Forward induction and the excess capacity puzzle: An experimental investigation

While the theoretical industrial organization literature has long arguedthat excess capacity can be used to deter entry into markets, there islittle empirical evidence that incumbent firms effectively behave in thisway. Bagwell and Ramey (1996) propose a game with a specific sequence ofmoves and partially-recoverable capacity costs in which forward inductionprovides a theoretical rationalization for firm behavior in the field. Weconduct an experiment with a game inspired by their work. In our data theincumbent tends to keep the market, in contrast to what the forwardinduction argument of Bagwell and Ramey would suggest. The results indicatethat players perceive that the first mover has an advantage without havingto pre-commit capacity. In our game, evolution and learning do not driveout this perception. We back these claims with data analysis, atheoretical framework for dynamics, and simulation results.

Induction of the Arabidopsis PHO1;H10 gene by 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid but not jasmonic acid via a CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1-dependent pathway

Expression of AtPHO1;H10, a member of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PHO1 gene family, is strongly induced following numerous abiotic and biotic stresses, including wounding, dehydration, cold, salt, and pathogen attack. AtPHO1;H10 expression by wounding was localized to the cells in the close vicinity of the wound site. AtPHO1;H10 expression was increased by application of the jasmonic acid (JA) precursor 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), but not by JA or coronatine. Surprisingly, induction of AtPHO1;H10 by OPDA was dependent on the presence of CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1). The induction of AtPHO1;H10 expression by wounding and dehydration was dependent on COI1 and was comparable in both the wild type and the OPDA reductase 3-deficient (opr3) mutant. In contrast, induction of AtPHO1;H10 expression by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) was independent of the presence of either OPDA or COI1, but was strongly decreased in the ABA-insensitive mutant abi1-1. The involvement of the ABA pathway in regulating AtPHO1;H10 was distinct between wounding and dehydration, with induction of AtPHO1;H10 by wounding being comparable to wild type in the ABA-deficient mutant aba1-3 and abi1-1, whereas a strong reduction in AtPHO1;H10 expression occurred in aba1-3 and abi1-1 following dehydration. Together, these results reveal that OPDA can modulate gene expression via COI1 in a manner distinct from JA, and independently from ABA. Furthermore, the implication of the ABA pathway in coregulating AtPHO1;H10 expression is dependent on the abiotic stress applied, being weak under wounding but strong upon dehydration

Larval development of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) fed on leaves of Bt maize expressing Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 proteins and its non-Bt isoline

This study aimed to evaluate, in controlled laboratory conditions (temperature of 25±2 °C, relative humidity of 60±10%, and 14/10 h L/D photoperiod), the larval development of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer, 1784) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) fed with leaves of Bt maize expressing Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 insecticide proteins and its non-Btisoline. Maize leaves triggered 100% of mortality on S. eridania larvae independently of being Bt or non-Bt plants. However, it was observed that in overall Bt maize (expressing a single or pyramided protein) slightly affects the larval development of S. eridania, even under reduced leaf consumption. Therefore, these results showed that Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 can affect the larval development of S. eridania, although it is not a target pest of this plant; however, more research is needed to better understand this evidence. Finally, this study confirms that non-Bt maize leaves are unsuitable food source to S. eridania larvae, suggesting that they are not a potential pest in maize fields.

Prediction of subcutaneous fatty acid composition from ham of CLA fed boars and gilts using a NIRS fiber optic probe

The aim of this work was the use of NIR technology by direct application of a fiber optic probe on back fat to analyze the fatty acid composition of CLA fed boars and gilts. 265 animals were fed 3 different diets and the fatty acid profile of back fat from Gluteus medius was analyzed using gas chromatography and FT-NIR. Spectra were acquired using a Bruker Optics Matrix-F duplex spectrometer equipped with a fiber optic probe (IN-268-2). Oleic and stearic fatty acids were predicted accurately; myristic, vaccenic and linoleic fatty acids were predicted with lower accuracy, while palmitic and α-linolenic fatty acids were poorly predicted. The relative percentage of fatty acids and NIR spectra showed differences in fatty acid composition of back fat from pigs fed CLA which increased the relative percentage of SFA and PUFA while MUFA decreased. Results suggest that a NIR fiber optic probe can be used to predict total saturated and unsaturated fatty acid composition, as well as the percentage of stearic and oleic. NIR showed potential as a rapid and easily implemented method to discriminate carcasses from animals fed different diets.

TAK1 is required for survival of mouse fibroblasts treated with TRAIL, and does so by NF-kappaB dependent induction of cFLIPL.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known as a "death ligand"-a member of the TNF superfamily that binds to receptors bearing death domains. As well as causing apoptosis of certain types of tumor cells, TRAIL can activate both NF-kappaB and JNK signalling pathways. To determine the role of TGF-beta-Activated Kinase-1 (TAK1) in TRAIL signalling, we analyzed the effects of adding TRAIL to mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from TAK1 conditional knockout mice. TAK1-/- MEFs were significantly more sensitive to killing by TRAIL than wild-type MEFs, and failed to activate NF-kappaB or JNK. Overexpression of IKK2-EE, a constitutive activator of NF-kappaB, protected TAK1-/- MEFs against TRAIL killing, suggesting that TAK1 activation of NF-kappaB is critical for the viability of cells treated with TRAIL. Consistent with this model, TRAIL failed to induce the survival genes cIAP2 and cFlipL in the absence of TAK1, whereas activation of NF-kappaB by IKK2-EE restored the levels of both proteins. Moreover, ectopic expression of cFlipL, but not cIAP2, in TAK1-/- MEFs strongly inhibited TRAIL-induced cell death. These results indicate that cells that survive TRAIL treatment may do so by activation of a TAK1-NF-kappaB pathway that drives expression of cFlipL, and suggest that TAK1 may be a good target for overcoming TRAIL resistance.

Induction of potent antitumor CTL responses by recombinant vaccinia encoding a melan-A peptide analogue.

There is considerable interest in the development of vaccination strategies that would elicit strong tumor-specific CTL responses in cancer patients. One strategy consists of using recombinant viruses encoding amino acid sequences corresponding to natural CTL-defined peptide from tumor Ags as immunogens. However, studies with synthetic tumor antigenic peptides have demonstrated that introduction of single amino acid substitutions may dramatically increase their immunogenicity. In this study we have used a well-defined human melanoma tumor Ag system to test the possibility of translating the immunological potency of synthetic tumor antigenic peptide analogues into recombinant vaccinia viruses carrying constructs with the appropriate nucleotide substitutions. Our results indicate that the use of a mutated minigene construct directing the expression of a modified melanoma tumor Ag leads to improved Ag recognition and, more importantly, to enhanced immunogenicity. Thus, recombinant vaccinia viruses containing mutated minigene sequences may lead to new strategies for the induction of strong tumor-specific CTL responses in cancer patients.

Achievement of VGPR to induction therapy is an important prognostic factor for longer PFS in the IFM 2005-01 trial.

In the 2005-01 trial, we have demonstrated that bortezomib-dexamethasone as induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation was superior to vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. We conducted a post-hoc analysis to assess the prognostic impact of initial characteristics as well as response to therapy in patients enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis showed that ISS stages 2 and 3 and achievement of response less than very good partial response (VGPR) both after induction therapy and after autologous stem cell transplantation were adverse prognostic factors for progression-free survival, the most important one being achievement of response less than VGPR after induction. Progression-free survival was significantly improved with bortezomib-dexamethasone induction therapy in patients with poor-risk cytogenetics and ISS stages 2 and 3 compared with vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. In these 2 groups of patients, achievement of at least VGPR after induction was of major importance. This study is registered with EudraCT (https://eudract.ema.europa.eu; EUDRACT 2005-000537-38) and http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00200681).

Induction of the alternative NF-κB pathway by lymphotoxin αβ (LTαβ) relies on internalization of LTβ receptor.

Several tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members activate both the classical and the alternative NF-κB pathways. However, how a single receptor engages these two distinct pathways is still poorly understood. Using lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) as a prototype, we showed that activation of the alternative, but not the classical, NF-κB pathway relied on internalization of the receptor. Further molecular analyses revealed a specific cytosolic region of LTβR essential for its internalization, TRAF3 recruitment, and p100 processing. Interestingly, we found that dynamin-dependent, but clathrin-independent, internalization of LTβR appeared to be required for the activation of the alternative, but not the classical, NF-κB pathway. In vivo, ligand-induced internalization of LTβR in mesenteric lymph node stromal cells correlated with induction of alternative NF-κB target genes. Thus, our data shed light on LTβR cellular trafficking as a process required for specific biological functions of NF-κB.

L'induction rapide du sevrage par des antagonistes des opiacés sous anesthésie: une alternative dans le traitement de la dépendance aux opiacés [Rapid induction of withdrawal with opiate antagonists under anesthesia: an alternative to treatment of opiate dependence?]

Rapid induction of withdrawal by opiate antagonists under anesthesia is an opiate detoxification technique. This technique is useful to reduce intensity and duration of withdrawal. Therefore, this technique represents an alternative strategy in the treatment of opiate addicted patients. This paper attempts to present a brief history of this technique, and a critical review of related issues.

Maturation of the lymphoid system. III. Induction of selective unresponsiveness by injection of a haptenated carbohydrate into neonatal mice.

Neonatal treatment of A/J mice with DNP-Ficoll reduced or eliminated indirect anti-DNP PFC normally produced in response to adult challenge with DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The remaining direct anti-DNP PFC response was of low avidity. Spleen cells from neonatal A/J mice inhibited the in vitro but not the in vivo response of adult spleen cells to DNP-Ficoll.

Autophagy induction does not protect retina against apoptosis in ischemia/reperfusion model.

The role played by autophagy after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in the retina remains unknown. Our study investigated whether ischemic injury in the retina, which causes an energy crisis, would induce autophagy. Retinal ischemia was induced by elevation of the intraocular pressure and modulation of autophagic markers was analyzed at the protein levels in an early and late phase of recovery. Following retinal ischemia an increase in LC3BII was first observed in the early phase of recovery but did not stay until the late phase of recovery. Post-ischemic induction of autophagy by intravitreal rapamycin administration did not provide protection against the lesion induced by the ischemic stress. On the contrary, an increase in the number of apoptotic cells was observed following I/R in the rapamycin treated retinas.

Heterogeneity of the induction of HLA-DR expression by human immune interferon on glioma cell lines and their clones.

The modulation of HLA-DR and HLA-A, -B, and -C by human recombinant immune interferon (IFN-gamma) was studied on 10 malignant glioma cell lines established in our laboratory, on 8 clones or subclones derived from these lines, and on a fetal astrocyte cell line. Comparative studies were performed with recombinant leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha). The results not only confirmed the selective activity of IFN-gamma on the modulation of HLA-DR expression, as opposed to that of IFN-alpha, but also demonstrated a marked heterogeneity in the response of glioma cell lines and their clones to the two types of IFN tested. For example, all 3 clones of an inducible cell line could be modulated to express HLA-DR, whereas only 2 of 5 clones derived from a noninducible line were modulated. This heterogeneity did not seem to be due to the absence of the receptor for IFN-gamma on the surface of these cells, since almost all of the cell lines or clones tested (17 of 19) responded to IFN-gamma by the induction or enhancement of the expression for either HLA-DR or HLA-A, -B, and -C (or both). The heterogeneity of induction was also demonstrated between clones derived from a glioma line that did not express HLA-DR after IFN-gamma treatment. The production of HLA-DR by one of the clones was abundant enough to be confirmed by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis.

Induced responses to herbivory and jasmonate in three milkweed species

We studied constitutive and induced defensive traits (latex exudation, cardenolides, proteases, and C/N ratio) and resistance to monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus) in three closely related milkweed species (Asclepias angustifolia, A. barjoniifolia and A. fascicularis). All traits showed significant induction in at least one of the species. Jasmonate application only partially mimicked the effect of monarch feeding. We found some correspondence between latex and cardenolide content and reduced larval growth. Larvae fed cut leaves of A. angustifolia grew better than larvae fed intact plants. Addition of the cardenolide digitoxin to cut leaves reduced larval growth but ouabain (at the same concentration) had no effect. We, thus, confirm that latex and cardenolides are major defenses in milkweeds, effective against a specialist herbivore. Other traits such as proteases and C/N ratio additionally may be integrated in the defense scheme of those plants. Induction seems to play an important role in plants that have an intermediate level of defense, and we advocate incorporating induction as an additional axis of the plant defense syndrome hypothesis.