Plant size, latitude, and phylogeny explain within-population variability in herbivory.

Interactions between plants and herbivores are central in most ecosystems, but their strength is highly variable. The amount of variability within a system is thought to influence most aspects of plant-herbivore biology, from ecological stability to plant defense evolution. Our understanding of what influences variability, however, is limited by sparse data. We collected standardized surveys of herbivory for 503 plant species at 790 sites across 116° of latitude. With these data, we show that within-population variability in herbivory increases with latitude, decreases with plant size, and is phylogenetically structured. Differences in the magnitude of variability are thus central to how plant-herbivore biology varies across macroscale gradients. We argue that increased focus on interaction variability will advance understanding of patterns of life on Earth.

Bloodstream infections in neonates with central venous catheters in three tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Pune, India.

BACKGROUND: Neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at risk for healthcare-associated infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections. We aimed to characterize the epidemiology of bloodstream infections among neonates with central venous catheters admitted to three Indian NICUs. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in three tertiary NICUs, from May 1, 2017 until July 31, 2019. All neonates admitted to the NICU were enrolled and followed until discharge, transfer, or death. Cases were defined as positive blood cultures in neonates with a central venous catheter in place for greater than 2 days or within 2 days of catheter removal. RESULTS: During the study period, 140 bloodstream infections were identified in 131 neonates with a central venous catheter. The bloodstream infection rate was 11.9 per 1000 central line-days. Gram-negative organisms predominated, with 38.6% of cases caused by Klebsiella spp. and 14.9% by Acinetobacter spp. Antimicrobial resistance was prevalent among Gram-negative isolates, with 86.9% resistant to third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins, 63.1% to aminoglycosides, 61.9% to fluoroquinolones, and 42.0% to carbapenems. Mortality and length of stay were greater in neonates with bloodstream infection than in neonates without bloodstream infection (unadjusted analysis, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We report a high bloodstream infection rate among neonates with central venous catheters admitted to three tertiary care NICUs in India. Action to improve infection prevention and control practices in the NICU is needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with BSI in this high-risk population.

Characterization of 13 microsatellites for Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) and cross-amplification in six other salmonids.

Thirteen newly developed tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite markers were developed for Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi), a threatened subspecies endemic to the Lahontan hydrographic basin in the western USA. These loci are highly polymorphic with five to 30 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.4 to 0.7. Cross-species amplification of these markers was most successful in the closely related rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, with only three loci amplifying in brown trout, Salmo trutta. Nonoverlapping allelic distributions for many of these loci among the six salmonid species screened suggest these markers may be useful for hybrid determination.

Modifiable lifestyle factors affecting bone health using calcaneus quantitative ultrasound in adolescent girls.

UNLABELLED: One hundred and fourteen girls were measured for calcaneus QUS (stiffness index score), calcium intake, weight, and total hours spent in physical activity (moderate to high-impact activities and low to no-impact activities). Multiple regression analysis indicated that hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight significantly predicted SI. INTRODUCTION: To determine the influence of modifiable lifestyle factors on adolescent girls' bone health measured by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS). METHODS: One hundred and fourteen girls, ages 14-18 (15.97 +/- .7), enrolled in high school physical education classes, were measured for calcaneus QUS (stiffness index score), height, weight, current calcium intake from 2-3 day food records, and estimated total hours spent in physical activity from kindergarten to present. Cumulative physical activity hours were separated into two classifications (according to their estimated strain from ground reaction force): moderate to high-impact activities and low to no-impact activities. RESULTS: Pearson correlations between stiffness index (SI) and age, height, weight, current calcium intake, and hours spent in moderate to high-impact versus low to no-impact activities indicated a positive relationships between SI and weight (r = .259, p = .005), current calcium intake (r = .286, p = .002), and hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities (r = .451, p < .001). Multiple regression between SI and the above independent variables indicated that collectively, hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight (r (2) = .363, p = <.001) significantly predicted SI. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight positively influence bone properties of the calcaneus in adolescent girls.

Structure-dependent nonenzymatic deamidation of glutaminyl and asparaginyl pentapeptides.

Nonenzymatic deamidation rates for 52 glutaminyl and 52 asparaginyl pentapeptides in pH 7.4, 37.0 degrees C. 0.15 m Tris-HCl buffer have been determined by direct injection mass spectrometry. These and the previously reported 306 asparginyl rates have been combined in a self-consistent model for peptide deamidation. This model depends quantitatively upon peptide structure and involves succinimide, glutarimide and hydrolysis mechanisms. The experimental values and suitable interpolated values have been combined to provide deamidation rate values in pH 7.4, 37.0 degrees C. 0.15 m Tris-HCl buffer for the entire set of 648 single-amide permutations of ordinary amino acid residues in GlyXxxAsnYyyGly and GlyXxxGlnYyyGly. Thus, knowledge about sequence-dependent deamidation in peptides is extended to include very long deamidation half-times in the range of 2-50 years.

Carbon dioxide and pH affect sperm motility of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus).

Maintenance of sperm at pH values less than approximately 7.5 inhibited the onset of motility when sperm were subsequently diluted with water; maintenance at pH values above approximately 8.2 was associated with maximal motility upon dilution with water. Within 5 approximately min of exposure to low pH buffer (pH 6.9), there was a 50% decline in sperm motility upon dilution with water suggesting that exposure to low pH interferes with motility within a time frame that may affect fertilization. In most instances, maintenance of sperm under CO(2) at a pressure of 4-5 kPa almost completely blocked their capacity for motility. Furthermore, exposing semen to increasing partial pressures of CO(2) up to about 1 kPa resulted in a marked decrease in semen pH. These observations are consistent with the findings that the buffering capacity of semen is particularly low at physiological pH, and that this low buffering capacity corresponds to the highest pH sensitivity of the capacity for sperm motility. The low seminal buffering capacity may represent a physiological adaptation in the control of sperm function. It may also represent a vulnerability to environmental hypercapnia or metabolic acidosis.

The E2F1-3 transcription factors are essential for cellular proliferation.

The retinoblastoma tumour suppressor (Rb) pathway is believed to have a critical role in the control of cellular proliferation by regulating E2F activities. E2F1, E2F2 and E2F3 belong to a subclass of E2F factors thought to act as transcriptional activators important for progression through the G1/S transition. Here we show, by taking a conditional gene targeting approach, that the combined loss of these three E2F factors severely affects E2F target expression and completely abolishes the ability of mouse embryonic fibroblasts to enter S phase, progress through mitosis and proliferate. Loss of E2F function results in an elevation of p21Cip1 protein, leading to a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase activity and Rb phosphorylation. These findings suggest a function for this subclass of E2F transcriptional activators in a positive feedback loop, through down-modulation of p21Cip1, that leads to the inactivation of Rb-dependent repression and S phase entry. By targeting the entire subclass of E2F transcriptional activators we provide direct genetic evidence for their essential role in cell cycle progression, proliferation and development.

Regulation of melatonin 1a receptor signaling and trafficking by asparagine-124.

Melatonin is a pineal hormone that regulates seasonal reproduction and has been used to treat circadian rhythm disorders. The melatonin 1a receptor is a seven- transmembrane domain receptor that signals predominately via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. Point mutations were created at residue N124 in cytoplasmic domain II of the receptor and the mutant receptors were expressed in a neurohormonal cell line. The acidic N124D- and E-substituted receptors had high-affinity (125)I-melatonin binding and a subcellular localization similar to the neutral N124N wild-type receptor. Melatonin efficacy for the inhibition of cAMP by N124D and E mutations was significantly decreased. N124D and E mutations strongly compromised melatonin efficacy and potency for inhibition of K(+)-induced intracellular Ca(++) fluxes and eliminated control of spontaneous calcium fluxes. However, these substitutions did not appear to affect activation of Kir3 potassium channels. The hydrophobic N124L and N124A or basic N124K mutations failed to bind (125)I-melatonin and appeared to aggregate or traffic improperly. N124A and N124K receptors were retained in the Golgi. Therefore, mutants at N124 separated into two sets: the first bound (125)I-melatonin with high affinity and trafficked normally, but with reduced inhibitory coupling to adenylyl cyclase and Ca(++) channels. The second set lacked melatonin binding and exhibited severe trafficking defects. In summary, asparagine-124 controls melatonin receptor function as evidenced by changes in melatonin binding, control of cAMP levels, and regulation of ion channel activity. Asparagine-124 also has a unique structural effect controlling receptor distribution within the cell.

Behavioral and neural consequences of prenatal exposure to nicotine.

OBJECTIVE: To review evidence for the neurodevelopmental effects of in utero exposure to nicotine. Concerns about long-term cognitive and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine arise from reports of increased rates of disruptive behavioral disorders in children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. The relatively high rate of tobacco smoking among pregnant women (25% of all pregnancies in the U.S.) underlines the seriousness of these concerns. METHOD: This review examines the largest and most recent epidemiological and clinical studies that investigated the association of prenatal nicotine exposure with health, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Because of the numerous potential confounding variables in human research, findings from animal studies, in which environmental factors are strictly controlled, are also discussed. Finally, neural and molecular mechanisms that are likely to underlie neurodevelopmental disruptions produced by prenatal nicotine exposure are outlined. RESULTS: A dose-response relationship between maternal smoking rates and low birth weight (potentially associated with lower cognitive ability) and spontaneous abortion is consistently found, whereas long-term developmental and behavioral effects in the offspring are still controversial, perhaps because of the difficulty of separating them from other genetic and environmental factors. Despite the wide variability of experimental paradigms used in animal studies, common physical and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine have been observed, including low birth weight, enhanced locomotor activity, and cognitive impairment. Finally, disturbances in neuronal pathfinding, abnormalities in cell proliferation and differentiation, and disruptions in the development of the cholinergic and catecholaminergic systems all have been reported in molecular animal studies of in utero exposure to nicotine. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to nicotine may lead to dysregulation in neurodevelopment and can indicate higher risk for psychiatric problems, including substance abuse. Knowledge of prenatal exposure to nicotine should prompt child psychiatrists to closely monitor at-risk patients.

Misexpression of IGF-I in the mouse lens expands the transitional zone and perturbs lens polarization.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been implicated as a regulator of lens development. Experiments performed in the chick have indicated that IGF-I can stimulate lens fiber cell differentiation and may be involved in controlling lens polarization. To assess IGF-I activity on mammalian lens cells in vivo, we generated transgenic mice in which this factor was overexpressed from the alphaA-crystallin promoter. Interestingly, we observed no premature differentiation of lens epithelial cells. The pattern of lens polarization was perturbed, with an apparent expansion of the epithelial compartment towards the posterior lens pole. The distribution of immunoreactivity for MIP26 and p57(KIP2) and a modified pattern of proliferation suggested that this morphological change was best described as an expansion of the germinative and transitional zones. The expression of IGF-I signaling components in the normal transitional zone and expansion of the transitional zone in the transgenic lens both suggest that endogenous IGF-I may provide a spatial cue that helps to control the normal location of this domain.

Fatal leukemia in interleukin 15 transgenic mice follows early expansions in natural killer and memory phenotype CD8+ T cells.

Inflammation likely has a role in the early genesis of certain malignancies. Interleukin (IL)-15, a proinflammatory cytokine and growth factor, is required for lymphocyte homeostasis. Intriguingly, the expression of IL-15 protein is tightly controlled by multiple posttranscriptional mechanisms. Here, we engineered a transgenic mouse to overexpress IL-15 by eliminating these posttranscriptional checkpoints. IL-15 transgenic mice have early expansions in natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Later, these mice develop fatal lymphocytic leukemia with a T-NK phenotype. These data provide novel evidence that leukemia, like certain other cancers, can arise as the result of chronic stimulation by a proinflammatory cytokine.

Placebo cigarettes in smoking research.

This review outlines the development and use of placebo cigarettes in smoking research. Research on effects of smoking has been disadvantaged by the lack of an adequate placebo condition. Recently, tobacco-based denicotinized cigarettes have been used in smoking research to distinguish effects of smoking due to the delivery of nicotine, other components of tobacco smoke, and the sensory process of smoking. Placebo cigarettes do not increase heart rate and blood pressure or produce electroencephalogram changes ordinarily associated with nicotine. However, placebo cigarettes reduce subjective measures of tobacco craving, desire to smoke, and tobacco withdrawal. These findings indicate that the effects of cigarette smoking are dependent on the delivery of nicotine, tar, other compounds of tobacco smoke, and the sensory stimuli. The next generation of research may begin to investigate the mechanisms that modulate these placebo effects.

African-American teen smokers: issues to consider for cessation treatment.

Previous reports have indicated ethnic differences in both tobacco-related morbidity and treatment outcome for smoking cessation among adults. We assessed smoking-related characteristics in African-American and non-African American teenagers applying to a cessation trial. 115 teens (15.9 +/- 1.8 years, 68% females, 27% African-American) responded via telephone to media ads. Self-reported sociodemographic, medical and smoking-related data were obtained to determine pre-eligibility for a full intake screen prior to trial participation. Compared to non-African American, African American teen applicants were older (16.4 +/- 1.7 years versus 15.6 +/- 1.6; p = 0.015), had lower Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores (5.3 +/- 2.3 versus 6.1 +/- 1.8; p = 0.018, ANOVA controlling for age) and smoked fewer cigarettes on the weekend (27 +/- 16 versus 38 +/- 17; p = 0.001). African American teens reported similar duration of smoking (3.3 +/- 1.4 versus 3.1 +/- 1.5 years) and time elapsed between first cigarette ever smoked and daily smoking (0.7 +/- 0.9 versus 0.6 +/- 0.7 years). African American and non-African American teens had similar motivation to quit scores and frequency of reported health problems (e.g., asthma, psychiatric conditions). These data suggest that cessation treatment programs designed for African American youth should include lower Fagerstrom-defined levels, and possibly other criteria for tobacco dependence. These observations also highlight the importance of ethnocultural issues in treatment research programs.

A transgenic animal model of osmotic cataract. Part 1: over-expression of bovine Na+/myo-inositol cotransporter in lens fibers.

PURPOSE: Intracellular osmotic stress is believed to be linked to the advancement of diabetic cataract. Although the accumulation of organic osmolytes (myo-inositol, sorbitol, taurine) is thought to protect the lens by maintaining osmotic homeostasis, the physiologic implication of osmotic imbalance (i.e., hyperosmotic stress caused by intracellular over-accumulation of organic osmolytes) on diabetic cataract formation is not clearly understood. Studies from this laboratory have identified several osmotic compensatory mechanisms thought to afford the lens epithelium, but not the lens fibers, protection from water stress during intervals of osmotic crisis. This model is founded on the supposition that the fibers of the lens are comparatively more susceptible to damage by osmotic insult than is the lens epithelium. To test this premise, several transgenic mouse lines were developed that over-express the bovine sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter (bSMIT) gene in lens fiber cells. METHODS: Of the several transgenic mouse lines generated, two, MLR14 and MLR21, were analyzed in detail. Transgenic mRNA expression was analyzed in adult and embryonic transgenic mice by a coupled reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization on embryonic tissue sections, respectively. Intralenticular myo-inositol content from individual mouse lenses was quantified by anion exchange chromatography and pulsed electrochemical detection. Ocular histology of embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) embryos from both transgenic (TG) families was analyzed and compared to their respective nontransgenic (NTG) littermates. RESULTS: Both RT-PCR and in situ hybridization determined that transgene expression was higher in line MLR21 than in line MLR14. Consistent with this, intralenticular myo-inositol from MLR21 TG mice was markedly higher compared with NTG littermates or MLR14 TG mice. Histologic analysis of E15.5 MLR21 TG embryos disclosed a marked swelling in the differentiating fibers of the bow region and subcapsular fibers of the central zone, whereas the lens epithelium appeared morphologically normal. The lenticular changes, initiated early during lens development in TG MLR21 embryos, result in severe bilateral nuclear cataracts readily observable in neonates under normal rearing and dietary conditions. In contrast, TG MLR14 pups reared under standard conditions produced no lens opacity. CONCLUSIONS: Lens fiber swelling and related cataractous outgrowth positively correlated to the degree of lens bSMIT gene expression and intralenticular myo-inositol content. The affected (i.e., swollen) lens fibers appeared to be unable to cope with the water stress generated by the transgene-induced over-accumulation of myo-inositol and, as a result of this inability to osmoregulate, suffered osmotic damage due to water influx.

Disregulation of ocular morphogenesis by lens-specific expression of FGF-3/int-2 in transgenic mice.

FGF-3, originally named int-2, was discovered as an oncogene frequently activated in mammary carcinomas resulting from the chromosomal integration of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). Int-2 was later designated FGF-3 based on sequence homology with other members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF-1 is the prototypical member of the FGF family, and is the only family member which activates all known FGF receptor isoforms. Transgenic mice expressing in the lens a form of FGF-1 engineered to be secreted show premature differentiation of the entire lens epithelium. In contrast, transgenic mice engineered to secrete FGF-2 in the lens do not undergo premature differentiation of the lens epithelium (C. M. Stolen et al., 1997, Development 124, 4009-4017). To further assess the roles of FGFs and FGF receptors in lens development, the alpha A-crystallin promoter was used to target expression of FGF-3 to the developing lens of transgenic mice. The expression of FGF-3 in the lens rapidly induced epithelial cells throughout the lens to elongate and to express fiber cell-specific proteins including MIP and beta-crystallins. This premature differentiation of the lens epithelium was followed by the degeneration of the entire lens. Since FGF-1 and FGF-3 can both activate one FGF receptor isoform (FGFR2 IIIb) that is not activated by FGF-2, these results suggest that activation of FGFR2 IIIb is sufficient to induce fiber cell differentiation throughout the lens epithelium in vivo. Furthermore, transgenic lens cells expressing FGF-3 were able to induce the differentiation of neighboring nontransgenic lens epithelial cells in chimeric mice. Expression of FGF-3 in the lens also resulted in developmental alterations of the eyelids, cornea, and retina, and in the most severely affected transgenic lines, the postnatal appearance of intraocular glandular structures.

Differential expression of alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin during murine ocular development.

PURPOSE: To compare the temporal and spatial expression patterns of alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin mRNA during ocular development. METHODS: Tissue samples from embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) through postnatal day 14 were collected from FVB/N strain mice. The specimens were fixed in paraformaldehyde, histologically processed, and assayed for alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin mRNA expression by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: During ocular development, alpha B-crystallin transcripts are present in the lens placode at E9.5. Transcripts of alpha A-crystallin are first observed in the lens cup at E10 to 10.5. During subsequent development of the lens, alpha A crystallin transcripts are most abundant in the fiber cells, and alpha B crystallin mRNA is preferentially expressed in epithelial cells. Transcripts of alpha A-crystallin were detected only in the lens. In contrast, alpha B-crystallin transcripts are present in retinal pigment epithelium, optic nerve, extraocular muscle, iris, ciliary body, cornea, and several nonocular sites, such as heart and nasal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Transcription of alpha B-crystallin precedes the expression of alpha A-crystallin during murine ocular development. Furthermore, the patterns of alpha A- and alpha B-crystallin expression in the lens are distinctive: alpha A is upregulated and alpha B is downregulated during prenatal fiber cell differentiation. These results indicate that the alpha-crystallin genes are not identically regulated either within or outside the lens.

Labor pains.

Unions have targeted health care for their next surge of organizing and political action. They have lots of money and, they believe, the health consumer on their side.