Occurrence of the Unusual Amino Compound S-Methyl Cysteine in Australian Members of the Restionaceae - Biological and Taxonomic Significance

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
JS Pate ◽  
E Rasins ◽  
PP Thumfort ◽  
CJ Mcchesney ◽  
KA Meney
Keyword(s):  
New Genus ◽  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Amino Compound ◽  
Taxonomic Significance ◽  
Protein Amino Acid ◽  
Total N ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Ethanolic Extracts ◽  
Taxonomic Implications

The non-protein amino acid S-methyl cysteine (CH3-S-CH2> CH (NH2) COOH) was identified and assayed by HPLC and GC/MS analyses of ethanolic extracts of freshly-collected culms and rhizomes of Australian species of Restionaceae. Of 140 species examined, only 20 proved positive and two probably positive for the compound. Amounts in culms and rhizomes of these positive species varied from a trace to 74% of the ninhydrin-positive soluble amino N or from a trace to 33 mu mol per g fwt of tissue. Certain species showed substantial Variations in amounts of S-methyl cysteine between sites and seasons. Xylem bleeding sap was collected and analysed from 32 species. The nine species whose xylem sap was positive for S-methyl cysteine (0.5-23.5% of xylem total amino N) also rated positive in culms and rhizomes. Investment of N in S-methyl cysteine ranged from 0.1 to 6.3% of culm total N or 0.2-6.7% of rhizome total N. A possible role of the compound in protection against herbivory was examined. Positive species came from only three of the 19 currently recognized genera, Lepyrodia (16 positive, two possibly positive), Restio (one positive species) Loxocarya, (one positive species) and a further three as yet unnamed species. Under a proposed revision (B. Briggs and L. Johnson, pers. comm.), the positive species of Restio and the three unnamed species would be ascribed to a redefined genus (Loxocarya sens. orig.), thus restricting all species containing S-methyl cysteine to this new genus and Lepyrodia. The latter genus is changed under the proposed classification by transfer of certain species to the genus Sporadanthus. All six species proposed for such transfer lack the compound. Taxonomic implications of the findings are discussed.

Supernatural norm enforcement: Thinking about Karma and God reduces selfishness among believers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindel White ◽  
John Michael Kelly ◽  
Azim Shariff ◽  
Ara Norenzayan
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Framing Effects ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Total N ◽  
Norm Enforcement ◽  
Dictator Games ◽  
Within Subjects

Four experiments (total N = 3591) examined how thinking about Karma and God increases adherence to social norms that prescribe fairness in anonymous dictator games. We found that (1) thinking about Karma decreased selfishness among karmic believers across religious affiliations, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and non-religious Americans; (2) thinking about God also decreased selfishness among believers in God (but not among non-believers), replicating previous findings; and (3) thinking about both karma and God shifted participants’ initially selfish offers towards fairness (the normatively prosocial response), but had no effect on already fair offers. These supernatural framing effects were obtained and replicated in high-powered, pre-registered experiments and remained robust to several methodological checks, including hypothesis guessing, game familiarity, demographic variables, between- and within-subjects designs, and variation in data exclusion criteria. These results support the role of culturally-elaborated beliefs about supernatural justice as a motivator of believer’s adherence to prosocial norms.

STEROID RECEPTOR PHENOTYPE, EXPRESSION OF HER-2/NEU, PD-1, PD-L1 AND LYMPHOCYTIC-MACROPHAGAL INFILTRATION OF ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMAS: COMPARISON OF MODERN MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL TYPES OF THE DISEASE (THE ROLE OF BODY MASS INDEX)

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Lev Bershteyn ◽  
Aleksandr Ivantsov ◽  
Aglaya Ievleva ◽  
A. Venina ◽  
I. Berlev
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Total N ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Her 2

The aim of this study was to evaluate steroid receptors’ status of tumor tissue in different molecular biological types of endometrial cancer (EC), subdivided according to the current classification, and their colonization by lymphocytic and macrophage cells, taking into account body mass index of the patients. Materials and methods: Material from treatment-naive patients with EC (total n = 229) was included; the number of sick persons varied depending on the method used. The average age of patients was close to 60 years, and about 90% of them were postmenopausal. It was possible to divide the results of the work into two main subgroups: a) depending on the molecular biological type of the tumor (determined on the basis of genetic and immunohistochemical analysis), and b) depending on the value of the body mass index (BMI). The latter approach was used in patients with EC type demonstrating a defective mismatch repair of the incorrectly paired nucleotides (MMR-D) and with a type without characteristic molecular profile signs (WCMP), but was not applied (due to the smaller number of patients) in EC types with a POLE gene mutation or with expression of the oncoprotein p53. According to the data obtained, when comparing various types of EC, the lowest values of Allred ER and PR scores were revealed for POLE-mutant and p53 types, while the “triple-negative” variant of the tumor (ER-, PR-, HER2/neu-) was most common in POLE-mutant (45.5% of cases) and WCMP (19.4%) types of EC. The p53+ type of EC is characterized by inclination to the higher expression of the macrophage marker CD68 and lymphocytic Foxp3, as well as mRNA of PD-1 and SALL4. In addition to the said above, for WCMP type of EC is peculiar, on the contrary, a decrease in the expression of lymphocytic markers CD8 (protein) and PD-L1 (mRNA). When assessing the role of BMI, its value of >30.0 (characteristic for obesity) was combined with an inclination to the increase of HER-2/neu expression in the case of MMR-D EC type and to the decrease of HER-2 /neu, FOXp3 and ER expression in WCMP type. Conclusions: The accumulated information (mainly describing here hormonal sensitivity of the tumor tissue and its lymphocytic-macrophage infiltration) additionally confirms our earlier expressed opinion that the differences between women with EC are determined by both the affiliation of the neoplasm to one or another molecular biological type (subdivided according to the contemporary classification), as well as by body mass value and (very likely) the associated hormonal and metabolic attributes.

scholarly journals Sex differences in the phylum‐level human gut microbiota composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Koliada ◽  
Vladislav Moseiko ◽  
Mariana Romanenko ◽  
Oleh Lushchak ◽  
Nadiia Kryzhanovska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total N ◽  
Human Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Background Evidence was previously provided for sex-related differences in the human gut microbiota composition, and sex-specific discrepancy in hormonal profiles was proposed as a main determinant of these differences. On the basis of these findings, the assumption was made on the role of microbiota in the sexual dimorphism of human diseases. To date, sex differences in fecal microbiota were demonstrated primarily at lower taxonomic levels, whereas phylum-level differences between sexes were reported in few studies only. In the present population-based cross-sectional research, sex differences in the phylum-level human gut microbiota composition were identified in a large (total n = 2301) sample of relatively healthy individuals from Ukraine. Results Relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, as determined by qRT-PCR, were found to be significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in females compared to males. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Females had 31 % higher odds of having F/B ratio more than 1 than males. This trend was evident in all age groups. The difference between sexes was even more pronounced in the elder individuals (50+): in this age group, female participants had 56 % higher odds of having F/B ratio > 1 than the male ones. Conclusions In conclusion, sex-specific differences in the phylum-level intestinal microbiota composition were observed in the Ukraine population. The F/B ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Further investigation is needed to draw strong conclusions regarding the mechanistic basis for sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota composition and regarding the role of these differences in the initiation and progression of human chronic diseases.

An investigation of the role of solutes in the xylem sap and in the xylem parenchyma as the source of root pressure

PROTOPLASMA ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 211 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 183-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Enns ◽  
M. J. Canny ◽  
M. E. McCully
Keyword(s):  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Xylem Parenchyma ◽  
Root Pressure

Cassiavellia galtarae, new species, new genus: a new Permian bivalve and its significance for pterioidean systematics

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1152-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya Tëmkin ◽  
John Pojeta
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Larval Shell ◽  
Upper Permian ◽  
Taxonomic Significance ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
Dental Ontogeny

An exceptionally well-preserved silicified bivalve from the Upper Permian of Texas is described and assigned to a new genus and species,Cassiavellia galtarae, placed in the family Bakevelliidae. The species represents one of the earliest and best characterized unequivocal occurrences of the multivincular ligament in the superfamily Pterioidea. The silicified material provides a wealth of information on the morphology of inadequately known Paleozoic pterioideans, including hitherto undescribed aspects of the larval shell, auricular sulcus, muscle scars, and dental ontogeny. The discovery of the condyle-fossa complex on the anteroventral shell margin, a feature previously undescibed in Bivalvia, raises the question of the homology and taxonomic significance of the problematic subumbonal ridge-like structures in Pterioidea. In life,C. galtaraewas probably an epifaunal right-pleurothetic bivalve, byssally attached to hard or raised flexible substrata. In addition toC. galtarae, another new species,C. nadkevnae, is placed inCassiavellia.

scholarly journals A chip off the (im)moral block? Lay beliefs about genetic heritability predicts whether family members’ actions affect self-judgments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Peetz ◽  
Michael Jeremy Adam Wohl ◽  
Anne E Wilson ◽  
Andrew Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Moral Self ◽  
Total N ◽  
Lay Beliefs ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Genetic Heritability

The idea of heritability may have consequences for individuals’ sense of self by connecting identity to the actions of others who happen to share genetic ties. Across seven experimental studies (total N=2,628), recalling morally bad or good actions by family members influenced individuals’ moral self among those who endorse a lay belief that moral character is genetically heritable, but not among those who did not endorse this belief (Study 1-5). In contrast, recalling actions by unrelated individuals had no effect, regardless of lay beliefs (Study 2, 5), the endorsement of other relevant lay beliefs did not moderate the effect of parent’s actions on self-judgments (Study 3). Individuals who endorsed heritability beliefs also chose less helpful responses to hypothetical helping scenarios if they had recalled unhelpful (vs. helpful) acts by a genetically-related family member (Study 5). Taken together, these studies suggest that lay beliefs in the role of genetics are important for self-perceptions.

scholarly journals Beyond “fake news”: The role of analytic thinking in the detection of inaccuracy and partisan bias in news headlines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M Ross ◽  
David Gertler Rand ◽  
Gordon Pennycook
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Analytic Thinking ◽  
Total N ◽  
Partisan Bias ◽  
News Content ◽  
Political Bias ◽  
Political Partisanship ◽  
News Headlines

Why is misleading partisan content believed and shared? An influential account posits that political partisanship pervasively biases reasoning, such that engaging in analytic thinking exacerbates motivated reasoning and, in turn, the acceptance of hyperpartisan content. Alternatively, it may be that susceptibility to hyperpartisan misinformation is explained by a lack of reasoning. Across two studies using different subject pools (total N = 1977), we had participants assess true, false, and hyperpartisan headlines taken from social media. We found no evidence that analytic thinking was associated with increased polarization for either judgments about the accuracy of the headlines or willingness to share the news content on social media. Instead, analytic thinking was broadly associated with an increased capacity to discern between true headlines and either false or hyperpartisan headlines. These results suggest that reasoning typically helps people differentiate between low and high quality news content, rather than facilitating political bias.

scholarly journals Moses, money, and multiple-choice: The Moses illusion in a multiple-choice format with high incentives

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Speckmann ◽  
Christian Unkelbach
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Communication ◽  
Correct Answer ◽  
Cooperative Communications ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Total N ◽  
Communication Context ◽  
Moses Illusion ◽  
Choice Approach

AbstractWhen people answer the question “How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark?”, they usually respond with “two,” although Moses does not appear in the biblical story of the Ark. We investigated this “Moses illusion” in a multiple-choice format and tested the influence of monetary incentives on the illusion’s strength. Thereby, we addressed the role of a cooperative communication context for the illusion’s emergence, as well as the role of participants’ motivation. In four experiments (total N = 914), we found that the Moses illusion persists in a multiple-choice format. As the multiple-choice format realizes a cooperative context in which the correct answer is always available, we exclude a cooperative context explanation for the illusion. Monetary incentives reduced the strength of the illusion. However, the reduction was numerically and statistically small. We thereby show that the illusion is not due to violations of cooperative communications, and not due to a lack of motivation. The multiple-choice approach will facilitate further research on the Moses illusion and the data provide additional evidence for the Moses illusion’s empirical robustness and constrain its theoretical explanations.

scholarly journals Cures That (Make You) Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 229 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana S. Aengenheister ◽  
Renée Urban ◽  
Georg Halbeisen
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Social Perception ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Total N ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Headache Treatment ◽  
Health Related

Abstract. Successful treatment not only depends on adhering to taking medication and attending therapy but also on behavioral changes. In two experiments (total N = 256), we investigated the hypothesis that the perceived social role of a treatment as partner (co-producer of a health-benefits) or servant (sole provider of health benefits) could promote or prevent intentions to engage in health-related behaviors. Specifically, we used headache treatment as an everyday example and found that participants were more inclined to engage in headache-reducing behaviors when painkillers were described as partners as compared to servants. Implications of these findings for the importance of anthropomorphic social perception in the clinical application are discussed.

scholarly journals Disgust sensitivity and moral judgments of purity: The role of transgression weirdness

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fieke Maria Antoinet Wagemans ◽  
Mark John Brandt ◽  
Marcel Zeelenberg
Keyword(s):  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Disgust Sensitivity ◽  
Total N ◽  
Moral Domains ◽  
Moral Transgressions ◽  
The Relationship

Disgust sensitivity is more strongly related to moral judgments in the purity domain than to moral judgments in other moral domains. While this finding highlights the distinctiveness of moral domains, anti-modularity accounts suggest that the relationship is caused by the relative weirdness of purity transgressions and come to the conclusion that moral domains do not represent distinct mechanisms. In two studies (total N = 2,307), we test whether transgression weirdness accounts for disgust sensitivity’s stronger association with moral judgments of the purity as compared to other moral domains, but find little evidence for this claim. The relationship between disgust sensitivity and moral judgments of purity even remains when taking into account both (perceived) weirdness and (perceived) harmfulness of moral transgressions. These studies show that transgression weirdness and harmfulness cannot explain the disgust sensitivity–purity link, contradicting predictions following from popular anti-modularity accounts.

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