Emotional intelligence, personality and decoding non-verbal expressions of emotion

Previous research has highlighted theoretical and empirical links between measures of both personality and trait emotional intelligence (EI), and the ability to decode facial expressions of emotion. Research has also found that the posed, static characteristics of the photographic stimuli used to explore these links affects the decoding process and differentiates them from the natural expressions they represent. This undermines the ecological validity of established trait-emotion decoding relationships. This study addresses these methodological shortcomings by testing relationships between the reliability of participant ratings of dynamic, spontaneously elicited expressions of emotion with personality and trait EI. Fifty participants completed personality and self-report EI questionnaires, and used a computer-logging program to continuously rate change in emotional intensity expressed in video clips. Each clip was rated twice to obtain an intra-rater reliability score. The results provide limited support for links between both trait EI and personality variables and how reliably we decode natural expressions of emotion. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Short Isoforms of the Cold Receptor TRPM8 Inhibit Channel Gating by Mimicking Heat Action Rather than Chemical Inhibitors

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels couple various environmental factors to changes in membrane potential, calcium influx, and cell signaling. They also integrate multiple stimuli through their typically polymodal activation. Thus, although the TRPM8 channel has been extensively investigated as the major neuronal cold sensor, it is also regulated by various chemicals, as well as by several short channel isoforms. Mechanistic understanding of such complex regulation is facilitated by quantitative single-channel analysis. We have recently proposed a single-channel mechanism of TRPM8 regulation by voltage and temperature. Using this gating mechanism, we now investigate TRPM8 inhibition in cell-attached patches using HEK293 cells expressing TRPM8 alone or coexpressed with its short sM8-6 isoform. This is compared with inhibition by the chemicals N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)piperazine-1-carboxamide (BCTC) and clotrimazole or by elevated temperature. We found that within the seven-state single-channel gating mechanism, inhibition of TRPM8 by short sM8-6 isoforms closely resembles inhibition by increased temperature. In contrast, inhibition by BCTC and that by clotrimazole share a different set of common features. © 2012 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The development of University Technology Transfer stakeholder relationships at a regional level: Lessons for the future

The increasing importance placed upon regional development and the knowledge-based economy as economic growth stimuli has led to a changing role for Universities and their interaction with the business community through (though not limited to) the transfer of technology from academia to industry. With the emergence of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) replacing the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), there is a need for policy and practice going forward to be clearly informed by a critique of TTO (Technology Transfer Office)–RDA stakeholder relationship in a lessons learned approach so that LEPs can benefit from a faster learning curve. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the stakeholder relationship between three regional universities in the context of its TTO and the RDA with a view to determining lessons learned for the emerging LEP approach. Although the issues raised are contextual, the abstracted stakeholder conceptualisation of the TTO–RDA relationship should enable wider generalisation of the issues raised beyond the UK. Stakeholder theory relationship and stage development models are used to guide a repeat interview study of the TTO and RDA stakeholder groupings. The findings, interpreted using combined category and stage based stakeholder models, show how the longitudinal development of the TTO–RDA stakeholder relationship for each case has progressed through different stakeholder pathways, and stages where specific targeting of funding was dependant on the stakeholder stage. Greater targeted policy and funding, based on the stakeholder relationship approach, led to the development of joint mechanisms and a closer alignment of performance measures between the TTO and the RDA. However, over-reliance on the unitary nature of the TTO–RDA relationship may lead to a lack of cultivation and dependency for funding from other stakeholders.

The repertoire of G protein-coupled receptors in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni and the model organism Schmidtea mediterranea.

Background

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute one of the largest groupings of eukaryotic proteins, and represent a particularly lucrative set of pharmaceutical targets. They play an important role in eukaryotic signal transduction and physiology, mediating cellular responses to a diverse range of extracellular stimuli. The phylum Platyhelminthes is of considerable medical and biological importance, housing major pathogens as well as established model organisms. The recent availability of genomic data for the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni and the model planarian Schmidtea mediterranea paves the way for the first comprehensive effort to identify and analyze GPCRs in this important phylum.

Results

Application of a novel transmembrane-oriented approach to receptor mining led to the discovery of 117 S. mansoni GPCRs, representing all of the major families; 105 Rhodopsin, 2 Glutamate, 3 Adhesion, 2 Secretin and 5 Frizzled. Similarly, 418 Rhodopsin, 9 Glutamate, 21 Adhesion, 1 Secretin and 11 Frizzled S. mediterranea receptors were identified. Among these, we report the identification of novel receptor groupings, including a large and highly-diverged Platyhelminth-specific Rhodopsin subfamily, a planarian-specific Adhesion-like family, and atypical Glutamate-like receptors. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out following extensive gene curation. Support vector machines (SVMs) were trained and used for ligand-based classification of full-length Rhodopsin GPCRs, complementing phylogenetic and homology-based classification.

Conclusions

Genome-wide investigation of GPCRs in two platyhelminth genomes reveals an extensive and complex receptor signaling repertoire with many unique features. This work provides important sequence and functional leads for understanding basic flatworm receptor biology, and sheds light on a lucrative set of anthelmintic drug targets.

Profiling of the BRCA1 transcriptome through microarray and ChIP-chip analysis

A role for BRCA1 in the direct and indirect regulation of transcription is well established. However, a comprehensive view of the degree to which BRCA1 impacts transcriptional regulation on a genome-wide level has not been defined. We performed genome-wide expression profiling and ChIP-chip analysis, comparison of which revealed that although BRCA1 depletion results in transcriptional changes in 1294 genes, only 44 of these are promoter bound by BRCA1. However, 27 of these transcripts were linked to transcriptional regulation possibly explaining the large number of indirect transcriptional changes observed by microarray analysis. We show that no specific consensus sequence exists for BRCA1 DNA binding but rather demonstrate the presence of a number of known and novel transcription factor (TF)- binding sites commonly found on BRCA1 bound promoters. Co-immunoprecipitations confirmed that BRCA1 interacts with a number of these TFs including AP2-a, PAX2 and ZF5. Finally, we show that BRCA1 is bound to a subset of promoters of genes that are not altered by BRCA1 loss, but are transcriptionally regulated in a BRCA1-dependent manner upon DNA damage. These data suggest a model, whereby BRCA1 is present on defined promoters as part of an inactive complex poised to respond to various genotoxic stimuli. © The Author(s) 2011. Published by Oxford University Press.

Sex differences in fetal habituation

There is some evidence for sex differences in habituation in the human fetus, but it is unknown whether this is due to differences in central processing (habituation) or in more peripheral processes, sensory or motor, involved in the response. This study examined whether the sex of the fetus influenced auditory habituation at 33weeks of gestation, and whether this was due to differences in habituation or in the sensory or motor components using a set of four experiments. The first experiment found that female fetuses required significantly fewer stimulus presentations to habituate than males. The second experiment revealed no difference in the spontaneous motor behaviour of male and female fetuses. The third experiment examined auditory intensity thresholds for the stimuli used to habituate the fetus. No differences in thresholds were found between males and females, although there was inter-individual variability in thresholds. A final experiment, using stimuli individualized for that particular fetus' auditory intensity threshold, found that female fetuses habituated faster than males. In combination, the studies reveal that habituation in the human fetus is affected by sex and this is due to a difference in central 'information processing' of the stimuli rather than peripheral aspects of the response. It is argued that male and female fetuses present different neurobehavioural developmental trajectories, with females more advanced at 33weeks than males. This study suggests that research examining prenatal behaviour should consider the factor of fetal sex. This may be particularly pertinent where there is an intention to use the results diagnostically. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Novel bioassays to examine the host-finding ability of plant-parasitic nematodes

We present two novel bioassays to be used in the examination of plant-parasitic nematode host-finding ability. The host-finding 'pipette-bulb assay' was constructed from modelled Pasteur pipette bulbs and connecting barrels using parafilm fastenings. This assay examines the direction of second-stage juvenile (J2) migration in response to a host seedling, through a moistened sand substrate, which underlies terminal upward-facing 'seedling bulbs', one containing a host seedling in potting compost, the other with only potting compost. An equal watering regime through both upward-facing seedling bulbs creates a directional concentration gradient of host diffusate chemotactic factors. Positive chemotactic stimuli cause the J2 to orientate and migrate towards the host plant. We present validation data collected from assays of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, and the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, which indicate a highly significant positive attraction of J2 of both species to respective host plants. This represents a simple, quick and inexpensive method of assessing host-finding behaviour in the laboratory. We consider that the pipette-bulb assay improves on previous host-finding/chemo-attraction assays through creating a more biologically relevant environment for experimental J2; analysis is quick and easy, allowing the straightforward interpretation of results. In addition, we have developed an 'agar trough' sensory assay variant which we believe can be used rapidly to ratify nematode responses to chemical gustatory or olfactory cues. This was constructed from a water agar substrate such that two counting wells were connected by a raised central trough, all flooded with water. Two small water agar plugs were dehydrated briefly in an oven and then hydrated in either an attractant, repellent or water control; these plugs were then placed in the terminal counting wells and subsequently leached the attractant or repellent to form a concentration gradient along the central trough, which contained the initial J2 innoculum. Our data show that both M. incognita and G. pallida J2 are positively attracted to host diffusates. In addition, they displayed a strong repulsion in response to 1 M NaCl2. J2 of M. incognita displayed a mild aversion to a non-host oak root diffusate, whereas G. pallida J2 displayed a strong aversion to the same non-host diffusate; neither species responded to a compost leachate. We believe that the agar trough assay improves on previous methods by facilitating rapid diffusion of attractant or repellents. Both of the aforementioned assays were designed as tools to assess the impact of RNAi-based reverse genetics screens for gene targets involved in chemosensory orientation.

Pain and suffering in invertebrates?

All animals face hazards that cause tissue damage and most have nociceptive reflex responses that protect them from such damage. However, some taxa have also evolved the capacity for pain experience, presumably to enhance longterm protection through behavior modification based on memory of the unpleasant nature of pain. In this article I review various criteria that might distinguish nociception from pain. Because nociceptors are so taxonomically widespread, simply demonstrating their presence is not sufficient. Furthermore, investigation of the central nervous system provides limited clues about the potential to experience pain. Opioids and other analgesics might indicate a central modulation of responses but often peripheral effects could explain the analgesia; thus reduction of responses by analgesics and opioids does not allow clear discrimination between nociception and pain. Physiological changes in response to noxious stimuli or the threat of a noxious stimulus might prove useful but, to date, application to invertebrates is limited. Behavior of the organism provides the greatest insights. Rapid avoidance learning and prolonged memory indicate central processing rather than simple reflex and are consistent with the experience of pain. Complex, prolonged grooming or rubbing may demonstrate an awareness of the specific site of stimulus application. Tradeoffs with other motivational systems indicate central processing, and an ability to use complex information suggests sufficient cognitive ability for the animal to have a fitness benefit from a pain experience. Available data are consistent with the idea of pain in some invertebrates and go beyond the idea of just nociception but are not definitive. In the absence of conclusive data, more humane care for invertebrates is suggested.

Comparison of nasal and bronchial epithelial cells obtained from patients with COPD

For in vitro studies of airway pathophysiology, primary epithelial cells have many advantages over immortalised cell lines. Nasal epithelial cells are easier to obtain than bronchial epithelial cells and can be used as an alternative for in vitro studies. Our objective was to compare nasal and bronchial epithelial cells from subjects with COPD to establish if these cells respond similarly to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Cell cultures from paired nasal and bronchial brushings (21 subjects) were incubated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) prior to stimulation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide. IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by ELISA and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) message and expression by RT-PCR and FACS respectively. IL-8 release correlated significantly between the two cell types. IL-6 secretion was significantly less from bronchial compared to nasal epithelial cells and secreted concentrations did not correlate. A 4 h CSE incubation was immunosuppressive for both nasal and bronchial cells, however prolonged incubation for 24 h was pro-inflammatory solely for the nasal cells. CSE reduced TLR-4 expression in bronchial cells only after 24 h, and was without effect on mRNA expression. In subjects with COPD, nasal epithelial cells cannot substitute for in vitro bronchial epithelial cells in airway inflammation studies. © 2012 Comer et al.

Parental state and offspring recognition in the biparental cichlid fish Pelvicachromis pulcher

Alloparental care was investigated in the biparental West African cichlid, Pelvicachromis pulcher. Non-breeding adults typically consumed young conspecifics but this trait was inhibited in both sexes during reproductive attempts. Alien conspecific young were accepted into the brood if they were of a similar age/developmental stage to the parents' own young but not if they were much older or much younger. If not accepted they were consumed by whichever adult located them. Parents separated from their brood for up to 4 days accepted their young on reunion but separation for more than 4 days resulted in the young being consumed. This latter response occurred if chemical stimuli from the young were available during the separation but not if visual stimuli were available. In this latter case parental responsiveness was maintained. Both sexes of this externally fertilizing species appeared to have the same information about their young and showed the same changes in responsiveness and the same discriminatory abilities. (C) 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

A STRUCTURE-FROM-MOTION SCHEME THAT LOOKS FOR PARALLELS, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR APPARENT REVERSALS IN ROTATING TRAPEZIA

Apparent reversals in rotating trapezia have been regarded as evidence that human vision favours methods which are heuristic or form dependent. However, the argument is based on the assumption that general algorithmic methods would avoid the illusion, and that has never been clear. A general algorithm for interpreting moving parallels has been developed to address the issue. It handles a considerable range of stimuli successfully, but finds multiple interpretations in situations which correspond closely to those where apparent reversals occur. This strengthens the hypothesis that apparent reversals may occur when general algorithmic methods fail and heuristics are invoked as a stopgap.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in proliferative glomerulonephritis in rats

Multiple extracellular mitogens are involved in the pathogenesis of proliferative forms of glomerulonephritis (GN), In vitro studies demonstrate the pivotal role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the regulation of cellular proliferation in response to extracellular mitogens. In this study, we examined whether this kinase, as a convergence point of mitogenic stimuli, is activated in proliferative GN in vivo, Two different proliferative forms of anti-glomerular basal membrane (GEM) GN in rats were induced and whole cortical tissue as well as isolated glomeruli examined using kinase activity assays and Western blot analysis, Administration of rabbit anti-rat GEM serum to rats, preimmunized with rabbit IgG, induced an accelerated crescentic anti-GEM GN. A significant increase in cortical, and more dramatically glomerular ERK activity was detected at 1, 3, and 7 d after induction of GN, Immunization of Wistar-Kyoto rats with bovine GEM also induced a crescentic anti-GBM GN with an increase of renal cortical ERK activity after 4, 6, and 8 wk, ERK is phosphorylated and activated by the MAP kinase/ERK kinase (MEK), We detected a significant increase in the expression of glomerular MEK in the accelerated form of anti-GEM CN, providing a possible mechanism of long-term activation of ERK in this disease model, In contrast to ERK, activation of stress-activated protein kinase was only detectable at early stages of proliferative GN, indicating these related kinases to serve distinct roles in the pathogenesis of GN, Our observations point to ERK as a putative mediator of the proliferative response to immune injury in GN and suggest that upregulation of MEK is involved in the long-term regulation of ERK in vivo.

Do different 'magnocellular tasks' probe the same neural substrate?

The sensory abnormalities associated with disorders such as dyslexia, autism and schizophrenia have often been attributed to a generalized deficit in the visual magnocellular-dorsal stream and its auditory homologue. To probe magnocellular function, various psychophysical tasks are often employed that require the processing of rapidly changing stimuli. But is performance on these several tasks supported by a common substrate? To answer this question, we tested a cohort of 1060 individuals on four 'magnocellular tasks': detection of low-spatial-frequency gratings reversing in contrast at a high temporal frequency (so-called frequency-doubled gratings); detection of pulsed low-spatial-frequency gratings on a steady luminance pedestal; detection of coherent motion; and auditory discrimination of temporal order. Although all tasks showed test-retest reliability, only one pair shared more than 4 per cent of variance. Correlations within the set of 'magnocellular tasks' were similar to the correlations between those tasks and a 'non-magnocellular task', and there was little consistency between 'magnocellular deficit' groups comprising individuals with the lowest sensitivity for each task. Our results suggest that different 'magnocellular tasks' reflect different sources of variance, and thus are not general measures of 'magnocellular function'.

Prenatal and early sucking influences on dietary preference in newborn, weaning, and young adult cats

Early experiences are of potential importance in shaping long-term behavior. This study examined the relative influence of prenatal and/or early postnatal experience of chemosensory stimuli on subsequent olfactory and dietary preferences of cats as newborns, at 9-10 weeks, and at 6 months. Cats were exposed to vanillin or 4-ethylguaiacol via their mother's diet either prenatally, postnatally, perinatally (prenatal and postnatal), or experienced no exposure to the stimuli (control). Newborns were given a two-choice olfactory test between the familiar "odor" and no odor; 9-10 week olds were tested for their preference between two food treats, one flavored with the familiar stimulus and the other unflavored; at 6 months, cats were given a choice of two bowls of food, one flavored with the familiar stimulus and the other unflavored. At all ages, cats preferred the familiar, and avoided the unfamiliar, stimulus. Perinatal exposure exerted the strongest influence on preference. Prenatal exposure influenced preference at all ages and postnatal exposure exerted a stronger effect as the cat aged. We conclude that long-term chemosensory and dietary preferences of cats are influenced by prenatal and early (nursing) postnatal experience, supporting a natural and biologically relevant mechanism for the safe transmission of diet from mother to young. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.