Context Matters: Multiple Novelty Tests Reveal Different Aspects of Shyness-Boldness in Farmed American Mink (Neovison vison)

Animal personality research is receiving increasing interest from related fields, such as evolutionary personality psychology. By merging the conceptual understanding of personality, the contributions to both fields of research may be enhanced. In this study, we investigate animal personality based on the definition of personality traits as underlying dispositional factors, which are not directly measurable, but which predispose individuals to react through different behavioural patterns. We investigated the shyness-boldness continuum reflected in the consistency of inter-individual variation in behavioural responses towards novelty in 47 farmed American mink (Neovison vison), which were raised in identical housing conditions. Different stages of approach behaviour towards novelty, and how these related within and across contexts, were explored. Our experimental design contained four tests: two novel object tests (non-social contexts) and two novel animated stimuli tests (social contexts). Our results showed consistency in shyness measures across multiple tests, indicating the existence of personality in farmed American mink. It was found that consistency in shyness measures differs across non-social and social contexts, as well as across the various stages in the approach towards novel objects, revealing that different aspects of shyness exist in the farmed American mink. To our knowledge this is the first study to reveal aspects of the shyness-boldness continuum in the American mink. Since the mink were raised in identical housing conditions, inherited factors may have been important in shaping the consistent inter-individual variation. Body weight and sex had no effect on the personality of the mink. Altogether, our results suggest that the shyness-boldness continuum cannot be explained by a simple underlying dispositional factor, but instead encompasses a broader term of hesitating behaviour that might comprise several different personality traits.     

Fourier Power Spectrum Characteristics of Face Photographs: Attractiveness Perception Depends on Low-Level Image Properties

We investigated whether low-level processed image properties that are shared by natural scenes and artworks – but not veridical face photographs – affect the perception of facial attractiveness and age. Specifically, we considered the slope of the radially averaged Fourier power spectrum in a log-log plot. This slope is a measure of the distribution of special frequency power in an image. Images of natural scenes and artworks possess – compared to face images – a relatively shallow slope (i.e., increased high spatial frequency power). Since aesthetic perception might be based on the efficient processing of images with natural scene statistics, we assumed that the perception of facial attractiveness might also be affected by these properties. We calculated Fourier slope and other beauty-associated measurements in face images and correlated them with ratings of attractiveness and age of the depicted persons (Study 1). We found that Fourier slope – in contrast to the other tested image properties – did not predict attractiveness ratings when we controlled for age. In Study 2A, we overlaid face images with random-phase patterns with different statistics. Patterns with a slope similar to those in natural scenes and artworks resulted in lower attractiveness and higher age ratings. In Studies 2B and 2C, we directly manipulated the Fourier slope of face images and found that images with shallower slopes were rated as more attractive. Additionally, attractiveness of unaltered faces was affected by the Fourier slope of a random-phase background (Study 3). Faces in front of backgrounds with statistics similar to natural scenes and faces were rated as more attractive. We conclude that facial attractiveness ratings are affected by specific image properties. An explanation might be the efficient coding hypothesis.     

B- and C-RAF display essential differences in their binding to Ras: the isotype-specific N terminus of B-RAF facilitates Ras binding

Recruitment of RAF kinases to the plasma membrane was initially proposed to be mediated by Ras proteins via interaction with the RAF Ras binding domain (RBD). Data reporting that RAF kinases possess high affinities for particular membrane lipids support a new model in which Ras-RAF interactions may be spatially restricted to the plane of the membrane. Although the coupling features of Ras binding to the isolated RAF RBD were investigated in great detail, little is known about the interactions of the processed Ras with the functional and full-length RAF kinases. Here we present a quantitative analysis of the binding properties of farnesylated and nonfarnesylated H-Ras to both full-length B- and C-RAF in the presence and absence of lipid environment. Although isolated RBD fragments associate with high affinity to both farnesylated and nonfarnesylated H-Ras, the full-length RAF kinases revealed fundamental differences with respect to Ras binding. In contrast to C-RAF that requires farnesylated H-Ras, cytosolic B-RAF associates effectively and with significantly higher affinity with both farnesylated and nonfarnesylated H-Ras. To investigate the potential farnesyl binding site(s) we prepared several N-terminal fragments of C-RAF and found that in the presence of cysteine-rich domain only the farnesylated form of H-Ras binds with high association rates. The extreme N terminus of B-RAF turned out to be responsible for the facilitation of lipid independent Ras binding to B-RAF, since truncation of this region resulted in a protein that changed its kinase properties and resembles C-RAF. In vivo studies using PC12 and COS7 cells support in vitro results. Co-localization measurements using labeled Ras and RAF documented essential differences between B- and C-RAF with respect to association with Ras. Taken together, these data suggest that the activation of B-RAF, in contrast to C-RAF, may take place both at the plasma membrane and in the cytosolic environment.     

Antibody microarray analysis of inflammatory mediator release by human leukemia T-cells and human non small cell lung cancer cells.

Cytokines and chemokines are responsible for regulating inflammation and the immune response. Cytokine and chemokine release is typically measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) or Western blot analysis. To expedite the analysis of samples for multiple cytokines/chemokines, we have developed slide-based Thermo Scientific ExcelArray Antibody Sandwich Microarrays. Each slide consists of 16 subarrays (wells), each printed with 12 specific antibodies in triplicate and positive and negative control elements. This 16-well format allows for the analysis of 10 test samples using a six-point standard curve. The array architecture is based on the "sandwich" ELISA, in which an analyte protein is sandwiched between an immobilized capture antibody and a biotinylated detection antibody, using streptavidin-linked Thermo Scientific DyLight 649 Dye for quantitation. The observed sensitivity of this assay was <10 pg/mL. In our experiments, the Jurkat cell line was used as a model for human T-cell leukemia, and the A549 cell line was used as a model for human non-small cell lung cancer. To evoke a cytokine/chemokine response, cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, TPA), and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Cell supernatants derived from both untreated and stimulated cells were analyzed on four different arrays (Inflammation I, Inflammation II, Angiogenesis, and Chemotaxis), enabling the quantitation of 41 unique analytes. Stimulated cells showed an increase in the expression level of many of the test analytes, including IL-8, TNF-alpha, and MIP-1alpha, compared to the non-treated controls. Our experiments clearly demonstrate the utility of antibody microarray analysis of cell-culture supernatants for the profiling of cellular inflammatory mediator release.     

Systematic assessment of the Atelostomata (Spatangoida and Holasteroida; irregular echinoids) based on spine microstructure

Spines of irregular echinoids occur in very high abundance in each specimen, and display distinct architecture as a result of the specialized functions of the spines; however, studies on spine microstructure in atelostomate echinoids have rarely been carried out. Accordingly, little is known about their specific morphology. This work aims to elaborate differences in the spine morphology of selected Atelostomata (Spatangoida and Holasteroida) in detail, and to discuss spine microstructure for its potential systematic value. Based on 82 atelostomate species (56 spatangoids and 26 holasteroids), we show that the perforation pattern in the internal cylinder of the spine (helicoidal versus horizontal pattern) provides a safe distinction between the Spatangoida and Holasteroida. According to this character we discuss the geological history of atelostomate echinoids, in particular their migration into the deep sea, based on well‐preserved records of fossil spines. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

The extracellular matrix molecule tenascin C modulates expression levels and territories of key patterning genes during spinal cord astrocyte specification

The generation of astrocytes during the development of the mammalian spinal cord is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin C regulates the expression of key patterning genes during late embryonic spinal cord development, leading to a timely maturation of gliogenic neural precursor cells. We first show that tenascin C is expressed by gliogenic neural precursor cells during late embryonic development. The loss of tenascin C leads to a sustained generation and delayed migration of Fgfr3-expressing immature astrocytes in vivo. Consistent with an increased generation of astroglial cells, we documented an increased number of GFAP-positive astrocytes at later stages. Mechanistically, we could demonstrate an upregulation and domain shift of the patterning genes Nkx6.1 and Nkx2.2 in vivo. In addition, sulfatase 1, a known downstream target of Nkx2.2 in the ventral spinal cord, was also upregulated. Sulfatase 1 regulates growth factor signalling by cleaving sulphate residues from heparan sulphate proteoglycans. Consistent with this function, we observed changes in both FGF2 and EGF responsiveness of spinal cord neural precursor cells. Taken together, our data implicate Tnc in the regulation of proliferation and lineage progression of astroglial progenitors in specific domains of the developing spinal cord.     

Irrigating poplar energy crops with landfill leachate negatively affects soil micro- and meso-fauna

Increased municipal solid waste generated worldwide combined with substantial demand for renewable energy has prompted testing and deployment of woody feedstock production systems that reuse and recycle wastewaters as irrigation and fertilization. Populus selections are ideal for such systems given their fast growth, extensive root systems, and high water usage rates. Maintaining ecological sustainability (i.e., the capacity for an ecosystem to maintain its function and retain its biodiversity over time) during tree establishment and development is an important component of plantation success, especially for belowground faunal populations. To determine the impact of solid waste leachate on soil micro- and meso-fauna, we compared soilfrom eight different Populus clones receiving municipal solid waste landfill leachate irrigation with clones receiving fertilized (N, P K) well water irrigation. Microfauna (i.e., nematodes) communities were more diverse in control soils. Mesofauna (i.e., insects) were associated with all clones; however, they were four times more abundant around trees found within the control plot than those that received leachate treatments. Nematode and insect abundance varied among Populus clones yet insect diversity was greater in the leachate-treated soils. Phytotechnologies must allow for soil faunal sustainability, as upsetting this balance could lead to great reductions in phytotechnology efficacy.     

Using time-resolved fluorescence to measure serum venom-specific IgE and IgG

We adapted DELFIA™ (dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay), a time resolved fluorescence method, to quantitate whole venom specific and allergenic peptide-specific IgE (sIgE), sIgG₁ and sIgG₄ in serum from people clinically allergic to Australian native ant venoms, of which the predominant cause of allergy is jack jumper ant venom (JJAV). Intra-assay CV was 6.3% and inter-assay CV was 13.7% for JJAV sIgE. DELFIA and Phadia CAP JJAV sIgE results correlated well and had similar sensitivity and specificity for the detection of JJAV sIgE against intradermal skin testing as the gold standard. DELFIA was easily adapted for detecting sIgE to a panel of other native ant venoms.     

Pluripotency without Max

Myc/Max complexes are thought to be essential for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Hishida et?al. (2011) provide genetic evidence that this requirement can be bypassed in well-defined culture conditions.