Effects of dietary supplementation of the lignocelluloses FibreCell and OptiCell on performance, expression of inflammation-related genes and the gut microbiome of broilers.

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of lignocellulose in broilers influences the gut bacterial population and bacterial fermentation, has anti-inflammatory effects, and increases mucin synthesis in the intestine, and, through these changes, influences broiler performance positively. Day-old male Cobb 500 broilers (n = 96) were allotted to 3 experimental groups and fed 3 different maize-wheat-soybean meal-based basal diets during days 1 to 10, 11 to 21, and 22 to 35. The basal diets were fed to the control group, and were supplemented with 0.8% of a standard lignocellulose (LCS) or a fermentable lignocellulose (LCF). Body weight and feed consumption were determined, and at slaughter (day 35), carcass and gizzard weights and gizzard content pH were recorded, and samples of jejunum, cecum, and colon mucosa and of cecum digesta were collected from 15 birds/group. Growth performance and feed intake were not influenced, but dressing percentage was higher in group LCF compared to the other groups. In group LCS and the control group, performance, gizzard weight and gizzard content pH, intestinal gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and of the mucins 2, 5ac and 13, the cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile, and bacterial diversity were similar, and relative abundance of bacterial groups (16S DNA sequencing) differed. Supplementation of LCF decreased the expression of the pro-inflammatory genes encoding interleukins 1ß and 17 (P < 0.05) and those of 2 and 8 (P < 0.10) in the jejunum only. The bacterial population differed, and the SCFA profile shifted toward acetate at the expense of butyrate in group LCF compared to the control group. For example, the abundance of Firmicutes and of Ruminococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae decreased, whereas those of Peptostreptococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae and that of members of the phylum Proteobacteria increased in group LCF compared to the control group. These data indicate that the susceptibility of lignocellulose to fermentation is crucial for mediating its effects on intestinal gene expression and the bacterial population in the cecum, which may also affect dressing percentage.

Novel biomineralization strategy in calcareous foraminifera.

This work shows that calcareous benthic foraminifera are capable of agglutinating sedimentary particles also. In particular, we focus on Melonis barleeanus. Traditionally considered a calcareous species, our data revealed the presence of minute (~3 µm) sedimentary particles (silicate grains) inside the chamber walls of the examined shells. These particles were arranged in a definitive and systematic pattern, and the similar grain chemical characterization and size suggested a relatively high degree of selectivity in both modern and fossil specimens. Based on these results, we propose that M. barleeanus is capable of agglutinating sedimentary particles during the formation of a new chamber. The analysis of other calcareous foraminiferal species (e.g., Cassidulina neoteretis, Lobatula lobatula, Nonionella stella) did not reveal the presence of silicate grains in the shell of the specimens analyzed confirming this to be a characteristic of M. barleeanus. Considering that the isotopic and chemical composition of this species is widely used in paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic reconstructions, we used a mixing model to better constrain the influence of sedimentary particles on M. barleeanus δ18O data. Our model showed that the calcite δ18O would increase by ~0.9-2‰ if 10 wt% of feldspars (i.e., anorthite, albite, orthoclase) and quartz, respectively, were included in the analyzed shell. Based on these results, we emphasize that it is of paramount importance to consider M. barleeanus unusual biomineralization strategy during the interpretation of geological records and to investigate the presence of similar processes in other calcareous foraminiferal species.

Predicting the risk of cucurbit downy mildew in the eastern United States using an integrated aerobiological model.

Cucurbit downy mildew caused by the obligate oomycete, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is considered one of the most economically important diseases of cucurbits worldwide. In the continental United States, the pathogen overwinters in southern Florida and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Outbreaks of the disease in northern states occur annually via long-distance aerial transport of sporangia from infected source fields. An integrated aerobiological modeling system has been developed to predict the risk of disease occurrence and to facilitate timely use of fungicides for disease management. The forecasting system, which combines information on known inoculum sources, long-distance atmospheric spore transport and spore deposition modules, was tested to determine its accuracy in predicting risk of disease outbreak. Rainwater samples at disease monitoring sites in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina were collected weekly from planting to the first appearance of symptoms at the field sites during the 2013, 2014, and 2015 growing seasons. A conventional PCR assay with primers specific to P. cubensis was used to detect the presence of sporangia in rain water samples. Disease forecasts were monitored and recorded for each site after each rain event until initial disease symptoms appeared. The pathogen was detected in 38 of the 187 rainwater samples collected during the study period. The forecasting system correctly predicted the risk of disease outbreak based on the presence of sporangia or appearance of initial disease symptoms with an overall accuracy rate of 66 and 75%, respectively. In addition, the probability that the forecasting system correctly classified the presence or absence of disease was ≥ 73%. The true skill statistic calculated based on the appearance of disease symptoms in cucurbit field plantings ranged from 0.42 to 0.58, indicating that the disease forecasting system had an acceptable to good performance in predicting the risk of cucurbit downy mildew outbreak in the eastern United States.

Resistance to Fluopicolide and Propamocarb and Baseline Sensitivity to Ethaboxam Among Isolates of Pseudoperonospora cubensis From the Eastern United States.

Chemical control is currently the most effective method for controlling cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Most commercial cucurbit cultivars, with the exception of a few new cucumber cultivars, lack adequate disease resistance. Fluopicolide and propamocarb were among the most effective fungicides against CDM in the United States between 2006 and 2009. Since then, reduced efficacy of these two fungicides under field conditions was reported starting around 2013 but occurrence of resistance to fluopicolide and propamocarb in field isolates of P. cubensis had not been established. Thirty-one isolates collected from cucurbits in the eastern United States were tested for their sensitivity to fluopicolide and propamocarb using a leaf disc assay. This same set of isolates and four additional isolates (i.e., 35 isolates) were also used to establish the baseline sensitivity of P. cubensis to ethaboxam, an ethylamino-thiazole-carboxamide fungicide, which was recently granted registration to control CDM in the United States. About 65% of the isolates tested were resistant to fluopicolide with at least one resistant isolate being present in samples collected from 12 of the 13 states in the eastern United States. About 74% of the isolates tested were sensitive to propamocarb with at least one resistant isolate being among samples collected from 8 of the 12 states in the study. The frequency of resistance to fluopicolide and propamocarb was high among isolates collected from cucumber, while the frequency was low among isolates collected from other cucurbit host types. All isolates tested were found to be sensitive to ethaboxam and EC50 values ranged from 0.18 to 3.08 mg a.i./liter with a median of 1.55 mg a.i./liter. The ratio of EC50 values for the least sensitive and the most sensitive isolate was 17.1, indicating that P. cubensis isolates were highly sensitive to ethaboxam. The most sensitive isolates to ethaboxam were collected from New York, North Carolina, and Ohio, while the least sensitive isolates were collected from Georgia, Michigan, and New Jersey. These results show that ethaboxam could be a viable addition to fungicide programs used to control CDM in the United States.

Association of intraoperative changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postoperative delirium in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is common after surgery, although the aetiology is poorly defined. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin important in neurotransmission and neuroplasticity. Decreased levels of BDNF have been associated with poor cognitive outcomes, but few studies have characterized the role of BDNF perioperatively. We hypothesized that intraoperative decreases in BDNF levels are associated with postoperative delirium. METHODS: Patients undergoing spine surgery were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Plasma BDNF was collected at baseline and at least hourly intraoperatively. Delirium was assessed using rigorous methods, including the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and CAM for the intensive care unit. Associations of changes in BDNF and delirium were examined using regression models. RESULTS: Postoperative delirium developed in 32 of 77 (42%) patients. The median baseline BDNF level was 7.6 ng ml -1 [interquartile range (IQR) 3.0-11.2] and generally declined intraoperatively [median decline 61% (IQR 31-80)]. There was no difference in baseline BDNF levels by delirium status. However, the percent decline in BDNF was greater in patients who developed delirium [median 74% (IQR 51-82)] vs in those who did not develop delirium [median 50% (IQR 14-79); P =0.03]. Each 1% decline in BDNF was associated with increased odds of delirium in unadjusted {odds ratio [OR] 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.04]; P =0.01}, multivariable-adjusted [OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.00-1.03); P =0.03], and propensity score-adjusted models [OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.00-1.04); P =0.03]. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an association between intraoperative decline in plasma BDNF and delirium. These preliminary results need to be confirmed but suggest that plasma BDNF levels may be a biomarker for postoperative delirium.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain JB-1 reverses restraint stress-induced gut dysmotility.

BACKGROUND: Environmental stress affects the gut with dysmotility being a common consequence. Although a variety of microbes or molecules may prevent the dysmotility, none reverse the dysmotility. METHODS: We have used a 1 hour restraint stress mouse model to test for treatment effects of the neuroactive microbe, L. rhamnosus JB-1™ . Motility of fluid-filled ex vivo gut segments in a perfusion organ bath was recorded by video and migrating motor complexes measured using spatiotemporal maps of diameter changes. KEY RESULTS: Stress reduced jejunal and increased colonic propagating contractile cluster velocities and frequencies, while increasing contraction amplitudes for both. Luminal application of 10E8 cfu/mL JB-1 restored motor complex variables to unstressed levels within minutes of application. L. salivarius or Na.acetate had no treatment effects, while Na.butyrate partially reversed stress effects on colonic frequency and amplitude. Na.propionate reversed the stress effects for jejunum and colon except on jejunal amplitude. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, a potential for certain beneficial microbes as treatment of stress-induced intestinal dysmotility and that the mechanism for restoration of function occurs within the intestine via a rapid drug-like action on the enteric nervous system.

Behavioural and neurochemical consequences of chronic gut microbiota depletion during adulthood in the rat.

Gut microbiota colonization is a key event for host physiology that occurs early in life. Disruption of this process leads to altered brain development which ultimately manifests as changes in brain function and behaviour in adulthood. Studies using germ-free (GF) mice highlight the extreme impact on brain health that results from life without commensal microbes. However, the impact of microbiota disturbances occurring in adulthood is less studied. To this end, we depleted the gut microbiota of 10-week-old male SpragueDawley rats via chronic antibiotic treatment. Following this marked, sustained depletion of the gut bacteria, we investigated behavioural and molecular hallmarks of gut-brain communication. Our results reveal that depletion of the gut microbiota during adulthood results in deficits in spatial memory as tested by Morris water maze, decreased visceral sensitivity and a greater display of depressive-like behaviours in the forced swim test. In tandem with these clear behavioural alterations we found changes in altered CNS serotonin concentration along with changes in the mRNA levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone receptor 1 and glucocorticoid receptor. Additionally, we found changes in the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a hallmark of altered microbiota-gut-brain axis signalling. In summary, this model of antibiotic-induced depletion of the gut microbiota can be used for future studies interested in the impact of the gut microbiota on host health without the confounding developmental influence of early-life microbial alterations.

The gut microbiome restores intrinsic and extrinsic nerve function in germ-free mice accompanied by changes in calbindin.

BACKGROUND: The microbiome is essential for normal myenteric intrinsic primary afferent neuron (IPAN) excitability. These neurons control gut motility and modulate gut-brain signaling by exciting extrinsic afferent fibers innervating the enteric nervous system via an IPAN to extrinsic fiber sensory synapse. We investigated effects of germ-free (GF) status and conventionalization on extrinsic sensory fiber discharge in the mesenteric nerve bundle and IPAN electrophysiology, and compared these findings with those from specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. As we have previously shown that the IPAN calcium-dependent slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) is enhanced in GF mice, we also examined the expression of the calcium-binding protein calbindin in these neurons in these different animal groups. METHODS: IPAN sAHP and mesenteric nerve multiunit discharge were recorded using ex vivo jejunal gut segments from SPF, GF, or conventionalized (CONV) mice. IPANs were excited by adding 5 µM TRAM-34 to the serosal superfusate. We probed for calbindin expression using immunohistochemical techniques. KEY RESULTS: SPF mice had a 21% increase in mesenteric nerve multiunit firing rate and CONV mice a 41% increase when IPANs were excited by TRAM-34. For GF mice, this increase was barely detectable (2%). TRAM-34 changed sAHP area under the curve by -77 for SPF, +3 for GF, or -54% for CONV animals. Calbindin-immunopositive neurons per myenteric ganglion were 36% in SPF, 24% in GF, and 52% in CONV animals. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: The intact microbiome is essential for normal intrinsic and extrinsic nerve function and gut-brain signaling.

Arterial pressure above the upper cerebral autoregulation limit during cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with postoperative delirium.

BACKGROUND: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) below the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with complications after cardiac surgery. However, simply raising empiric MAP targets during CPB might result in MAP above the upper limit of autoregulation (ULA), causing cerebral hyperperfusion in some patients and predisposing them to cerebral dysfunction after surgery. We hypothesized that MAP above an ULA during CPB is associated with postoperative delirium. METHODS: Autoregulation during CPB was monitored continuously in 491 patients with the cerebral oximetry index (COx) in this prospective observational study. COx represents Pearson's correlation coefficient between low-frequency changes in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (measured with near-infrared spectroscopy) and MAP. Delirium was defined throughout the postoperative hospitalization based on clinical detection with prospectively defined methods. RESULTS: Delirium was observed in 45 (9.2%) patients. Mechanical ventilation for >48 h [odds ratio (OR), 3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72-9.03], preoperative antidepressant use (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.29-6.96), prior stroke (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.12-6.96), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.28-5.62), the product of the magnitude and duration of MAP above an ULA (mm Hg h; OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.15), and age (per year of age; OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) were independently associated with postoperative delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Excursions of MAP above the upper limit of cerebral autoregulation during CPB are associated with risk for delirium. Optimizing MAP during CPB to remain within the cerebral autoregulation range might reduce risk of delirium. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT00769691 and NCT00981474.

Evaluation of two delirium screening tools for detecting post-operative delirium in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium in the elderly is common and associated with poor outcomes, but often goes unrecognized. Delirium screening tools, validated in postoperative settings are lacking. This study compares two screening tools [Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and Nursing Delirium Symptom Checklist (NuDESC)] with a DSM-IV-based diagnosis of delirium, conducted by neuropsychiatric examination in postoperative settings. METHODS: Consecutive English-speaking patients, ≥70 yr, undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia and capable of providing informed consent, were recruited. Diagnostic test characteristics were compared for each screening tool vs neuropsychiatric examination, both in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and daily during inpatient hospitalization, adjusting for repeated measures. RESULTS: Neuropsychiatric examination identified delirium in 45% of 91 patients evaluated in the PACU and in 32% of 166 subsequent delirium assessments on the ward in the 58 admitted patients. The sensitivity [95% confidence interval (CI)] of delirium detection of the CAM-ICU in the PACU, and in all repeated assessments was 28% (16-45%) and 28% (17-42%), respectively; for the NuDESC (scoring threshold ≥2), 32% (19-48%) and 29% (19-42%), respectively, and the NuDESC (threshold ≥1), 80% (65-91%) and 72% (60-82%), respectively. Specificity was >90% for both the CAM-ICU and the NuDESC (threshold ≥2); specificity for the NuDESC (threshold ≥1), in the PACU was 69% (54-80%) and 80% (73-85%) for all assessments. CONCLUSIONS: While highly specific, neither CAM-ICU nor NuDESC (threshold ≥2) are adequately sensitive to identify delirium post-operatively; NuDESC (threshold ≥1) increases sensitivity, but reduces specificity.

The microbiome is essential for normal gut intrinsic primary afferent neuron excitability in the mouse.

BACKGROUND: The role of intestinal microbiota in the development and function of host physiology is of high interest, especially with respect to the nervous system. While strong evidence has accrued that intestinal bacteria alter host nervous system function, mechanisms by which this occurs have remained elusive. For this reason, we have carried out experiments examining the electrophysiological properties of neurons in the myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in germ-free (GF) mice compared with specific pathogen-free (SPF) control mice and adult germ-free mice that have been conventionalized (CONV-GF) with intestinal bacteria. METHODS: Segments of jejunum from 8 to 12 week old GF, SPF, and CONV-GF mice were dissected to expose the myenteric plexus. Intracellular recordings in current-clamp mode were made by impaling cells with sharp microelectrodes. Action potential (AP) shapes, firing thresholds, the number of APs fired at 2× threshold, and passive membrane characteristics were measured. KEY RESULTS: In GF mice, excitability was decreased in myenteric afterhyperpolarization (AH) neurons as measured by a lower resting membrane potential and by the number of APs generated at 2× threshold. The post AP slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) was prolonged for GF compared with SPF and CONV-GF animals. Passive membrane characteristics were also altered in GF mice by a decrease in input resistance. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Here, we report the novel finding that commensal intestinal microbiota are necessary for normal excitability of gut sensory neurons and thus provide a potential mechanism for the transfer of information between the microbiota and nervous system.

A knock-in mouse model reveals roles for nuclear Apc in cell proliferation, Wnt signal inhibition and tumor suppression.

Mutation of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is considered an initiating step in the genesis of the vast majority of colorectal cancers. APC inhibits the Wnt-signaling pathway by targeting the proto-oncogene ß-catenin for destruction by cytoplasmic proteasomes. In the presence of a Wnt signal, or in the absence of functional APC, ß-catenin can serve as a transcription cofactor for genes required for cell proliferation such as cyclin-D1 and c-Myc. In cultured cells, APC shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, with nuclear APC implicated in the inhibition of Wnt target gene expression. Adopting a genetic approach to evaluate the functions of nuclear APC in the context of a whole organism, we generated a mouse model with mutations that inactivate the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of Apc (Apc(mNLS)). Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice are viable and fractionation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from these mice revealed a significant reduction in nuclear Apc as compared with Apc(+/+) MEFs. The levels of Apc and ß-catenin protein were not significantly altered in small intestinal epithelia from Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice. Compared with Apc(+/+) mice, Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice showed increased proliferation in epithelial cells from the jejunum, ileum and colon. These same tissues from Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice showed more mRNA from three genes upregulated in response to canonical Wnt signal, c-Myc, axin-2 and cyclin-D1, and less mRNA from Hath-1, which is downregulated in response to Wnt. These observations suggest a role for nuclear Apc in the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling and the control of epithelial proliferation in intestinal tissue. Furthermore, we found Apc(Min/+) mice, which harbor a mutation that truncates Apc, to have an increased polyp size and multiplicity if they also carry the Apc(mNLS) allele. Taken together, this analysis of the novel Apc(mNLS) mouse model supports a role for nuclear Apc in the control of Wnt target genes, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and polyp formation.

Interactive Effects of Temperature and Leaf Wetness Duration on Sporangia Germination and Infection of Cucurbit Hosts by Pseudoperonospora cubensis.

Outbreaks of cucurbit downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis are dependent on the weather but effects of temperature and leaf wetness duration on infection have not been studied for different cucurbits. To determine the effects of these two weather variables on sporangia germination and infection of cucurbit host types by P. cubensis, three host types; cucumber ('Straight 8'), cantaloupe ('Kermit'), and acorn squash ('Table Queen'), were inoculated and exposed to leaf wetness durations of 2 to 24 h at six constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 30°C in growth-chamber experiments. Sporangia germination was assessed after each wetness period, and leaf area infected was assessed 5 and 7 days after inoculation. Germination of sporangia was highest on cantaloupe (16.5 to 85.7%) and lowest on squash (10.7 to 68.9%), while disease severity was highest and lowest on cucumber and cantaloupe, respectively. Host type, temperature, wetness duration and their interactions significantly (P < 0.0001) affected germination and disease severity. Germination and disease data for each host type were separately fitted to a modified form of a Weibull function that characterizes a unimodal response and monotonic increase of germination or infection with temperature and wetness duration, respectively. The effect of host type on germination and infection was characterized primarily by differences in the upper limit parameter in response to temperature. Differences among host types based on other parameters were either small or inconsistent. Temperature and wetness duration that supported a given level of germination or infection varied among host types. At 20°C, 15% leaf area infected was expected following 2, 4, and 8 h of wetness for cucumber, squash, and cantaloupe, respectively. When temperature was increased to 25°C, 15% disease severity was expected following 3, 7, and 15 h of wetness for cucumber, squash, and cantaloupe, respectively. Risk charts were constructed to estimate the potential risk of infection of cucurbit host types by P. cubensis based on prevailing or forecasted temperature and leaf wetness duration. These results will improve the timing and application of the initial fungicide spray for the control of cucurbit downy mildew.

Reduced anxiety-like behavior and central neurochemical change in germ-free mice.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the gut-brain axis and the role intestinal microbiota may play in communication between these two systems. Acquisition of intestinal microbiota in the immediate postnatal period has a defining impact on the development and function of the gastrointestinal, immune, neuroendocrine and metabolic systems. For example, the presence of gut microbiota regulates the set point for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. METHODS: We investigated basal behavior of adult germ-free (GF), Swiss Webster female mice in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and compared this to conventionally reared specific pathogen free (SPF) mice. Additionally, we measured brain mRNA expression of genes implicated in anxiety and stress-reactivity. KEY RESULTS: Germ-free mice, compared to SPF mice, exhibited basal behavior in the EPM that can be interpreted as anxiolytic. Altered GF behavior was accompanied by a decrease in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2B mRNA expression in the central amygdala, increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and decreased serotonin receptor 1A (5HT1A) expression in the dentate granule layer of the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We conclude that the presence or absence of conventional intestinal microbiota influences the development of behavior, and is accompanied by neurochemical changes in the brain.

Quantitative models for germination and infection of Pseudoperonospora cubensis in response to temperature and duration of leaf wetness.

The influence of temperature and leaf wetness duration on germination of sporangia and infection of cantaloupe leaves by Pseudoperonospora cubensis was examined in three independent controlled-environment experiments by inoculating plants with a spore suspension and exposing them to a range of leaf wetness durations (2 to 24 h) at six fixed temperatures (5 to 30 degrees C). Germination of sporangia was assessed at the end of each wetness period and infection was evaluated from assessments of disease severity 5 days after inoculation. Three response surface models based on modified forms of the Weibull function were evaluated for their ability to describe germination of sporangia and infection in response to temperature and leaf wetness duration. The models estimated 15.7 to 17.3 and 19.5 to 21.7 degrees C as the optimum temperature (t) range for germination and infection, respectively, with little germination or infection at 5 or 30 degrees C. For wetness periods of 4 to 8 h, a distinct optimum for infection was observed at t = 20 degrees C but broader optimum curves resulted from wetness periods >8 h. Model 1 of the form f(w,t) = f(t) x (1 - exp{-[B x w](D)}) resulted in smaller asymptotic standard errors and yielded higher correlations between observed and predicted germination and infection data than either model 2 of the form f(w,t) = A{1 - exp[- f(t) x (w - C)](D)} or model 3 of the form f(w,t) = [1 - exp{-(B x w)(2)}]/cosh[(t - F)G/2]. Models 1 and 2 had nonsignificant lack-of-fit test statistics for both germination and infection data, whereas a lack-of-fit test was significant for model 3. The models accounted for approximately 87% (model 3) to 98% (model 1) of the total variation in the germination and infection data. In the validation of the models using data generated with a different isolate of P. cubensis, slopes of the regression line between observed and predicted germination and infection data were not significantly different (P > 0.2487) and correlation coefficients between observed and predicted values were high (r(2) > 0.81). Models 1 and 2 were used to construct risk threshold charts that can be used to estimate the potential risk for infection based on observed or forecasted temperature and leaf wetness duration.

Regular use of alcohol and tobacco in India and its association with age, gender, and poverty.

This study provides national estimates of regular tobacco and alcohol use in India and their associations with gender, age, and economic group obtained from a representative survey of 471,143 people over the age of 10 years in 1995-96, the National Sample Survey. The national prevalence of regular use of smoking tobacco is estimated to be 16.2%, chewing tobacco 14.0%, and alcohol 4.5%. Men were 25.5 times more likely than women to report regular smoking, 3.7 times more likely to regularly chew tobacco, and 9.7 times more likely to regularly use alcohol. Respondents belonging to scheduled castes and tribes (recognized disadvantaged groups) were significantly more likely to report regular use of alcohol as well as smoking and chewing tobacco. People from rural areas had higher rates compared to urban dwellers, as did those with no formal education. Individuals with incomes below the poverty line had higher relative odds of use of chewing tobacco and alcohol compared to those above the poverty line. The regular use of both tobacco and alcohol also increased significantly with each diminishing income quintile. Comparisons are made between these results and those found in the United States and elsewhere, highlighting the need to address control of these substances on the public health agenda.

Cell density and phosphorylation control the subcellular localization of adenomatous polyposis coli protein.

Loss of functional adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) leads to uncontrolled proliferation of colonic epithelial cells, as evidenced by polyp formation, a prelude to carcinogenesis. As a tumor suppressor, APC targets the oncogene beta-catenin for proteasome-mediated cytoplasmic degradation. Recently, it was demonstrated that APC also interacts with nuclear beta-catenin, thereby reducing beta-catenin's activity as a transcription cofactor and enhancing its nuclear export. The first objective of this study was to analyze how cellular context affected APC distribution. We determined that cell density but not cell cycle influenced APC's subcellular distribution, with predominantly nuclear APC found in subconfluent MDCK and intestinal epithelial cells but both cytoplasmic and nuclear APC in superconfluent cells. Redistribution of APC protein did not depend on continual nuclear export. Focusing on the two defined nuclear localization signals in the C-terminal third of APC (NLS1(APC) and NLS2(APC)), we found that phosphorylation at the CK2 site increased and phosphorylation at the PKA site decreased NLS2(APC)-mediated nuclear translocation. Cell density-mediated redistribution of beta-galactosidase was achieved by fusion to NLS2(APC) but not to NLS1(APC). Both the CK2 and PKA sites were important for this density-mediated redistribution, and pharmacological agents that target CK2 and PKA instigated relocalization of endogenous APC. Our data provide evidence that physiological signals such as cell density regulate APC's nuclear distribution, with phosphorylation sites near NLS2(APC) being critical for this regulation.

Many-to-one and one-to-many associative learning in a naturalistic task.

Associative learning of a coding scheme for alternative and augmentative communication devices requires the formation of multiple associations to 1 stimulus or 1 response. Alternative study presentations differ on several important factors, including recognition versus recall responses and many-to-one versus one-to-many associative learning. Also, the directionality of the association emphasized at study does not necessarily parallel the use of the association, raising questions concerning retention. Two experiments tested expectations regarding the efficacy of 2 study presentations. The study presentations produced dissociative effects for acquisition versus retention of the coding scheme for normal and intellectually disabled participants. Consideration of the results and the manner in which the coding scheme is used recommends many-to-one training in which vocabulary items are given as stimuli and icons are learned as responses.

Siah-1 mediates a novel beta-catenin degradation pathway linking p53 to the adenomatous polyposis coli protein.

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor-suppressor protein, together with Axin and GSK3beta, forms a Wnt-regulated signaling complex that mediates phosphorylation-dependent degradation of beta-catenin by the proteasome. Siah-1, the human homolog of Drosophila seven in absentia, is a p53-inducible mediator of cell cycle arrest, tumor suppression, and apoptosis. We have now found that Siah-1 interacts with the carboxyl terminus of APC and promotes degradation of beta-catenin in mammalian cells. The ability of Siah-1 to downregulate beta-catenin signaling was also demonstrated by hypodorsalization of Xenopus embryos. Unexpectedly, degradation of beta-catenin by Siah-1 was independent of GSK3beta-mediated phosphorylation and did not require the F box protein beta-TrCP. These results indicate that APC and Siah-1 mediate a novel beta-catenin degradation pathway linking p53 activation to cell cycle control.