Double Asterisk Research Articles

A Contribution to the Flora of Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)

Pachmarhi, a popular hill station of Madhya Pradesh, having in it the highest hill top (Dhupgarh) of central India, presents very interesting features in its flora. It has received attention by several botanists due to its popularity and importance from floristic point of view and a number of contributions to the flora were made by them (Gamble 1892, Graham 1914-15, Pandey & Srivastava 1952, Rao & Narayanaswamy 1960, Kapoor & Yadav 1962 and others). The present paper records 304 species of flowering plants and ferns, which are reported for the first time from Pachmarhi. Sixteen species are new records for Madhya Pradesh (marked by single asterisk) and twelve for central India (marked by double asterisk). The species, of which previous record was found to be based on wrong identifications have been excluded from the flora, namely Fimbristylis podocarpa Nees & Meyen, Arthraxon serrulatus Hochst., Arundinella nepalensis Trin., Eragrostis nutans (Retz.) Nees ex Steud., Sporobolus elongatus R. Br. and Tripogon pauperculus Stapf.

Correction to Diestel (2022).

Reports an error in "How strategies of selective optimization with compensation and role clarity prevent future increases in affective strain when demands on self-control increase: Results from two longitudinal studies" by Stefan Diestel (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2022[Aug], Vol 27[4], 426-440). In the original article, Table 3 needed updates to align the columns properly and to add the asterisk and double asterisk symbols (indicating * p < .05 and ** p < .01) in several entries in the last 3 'Estimate' columns. In the same Table, the third decimal place of the standard error value for 'Affective strain at T1' needed to be corrected in the Step 2 section under the 'Changes in affective strain from T1 to T2 in Sample 2' header. Additionally, Figure 2 included an error in one of the t-values; for "High SOC-strategies and high role clarity at T1," t = 0.184 should have been t = 0.156. The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2022-55823-001). In modern working environments effective strategies for regulating goal-directed behavior and allocating and investing limited resources (e.g., selection, optimization, and compensation [SOC] strategies) should enable employees to cope up with job demands that require volitional self-regulation, thereby preventing strain over time. However, theoretical insights suggest that the beneficial impact of SOC strategies on psychological health depends on the degree to which employees experience clarity in their job role. To understand how employees stabilize their psychological health when demands increase over time, I examine interaction effects of changes in self-control demands (SCDs), SOC strategies and role clarity at an earlier point in Time on changes in affective strain in two longitudinal samples from different occupational and organizational settings (international private bank: N = 389; heterogenous sample: N = 313, 2 year lag). In line with recent conceptualizations of chronic forms of distress, affective strain involved emotional exhaustion, depressive symptoms, and negative affect. In support of my predictions, structural equation modeling revealed significant three-way interactions of changes in SCDs, SOC strategies and role clarity on changes in affective strain in both samples. In particular, the positive relationships between changes of SCDs and changes in affective strain were jointly buffered by SOC strategies and role clarity. The present findings offer implications for stabilizing well-being when demands increase over long time periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Does an Empirical Economic Relation Have a Life?

Does an Empirical Economic Relation Have a Life?

Phenotyping the Association between Nocturia and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The association between nocturia and hypertension has been widely reported yet remains poorly characterized, precluding a more refined understanding of blood pressure as it relates to the clinical urology setting. We synthesized current evidence on the relationship between nocturia and hypertension as a function of nocturia severity, age, gender, race, body mass index and diuretic use. We searched PubMed®, EMBASE® and Cochrane databases for studies published up to May 2020. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to identify pooled odds ratios for nocturia given the presence of hypertension. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify differences across study samples. Of 1,193 identified studies, 25 met the criteria for inclusion. The overall pooled OR for the association of nocturia with hypertension was 1.25 (95% CI 1.21-1.28, p <0.001). Pooled estimates were 1.20 (1.16-1.25, p <0.001) and 1.30 (1.25-1.36, p <0.001) using a 1-void and 2-void cutoff for nocturia, respectively (p <0.001 between cutoffs). The association was more robust in patient-based (1.74 [1.54-1.98], p <0.001) vs community-based (1.24 [1.24-1.29], p <0.001) study samples (p <0.001). The association was stronger in females compared to males (1.45 [1.32-1.58] vs 1.28 [1.22-1.35], p <0.001), and Black (1.56 [1.25-1.94]) and Asian (1.28 [1.23-1.33]) vs White subgroups (1.16 [1.08-1.24]; p <0.05 for both). No effect was observed for age or body mass index. Evidence on diuretics was limited. Hypertension is associated with a 1.2-fold to 1.3-fold higher risk of nocturia. This association is more robust at a higher nocturia cutoff, in patient-based study samples, among females and in Black and Asian patients, but unrelated to age or body mass index.

Electromagnetic simulations of polarization-insensitive and wide-angle multiband metamaterial absorber by incorporating double asterisk resonator

A novel multiband metamaterial absorber (MTMA) is proposed which is capable of well presenting a polarization-insensitive and wide incident angle stability in the microwave frequency range. The proposed MTMA comprising two vertically stacked asterisk-based copper resonators separated by dielectric layer of flame retardant type four and backed with a thin copper film. High-frequency structure simulator was used to simulate the absorber and to depict surface current distribution. The results showed that the absorber is operated at three narrow bands with high absorptivity of about 92, 100 and 100% at frequencies of 2.75, 4.3 and 9.5 GHz, respectively. The position of the resonant peaks can be effectively tuned by adjusting the geometry parameters of the structure, thereby achieving a multiband, polarization-independent and wide-angle absorber. The designed structure is important for the application of sensors, thermal images and in constructing broad multiband signals for electromagnetic compatibility/interference.

Factors affecting levels of ferulic acid, ethyl ferulate and taste-active pyroglutamyl peptides in sake

Factors affecting ferulic acid, ethyl ferulate and taste-active pyroglutamyl (pGlu) peptides levels in sake were analyzed using small-scale sake brewing tests on eighteen rice samples with differing cultivar variety, cropped year and area, and polishing rate. Ferulic acid concentration in sake was highly positively correlated with its content in rice (r=0.782**, double asterisk indicates 1% significance level), feruloylesterase (FE) activity (r=0.804**) and feruloylated saccharide forming activity (FSFA) (r=0.619**) in the rice koji. The results suggested that ferulic acid in rice induced FE activity and FSFA, and these two enzymes accelerated the formation of ferulic acid in sake mash. The concentration of bitter-tasting peptides in sake was highly positively correlated with crude protein content in rice (r=0.786**), and negatively correlated with acid carboxypeptidase (ACP) activity to (pGlu)LFGPNVNPWH (r=-0.612**), fermentation length (r=-0.820**), and pyroglutamyl leucine ((pGlu)L) concentration in sake (r=-0.502*; 5% significance level). The observation suggested that bitter-tasting peptides are initially formed in sake mash in accordance with protein content in rice, and are then hydrolyzed to smaller peptides, such as (pGlu)L. An ACP specific to the hydrolysis of bitter-tasting peptides was suggested by the observation that ACP activity to (pGlu)LFGPNVNPWH was significantly correlated (-0.612**) to their formation whereas an ACP to Cbz-Glu-Tyr was not (r=0.220). It was suggested that (pGlu) oligo-peptide ethyl esters were formed during the decomposition of bitter-tasting peptides to which the ACP to (pGlu)LFGPNVNPWH might contribute.

NB‐3 signaling mediates the cross‐talk between post‐traumatic spinal axons and scar‐forming cells

Little is known about the molecules mediating the cross-talk between post-traumatic axons and scar-forming cells after spinal cord injury. We found that a sustained NB-3 induction was simultaneously present in the terminations of post-traumatic corticospinal axons and scar-forming cells at the spinal lesion site, where they were in direct contact when axons tried to penetrate the glial scar. The regrowth of corticospinal axons was enhanced invivo with NB-3 deficiency or interruption of NB-3 trans-homophilic interactions. Biochemical, invitro and invivo evidence demonstrated that NB-3 homophilically interacted in trans to initiate a growth inhibitory signal transduction from scar-forming cells to neurons by modulating mTOR activity via CHL1 and PTPσ. NB-3 deficiency promoted BMS scores, electrophysiological transmission, and synapse reformation between regenerative axons and neurons. Our findings demonstrate that NB-3 trans-homophilic interactions mediate the cross-talk between post-traumatic axons and scar-forming cells and impair the intrinsic growth ability of injured axons.

The Conformation of Yeast Chromosome III Is Mating Type Dependent and Controlled by the Recombination Enhancer.

Mating-type switching in yeast occurs through gene conversion between the MAT locus and one of two silent loci (HML or HMR) on opposite ends of the chromosome. MATa cells choose HML as template, whereas MATα cells use HMR. The recombination enhancer (RE) located on the left arm regulates this process. One long-standing hypothesis is that switching is guided by mating-type-specific and possibly RE-dependent chromosome folding. Here, we use Hi-C, 5C, and live-cell imaging to characterize the conformation of chromosome III in both mating types. We discovered a mating-type-specific conformational difference in the left arm. Deletion of a 1-kb subregion within the RE, which is not necessary during switching, abolished mating-type-dependent chromosome folding. The RE is therefore a composite element with one subregion essential for donor selection during switching and a separate region involved in modulating chromosome conformation.

To flora of bryophytes (Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta) of Northbrook Island (Franz Josef Land Archipelago)

A brief survey of bryophyte studies on the Franz Josef Land Archipelago and its southernmost Northbrook Island is provided. Identification of bryophytes collected by S. S. Kholod in 2012 at Cape Flora of Northbrook Island resulted in finds of 45 moss species and 9 liverwort species, including 27 moss species and 7 liverwort species new for Northbrook Island (marked by asterisk — *), 7 moss species and 2 liverwort species new for Franz Josef Land (marked by double asterisk — **). The morphology of a critical collection of Orthocaulis cf. floerkei is discussed. Ten moss and two liverwort species recorded earlier for Northbrook Island by Savicz (1936) and Zhukova (1973b) have not been found in the studied collections. Data on doubtful and excluded taxa are provided and annotated in Russian and English. In total 55 moss and 11 liverwort species are known at present from Northbrook Island.

Erratum to: TelEMA: a low-cost and user-friendly telephone assessment platform

In Table 2, the Beta estimate for Trait social anxiety predicting Negative affect should be changed from 5.881 to 0.023, and it’s now nonsignificant (i.e., no double asterisks). Though a more minor correction, the Beta estimate for State social anxiety predicting Depression should be changed from .200 to .198. On the tenth page of the article, under Results, the second sentence should also be changed to: “Trait social anxiety did not significantly predict negative affect (p =.594), positive affect (p =.622), or depression (p =.167) over time.”

Pigs-in-a-Blanket Coronary Arteries

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is rare. It is characterized by marked elevation in serum IgG4 concentration and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells into a variety of tissues,1 particularly the adventitia surrounding great arteries. Here, we report the case of a patient who suffered an acute myocardial infarction and eventually died of a ruptured thoracic aorta as a result of IgG4-related disease. An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of new-onset substernal compressing pain. The diagnosis of acute posterolateral myocardial infarction was made by means of ECG, ultrasound imaging, and the presence of elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and troponin-I levels. Subsequently, urgent coronary angiography showed a huge coronary aneurysm (21 mm at its maximal diameter) accompanied by thrombus in the left circumflex artery (Figure 1 and online-only Data Supplement Movie I). Insignificant stenosis could be seen proximally in several branching arteries, and the right and left anterior descending arteries appeared patent (Figure 2A and online-only Data Supplement Movie II). Thrombus was successfully aspirated from the left circumflex artery, and a stent was subsequently implanted. Figure 1. Left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) images obtained by invasive coronary angiography (right anterior oblique caudal view). A huge coronary aneurysm (21 mm at its maximal diameter) is evident (dotted arrows), with thrombus at the distal end (arrow). See online-only Data Supplement Movie I. Figure 2. Right coronary artery (RCA) images obtained by invasive coronary angiography, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. A , RCA image (left anterior oblique view). There was no significant stenosis. See online-only Data Supplement Movie II. B , Curved multiplanar reconstruction image …

A Note on the Lichens from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India

The paper records 141 species of lichens from Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha state. 129 species marked by an asterisk (*) are new records for the state of Odisha while 3 species viz. Conotrema lumbricoides Siepman, Megalotremis biocellata Aptroot, and Ocellularia lankaensis Hale marked by double asterisk (**) are new records for India.

Selective up‐regulation of the soluble pattern‐recognition receptor pentraxin 3 and of vascular endothelial growth factor in giant cell arteritis: Relevance for recent optic nerve ischemia

In the article by Baldini et al in the March 2012 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism (pages 854–865), the following errors were detected. On page 857, the subheading “Assessment of patient protein and serum samples” should have read “Assessment of patient plasma and serum samples.” In the right panel of Figure 1C, the P value for the comparison of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) with a disease duration of <6 months versus healthy controls should have been represented by a triple asterisk (P ≤ 0.005) and the P value for patients with GCA with a disease duration of <6 months versus patients with chronic stable angina should have been represented by a double asterisk (P ≤ 0.05). On pages 860 and 861, the value shown for the mean ± SEM VEGF concentration in GCA patients with a disease duration of <6 months and no history of optic nerve ischemia was incorrect and should have read 688.15 ± 117.96 pg/ml. In Table 2, the P values in the second and third footnotes should have read P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.039, respectively. The unit of measure for C-reactive protein level was shown incorrectly throughout the article and should have read mg/dl rather than mg/liter. We regret the errors.

New Molecular Bridge between RelA/p65 and NF-κB Target Genes via Histone Acetyltransferase TIP60 Cofactor

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family is involved in the expressions of numerous genes, in development, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and oncogenesis. In this study we identified four NF-κB target genes that are modulated by TIP60. We also found that TIP60 interacts with the NF-κB RelA/p65 subunit and increases its transcriptional activity through protein-protein interaction. Although TIP60 binds with RelA/p65 using its histone acetyltransferase domain, TIP60 does not directly acetylate RelA/p65. However, TIP60 maintained acetylated Lys-310 RelA/p65 levels in the TNF-α-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. In chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, TIP60 was primarily recruited to the IL-6, IL-8, C-IAP1, and XIAP promoters in TNF-α stimulation followed by acetylation of histones H3 and H4. Chromatin remodeling by TIP60 involved the sequential recruitment of acetyl-Lys-310 RelA/p65 to its target gene promoters. Furthermore, we showed that up-regulated TIP60 expression was correlated with acetyl-Lys-310 RelA/p65 expressions in hepatocarcinoma tissues. Taken together these results suggest that TIP60 is involved in the NF-κB pathway through protein interaction with RelA/p65 and that it modulates the transcriptional activity of RelA/p65 in NF-κB-dependent gene expression.

Rapidly vanishing hyperthyroidism

A 37-year-old lady known for Graves’ disease with persistent hyperthyroidism had been deliberately treated and prepared for planned thyroidectomy with oral iodine (10 mg daily for 5 days), resulting in normal fT4 (free T4) levels before surgery (Figure 1, Patient 1). Figure 1. Time course of free T4 in two patients suffering from Graves’ disease, one with deliberate exposure to iodine before thyroid surgery (Patient 1, squares) at time point 0, and one undergoing laparoscopic surgery with accidental iodine exposure (Patient 2, circles). Asterisk indicates the time of thyroidectomy in Patient 1, double asterisks indicate the time of appendectomy in Patient 2. A few months …

Extraordinary transgressive phenotypes of hybrid tomato are influenced by epigenetics and small silencing RNAs

Hybrid organisms may fail to develop, be sterile or they may be more vigorous than either of the parents. Examples of hybrid vigour or hybrid necrosis in the F1 are often not inherited stably in subsequent generations if they are associated with overdominance. There can also be transgressive phenotypes that are inherited stably in these later generations, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we have investigated the possibility that stable transgressive phenotypes in the progeny of crosses between cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. M82) and a wild relative (Solanum pennellii, accession LA716) are associated with micro or small interfering(si) RNAs. We identified loci from which these small(s)RNAs were more abundant in hybrids than in either parent and we show that accumulation of such transgressive sRNAs correlated with suppression of the corresponding target genes. In one instance this effect was associated with hypermethylation of the corresponding genomic DNA. Our results illustrate a potential role of transgressive sRNAs in plant breeding and in natural evolution with wild plants.

Bidirectional regulation of thermotaxis by glutamate transmissions inCaenorhabditis elegans

In complex neural circuits of the brain, massive information is processed with neuronal communication through synaptic transmissions. It is thus fundamental to delineate information flows encoded by various kinds of transmissions. Here, we show that glutamate signals from two distinct sensory neurons bidirectionally affect the same postsynaptic interneuron, thereby producing the opposite behaviours. EAT-4/VGLUT (vesicular glutamate transporter)-dependent glutamate signals from AFD thermosensory neurons inhibit the postsynaptic AIY interneurons through activation of GLC-3/GluCl inhibitory glutamate receptor and behaviourally drive migration towards colder temperature. By contrast, EAT-4-dependent glutamate signals from AWC thermosensory neurons stimulate the AIY neurons to induce migration towards warmer temperature. Alteration of the strength of AFD and AWC signals led to significant changes of AIY activity, resulting in drastic modulation of behaviour. We thus provide an important insight on information processing, in which two glutamate transmissions encoding opposite information flows regulate neural activities to produce a large spectrum of behavioural outputs.

Avoiding DEET through Insect Gustatory Receptors

DEET is the most widely used insect repellent worldwide. In Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), DEET is detected through a mechanism employing the olfactory receptor, OR83b. However, it is controversial as to whether ORNs respond directly to DEET or whether DEET blocks the response to attractive odors. Here, we showed that DEET suppressed feeding behavior in Drosophila, and this effect was mediated by gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs). DEET was potent in suppressing feeding as <0.1% DEET elicited aversive behavior. Inhibition of feeding required multiple gustatory receptors (GRs) expressed in inhibitory GRNs. DEET stimulated action potentials in GRNs that respond to aversive compounds, and this response was lost in the Gr32a, Gr33a, and Gr66a mutants. Since 0.02% DEET elicited action potentials, we conclude that DEET directly activates of GRNs. We suggest that the effectiveness of DEET in pest control owes to its dual action in inducing avoidance simultaneously via GRNs and ORNs.

Nuclear Erythroid Factor 2-mediated Proteasome Activation Delays Senescence in Human Fibroblasts

Replicative senescence in human fibroblasts is accompanied with alterations of various biological processes, including the impaired function of the proteasome. The proteasome is responsible for the removal of both normal and damaged proteins. Due to its latter function, proteasome is also considered a representative secondary antioxidant cellular mechanism. Nrf2 is a basic transcription factor responsible for the regulation of the cellular antioxidant response that has also been shown to regulate several proteasome subunits in mice. We have established in this study the proteasome-related function of Nrf2 in human fibroblasts undergoing replicative senescence. We demonstrate that Nrf2 has a declined function in senescence, whereas its silencing leads to premature senescence. However, upon its activation by a novel Nrf2 inducer, elevated levels of proteasome activity and content are recorded only in cell lines possessing a functional Nrf2. Moreover, treatment by the Nrf2 inducer results in the enhanced survival of cells following oxidative stress, whereas continuous treatment leads to lifespan extension of human fibroblasts. Importantly the Nrf2-proteasome axis is functional in terminally senescent cultures as these cells retain their responsiveness to the Nrf2 stimuli. In conclusion, these findings open up new directions for future manipulation of the senescence phenotype.

Src Induces Podoplanin Expression to Promote Cell Migration

Nontransformed cells can force tumor cells to assume a normal morphology and phenotype by the process of contact normalization. Transformed cells must escape this process to become invasive and malignant. However, mechanisms underlying contact normalization have not been elucidated. Here, we have identified genes that are affected by contact normalization of Src-transformed cells. Tumor cells must migrate to become invasive and malignant. Src must phosphorylate the adaptor protein Cas (Crk-associated substrate) to promote tumor cell motility. We report here that Src utilizes Cas to induce podoplanin (Pdpn) expression to promote tumor cell migration. Pdpn is a membrane-bound extracellular glycoprotein that associates with endogenous ligands to promote tumor cell migration leading to cancer invasion and metastasis. In fact, Pdpn expression accounted for a major part of the increased migration seen in Src-transformed cells. Moreover, nontransformed cells suppressed Pdpn expression in adjacent Src-transformed cells. Of >39,000 genes, Pdpn was one of only 23 genes found to be induced by transforming Src activity and suppressed by contact normalization of Src-transformed cells. In addition, we found 16 genes suppressed by Src and induced by contact normalization. These genes encode growth factor receptors, adaptor proteins, and products that have not yet been annotated and may play important roles in tumor cell growth and migration.