Parental care compromises feeding in the pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus).

Providing parental care is potentially costly. Costs can arise through elevated energy expenditure or from an increased risk of mortality. A cost of parental care can also occur because a parent is compromised in their ability to forage. We used pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, a fish with an alternative male mating strategy, to test whether parental males differed in their feeding in comparison with females and cuckolder males. To address this question, we examined the stomach contents of female, cuckolder male, and parental male pumpkinseed during the breeding season over an entire diel cycle. We showed that parental males had a lower total weight of food in their stomachs in comparison with females, while cuckolder males did not. Parental males also had a lower weight and number of chironomids in their stomachs. The temporal pattern of feeding of parental males diverged from that of females, and they had a lower probability of pupal chironomids in their stomachs, which implies spatial segregation in foraging. Parental males had a greater probability of conspecific eggs in their stomachs than females, while the probability of egg cannibalism did not differ between cuckolder males and females. Overall, these finding meet predictions in accordance with an assumption that parental care and territoriality can compromise feeding.

Development of Ferrite-Based Temperature Sensors for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Study of Cu1-xZnxFe2O4.

We investigate the use of Cu1-x Zn x Fe2O4 ferrites (0.60 < x < 0.76) as potential sensors for magnetic- resonance-imaging thermometry. Samples are prepared by a standard ceramic technique. Their structural and magnetic properties are determined using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, super-conducting quantum-interference device magnetometry, and Mossbauer and 3-T nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopies. We use the mass magnetization of powdered ferrites and transverse relaxivity r*2 of water protons in Ringer's-solution-based agar gels with embedded micron-sized particles to determine the best composition for magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) temperature sensors in the (280-323)-K range. A preclinical 3-T MRI scanner is employed to acquire T*2 weighted temperature-dependent images. The brightness of the MRI images is cross-correlated with the temperature of the phantoms, which allows for a temperature determination with approximately 1°C accuracy. We determine that the composition of 0.65 < x < 0.70 is the most suitable for MRI thermometry near human body temperature.

Occurrence of viral DNA in paired samples of corneal rim and cornea preservation fluid.

Corneal transplants have one of the highest success rates among all transplantological procedures. Corneas intended for transplantation are stored in a preservation fluid, which is then tested for bacterial and fungal infections. Among all analyses of infectious complications following corneal transplants, infections caused by bacteria or fungi are the most prominent. Surprisingly, however, apart from a few publications, there is a lack of data regarding the occurrence of viruses in donor corneas and the risk of transmitting these to their recipients. The intention of this research was therefore to determine the frequency with which human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1), human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2), and human adenovirus (HAdV) occur in transplanted corneal tissue, as well as in samples of preservation fluid. The study comprised 57 paired samples, with each pair consisting of a fragment of the corneal tissue remaining after its trepanation for transplantation surgery and a sample of corneal preservation fluid. Sample pairs were all tested for the presence of the DNA of three viruses (HHV-1, HHV-2, and HAdV) using real time PCR technique. Viral DNA was found in three of the tested corneas-HHV-1 DNA in one paired sample (1.8%) and adenovirus DNA in two single samples (3.5%). We postulate that virological testing of corneas for transplantation should be considered, particularly in the case of donors with increased risk factors for herpesvirus and adenovirus reactivation. J. Med. Virol. 89:732-736, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Primary murine neurons as in vitro model for studying neuroinfections caused by human adenoviruses.

Adenoviral infections of the central nervous system are rare, but they are characteristic for their high mortality rate. People with impaired immunity and children are particularly vulnerable. A few reports of neuroinfections caused by adenoviruses are found in literature. In this study the tropism of the human adenoviruses type 4, 5, 7 to primary cultures of murine neurons and the influence of infection on the neuron morphology and actin cytoskeleton was examined. The A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cell line was used as a reference line. Viral effects upon the cell culture were evaluated by direct immunofluorescence. The levels of adenovirus replication in the above-mentioned cell cultures were determined by real-time PCR. In the current study we demonstrated for the first time that human adenovirus (HAdV) type 4, 5 and 7 exhibits tropism for neurons cultured in vitro followed by the extensive replication of all serotypes in the primary culture of murine neurons. Immunofluorescent labelling and confocal microscopy revealed the changes in cell morphology, destruction of actin cytoskeleton and cell lysis as the final stage of infection. According to the obtained results we can assume that productive cycle of HAdV in the studied cell cultures occurred. We also observed accumulation of nuclear actin within nuclei of infected cells which may indicate that it plays role in adenovirus infection and replication in neurons and A549 cells.

The role of electron confinement in Pd films for the oscillatory magnetic anisotropy in an adjacent Co layer.

We demonstrate the interplay between quantum well states in Pd and the magnetic anisotropy in Pd/Co/Cu (0 0 1) by combined scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and magneto optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements. Low temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals occupied and unoccupied quantum well states (QWS) in atomically flat Pd films on Co/Cu (0 0 1). These states give rise to sharp peaks in the differential conductance spectra. A quantitative analysis of the spectra reveals the electronic dispersion of the Pd (0 0 1) d-band ([Formula: see text]-type) along the [Formula: see text]-X direction. In situ MOKE experiments on Pd/Co/Cu (1, 1, 13) uncover a periodic variation of the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy as a function of Pd thickness with a period of 6 atomic layers Pd. STS shows that QWS in Pd cross the Fermi level with the same periodicity of 6 atomic layers. Backed by previous theoretical work we ascribe the variation of the magnetic anisotropy in Co to QWS in the Pd overlayer. Our results suggest a novel venue towards tailoring uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic films by exploiting QWS in an adjacent material with large spin-orbit coupling.

Prevalence of Pulmonary Infections Caused by Atypical Pathogens in non-HIV Immunocompromised Patients.

Although atypical bacteria are important causes of lower airway infections, data on their role in immunocompromised patients are scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of atypical pulmonary infections in patients with various types of immunosuppression, and to analyze clinical characteristics of these infections. Eighty non-HIV immunocompromised patients with different underlying diseases and clinical and radiological signs of pulmonary infection were enrolled. Due to incomplete data on eight patients, 72 patients were eligible for final analysis (median age 58 years). All patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) fluid samples were sent for direct microscopy, cultures, and fungal antigen detection, when appropriate. Commercial qualitative amplification assay (PNEUMOTRIS oligomix Alert Kit(®)), based on nested PCR method, was used to detect specific DNA sequences of L. pneumophila, C. pneumoniae, and M. pneumoniae in BALF. There were 61 (84.7 %) patients with hematologic diseases, 3 (4.2 %) after solid organ transplantation, and 8 (11.1 %) with miscellaneous diseases affecting immune status. Specific sequences of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila DNA were found in 7 (9.7 %), 2 (2.8 %), and 0 patients, respectively. In 8 of these patients co-infections with different microorganisms were demonstrated. Co-infection with A. baumanii and P. aeruginosa was diagnosed in three patients who died. We conclude that atypical lower airway infections are uncommon in immunocompromised patients. The majority of these infections are co-infections rather than single pathogen infections.

Habitat preferences of Ukrainian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae ammocoetes in the lowland rivers of Central Europe.

The pattern of microhabitat preferences of Ukrainian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae ammocoetes was examined in two rivers of central Poland: the Pilica River (the Vistula River basin) and the Grabia River (the Odra River basin). A comparison of abiotic factors of the rivers revealed differences in water speed and principal components: PC1 (determining gradient from decreasing medium sand to the increasing share of three fractions of gravel), PC2 (a gradient from the declining share of very coarse and coarse sand fractions to the growing content of fine sand) and PC3 (correlated with an increasing proportion of silt). The sites did not differ significantly in terms of water depth. Relative abundance and frequency of ammocoete occurrence in the Grabia River were higher than in the Pilica River. Only speed, PC1 and PC2 made a significant contribution to the prediction of larval occurrence. Eudontomyzon mariae larvae preferred substrata with a reduced amount of medium sand and increased content of gravel (PC1) as well as with a lower content of coarse sand and higher proportion of fine-grained sand (PC2). The ammocoetes also preferred areas with a water speed of 0·2 m s(-1) but avoided speeds ≥ 0·6 m s(-1). The abundance of E. mariae was affected by water speed, as well as by all PCs. The mean ± s.e. optimal current speed was 0·265 ± 0·007 m s(-1), while abundance decreased with increasing amounts of gravel (PC1) and increased with increasing amounts of fine sand and silt in the bottom substratum (PC2 and PC3). Comparison of ammocoete microhabitat use in the Pilica and Grabia Rivers showed the lack of differences in distribution in the preferred values of current speed, PC1 and PC2.

Oscillations of the orbital magnetic moment due to d-band quantum well states.

The effect of electron confinement on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of ultrathin bcc Fe films is explored by combining photoemission spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements. Pronounced thickness-dependent variations in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy are ascribed to periodic changes in the density of states at the Fermi level, induced by quantization of d(xz), d(yz) out-of-plane orbitals. Our results reveal a direct correlation between quantum well states, the orbital magnetic moment, and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

Calcium and salinity as selective factors in plate morph evolution of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).

Identifying the causal factors underlying natural selection remains a key challenge in evolutionary biology. Although the genetic basis for the plate morph evolution of three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is well described, the environmental variables that form the basis for different morphs are not understood. We measured the effects of dissolved calcium and salinity on the growth of sticklebacks with different plate morphs from Scotland and Poland. There was a significant interaction of calcium with plate morph for fish from both regions, with complete morph sticklebacks growing more slowly at low calcium concentrations and low morph sticklebacks showing divergent responses to calcium concentration. A Scottish anadromous population showed evidence of local adaptation to high salinity, which was independent of plate morph. Polish and Scottish populations diverged in their response to salinity, suggesting a difference in osmotic regulation. The results implicate a role for calcium in selecting for plate morph evolution in sticklebacks, possibly as a limiting element in skeletal growth.

Health locus of control theory in diabetes: a worthwhile approach in managing diabetic foot ulcers?

The current global epidemic of type two diabetes mellitus has led to an accompanying increase in both foot ulceration and amputations, which pose significant health problems to populations worldwide. If improved treatment options are to be offered, then we clearly need a better understanding of all aspects of this disease. To date the major focus of diabetes research has been on physical factors, which are undeniably important, but there has been little acknowledgement of the significant psychological effects that can influence health and delay wound healing. The 'health locus of control' (HLC) theory, a psychological theory concerning patients' perceptions of how much control they have over life events (both positive and negative) may well be of use in this patient group. It has been suggested that concordance with treatment is improved when patients have a high 'internal' HLC (as measured by a questionnaire), which aligns with the belief that they have greater control over their health. It has further been suggested that through the implementation of 'group-care' education programmes, patients' attitudes can change, with a shift towards higher 'internal' HLC values. Thus a new approach in patient management might be to implement such education programmes, in the hope of improving adherence to treatment regimens and, hence, patient outcomes. To date there has been little conclusive evidence of the application of this theory, and although various studies have been performed in diabetic populations, only one study has been conducted specifically regarding diabetic foot ulcers. Clearly more research is needed.

Increased CXCR4 expression in AsPC1 pancreatic carcinoma cells with RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3B.

The effect of DNA methylation on CXCR4 expression has been demonstrated in pancreatic cancer and melanoma cells, but little is known about the effect of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3 (DNMT1 and DNMT3B) on CXCR4 expression. Employing lentiviral vectors, we created stable RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3B in AsPC1 pancreatic cancer cells. Using reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometric analysis, we evaluated the increase in the expression of CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in these cells. Bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that the level of promoter demethylation appeared more effective in cells with knockdown of DNMT1 than in those with DNMT3B knockdown. Furthermore, the combined RNA interference knockdown of both DNMT1 and DNMT3B increased promoter demethylation, leading to a slight increase in CXCR4 expression. However, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine exhibited the strongest effect on promoter demethylation, which correlated with the highest production of CXCR4 transcript and protein in AsPC1 cells. Our results indicate that DNMT1 plays the main role in maintenance of methylation of CXCR4 promoter, while DNMT3B may function as an accessory DNA methyltransferase to modulate CXCR4 expression in AsPC1 cells.

Direct evidence of a nonorthogonal magnetization configuration in single crystalline Fe(1-x)Co(x)/Rh/Fe/Rh(001) System.

Tetragonal distortion in Fe1-xCox alloy films grown epitaxially on Rh(001) substrates results in a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Since the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy varies with the Fe1-xCox film composition, one can grow multilayer structures with ferromagnetic films sequentially showing either an in-plane (e.g., Fe) or out-of-plane (e.g., Fe0.5Co0.5) easy-magnetization axis. The Rh spacers mediate an interlayer coupling which couples the magnetizations either ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically, depending on the spacer thickness. When the anisotropy energy is compatible to the coupling, it produces nonorthogonal magnetization configurations which vary under a small change of the external magnetic field.

Equine herpesvirus type 1 quantification in different types of samples by a real-time PCR.

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is one of the major viral agents causing diseases in horses common worldwide. A variety of techniques, including PCR, have been used to diagnose EHV-1 infections. In this paper, an attempt of real-time PCR has been described, which uses specific fluorochrome-labeled TaqMan probes for detection of viral DNA. This method does not require post-amplification manipulations, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The assay was sensitive enough to detect EHV-1 sequences in different clinical samples, as well in mice neuronal cell cultures. The technique was also very specific--here was no cross reaction with other human and equine herpesviruses. Compared to previously used nested PCR technique, the test was more sensitive and should be useful for the common diagnosis based on its specificity and rapidity.

Surgical site infections in the early posttransplant period after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the frequency of microbial isolates and their susceptibility profiles among cultures from the "surgical site" of 26 simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPKT) recipients in the early posttransplant period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on microbiologic cultures of 26 adult patients undergoing SPKT were collected prospectively from 2001 to the end of 2006. The isolation and identification of cultured micro-organisms was performed according to standard microbiological procedures and commercially available tests. Susceptibility of the strains to antibacterial agents was made by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. RESULTS: All patients were followed prospectively for the first 4 weeks after surgery yielding 168 microbial isolates from the surgical site. The most commonly isolated organisms were Gram-positive bacteria (65.5%) with domination of staphylococci (52.7%) as methicillin-resistant S aureus and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. The second most common were enterococci (33.6%) with the presence of an high level aminoglycoside-resistant strains (64.9%) and vancomycin-resistant strains (2.7%). Gram-negative bacteria comprised 19% of positive cultures; among them were isolated extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers and carbapenem-resistant strains. Yeast-like fungi comprised 15.5% of positive cultures. In conclusion, we observed predominantly Gram-positive bacteria, comprising 65.5% of isolates. The increased proportion of multi-drug-resistant bacterial isolates may be due to the frequent prophylaxis of bacterial infections in patients.

Strain relief guided growth of atomic nanowires in a Cu3N-Cu(110) molecular network.

A self-corrugated Cu(3)N-Cu(110) molecular network shows the potential to overcome the element dependence barrier as demonstrated by epitaxial growth of atomic nanowires (approximately 1 nm in width) among various 3d, 4d, and 5d elements. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows that all of the investigated atomic nanowires share an identical structure, featuring uniform width, height, orientation and the same minimum separation distance. Ab initio study reveals that the formation mechanism of atomic nanowires can be directly attributed to a strain relief guided asymmetric occupation of atoms on the originally symmetric crest zone of the corrugated network.

Oscillatory magnetic anisotropy originating from quantum well states in Fe films.

The magnetic anisotropy of Fe film grown on vicinal Ag(1,1,10) surfaces was studied with the in situ magneto-optic Kerr effect. Below 200 K, strong oscillations of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy as a function of Fe thickness with a period of 5.7 monolayers are found, which can even cause the easy magnetization axis to oscillate between perpendicular and parallel to the steps. Such novel oscillation of the anisotropy is attributed to the quantum well states of d-band electrons at the Fermi level in the Fe film. This is unlike the previously observed oscillatory behaviors of ferromagnetic films caused by the quantum well states in nonmagnetic interfacing layers.

Down-regulation of CXCR4 expression by tamoxifen is associated with DNA methyltransferase 3B up-regulation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

The CXCR4 chemokine receptor is a seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor present on the surface of various cells including cancer cells. The CXCR4 receptor contributes to the induction of several intracellular signalling pathways that enhance survival, proliferation, and migration of malignant cells. We observed that tamoxifen (Tam) reduced the CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. However, we did not see a Tam effect on CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in MCF-7(LVMT3B) cells with RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT3B. We also observed that Tam significantly increased, for several hours, the expression of enzymatically active DNMT3B splice variants in MCF-7 cells. However, there was no Tam effect on these DNMT3B splice variants' expression in MCF-7(LVMT3B) cells. Bisulfite sequencing suggests that Tam may reduce CXCR4 expression via increased methylation of cytosine in the cytosine-guanosine (CpG) dinucleotide island of the CXCR4 promoter of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Our findings suggest that Tam induces an increase in DNMT3B expression that is associated with the increase of CpG dinucleotide methylation in the CXCR4 promoter and significant reduction of CXCR4 gene expression in MCF-7 cells.

Pd atomic chain formation as a result of submonolayer deposition of 3d metals on Pd(110).

Submonolayer deposition of 3d transition metals such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni on Pd(110) at room temperature causes the formation of monoatomic chains of Pd as identified with scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. In agreement with recent theoretical predictions [Phys. Rev. B 79, 155410 (2009)], the substitution of Pd substrate atoms with the deposited atoms of 3d metals is found to be responsible for the formation of Pd atomic chains. This finding clarifies the long-debated issue about the chemical composition of the atomic chains grown on Pd(110) and points out the intriguing processes in the formation of self-assembled and self-organized nanostructures.

New model for magnetism in ultrathin fcc Fe on Cu(001).

Using soft-x-ray resonant magnetic scattering in combination with first-principles calculations for noncollinear magnetic configurations we present a new model of the magnetism in ultrathin fcc Fe films on Cu(001). We find the presence of blocks with robust magnetic structure, while the relative directions of the moments of different blocks are sensitive to the detailed atomic structure and temperature. The magnetic noncollinearity is directly demonstrated, which has not been possible so far.