In this article, the authors report on their research on which aspects of parental cultural resources affect educational attainment and distinguish between parental beaux arts participation and ...parental reading behavior. Using representative data from the Netherlands in 1992 (N = 1,6539), they found that parental reading behavior, not parental beaux arts participation, affects children's educational attainment. The authors also examine the validity of two alternative theories on the interaction of parents' educational background and their cultural capital ...: Bourdieu's cultural reproduction theory and DiMaggio's cultural mobility theory. The data provide support for the cultural mobility hypothesis with respect to parental reading behavior; that is, parental reading is effective in predicting success in school, especially for children whose parents have low levels of education. (DIPF/orig.)
Cellulosic biofuel: Ethyl levulinate is a promising biofuel that can be obtained from lignocellulosic residues. A byproducts, furfural, can be converted into ethyl levulinate in an acid‐based ...process. Here, the use of solid acid catalysts for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into ethyl levulinate is reported.
Furfural, a potential coproduct of levulinic acid, can be converted into levulinic acid via hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol and subsequent ethanolysis to ethyl levulinate. The ethanolysis reaction is known to proceed in the presence of H2SO4. We show here that several strongly acidic resins are comparably effective catalysts for this reaction. Optimal performance is achieved by balancing the number of acid sites with their accessibility in the resin. Acidic zeolites such as H‐ZSM‐5 also catalyze this reaction, although with a lower activity and a higher coproduction of diethyl ether.
Cellulosic biofuel: Ethyl levulinate is a promising biofuel that can be obtained from lignocellulosic residues. A byproducts, furfural, can be converted into ethyl levulinate in an acid‐based process. Here, the use of solid acid catalysts for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into ethyl levulinate is reported.
The aims of this study were to design universal markers for different protozoan parasites of Bombus spp. based on the phylogenetic position of two important bumblebee parasites Crithidia bombi and ...Apicystis bombi. Standard PCR and extraction techniques were used to amplify and sequence 18S rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA was performed in order to predict the parasite range of the primers. Crithidia bombi phylogenetically clusters with the trypanosomatids with slowly-evolving SSU-rRNA sequences (SE), while A. bombi is the closest sister group of Mattesia. A multiplex was designed containing an internal control and two broad-range primer pairs, detecting C. bombi and other SE trypanosomatids and also A. bombi and other neogregarines. Sequence data generated will further improve the current systematics of insect trypanosomatids and gregarines that remain troublesome. Broad-range markers for bumblebee parasites are necessary tools enabling the screening of commercially imported colonies and thus controlling their worldwide distribution and to discover related emerging parasites.
Aims
American foulbrood, caused by the Gram‐positive bacteria Paenibacillus larvae, is one of the most severe bacterial diseases of the European honey bee. The bacterium has been known for long, but ...only the last decade the mechanisms used by the pathogen to cause disease in its host are starting to unravel. In this study, the knowledge of this virulent behaviour is expanded and several possible virulence factors are suggested.
Methods and Results
Identification of possible virulence factors has been done by random mutagenesis to ensure an unbiased approach. A library of mutants was tested for a significant difference in virulence using in vitro exposure assays. Affected loci were characterized and their potential to contribute in virulence of the pathogen was assessed.
Conclusions
The identified mutated loci dacB, dnaK, metN, ywqD, lysC, serC and gbpA are known to encode for virulence factors in other bacteria and are suggested to play a similar role in P. larvae.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The study identified new possible virulence factors for P. larvae genotype ERIC I in an unbiased way. This contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the possible mechanisms used by this pathogen to colonize and kill its host.
We systematically reviewed all literature concerning online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions for chronic pain to evaluate their (1) ACT content, (2) design characteristics, (3) ...design rationales, and (4) adherence.
A systematic search was performed on July 9th, 2020 in; PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Search terms related to: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, chronic pain, and eHealth. Extracted data concerned ACT content, design characteristics, adherence, and design rationales.
20 articles, in which 14 interventions were described, met all inclusion criteria. Adherence and design rationales were described to a limited extent in the included studies. In total, the majority provided an overview of the included ACT processes. In 10 articles it was described that the intervention was delivered via a dedicated website (n = 10), which was sometimes combined with an app (n = 3). Guidance was included in most studies (n = 19). Studies including RCT's (n = 8) reported online ACT interventions to be effective.
Online ACT interventions for chronic pain have been shown to be effective and have generally been constructed in line with ACT theory. However, the majority of studies does not provide information about the choices to optimize the fit between task, technology, and user. Considerations behind the choices for intervention features as well as design rationales could help to optimize future online ACT interventions. Additionally, consistent attention should be paid to measurement and operationalization of adherence, since this is a crucial link between content, design and effectiveness.
•We systematically review online ACT interventions for chronic pain.•We examine rationales, content, design characteristics, and adherence.•We explicitly focus on the fit between task, technology, and user.•We suggest ways to improve future design of online ACT interventions for chronic pain.
Honey bee venom is a complex mixture of toxic proteins and peptides. In the present study we tried to extend our knowledge of the venom composition using two different approaches. First, worker venom ...was analysed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and this revealed the antimicrobial peptide apidaecin for the first time in such samples. Its expression in the venom gland was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and by a peptidomic analysis of the venom apparatus tissue. Second, genome mining revealed a list of proteins with resemblance to known insect allergens or venom toxins, one of which showed homology to proteins of the antigen 5 (Ag5)/Sol i 3 cluster. It was demonstrated that the honey bee Ag5‐like gene is expressed by venom gland tissue of winter bees but not of summer bees. Besides this seasonal variation, it shows an interesting spatial expression pattern with additional production in the hypopharyngeal glands, the brains and the midgut. Finally, our immunoblot study revealed that both synthetic apidaecin and the Ag5‐like recombinant from bacteria evoke no humoral activity in beekeepers. Also, no IgG4‐based cross‐reactivity was detected between the honey bee Ag5‐like protein and its yellow jacket paralogue Ves v 5.
With the Nasonia vitripennis genome sequences available, we attempted to determine the proteins present in venom by two different approaches. First, we searched for the transcripts of venom proteins ...by a bioinformatic approach using amino acid sequences of known hymenopteran venom proteins. Second, we performed proteomic analyses of crude N. vitripennis venom removed from the venom reservoir, implementing both an off-line two-dimensional liquid chromatography matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight (2D-LC-MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) and a two-dimensional liquid chromatography electrospray ionization Founer transform ion cyclotron resonance (2D-LC-ESI-FT-ICR) MS setup. This combination of bioinformatic and proteomic studies resulted in an extraordinary richness of identified venom constituents. Moreover, half of the 79 identified proteins were not yet associated with insect venoms: 16 proteins showed similarity only to known proteins from other tissues or secretions, and an additional 23 did not show similarity to any known protein. Serine proteases and their inhibitors were the most represented. Fifteen nonsecretory proteins were also identified by proteomic means and probably represent so-called 'venom trace elements'. The present study contributes greatly to the understanding of the biological diversity of the venom of parasitoid wasps at the molecular level.
The neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn) functions as an intracellular protection receptor for immunoglobulin G (IgG). Recently, several clinical studies have reported the lowering of ...circulating monomeric IgG levels through FcRn blockade for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune diseases, however, are derived from the effects of IgG immune complexes (ICs). We generated, characterized, and assessed the effects of SYNT001, a FcRn-blocking monoclonal antibody, in mice, nonhuman primates (NHPs), and humans. SYNT001 decreased all IgG subtypes and IgG ICs in the circulation of humans, as we show in a first-in-human phase 1, single ascending dose study. In addition, IgG IC induction of inflammatory pathways was dependent on FcRn and inhibited by SYNT001. These studies expand the role of FcRn in humans by showing that it controls not only IgG protection from catabolism but also inflammatory pathways associated with IgG ICs involved in a variety of autoimmune diseases.
A defining feature of social insects is the reproductive division of labour, in which workers usually forego all reproduction to help their mother queen to reproduce. However, little is known about ...the molecular basis of this spectacular form of altruism. Here, we compared gene expression patterns between nonreproductive, altruistic workers and reproductive, non‐altruistic workers in queenless honeybee colonies using a whole‐genome microarray analysis. Our results demonstrate massive differences in gene expression patterns between these two sets of workers, with a total of 1292 genes being differentially expressed. In nonreproductive workers, genes associated with energy metabolism and respiration, flight and foraging behaviour, detection of visible light, flight and heart muscle contraction and synaptic transmission were overexpressed relative to reproductive workers. This implies they probably had a higher whole‐body energy metabolism and activity rate and were most likely actively foraging, whereas same‐aged reproductive workers were not. This pattern is predicted from evolutionary theory, given that reproductive workers should be less willing to compromise their reproductive futures by carrying out high‐risk tasks such as foraging or other energetically expensive tasks. By contrast, reproductive workers mainly overexpressed oogenesis‐related genes compared to nonreproductive ones. With respect to key switches for ovary activation, several genes involved in steroid biosynthesis were upregulated in reproductive workers, as well as genes known to respond to queen and brood pheromones, genes involved in TOR and insulin signalling pathways and genes located within quantitative trait loci associated with reproductive capacity in honeybees. Overall, our results provide unique insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying alternative reproductive phenotypes in honeybee workers.
Worldwide, American foulbrood (AFB) is the most devastating bacterial disease of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Because the distinction between AFB and powdery scale disease is no longer considered ...valid, the pathogenic agent has recently been reclassified as one species Paenibacillus larvae, eliminating the subspecies designations Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae and Paenibacillus larvae subsp. pulvifaciens. The creamy or dark brown, glue-like larval remains of infected larvae continue to provide the most obvious clinical symptom of AFB, although it is not conclusive. Several sensitive and selective culture media are available for isolation of this spore-forming bacterium, with the type of samples that may be utilized for detection of the organism being further expanded. PCR methods for identification and genotyping of the pathogen have now been extensively developed. Nevertheless, biochemical profiling, bacteriophage sensitivity, immunotechniques and microscopy of suspect bacterial strains are entirely adequate for routine identification purposes.