Passive heat stress reduces circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does passive heat stress of +2°C oesophageal temperature change concentrations of circulating arterial endothelial- and platelet-derived microparticles in healthy adults? What is the main finding and its importance? Concentrations of circulating endothelial- and platelet-derived microparticles were markedly decreased in heat stress. Reductions in circulating microparticles might indicate favourable vascular changes associated with non-pathological hyperthermia. Interest in circulating endothelial- and platelet-derived microparticles (EMPs and PMPs, respectively) has increased because of their potential pathogenic role in vascular disease and as biomarkers for vascular health. Hyperthermia is commonly associated with a pro-inflammatory stress but might also provide vascular protection when the temperature elevation is non-pathological. Circulating microparticles might contribute to the cellular adjustments and resultant vascular impacts of hyperthermia. Here, we determined whether circulating concentrations of arterial EMPs and PMPs are altered by passive heat stress (+2°C oesophageal temperature). Ten healthy young men (age 23 ± 3 years) completed the study. Hyperthermia was achieved by circulating ∼49°C water through a water-perfused suit that covered the entire body except the hands, feet and head. Arterial (radial) blood samples were obtained immediately before heating (normothermia) and in hyperthermia. The mean ± SD oesophageal temperature in normothermia was 37.2 ± 0.1°C and in hyperthermia 39.1 ± 0.1°C. Concentrations of circulating EMPs and PMPs were markedly decreased in hyperthermia. Activation-derived EMPs were reduced by ∼30% (mean ± SD; from 61 ± 8 to 43 ± 7 microparticles μl-1 ; P < 0.05) and apoptosis-derived EMPs by ∼45% (from 46 ± 7 to 23 ± 3 microparticles μl-1 ; P < 0.05). Likewise, circulating PMPs were reduced by ∼75% in response to hyperthermia (from 256 ± 43 to 62 ± 14 microparticles μl-1 ). These beneficial reductions in circulating EMPs and PMPs in response to a 2°C increase in core temperature might partly underlie the reported vascular improvements following therapeutic bouts of physiological hyperthermia.This study was funded through a Canadian Research Chair and an NSERC Discovery grant held by P.N.A. and a National Institutes of Health award (HL107715 to C.A.D.). A.R.B. is funded through an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship. D.F. is funded through the Swiss National Science Foundation. J.D. is funded by the Woolf Fisher Trust (New Zealand)

Lactate signalling regulates fungal β-glucan masking and immune evasion

AJPB: This work was supported by the European Research Council (STRIFE, ERC- 2009-AdG-249793), The UK Medical Research Council (MR/M026663/1), the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BB/K017365/1), the Wellcome Trust (080088; 097377). ERB: This work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BB/M014525/1). GMA: Supported by the CNPq-Brazil (Science without Borders fellowship 202976/2014-9). GDB: Wellcome Trust (102705). CAM: This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (G0400284). DMM: This work was supported by UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC/K000306/1). NARG/JW: Wellcome Trust (086827, 075470,101873) and Wellcome Trust Strategic Award in Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology (097377). ALL: This work was supported by the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology and the University of Aberdeen (MR/N006364/1).Peer reviewedPostprin

Practicum for international students in teacher education programs: an investigation of three university sites through multisocialisation, interculturalisation and reflection

This chapter explores the practicum experience of international students undertaking education programs at three different universities in Australia. International students were interviewed about their practicum experiences with a particular focus on what worked well and what needed improvement. Through a thematic analysis as well as identifying aspects of the interview data related to multisocialisation, interculturalisation and reflection models the authors share findings even though international students may experience difficulties during their practicum they also note that these experiences allow them to learn. When mentor teachers were able to recognise the international students’ strengths then placements were successful. Further, unpacking areas that need improvement through a supportive manner enabled students to learn and reconstruct their practice. The rich and informative data on the challenges and successful approaches across the three sites in this study add to the body of literature regarding effective ways to improve work placements for international students

Inhibitor of DNA Binding 3 Limits Development of Murine Slam-Associated Adaptor Protein-Dependent “Innate” γδ T cells

Id3 is a dominant antagonist of E protein transcription factor activity that is induced by signals emanating from the alphabeta and gammadelta T cell receptor (TCR). Mice lacking Id3 were previously shown to have subtle defects in positive and negative selection of TCRalphabeta+ T lymphocytes. More recently, Id3(-/-) mice on a C57BL/6 background were shown to have a dramatic expansion of gammadelta T cells.Here we report that mice lacking Id3 have reduced thymocyte numbers but increased production of gammadelta T cells that express a Vgamma1.1+Vdelta6.3+ receptor with restricted junctional diversity. These Vgamma1.1+Vdelta6.3+ T cells have multiple characteristics associated with "innate" lymphocytes such as natural killer T (NKT) cells including an activated phenotype, expression of the transcription factor PLZF, and rapid production of IFNg and interleukin-4. Moreover, like other "innate" lymphocyte populations, development of Id3(-/-) Vgamma1.1+Vdelta6.3+ T cells requires the signaling adapter protein SAP.Our data provide novel insight into the requirements for development of Vgamma1.1+Vdelta6.3+ T cells and indicate a role for Id3 in repressing the response of "innate" gammadelta T cells to SAP-mediated expansion or survival

Vertical integration in production and services: development in transaction cost economics

In this paper, we first establish the core, fundamental concepts of Williamson's TCE, examining the different governance structures or the institutional alternatives that TCE theory proposes. We go on to describe some critical considerations and theoretical proposals that correspond fundamentally to Williamson's heuristic model, the integration of incentives in organizational forms, idiosyncratic demand, and how the concept of transaction is conceived in general.Peris-Ortiz, M.; Bonet, F.; Rueda Armengot, C. (2011). Vertical integration in production and services: development in transaction cost economics. Service Business. 5(1):87-97. doi:10.1007/s11628-011-0103-0S879751Alchian A (1965) The basic of some recent advances in the theory of management of the firm. J Ind Econ 14:30–41Alchian A (1969) Corporate management and property rights. In: Manne GH (ed) Economic Policy and Regulation of Corporate Securities. American Enterprise Institute of Public Policy Research, Washington, DCAlchian A, Demsetz H (1972) Production, information cost, and economic organization. Am Econ Rev 62:777–795Arrow KJ (1959) Toward a theory of price adjustment. In: Abramovitz M et al (eds) The allocation of resources. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA, pp 41–51Arrow KJ (1973) Information and economic behaviour. Federation of Swedish Industries, StockholmArrow KJ (1974) The limits of organizations. W. W. Norton, New YorkBain J (1956) Barriers to new competition. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MABain J (1958) Industrial organization, 2nd edn. John Wiley & Sons, New YorkBarnard CI (1938) The functions of the executive. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MAChandler AC Jr. (1962) Strategy and structure. MIT Press, Cambridge, MAChandler AC Jr. (1977) The visible hand. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MACoase RH (1937) The nature of the firm. Economica 4:386–405Coase RH (1972) Industrial organization: a proposal for research. In: Victor RF (ed) Policy issues and research opportunities in industrial organization. National Bureau of Economic Research, New York, pp 59–73Coase RH (1991) The institutional structure of production. Prize Lecture to the Memory of Alfred Nobel, December 9, 1991, http://www.nobel.se/economics/laureates/1991/coase-lecture.htmlCyert RM, March JG (1963) A behavioural theory of the firm. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJDemsetz H (1967) Toward a theory of property rights. Am Econ Rev 57:347–359Demsetz H (1991) The theory of the firm revisited. In: Williamson O, Winter S (eds) The nature of the firm: origins, evolution, and development. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 159–178Galbraith JR (1993) The value-adding corporation: matching structure with strategy. In: Galbraith JR, Lawler III EE and Associates (eds) Organizing for the future. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, pp 15–42Li J-M, Yang J-S, Wu HH (2009) Analysis of competence differences among frontline employees from various service typologies. Serv Ind J 29(12):1763–1778Ouchi WG (1979) A conceptual framework for the design of organizational control mechanism. Manag Sci 25(9):833–848Ouchi WG (1980) Markets, bureaucracies, and clans. Admin Sci Q 25:120–142Palmer M, Owens M, De Kervenoael R (2010) Paths of the least resistance: understanding how motives form in international retail joint venturing. Serv Ind J 30(6):965–989Robinson J (1933) The economics of imperfect competition. Macmillan, LondonSafón V (2009) The moderating effect of the technological level of industry on the relationship between innovation and corporate reputation. Int Entrep Manag J 5(4):515–526Simon HA (1947) Administrative behavior. Macmillan, New YorkSimon HA (1962) The architecture of complexity. Proc Am Philos Soc 106:467–482Simon HA (1973) Applying information technology to organization design. Public Admin Rev 33:268–278Un CA, Romero-Martínez AM, Montoro-Sánchez A (2009) Determinants of R&D collaboration of service firms. Serv Bus 3:373–394Warren L, Patton D, Bream D (2009) Knowledge acquisition processes during the incubation of new high technology firms. Int Entrep Manag J 5(4):481–495Williamson OE (1975) Markets and hierarchies: analysis and antitrust implication. Free Press, New YorkWilliamson OE (1979) Transaction-cost economics: the governance of contractual relations. J Law Econ 22:3–61Williamson OE (1981) The modern corporation: origins, evolution, attributes. J Econ Lit 19:1537–1568Williamson OE (1985) The economic institutions of capitalism. Free Press, New YorkWilliamson OE (1991) Comparative economic organization: the analysis of discrete structural alternatives. Admin Sci Q 36:269–296Williamson OE (1993) Calculativeness trust and economic organization. J Law Econ 36:453–486Williamson OE (1996) The mechanisms of governance. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 250–278Williamson OE (1999) Strategy research: governance and competence perspectives. Strateg Manag J 20:1087–1108Williamson OE (2000) The new institutional economics: taking stock, looking ahead. J Econ Lit 38:595–613Williamson OE (2003) Examining economic organization through the lens of contract. Ind Corp Change 12(4):917–938Williamson OE (2005) Transaction cost economics and business administration. Scand J Manag 21:19–40Williamson OE (2008) Outsourcing: transaction cost economics and supply chain management. J Supply Chain Manag 44(2):5–16Williamson OE, Bhargava WH (1986) Assessing and classifying the internal structure and control apparatus of the modern corporation. In: Williamson OE (ed) Economic organization. Firms, markets and policy control. Wheatsheaf Books, Great Britain, Brighton, pp 54–8

Behavior and Impact of Zirconium in the Soil–Plant System: Plant Uptake and Phytotoxicity

Because of the large number of sites they pollute, toxic metals that contaminate terrestrial ecosystems are increasingly of environmental and sanitary concern (Uzu et al. 2010, 2011; Shahid et al. 2011a, b, 2012a). Among such metals is zirconium (Zr), which has the atomic number 40 and is a transition metal that resembles titanium in physical and chemical properties (Zaccone et al. 2008). Zr is widely used in many chemical industry processes and in nuclear reactors (Sandoval et al. 2011; Kamal et al. 2011), owing to its useful properties like hardness, corrosion-resistance and permeable to neutrons (Mushtaq 2012). Hence, the recent increased use of Zr by industry, and the occurrence of the Chernobyl and Fukashima catastrophe have enhanced environmental levels in soil and waters (Yirchenko and Agapkina 1993; Mosulishvili et al. 1994 ; Kruglov et al. 1996)

Immune cells fold and damage fungal hyphae

This is the final version. Available on open access from the Evolutionary Computation Journal via the DOI in this recordData Availability: All study data are included in the article and/or supporting information.Innate immunity provides essential protection against life-threatening fungal infections. However, the outcomes of individual skirmishes between immune cells and fungal pathogens are not a foregone conclusion because some pathogens have evolved mechanisms to evade phagocytic recognition, engulfment, and killing. For example, Candida albicans can escape phagocytosis by activating cellular morphogenesis to form lengthy hyphae that are challenging to engulf. Through live imaging of C. albicans-macrophage interactions, we discovered that macrophages can counteract this by folding fungal hyphae. The folding of fungal hyphae is promoted by Dectin-1, β2-integrin, VASP, actin-myosin polymerization, and cell motility. Folding facilitates the complete engulfment of long hyphae in some cases and it inhibits hyphal growth, presumably tipping the balance toward successful fungal clearance.Medical Research Council (MRC)Wellcome TrustEuropean Research Council (ERC)Netherlands Organization for Scientific Researc

Poor glycaemic control is associated with reduced exercise performance and oxygen economy during cardio-pulmonary exercise testing in people with type 1 diabetes

BackgroundTo explore the impact of glycaemic control (HbA1c) on functional capacity during cardio-pulmonary exercise testing in people with type 1 diabetes.MethodsSixty-four individuals with type 1 diabetes (age: 34 ± 8 years; 13 females, HbA1c: 7.8 ± 1% (62 ± 13 mmol/mol), duration of diabetes: 17 ± 9 years) performed a cardio-pulmonary cycle ergometer exercise test until volitional exhaustion. Stepwise linear regression was used to explore relationships between HbA1c and cardio-respiratory data with p ≤ 0.05. Furthermore, participants were divided into quartiles based on HbA1c levels and cardio-respiratory data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships between changes in time to exhaustion and cardio-respiratory data. Data were adjusted for confounder.ResultsHbA1c was related to time to exhaustion and oxygen consumption at the power output elicited at the sub-maximal threshold of the heart rate turn point (r = 0.47, R2 = 0.22, p = 0.03). Significant differences were found at time to exhaustion between QI vs. QIV and at oxygen consumption at the power output elicited at the heart rate turn point between QI vs. QII and QI vs. QIV (p < 0.05). Changes in oxygen uptake, power output and in oxygen consumption at the power output elicited at the heart rate turn point and at maximum power output explained 55% of the variance in time to exhaustion (r = 0.74, R2 = 0.55, p < 0.01).ConclusionsPoor glycaemic control is related to less economical use of oxygen at sub-maximal work rates and an earlier time to exhaustion during cardio-pulmonary exercise testing. However, exercise training could have the same potential to counteract the influence of poor glycaemic control on functional capacity

Recovery of a US Endangered Fish

BACKGROUND: More fish have been afforded US Endangered Species Act protection than any other vertebrate taxonomic group, and none has been designated as recovered. Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) occupy large rivers and estuaries along the Atlantic coast of North America, and the species has been protected by the US Endangered Species Act since its enactment. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Data on the shortnose sturgeon in the Hudson River (New York to Albany, NY, USA) were obtained from a 1970s population study, a population and fish distribution study we conducted in the late 1990s, and a fish monitoring program during the 1980s and 1990s. Population estimates indicate a late 1990s abundance of about 60,000 fish, dominated by adults. The Hudson River population has increased by more than 400% since the 1970s, appears healthy, and has attributes typical for a long-lived species. Our population estimates exceed the government and scientific population recovery criteria by more than 500%, we found a positive trend in population abundance, and key habitats have remained intact despite heavy human river use. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Scientists and legislators have called for changes in the US Endangered Species Act, the Act is being debated in the US Congress, and the Act has been characterized as failing to recover species. Recovery of the Hudson River population of shortnose sturgeon suggests the combination of species and habitat protection with patience can yield successful species recovery, even near one of the world's largest human population centers