Cardiac dysfunction is correlated with detrimental prognosis of sepsis and contributes to a high risk of mortality. After an initial hyperinflammatory reaction, most patients enter a protracted state of immunosuppression (late sepsis) that alters both innate and adaptive immunity. The changes of cardiac function in late sepsis are not yet known. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is previously found to play important roles in both regulations of immune activation and cardiac function. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were operated to develop into early and late sepsis phases, and miR-155 mimic was injected through the tail vein 48 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The effect of miR-155 on CLP-induced cardiac dysfunction was explored in late sepsis. We found that increased expression of miR-155 in the myocardium protected against cardiac dysfunction in late sepsis evidenced by attenuating sepsis-reduced cardiac output and enhancing left ventricular systolic function. We also observed that miR-155 markedly reduced the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into the myocardium and attenuated the inflammatory response via suppression of JNK signaling pathway. Moreover, overexpression of β-arrestin 2 (Arrb2) exacerbated the mice mortality and immunosuppression in late sepsis. Furthermore, transfection of miR-155 mimic reduced Arrb2 expression, and then restored immunocompetence and improved survival in late septic mice. We conclude that increased miR-155 expression through systemic administration of miR-155 mimic attenuates cardiac dysfunction and improves late sepsis survival by targeting JNK associated inflammatory signaling and Arrb2 mediated immunosuppression.

Background: As the climate warms, many species of reptiles are at risk of habitat loss and ultimately extinction. Locations of suitable habitat in the past, present, and future were modeled for several lizard species using MaxEnt, incorporating climatic variables related to temperature and precipitation. In this study, we predict where there is currently suitable habitat for the genus Pogona and potential shifts in habitat suitability in the past and future. Methods: Georeferenced occurrence records were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, climate variables (describing temperature and precipitation) were obtained from WorldClim, and a vegetation index was obtained from AVHRR satellite data. Matching climate variables were downloaded for three different past time periods (mid-Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum, and Last Interglacial) and two different future projections representative concentration pathways (RCPs 2.6 and 8.5). MaxEnt produced accuracy metrics, response curves, and probability surfaces. For each species, parameters were adjusted for the best possible output that was biologically informative. Results: Model results predicted that in the past, there was little suitable habitat for P. henrylawsoni and P. microlepidota within the areas of their current range. Past areas of suitable habitat for P. barbata were predicted to be similar to the current prediction. Pogona minor and P. nullarbor were predicted to have had a more expansive range of suitable habitat in the past, which has reduced over time. P. vitticeps was predicted to have less suitable habitat in the past when examining the region of their known occurrence; however, there was predicted growth in suitable habitat in Western Australia. Both 2070 models predict a similar distribution of habitat; however, the model produced using the 2070 RCP 8.5 climate change projection showed a larger change, both in areas of suitable habitat gain and loss. In the future, P. henrylawsoni and P. microlepidota might gain suitable habitat, while the other four species could possibly suffer habitat loss. Discussion: Based on the model results, P. henrylawsoni and P. microlepidota had minimal areas of suitable habitat during the Last Glacial Maximum, possibly due to changes in tolerance or data/model limitations, especially since genetic analyses for these species suggest a much earlier emergence. The predicted late Quaternary habitat results for all species of Pogona are conservative and should be compared to the fossil record which is not possible at the moment due to the current inability to identify fossil Pogona to the species level. P. nullarbor and P. vitticeps future models predict substantial habitat loss. P. nullarbor could potentially be considered vulnerable in the present since it already has a restricted range, and a conservation plan may need to be considered.

Phytophthora sojae, the causal organism of stem and root rot, and <i>Soybean mosaic virus</i> (SMV) cause two of the most highly destructive diseases of soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L. Merr). <i>P. sojae</i> can be managed either through deployment of race-specific resistance or through quantitative resistance termed partial resistance. In the current study, partial resistance to <i>P. sojae</i> was mapped in an interspecific recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of <i>Glycine max</i> by <i>Glycine soja</i>. One major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on molecular linkage group (MLG)-J (chromosome 16) and two minor QTL on MLG-I (chromosome 20) and -G (chromosome 18) were mapped using conventional molecular markers. Additionally, partial resistance to <i>P. sojae</i> was mapped in the same RIL population using single feature polymorphism (SFP) markers that further fine mapped the <i>P. sojae</i> QTL and identified potential candidate genes contributing to resistance. In a separate study, race-specific resistance was characterized in PI96983 discovering a potentially new allele of <i>Rps4</i> on MLG-G. Finally, using the newly available whole-genome shotgun sequence of soybean, <i>Rsv4</i> conferring resistance to strains of SMV known in the US, was localized to an approximately 100 kb region of sequence on chromosome 2 (MLG-D1B). Newly designed PCR-based markers permit for efficient selection of <i>Rsv4</i> by breeding programs. Identified candidate genes for <i>Rsv4</i> are discussed. Genomic resources developed in all of these studies provide breeders the tools necessary for developing durable resistance to both SMV and <i>P. sojae</i>. / Ph. D.

Rejection sensitivity (RS) can have significant effects on interpersonal relationships. Previous research has shown the negative social effects of RS, but less is known about the cognitive implications of having high levels of RS. The current study examined the effect of RS on various event-related potential (ERP) components associated with performance monitoring (error-related negativity, ERN; feedback-related negativity, FRN) and attention (P300; late positive potential, LPP). Participants completed a social or nonsocial Flanker task and an emotional Stroop task. Results showed an increased ERN on error trials for individuals with higher RS. Although the FRN, P300, and LPP were not influenced by RS, FRN was influenced by an expectancy-valence interaction. FRN amplitude was also sensitive to condition, with correct feedback eliciting significantly more negative FRN in the social condition compared to the nonsocial condition; FRN for unexpected feedback was also greater in the social condition. Overall, the results suggest a relationship between error monitoring and RS, as well as a relationship between social information and feedback processing. Future research should further explore the potential relationship between rejection sensitivity and attention throughout goal-directed tasks.

No description available.

The Paşalar fauna includes 56 mammalian species of European. Asian, African and North American origin. Evidence provided on the stage-of-evolution of the primates Sivapithecus darwini and cf. Kenyapithecus, the rodent Turkomys pasalarensis, insectivores, carnivores, rhinos, suids and ruminants suggests that Paşalar is correlative with the Late Langhian marine stage and European Mammal Neogene Zone 6., circa 15 Ma (million years ago). A review of the Paşalar fauna's biogeographic history suggests that it was aggregated by a succession of pulsed intercontinental geographic extensions tied to global sea-level lowering events during the earlier half of the Miocene.

Model stellar atmospheres are fundamental tools for understanding stellar observations from interferometry, microlensing, eclipsing binaries and planetary transits. However, the calculations also include assumptions, such as the geometry of the model. We use intensity profiles computed for both plane-parallel and spherically symmetric model atmospheres to determine fitting coefficients in the BVRIHK, CoRot and Kepler wavebands for limb darkening using several different fitting laws, for gravity-darkening and for interferometric angular diameter corrections. Comparing predicted variables for each geometry, we find that the spherically symmetric model geometry leads to different predictions for surface gravities log g < 3. In particular, the most commonly used limb-darkening laws produce poor fits to the intensity profiles of spherically symmetric model atmospheres, which indicates the need for more sophisticated laws. Angular diameter corrections for spherically symmetric models range from 0.67 to 1, compared to the much smaller range from 0.95 to 1 for plane-parallel models.

The Rancholabrean Land Mammal Age (RLB) occurred in the late Pleistocene, incorporating at least the Wisconsin Glaciation and possibly the preceding interglacial ('Sangamon'). The RLB is defined based on the occurrence of Bison. The first occurrence (arrival time) of Bison is not well established and is still debated. A conservative approach toward the RLB includes: (1) restricting the RLB to faunas south of 55°. N latitude in North America, (2) defining the RLB by the earliest arrival of Bison south of this latitude, (3) placing the best-corroborated arrival time of Bison (therefore the beginning of the RLB) between approximately 210 and 160. ka, and (4) the end of the RLB is marked by the extinction of mainly large mammals as an event or process culminating at approximately 11 radiocarbon ka BP. RLB faunas contain a wealth of information including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, but clearly the most is known about the latter. Glacial climate regimes forced species into communities that do not occur today (nonanalog or disharmonious scenarios). The debate about the terminal RLB extinctions continues with the cause either being (1) overkill due to the arrival of the First Americans, or (2) the climatic and environmental defragmentation of biotic communities.

As a preliminary step in deducing Teff and log (g) of Mira variables as a function of phase, a comparison is made between spectra synthesized from LTE stellar atmosphere models and observed spectra. The observed spectra show obvious vanadium oxide (VO) absorption bands. However, the molecular line list used to produce the synthetic spectra does not include the bound-bound VO opacities. The wavenumbers, line oscillator strengths, and lowest energy levels are needed to calculate these opacities. The equations, constants, and experimentally determined factors required to calculate the line oscillator strengths and lowest energy levels from experimentally determined wavenumbers are presented. The effect of including the wavenumbers, line oscillator strengths, and lowest energy levels of the VO BX (0, 0) band are calculated and show the expected absorption features observed in the spectra of Mira variables. In the VO B-X (0, 0) band the line oscillator strengths range from about 0.05 to 3.

Model stellar atmospheres are fundamental tools for understanding stellar observations from interferometry, microlensing, eclipsing binaries and planetary transits. However, the calculations also include assumptions, such as the geometry of the model. We use intensity profiles computed for both plane-parallel and spherically symmetric model atmospheres to determine fitting coefficients in the BVRIHK, CoRot and Kepler wavebands for limb darkening using several different fitting laws, for gravity-darkening and for interferometric angular diameter corrections. Comparing predicted variables for each geometry, we find that the spherically symmetric model geometry leads to different predictions for surface gravities log g < 3. In particular, the most commonly used limb-darkening laws produce poor fits to the intensity profiles of spherically symmetric model atmospheres, which indicates the need for more sophisticated laws. Angular diameter corrections for spherically symmetric models range from 0.67 to 1, compared to the much smaller range from 0.95 to 1 for plane-parallel models.