Sensitivity to abscisic acid of guard-cell K+ channels is suppressed by abi1-1, a mutant Arabidopsis gene encoding a putative protein phosphatase.

Abscisic acid (ABA) modulates the activities of three major classes of ion channels--inward- and outward-rectifying K+ channels (IK,in and IK,out, respectively) and anion channels--at the guard-cell plasma membrane to achieve a net efflux of osmotica and stomatal closure. Disruption of ABA sensitivity in wilty abi1-1 mutants of Arabidopsis and evidence that this gene encodes a protein phosphatase suggest that protein (de)-phosphorylation contributes to guard-cell transport control by ABA. To pinpoint the role of ABI1, the abi1-1 dominant mutant allele was stably transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana and its influence on IK,in, IK,out, and the anion channels was monitored in guard cells under voltage clamp. Compared with guard cells from wild-type and vector-transformed control plants, expression of the abi1-1 gene was associated with 2- to 6-fold reductions in IK,out and an insensitivity of both IK,in and IK,out to 20 microM ABA. In contrast, no differences between control and abi1-1 transgenic plants were observed in the anion current or its response to ABA. Parallel measurements of intracellular pH (pHi) using the fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and -6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) in every case showed a 0.15- to 0.2-pH-unit alkalinization in ABA, demonstrating that the transgene was without effect on the pHi signal that mediates in ABA-evoked K+ channel control. In guard cells from the abi1-1 transformants, normal sensitivity of both K+ channels to and stomatal closure in ABA was recovered in the presence of 100 microM H7 and 0.5 microM staurosporine, both broad-range protein kinase antagonists. These results demonstrate an aberrant K+ channel behavior--including channel insensitivity to ABA-dependent alkalinization of pHi--as a major consequence of abi1-1 action and implicate AB11 as part of a phosphatase/kinase pathway that modulates the sensitivity of guard-cell K+ channels to ABA-evoked signal cascades.

Strong regulation of slow anion channels and abscisic acid signaling in guard cells by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events.

Recent evidence suggests that slow anion channels in guard cells need to be activated to trigger stomatal closing and efficiently inactivated during stomatal opening. The patch-clamp technique was employed here to determine mechanisms that produce strong regulation of slow anion channels in guard cells. MgATP in guard cells, serving as a donor for phosphorylation, leads to strong activation of slow anion channels. Slow anion-channel activity was almost completely abolished by removal of cytosolic ATP or by the kinase inhibitors K-252a and H7. Nonhydrolyzable ATP, GTP, and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate did not replace the ATP requirement for anion-channel activation. In addition, down-regulation of slow anion channels by ATP removal was inhibited by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Stomatal closures in leaves induced by the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and malate were abolished by kinase inhibitors and/or enhanced by okadaic acid. These data suggest that ABA signal transduction may proceed by activation of protein kinases and inhibition of an okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatase. This modulation of ABA-induced stomatal closing correlated to the large dynamic range for up- and down-regulation of slow anion channels by opposing phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events in guard cells. The presented opposing regulation by kinase and phosphatase modulators could provide important mechanisms for signal transduction by ABA and other stimuli during stomatal movements.

Psychological Perspectives on the Civil Liberties of Transgendered Inmates in a Prison Setting

As society becomes increasingly less binary, and moves towards a more spectrum based approach to mental illness, medical illness, and personality, it becomes necessary to address this shift within formerly rigid institutions. This paper explores this shift as it is occurring within correctional settings around the United States concerning the medical care, housing, and safety of transgendered inmates. As there is no legal standard for the housing or access to gender-affirming medical care (i.e., hormone therapy, sexual reassignment surgery), these issues are addressed on an institutional level, with very little consistency throughout the country. Currently, most institutions follow a genitalia-based system of classification. Within the system, core beliefs are held, some adaptive and some no longer adaptive, that drive the system's behavior and outcomes. With regard to transgendered inmates, several underlying beliefs within the system serve to maintain the status quo; however, the most basic underpinning is the system's reliance on a binary gender system. As views of humane treatment of the incarcerated expand and modernize, the role of mental health within corrections has also expanded. Psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatrists are found in almost all correctional facilities, and have become a voice of advocacy for an often underserved population.

Appointment to prison oversight committee,

Legal document from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appointing Tudor, Richard Sullivan, and James S. Austin to investigate the governance of the Pennsylvania Penetentiary "and others of a similar nature" and recommend improvements to the state prison system.

A European Border and Coast Guard: Fit for purpose? CEPS Commentary, 24 February 2016

In December 2015, The Commission proposed to set up a European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) as one of the key responses to the 2015 ‘refugee crisis’. The initiative intends to give Frontex, the EU’s current border agency, more competences, staff and equipment, and to rename it the EBCG. The new EBCG would work together with the member states’ national border and coast guard authorities.

HIV infection, viral hepatitis and liver fibrosis among prison inmates in West Africa.

BACKGROUND Prisoners represent a vulnerable population for blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections which can potentially lead to liver fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis. However, little is known about the prevalence of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors among inmates in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Screening of liver fibrosis was undertaken in a randomly selected sample of male inmates incarcerated in Lome, Togo and in Dakar, Senegal using transient elastography. A liver stiffness measurement ≥9.5 KPa was retained to define the presence of a severe liver fibrosis. All included inmates were also screened for HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Substances abuse including alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use were assessed during face-to-face interviews. Odds Ratio (OR) estimates were computed with their 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) to identify factors associated with severe liver fibrosis. RESULTS Overall, 680 inmates were included with a median age of 30 years [interquartile range: 24-35]. The prevalence of severe fibrosis was 3.1 % (4.9 % in Lome and 1.2 % in Dakar). Infections with HIV, HBV and HCV were identified in 2.6 %, 12.5 % and 0.5 % of inmates, respectively. Factors associated with a severe liver fibrosis were HIV infection (OR = 7.6; CI 1.8-32.1), HBV infection (OR = 4.8; CI 1.8-12.8), HCV infection (OR = 52.6; CI 4.1-673.8), use of traditional medicines (OR = 3.7; CI 1.4-10.1) and being incarcerated in Lome (OR = 3.3; CI 1.1-9.8) compared to Dakar. CONCLUSIONS HIV infection and viral hepatitis infections were identified as important and independent determinants of severe liver fibrosis. While access to active antiviral therapies against HIV and viral hepatitis expands in Africa, adapted strategies for the monitoring of liver disease need to be explored, especially in vulnerable populations such as inmates.