The Conserved G-Protein Coupled Receptor FSHR-1 Regulates Protective Host Responses to Infection and Oxidative Stress

The innate immune system’s ability to sense an infection is critical so that it can rapidly respond if pathogenic microorganisms threaten the host, but otherwise maintain a quiescent baseline state to avoid causing damage to the host or to commensal microorganisms. One important mechanism for discriminating between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria is the recognition of cellular damage caused by a pathogen during the course of infection. InCaenorhabditis elegans, the conserved G-protein coupled receptor FSHR-1 is an important constituent of the innate immune response. FSHR-1 activates the expression of antimicrobial infection response genes in infected worms and delays accumulation of the ingested pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa. FSHR-1 is central not only to the worm’s survival of infection by multiple pathogens, but also to the worm’s survival of xenobiotic cadmium and oxidative stresses. Infected worms produce reactive oxygen species to fight off the pathogens; FSHR-1 is required at the site of infection for the expression of detoxifying genes that protect the host from collateral damage caused by this defense response. Finally, the FSHR-1 pathway is important for the ability of worms to discriminate pathogenic from benign bacteria and subsequently initiate an aversive learning program that promotes selective pathogen avoidance

Uncertainty analysis of step-selection functions: The effect of model parameters on inferences about the relationship between animal movement and the environment

As spatio-temporal movement data is becoming more widely available for analysis in GIS and related areas, new methods to analyze them have been developed. A step-selection function (SSF) is a recently developed method used to quantify the effect of environmental factors on animal movement. This method is gaining traction as an important conservation tool; however there have been no studies that have investigated the uncertainty associated with subjective model decisions. In this research we used two types of animals – oilbirds and hyenas – to examine how systematically altering user decisions of model parameters influences the main outcome of an SSF, the coefficients that quantify the movement-environment relationship. We found that user decisions strongly influence the results of step-selection functions and any subsequent inferences about animal movement and environmental interactions. Differences were found between categories for every variable used in the analysis and the results presented here can help to clarify the sources of uncertainty in SSF model decisions

A quantitative synthesis of how movement has been incorporated within species distribution modelling

Movement is a ubiquitous ecological process that influences the distribution of all species. In spite of this ecological significance, the incorporation of movement in species distribution models (SDMs) has lagged in comparison with other methodological and conceptual advancements. Many studies still ignore movement processes in applications inherently linked to movement (e.g. tracking changes in climate), and moreover, finer scale movements (e.g. foraging) have been neglected even more severely. We reviewed almost 600 research articles published in the last decade to identify important trends in the way that movement has been explicitly incorporated in SDM. We note that the conceptual differences associated with the ‘object’ whose movement is of interest, as well as subtler differences among taxon groups (e.g. plants v animals) and levels of organization (e.g. individuals, populations, species) that have significant implications for how movement processes occur, have hindered more substantial integration of these concepts. Finally, we highlight novel and unique methodological issues such as the use of successive telemetry data as response data in these correlative models. The gaps and trends identified in this review should foster future research in this burgeoning research area

More than Just Openness: Developing and Validating a Measure of Targeted Parent-Child Communication about Alcohol

Research addressing parent-child communication on the topic of alcohol use relies heavily on assessing frequency of discussions and general assessments of openness in parent-child communication, ignoring the complexity of this communication phenomenon. This study adds to the literature by articulating a conceptualization and developing a measurement of parent-child communication—targeted parent-child communication about alcohol—and comparing the efficacy of targeted parent-child communication about alcohol in predicting positive expectancies of alcohol use and recent alcohol use. The predictive power of general openness in parent-child communication and frequency of communication about alcohol also were assessed. Students in 5th and 6th grade (N = 1407) from 29 public schools completed surveys. Targeted parent-child communication about alcohol was negatively associated with both outcomes. Frequency and general openness were only negatively associated with positive expectancies regarding alcohol. Implications of these findings for the etiology and prevention of substance use are discussed

Direct angiotensin AT2 receptor stimulation using a novel AT2 receptor agonist, compound 21, evokes neuroprotection in conscious hypertensive rats

Background: In this study, the neuroprotective effect of a novel nonpeptide AT2R agonist, C21, was examined in a conscious model of stroke to verify a class effect of AT2R agonists as neuroprotective agents. Methods and Results: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were pre-treated for 5 days prior to stroke with C21 alone or in combination with the AT2R antagonist PD123319. In a separate series of experiments C21 was administered in a series of 4 doses commencing 6 hours after stroke. A focal reperfusion model of ischemia was induced in conscious SHR by administering endothelin-1 to the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Motor coordination was assessed at 1 and 3 days after stroke and post mortem analyses of infarct volumes, microglia activation and neuronal survival were performed at 72 hours post MCA occlusion. When given prior to stroke, C21 dose dependently decreased infarct volume, which is consistent with the behavioural findings illustrating an improvement in motor deficit. During the pre-treatment protocol C21 was shown to enhance microglia activation, which are likely to be evoking protection by releasing brain derived neurotrophic factor. When drug administration was delayed until 6 hours after stroke, C21 still reduced brain injury. Conclusion: These results indicate that centrally administered C21 confers neuroprotection against stroke damage. This benefit is likely to involve various mechanisms, including microglial activation of endogenous repair and enhanced cerebroperfusion. Thus, we have confirmed the neuroprotective effect of AT2R stimulation using a nonpeptide compound which highlights the clinical potential of the AT2R agonists for future development

Star Clusters in Virgo and Fornax Dwarf Irregular Galaxies

We present the results of a search for clusters in dwarf irregular galaxies in the Virgo and Fornax Cluster using HST WFPC2 snapshot data. The galaxy sample includes 28 galaxies, 11 of which are confirmed members of the Virgo and Fornax clusters. In the 11 confirmed members, we detect 237 cluster candidates and determine their V magnitudes, V-I colors and core radii. After statistical subtraction of background galaxies and foreground stars, most of the cluster candidates have V-I colors of -0.2 and 1.4, V magnitudes lying between 20 and 25th magnitude and core radii between 0 and 6 pc. Using H-alpha observations, we find that 26% of the blue cluster candidates are most likely HII regions. The rest of the cluster candidates are most likely massive (>10^4 Msol) young and old clusters. A comparison between the red cluster candidates in our sample and the Milky Way globular clusters shows that they have similar luminosity distributions, but that the red cluster candidates typically have larger core radii. Assuming that the red cluster candidates are in fact globular clusters, we derive specific frequencies (S_N) ranging from ~0-9 for the galaxies. Although the values are uncertain, seven of the galaxies appear to have specific frequencies greater than 2. These values are more typical of ellipticals and nucleated dwarf ellipticals than they are of spirals or Local Group dwarf irregulars.Comment: 46 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables, accepted by AJ. Higher quality PS version of entire paper available at http://www.astro.washington.edu/seth/dirr_gcs.htm

The Role of Host Demographic Storage in the Ecological Dynamics of Heritable Symbionts

Heritable symbioses are widespread and ecologically important. Many host organisms have complex life cycles that include diverse opportunities for symbionts to affect their host and be lost during development. Yet, existing theory takes a simplified view of host demography. Here, we generalize symbiosis theory to understand how demographic “storage” in the form of dormant or prereproductive life stages can modify symbiosis dynamics. Using grass-endophyte symbioses as context, we developed models to contrast the role of the seed bank (a storage stage) against the reproductive stage in symbiont persistence and prevalence. We find that the seed bank is as important as or more important than the reproductive stage in driving symbiont dynamics, as long as passage through the seed bank is obligate. Flexible entry to the seed bank substantially weakens its influence on symbiont persistence but can modify prevalence in counterintuitive ways. Our models identify a role for legacy effects, where hosts that lose symbionts retain their demographic influence. The retention of benefits via legacy effects can reduce symbiont prevalence and even cause prevalence to decline with increasing benefits to hosts because symbiont-free hosts carry those benefits. Our results resolve connections between individual-level host-symbiont interactions and population-level patterns, providing guidance for empirical studies

Mammalian herbivores restrict the altitudinal range limits of alpine plants.

Although rarely experimentally tested, biotic interactions have long been hypothesised to limit low-elevation range boundaries of species. We tested the effects of herbivory on three alpine-restricted plant species by transplanting plants below (novel), at the edge (limit), or in the centre (core) of their current elevational range and factorially fencing-out above- and belowground mammals. Herbivore damage was greater in range limit and novel habitats than in range cores. Exclosures increased plant biomass and reproduction more in novel habitats than in range cores, suggesting demographic costs of novel interactions with herbivores. We then used demographic models to project population growth rates, which increased 5–20% more under herbivore exclosure at range limit and novel sites than in core habitats. Our results identify mammalian herbivores as key drivers of the low-elevation range limits of alpine plants and indicate that upward encroachment of herbivores could trigger local extinctions by depressing plant population growth.publishedVersio

How Postpartum Women with Depressive Symptoms Manage Sleep Disruption and Fatigue

Postpartum sleep and fatigue have bidirectional relationships with depressive symptoms and challenge women\u27s everyday functioning. The everyday process of managing postpartum sleep and fatigue in the context of depressive symptoms remains unexplored. We conducted a grounded theory study with a sample of 19 women who screened positive on the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS™) Short Form at 3 weeks postpartum. Women completed semi‐structured in‐home interviews and the full PDSS and Modified Fatigue Symptoms Checklist at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum. The sample was on average 27 years old, with 2.8 children, and 63% were African‐American. They described a basic social process of Finding a Routine Together, during which women\u27s experiences with their infants progressed from Retreating at month 1 toward Finding a New Normal at month 6. In their work to Find a Routine Together, mothers’ patterns of change over time were continuous, gradual, or prolonged. Their progress was influenced by depressive symptoms, social support, work and daycare, stability in social circumstances, and underlying stressors. This study\u27s findings suggest the need to allocate resources and tailor interventions to meet the needs of women who are most vulnerable to the health effects of ongoing persistent severe fatigue, disordered sleep, and sub‐clinical and clinical levels of depressive symptoms

Parent Perspectives on Special Education Services: How Do Schools Implement Team Decisions?

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine parents’ perspectives and experiences of special education, including the degree to which decisions about their child’s education were implemented as they had agreed upon with the school personnel. Additionally, a secondary purpose of this study was to understand how parents explain why school personnel do or do not implement elements of their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). In this study, parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities described their experiences attempting to reach agreement with school personnel on decisions involving their child’s educational placement and special education services. Parents expressed a desire to be involved in decisions, and they described a desire to obtain inclusive educational placements for their children. Parents described varied experiences with the implementation of special education services. They also described both successes and concerns related to the special education services their child was receiving at school. Implications for special education policy, practice, and research are discussed from the perspective of supporting family involvement in the special education process