Syntheses of 25-Adamantyl-25-alkyl-2-methylidene-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Derivatives with Structure-Function Studies of Antagonistic and Agonistic Active Vitamin D Analogs

The active form of vitamin D₃, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃], is a major regulator of calcium homeostasis through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We have previously synthesized vitamin D derivatives with large adamantane (AD) rings at position 24, 25, or 26 of the side chain to study VDR agonist and/or antagonist properties. One of them-ADTK1, with an AD ring and 23,24-triple bond-shows a high VDR affinity and cell-selective VDR activity. In this study, we synthesized novel vitamin D derivatives (ADKM1-6) with an alkyl group substituted at position 25 of ADTK1 to develop more cell-selective VDR ligands. ADKM2, ADKM4, and ADKM6 had VDR transcriptional activity comparable to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and ADTK1, although their VDR affinities were weaker. Interestingly, ADKM2 has selective VDR activity in kidney- and skin-derived cells-a unique phenotype that differs from ADTK1. Furthermore, ADKM2, ADKM4, and ADKM6 induced osteoblast differentiation in human dedifferentiated fat cells more effectively than ADTK1. The development of vitamin D derivatives with bulky modifications such as AD at position 24, 25, or 26 of the side chain is useful for increased stability and tissue selectivity in VDR-targeting therapy.

Expressions of conventional vitellogenin and vitellogenin-like A in worker brains are associated with a nursing task in a ponerine ant

In eusocial insect colonies, non-reproductive workers often perform different tasks. Tasks of an individual worker are shifted depending on various factors, e.g., age and colony demography. Although a vitellogenin (Vg) gene play regulatory roles in both reproductive and non-reproductive division of labours in a honeybee, it has been shown that the insect Vg underwent multiple gene duplications and sub-functionalisation, especially in apical ant lineages. The regulatory roles of duplicated Vgs were suggested to change evolutionarily among ants, whereas such roles in phylogenetically basal ants remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression patterns of conventional Vg (CVg), Vg-like A, Vg-like B and Vg-like C, as well as Vg receptor, during the task shift in an age-dependent manner and under experimental manipulation of colony demography in a primitive ant Diacamma sp. Expressions of CVg and Vg-like A in a brain were associated with a nursing task. It is suggested that associations of brain expressions of these Vgs with worker tasks were acquired in the basal ant lineage, and that such Vg functions could have sub-functionalised in the derived ant lineage.

Search for Magnetic Monopoles and Stable High-Electric-Charge Objects in 13 Tev Proton-Proton Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for magnetic monopoles and high-electric-charge objects is presented using 34.4  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2015 and 2016. The considered signature is based upon high ionization in the transition radiation tracker of the inner detector associated with a pencil-shape energy deposit in the electromagnetic calorimeter. The data were collected by a dedicated trigger based on the tracker high-threshold hit capability. The results are interpreted in models of Drell-Yan pair production of stable particles with two spin hypotheses (0 and 1/2) and masses ranging from 200 to 4000 GeV. The search improves by approximately a factor of 5 the constraints on the direct production of magnetic monopoles carrying one or two Dirac magnetic charges and stable objects with electric charge in the range 20≤|z|≤60 and extends the charge range to 60<|z|≤100.

Characterization of Carotid Plaque Components by Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intraplaque hemorrhage in the carotid artery is related to an increased risk of cerebrovascular ischemic events. We aimed to investigate whether quantitative susceptibility mapping can characterize carotid artery plaque components and quantify the severity of intraplaque hemorrhage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this ex vivo quantitative susceptibility mapping study, 9 carotid endarterectomy specimens were imaged on a 3T MR imaging scanner using a 3D multi-echo gradient-echo sequence and a microscopy coil. The samples were examined histologically using immunostains, including glycophorin A and Prussian blue. The areas of erythrocytes, iron deposits, calcification, and fibrous matrices observed on stained sections were compared with quantitative susceptibility mapping findings and their mean susceptibility values.

RESULTS

Intraplaque hemorrhage and iron deposits were observed only in areas hyperintense on quantitative susceptibility mapping; calcifications and fibrous matrices were prevalent in hypointense areas. The mean susceptibility values for necrotic cores with intraplaque hemorrhage but no iron deposits, cores with iron deposits but no intraplaque hemorrhage, cores without either intraplaque hemorrhage or iron deposits, and cores with calcification were 188 ± 51, 129 ± 49, -11 ± 17, and -158 ± 78 parts per billion, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean susceptibility values among the 4 histologic components (P < .01). The mean susceptibility values of the whole plaque positively correlated with the percentage area positive for glycophorin A (r = 0.65, P < .001) and Prussian blue (r = 0.47, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that quantitative susceptibility mapping can characterize the composition of carotid plaques and quantify the degree of intraplaque hemorrhage and iron deposits.

Observation of Electroweak Production of a Same-Sign W Boson Pair in Association with Two Jets in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the observation and measurement of electroweak production of a same-sign W boson pair in association with two jets using 36.1  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis is performed in the detector fiducial phase-space region, defined by the presence of two same-sign leptons, electron or muon, and at least two jets with a large invariant mass and rapidity difference. A total of 122 candidate events are observed for a background expectation of 69±7 events, corresponding to an observed signal significance of 6.5 standard deviations. The measured fiducial signal cross section is σ^{fid}=2.89_{-0.48}^{+0.51}(stat)_{-0.28}^{+0.29}(syst)  fb.

Observation of Light-by-Light Scattering in Ultraperipheral Pb+Pb Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter describes the observation of the light-by-light scattering process, γγ→γγ, in Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. The analysis is conducted using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.73  nb^{-1}, collected in November 2018 by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Light-by-light scattering candidates are selected in events with two photons produced exclusively, each with transverse energy E_{T}^{γ}>3  GeV and pseudorapidity |η_{γ}|<2.4, diphoton invariant mass above 6 GeV, and small diphoton transverse momentum and acoplanarity. After applying all selection criteria, 59 candidate events are observed for a background expectation of 12±3 events. The observed excess of events over the expected background has a significance of 8.2 standard deviations. The measured fiducial cross section is 78±13(stat)±7(syst)±3(lumi)  nb.

Comparison of Fragmentation Functions for Jets Dominated by Light Quarks and Gluons from pp and Pb+Pb Collisions in ATLAS

Charged-particle fragmentation functions for jets azimuthally balanced by a high-transverse-momentum, prompt, isolated photon are measured in 25  pb^{-1} of pp and 0.49  nb^{-1} of Pb+Pb collision data at 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are compared to predictions of Monte Carlo generators and to measurements of inclusively selected jets. In pp collisions, a different jet fragmentation function in photon-tagged events from that in inclusive jet events arises from the difference in fragmentation between light quarks and gluons. The ratios of the fragmentation functions in Pb+Pb events to that in pp events are used to explore the parton color-charge dependence of jet quenching in the hot medium. In relatively peripheral collisions, fragmentation functions exhibit a similar modification pattern for photon-tagged and inclusive jets. However, photon-tagged jets are observed to have larger modifications than inclusive jets in central Pb+Pb events.

Combination of Searches for Invisible Higgs Boson Decays with the ATLAS Experiment

Dark matter particles, if sufficiently light, may be produced in decays of the Higgs boson. This Letter presents a statistical combination of searches for H→invisible decays where H is produced according to the standard model via vector boson fusion, Z(ℓℓ)H, and W/Z(had)H, all performed with the ATLAS detector using 36.1  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV at the LHC. In combination with the results at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV, an exclusion limit on the H→invisible branching ratio of 0.26(0.17_{-0.05}^{+0.07}) at 95% confidence level is observed (expected).

Search for the Production of a Long-Lived Neutral Particle Decaying within the ATLAS Hadronic Calorimeter in Association with a Z Boson from pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

This Letter presents a search for the production of a long-lived neutral particle (Z_{d}) decaying within the ATLAS hadronic calorimeter, in association with a standard model (SM) Z boson produced via an intermediate scalar boson, where Z→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} (ℓ=e, μ). The data used were collected by the ATLAS detector during 2015 and 2016 pp collisions with a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV at the Large Hadron Collider and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.1±0.8  fb^{-1}. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. Limits on the production cross section of the scalar boson times its decay branching fraction into the long-lived neutral particle are derived as a function of the mass of the intermediate scalar boson, the mass of the long-lived neutral particle, and its cτ from a few centimeters to one hundred meters. In the case that the intermediate scalar boson is the SM Higgs boson, its decay branching fraction to a long-lived neutral particle with a cτ approximately between 0.1 and 7 m is excluded with a 95% confidence level up to 10% for m_{Z_{d}} between 5 and 15 GeV.

Caste-specific microRNA expression in termites: insights into soldier differentiation

Eusocial insects have polyphenic caste systems in which each caste exhibits characteristic morphology and behaviour. In insects, caste systems arose independently in different lineages, such as Isoptera and Hymenoptera. Although partial molecular mechanisms for the development of eusociality in termites have been clarified by the functional analysis of genes and hormones, the contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) to caste differentiation is unknown. To understand the role of miRNAs in termite caste polyphenism, we performed small RNA sequencing in a subterranean termite (Reticulitermes speratus) and identified the miRNAs that were specifically expressed in the soldier and worker castes. Of the 550 miRNAs annotated in the R. speratus genome, 74 were conserved in insects and 174 were conserved in other termite species. We found that eight miRNAs (mir-1, mir-125, mir-133, mir-2765, mir-87a and three termite-specific miRNAs) are differentially expressed (DE) in soldiers and workers of R. speratus. This differential expression was experimentally verified for five miRNAs by real-time quantitative PCR. Further, four of the eight DE miRNAs in soldier and worker termite castes were also differentially expressed in hymenopteran castes. The finding that Isoptera and Hymenoptera shared several DE miRNAs amongst castes suggests that these miRNAs evolved independently in these phylogenetically distinct lineages.

Search for doubly charged scalar bosons decaying into same-sign W boson pairs with the ATLAS detector

A search for doubly charged scalar bosons decaying into W boson pairs is presented. It uses a data sample from proton-proton collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb - 1 collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. This search is guided by a model that includes an extension of the Higgs sector through a scalar triplet, leading to a rich phenomenology that includes doubly charged scalar bosons H ± ± . Those bosons are produced in pairs in proton-proton collisions and decay predominantly into electroweak gauge bosons H ± ± → W ± W ± . Experimental signatures with several leptons, missing transverse energy and jets are explored. No significant deviations from the Standard Model predictions are found. The parameter space of the benchmark model is excluded at 95% confidence level for H ± ± bosons with masses between 200 and 220 GeV.

Measurement of the azimuthal anisotropy of charged particles produced in s NN = 5.02 TeV Pb+Pb collisions with the ATLAS detector

Measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy in lead-lead collisions ats NN = 5.02 TeV are presented using a data sample corresponding to 0.49nb - 1 integrated luminosity collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in 2015. The recorded minimum-bias sample is enhanced by triggers for "ultra-central" collisions, providing an opportunity to perform detailed study of flow harmonics in the regime where the initial state is dominated by fluctuations. The anisotropy of the charged-particle azimuthal angle distributions is characterized by the Fourier coefficients, v 2 - v 7 , which are measured using the two-particle correlation, scalar-product and event-plane methods. The goal of the paper is to provide measurements of the differential as well as integrated flow harmonics v n over wide ranges of the transverse momentum, 0.5  < p T <  60 GeV, the pseudorapidity, | η | <  2.5, and the collision centrality 0-80%. Results from different methods are compared and discussed in the context of previous and recent measurements in Pb+Pb collisions ats NN = 2.76  TeV and 5.02  TeV . In particular, the shape of the p T dependence of elliptic or triangular flow harmonics is observed to be very similar at different centralities after scaling the v n and p T values by constant factors over the centrality interval 0-60% and the p T range 0.5  < p T <  5 GeV.

Combination of the Searches for Pair-Produced Vectorlike Partners of the Third-Generation Quarks at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A combination of the searches for pair-produced vectorlike partners of the top and bottom quarks in various decay channels (T→Zt/Wb/Ht, B→Zb/Wt/Hb) is performed using 36.1  fb^{-1} of pp collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed data are found to be in good agreement with the standard model background prediction in all individual searches. Therefore, combined 95% confidence-level upper limits are set on the production cross section for a range of vectorlike quark scenarios, significantly improving upon the reach of the individual searches. Model-independent limits are set assuming the vectorlike quarks decay to standard model particles. A singlet T is excluded for masses below 1.31 TeV and a singlet B is excluded for masses below 1.22 TeV. Assuming a weak isospin (T,B) doublet and |V_{Tb}|≪|V_{tB}|, T and B masses below 1.37 TeV are excluded.

Observation of Centrality-Dependent Acoplanarity for Muon Pairs Produced via Two-Photon Scattering in Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents a measurement of γγ→μ^{+}μ^{-} production in Pb+Pb collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with an integrated luminosity of 0.49  nb^{-1}. The azimuthal angle and transverse momentum correlations between the muons are measured as a function of collision centrality. The muon pairs are produced from γγ through the interaction of the large electromagnetic fields of the nuclei. The contribution from background sources of muon pairs is removed using a template fit method. In peripheral collisions, the muons exhibit a strong back-to-back correlation consistent with previous measurements of muon pair production in ultraperipheral collisions. The angular correlations are observed to broaden significantly in central collisions. The modifications are qualitatively consistent with rescattering of the muons while passing through the hot matter produced in the collision.

Search for Resonant and Nonresonant Higgs Boson Pair Production in the bb[over ¯]τ^{+}τ^{-} Decay Channel in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A search for resonant and nonresonant pair production of Higgs bosons in the bb[over ¯]τ^{+}τ^{-} final state is presented. The search uses 36.1  fb^{-1} of pp collision data with sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in 2015 and 2016. Decays of the τ-lepton pairs with at least one τ lepton decaying to final states with hadrons and a neutrino are considered. No significant excess above the expected background is observed in the data. The cross-section times branching ratio for nonresonant Higgs boson pair production is constrained to be less than 30.9 fb, 12.7 times the standard model expectation, at 95% confidence level. The data are also analyzed to probe resonant Higgs boson pair production, constraining a model with an extended Higgs sector based on two doublets and a Randall-Sundrum bulk graviton model. Upper limits are placed on the resonant Higgs boson pair production cross-section times branching ratio, excluding resonances X in the mass range 305  GeV<m_{X}<402  GeV in the simplified hMSSM minimal supersymmetric model for tanβ=2 and excluding bulk Randall-Sundrum gravitons G_{KK} in the mass range 325  GeV<m_{G_{KK}}<885  GeV for k/M[over ¯]_{Pl}=1.

Probing the Quantum Interference between Singly and Doubly Resonant Top-Quark Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents a normalized differential cross-section measurement in a fiducial phase-space region where interference effects between top-quark pair production and associated production of a single top quark with a W boson and a b-quark are significant. Events with exactly two leptons (ee, μμ, or eμ) and two b-tagged jets that satisfy a multiparticle invariant mass requirement are selected from 36.1  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data taken at sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015 and 2016. The results are compared with predictions from simulations using various strategies for the interference. The standard prescriptions for interference modeling are significantly different from each other but are within 2σ of the data. State-of-the-art predictions that naturally incorporate interference effects provide the best description of the data in the measured region of phase space most sensitive to these effects. These results provide an important constraint on interference models and will guide future model development and tuning.

Prompt and non-prompt J / ψ elliptic flow in Pb+Pb collisions at s NN = 5.02 Tev with the ATLAS detector

The elliptic flow of prompt and non-prompt J / ψ was measured in the dimuon decay channel in Pb+Pb collisions ats NN = 5.02   TeV with an integrated luminosity of 0.42 nb - 1 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The prompt and non-prompt signals are separated using a two-dimensional simultaneous fit of the invariant mass and pseudo-proper decay time of the dimuon system from the J / ψ decay. The measurement is performed in the kinematic range of dimuon transverse momentum and rapidity 9 < p T < 30   GeV , | y | < 2 , and 0-60% collision centrality. The elliptic flow coefficient, v 2 , is evaluated relative to the event plane and the results are presented as a function of transverse momentum, rapidity and centrality. It is found that prompt and non-prompt J / ψ mesons have non-zero elliptic flow. Prompt J / ψ v 2 decreases as a function of p T , while for non-prompt J / ψ it is, with limited statistical significance, consistent with a flat behaviour over the studied kinematic region. There is no observed dependence on rapidity or centrality.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

High juvenile hormone titre and abdominal activation of JH signalling may induce reproduction of termite neotenics

Termite castes are a key example of polyphenism, in which reproductive division of labour is clearly seen in colonies. The reproductive castes in termites include primary and neotenic reproductives; primary reproductives found a new colony whereas neotenics succeed them in the reproductive role when the primary reproductives die or become senescent. Neotenics usually differentiate from nymphs or workers by developing functional gonads while retaining juvenile characteristics; however, the developmental mechanism during neotenic differentiation remains poorly understood. Juvenile hormone (JH) mediates a number of aspects of developmental regulation in caste differentiation in termites. In the present study we quantified JH titres in neotenic reproductives of Reticulitermes speratus, and compared these with other developmental stages. In addition, expression changes in JH signalling gene homologues (Methoprene-tolerant [Met], Krüppel-homolog1, Broad-Complex) in the head, thorax and abdomen were investigated during neotenic differentiation. Finally, we examined the function of Met in reproduction of neotenics by RNA interference (RNAi). Our results showed that the JH titres of neotenics were significantly higher than those of nymphs and workers. JH signalling genes were highly expressed in neotenic abdomens, compared with those in workers and nymphs. Met RNAi resulted in the inhibition of vitellogenin gene expression in newly moulted neotenics. These results suggest that the fertility of neotenics might be controlled by a large increase of JH titres and body-part-specific activation of JH signalling pathways.

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell isolation from tooth extraction sockets

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (BMSCs) are commonly used in regeneration therapy. The current primary source of BMSCs is the iliac crest; however, the procedure is associated with various burdens on the patient, including the risk of pain and infection. Hence, the possibility to collect BMSCs from other, more accessible, sources would be an attractive approach. It is well known that stem cells migrate from surrounding tissues and play important roles in wound healing. We thus hypothesized that stem/progenitor cells could be isolated from granulation tissue in the dental socket, and we subsequently collected granulation tissue from dog dental socket 3 d after tooth extraction. After enzyme digestion of the collected tissue, the cells forming colonies constituted the dental socket-derived stem/progenitor cells (dDSCs). Next, dDSCs were compared with dog BMSCs (dBMSCs) for phenotype characterization. A flow cytometric analysis showed that dDSCs were positive for CD44, CD90, and CD271 but negative for CD34 and CD45, similar to dBMSCs. dDSCs also exhibited osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation ability, similar to dBMSCs, with a higher capacity for colony formation, proliferation, and motility than dBMSCs. In addition, an in vivo ectopic bone formation assay showed that dDSCs and dBMSCs both induced hard tissue formation, although only dDSCs formed a fibrous tissue-like structure connected to the newly formed bone. Finally, we tested the ability of dDSCs to regenerate periodontal tissue in a one-wall defect model. The defects in the dDSC-transplanted group (β-TCP/PGA/dDSCs) were regenerated with cementum-like and periodontal ligament-like tissues and alveolar bone, whereas only bony tissue was observed in the control group (β-TCP/PGA). In conclusion, we identified and characterized a population of stem/progenitor cells in granulation tissue obtained from the dental socket that exhibited several characteristics similar to those of BMSCs. Dental sockets could therefore be a novel source for isolating stem/progenitor cells from bone.

Preventive effect of nucleoprotein on hindlimb unloading-induced capillary regression in rat soleus muscle

We investigated the preventive effects of nucleoprotein on capillary regression and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by unloading in the soleus muscle of rats. Nucleoprotein is a supplement made from soft roe of salmon, and its major components are nucleotides and protamine. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into control, hindlimb unloading (HU), and hindlimb unloading plus nucleoprotein administration (HU+ NP) groups. Hindlimb unloading was carried out for 2 weeks in the rats belonging to the HU and the HU+ NP groups. The rats of the HU+ NP group were administered nucleoprotein (500 mg/kg) using a feeding needle twice a day for 2 weeks. Hindlimb unloading resulted in capillary regression, decreased succinate dehydrogenase activity of the muscle fiber, and decreased PGC-1α expression in the soleus muscle. These effects were prevented by administration of nucleoprotein. Nucleoprotein appears to prevent capillary regression and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by unloading of the skeletal muscle. Therefore, nucleoprotein supplementation may be an effective therapy for maintaining capillary network and mitochondrial metabolism of the muscle fiber during an unloading period.

Exploration and characterization of genes involved in the synthesis of diterpene defence secretion in nasute termite soldiers

Nasutitermes takasagoensis soldiers defend their colonies using characteristic diterpenes. Diterpenes are thought to be synthesized in the frontal gland cells surrounding the gland reservoir. To identify the genes involved in diterpene synthesis, a cDNA library was prepared from the frontal gland cells and exhaustively sequenced using a 454 pyrosequencer (GS Junior; Roche, Branford, CT, USA). A total of 50,290 clean sequences were assembled into 1111 contigs, which were grouped into 774 genes (isogroups). Based on sequence similarity with known proteins, we identified seven genes encoding the following four enzymes associated with diterpene synthesis: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase (HMGS), HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR), farnesyl diphosphate synthase, and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases. The expression levels of two enzymes, HMGS and HMGR, involved in the mevalonate pathway were examined, assuming that the site of the defensive terpenoid synthesis strongly activates the mevalonate pathway, which produces a precursor of terpenoids. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR confirmed significantly higher expression of HMGS and HMGR in the heads of soldiers. We then divided the head into three parts and found that the expression levels of HMGS and HMGR were significantly higher in the part containing class 1 secretory cells of the frontal gland. Overall, the results suggested that the mevalonate pathway for diterpene synthesis occurs in class 1 cells around the frontal gland reservoir.

Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by juvenile hormone in honey bee males (Apis mellifera L.)

Dopamine (DA) and juvenile hormone (JH) are multifunctional regulators of behaviour in social insects, with distinct effects across species and even between different dominance positions within the same species. We examined the effects of JH on the brain dopaminergic system in honey bee males to investigate the potential relationship between JH and DA within Apis mellifera. Both DA content and the expression of three DA receptor genes (Amdop1, Amdop2 and Amdop3) increased in the male honey bee brain from day 4 to day 8 after emergence. Treatment of 4-day-old males with a JH analogue (methoprene, JHA) enhanced brain DA levels. Brain expression of Amdop1 was also enhanced by JHA but not by a DA receptor agonist 2-amino 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7-ADTN), indicating that Amdop1 up-regulation was not mediated by increased DA receptor stimulation. Furthermore, Amdop1 expression was still enhanced when JHA was co-applied with the DA receptor antagonist cis-(Z)-flupenthixol. Expression levels of Amdop2 and Amdop3 were not altered by JHA, 6,7-ADTN or by JHA plus the DA receptor antagonist. Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by JH, as observed in solitary species, is conserved in male honey bees but not in female honey bees and other advanced eusocial insects.

Predictors of 5-year mortality in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex disease

SETTING

Kyoto, Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To determine predictors of 5-year mortality in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of 164 patients diagnosed with pulmonary MAC disease between 1999 and 2005 and followed for 5 years.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year mortality was 28.0%. Among 117 patients with microbiological outcomes, 54 were treated (treated MAC patients) and 24 were not treated and did not experience sputum culture conversion during follow-up (untreated chronic MAC patients); 39 patients were not treated and experienced sputum culture conversion. Five-year all-cause overall mortality among the 78 patients with definite MAC disease (including treated and untreated chronic MAC patients) was 25.6%. The mortality rate was 33.3% for untreated chronic MAC patients only vs. 22.2% for treated MAC patients (P = 0.30). After adjustment for clinical, microbiological and radiological confounders, independent factors for 5-year mortality were a high Charlson comorbidity index in cases with definite MAC disease (hazard ratio [HR] 1.76) and untreated chronic MAC (HR 3.08), and presence of cavitary lesions in cases with definite MAC disease (HR 1.82) and treated MAC patients (HR 3.91).

CONCLUSION

Patients with cavitary lesions require immediate treatment for sputum culture conversion and to improve their chances of survival.

Intradermal injection of Botulinum toxin type A alleviates infraorbital nerve constriction-induced thermal hyperalgesia in an operant assay

Recent studies have shown that infraorbital nerve constriction (IoNC)-induced mechanical allodynia has been attenuated by administration of highly purified 150-kDa Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A). Here, we extend these studies to determine whether BoNT/A could attenuate IoNC-induced symptoms of thermal hyperalgesia. Instead of testing head withdrawal thresholds, a thermal operant assay was used to evaluate cortical processing of sensory input following IoNC. In this assay, a fasted rat's desire to obtain a food reward (sweetened condensed milk) is coupled to its ability to tolerate facial contact with a warm (45 °C) thermode. Bilateral IoNC decreased the ratio of thermode contact duration/event, which is an indicative of thermal hyperalgesia. BoNT/A injection intradermally in the area of infraorbital nerve (IoN) innervation 7 days after IoNC resulted in decreased number of facial contacts and increased the ratio of contact duration/event (measured at 14 days after IoNC). The BoNT/A (2-200 pg) effects were dose dependent and statistically significant at 100 and 200 pg (P < 0·05). Complete reversal of thermal hyperalgesia symptoms was obtained with a 200-pg dose, without affecting sham rat behaviour. Off-site (neck) injection of BoNT/A did not relieve thermal hyperalgesia, while co-injection of BoNT/A with a neutralising antibody in the area of IoN innervation prevented relief of thermal hyperalgesia. Neither IoNC nor BoNT/A injection affected operant assay parameters with a 24 °C thermode, indicating selectivity of thermal hyperalgesia measurements. These results strongly suggest that intradermal injection of BoNT/A in the area of IoN innervation alleviates IoNC-induced thermal hyperalgesia in an operant assay.

Factors affecting aggressive behaviour of spawning migratory males towards mature male parr in masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

This study examined whether dominant migratory males (adopting fighter tactics) of the masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou would more aggressively attack large mature male parr (adopting sneaker tactics) as large mature male parr are expected to have the potential to cause a greater decrease in fertilization success. The frequency of aggressive behaviour was not related to the body size of males, and it increased with the frequency of interactions with mature male parr. The fertilization success of mature male parr was much lower than migratory males, and no relationship was observed between fertilization success and aggressive behaviour. The low fertilization success of mature male parr, despite infrequent aggressive behaviour by migratory males, indicates that there might be little benefit for migratory males to attack mature male parr more aggressively according to their body size.