Social stress effects on territorial marking and ultrasonic vocalizations in mice

Acute social defeat (SD) leads to transient and persistent physiological and behavioral changes. We examined the effects of acute SD on territorial urine marking and ultrasonic courtship vocalizations in DBA/2 male mice. Both behaviors are considered androgen dependent and are influenced by social status, with dominant mice displaying more of both behaviors. In Experiment 1, male mice that received SD displayed prolonged inhibition of territorial urine marking, relative to nondefeated control mice (NOSD). In addition, territorial marking increased with repeated tests. In Experiment 2, male mice that received 3 successive days of SD displayed fewer ultrasonic courtship vocalizations at 30 min. post-SD1 and 30 min. post-SD2, relative to NOSD mice. In Experiment 2, we also observed decreased territorial marking 4 weeks post-SD. In sum, SD induced prolonged inhibition of territorial marking, but had only transient effects on ultrasonic courtship vocalizations, suggesting that different mechanisms may mediate the maintenance of these behaviors.     

Computer mediated discussion and attitude polarization

This study examined the hypothesis that computer mediated discussions lead to more extreme decisions than face-to-face (FTF) meeting. Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire (1984) claimed that computer mediated communication (CMC) tended to be relatively uninhibited, as seen in 'flaming', and that group decisions under CMC using Choice Dilemma Questionnaire tended to be more extreme and riskier than FTF meetings. However, for the same reason, CMC discussions on controversial social issues for which participants initially hold strongly opposing views, might be less likely to reach a consensus, and no polarization should occur. Fifteen 4-member groups discussed a controversial social issue under one of three conditions: FTF, CMC, and partition. After discussion, participants rated their position as a group on a 9-point bipolar scale ranging from strong disagreement to strong agreement. A stronger polarization effect was observed for FTF groups than those where members were separated with partitions. However, no extreme shift from their original, individual positions was found for CMC participants. There results were discussed in terms of 'expertise and status equalization' and 'absence of social context cues' under CMC.     

Non-random features of the repertoire expressed by the members of one V kappa gene family and of the V-J recombination.

The 5' and 3' flanking sequences of 14 members of the V kappa Ox (VK 4/5) gene family of BALB/c mice have been established. The family was unusual in the number of bases between the codon for Pro 95 and the heptamer sequence; most members contained four but there were also examples of none. A conserved leader sequence was used to amplify the genomic DNA of rearranged genes in order to analyze the spleen B cell repertoire of non-immunized animals. The library contained many members with virtually identical sequences to one or other of the already known members of the family. In addition, there were repeats of other sequences, allowing the definition of 12 hitherto undefined members of the family. Only 3 out of 96 could have originated by gene conversion, or as artefacts of the amplification procedure, and only 2 were putative somatic mutants. The frequency of expression of different members of the V kappa Ox gene family was not random, and some germ-line genes were unrepresented in the library. The high frequency of V kappa Ox1-J kappa 5 is in line with the dominance of this combination in the oxazolone response. An analysis of the junctional segment showed that although in most cases the diversity was due to trimming, there were exceptions indicating de novo additions (N or P bases). The average number of bases trimmed from the V kappa and the J kappa segments was not the same. There was no correlation in the number of bases trimmed from V kappa or J kappa in each recombination. The implications of asymmetric trimming in terms of the mechanism of recombination are discussed.     

A study of seat-taking in seminar classes: data analysis of three seminar classes in a women's university

The purpose of this study was to examine the conditions under which human territoriality (self/other boundary-regulation mechanism) appears in seat-taking behavior. Seat-taking in a social psychology seminar class of twelve students at a women's university was observed during the 1983, 1984 and 1985 academic years by female part-time lecturer (the author herself). At the beginning of each class, the lecturer drew the figure of the students' seating arrangement at a rectangular table, while calling each student's name. Questionnaires were also administered to the students at the end of the observation in the period 1983 and 1985 academic years. The results obtained were: 1) each student was more attached to one seating area and seating side than the others, 2) this fact reflected her seating preference to some extent, 3) no student monopolize the special seats to which she was most attached, 4) extra spaces were left between the lecturer's and the student's seat. The third finding was considered to be due to homogeneity of the student with respect to major, grade and sex and their temporal relationships within the seminar group. Also the fourth result was due to the status difference between the lecturer and the students, which led to the recognition that the seating places were mutually exclusive for both sides of them.     

七个成人型多囊肾病家系基因的诊断

应用ＰＫＤ１两侧四种探针（３’ＨＶＲ、ＰＧＧＧ１和另一侧的２４－１、２１８ＥＰ６），通过Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ印迹杂交、ＲＦＬＰ连锁分析，对成人型多囊肾病进行基因诊断的研究。在７个ＡＰＫＥ家系共４１个成员中，进行了基因单体型分析，１６个ＡＰＫＤ患者的ＲＦＬＰ单体型被证明与ＰＫＤ１基因相连锁，检测出６个症状前个体，发现２个重组体，结果表明用ＰＫＤ１两旁侧基因探针进行联合分析，可极有效地检出重组体，避免误诊，提高诊断的准确性。     

Molecular mechanisms associated with increased fetal hemoglobin G gamma-type in part-aboriginal family with beta thalassemia

A part-Aboriginal family with beta thalassemia and raised hemoglobin F (HbF) was studied at the molecular level to determine if there were identifiable gene changes associated with increased production of HbF. Two beta thalassemia heterozygotes aged eight years and 18 months had raised HbF levels of 2.9% and 22% respectively. HbF was predominantly G gamma in composition. Five family members were typed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) using nine restriction enzymes and five DNA probes specific for the beta globin cluster on chromosome 11. RFLPs were combined to construct haplotypes for the beta thalassemia and the high HbF defects. A beta globin subhaplotype comprising only 5' RFLP markers (-(+)-(+) +) co-segregated with the high HbF determinant. This has previously been associated with increased G gamma expression in beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. An additional Xmnl RFLP 5' to the G gamma gene, which has been described in individuals with elevated G gamma expression, was also demonstrated in those family members with increased G gamma levels. In this study both the 5' beta globin subhaplotype (-(+)-(+) +) and the Xmnl/gamma RFLP are present in the one family but the relative contributions of each cannot be determined.     

Age-dependent changes in DNA polymerase fidelity and proofreading activity during cellular aging.

DNA polymerase alpha and the 3'-->5' exonuclease involved in the proofreading of DNA synthesis were isolated from human diploid fetal lung fibroblast (TIG-1) cells at various population doubling levels (PDL). The final PDL of the TIG-1 cells used in these experiments was 70. The fidelity of DNA polymerase alpha remained high until late passage and fell suddenly just before the end of the life span between 65 and 69 PDL. The activities of the 3'-->5' exonuclease related to proofreading remained unchanged from 21 to 61 PDL, but the activity decreased rapidly in more aged cells. The 3'-->5' exonuclease activity at 69 PDL was about 50% of that in TIG cells at 21 PDL. In vitro DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase alpha from TIG-1 cells harvested at 69 PDL showed the amount of non-complementary nucleotides incorporated to be decreased by the addition of the 3'-->5' exonuclease from the same cells. However, not all errors were edited out since the ratio of DNA polymerase activity to 3'-->5' exonuclease activity was adjusted to reflect that in vivo and the infidelity of DNA synthesis by error-prone DNA polymerase alpha from aged cells was improved by the addition of the highly active 3'-->5' exonuclease from cells at 41 PDL. These results suggested that the mutation frequency rises just before the end of the life span of TIG-1 cells.     

Common RNA replication signals exist among group 2 coronaviruses: evidence for in vivo recombination between animal and human coronavirus molecules

5' and 3' UTR sequences on the coronavirus genome are known to carry cis-acting elements for DI RNA replication and presumably also virus genome replication. 5' UTR-adjacent coding sequences are also thought to harbor cis-acting elements. Here we have determined the 5' UTR and adjacent 289-nt sequences, and 3' UTR sequences, for six group 2 coronaviruses and have compared them to each other and to three previously reported group 2 members. Extensive regions of highly similar UTR sequences were found but small regions of divergence were also found indicating group 2 coronaviruses could be subdivided into those that are bovine coronavirus (BCoV)-like (BCoV, human respiratory coronavirus-OC43, human enteric coronavirus, porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, and equine coronavirus) and those that are murine hepatitis virus (MHV)-like (A59, 2, and JHM strains of MHV, puffinosis virus, and rat sialodacryoadenitis virus). The 3' UTRs of BCoV and MHV have been previously shown to be interchangeable. Here, a reporter-containing BCoV DI RNA was shown to be replicated by all five BCoV-like helper viruses and by MHV-H2 (a human cell-adapted MHV strain), a representative of the MHV-like subgroup, demonstrating group 2 common 5' and 3' replication signaling elements. BCoV DI RNA, furthermore, acquired the leader of HCoV-OC43 by leader switching, demonstrating for the first time in vivo recombination between animal and human coronavirus molecules. These results indicate that common replication signaling elements exist among group 2 coronaviruses despite a two-cluster pattern within the group and imply there could exist a high potential for recombination among group members.     

The Anatomische Gesellschaft and National Socialism - A preliminary analysis based on the society proceedings

The Anatomische Gesellschaft (AG) is an international society for the anatomical sciences and at the same time the main organising body for German anatomists. This study analyses how the AG went through the years of National Socialism. As the society does not possess archival material from that time, the analysis is mainly based on the society proceedings (Verhandlungen der Anatomischen Gesellschaft) published annually after each meeting from 1934 to 1939 and again in 1950. During the period of National Socialism, the AG kept its international status against demands to make it a purely German society. It did not introduce anti-Jewish regulations or the Führer principle into its bylaws. The membership directories reveal that it was at least possible for members whose career was disrupted by Nazi policies to remain on the membership lists throughout the Nazi period. However, in contrast to later assumptions that no persecuted member of the AG was ever struck from its register, 17 of 57 persecuted members left the society between 1933 and 1939. The membership of six of these members was cancelled, officially for unpaid fees. However, other members with much longer arrears were not cancelled. To date, no additional historical information is available to assess the circumstances of these cancellations. In general, it remains remarkable that, in contrast to many other societies, the AG did not follow the path of preemptive obedience towards the new rulers. More archival sources need to be uncovered to elucidate the external influences and internal negotiations behind the published documents.     

Different ocular abnormalities in individuals of a three-generation family caused by a new nonsense mutation in the PST domain of the PAX6 gene. Mutations in brief no. 189. Online

PAX6 is a candidate gene for familial aniridia. We have carried out a mutational analysis of the PAX6 gene in a three-generation family from Germany, containing 5 individuals affected with ocular abnormalities. In all affected individuals, a heterozygous mutation was detected in the PAX6 gene, exchanging tyrosine 369 by a stop codon. The mutation is located in the 3' moiety of the PST domain, at the C terminus of the PAX6 protein. In the affected family members, the same heterozygous mutation leads to distinct phenotypes of varying severity. Most notably, no aniridia was observed in one of the family members carrying the mutation, although other ocular abnormalities (underdeveloped iris and cataracts) were present. We discuss the possibility that small C terminal truncations of the PAX6 protein might lead to less severe or more divergent phenotypes than trancations at internal positions.     

Evolution of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in horses and colonized personnel in an equine clinic between 2005 and 2010

A total of 70 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from postoperative infections in hospitalized horses were isolated between January 2005 and January 2011. Among them, 12 isolates were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), 18 were borderline-oxacillin-resistant S. aureus (BORSA), and 40 were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). During the same period, the equine clinic personnel were screened for nasal carriage of BORSA and MRSA. Genotyping revealed that BORSA ST1(MLST)-t2863(spa) isolates were responsible for most equine infections and were the main isolates found in colonized members of the personnel between 2005 and 2007, and that in 2007, MRSA ST398-t011-IVa(SCCmec) emerged in infection sites and personnel, replacing BORSA. Besides decreased susceptibility to oxacillin, all MRSA and BORSA of these two major clonal lineages displayed resistance to gentamicin and kanamycin conferred by the aac(6')-Ie-aph(2')-Ia gene and to trimethoprim conferred by dfr(K) in MRSA and dfr(A) in BORSA. All MRSA had additional resistance to tetracycline conferred by tet(M), whereas BORSA generally also display resistance to streptomycin conferred by str. The number of hospital-acquired MRSA infections in horses could be limited after the introduction of basic hygiene measures and personnel decolonization. Two MRSA carriers could not be decolonized using mupirocin, and a year after decolonization, additional members were recolonized with MRSA. Hygiene measures should, therefore, be maintained to limit the transmission of S. aureus between personnel and horses.     

Geographic variation in the territorial success ofDrosophila melanogaster males

Drosophila melanogaster males defend food against other males to increase their access to females on food. The territorial behavior of stocks collected from Townsville, Corindi, and Melbourne on the east coast of Australia were compared. Males from these stocks showed the same incidence of territorial encounters. However, Melbourne males were more successful at obtaining territories in competition with Townsville or Corindi males. This difference could be accounted for largely by variation in body weight, although territorial success was also determined by other factors because Townsville and Corindi males that held territories were not heavier than Melbourne males. In reciprocal crosses between the populations there was directional dominance for increased territorial success. F₁ males were of intermediate weight and F₁ males that held territories tended to be lighter than territorial Melbourne males. Melbourne males were more successful than Townsville males because they tended to win escalated encounters, resulting in displacement of territory residents.     

Photoanthropometric study of craniofacial traits in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome on short-term growth hormone therapy

An objective photoanthropometric method, useful for delineating craniofacial characteristics, was performed on 20 individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS; 14 males and 6 females) under 12 years of age and on growth hormone therapy (e.g. for 3–12 months) to determine the effects of therapy on craniofacial features in PWS. Facial parameters were measured from strict frontal and profile photographic 35 mm slides and compared with other facial measurements from the same face (e.g. palpebral fissure width to bizygomatic diameter). We studied 16 photoanthropometric craniofacial indices following previously established protocols. Our photoanthropometric data on 20 PWS subjects meeting diagnostic criteria further supported previous findings of a high midface, a broad interalar distance, a prominent high chin and broad ears in PWS patients without growth hormone therapy. In addition, while on growth hormone therapy, the high midface, broad interalar distance and prominent high chin appeared to accentuate over time in relationship to untreated PWS patients. Conversely, broad appearing ears were not accentuated by growth hormone therapy in the PWS subjects analyzed in this study.     

Therapeutic influence as a function of therapist attire and the seating arrangement in an initial interview

Investigated the impact of therapist attire and seating arrangement on observers‘ perceptions of a therapist’s attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness in an initial interview analogue. Each of 233 undergraduates listened to an audiotaped interview segment while viewing a synchronized slide presentation of a male therapist in one of four conditions crossmatched on attire formality (coat and tie vs. sports shirt) and seating arrangement (behind desk vs. no desk). Significant effects emerged for therapist attire, seating arrangement, and S gender. The casual attire/no desk setting elicited the highest attraction ratings, and the effects of the seating arrangement were mediated by the S gender. Females responded to the behind-desk arrangement with lower ratings of the therapist across all measures. Initial impressions, which were influenced by the therapist‘s attire and seating arrangement, were correlated highly with Ss’ willingness to see this therapist for consultation.     

Behavioural dominance and Taenia crassiceps parasitism in BALB/c male mice

Behavioural dominance relationships in mouse populations are based upon fighting and antagonistic behaviour. Social rank is affected by the physiological states present in the mice. Experimental infection by Taenia crassiceps cysticerci induced physiological disorders and disrupted the dominant-subordinate status. Infected male mice showed strong perturbations in territorial behaviour and aggressiveness. Infected dominant male mice did not show a significant reversal of dominance order compared to uninfected mice. In addition, during confrontation between naive infected and healthy mice, infected animals more often assumed a subordinate status than healthy ones. The effects of the infection by T. crassiceps were more likely to prevent adult male mice from becoming behaviourally dominant than to reverse existing dominance relationships. The results are discussed on the basis of the parasite manipulation hypothesis and host optimal foraging and decision-making theories.     

Social distance and locus of control

Sixty-two undergraduate college students completed a demographic questionnaire and the Rotter I-E Scale. They then selected their preferred seats in five seating situations that contained three, four, and five chairs in various arrangements, with one chair occupied by a stranger of the same sex, age and style of dress. Significant correlations were found between social distance (distance from stranger) and locus of control, and sex and locus of control. There was no relationship between sex and social distance, nor were demographic variables significant. Females were found to choose middle distance graphic variables significant. Females were found to choose middle distance seating, indicated by a t of 17.38, p = 0.001; males chose extreme positions.     

Beyond the interpersonal circumplex in group psychotherapy: The structure and relationship to outcome of the individual group member interpersonal process scale

Development of a new scale to measure patient behavior in group psychotherapy, the Individual Group Member Interpersonal Process Scale (IGIPS), is described. This scale captures clinically important aspects of how patients act in group, including how they respond to the other group members. The IGIPS was applied to videotapes of the first four sessions of seven 15-session outpatient therapy groups (52 patients) in the Mental Heatlh Department of a health maintenance organization. The scale was found to have five factors (Activity, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Comfort with Self, Self-Focus, and Psychological Mindedness). Patient behavior that was moderate on two IGIPS dimensions was connected with better outcome than was that of patients with more extreme behavior in either direction. Portions of this work were presented to the meeting of the North American Society for Psychotherapy Research, Panama City, FL, November 1991. This work was supported by grant R01-MH40131-04 from the National Institute of Mental Health and by support from the Harvard Community Health Plan Foundation.