bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Global Synthesis of Managing Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Under Sustainable Groundwater Policy
Authors: Rohde Melissa M. , Froend Ray , Howard Jeanette
Published: April 2017

Groundwater is a vital water supply worldwide for people and nature. However, species and ecosystems that depend on groundwater for some or all of their water needs, known as groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs), are increasingly becoming threatened worldwide due to growing human water demands. Over the past two decades, the protection and management of GDEs have been incorporated into several water management policy initiatives worldwide including jurisdictions within Australia, the European Union, South Africa, and the United States. Among these, Australia has implemented the most comprehensive framework to manage and protect GDEs through its water policy initiatives. Using a science‐based approach, Australia has made good progress at reducing uncertainty when selecting management thresholds for GDEs in their water management plans. This has been achieved by incorporating appropriate metrics for GDEs into water monitoring programs so that information gathered over time can inform management decisions. This adaptive management approach is also accompanied by the application of the “Precautionary Principle” in cases where insufficient information on GDEs exist. Additionally, the integration of risk assessment into Australia's approach has enabled water managers to prioritize the most valuable and vulnerable ecologic assets necessary to manage GDEs under Australia's national sustainable water management legislation. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) compare existing global policy initiatives for the protection and management of GDEs; (2) synthesize Australia's adaptive management approach of GDEs in their state water plans; and (3) highlight opportunities and challenges of applying Australia's approach for managing GDEs under other water management policies worldwide.
Differential effects of bleeds on the development of arthropathy – basic and applied issues
Authors: van Vulpen L. F. D. , Mastbergen S. C. , Lafeber F. P. J. G. , Schutgens R. E. G.
Published: April 2017

Haemophilia is characterized by a spontaneous bleeding tendency, affecting mainly the synovial joints. Recurrent joint bleeds induce a cascade of inflammatory as well as degenerative processes injuring synovium, cartilage and bone. These processes affect each other and may occur in parallel and/or sequentially. Clinically, the effects of joint bleeds are heterogeneous. A marked variability in joint damage is observed in patients with a similar bleeding history. Also late stage effects differ with some patients developing chronic synovitis, and others suffering from osteochondral degeneration called haemophilic arthropathy. This article reviews the current understanding of the pathogenesis of blood‐induced joint damage, elaborates on potential explanations for the differential effects of a bleed, and discusses challenges for future research.
PD‐L1 expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Walter Dirk , Herrmann Eva , Schnitzbauer Andreas A , Zeuzem Stefan , Hansmann Martin Leo , Peveling‐Oberhag Jan , Hartmann Sylvia
Published: April 2017

Aims

To investigate the expression of the programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) receptor–programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway and the clinicopathological characteristics in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA).

Methods and results

Tissue samples from patients with eCCA [n = 69; perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), 40; and distal CCA, 29] who underwent surgical resection in the period from 2007 to 2015 were evaluated for PD‐1, PD‐L1, CD3 and CD163 expression, and correlations with clinicopathological characteristics, including survival data, were determined. PD‐L1 was found on both tumour cells of eCCA (8/69, 11.6%) and tumour‐associated macrophages (21/69, 30.4%). Significant correlations of PD‐L1 expression on cancer cells with venous invasion (P = 0.031) and poor differentiation of the tumour (P = 0.048) were observed. In 19 of 69 (27.5%) samples, tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expressed PD‐1, whereas infiltration with CD3‐positive and CD163‐positive cells was found in 63 of 69 (91.3%) and 68 of 69 (98.6%) cases, respectively. The presence of fewer than five CD3‐positive cells per high‐power field was significantly correlated with poorer differentiation (P = 0.015) and venous invasion (P < 0.001) of CCA. PD‐L1 expression was not correlated with patient survival, but PD‐L1 expression on tumour cells combined with low infiltration of CD3‐positive TILs was associated with an unfavourable outcome (P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Only a small number of eCCA patients are PD‐L1‐positive, which might be important for future application of PD‐1/PD‐L1‐targeted immune‐modulating therapy in these patients. A small subgroup of eCCAs with PD‐L1 expression and low lymphocytic infiltration showed more invasive growth and worse overall survival.
Effect of submicron spinel powders on the microstructure evolution and properties of alumina‐based refractory castables
Authors: Chen Pingan , Wang Yulong , Li Xiangcheng , Zhu Boquan
Published: April 2017

The physical properties, including flow value, apparent porosity, and mechanical strength, increased significantly with submicron spinel contents in this study. The excellent physical properties can be attributed to the close‐packed microstructure and high bonding strength between spinel and aggregates/matrix. Additionally, the submicron spinel powders promoted the formation of tabular CA6 grains that generated a cross‐linked structure and enhanced the mechanical properties. The microstructures of corroded castables suggested that submicron spinel powders contributed to the formation of a continuous and thick spinel layer at the slag–refractory interface and subsequently improved the slag resistance of the castables.
Factors for postoperative complications following pressure ulcer operation: stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis
Authors: Han Hyun Ho , Ko Jun Gul , Rhie Jong Won
Published: April 2017

Patients with pressure ulcers are generally older, have a long hospital stay and often have a variety of comorbidities. The decision to perform surgery for pressure ulcer management can be difficult because of concerns about the risk of postoperative complications.

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between comorbid conditions and surgical outcomes in order to guide patient selection for pressure ulcer surgery. In 57 patients, data on age, defect size, operating time, hospital stay, body mass index, surgical site, mobility state, cardiac ischaemic history, diabetes, renal failure, ventilator dependency, tracheostomy state, use of haemodilution therapy and cancer were evaluated using stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the relationships between variables.

There were no postoperative cardiac ischaemic events. Wound complications occurred in 8 patients (14%), pneumonia in 12 patients (21·1%) and mortality in 1 patient (1·7%). The risk of postoperative pneumonia increased 1·069‐fold in elderly patients (odds ratio = 1·069, P < 0·05) and increased 44·17‐fold in preoperative ventilator users (odds ratio = 44·17, P < 0·05). The risk of wound complication increased 1·012‐fold with the presence of a larger defect site (odds ratio = 1·012, P < 0·05) and increased 7·474‐fold in patients who received haemodilution therapy (odds ratio = 7·474, P < 0·05).

Our results indicate that most comorbid conditions did not significantly affect postoperative cardiopulmonary or wound complications. However, the risk of postoperative pneumonia increased in patients with ventilator use or old age, and the risk of wound complication increased in patients with a large defect size and in those who used haemodilution therapy.
Structure and energetics of SiOC and SiOC‐modified carbon‐bonded carbon fiber composites
Authors: Niu Min , Wang Hongjie , Chen Jiewei , Su Lei , Wu Di , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: April 2017

The incorporation of SiOC polymer‐derived ceramics into porous carbon materials could provide tailored shapeable, mechanical, electrical, and oxidation‐resistant properties for high‐temperature applications. Understanding the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of such materials is crucial for their practical application. We report here the dependence of structures and energetics of SiOC and SiOC‐modified carbon‐bonded carbon fiber composites (CBCFs) on the pyrolysis temperature using spectroscopic methods and high‐temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The results indicate that a SiOC ceramic pyrolyzed at 1200°C and 1600°C is energetically stable with respect to an isocompositional mixture of cristobalite, silicon carbide, and graphite by 4.9 and 10.3 kJ/mol, respectively, and more energetically stable than that pyrolyzed at 1450°C. Their thermodynamic stability is related to their structural evolution. SiOC‐modified CBCFs become energetically less stable with increasing preparation temperature and concomitant increase in excess carbon content.
The effect of restatements on analyst behavior
Authors: Ye Chunlai , Yu Lin‐Hui
Published: April 2017

This paper examines how changes in the credibility of financial reporting affect analyst behavior. Using a sample of restatement firms experiencing a substantial change in credibility over 1997–2006, we document that restatements have a long‐lived effect on analyst behavior and that analysts differentiate between restatements caused by irregularities and those caused by errors. We find that while irregularity restatement firms exhibit a reduction in analyst coverage and forecast accuracy and an increase in forecast dispersion in the post‐restatement period, other restatement firms exhibit only an increase in forecast error. Finally, we find evidence to suggest that remedial actions reduce the effect of irregularity restatements on analyst behavior. Overall, these results are consistent with the notion that restatements affect analyst behavior in forming judgements regarding subsequent earnings announcements.
Did interaction between human pressure and Little Ice Age drive biological turnover in New Zealand?
Authors: Waters Jonathan M. , Fraser Ceridwen I. , Maxwell Justin J. , Rawlence Nicolas J.
Published: April 2017

Aim

To test for simultaneous Holocene biogeographic turnover events in the New Zealand region. Specifically, we synthesize ancient DNA, radiocarbon data and archaeological data to assess the chronologies of late Holocene lineage extinction and replacement.

Location

Cool‐temperate coastal ecosystems of New Zealand and the subantarctic.

Methods

We present new ancient DNA and radiocarbon data for New Zealand sea lions, and synthesize existing climatic, genetic and archaeological data, to test for synchronous megafaunal extinction and replacement events. The collated data include ancient DNA sequences from over 200 ancient sea lion and penguin specimens, in addition to 150 modern genetic samples.

Results

Our temporal genetic analyses show that, following human‐driven extinction events, synchronous marine megafaunal replacement events occurred at around 1500 AD, coinciding with the Little Ice Age onset and an associated drastic human demographic decline in southern New Zealand.

Conclusions

A combination of climatic and human demographic shifts likely facilitated northward expansion of subantarctic sea lion and penguin lineages, replacing extirpated mainland New Zealand marine megafauna. Broadly, the interaction between human pressure and late Holocene climatic change may explain multiple biological turnover events in the Southern Hemisphere.
What goes around comes around: an investigation of resistance to proliferative kidney disease in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) following experimental re‐exposure
Authors: Bailey C , Segner H , Wahli T
Published: April 2017

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss surviving proliferative kidney disease (PKD) are reported not to develop the disease upon re‐exposure. However, the mechanisms involved in the immune response to re‐exposure are unknown. We examined disease susceptibility and the immune response of naive 1+ rainbow trout when first exposed to Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in comparison with that of 1+ rainbow trout re‐exposed to T. bryosalmonae. PKD pathogenesis, parasite burden and transcriptional signatures of the host immune response were assessed at 10, 25 and 40 d.p.e (days post‐exposure). In addition, we evaluated the presence of IgM+ B cells in the blood and the posterior kidney. The exposure of 1+ rainbow trout to T. bryosalmonae for the first time resulted in 100% infection prevalence, high parasite burdens and severe clinical PKD, while re‐exposed fish were either able to avoid reinfection completely or mount an earlier and more efficient adaptive‐type immune response. This response was characterized by a greater amount of IgM+ B cells in the blood and elevated mRNA levels of secretory IgM in the posterior kidney which minimized pathogen burden and kidney inflammation. Our findings suggest that rainbow trout is able to develop immune protection against T. bryosalmonae.
Piscirickettsia salmonis infection in cultured lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.)
Authors: Marcos‐López M , Ruane N M , Scholz F , Bolton‐Warberg M , Mitchell S O , Murphy O'Sullivan S , Irwin Moore A , Rodger H D
Published: April 2017

A Piscirickettsia salmonis infection was diagnosed in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) juveniles held in a marine research facility on the west coast of Ireland. The main clinical signs and pathology included marked ascites, severe multifocal liver necrosis and severe diffuse inflammation and necrosis of the exocrine pancreas and peri‐pancreatic adipose tissue. Numerous Piscirickettsia‐like organisms were observed by histopathology in the affected organs, and the bacterial species was characterized by molecular analysis. Sequencing of the partial 16S rDNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region showed the lumpfish sequences to be closely related to previously identified Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) sequences from Ireland. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detection of P. salmonis in lumpfish worldwide. The infection is considered potentially significant in terms of lumpfish health and biosecurity.
A review of the nutritional challenges experienced by people living with severe mental illness: a role for dietitians in addressing physical health gaps
Authors: Teasdale S. B. , Samaras K. , Wade T. , Jarman R. , Ward P. B.
Published: April 2017

People experiencing a severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar affective disorder or depression with psychotic features, have a 20‐year mortality gap compared to the general population. This ‘scandal of premature mortality’ is primarily driven by preventable cardiometabolic disease, and recent research suggests that the mortality gap is widening. Multidisciplinary mental health teams often include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, specialist mental health nurses, social workers and occupational therapists, offering a range of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments to enhance the recovery of clients who have experienced, or are experiencing a SMI. Until recently, lifestyle and life skills interventions targeting the poor physical health experienced by people living with SMI have not been offered in most routine clinical settings. Furthermore, there are calls to include dietary intervention as mainstream in psychiatry to enhance mental health recovery. With the integration of dietitians being a relatively new approach, it is important to review and assess the literature to inform practice. This review assesses the dietary challenges experienced by people with a SMI and discusses potential strategies for improving mental and physical health.
The de novo autism spectrum disorder RELN R2290C mutation reduces Reelin secretion and increases protein disulfide isomerase expression
Authors: Lammert Dawn B. , Middleton Frank A. , Pan Jen , Olson Eric C. , Howell Brian W.
Published: April 2017

Despite the recent identification of over 40 missense heterozygous Reelin gene (RELN) mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), none of these has been functionally characterized. Reelin is an integral signaling ligand for proper brain development and post‐natal synapse function – properties likely disrupted in ASD patients. We find that the R2290C mutation, which arose de novo in an affected ASD proband, and other analogous mutations in arginine‐amino acid‐arginine domains reduce protein secretion. Closer analysis of RELN R2290C heterozygous neurospheres reveals up‐regulation of Protein Disulfide Isomerase A1, best known as an endoplasmic reticulum‐chaperone protein, which has been linked to neuronal pathology. This effect is recapitulated in a heterozygous RELN mouse mutant that is characterized by defective Reelin secretion. These findings suggest that both a deficiency in Reelin signaling and pathologic impairment of Reelin secretion may contribute to ASD risk.

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Illusory hand ownership in a patient with personal neglect for the upper limb, but no somatoparaphenia
Authors: Ronchi Roberta , Heydrich Lukas , Serino Andrea , Blanke Olaf
Published: April 2017

The symptoms of patients with left personal neglect are characterized by inattention towards contralesional (left) body parts while at the same time explicitly ascertaining ownership for the neglected hemibody. It is currently unknown if personal neglect is associated with more subtle or implicit disturbances of own body perception and body ownership as measured with the rubber hand illusion. In this study, we report data from a patient with a right hemispheric lesion and personal neglect, without associated somatosensory deficits. We administered to the patient (and to 12 age‐matched controls) the rubber hand illusion paradigm to the right and left hands, to elicit illusory ownership for a fake hand, before and after recovery from personal neglect for the left arm. In a first session, run when the patient showed personal neglect affecting the left arm, he experienced a significantly enhanced subjective illusion of embodiment for the left fake hand as compared to the right hand (as assessed through a standard questionnaire). After recovery from personal neglect for the left arm (second session), the results of the left and right rubber hand illusion experiments were comparable, with no modulation of hand ownership. We argue that personal neglect may consist not only in an inattentional disorder, but also in a deficit of multisensory body representation characterized by a high sensitivity to experimental manipulations of subjective aspects of body ownership.
Cracking the neural code, treating paralysis and the future of bioelectronic medicine
Authors: Bouton C.
Published: April 2017

The human nervous system is a vast network carrying not only sensory and movement information, but also information to and from our organs, intimately linking it to our overall health. Scientists and engineers have been working for decades to tap into this network and ‘crack the neural code’ by decoding neural signals and learning how to ‘speak’ the language of the nervous system. Progress has been made in developing neural decoding methods to decipher brain activity and bioelectronic technologies to treat rheumatoid arthritis, paralysis, epilepsy and for diagnosing brain‐related diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. In a recent first‐in‐human study involving paralysis, a paralysed male study participant regained movement in his hand, years after his injury, through the use of a bioelectronic neural bypass. This work combined neural decoding and neurostimulation methods to translate and re‐route signals around damaged neural pathways within the central nervous system. By extending these methods to decipher neural messages in the peripheral nervous system, status information from our bodily functions and specific organs could be gained. This, one day, could allow real‐time diagnostics to be performed to give us a deeper insight into a patient's condition, or potentially even predict disease or allow early diagnosis. The future of bioelectronic medicine is extremely bright and is wide open as new diagnostic and treatment options are developed for patients around the world.
Respiratory virus detection during hospitalisation for lower respiratory tract infection in children under 2 years in South Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Trenholme Adrian A , Best Emma J , Vogel Alison M , Stewart Joanna M , Miller Charissa J , Lennon Diana R
Published: April 2017

Aim

To describe respiratory virus detection in children under 2 years of age in a population admitted with lower respiratory infection and to assess correlation with measures of severity.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants admitted with lower respiratory tract infection (n = 1645) over a 3‐year time period were tested by polymerase chain reaction. We collected epidemiological and clinical data on all children. We assessed the correlation of presence of virus with length of hospital stay, intensive care admission and consolidation on chest X‐ray.

Results

Of the children admitted 34% were Maori, 43% Pacific and 75% lived in areas in the bottom quintile for socio‐economic deprivation. A virus was found in 94% of those tested including 30% with multiple viruses. Picornavirus was present in 59% including 34% as the sole virus. Respiratory syncytial virus was found in 39%. Virus co‐detection was not associated with length of stay, chest X‐ray changes or intensive care unit admission.

Conclusion

In this disadvantaged predominately Maori and Pacific population, picornavirus is commonly found as a sole virus, respiratory syncytial virus is frequent but immunisation preventable influenza is infrequent. We did not find that co‐detection of viruses was linked to severity.
Analysis of the variability of food texture properties: Application to the fracturability of dry pet food
Authors: Gouriou Benjamin , Bressolette Philippe , Vial Christophe
Published: April 2017

An original stochastic finite element method (SFEM) is proposed for the texture analysis of food products for which samples cannot be standardized. SFEM is able to distinguish shape and texture variability. As an illustration, the methodology is applied to dry cat food using compression testing. First, a deterministic damage elastic model depending on six mechanical and three size parameters is shown to fit adequately experimental data. Then, Morris screening method is applied to FEM data: this highlights that the variability of compression tests is significantly affected by two mechanical and two size parameters. Finally, the nonlinear variability of each control variable is estimated from Sobol indices derived from a time‐efficient stochastic collocation method. These highlight that the contribution of size parameters to test variability is about 20%. Therefore, a robust estimation of the probability density function of texture properties can be obtained for improved quality control, which outperforms current methods.

Practical applications

Food texture is affected by their material property and geometrical structure. Material properties are difficult to estimate when the size and shape of the samples cannot be standardized, for example, for snack or pet food. In addition, the intrinsic variability of material properties due to the recipe and the process cannot be neglected. But this cannot be easily distinguished from the variability of geometrical parameters using conventional methods. An innovative approach using stochastic finite element method is developed and is able to exhibit the major parameters influencing the variability of the response to mechanical testing. This methodology may be helpful to improve acceptance sampling control procedures, for example, by combining texture and size measurements when necessary, or by better determining the most robust response variables for decision‐making.
NK cells in self‐limited HCV infection exhibit a more extensively differentiated, but not memory‐like, repertoire
Authors: de Groen R. A. , Groothuismink Z. M. A. , van Oord G. , Kootstra N. A. , Janssen H. L. A. , Prins M. , Schinkel J. , Boonstra A.
Published: April 2017

Natural killer (NK) cells have long been thought of as a purely innate immune cell population, but increasing reports have described developmental and functional qualities of NK cells that are commonly associated with cells of the adaptive immune system. Of these features, the ability of NK cells to acquire functional qualities associated with immunological memory and continuous differentiation resulting in the formation of specific NK cell repertoires has recently been highlighted in viral infection settings. By making use of a unique cohort of monitored, at‐risk intravenous drug users in this study, we were able to dissect the phenotypic and functional parameters associated with NK cell differentiation and NK cell memory in patients 3 years after acute HCV infection and either the subsequent self‐clearance or progression to chronicity. We observed increased expression of cytolytic mediators and markers CD56bright and NKp46+ of NK cells in patients with chronic, but not self‐limited HCV infection. Patients with a self‐limited infection expressed higher levels of differentiation‐associated markers CD57 and KIRs, and lower levels of NKG2A. A more extensively differentiated NK cell phenotype is associated with self‐clearance in HCV patients, while the NK cells of chronic patients exhibited more naïve and effector NK cell phenotypic and functional characteristics. The identification of these distinct NK cell repertoires may shed light on the role NK cells play in determining the outcome of acute HCV infections, and the underlying immunological defects that lead to chronicity.
Recluse spiders produce flattened silk rapidly using a highly modified, self‐sufficient spinning apparatus
Authors: Magalhaes I. L. F. , Ravelo A. M. , Scioscia C. L. , Peretti A. V. , Michalik P. , Ramírez M. J.
Published: April 2017

Arthropod silk is among the most remarkable materials produced by animals, and is diverse in chemical composition and strand morphology. Different types of silk are produced by different spinning processes, and spiders show the greatest diversity in both. Extremely flattened silk strands with exceptional properties are spun by recluse spiders (Loxosceles spp.) using a single pair of spigots, but this spinning process remains unknown. We here combine movies, electron microscopy, and X‐ray microscopy to investigate how Loxosceles laeta spin their peculiar silk. We found that L. laeta show a unique weaving behaviour: the two anterior lateral spinnerets move very rapidly (8.5–13 times per second), each spinning a single strand of silk that is held by the posterior spinnerets; the silk is never pulled with the legs. Outgroup comparison with closely related spider families reveals that recluse spiders have a highly modified spinneret morphology, with elongate anterior spinnerets, a diastema between the spinnerets, modified setae that possibly help holding the silk strands, and long and thin muscles associated to the spinnerets. In contrast to all other arthropods, these morphological specializations allow them to rapidly spin without using the legs or the substrate – revealing the first self‐sufficient spinning apparatus in arthropods. This explains how a dense, sticky silk can be constructed from a single pair of spigots in a fast manner.
The microbially mediated soil organic carbon loss under degenerative succession in an alpine meadow
Authors: Zhang Yuguang , Liu Xiao , Cong Jing , Lu Hui , Sheng Yuyu , Wang Xiulei , Li Diqiang , Liu Xueduan , Yin Huaqun , Zhou Jizhong , Deng Ye
Published: April 2017

Land‐cover change has long been recognized as having marked effect on the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the microbially mediated processes and mechanisms on SOC are still unclear. In this study, the soil samples in a degenerative succession from alpine meadow to alpine steppe meadow in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau were analysed using high‐throughput technologies, including Illumina sequencing and geochip functional gene arrays. The soil microbial community structure and diversity were significantly (p < .05) different between alpine meadow and alpine steppe meadow; the microbial ɑ‐diversity in alpine steppe meadow was significantly (p < .01) higher than in alpine meadow. Molecular ecological network analysis indicated that the microbial community structure in alpine steppe meadow was more complex and tighter than in the alpine meadow. The relative abundance of soil microbial labile carbon degradation genes (e.g., pectin and hemicellulose) was significantly higher in alpine steppe meadow than in alpine meadow, but the relative abundance of soil recalcitrant carbon degradation genes (e.g., chitin and lignin) showed the opposite tendency. The Biolog Ecoplate experiment showed that microbially mediated soil carbon utilization was more active in alpine steppe meadow than in alpine meadow. Consequently, more soil labile carbon might be decomposed in alpine steppe meadow than in alpine meadow. Therefore, the degenerative succession of alpine meadow because of climate change or anthropogenic activities would most likely decrease SOC and nutrients medicated by changing soil microbial community structure and their functional potentials for carbon decomposition.
Molecular adaptation in the world's deepest‐living animal: Insights from transcriptome sequencing of the hadal amphipod Hirondellea gigas
Authors: Lan Yi , Sun Jin , Tian Renmao , Bartlett Douglas H. , Li Runsheng , Wong Yue Him , Zhang Weipeng , Qiu Jian‐Wen , Xu Ting , He Li‐Sheng , Tabata Harry G. , Qian Pei‐Yuan
Published: April 2017

The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the oceans of our planet. Understanding how animals adapt to this harsh environment characterized by high hydrostatic pressure, food limitation, dark and cold is of great scientific interest. Of the animals dwelling in the Challenger Deep, amphipods have been captured using baited traps. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptome of the amphipod Hirondellea gigas collected at a depth of 10,929 m from the East Pond of the Challenger Deep. Assembly of these sequences resulted in 133,041 contigs and 22,046 translated proteins. Functional annotation of these contigs was made using the go and kegg databases. Comparison of these translated proteins with those of four shallow‐water amphipods revealed 10,731 gene families, of which 5659 were single‐copy orthologs. Base substitution analysis on these single‐copy orthologs showed that 62 genes are positively selected in H. gigas, including genes related to β‐alanine biosynthesis, energy metabolism and genetic information processing. For multiple‐copy orthologous genes, gene family expansion analysis revealed that cold‐inducible proteins (i.e., transcription factors II A and transcription elongation factor 1) as well as zinc finger domains are expanded in H. gigas. Overall, our results indicate that genetic adaptation to the hadal environment by H. gigas may be mediated by both gene family expansion and amino acid substitutions of specific proteins.
Quantitative depth‐resolved microcirculation imaging with optical coherence tomography angiography (Part Ι): Blood flow velocity imaging
Authors: Gao Wanrong
Published: April 2017

The research goal of the microvascular network imaging withOCTangiography is to achieve depth‐resolved blood flow and vessel imaging in vivo in the clinical management of patents. In this review, we review the main phenomena that have been explored inOCTto image the blood flow velocity vector and the vessels of the microcirculation within living tissues. Parameters that limit the accurate measurements of blood flow velocity are then considered. Finally, initial clinical diagnosis applications and future developments of OCT flow images are discussed.
Assembly and activation of the Escherichia coli divisome
Authors: Du Shishen , Lutkenhaus Joe
Published: April 2017

Cell division in Escherichia coli is mediated by a large protein complex called the divisome. Most of the divisome proteins have been identified, but how they assemble onto the Z ring scaffold to form the divisome and work together to synthesize the septum is not well understood. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on divisome assembly and activation as well as provide our perspective on how these two processes might be regulated.
To CURe or not to CURe? Differential effects of the chaperone sorting factor Cur1 on yeast prions are mediated by the chaperone Sis1
Authors: Barbitoff Yury A. , Matveenko Andrew G. , Moskalenko Svetlana E. , Zemlyanko Olga M. , Newnam Gary P. , Patel Ayesha , Chernova Tatiana A. , Chernoff Yury O. , Zhouravleva Galina A.
Published: April 2017

Yeast self‐perpetuating protein aggregates (prions) provide a convenient model for studying various components of the cellular protein quality control system. Molecular chaperones and chaperone‐sorting factors, such as yeast Cur1 protein, play key role in proteostasis via tight control of partitioning and recycling of misfolded proteins. In this study, we show that, despite the previously described ability of Cur1 to antagonize the yeast prion [URE3], it enhances propagation and phenotypic manifestation of another prion, [PSI+]. We demonstrate that both curing of [URE3] and enhancement of [PSI+] in the presence of excess Cur1 are counteracted by the cochaperone Hsp40‐Sis1 in a dosage‐dependent manner, and show that the effect of Cur1 on prions parallels effects of the attachment of nuclear localization signal to Sis1, indicating that Cur1 acts on prions via its previously reported ability to relocalize Sis1 from the cytoplasm to nucleus. This shows that the direction in which Cur1 influences a prion depends on how this specific prion responds to relocalization of Sis1.
Globotriaosylsphingosine induces oxidative DNA damage in cultured kidney cells
Authors: Biancini Giovana Brondani , Morás Ana Moira , Reinhardt Luiza Steffens , Busatto Franciele Faccio , de Moura Sperotto Nathalia Denise , Saffi Jenifer , Moura Dinara Jaqueline , Giugliani Roberto , Vargas Carmen Regla
Published: April 2017

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal disorder caused by mutations leading to a deficient activity α‐galactosidase A with progressive and systemic accumulation of its substrates. Substrates deposition is related to tissue damage in FD, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain not completely understood. DNA damage has been associated with disease progression in chronic diseases and was recently described in high levels in Fabry patients. Once renal complications are major morbidity causes in FD, we investigated the effects of the latest biomarker for FD – globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso‐Gb3) in a cultured renal lineage – human embryonic kidney cells (HEK‐293 T) – on DNA damage. In concentrations found in Fabry patients, lyso‐Gb3 induced DNA damage (by alkaline comet assay) with oxidative origin in purines and pyrimidines (by comet assay with endonucleases). These data provide new information about a deleterious effect of lyso‐Gb3 and could be useful to studies looking for new therapeutic strategies to FD.
Parathyroid hormone targets in chronic kidney disease and managing severe hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Hawley Carmel M , Holt Stephen G
Published: April 2017

Appropriate targets for parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5D are controversial, as are the means by which these targets might be achieved. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is linked to symptoms like bone pain and itch, in addition to less clinically overt issues like bone fragility as well as vascular and soft tissue calcification which may lead to adverse hard endpoints, particularly fracture and death. Recognized therapies for managing a rising PTH include vitamin D analogues, with or without calcimimetic (where available), in addition to management of serum mineral concentrations with diet, binders and dialysis. Despite these interventions, many patients eventually develop refractory metabolic abnormalities of severe hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Treatment decisions in severe HPT in Australia previously centred around whether to perform parathyroidectomy or use calcimimetics in combination with calcitriol (or its analogues) with goals of symptom relief, fracture reduction and reducing vascular risk. The decision to remove Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reimbursement for the calcimimetic cinacalcet during 2015, means that parathyroidectomy has now become the only treatment likely to benefit most patients with severe HPT who are medically fit for operative intervention. Although improvements in care are apparent for patients with CKD, there remains an urgent need for basic science and large international trials to inform better ways to manage HPT.
Land plants drive photorespiration as higher electron‐sink: comparative study of post‐illumination transient O2‐uptake rates from liverworts to angiosperms through ferns and gymnosperms
Authors: Hanawa Hitomi , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Nohira Kana , Takagi Daisuke , Shimakawa Ginga , Sejima Takehiro , Shaku Keiichiro , Makino Amane , Miyake Chikahiro
Published: April 2017

In higher plants, the electron‐sink capacity of photorespiration contributes to alleviation of photoinhibition by dissipating excess energy under conditions when photosynthesis is limited. We addressed the question at which point in the evolution of photosynthetic organisms photorespiration began to function as electron sink and replaced the flavodiiron proteins which catalyze the reduction of O2 at photosystem I in cyanobacteria. Algae do not have a higher activity of photorespiration when CO2 assimilation is limited, and it can therefore not act as an electron sink. Using land plants (liverworts, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms) we compared photorespiration activity and estimated the electron flux driven by photorespiration to evaluate its electron‐sink capacity at CO2‐compensation point. In vivo photorespiration activity was estimated by the simultaneous measurement of O2‐exchange rate and chlorophyll fluorescence yield. All C3‐plants leaves showed transient O2‐uptake after actinic light illumination (post‐illumination transient O2‐uptake), which reflects photorespiration activity. Post‐illumination transient O2‐uptake rates increased in the order from liverworts to angiosperms through ferns and gymnosperms. Furthermore, photorespiration‐dependent electron flux in photosynthetic linear electron flow was estimated from post‐illumination transient O2‐uptake rate and compared with the electron flux in photosynthetic linear electron flow in order to evaluate the electron‐sink capacity of photorespiration. The electron‐sink capacity at the CO2‐compensation point also increased in the above order. In gymnosperms photorespiration was determined to be the main electron‐sink. C3–C4 intermediate species of Flaveria plants showed photorespiration activity, which intermediate between that of C3‐ and C4‐flaveria species. These results indicate that in the first land plants, liverworts, photorespiration started to function as electron sink. According to our hypothesis, the dramatic increase in partial pressure of O2 in the atmosphere about 0.4 billion years ago made it possible to drive photorespiration with higher activity in liverworts.
The emerging role of maxillofacial radiology in the diagnosis and management of patients with complex periodontitis
Authors: Scarfe William C. , Azevedo Bruno , Pinheiro Lucas R. , Priaminiarti Menik , Sales Marcelo A. O.
Published: April 2017

Contemporary periodontal therapy has evolved to become more interdisciplinary and increasingly involves more complex treatments, including bone and soft‐tissue regenerative procedures. Therapeutic options require an imaging modality or combination of techniques that are capable of providing a diagnostic osseous baseline and facilitating quantification of smaller increments of bony change, both loss and additive, which are comparable over time. Intra‐oral and panoramic radiography are the modalities most commonly used to identify the location, quantify the amount and the pattern of alveolar bone loss and determine response to therapy. Cone‐beam computed tomography imaging offers specific advantages for periodontal diagnosis in that three‐dimensional images of dental and alveolar bone structures can be rendered with accuracy. Cone‐beam computed tomography has been shown to be clinically efficacious in demonstrating localized defects, such as furcation involvement and intrabony vertical and buccal/lingual defects, and in assessing the effects of regenerative therapy. In these situations, limited‐field‐of‐view, high‐resolution protocols are indicated.
Management of periodontal health in children: pediatric dentistry and periodontology interface
Authors: Drummond Bernadette K. , Brosnan Michael G. , Leichter Jonathan W.
Published: April 2017

The oral health of children and adolescents mirrors their general health. Because oral health care is often delivered in isolation from general health care, oral signs and symptoms do not always alert practitioners to their significance beyond the mouth. An important example of this is the association of a higher risk of dental caries and periodontal disease in children and adolescents with overweight, obesity and prediabetic conditions. Oral‐health practitioners need to consider the health conditions that their patients may have. This will aid in diagnosis and alert the practitioner to oral conditions that may not resolve without general health‐care intervention also. This paper reviews the more common oral conditions involving periodontal health in children and adolescents, and discusses the diagnosis of these conditions, potential associated health problems and the roles of pediatric dentistry and periodontology in the management of these conditions with the goal of children entering adulthood with healthy dentitions.
The nexus between periodontics and oral pathology
Authors: Rich Alison M. , Seo Benedict , Parachuru Venkata , Hussaini Haizal M.
Published: April 2017

A wide variety of lesions may arise from the oral mucosa, fibrous connective tissue, bone and cementum of the periodontium. The commonest pathology occurs as a result of bacterial infection and is very well known to dentists and periodontists, but rarer conditions present as gingival pathology. The pathogenesis of these conditions ranges from genetic to traumatic to immunological to neoplastic, and includes benign, malignant and metastatic lesions. This paper outlines some of these conditions and describes how the periodontist and oral pathologist can work together using a framework, and how with careful consideration of the clinical features and the use of appropriate special tests, including obtaining an adequate tissue specimen, a timely and accurate diagnosis can be obtained.
Endotoxin testing of a wound debridement device containing medicinal Lucilia sericata larvae
Authors: Pickles Samantha F. , Pritchard David I.
Published: April 2017

Alimentary products of medicinal Lucilia sericata larvae are studied to determine their mechanisms of action, particularly in the contexts of wound debridement and disinfection. Furthermore, the larvae can be applied to patients in contained medical devices (such as the BioBag; BioMonde). Here, we tested the materials and larval content of the most commonly used debridement device (the “BB‐50”) to explore the possibility that endotoxins may be contributing to the bio‐activity of the product, given that endotoxins are potent stimulants of cellular activation. Using standardised protocols to collect larval alimentary products (LAP), we proceeded to determine residual endotoxin levels in LAP derived from the device, before and after the neutralisation of interfering enzymatic activity. The debridement device and its associated larval content was not a significant source of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity. However, it is clear from these experiments that a failure to remove the confounding serine proteinase activity would have resulted in spuriously high and erroneous results. The residual LPS levels detected are unlikely to be active in wound healing assays, following cross‐referencing to publications where LPS at much higher levels has been shown to have positive and negative effects on processes associated with wound repair and tissue regeneration.
Cost Analysis and Fuzzy Control for Collapsible Container Usage Based on Closed-Loop Supply Chain Model
Authors: Ou Xinyan , Arinez Jorge , Chang Qing , Xiao Guoxian
Published: April 2017

In the last decade, global competition has forced manufacturers to optimize logistics. The implementation of collapsible containers provides a new perspective for logistics cost savings, since using collapsible containers reduces the frequency of shipping freight. However, optimization of logistic cost is complicated due to the interactions in a system, such as market demand, inventory, production throughput, and uncertainty. Therefore, a systematic model and accurate estimation of the total cost and system performance are of great importance for decision making. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to describe deterministic and stochastic scenarios for a closed-loop container dynamic flow system. The uncertainties in a factory and a supplier are considered in the model. The performance evaluation of the collapsible container system and total cost estimation are provided through model analysis. Furthermore, fuzzy control method is proposed to monitor the processing rate of the supplier and the factory and to adjust the rate of the supplier operation then further reduce the logistic cost. A case study with a matlab simulation is presented to illustrate the accuracy of the mathematical model and the effectiveness of the fuzzy controller.
Directional asymmetries reveal a universal bias in adult vowel perception
Authors: Masapollo Matthew , Polka Linda , Molnar Monika , Ménard Lucie
Published: April 2017

Research on cross-language vowel perception in both infants and adults has shown that for many vowel contrasts, discrimination is easier when the same pair of vowels is presented in one direction compared to the reverse direction. According to one account, these directional asymmetries reflect a universal bias favoring “focal” vowels (i.e., vowels whose adjacent formants are close in frequency, which concentrates acoustic energy into a narrower spectral region). An alternative, but not mutually exclusive, account is that such effects reflect an experience-dependent bias favoring prototypical instances of native-language vowel categories. To disentangle the effects of focalization and prototypicality, the authors first identified a certain location in phonetic space where vowels were consistently categorized as /u/ by both Canadian-English and Canadian-French listeners, but that nevertheless varied in their stimulus goodness (i.e., the best Canadian-French /u/ exemplars were more focal compared to the best Canadian-English /u/ exemplars). In subsequent AX discrimination tests, both Canadian-English and Canadian-French listeners performed better at discriminating changes from less to more focal /u/'s compared to the reverse, regardless of variation in prototypicality. These findings demonstrate a universal bias favoring vowels with greater formant convergence that operates independently of biases related to language-specific prototype categorization.
Genome Sequence of
Microbacterium
sp. Strain TPU 3598, a Lumichrome Producer
Authors: Yamamoto Kazunori , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: April 2017

We report here the genome sequence of
Microbacterium
sp. strain TPU 3598, previously described as a producer of lumichrome. The sequenced genome size is 3,787,270 bp, the average G+C content is 68.39%, and 3,674 protein-coding sequences are predicted.