Is the concentration of C-reactive protein in bacteraemia associated with age?

Background  

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an indicator of inflammation, and is often used in the diagnosis of bacterial infections. It is poorly known whether CRP in bacterial infection is age-dependent.     

Population genetics of a polyploid: is there hybridization between lineages of Hyla versicolor?

Several studies have demonstrated that polyploid species can form recurrently from their progenitors, but few studies have evaluated gene flow between the resultant polyploid lineages. Here we examine the possibility of hybridization between lineages of the tetraploid common gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor). We utilize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning approach to estimate the genotypes of tetraploid individuals and measure genetic differentiation between (1) sympatric populations of two lineages and (2) allopatric populations of a single lineage. We find that allele frequencies in sympatric populations of two lineages do not differ, suggesting that frogs of these two lineages hybridize in areas where they co-occur.     

Is regulation of proteolysis associated with redox-state changes in rat skeletal muscle?

In isolated rat diaphragms, only those substrates that increased the tissue NADH/NAD+ ratio lowered the rate of proteolysis. However, direct inhibition of proteinase activity by leupeptin promoted oxidation of the NAD couple of the muscles. These results suggest that changes in muscle reduction-oxidation state may be important in the regulation of proteolysis.     

Is mating of copepods associated with increased risk of predation?

In laboratory experiments, we tested whether the cyclopoid copepodCyclops vicinus is more vulnerable to predation by juvenile(young-of-the-year) roach (Rutilus rutilus) and/or larvae ofthe phantom midge Chaoborus flavicans during mating than individualadult copepods of the same species. We also tested whether C.vicinusavoided mating, displayed shorter mating times and/or loweractivity when a predator (Chaoborus) was present, or when exposedto water in which predators (Chaoborus) were previously held.Fish ate the same quantity of pairs in copulation and individualegg-bearing females but significantly fewer females withouteggs. Chaoborus ate similar quantities of pairs and femalesbut fewer males. Pairs in copulation and egg-bearing femaleswere detected earlier by fish than individual non-ovigerousfemales or males, and pairs in copulation were captured mosteasily by fish. Cyclops vicinus mated less often when Chaoboruslarvae were present than in water in which Chaoborus was previouslyheld, or in pure tap water. However, predator presence or exposureto predator-treated water had no effect on (i.e. did not reduce)mating duration. Activity of C.vicinus pairs during copulationwas significantly lower when a predator was present, or in predator-treatedwater, than in pure tap water, and activity of pairs decreasedwith increasing activity of the predator. Although our experimentswere carried out under artificial conditions which cannot betransferred to the complex conditions in the field, they suggestthat mating in copepods is dangerous and that copepods haveevolved particular strategies to reduce the risk of predationduring mating.     

Is circadian type associated with sleep duration in twins?

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - We used the community-based University of Washington Twin Registry to investigate the genetic association between circadian type and sleep duration. Habitual sleep...     

Is early osteoarthritis associated with differences in joint congruence?

Previous studies suggest that osteoarthritis (OA) is related to abnormal or excessive articular contact stress. The peak pressure resulting from an applied load is determined by many factors, among which is shape and relative position and orientation of the articulating surfaces or, referring to a more common nomenclature, joint congruence. It has been hypothesized that anatomical differences may be among the causes of OA. Individuals with less congruent joints would likely develop higher peak pressure and thus would be more exposed to the risk of OA onset. The aim of this work was to determine if the congruence of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint differs with the early onset of OA or with sex, as the female population has a higher incidence of OA. 59 without and 38 with early OA were CT-scanned with their dominant or arthritic hand in a neutral configuration. The proposed measure of joint congruence is both shape and size dependent. The correlation of joint congruence with pathology and sex was analyzed both before and after normalization for joint size. We found a significant correlation between joint congruence and sex due to the sex-related differences in size. The observed correlation disappeared after normalization. Although joint congruence increased with size, it did not correlate significantly with the onset of early OA. Differences in joint congruence in this population may not be a primary cause of OA onset or predisposition, at least for the CMC joint.     

Is the shift in chronotype associated with an alteration in well-being?

The study aimed to test whether a shift in chronotype (determined by mid-sleep on free days) is associated with alterations in psychological well-being and sleep parameters. One hundred and seventeen undergraduates were tested in longitudinal study with four repeated measures. Measurements were taken during spring in three-week intervals and each measurement consisted of self-reported sleep parameters on work and free days (i.e. bedtime, sleep latency, wake time, sleep onset, mid-sleep time, social jetlag), satisfaction with life, and mood (energetic arousal, tense arousal, hedonic tone). Between-subjects analyses revealed earlier chronotypes, as compared to the later ones, showing lower tense arousal, higher energetic arousal and life satisfaction, earlier bedtime, sleep onset and offset on both work and free days, longer sleep duration and shorter sleep latency on workdays, and less social jetlag. Within-subjects analyses revealed increasing photoperiod associated with a shift toward earlier chronotype, decrease in social jetlag, and shortening sleep latency. The seasonal shift toward earlier chronotype was not associated with alterations in mood or life satisfaction, but it was associated with a shift toward earlier bedtimes and longer sleep duration on workdays, decrease in sleep latency, and social jetlag. Results from the within-subjects analyses were consistent with the results of between-subjects analyses regarding sleep–wake functioning, but inconsistent regarding psychological outcomes.     

Did genome duplication drive the origin of teleosts? A comparative study of diversification in ray-finned fishes

Background  

One of the main explanations for the stunning diversity of teleost fishes (~29,000 species, nearly half of all vertebrates) is that a fish-specific whole-genome duplication event (FSGD) in the ancestor to teleosts triggered their subsequent radiation. However, one critical assumption of this hypothesis, that diversification rates in teleosts increased soon after the acquisition of a duplicated genome, has never been tested.     

Is sociality associated with high longevity in North American birds?

Sociality, as a life-history trait, should be associated with high longevity because complex sociality is characterized by reproductive suppression, delayed breeding, increased care and survival, and some of these traits select for high longevity. We studied the relationship between cooperative parental care (a proxy of complex sociality) and relative maximum lifespan in 257 North American bird species. After controlling for variation in maximum lifespan explained by body mass, sampling effort, latitude, mortality rate, migration distance and age at first reproduction, we found no significant effect of cooperative care on longevity in analyses of species-specific data or phylogenetically independent standardized linear contrasts. Thus, sociality itself is not associated with high longevity. Rather, longevity is correlated with increased body size, survival rate and age of first reproduction.     

Is Acanthamoeba pathogenicity associated with intracellular bacteria?

In addition to the possible role of Acanthamoeba as an evolutionary precursor of pathogenicity in microbial pathogens, it has been suggested that intracellular bacteria or other microbial endosymbionts may also enhance the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. Using transmission electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and simple culturing, our findings did not reveal any apparent evidence of microbial presence intracellularly of a recently recovered clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba. Based on these findings, it is tempting to speculate that the virulence of Acanthamoeba may not be attributed to the pathogenicity of the endosymbiont alone.     

Is transformation associated with an increased error frequency in mammalian cells?

Acute starvation of mammalian cells for amino acids results in translational errors that may be detected by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using this as an assay for error frequency in mammalian cells, we investigated the hypothesis that neoplastic transformation was associated with an increased error frequency which in turn leads to an increased mutation rate and a decreased efficiency of regulatory controls (phenomena of tumor progression). Although we found that transformation was not always associated with an increased level of mistranslation we showed that SV40 transformation increased the level of translational errors in all cell types tested.     

Is insufficient sleep duration associated with suicidal behavior in Korean adolescents?

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - The second leading cause of death among Korean adolescents was suicide in 2014. We assessed the relationship between sleep duration and suicidal behavior (ideation,...     

Is traditional contraceptive use in Moldova associated with poverty and isolation?

This study investigates the correlates of traditional contraceptive use in Moldova, a poor country in Europe with one of the highest proportions of traditional contraceptive method users. The high reliance on traditional methods, particularly in the context of sub-replacement level fertility rate, has not been systematically evaluated in demographic research. Using cross-sectional data on a sub-sample of 6039 sexually experienced women from the 2005 Moldovan Demographic and Health Survey, this study hypothesizes that (a) economic and spatial disadvantages increase the likelihood of traditional method use, and (b) high exposure to family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) programmes increases the propensity to modern method use. Multilevel multinomial models are used to examine the correlates of traditional method use controlling for exposure to sexual activity, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and data structure. The results show that economic disadvantage increases the probability of traditional method use, but the overall effect is small. Although higher family planning media exposure decreases the reliance on traditional methods among younger women, it has only a marginal effect in increasing modern method use among older women. Family planning programmes designed to encourage women to switch from traditional to modern methods have some success--although the effect is considerably reduced in regions outside of the capital Chisinau. The study concludes that FP/RH efforts directed towards the poorest may have limited impact, but interventions targeted at older women could reduce the burden of unwanted pregnancies and abortions. Addressing differentials in accessing modern methods could improve uptake in rural areas.     

Is replenishment of the readily releasable pool associated with vesicular movement?

At the excitatory synapse of rat hippocampus the short-term synaptic depression observed during long high-frequency stimulation is associated with slower replenishment of the readily-releasable pool. Given that the replenishment rate is also not [Ca⁺⁺]_o sensitive this puts into question a widely held notion that the vesicles—constrained by the cytoskeleton and rendered free from such constraints by Ca⁺⁺ entry that renders them more mobile—are important in the replenishment of the readily-releasable pool. This raises a question—Is vesicular replenishment of the readily releasable pool associated with significant movement? To answer this question we evaluated how okadaic acid and staurosporine (compounds known to affect vesicular mobility) influence the replenishment rate. We used patterned stimulation on the Schaffer collateral fiber pathway and recorded the excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) from rat CA1 neurons, in the absence and presence of these drugs. The parameters of a circuit model with two vesicular pools were estimated by minimizing the squared difference between the ESPC amplitudes and simulated model output. [Ca²⁺]_o did not influence the progressive decrease of the replenishment rate during long, high frequency stimulation. Okadaic acid did not significantly affect any parameters of the vesicular storage and release system, including the replenishment rate. Staurosporine reduced the replenishment coupling, but not the replenishment rate, and this is owing to the fact that it also reduces the ability of the readily releasable pool to contain quanta. Moreover, these compounds were ineffective in influencing how the replenishment rate decreases during long, high frequency stimulation. In conclusion at the excitatory synapses of rat hippocampus the replenishment of the readily releasable pool does not appear to be associated with a significant vesicular movement, and during long high frequency stimulation [Ca⁺⁺]_o does not influence the progressive decrease of vesicular replenishment.     

Adaptive radiation in extremophilic Dorvilleidae (Annelida): diversification of a single colonizer or multiple independent lineages?

Metazoan inhabitants of extreme environments typically evolved from forms found in less extreme habitats. Understanding the prevalence with which animals move into and ultimately thrive in extreme environments is critical to elucidating how complex life adapts to extreme conditions. Methane seep sediments along the Oregon and California margins have low oxygen and very high hydrogen sulfide levels, rendering them inhospitable to many life forms. Nonetheless, several closely related lineages of dorvilleid annelids, including members of Ophryotrocha, Parougia, and Exallopus, thrive at these sites in association with bacterial mats and vesicomyid clam beds. These organisms are ideal for examining adaptive radiations in extreme environments. Did dorvilleid annelids invade these extreme environments once and then diversify? Alternatively, did multiple independent lineages adapt to seep conditions? To address these questions, we examined the evolutionary history of methane-seep dorvilleids using 16S and Cyt b genes in an ecological context. Our results indicate that dorvilleids invaded these extreme habitats at least four times, implying preadaptation to life at seeps. Additionally, we recovered considerably more dorvilleid diversity than is currently recognized. A total of 3 major clades (designated “Ophryotrocha,” “Mixed Genera” and “Parougia”) and 12 terminal lineages or species were encountered. Two of these lineages represented a known species, Parougia oregonensis, whereas the remaining 10 lineages were newly discovered species. Certain lineages exhibited affinity to geography, habitat, sediment depth, and/or diet, suggesting that dorvilleids at methane seeps radiated via specialization and resource partitioning.