Pilea pumila (Urticaceae) with varying histories of coexistence with a nonmycorrhizal invasive species, Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae), known to affect mycorrhizal communities. We found that native populations of P. pumila with a long history of coexistence with the invasive species developed more diverse symbiotic AMF communities. This effect was strongest when A. petiolata plants were actively growing with the natives, and in soils with the longest history of A. petiolata growth. These results suggest that despite the ancient and widespread nature of the plant–AMF symbiosis, the plant traits responsible for symbiotic preferences can, nevertheless, evolve rapidly in response to environmental changes.
International Competition and Distributive Class Conflict in an Open Economy Kaleckian Model
Authors: Sasaki Hiroaki , Sonoda Ryunosuke , Fujita Shinya
Published: August 2013

This paper constructs an open economy Kaleckian model in which international competition affects the bargaining process between firms and workers, and investigates the effects of such bargaining on the macroeconomy. We show that the effects of a change in the bargaining power on aggregate demand depends not only on the demand regimes but also on which agents bears more of the burden arising from the international price competition. Moreover, if the real exchange rate has a small impact on the trade balance, the economy is stable, whereas if it has a larger impact on the trade balance, the economy is unstable.
A conserved ClpP‐like protease involved in spore outgrowth in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Traag Bjorn A. , Pugliese Antonia , Setlow Barbara , Setlow Peter , Losick Richard
Published: August 2013

Germination and outgrowth of endospores of the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis involves the degradation and conversion to free amino acids of abundant proteins located in the spore core known as small acid‐soluble proteins (SASP). This degradation is mediated primarily by the germination protease Gpr. Here we show that YmfB, a distant homologue of ClpP serine proteases that is highly conserved among endospore‐forming bacteria, contributes to SASP degradation but that its function is normally masked by Gpr. Spores from a ymfB gpr double mutant were more delayed in spore outgrowth and more impaired in SASP degradation than were spores from a gpr single mutant. The activity of YmfB relied on three putative active‐site residues as well as on the product of a small gene ylzJ located immediately downstream of, and overlapping with, ymfB. We propose that YmfB is an orphan ClpP protease that is dedicated to the degradation of a specialized family of small protein substrates.
Construction of a genomewide RNAi mutant library in rice
Authors: Wang Lei , Zheng Jie , Luo Yanzhong , Xu Tao , Zhang Qiuxue , Zhang Lan , Xu Miaoyun , Wan Jianmin , Wang Ming‐Bo , Zhang Chunyi , Fan Yunliu
Published: August 2013

Long hairpin RNA (hpRNA) transgenes are a powerful tool for gene function studies in plants, but a genomewide RNAi mutant library using hpRNA transgenes has not been reported for plants. Here, we report the construction of a hpRNA library for the genomewide identification of gene function in rice using an improved rolling circle amplification‐mediated hpRNA (RMHR) method. Transformation of rice with the library resulted in thousands of transgenic lines containing hpRNAs targeting genes of various function. The target mRNA was down‐regulated in the hpRNA lines, and this was correlated with the accumulation of siRNAs corresponding to the double‐stranded arms of the hpRNA. Multiple members of a gene family were simultaneously silenced by hpRNAs derived from a single member, but the degree of such cross‐silencing depended on the level of sequence homology between the members as well as the abundance of matching siRNAs. The silencing of key genes tended to cause a severe phenotype, but these transgenic lines usually survived in the field long enough for phenotypic and molecular analyses to be conducted. Deep sequencing analysis of small RNAs showed that the hpRNA‐derived siRNAs were characteristic of Argonaute‐binding small RNAs. Our results indicate that RNAi mutant library is a high‐efficient approach for genomewide gene identification in plants.
Rapid shoot‐to‐root signalling regulates root hydraulic conductance via aquaporins
Authors: VANDELEUR REBECCA K. , SULLIVAN WENDY , ATHMAN ASMINI , JORDANS CHARLOTTE , GILLIHAM MATTHEW , KAISER BRENT N. , TYERMAN STEPHEN D.
Published: August 2013

Investigating the relationship between transpiration and root hydraulic conductance Vandeleur et al report that leaf area reduction reduces root hydraulic conductance in grapevine, soybean and maize. The reduction occurs rapidly and involves root aquaporins. They show that the shoot‐to‐root signal could be hydraulic and mediated through the xylem. An interesting observation is the very rapid reduction in root hydraulic conductance following shoot decapitation.
Structure of the receptacular nectary and circadian metabolism of starch in the ant‐guarded plant Ipomoea cairica (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Paiva E. A. S. , Martins L. C.
Published: August 2013

Nectaries occur widely in Convolvulaceae. These structures remain little studied despite their possible importance in plant–animal interactions. In this paper, we sought to describe the structure and ultrastructure of the receptacular nectaries (RNs) of Ipomoea cairica, together with the dynamics of nectar secretion. Samples of floral buds, flowers at anthesis and immature fruits were collected, fixed and processed using routine methods for light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Circadian starch dynamics were determined through starch measurements on nectary sections. The secretion samples were subjected to thin layer chromatography. RNs of I. cairica were cryptic, having patches of nectar‐secreting trichomes, subglandular parenchyma cells and thick‐walled cells delimiting the nectary aperture. The glandular trichomes were peltate type and had typical ultrastructural features related to nectar secretion. The nectar is composed of sucrose, fructose and glucose. Nectar secretion was observed in young floral buds and continued as the flower developed, lasting until the fruit matured. The starch content of the subglandular tissue showed circadian variation, increasing during the day and decreasing at night. The plastids were distinct in different portions of the nectary. The continuous day–night secretory pattern of the RNs of I. cairica is associated with pre‐nectar source circadian changes in which the starch acts as a buffer, ensuring uninterrupted nectar secretion. This circadian variation may be present in other extrafloral nectaries and be responsible for full daytime secretion. We conclude that sampling time is relevant in ultrastructural studies of dynamic extranuptial nectaries that undergo various changes throughout the day.
Buttressing Supply Chains against Floods in Asia for Humanitarian Relief and Economic Recovery
Authors: Sodhi ManMohan S. , Tang Christopher S.
Published: August 2013

Floods are the most frequent category of disasters worldwide. Among all geographic regions, Asia has suffered the most. While there are several ongoing humanitarian efforts and initiatives, we believe there is a new opportunity to coordinate “last mile” humanitarian efforts in the event of a flood using micro‐retailers. Because micro‐retailers are the “last mile” nodes in traditional retail supply chains in many Asian countries, we propose the use of social enterprise to buttress these supply chains for distribution of essential goods by coordinating with micro‐retailers before and after floods. We also present a stylized model to quantify the benefits of doing so.
A quantitative approach to fluvial facies models: Methods and example results
Authors: Colombera Luca , Mountney Nigel P. , McCaffrey William D.
Published: August 2013

Traditional facies models lack quantitative information concerning sedimentological features: this significantly limits their value as references for comparison and guides to interpretation and subsurface prediction. This paper aims to demonstrate how a database methodology can be used to generate quantitative facies models for fluvial depositional systems. This approach is employed to generate a range of models, comprising sets of quantitative information on proportions, geometries, spatial relations and grain sizes of genetic units belonging to three different scales of observation (depositional elements, architectural elements and facies units). The method involves a sequential application of filters to the knowledge base that allows only database case studies that developed under appropriate boundary conditions to contribute to any particular model. Specific example facies models are presented for fluvial environmental types categorized on channel pattern, basin climatic regime and water‐discharge regime; the common adoption of these environmental types allows a straightforward comparison with existing qualitative models. The models presented here relate to: (i) the large‐scale architecture of single‐thread and braided river systems; (ii) meandering sub‐humid perennial systems; (iii) the intermediate‐scale and small‐scale architecture of dryland, braided ephemeral systems; (iv) the small‐scale architecture of sandy meandering systems; and (v) individual architectural features of a specific sedimentary environment (a terminal fluvial system) and its sub‐environments (architectural elements). Although the quantification of architectural properties represents the main advantage over qualitative facies models, other improvements include the capacity: (i) to model on different scales of interest; (ii) to categorize the model on a variety of environmental classes; (iii) to perform an objective synthesis of many real‐world case studies; (iv) to include variability‐related and knowledge‐related uncertainty in the model; and (v) to assess the role of preservation potential by comparing ancient‐system and modern‐system data input to the model.
Mapping sub‐pixel fluvial grain sizes with hyperspatial imagery
Authors: Black Martin , Carbonneau Patrice , Church Michael , Warburton Jeff
Published: August 2013

This study presents an investigation of image texture approaches for mapping sub‐pixel fluvial grain‐size features from airborne imagery, allowing for the rapid acquisition of surface sand and coarse fraction (>1·41 mm) grain‐size information. Imagery at 30 mm resolution was acquired over four gravel bars from the Fraser River (British Columbia, Canada). Combined first‐order and second‐order image texture approaches (windowed standard deviation filter and the grey level co‐occurrence matrix) were used. First‐order image texture, through the application of a standard deviation filter and subsequent thresholding was used to detect the presence of surface sand, with optimal accuracy achieved at 91 ± 1·9%. A wide‐ranging parameter space investigation was used to derive optimum parameters for the grey‐level co‐occurrence matrix. Subsequently first‐order and second‐order image textures were used in multiple linear regression to achieve good calibrations with several sub‐pixel grain‐size percentiles; relative error at 1·44%, 3·18%, 6·80% and 10·6% for D5, D16, D35 and D50, respectively. The larger percentiles of D84 and D95 had relative errors of 24·7% and 29·7%, respectively. The breakdown of calibration precision for larger percentiles is attributed to a ‘pixel averaging effect’. It is concluded that multispectral imagery is not required, because sufficient image texture information can be derived from standard colour imagery. Recommendations are suggested for the application of this method to other localities and data sets, thus reducing exhaustive parameter searches in future studies.
Can Psychosocial Intervention Improve Peer and Sibling Relations Among War‐affected Children? Impact and Mediating Analyses in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Diab Marwan , Punamäki Raija‐Leena , Palosaari Esa , Qouta Samir R.
Published: August 2013

Social resources are considered important protectors in traumatic conditions, but few studies have analyzed their role in psychosocial interventions among war‐affected children. We examined (1) whether a psychosocial intervention (teaching recovery techniques, TRT) is effective in improving peer and sibling relations, and (2) whether these potentially improved relations mediate the intervention's impacts on children's mental health. Participants were 428 Palestinian children [10–13 (mean = 11.29, standard deviation SD = .68)‐year‐old girls (49.4 percent) and boys (50.6 percent)], who were cluster‐randomized into the TRT and wait‐list control groups. They reported the quality of peer (friendship and loneliness) and sibling (intimacy, warmth, conflict, and rivalry) relations, and posttraumatic stress, depressive and psychological distress symptoms, as well as psychosocial well‐being at baseline (T1), postintervention (T2), and six month follow‐up (T3). Results showed gender‐specific TRT intervention effects: Loneliness in peer relations reduced among boys and sibling rivalry reduced among girls. The TRT prevented the increase in sibling conflict that happened in the control group. The mediating hypothesis was partially substantiated for improved peer relations, and beneficial changes in sibling relations were generally associated with improved mental health.
Frasnian–Famennian crisis in the Malaguide Complex (Betic Cordillera, Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez‐Cañero Rosario , Martín‐Algarra Agustín
Published: August 2013

Devonian sediments of the Malaguide Complex potentially could include the Frasnian–Famennian boundary, one of the five greatest Phanerozoic biotic crises. Conodont biofacies and microfacies of carbonate clasts from a pebbly mudstone underlying Tournaisian radiolarites allows identification, for the first time in the Malaguide Complex, of Devonian shallow marine environments laterally grading to deeper realms. The clasts yielded Frasnian conodont associations of the falsiovalis to rhenana biozones, with six biofacies that reveal different environmental conditions in their source areas. Source sediments were dismantled and redeposited within the pebbly mudstone, whose origin is tentatively related to one of the events that are associated worldwide with the Frasnian–Famennian crisis. The latter is recorded, in two equivalent Malaguide pelagic successions, by stratigraphic discontinuities, and it was, probably, tectonically and/or eustatically controlled, as in other Alpine‐Mediterranean Paleotethyan margins.
Durability of healing from spray‐applied cell therapy with human allogeneic fibroblasts and keratinocytes for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers: A 6‐month follow‐up
Authors: Kirsner Robert S. , Marston William A. , Snyder Robert J. , Lee Tommy D. , Cargill D. Innes , Zhang Yuxin , Dickerson Jaime E. , Slade Herbert B.
Published: August 2013

Patients who participated in a Phase 2 trial of HP802‐247 for venous leg ulcers were invited to participate in this 24‐week follow‐up study to assess the durability of healing, document additional ulcer closures, and evaluate posttreatment safety. Consent was given by 90% (206/228), with 80% (183/228) completing all visits. Blinding was retained from the previous trial in which subjects had been randomized to vehicle or one of four cell therapy regimens. Visits were every 8 weeks. Among the 183 subjects, 43% (21/49) previously treated with cells and entering follow‐up with an open wound achieved closure, compared with 35% (7/20) previously treated with vehicle, while 10% (11/106) and 17% (3/18), respectively, experienced reopening of a previously closed wound. Subjects previously treated with cells closed more open wounds than those previously treated with vehicle (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.47–4.10; p = 0.739), and less subjects with a previously closed wound reopened (OR 0.65, CI 0.16–2.60; p = 0.821); however, these findings were not statistically significant. At the final visit, the difference in proportion of subjects with wounds closed continued to favor the best dose from the prior trial (83% closed vs. 58%, delta 25%). Follow‐up beyond 12 weeks is necessary to evaluate the full benefit of this therapy, as treatment with cells may provide stimulus toward healing that persists for up to several weeks following the last application. The results show that the greater proportional benefit achieved by HP802‐247 relative to standard care after 12 weeks of treatment persists over a meaningful timeframe.
The comparison of two negative‐pressure wound therapy systems in a porcine model of wound healing
Authors: Davis Kathryn E. , Lafontaine Javier , Bills Jessica , Noble Deborah , Wight‐Carter Mary , Oni Georgette , Rohrich Rod J. , Lavery Lawrence A.
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare two negative‐pressure wound healing systems (NPWT), −75 mmHg with a silicone‐coated (SC) dressing and −125 mmHg with polyurethane foam dressing (standard of care). In addition, this study compared the effects of two different dressing interfaces, SC dressing and gauze, with −75 mmHg pressure. For both comparisons, two groups of five pigs were evaluated over a 21‐day time course. Two excisional wounds were made on each animal and NPWT dressings were applied. A canvas saddle was constructed to hold the NPWT device so the animal had free range of the pen. Dressings were changed twice a week and wound measurements were taken. Specimens for histology and gene expression analyses were taken on day 7 and 21. These data show that there is increased expression in a few genes associated with remodeling and inflammatory processes in the NPWT‐125 with polyurethane foam as compared with the NPWT‐75 with SC dressing. These two systems, however, are equivalent with respect to wound healing, histology, and gene expression over 21 days of healing. Further, we demonstrate that there is no difference in measure of healing between the SC dressing and a basic gauze dressing.
Local blockade of glucocorticoid activation reverses stress‐ and glucocorticoid‐induced delays in cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Youm Jong‐Kyung , Park Kyungho , Uchida Yoshikazu , Chan Aegean , Mauro Theodora M. , Holleran Walter M. , Elias Peter M.
Published: August 2013

Stress slows cutaneous wound healing (WH) in an endogenous glucocorticoid (GC)‐dependent fashion. We investigated whether stress/GC‐induced delays in WH require further intracutaneous activation of endogenous GC; and whether blockade or down‐regulation of peripheral activation normalizes WH in the face of stress. Delayed WH in our motion‐restricted murine model of stress could be attributed to elevated systemic GC, because blockade of GC production (using corticotropin‐releasing factor inhibitor, antalarmin), or of peripheral binding to the GC receptor [GCr], with an antagonist, Ru‐486, normalized WH. We next investigated whether local blockade or down‐regulation of the peripheral GC‐activating enzyme, 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1), accelerates cutaneous WH. Topical applications of nonspecific (carbenoxolone) as well as an isoform‐specific 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor overcame stress and exogenous GC‐induced delays in WH. Moreover, two liver X receptor ligands, TO901317 and GW3695, down‐regulated expression of 11β‐HSD1, attenuating stress‐induced delays in WH. Combined inhibitor and liver X receptor ligand applications accelerated WH in the face of stress/systemic GC. Thus: (1) intracutaneous conversion of inactive‐to‐active GC accounts for stress (GC)‐induced delays in WH; and (2) blockade or down‐regulation of 11β‐HSD1 and/or GCr normalize cutaneous WH in the face of stress/GC. Local blockade or down‐regulation of cutaneous GC activation could help enhance WH in various clinical settings.
Calcium‐sensing receptor in rat vagal bronchopulmonary sensory neurons regulates the function of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1
Authors: Gu Qihai , Vysotskaya Zhanna V. , Moss II Charles R. , Kagira Martin K. , Gilbert Carolyn A.
Published: August 2013

New findings

What is the central question of this study?

Extracellular calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) is known to play a critical role in the maintainance of systemic calcium homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that CaSR is also involved in many biological processes unrelated to Ca2+ balance. However, the expression of CaSR and its potential interaction with transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) function in bronchopulmonary afferent nerves is not known.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Our immunohistochemical study demonstrated the expression of CaSR in bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. Our patch‐clamp recordings showed that strong activation of CaSR inhibits, whereas reduced CaSR function potentiates, the capsaicin‐evoked TRPV1 current in these neurons. Our data suggest that CaSR plays an integrative role in bronchopulmonary afferent signalling.

Extracellular calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) has been known to play a critical role in the maintainance of systemic Ca2+ homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that CaSR is also expressed in many tissues that are not directly related to plasma Ca2+ regulation, such as the central and peripheral nervous system, where the function of this receptor remains to be defined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of CaSR and its potential interaction with transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) in rat vagal bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. Our immunohistochemical experiments demonstrated the expression of CaSR in these sensory neurons as well as in trachea and lung parenchyma. Results from our whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in isolated neurons showed that strong activation of CaSR with high concentrations of its agonists, including spermine, NPS R‐568 and Ca2+, inhibited the capsaicin‐evoked whole‐cell inward current. Blockade of CaSR with its antagonists NPS 2390 and NPS 2143 significantly enhanced the capsaicin‐evoked TRPV1 current. These data suggest that CaSR is likely to be involved in the integration of primary bronchopulmonary sensory inputs in physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions.
Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of Phase Change Materials When Applied to Opaque Building Envelopes
Authors: Tabares-Velasco Paulo Cesar
Published: August 2013

Research on phase change materials (PCM) as a potential technology to reduce peak loads and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy use in buildings has been conducted for several decades, resulting in a great deal of literature on PCM properties, temperature, and peak reduction potential. However, there are few building energy simulation programs that include PCM modeling features, and very few of these have been validated. Additionally, there is no previous research that indicates the level of accuracy when modeling PCMs from a building energy simulation perspective. This study analyzes the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation. The impact of accurately modeling realistic, nonlinear enthalpy profiles for PCMs versus simpler profiles is analyzed based on peak load reduction and energy savings using the conduction finite difference (CondFD) algorithm in EnergyPlus. The PCM and CondFD models used in this study have been previously validated after intensive verification and validation done at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Overall, the results of this study show annual energy savings are not very sensitive to the linearization of enthalpy curve. However, hourly analysis shows that if simpler linear profiles are used, users should try to specify a melting range covering roughly 80% of the latent heat; otherwise, hourly results can differ by up to 20%.
On the environmental stability of ZnO thin films by spatial atomic layer deposition
Authors: Illiberi Andrea , Scherpenborg Robert , Theelen Mirjam , Poodt Paul , Roozeboom Fred
Published: August 2013

Undoped and indium-doped ZnO films have been deposited by atmospheric spatial atomic-layer-deposition (spatial-ALD). The stability of their electrical, optical, and structural properties has been investigated by a damp-heat test in an environment with 85% relative humidity at 85 °C. The resistivity of the ZnO films increased during damp-heat exposure mainly due to a sharp decrease in the carrier mobility, while the carrier density and transparency degraded only partially. The increase in resistivity can be ascribed to a degradation of the structural properties of ZnO films, resulting in a higher level of tensile stress, as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis, and in a reduced near-ultravoilet emission level in their photoluminescence spectra. Al2O3 thin (25–75 nm) films grown by spatial-ALD at 0.2 nm/s are used as moisture barrier to effectively enhance the stability of the electrical and structural properties of the films.
Ultrasonic measurements of the reflection coefficient at a water/polyurethane foam interface
Authors: Sagers Jason D. , Haberman Michael R. , Wilson Preston S.
Published: August 2013

Measured ultrasonic reflection coefficients as a function of normal incidence angle are reported for several samples of polyurethane foam submerged in a water bath. Three reflection coefficient models are employed as needed in this analysis to approximate the measured data: (1) an infinite plane wave impinging on an elastic halfspace, (2) an infinite plane wave impinging on a single fluid layer overlying a fluid halfspace, and (3) a finite acoustic beam impinging on an elastic halfspace. The compressional wave speed in each sample is calculated by minimizing the sum of squared error (SSE) between the measured and modeled data.
Copper's Contribution to Amination Catalysis
Authors: Chemler Sherry R.
Published: August 2013

Copper complexes catalyze a remarkably broad range of organic reactions that form carbon-nitrogen bonds.
Graphene for Terahertz Applications
Authors: Tassin Philippe , Koschny Thomas , Soukoulis Costas M.
Published: August 2013

The optoelectronic properties of graphene are being explored for possible use in plasmonics and metamaterials at terahertz frequencies.
France Córdova Brings Management Expertise to NSF
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: August 2013

Astrophysicist France Córdova has been nominated to be the 14th director of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Strong Seasonality and Interannual Recurrence in Marine Myovirus Communities
Authors: Pagarete A. , Chow C.-E. T. , Johannessen T. , Fuhrman J. A. , Thingstad T. F. , Sandaa R. A.
Published: August 2013

The temporal community dynamics and persistence of different viral types in the marine environment are still mostly obscure. Polymorphism of the major capsid protein gene,
g23
, was used to investigate the community composition dynamics of T4-like myoviruses in a North Atlantic fjord for a period of 2 years. A total of 160 unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) of the gene
g23
. Three major community profiles were identified (winter-spring, summer, and autumn), which resulted in a clear seasonal succession pattern. These seasonal transitions were recurrent over the 2 years and significantly correlated with progression of seawater temperature,
Synechococcus
abundance, and turbidity. The appearance of the autumn viral communities was concomitant with the occurrence of prominent
Synechococcus
blooms. As a whole, we found a highly dynamic T4-like viral community with strong seasonality and recurrence patterns. These communities were unexpectedly dominated by a group of persistently abundant viruses.
Pyrosequence Analysis of the
hsp65
Genes of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Communities in Unchlorinated Drinking Water in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Wielen Paul W. J. J. , Heijnen Leo , van der Kooij Dick
Published: August 2013

Studies have shown that certain opportunistic pathogenic species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can be present in distributed drinking water. However, detailed information about NTM population composition in drinking water is lacking. Therefore, NTM communities in unchlorinated drinking water from the distribution system of five treatment plants in the Netherlands were characterized using 454 pyrosequencing of the
hsp65
gene. Results showed high diversities in unchlorinated drinking water, with up to 28 different NTM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in a single sample. Each drinking water sample had a unique NTM community, and most (81.1%) OTUs were observed only once. One OTU was observed in 14 of 16 drinking water samples, indicating that this NTM species is well adapted to unchlorinated drinking water conditions. A clear influence of season, source type (groundwater, surface water), easily assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentration, biofilm formation rate, and active biomass in treated water on the establishment of an NTM community in drinking water was not observed. Apparently, local conditions are more important for the development of a specific NTM community in the drinking water distribution system. A low (4.2%) number of
hsp65
gene sequences showed more than 97% similarity to sequences of the opportunistic pathogens
M. avium
,
M. genavense
, and
M. gordonae
. However, most (95.8%) NTM
hsp65
gene sequences were related to not-yet-described NTM species that have not been linked to disease, indicating that most NTM species in unchlorinated drinking water from distribution systems in the Netherlands have a low public health significance.
Novel Tripartite Aromatic Acid Transporter Essential for Terephthalate Uptake in Comamonas sp. Strain E6
Authors: Hosaka Masaru , Kamimura Naofumi , Toribami Shotaro , Mori Kosuke , Kasai Daisuke , Fukuda Masao , Masai Eiji
Published: August 2013

It has been suggested that a novel type of aromatic acid transporter, which is similar to the tripartite tricarboxylate transporter (TTT), is involved in terephthalate (TPA) uptake by
Comamonas
sp. strain E6. This suggestion was based on the presence of the putative TPA-binding protein gene,
tphC
, in the TPA catabolic operon. The
tphC
gene is essential for growth on TPA and is similar to the genes encoding TTT-like substrate-binding proteins. Here we identified two sets of E6 genes,
tctBA
and
tpiBA
, which encode TTT-like cytoplasmic transmembrane proteins. Disruption of
tctA
showed no influence on TPA uptake but resulted in a complete loss of the uptake of citrate. This loss suggests that
tctA
is involved in citrate uptake. On the other hand, disruption of
tpiA
or
tpiB
demonstrated that both genes are essential for TPA uptake. Only when both
tphC
and
tpiBA
were introduced with the TPA catabolic genes into cells of a non-TPA-degrading
Pseudomonas
strain did the resting cells of the transformant acquire the ability to convert TPA. From all these results, it was concluded that the TPA uptake system consists of the TpiA-TpiB membrane components and TPA-binding TphC. Interestingly, not only was the
tpiA
mutant of E6 unable to grow on TPA or isophthalate, it also showed significant growth delays on
o
-phthalate and protocatechuate. These results suggested that the TpiA-TpiB membrane components are able to interact with multiple substrate-binding proteins. The
tpiBA
genes were constitutively transcribed as a single operon in E6 cells, whereas the transcription of
tphC
was positively regulated by TphR. TPA uptake by E6 cells was completely inhibited by a protonophore, carbonyl cyanide
m
-chlorophenyl hydrazone, indicating that the TPA uptake system requires a proton motive force.
Assessment of Survival and Body Size Variation of Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as Functions of “Candidatus Cardinium” (Bacteroidetes) Infection Status
Authors: Morag N. , Mullens B. A. , Gottlieb Y.
Published: August 2013

“
Candidatus
Cardinium hertigii” (
Bacteroidetes
) is a maternally inherited endosymbiont known from several arthropods. Its mechanisms for persistence in host populations are mostly reproductive manipulation, though it has been occasionally reported to improve fitness parameters in several hosts. In
Culicoides
(Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges, the prevalence of “
Candidatus
Cardinium” infection was documented as moderate, with no detectable sex bias. We therefore investigated whether “
Candidatus
Cardinium” affects important fitness parameters, such as survival and body size, in
Culicoides imicola
, a dominant vector species. Field-collected midges were trapped and analyzed for survival under different environmental conditions and antibiotic treatment, taking into account “
Candidatus
Cardinium” infection status and parity status (i.e., parous or nulliparous). Additionally, wing lengths were measured as a proxy parameter for body size and analyzed together with “
Candidatus
Cardinium” infection data. The findings revealed no difference in survival of
Culicoides
infected with “
Candidatus
Cardinium” and that of uninfected midges in both parity states and under all tested conditions: optimal, starvation, heat, and antibiotic treatment. Beyond survival, no wing length difference was found for “
Candidatus
Cardinium”-infected versus uninfected midges. In aggregate, these findings support our conclusion that “
Candidatus
Cardinium” does not have an overt effect on the survival and size of adult
C. imicola
midges. “
Candidatus
Cardinium” may affect immature stages or may alter adult reproductive performance.
Genetically Diverse Clostridium difficile Strains Harboring Abundant Prophages in an Estuarine Environment
Authors: Hargreaves K. R. , Colvin H. V. , Patel K. V. , Clokie J. J. P. , Clokie M. R. J.
Published: August 2013

Clostridium difficile
is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrheal disease in health care settings across the world. Despite its pathogenic capacity, it can be carried asymptomatically and has been found in terrestrial and marine ecosystems outside hospital environments. Little is known about these environmental strains, and few studies have been conducted on estuarine systems. Although prophage abundance and diversity are known to occur within clinical strains, prophage carriage within environmental strains of
C. difficile
has not previously been explored. In this study, we isolated
C. difficile
from sites sampled in two consecutive years in an English estuarine system. Isolates were characterized by PCR ribotype, antibiotic resistance, and motility. The prevalence and diversity of prophages were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a phage-specific PCR assay. We show that a dynamic and diverse population of
C. difficile
exists within these sediments and that it includes isolates of ribotypes which are associated with severe clinical infections and those which are more frequently isolated from outside the hospital environment. Prophage carriage was found to be high (75%), demonstrating that phages play a role in the biology of these strains.
Engineered Biosynthesis of Disaccharide-Modified Polyene Macrolides
Authors: De Poire Eimear , Stephens Niamh , Rawlings Bernard , Caffrey Patrick
Published: August 2013

Recent work has uncovered genes for two glycosyltransferases that are thought to catalyze mannosylation of mycosaminyl sugars of polyene macrolides. These two genes are
nypY
from
Pseudonocardia
sp. strain P1 and
pegA
from
Actinoplanes caeruleus
. Here we analyze these genes by heterologous expression in various strains of
Streptomyces nodosus
, producer of amphotericins, and in
Streptomyces albidoflavus
, which produces candicidins. The NypY glycosyltransferase converted amphotericins A and B and 7-oxo-amphotericin B to disaccharide-modified forms
in vivo
. The enzyme did not act on amphotericin analogs lacking exocyclic carboxyl or mycosamine amino groups. Both NypY and PegA acted on candicidins. This work confirms the functions of these glycosyltransferases and provides insights into their acceptor substrate tolerance. Disaccharide-modified polyenes may have potential as less toxic antibiotics.
Ras Signaling Gets Fine-Tuned: Regulation of Multiple Pathogenic Traits of Candida albicans
Authors: Inglis Diane O. , Sherlock Gavin
Published: August 2013

Candida albicans
is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause disseminated infection in patients with indwelling catheters or other implanted medical devices. A common resident of the human microbiome,
C. albicans
responds to environmental signals, such as cell contact with catheter materials and exposure to serum or CO
2
, by triggering the expression of a variety of traits, some of which are known to contribute to its pathogenic lifestyle. Such traits include adhesion, biofilm formation, filamentation, white-to-opaque (W-O) switching, and two recently described phenotypes, finger and tentacle formation. Under distinct sets of environmental conditions and in specific cell types (mating type-like
a
[MTL
a
]/alpha cells, MTL homozygotes, or daughter cells),
C. albicans
utilizes (or reutilizes) a single signal transduction pathway—the Ras pathway—to affect these phenotypes. Ras1, Cyr1, Tpk2, and Pde2, the proteins of the Ras signaling pathway, are the only nontranscriptional regulatory proteins that are known to be essential for regulating all of these processes. How does
C. albicans
utilize this one pathway to regulate all of these phenotypes? The regulation of distinct and yet related processes by a single, evolutionarily conserved pathway is accomplished through the use of downstream transcription factors that are active under specific environmental conditions and in different cell types. In this minireview, we discuss the role of Ras signaling pathway components and Ras pathway-regulated transcription factors as well as the transcriptional regulatory networks that fine-tune gene expression in diverse biological contexts to generate specific phenotypes that impact the virulence of
C. albicans
.