Mechanisms and development of self–other distinction in dyads and groups

This opinion piece offers a commentary on the four papers that address the theme of the development of self and other understanding with a view to highlighting the important contribution of developmental research to understanding of mechanisms of social cognition. We discuss potential mechanisms linking self–other distinction and empathy, implications for grouping motor, affective and cognitive domains under a single mechanism, applications of these accounts for joint action and finally consider self–other distinction in group versus dyadic settings.     

Effects of different sterols on the inhibition of cell culture growth caused by the growth retardant tetcyclacis

Cell division in cell suspension cultures can be completely blocked by the growth retardant tetcyclacis at a concentration of 10^-4 mol l^-1. In rice cells it has been demonstrated that the growth inhibition can be completely overcome by application of cholesterol independent of the duration of pretreatment with tetcyclacis. In suspension cultures of maize and soybean, too, the effect of tetcyclacis on cell division was neutralized by adding cholesterol. Other plant sterols, stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol were active in a decreasing order. Modifications in the cholesterol perhydro-cyclopentanophenanthrene-ring system indicate that the hydroxyl group at C-3 and the double bond between C-5 and C-6 in ring B are required for the activity. In contrast, gibberellic acid as well as ent-kaurenoic acid could not compensate retardant effects. Likewise, tetcyclasis did not change the level of gibberellins in rice cells as shown by radioimmunoassay. Thus, it is concluded that in cell suspension cultures sterols play a more important role in cell division than gibberellins.Abbreviation GA_x gibberelin A_x     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress causes insulin resistance by inhibiting delivery of newly synthesized insulin receptors to the cell surface

Accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and activates a signaling network known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here we characterize how ER stress and the UPR inhibit insulin signaling. We find that ER stress inhibits insulin signaling by depleting the cell surface population of the insulin receptor. ER stress inhibits proteolytic maturation of insulin proreceptors by interfering with transport of newly synthesized insulin proreceptors from the ER to the plasma membrane. Activation of AKT, a major target of the insulin signaling pathway, by a cytosolic, membrane-bound chimera between the AP20187-inducible F_V2E dimerization domain and the cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase domain of the insulin receptor was not affected by ER stress. Hence, signaling events in the UPR, such as activation of the JNK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases or the pseudokinase TRB3 by the ER stress sensors IRE1α and PERK, do not contribute to inhibition of signal transduction in the insulin signaling pathway. Indeed, pharmacologic inhibition and genetic ablation of JNKs, as well as silencing of expression of TRB3, did not restore insulin sensitivity or rescue processing of newly synthesized insulin receptors in ER-stressed cells.     

Hepatocarcinogenesis by thioacetamide: correlations of histological and biochemical changes, and possible role of cell injury.

Hepatocarcinogenesis in rats produced by prolonged feeding of thioacetamide appears as a progressive phenomenon in which morphological changes are associated with important biochemical modifications. It seems most likely that changes in the permeability of cell membrane induced by the carcinogen are responsible for increased intracellular accumulation of Ca2+, and for the ensuring of cell injury produced by Ca2+ overloading of the mitochondria. This calcification of the mitochondria may play a role in the neoplastic transformation of the cell, especially as far as it concerns metabolic behavior and the genetic specification of the permeability characteristics of the transformed cell membrane. The increased synthesis of acid glycosaminoglycans suggests their involvement in calcium-mediated control of tumor development and growth.     

Mosquito-bite infection of humanized mice with chikungunya virus produces systemic disease with long-term effects

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne alphavirus responsible for acute to chronic arthralgias and neuropathies. Although it originated in central Africa, recent reports of disease have come from many parts of the world, including the Americas. While limiting human CHIKV cases through mosquito control has been used, it has not been entirely successful. There are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments specific for CHIKV disease, thus more work is needed to develop effective countermeasures. Current animal research on CHIKV is often not representative of human disease. Most models use CHIKV needle inoculation via unnatural routes to create immediate viremia and localized clinical signs; these methods neglect the natural route of transmission (the mosquito vector bite) and the associated human immune response. Since mosquito saliva has been shown to have a profound effect on viral pathogenesis, we evaluated a novel model of infection that included the natural vector, Aedes species mosquitoes, transmitting CHIKV to mice containing components of the human immune system. Humanized mice infected by 3–6 mosquito bites showed signs of systemic infection, with demonstrable viremia (by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent antibody assay), mild to moderate clinical signs (by observation, histology, and immunohistochemistry), and immune responses consistent with human infection (by flow cytometry and IgM ELISA). This model should give a better understanding of human CHIKV disease and allow for more realistic evaluations of mechanisms of pathogenesis, prophylaxis, and treatments.     

Über das Invertierungsvermögen der Speicheldrüsen und des Mitteldarmes von Bienen verschiedenen Alters

Zusammenfassung Die gewonnenen Ergebnisse zeigen mit völliger Klarheit, daß die Schlunddrüse ein stark ausgesprochenes Invertierungsvermögen besitzt, das sich jedoch in hohem Grade, je nach dem Alter der Bienen ändert. Im Gegensatz zum Mitteldarm, der Invertase auszuscheiden beginnt von dem Augenblicke des Ausschlüpfens der jungen Biene, bedarf die Schlunddrüse eines gewissen Zeitraumes zu ihrer Entwicklung. Die von uns angestellten Versuche können indessen die Frage noch nicht endgültig entscheiden, in welchem Moment die Schlunddrüse zu funktionieren beginnt. Wir haben die Sekretionstätigkeit der Drüse an verhältnismäßig alten Bienen — von 10 Tagen an — beobachtet und die maximalen Ziffern der Zuckerinversion bei 30tägigen Bienen ermittelt. Hieraus lassen sich noch keine verallgemeinernden Schlüsse ziehen. Unsere Versuche begannen im August und dauerten bis Mitte September, fanden also am Ende der Saison statt. Das Versuchsvolk war schwach und die Zahl der jungen Bienen und der Brut gering (auf einem Rahmen). Als Beleg dazu genügt der Hinweis, daß die Bienen ihre Orientierungsausflüge im Alter von 18 Tagen unternahmen. Alle diese Faktoren könnten zweifellos das Tempo der Entwicklung des Organismus der Biene — und der Sehlunddrüse im besonderen — beeinflussen. Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, daß eine Untersuchung über die Veränderung des Invertierungsvermögens der Schiunddrüsen von Bienen, die zu verschiedenen Zeiten der Frühlings- und Sommersaison ausgeschlüpft waren, auch eine verschiedene Schnelligkeit der Entwicklung der Drüse ergeben würde.Was die Brustdrüse anbetrifft, so geben unsere Versuche kein genügendes Material zur Beurteilung, welche Rolle sie im Kohlehydratstoffwechsel der Biene spielt. Nur eines steht fest, daß sie an der Invertierung des Zuckers in keinem Falle beteiligt ist.Der Mitteldarm scheint auch mit dem Alter der Biene sein Invertierungsvermögen zu steigern, wenn auch nicht in solchem Umfange als die Schlunddrüse.Die von uns gewonnenen Resultate erlauben, einige Schlüsse über mehrere Fragen der Bienenbiologie zu ziehen, wie z. B. die Frage über den Anteil der Schlunddrüse an der Futtersaftbereitung usw. Doch müssen solche spezielle Fragen an einer anderen Stelle ausführlich besprochen werden.Zum Schlusse sprechen wir Dr. Resnitschenko sowie Dr. Alpatov für die freundliche Hilfe bei der Ausführung der Arbeit unseren Dank aus.