6A) Forkhead box A2 (Foxa 2 or HNF3-beta), undetectable in contr

6A). Forkhead box A2 (Foxa 2 or HNF3-beta), undetectable in control mouse MSCs, could be readily detected after the addition of NECA (Fig. 6B). Foxa2 has been reported to have a key role on the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells.26 Furthermore, NECA increased the expression of Goosecoid (GSC) (Fig. 6C). GSC is important for the development

of mesentoderm and definitive endoderm in the mouse embryo.27, 28 NECA was not able to induce other endodermal or hepatocyte-specific genes, such as Sox17, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, epithelial gene adhesion molecule (EpCAM), or tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), in the mouse MSC (Fig. 6D-H). We found that NECA induces the expression of GSC and Sox 17 in human MSCs (Fig. 7A, B). Both genes are critical for the development of definitive endoderm (the precursors of PD332991 Akt inhibitor hepatocytes) during embryogenesis.29 Also, NECA induced the expression of EpCAM, which is a key marker of hepatic stem cells and hepatoblasts.30 Furthermore, NECA induced the hepatocyte-specific genes albumin TAT in human MSCs (Fig. 7C-E). However, it did not induce

the expression of AFP, Foxa1, or Foxa2 in human MSCs. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential and capable of differentiation into numerous connective tissue lineages, as well as cells of endodermal origin.2–4 This, along with ease of isolation and capacity to undergo extensive replication in vitro, have made MSCs candidates for cell-based tissue engineering approaches.31 In an animal model of liver injury, transplanted MSCs differentiated into functioning hepatocyte-like cells and ameliorated liver injury.4 The mechanisms of localization to sites of injury and differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells are not well understood. Migration is thought to be mediated largely by soluble factors released from platelets

and other cell types, sustaining chemotaxis, or movement of cells up a gradient of soluble factors.32 The binding of these factors to membrane receptors initiates a series of intracellular molecular events leading to the reorganization of the cytoskeleton into locomotive machinery. Adenosine is produced from the metabolism of purines during the degradation of nucleic acids of apoptosing 上海皓元 cells and is rapidly metabolized by adenosine deaminase. The extracellular concentrations of adenosine rise rapidly in tissue injury from the 0.1-0.3 μM range to greater than 100 μM. Such rapid metabolism limits the half-life to a few minutes. Because adenosine levels are highest in the immediate microenvironment of cellular injury, we were interested in examining whether adenosine has a functional affect of MSC migration and differentiation. Messenger RNA for A2a and A2b receptors was expressed in mouse MSCs and A1, A2a, and A2b in human MSCs (Fig. 1A, B). Interestingly, adenosine did not induce chemotaxis but rather inhibited the well-known chemoattractant HGF.

16,120,125 It represented

16,120,125 It represented selleck products the first experimentally based approach to novel treatment of acute migraine attacks.126

Sumatriptan proved to be a highly effective (at least subcutaneously) and well-tolerated drug for the treatment of migraine attacks, and it was hailed as a medical breakthrough. The research was concentrated on the possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in migraine therapy as mentioned above in the section on methysergide. In 2 open studies,127,128 intravenous serotonin (5-HT) was found effective in the treatment of migraine attacks, albeit with so many adverse events that its therapeutic use would be impracticable. The research team in England set out trying to find the 5-HT receptor type responsible for 5-HT’s beneficial effect. Saxena had found that methysergide had a selectively constrictor effect in the dog carotid bed and suggested that this was an “atypical” 5-HT receptor.129 As part of an investigation into the mode of action of antimigraine drugs, a study of the excitatory receptors for 5-HT was carried out in a range of isolated vascular preparations of dogs.66 Serotonin was an agonist that resulted in contraction of all vessels whereas methysergide was an agonist only in the femoral vein.66 It was hypothesized that this was an

unknown 5-HT receptor in the dog femoral vein. 5-hydroxaminotryptamine (5-CONH2T), a potent selective 5-HT agonist, had only a weak effect on rabbit isolated aorta, whereas 5-CONH2T was a potent agonist in dog saphenous vein.130 In this vein ketanserin, a 5-HT2 antagonist, Angiogenesis inhibitor did not antagonize the effect of 5-CONH2T. Thus, the receptor mediating contraction in the dog saphenous vein appeared to be “5-HT-like.”130 Sumatriptan, which was synthesized in 1984,126 appeared to have a selective effect on the dog saphenous 上海皓元 vein and was accepted for clinical development on the basis of its high degree of selectivity for vascular “5-HT1-like” receptors that mediate constriction.130 These receptors are largely localized on large intracranial blood vessels from a variety of species including man131-135

and sumatriptan causes contraction of these vessels via an action on the 5-HT-1B receptor.136 The triptans, including sumatriptan, are relatively cranioselective when compared the effect on coronary arteries.122,137 A possible central effect of the triptan is probably mediated by both 5-HT-1B and 5-HT-1D receptors and other 5-HT receptors.122 The effect of subcutaneous sumatriptan 6 mg was proved in 2 large placebo-controlled, in-clinic RCTs. Headache relief rates of 70%138 and 72%139 after 1 hour were shown. Subcutaneous sumatriptan has a reasonable well-defined dose-response, with 1 mg being the minimum effective dose and 6 mg being the optimum dose with no gain by increasing to 8 mg.138-141 Oral sumatriptan became available and has been the standard triptan, being compared with all new oral triptans and other nontriptans drugs.

Oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 8-hydroxy-2′-de

Oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine) were increased in LPS-treated animals; CoPP treatment ablated these alterations. An inhibitor for the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, cyclosporine A, suppressed oxidative

stress as well as liver damage during LPS administration. CoPP promoted autophagy and prevented rats from liver damage during LPS administration. Conclusion:  HO-1 promotes autophagy and elimination of damaged mitochondria thereby repressing oxidative stress in LPS-treated rat liver, revealing a novel mechanism for protection by HO-1 against septic liver damage. SEPSIS IS CAUSED by severe infection and is clinically characterized by a systemic inflammatory response, selleck chemicals llc cardiovascular dysfunction, and a precipitous drop in blood 3-deazaneplanocin A pressure that leads to multiple organ failure and eventual death.1,2 Recent progress has

indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction is a crucial event during septic shock.3 In addition, recent reports have also indicated a protective role for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).4,5 The cytoprotective roles of HO-1 against oxidative stresses have been demonstrated under various pathological conditions including the infection of hepatocytes by hepatitis C.6 Autophagy is a cellular defense system involved in the recycling of proteins during fasting MCE and in the elimination of damaged organelles under pathological conditions.7–10 Septic shock elicited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration causes oxidative stresses in the liver through reducing endogenous antioxidants11 or other mechanisms. Autophagy is induced by LPS in the cardiomyocytes to reduce oxidative stresses and subsequent cellular injuries,12 but the effect of HO-1 induction on LPS-induced autophagy in the

liver has not been examined. THE ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION protocols used in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of University of Tokyo. Five-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected i.p. with 15 mg/kg LPS (from Escherichia coli obtained from Sigma [L-2630; St Louis, MO, USA]) dissolved in 0.5 mL isotonic NaCl, or vehicle (n = 4/group). To determine if mitochondrial damage following LPS administration is attenuated by HO-1, an inducer of this enzyme, cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP [Sigma], 1.5 mg/kg in 0.5 mL dimethylsulfoxide) was injected s.c. into the rats for 4 days consecutively at 24-h intervals. LPS was injected 24 h after the last round of CoPP injection. The animals in the control group received vehicle injections at the same intervals (n = 4/group). Cyclosporin A (CysA, 5 mg/kg) was injected 2 h before the treatment with LPS.

However, those studies lack a proper control to clarify what ‘hig

However, those studies lack a proper control to clarify what ‘high disparity’ really means. Let us illustrate this by comparing Liolaemus with Varanus lizards, a genus with fewer species (<70 sp), but with a wider geographical distribution (Africa, Australia and Asia; Pianka & King, 2004) than Liolaemus, which is restricted to the southern part of South America. The snout–vent lengths of Varanus species Crizotinib cell line range from 7 to 155 cm (Pianka &

King, 2004; Collar, Schulte & Losos, 2011), while in Liolaemus this ranges from 3.5 to 11.5 cm (Espinoza, Wiens & Tracy, 2004; Schulte et al., 2004; Pincheira-Donoso et al., 2008a; Labra, Pienaar & Hansen, 2009). Varanus species can be herbivores, carnivores or omnivores, and they can be terrestrial, arboreal or aquatic (Pianka & King, 2004). In contrast, most Liolaemus are insectivorous/omnivorous, very few are strictly herbivores and there are no strict carnivores (Espinoza et al., 2004; Vidal & Labra, 2008; Pincheira-Donoso, Scolaro & Sura, 2008b). In addition, most Liolaemus are saxicolous or ground-dwellers, very few Small molecule library order live in trees or shrubs, and there are no aquatic

or semiaquatic species (Schulte et al., 2004; Pincheira-Donoso et al., 2009). Finally, the thermal physiology of Liolaemus seems highly conservative across species even considering the wide range of habitats they encounter (Labra et al., 2009). In view of all this information, I cannot agree with Pincheira-Donoso’s criticism on this point. However, even if we were to accept the claim of high ecological and morphological disparity in this genus, there are cases of closely related and syntopic Liolaemus species that have similar ecology, morphology and behavior. Certainly, cases like these present a valuable opportunity

to investigate whether species recognition plays a role in maintaining 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 reproductive isolation between Liolaemus species. The verification of chemical species recognition in some species (Labra, 2011), together with ample evidence for the importance of chemical communication in the genus (Labra, 2008a, b ), make it plausible that speciation may be facilitated by the fast evolution of chemical sexual signals in the absence of variation in morphology or ecology (Morrison & Witte, 2011; Campagna et al., 2012). I am not implying that sexual speciation would prevent or limit morphological evolution and ecological adaptation, as Pincheira-Donoso assumes. The hypothesis simply predicts that Liolaemus species diversity is higher than what one would expect from ecological adaptation alone, and perhaps that the role of alternative sensory modalities (e.g. vision) in sexual selection would be small. Rapid evolution of chemical communication systems is a key element of my hypothesis.

When the results of a single study were reported in more than one

When the results of a single study were reported in more than one publication, only the most recent and complete data were included in the meta-analysis. Studies were included in the analysis if (1) they were RCTs comparing any therapy with placebo, no treatment, or supportive care; (2) they included HCC patients with or without metastatic disease; (3) 1-year or 2-year survival was assessed as an outcome measure of the effect of the treatment; and (4) they had been published or accepted for publication as full-length articles. Among the 485 studies reviewed (Fig. 1), 30 RCTs8–37 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were excluded if they

did not have an adequate control arm; if they were nonrandomized or if they enrolled randomized and nonrandomized patients; and if they were published

Erlotinib manufacturer only in abstract form. Talazoparib in vivo The rationale for excluding studies published as abstracts only was that the methodological quality could not be assessed. The RCTs were reviewed using a list of predefined, pertinent questions that concerned the characteristics of patients, treatments, outcomes, and study validity. Each trial was evaluated and classified by three independent investigators (C.C., A.C., and G.C.). Discrepancies among reviewers were infrequent (overall interobserver variation of <10%) and were resolved by discussion. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by five principal criteria (Supporting Table 1), using those established by Jadad et al.38 and Bañares et al.,39 as suggested by the Panel of Experts in HCC-Design Clinical Trials.4 The quality of trials was evaluated according to each separate component. The maximum possible score was 10 points. Pooled estimates of 1-year and 2-year survival rates were calculated using random-effects logistic regression analysis after applying sample weights according to the sample size. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the Pearson chi-squared test. Three different methods were used to explore and explain the diversity

among studies: (1) stratum analysis of variables suspected of having caused inconsistency, (2) medchemexpress meta-regression, and (3) subgroup analysis. Therefore, stratum-specific rates of the 1-year and 2-year survival rates for different patient-level and study-level covariates were calculated. We used 16 stratifying variables: publication year, study validity, study location, mean age, percentage of males, percentage of alcohol-related liver disease, percentage of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related liver disease, percentage of hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related liver disease, percentage of performance status 0 subjects, mean serum albumin, mean total bilirubin, prothrombin activity, percentage of solitary tumors, percentage of portal thrombosis, percentage of Child-Pugh A patients, and percentage of Okuda stage I patients.

RNA extraction, first-strand complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis,

RNA extraction, first-strand complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed as described.[13] Huh-7 or Huh-7.5 cells were seeded on 0.2% gelatin-coated coverslips in 24-well trays (4 × 104 cells/well) 24 hours prior to transfection/infection. Cells were fixed using methanol/acetone (1:1) for 5 minutes on ice, or with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 minutes on ice; prior to incubation with primary antibodies for 1 hour at room temperature (RT). Cells were washed with PBS and incubated

with secondary antibodies for 1 hour at RT before being mounted with Prolong Gold reagent (Invitrogen). Akt inhibitor Images were acquired with a Nikon TiE inverted fluorescence microscope (Tokyo, Japan). Mouse monoclonal anti-FLAG and rabbit polyclonal anti-FLAG were respectively obtained from Sigma (St. Louis, MO) and Rockland (Gilbertsville, PA). The rabbit monoclonal STAT3-Y705 antibody and the STAT3 rabbit polyclonal HRP were obtained from Cell Signaling (Boston, MA). FRET by acceptor photobleaching was carried out essentially as described.[14]

Western blotting was performed as described[15] using the following antibodies; rabbit-anti-STAT3 and phospho STAT3-Y705 (Cell Signaling), diluted 1/1,000; mouse-anti-β-actin (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) diluted 1/10,000; mouse-anti-C-myc (clone 9E10; Roche Applied Science) diluted 1/1,000. Appropriate secondary antibodies, anti-rabbit-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) 上海皓元 (Cell Signaling) and anti-mouse-HRP Alvelestat price (Rockland) were diluted 1/1,000. Protein bound to antibody was then visualized by way of chemiluminescence (ECL; Amersham Bioscience, Piscataway, NJ). Cells were seeded in 12-well plates at a density of 7 × 104 cells/well in

DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and returned to culture for 24 hours before fresh media was added containing STA-21 (10 μM: Biomol International, Plymouth Meeting, PA), S31-201 (20 μM: Sigma Aldrich), AG490 (10 μM: Sigma Aldrich), and a corresponding dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (Sigma Aldrich) or ethanol (Sigma Aldrich) control (0.05%) for 1 hour. Cells were then infected with HCV JFH-1 (MOI = 0.01) for 3 hours, after which viral inoculums were removed, cells washed, and media replaced containing the above STAT3 inhibitors or controls. Total RNA was isolated at 24, 48, and 72 hours posttreatment for cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR Invitrogen Stealth STAT3 siRNA (VHS4091) and control siRNA (LoGC 12935-500) and Santa Cruz STMN1 (sc-36127) and control siRNA (sc-36869) were transfected into Huh-7.5 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Cells were assayed for protein knockdown at 48 hours posttransfection by way of immunoblot assay. Densitometry analysis was performed using ImageJ as described.[16] Student t tests were used to analyze the distribution of two normally distributed data sets. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v. 10 (SPSS, Chicago, IL).

1 ± 96 years, respectively, with similar age ranges The majorit

1 ± 9.6 years, respectively, with similar age ranges. The majority of patients in both groups were women, who comprised 68% of the opioid group and 88% of the triptan group. The scores for the Migraine Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and Headache Impact Test-6 are listed in Tables 2 and 3, respectively; the results for the supplemental questions are presented in Table 4. In the Migraine Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (Table 2), the only question that reached statistical significance refers to

the effect of medication on migraine symptoms. Selleckchem NVP-AUY922 Based on the scoring rubric with a lower score being more favorable, the scores of 2.0 ± 0.2 (standard error of the mean [SEM]) for the triptan group and 2.8 ± 0.2 for the opioid group suggest that triptans relieve migraine symptoms more effectively than opioids (P = .05). The triptans were specifically developed to provide acute migraine relief, targeting migraine mechanisms, whereas the opioids target pain in general. It is, therefore, to be expected that triptans outperform opioids in relieving

migraine symptoms. According to the scoring rubric for the Headache Impact Test-6 (Table 3), lower scores indicate a favorable impact. For the question pertaining to whether headaches often limit usual, daily activities (question 2), the opioids produced a score of 3.6 ± 0.2 (SEM) while the triptans produced a score of 3.0 ± 0.2. The difference almost reached the level of statistical significance (P = .08), suggesting again that triptans outperform opioids for migraine relief. The average headache pain intensity in the Selleck FK506 opioid group (5.1 ± 2.0 [SD]) was also higher than in the triptan group (3.0 ± 2.0). Although the difference is not statistically significant (P = .16), it again suggests

that triptans provide more profound pain relief than opioids. The supplemental questions also reveal that more patients in the opioid group (36%) experienced a decline in efficacy than those in the triptan group (20%). A possible MCE公司 explanation for this observation is the development of tolerance that is characteristic of opioid analgesics. As a result, 36% of patients in the opioid group had increased the dose of the medication since initiating treatment, compared with 28% of those in the triptan group. The scores on the Migraine Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire were low overall for both groups, suggesting that the patients in both groups were generally pleased with their treatment. One question produced relatively high scores (question 4), but this question’s scoring rubric is reversed, with a score of 4 being the most favorable. The scores on the Headache Impact Test-6 are consistently higher than the scoring rubric mean of 2.5, suggesting that despite being relatively pleased with the treatment, chronic migraine patients clearly continued to experience the impact of their headaches. The long-term safety aspect of daily triptan use was examined in 2 studies by Robbins and Maides.

This observation remained valid after sensitivity analysis, which

This observation remained valid after sensitivity analysis, which involved the removal of the 30 patients with mRVR who were rerandomized to what was found to be a suboptimal treatment duration (24 weeks). The finding that initiation of PegIFN/RBV prior to HCV

PI had a negative effect was unexpected. Interestingly, in two randomized controlled trials (one with boceprevir; one with telaprevir), addition of HCV PI after 4 weeks of PegIFN/RBV therapy (LI) was not associated with a decrease or increase in the proportion of patients achieving SVR. The underlying mechanism learn more for impaired viral response with the 3-day LI in our study is not known; further investigation is ongoing. Given the observed negative effect of 3-day PegIFN/RBV LI, simultaneous start of faldaprevir and PegIFN/RBV will be incorporated into current and future studies Y-27632 price of this agent. Faldaprevir was well tolerated at the 240 mg QD dose. At this dose, the main faldaprevir-related AEs were mild-to-moderate skin rash, photosensitivity reactions, and gastrointestinal events, which tended to occur during the first weeks after faldaprevir initiation up to week 12. Only 6% and 4% of patients discontinued

faldaprevir due to AEs in the 240 mg QD/LI and 240 mg QD treatment groups, respectively. However, a much higher rate of discontinuation due to AEs was observed with the MCE公司 240 mg BID dose (23%) without improved efficacy; thus, this dose will not be investigated in phase 3 studies. Faldaprevir is associated with incidences of jaundice related to increases in unconjugated bilirubin. Similar to some other HCV PIs in development,14 faldaprevir-mediated inhibition of normal bilirubin uptake (OATP-1), processing (UGT1A1), and elimination (MRP-2) appear to drive this event.15 Jaundice was rapidly reversible

after cessation of faldaprevir and was not associated with increases in serum ALT, AST, or other markers of liver injury; only three patients discontinued the trial due to jaundice and indirect bilirubin elevation. Skin rash in the 240 mg QD dose groups was mainly mild to moderate and managed without treatment modifications in most instances. In the 240 mg QD dose groups, only one patient discontinued treatment due to rash; however, 10 patients discontinued treatment with the 240 mg BID dose because of rash. In conclusion, addition of 240 mg QD faldaprevir for 24 weeks to 48-week PegIFN/RBV therapy was safe and tolerable and produced SVR rates of up to 50% in even the hardest-to-cure patients, i.e., GT-1 patients with null or partial response to prior PegIFN/RBV. Phase 3 trials testing 120 mg and 240 mg QD faldaprevir without LI, in combination with PegIFN/RBV, for treatment-naïve patients and patients with prior treatment failure are ongoing.

In contrast, under oblique loading, EH implants showed lower stre

In contrast, under oblique loading, EH implants showed lower stress values than the MT group and the 2:1 C/I ratio showed higher stress concentration for both

implant types (p < 0.05). Moreover, MT implants showed stress GSK126 concentration distribution through a higher area than the EH implant did, with a tendency to direct the stress toward the implant’s apex under oblique loading. MT conical short-wide implants showed higher stress values that were distributed through a higher area directed to the implant apex. The C/I ratio influences the stress distribution only under oblique loading. “
“The presence of oral cancer can necessitate the surgical removal of all or part of the maxilla, leaving the patient with a defect compromising the oral cavity’s integrity

and function. The immediate postoperative restoration of esthetics, deglutition, and speech shortens recovery time in the hospital and expedites the patient’s return to the community as a functioning member. This article describes a simple technique to fabricate an immediate surgical obturator by restoring the patient’s original dentition and facial and palatal tissue form. An immediate obturator fabricated with this technique supports soft tissues after surgery and minimizes scar contracture and disfigurement and thus may have a positive effect on the patient’s psychology. “
“The loss of all or part of a finger following traumatic amputation may have a negative impact on physical MCE公司 and psychological well being. An esthetic prosthesis can offer psychological, functional, and rehabilitative advantages. The success of a prosthetic restoration Y-27632 cost primarily depends on its retention. This clinical report describes an alternative method of retention by scoring the master cast of a partially amputated finger, thus enhancing the vacuum effect for the retention of the prosthesis. The methodology of treatment is also explained. Silicone material was used to provide function and esthetics. “
“Keloids form as a

result of aberrations of physiologic wound healing and may arise following any insult to the deep dermis. By causing pain, pruritus, and contractures, keloids significantly affect the patient’s quality of life, both physically and psychologically. Multiple studies have been conducted for decades and have led to a plethora of therapeutic strategies to prevent or attenuate keloid formation, of which no single treatment has proven to be widely effective. Also, there is a dearth of information in the prosthodontic literature regarding appropriate management of such cases, especially when located in cosmetic areas. This clinical report presents an interdisciplinary cooperative approach between maxillofacial prosthetics and dermatology in prophylactic management of postsurgical auricular keloid. A new and an innovatively designed custom prosthesis for the management of the same is presented.

In our study system, Zamzow

et al (2010) examined host p

In our study system, Zamzow

et al. (2010) examined host preference by two of the most common macroalgal-associated amphipods between the chemically defended overstory macroalga D. menziesii and the undefended click here understory alga Palmaria decipiens (Reinsch) R.W. Ricker. The amphipod Prostebbingia gracilis does not consume either macroalgal host, although with P. decipiens, this is not because of chemical defenses (Aumack et al. 2010). Prostebbingia gracilis always preferred to associate with the chemically defended D. menziesii in laboratory assays (Zamzow et al. 2010). The amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica, which does consume P. decipiens, but does not consume D. menziesii (Amsler et al. 2009b, Aumack et al. 2010), preferred to associate Selumetinib research buy with (and eat) P. decipiens over D. menziesii when the

experiments were done in normal filtered seawater. However, this preference reversed when scent cues from the omnivorous fish N. coriiceps were present (Zamzow et al. 2010). In further experiments, amphipods associated with D. menziesii were much less likely to be consumed by the omnivorous fish N. coriiceps than those forced to associate with P. decipiens. (Zamzow et al. 2010). N. coriiceps is chemically deterred from consuming D. menziesii in laboratory assays (Amsler et al. 2005) but has been shown to eat P. decipiens in both field and laboratory studies (Iken et al. 1997, 1999, Amsler et al. 2005). Although we have yet to extend such investigations beyond 上海皓元 these species pairs, it is clear that Antarctic amphipods can benefit from associating with chemically defended hosts via an associational defense with respect to one of if not their single most important predators, N. coriiceps. Amphipod distribution patterns in nature are consistent with them behaviorally selecting chemically defended hosts for refuge (Huang et al. 2007, authors’ personal

observations), but, on a biomass basis, there are so very few nondefended macroalgae in the community that this by itself is far from definitive. Moreover, morphology appears to play a role in amphipod choice with an apparent preference for more finely branched, chemically defended species over chemically defended, but blade-forming macroalgae (Huang et al. 2007, Zamzow et al. 2010, authors’ personal observations). Observed differences between amphipod distributions during the night vs. daytime, however, provide stronger supporting evidence for an associational benefit to the amphipods. Aumack et al. (2011a) enumerated amphipods in both day and night collections of closely associated D. menziesii, P. decipiens, and Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory, a red alga that is also eaten by N. coriiceps (Amsler et al. 2005). N. coriiceps is a visual predator and is much less successful as a predator at night (Donatti and Fanta 2002).