Predicting Rice Stem Stink Bug Population Dynamics Based on GAMLSS Models.

The rice stem stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is one of the most harmful insects for Brazilian rice fields. Aiming to define the most appropriate time and place for pest management measures in commercial paddy fields, we adjusted regression models (Poisson, Zero Inflated Poisson, reparametrized Zero Inflated Poisson, Negative Binomial and Zero Inflated Negative Binomial) for modeling the population variation of T. limbativentris along the phenological cycle of the flooded rice cultivation. We hypothesize that the rice stem stink bug population's size is influenced by the rice cycle (time) and geographical positions within the crop. It was possible to predict the occurrence of the rice stem stink bug in the commercial flooded rice crop. The population of the rice stem stink bug increased significantly with the time or phenological evolution of rice. Our results indicated that the start of T. limbativentris monitoring should occur up to 45 d After Plant Emergence (DAE), from the regions along the edges of the rice paddies, which are the points of entry and higher concentration of the insect. In addition, 45 and 60 DAE were considered the crucial times for T. limbativentris control decision making in flooded rice paddies.

Immediate and delayed neuroendocrine responses to social exclusion in males and females.

Social exclusion is a complex phenomenon, with wide-ranging immediate and delayed effects on well-being, hormone levels, brain activation and motivational behavior. Building upon previous work, the current fMRI study investigated affective, endocrine and neural responses to social exclusion in a more naturalistic Cyberball task in 40 males and 40 females. As expected, social exclusion elicited well-documented affective and neural responses, i.e., increased anger and distress, as well as increased exclusion-related activation of the anterior insula, the posterior-medial frontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex. Cortisol and testosterone decreased over the course of the experiment, whereas progesterone showed no changes. Hormone levels were not correlated with subjective affect, but they were related to exclusion-induced neural responses. Exclusion-related activation in frontal areas was associated with decreases in cortisol and increases in testosterone until recovery. Given that results were largely independent of sex, the current findings have important implications regarding between-sex vs. within-sex variations and the conceptualization of state vs. trait neuroendocrine functions in social neuroscience.

Psychopharmacological modulation of event-related potentials suggests that first-hand pain and empathy for pain rely on similar opioidergic processes.

Accumulating evidence suggests that empathy for pain recruits similar neural processes as the first-hand experience of pain. The pain-related P2, an event-related potential component, has been suggested as a reliable indicator of neural processes associated with first-hand pain. Recent evidence indicates that placebo analgesia modulates this component for both first-hand pain and empathy for pain. Moreover, a psychopharmacological study showed that administration of an opioid antagonist blocked the effects of placebo analgesia on self-report of both first-hand pain and empathy for pain. Together, these findings suggest that the opioid system plays a similar role during first-hand pain and empathy for pain. However, such a conclusion requires evidence showing that neural activity during both experiences is similarly affected by psychopharmacological blockage of opioid receptors. Here, we measured pain-related P2 amplitudes and self-report in a group of participants who first underwent a placebo analgesia induction procedure. Then, they received an opioid receptor antagonist known to block the previously induced analgesic effects. Self-report showed that blocking opioid receptors after the induction of placebo analgesia increased both first-hand pain and empathy for pain, replicating previous findings. Importantly, P2 amplitudes were also increased during both experiences. Thus, the present findings extend models proposing that empathy for pain is partially grounded in first-hand pain by suggesting that this also applies to the underlying opioidergic neurochemical processes.

Toxicity of Pesticide Tank Mixtures from Rice Crops Against Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

The use of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides commonly occurs in mixtures in tanks in order to control phytosanitary problems in crops. However, there is no information regarding the effects of these mixtures on non-target organisms associated to the rice agroecosystem. The aim of this study was to know the toxicity of pesticide tank mixtures from rice crops against Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). Based on the methods adapted from the International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC), adults of T. podisi were exposed to residues of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, individually or in mixture commonly used by growers, in laboratory and on rice plants in a greenhouse. The mixture between fungicides tebuconazole, triclyclazole, and azoxystrobin and the mixture between herbicides cyhalofop-butyl, imazethapyr, imazapyr/imazapic, and penoxsulam are harmless to T. podisi and can be used in irrigated rice crops without harming the natural biological control. The insecticides cypermethin, thiamethoxam, and bifenthrin/carbosulfan increase the toxicity of the mixtures in tank with herbicides and fungicides, being more toxic to T. podisi and less preferred for use in phytosanitary treatments in the rice crop protection.

The impact of social exclusion vs. inclusion on subjective and hormonal reactions in females and males.

BACKGROUND: The experience of social exclusion represents an extremely aversive and threatening situation in daily life. The present study examined the impact of social exclusion compared to inclusion on steroid hormone concentrations as well as on subjective affect ratings. METHODS: Eighty subjects (40 females) participated in two independent behavioral experiments. They engaged in a computerized ball tossing game in which they ostensibly played with two other players who deliberately excluded or included them, respectively. Hormone samples as well as mood ratings were taken before and after the game. RESULTS: Social exclusion led to a decrease in positive mood ratings and increased anger ratings. In contrast, social inclusion did not affect positive mood ratings, but decreased sadness ratings. Both conditions did not affect cortisol levels. Testosterone significantly decreased after being excluded in both genders, and increased after inclusion, but only in males. Interestingly, progesterone showed an increase after both conditions only in females. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that social exclusion does not trigger a classical stress response but gender-specific changes in sex hormone levels. The testosterone decrease after being excluded in both genders, as well as the increase after inclusion in males can be interpreted within the framework of the biosocial status hypothesis. The progesterone increase might reflect a generalized affiliative response during social interaction in females.

[Perspectives in rehabilitation. General position paper on future trends and challenges in rehabilitation by the Health Advisory Board of the German Federal Association for Rehabilitation]. / Perspektiven der Rehabilitation. Ein Positionspapier des Arztlichen Sachverständigenrates der Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft f ü r Rehabilitation (BAR) zur Weiterentwicklung der Rehabilitation.

The Health Advisory Board of the German Federal Association for Rehabilitation (BAR) describes future trends and challenges in rehabilitation as deriving from the socio-demographic development in Germany and the structural characteristics of its Social and Health Care Insurance System. The focus is on elder employees to sustain and regenerate their capacity for employment, on people which are no longer employed to activate their autonomy and ability for self-support, and on rehabilitation as a holistic and integrative process extending through the social security and health insurances. There is an urgent need and a real chance to benefit from already existing scientific findings more frequently and to integrate them effectively into adequate further education and training programmes for professionals. Finally the conclusion summarises 8 theses to facilitate rehabilitation as an integral and essential part of the German social security and health sector. This paper was fully accredited by the members of the BAR Managing Board.

Visfatin expression is elevated in normal human pregnancy.

Visfatin is a novel-secreted 52kDa adipokine that appears to mimic the action of insulin, inducing glucose transport into mammalian cells. We examined visfatin expression in a cohort of pregnant women to determine if pregnancy influenced visfatin gene expression, circulating levels of visfatin, or local concentrations of visfatin in either omental fat or placenta. Samples of female omental fat, blood and placenta were collected over a 2-year period and frozen at -80 degrees C until they were employed in a series of various assays. Samples were collected during delivery in pregnant women, at hysterectomy in lean women and at bariatric surgery in obese and obese diabetic women. Visfatin expression and concentrations were measured in four cohorts of women: lean controls, pregnant women at term, obese (BMI>40) and obese diabetic women (BMI>40). Visfatin expression was seven times higher in omental fat of pregnant women than in lean women. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated that the visfatin gene transcript was translated to protein. An immunoblot confirmed that visfatin protein was much higher in pregnant women than in obese women. Serum visfatin was 20.8ng/ml (n=7) in lean women as compared to 40.3ng/ml in pregnant women (n=4); thus the increased visfatin mRNA levels in omental fat were not reflected in increased serum visfatin. We measured visfatin mRNA content of human placenta and found that placenta expresses substantial amounts of visfatin. GAP-DH, a housekeeping gene that is highly expressed in most human cells had a threshold value (Ct) of 20.9 versus a Ct of 22.4 for visfatin. Again, IHC confirmed that placental visfatin mRNA was translated into visfatin protein. [(3)H] 2-deoxyglucose transport was measured in partially differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. At a concentration of 2nM, visfatin and insulin produced nearly identical increases in glucose transport. Taken together, these data suggest there is a selective increase in visfatin gene expression in pregnant women at term. Since visfatin also potently and efficaciously induced glucose transport in a cell culture model, any hypothetical role for visfatin in pregnancy should include the possibility that it may function in regulation of maternal/fetal glucose metabolism or distribution.

The fracture behavior of premolar teeth with class II cavities restored by both direct composite restorations and endodontic post systems.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different posts on the fracture load and fracture mode of endodontically treated premolars with class II cavities and direct composite restorations in an ex vivo setting. METHODS: Forty-eight single-rooted human premolars were endodontically treated and prepared with standardized MO (mesio-occlusal) cavities. Eight teeth each received either no posts or were restored with titanium screws (BKS), glass fiber posts (DentinPost), or quartz fiber posts (DT Light SL). Sixteen teeth were restored with zirconium dioxide posts (CeraPost). BKS-screws and eight zirconium dioxide posts were cemented conventionally with glass ionomer cement; Panavia F resin cement was used for all others. The specimens were restored with direct composite restorations. Eight sound premolars served as the controls. After thermomechanical fatigue testing, the samples were loaded until fracture occurred at an angle of 45 degrees . All specimens were evaluated for fracture lines. RESULTS: The sound teeth showed the significant highest fracture load (792.50+/-210.01 N). The group restored with quartz fiber posts differed not significantly from the control. In the groups with fiber posts and titanium screws significant higher fracture load values occurred as in the group with direct composite restorations without posts. The groups with fiber posts did not show a more favorable fracture mode than the other groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of an intraradicular post in premolars with class II cavities can significantly increase the resistance towards extra-axial forces.

Influence of endodontic posts on the fracture behavior of crowned premolars with Class II cavities.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different posts and types of cementation on the fracture load and fracture mode of crowned, endodontically treated premolars with class II cavities in an ex vivo setting. METHODS: Forty-eight single-rooted human premolars were endodontically treated and prepared with standardized MO (mesio-occlusal) cavities and a circular chamfer preparation. Eight teeth each received either no posts or were restored with screws (BKS), glass fiber posts (DentinPost), or quartz fiber posts (DT Light SL). Sixteen teeth were restored with zirconium dioxide posts (CeraPost). BKS-screws and eight zirconium dioxide posts were cemented conventionally with glass ionomer cement; Panavia F was used for all others. The specimens were restored with composite cores and crowns cast from a non-precious metal. Eight sound premolars served as the controls. After thermomechanical fatigue testing, the samples were loaded until fracture occurred at an angle of 45 degrees. All specimens were evaluated for fracture lines. RESULTS: The sound teeth showed the significant highest fracture load (792.50+/-210.01 N). Conventionally cemented zirconium dioxide posts showed the lowest fracture load (327.00+/-45.84 N); the highest fracture load occurred with quartz fiber posts (421.75+/-90.19 N). Only the difference between these two groups was statistically significant. With glass fiber posts and conventionally cemented zirconia posts, restored teeth failed mostly in an "unfavourable" mode. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the fracture load, there was no statistical difference between the restoration of non-vital premolars with class II cavities with crowns and posts or crowns alone.

Obestatin and ghrelin in obese and in pregnant women.

We identified, through qPCR, receptor mRNA for a number of gut peptides in female human omental fat: the incretins, GIP and GLP-1, the orexigenic peptides PYY-Y1 and -Y2 and ghrelin, and the anorexigenic peptide obestatin. Four cohorts of women were examined: lean controls (BMI<23), obese (BMI>41), obese diabetic and term pregnant women. Human fat expressed receptor mRNAs for all six peptides. Pregnant women expressed roughly three times as much orphan GPR-39 receptor, a proposed obestatin receptor, than other women and less than half as much of the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a). An immunoblot probed with a GPR-39 selective antibody yielded a single band corresponding to the correct molecular weight (52 kDa) for the proposed obestatin receptor. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of human fat employing the same antibody indicated the receptor protein was localized to the adipocyte cell membrane. The concentration of obestatin circulating in blood was measured in the same cohort of women and was significantly lower in obese and obese diabetic women compared to control.

[Anxiety and depression after loss of a lower limb]. / Angst und Depressionen nach einer Amputation der unteren Extremität.

A good number of psychosocial-, disease-, and disability-related variables influence the adaptation process after the loss of a lower limb. In this case psychological problems, as a result of a failed adaptation process, are common. Of the 75 patients examined who had an amputation of a lower extremity 27% showed increased depression and 25% increased anxiety scores; 18.3% showed higher than normal scores in both categories. Regression analysis showed that in addition to pain reception poor acceptance of the prosthesis is an important predictive factor for the development of psychological disorders and diseases like anxiety and depression. Therefore, measures for psychological diagnostics and care should be initiated soon after the amputation to prevent psychological abnormalities. Here interdisciplinary management and cooperation of the professions involved in the care of the patient are recommended.

Analysis of the interactions of Nrf-2, PMF-1, and CSN-7 with the 5'-flanking sequence of the mouse 4E-BP1 gene.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) binds to a specific polyamine responsive element (PRE) in the promoter region of the spermidine-spermine acetyltransferase (SSAT) gene, a key component of the polyamine catabolic pathway. Regulation of SSAT gene transcription requires the additional interaction of Nrf-2 with polyamine modulated factor 1 (PMF-1). Likewise, transcription of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) gene is regulated in a polyamine-dependent manner, but the actual mechanism has not previously been determined. Analysis of the 5'-flanking sequence of the murine 4E-BP1 gene indicated the presence of several potential PRE sites, which might be involved in regulating its transcription. Our goal in this research was to determine potential interactions between Nrf-2, PMF-1, the human homologue of the Arabidopsis signalosome complex (CSN-7), and these potential PRE sites. Four PCR fragments containing regions with considerable homology (78%) to the human PRE were generated from the 5'-flanking sequence of the mouse 4E-BP1 gene and the fragments were used in electrophoretic gel mobility shift and supershift assays. Purified Nrf-2 interacted with all four of these fragments, and similar gel shifts were observed with both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of NIH-3T3 cells. However, polyamine depletion with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) eliminated the gel shift. Supershift assays indicated that the shift was due to the binding of Nrf-2, and the binding was competitive with a known Nrf-2 binding sequence. Purified PMF-1 did not bind any of the PCR fragments alone, but when added with Nrf-2, decreased the magnitude of the gel shift for one of the fragments (PRE located at -2060 relative to the transcription start site). CSN-7 did not interact with the sequences, nor did it inhibit protein/DNA interaction. These data indicate a possible mechanism by which polyamines enhance the binding of a Nrf-2/PMF-1 complex to the 5'-flanking region of the 4E-BP1 gene. Since polyamines increase expression of the 4E-BP1 gene, it seems likely that formation of this complex is involved in its transcriptional regulation.

Polyamines are absorbed through a y+ amino acid carrier in rat intestinal epithelial cells.

Due to the similarity in transport characteristics of polyamines and the y+ basic amino acid system, we hypothesized that both substrates could be moving through a common carrier site. Competitive and cross inhibition experiments in intestinal epithelial cells revealed the possibility of a common transport site. N-ethylmalemide (NEM) inhibited both lysine and putrescine transport, confirming that both were carried by a y+ transporter. Overexpressing the y+ transporter CAT-1 in a polyamine transport-deficient cell line, CHO-MG, did not reconstitute polyamine-transport. Thus, polyamines are not traveling through CAT-1. To determine if lysine is carried by a polyamine transport site, an antizyme-overexpressing cell line was used. Antizyme overexpression decreased polyamine uptake by 50%; in contrast, lysine transport was unaffected. Therefore, lysine is not traveling through a polyamine transport site. It appears that polyamines and lysine are likely traveling through a common unknown y+ transport site.

Polyamines regulate eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 gene transcription.

Difluoromethylornithine-induced polyamine depletion produced a significant fall in the rate of 4E-BP1 gene transcription in IEC-6 cells, without a change in stability of the 4E-BP1 message. The effect was reversed by the addition of exogenous putrescine. Decreased 4E-BP1 gene transcription produced a concomitant fall in steady-state concentration of the 4E-BP1 protein. Segments of the 4E-BP1 gene 5' flanking sequence were inserted into a GFP reporter construct. While all the segments containing the first 500 nucleotides 5' to exon 1 were capable of driving GFP expression, two regions (between -2465 and -1965, and between -896 and 511) did so in a polyamine-dependent manner. Steady-state concentration of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, was increased in response to polyamine depletion. These data provide a mechanism by which polyamines affect transcription of the 4E-BP1 gene, which in turn affect translation of ODC and perhaps other cap-dependent proteins.

Antizyme mRNA distribution and regulation in rat small intestinal enterocytes.

The protein ornithine decarboxylase antizyme (AZ) is inhibitory to both polyamine transport and synthesis. Experiments were performed to examine the distribution and regulation of AZ mRNA in cells of the small intestinal epithelium, a tissue exposed to high concentrations of extracellular polyamines and high levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. AZ mRNA was expressed in acutely isolated epithelial cells of rat jejunum and ileum; expression was higher in proximal than distal small intestine. In cells isolated from jejunal crypt-villus axis, AZ was expressed to high levels in cells from the small intestinal crypts but the message fell to near undetectable levels in cells of the villus tip. Western blot analysis demonstrated that distribution of AZ protein followed the distribution of AZ message. The distribution of ornithine decarboxylase activity along the crypt-villus axis was also determined. ODC activity and ODC protein were higher in cells from the upper villus than in cells isolated from the crypt. The intestinal lumen contains extremely high concentrations of free polyamines. The effect of depletion of endogenous polyamines or the addition of exogenous polyamines on AZ mRNA was evaluated in IEC-6 cells. Cells were depleted of intracellular polyamines by 72 hr of incubation in difluoromethylornithine. The fall in intracellular polyamine content was accompanied by a corresponding fivefold fall in AZ mRNA. When polyamine-depleted cells were treated with putrescine, the level of the AZ mRNA transcript was increased ninefold. These data demonstrate the expression of AZ gene in the longitudinal and crypt-villus axes of rat small intestine and show that AZ gene transcription is modulated by polyamines, an effect which may be involved in product suppression of polyamine synthesis.

Endocrine alteration in the adrenal gland in kidney transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION: Endocrine alterations associated with chronic renal failure have been reviewed recently. Some of these alterations are of clinical relevance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of renal transplantation on the endocrine system of the adrenal gland of the transplant recipients. METHODS: The serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE), plasma renin (PR) and plasma aldosterone (PA) were examined in 30 patients before and after renal allotransplantation. Additionally measured parameters were blood pressure, serum creatinine, potassium, sodium, the duration of dialysis and immunosuppressive medication. RESULTS: Six weeks after renal transplantation, serum creatinine decreased from 820.07 +/- 172.01 to 138.12 +/- 67.54 micromol/l. In the same period, serum potassium decreased from 5.42 +/- 0.89 to 4.17 +/- 0.42 mmol/l. PA and PR decreased from 1,150.84 +/- 976.06 to 233.52 +/- 217.07 micromol/l, and from 121.07 +/- 100.12 to 26.16 +/- 10.86 microU/ml, respectively. SACE decreased from 0.21 +/- 0.21 to 0.13 +/- 0.11 micromol/l. No significant correlation was seen with blood pressure, serum sodium, the duration of dialysis and immunosuppressive drugs. Additionally, 2 patients with acute renal graft dysfunction showed significant increases in PR and PA. After successful treatment both levels declined very quickly to prerejection levels. Patients after binephrectomy show no elevation in PR (5-47 microU/ml) or PA (21-416 micromol/l) neither before nor after renal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that renal transplantation has profound effects on the recipient's renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Because of the rapid depression after renal transplantation, it does not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of post transplantation hypertension but may reflect a role for repair processes after renal allotransplantation.

Peroxynitrite inhibits the activity of ornithine decarboxylase.

Polyamines are required during cell proliferation, whereas NO has anti-proliferative properties. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a critical enzyme for the synthesis of polyamines. We tested the hypothesis that the modification of ODC by peroxynitrite (OONO-), a short-lived free radical formed from NO and superoxide produces a fall in ODC activity, and therefore polyamine synthesis and cell proliferation. The treatment of a rat recombinant ODC (rODC) with OONO- resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of rODC activity with an IC50 of approximately 100 microM. A Western blot employing a specific antibody to nitrotyrosine revealed a dose-dependent nitration of rODC tyrosine residues. When intact IEC-6 cells were treated with ONOO-, ODC activity decreased by 49%. These data suggest a correlation between ODC activity and nitration, and a possible mechanism by which NO synthesis may modulate polyamine synthesis.

3D grazing collision of two black holes.

We present results for two colliding black holes (BHs), with angular momentum, spin, and unequal mass. For the first time, gravitational waveforms are computed for a grazing collision from a full 3D numerical evolution. The collision can be followed through the merger to form a single BH, and through part of the ringdown period of the final BH. The apparent horizon is tracked and studied, and physical parameters, such as the mass of the final BH, are computed. The total energy radiated in gravitational waves is shown to be consistent with the total initial mass of the spacetime and the apparent horizon mass of the final BH.

Idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy with gadolinium enhancement in the cisternal segment.

The authors report two patients with idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy who showed gadolinium enhancement of the cisternal segment of the corresponding trigeminal nerve in cranial MRI. The resolution of these lesions in a repeat MRI suggests a similarity to Bell's palsy.

Reference values for vertebral artery flow volume by duplex sonography in young and elderly adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vertebrobasilar ischemia has been attributed to a reduction of net vertebral artery flow volume, the product of mean flow velocity and the cross-sectional area of the vessel. It can be determined by duplex sonography. There are no reference values for vertebral artery flow volume in an age group representative of patients with cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: We examined 50 nonvascular neurological patients (age 55.8+/-14.0 years). Flow velocities and vessel diameters were recorded in the intertransverse (V2) segments bilaterally, and the flow volume was calculated according to the following equations: (1) Q1=time-averaged mean velocity times area and (2) Q2=(time-averaged maximum velocity/2)times area. RESULTS: Flow velocities and vessel diameters tended to be lower on the right side, resulting in a lower flow volume. Flow volumes (according to Equation 1) were 77.2+/-29.8 mL/min on the right side, 105.3+/-46.4 mL/min on the left side, and 182.0+/-56.0 mL/min net. Side-to-side differences were not significant. Flow volumes calculated with the 2 equations did not differ significantly. An age dependence could not be shown, but vessel diameters and net vertebral artery flow volumes were significantly lower in women than in men. The normal range for net vertebral artery flow volume defined by the 5th to 95th percentiles is between 102.4 and 301.0 mL/min. This wide range is due to the high interindividual variability of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the reference values presented here, the association of decreased vertebral artery flow volume and vertebrobasilar ischemia should be reevaluated. Additional areas for investigation include the quantification of collateral flow in the vertebral arteries in carotid artery occlusive disease and their contribution to overall cerebral blood flow volume.