bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The art of living
Authors: McKay Belinda
Published: November 2017

Vance Palmer’s The Passage (1930) and Eleanor Dark’s Lantana Lane (1959) bracket the period during which the narrow coastal strip north of Brisbane from the Pumicestone Passage to the Noosa River was being transformed economically and culturally into what we know today as the Sunshine Coast. In the 1920s and 1950s respectively, Palmer and Dark participated in changing the region, and as established writers they reflected upon that metamorphosis in literary works that reached a national audience at a time when Brisbane’s near north coast was off the beaten track for professional writers. But for millennia prior to colonisation, this area had sustained a vibrant economy and culture centred on bunyas from the mountains and seafood from the coast. By the late nineteenth century, this vast economic and cultural network had been radically disrupted by the incursions of timber-getters and pastoralists, and many of the traditional owners who had survived the frontier wars had been removed. While the inscription of a new identity on the region in the twentieth century was driven by the real estate speculators who coined the name ‘Sunshine Coast’, Palmer in The Passage and Dark in Lantana Lane share a more cooperative, sustainable, egalitarian and anti-imperialist vision for the region, with some indirect and ambiguous debts to its Aboriginal past.
Dairy farm philosopher
Authors: Osborne Roger
Published: November 2017

While working as a dairy farmer in the Sunshine Coast hinterland during the 1920s, Jack McKinney began contributing short stories to the popular weekly, the Australian Journal. Drawing on his own experience and sense of humour, he developed these stories into a series, ‘According to Noonan’, which the Australian Journal published until 1939 and reprised in the 1950s. This article will examine these stories and consider them in relation to McKinney’s later life and writing.
Sylvia Martin, 'Ink in her Veins: The Troubled Life of Aileen Palmer', Perth: UWA Publishing, 2016, 327 pp., ISBN 9 7817 4258 8254, A$29.99
Authors: Hergenhan Laurie
Published: November 2017

Sylvia Martin, Ink in her Veins: The Troubled Life of Aileen Palmer, Perth: UWA Publishing, 2016, 327 pp., ISBN 9 7817 4258 8254, A$29.99
Lesley Williams and Tammy Williams, 'Not Just Black and White: A Conversation Between a Mother and Daughter', Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, 2015, 344 pp., ISBN 9 7807 0225 3843, A$32.95
Authors: Barney Katelyn
Published: November 2017

Lesley Williams and Tammy Williams, Not Just Black and White: A Conversation Between a Mother and Daughter, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, 2015, 344 pp., ISBN 9 7807 0225 3843, A$32.95
COST OF CURE DAMAGES AND THE RELEVANCE OF THE INJURED PROMISEE'S INTENTION TO CURE
Authors: Rowan Solène
Published: November 2017

The article focuses on whether, when considering whether to award cost of cure damages, the courts take account of what the injured promisee to a breach of contract does, or intends to do, with his damages award, and whether or not they should take account of it. This issue has given rise to divergent approaches and some confusion in the cases. The article seeks to shed new light on the issue and considers possible ways of resolving the confusion.
THE “UNITARY EXERCISE” OF CONTRACTUAL INTERPRETATION
Authors: Havelock Rohan
Published: November 2017

LORD Hoffmann's famous “restatement” of the principles of contractual interpretation in Investors Compensation Scheme v West Bromwich Building Society [1998] 1 W.L.R. 896, 912–13, was heralded as a “quiet revolution” (McLauchlan (2000) 19 N.Z.U.L.R. 147, at 148) in that it appeared to overthrow the legalistic approach of the past. That approach, often associated with the “plain meaning rule” (Bank of New Zealand v Simpson [1990] A.C. 182 (PC), 189) involved giving effect to the expressed meaning of the text, which (limited exceptions aside) could not be contradicted by the relevant background (or matrix of fact). By contrast, the approach in ICS mandated the Court to search for the apparently intended meaning by consulting the relevant and admissible background in all cases. The ICS approach rapidly became dominant, and indeed orthodox, across multiple jurisdictions. However, in a series of judgments commencing with Re Sigma Finance Corporation [2009] UKSC 2; [2010] 1 All E.R. 571, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has gradually moved away from the approach in ICS (albeit without expressly overruling it) and emphasised the importance of giving effect to the natural and ordinary meaning of the words used, in combination with other factors (see especially Marley v Rawlings [2014] UKSC 2; [2014] 2 W.L.R. 213, at [18]–[19]; Arnold v Britton [2015] UKSC 36; [2015] A.C. 1619, at [14]–[23]). This return to a more traditional approach to interpretation vindicates sustained criticism of the validity of the ICS approach in principle and practice (see e.g. Staughton [1999] C.L.J. 303; Berg (2006) 122 L.Q.R. 354; Buxton [2010] C.L.J. 253).
COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC AND ACCESSORY COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Authors: Angelopoulos Christina
Published: November 2017

In recent judgments, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has been developing its interpretation of the notion of “communication to the public”. This forms one of the exclusive rights of copyright holders that have been harmonised by the InfoSoc Directive (Directive 2001/29/EC (OJ 2001 L 167 p.1)). As was established in 2006 (Case C-306/05, Sociedad General de Autores y Editores de España (SGAE) v Rafael Hoteles, ECLI:EU:C:2006:764, at [31]), despite the lack of an explicit definition in that directive, the notion of a “communication to the public” must be given “an autonomous and uniform interpretation” throughout the EU. This finding initially resulted in the creation of a considerable amount of uncertainty for national courts. The gradual accumulation of information through subsequent CJEU judgments has begun to bring some clarity, while also raising new questions.
AGRO-ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ASSESSMENT OF SILVOPASTORAL EXPERIENCES IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO: TOWARDS A METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL
Authors: MARINIDOU ELENI , JIMÉNEZ-FERRER GUILLERMO , SOTO-PINTO LORENA , FERGUSON BRUCE G. , SALDÍVAR-MORENO ANTONIO
Published: November 2017

In response to the current needs of humanity with regard to food production, environmental disasters and climate change, it is important to define (livestock) production systems and management practices that are both productive and ecologically sustainable. We qualitatively assessed advanced silvopastoral experiences in five ecologically and culturally distinct regions in Chiapas, Mexico, given their ability to provide key services: internal (productivity and productive resiliency) and external (climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation). We propose 20 indicators that reflect management, resources, use of external inputs, availability of food, commercial products and animal feed and trees in grazing and forest areas. Sets of some indicators form criteria for dependence on external inputs, productive diversification with emphasis on food security, soil conservation, tree cover and landscape connectivity, among others. Indicators and thresholds were adjusted to critical (traffic light) levels, based on field data. Comparing the levels reached by the studied experiences, we found that most of the resulting services go hand in hand; so ‘win–win’ situations are possible to be achieved. The elements and practices that affect both internal and external services were explored. The red light critical points in each production unit were identified so that they could be attended. Experiences that presented higher levels in assessment criteria could serve as examples to enable the improvement of livestock systems under similar conditions. We propose this assessment as a tool for rapid intervention that can be widely applied to livestock systems, from conventional to organic or diversified, because of the criteria used. However, it can be more flexible, as new criteria can be added and thresholds can be adjusted for other types of production systems, always reflecting local and desired conditions. The proposed indicators can be also used as a basis for a quantitative agroecosystem assessment.
Monorchis lewisi n. sp. (Trematoda: Monorchiidae) from the surf bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Sparidae), in Moreton Bay, Australia
Authors: Cribb T.H. , Wee N.Q.-X. , Bray R.A. , Cutmore S.C.
Published: November 2017

We describe Monorchis lewisi n. sp. (Monorchiidae) from the surf bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther, 1859) (Sparidae), in Moreton Bay, eastern Australia. The new species differs from most existing species of Monorchis Monticelli, 1893 in its possession of an elongate I-shaped excretory vesicle, and from other congeners in the relative configuration of the gut and suckers. Ovipusillus mayu Dove & Cribb, 1998 is re-reported from Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskål, 1775) (Carangidae) from Moreton Bay. We report new second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and 28S rDNA sequence data for both species. Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses of the 28S rDNA dataset suggest that existing subfamily and genus concepts within the family require substantial revision.
Keeping it simple: the grammatical properties of shared book reading
Authors: NOBLE Claire H. , CAMERON-FAULKNER Thea , LIEVEN Elena
Published: November 2017

The positive effects of shared book reading on vocabulary and reading development are well attested (e.g., Bus, van Ijzendoorn, & Pellegrini, 1995). However, the role of shared book reading in grammatical development remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a construction-based analysis of caregivers’ child-directed speech during shared book reading and toy play and compared the grammatical profile of the child-directed speech generated during the two activities. The findings indicate that (a) the child-directed speech generated by shared book reading contains significantly more grammatically rich constructions than child-directed speech generated by toy play, and (b) the grammatical profile of the book itself affects the grammatical profile of the child-directed speech generated by shared book reading.
High-temperature stress during drying improves subsequent rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed longevity
Authors: Whitehouse Katherine J. , Hay Fiona R. , Ellis Richard H.
Published: November 2017

Post-harvest drying prolongs seed survival in air-dry storage; previous research has shown a benefit of drying moist rice seeds at temperatures greater than recommended for genebanks (5–20°C). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a temperature limit for safely drying rice seeds, and to explore whether the benefit to longevity is caused by high-temperature stress or continued seed development. Seeds of two rice varieties were harvested at different stages of development and dried initially either over silica gel, or intermittently (8 h day–1) or continuously (24 h day–1) over MgCl2 at temperatures between 15 and 60°C for up to 3 days. Seeds dried more rapidly the warmer the temperature. Subsequent seed longevity in hermetic storage (45°C and 10.9% moisture content) was substantially improved by increase in drying temperature up to 45°C in both cultivars, and also with further increase from 45 to 60°C in cv. ‘Macassane’. The benefit of high-temperature drying to subsequent longevity tended to diminish the later the stage of development at seed harvest. Intermittent or continuous drying at high temperatures provided broadly similar improvements to longevity, but with the greatest improvements detected in a few treatment combinations with continuous drying. Heated-air drying of rice seeds harvested before maturity improved their subsequent storage longevity by more than that which occurred during subsequent development in planta, which may have resulted from the triggering of protection mechanisms in response to high-temperature stress.
RACE, CRIMINAL INJUSTICE FRAMES, AND THE LEGITIMATION OF CARCERAL INEQUALITY AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
Authors: Pickett Justin T. , Ryon Stephanie Bontrager
Published: November 2017

Michelle Alexander argues that carceral inequality and mass incarceration together have created a “new racial caste system” in America (2010, p. 11). She contends that only a race-conscioussocial movement that engages both legal actors and the public can dismantle this system of racial control. Unfortunately, very little research has examined views about carceral inequality. Little is known about the attitudes of juvenile and criminal justice workers. We build on and integrate three literatures—scholarship on the framing perspective, comparative conflict theory, and group position theory and racial ideology—to develop a theoretical model of attitudes toward carceral inequality. We hypothesize that race influences the resonance of attributional frames, especially criminal injustice frames, but endorsement of these frames represents the primary factor shaping judgments about whether carceral inequality is a social problem (propriety, urgency, severity and policy frames). For several decades, framing efforts have been underway aimed at mobilizing JCJW to reduce racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. And most offenders first have contact with the state as juveniles. Accordingly, to test our theory, we analyze data on views about carceral inequality in the juvenile justice system—or disproportionate minority contact—among a nationwide sample of justice workers (N = 543). The findings show that race is strongly associated with attributional frames about carceral inequality, and is indirectly related, through attributional frames, to endorsement of propriety, urgency, severity, and policy frames about carceral inequality.
Patientenversorgung in der Nacht auf akutpsychiatrischen Stationen
Authors: Durrer Michael , Zemp Dominic
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Zeitgebundene Kontrollgänge, wie jene des "zweistündlichen Rundens" in der Nacht, bilden eine Illusion von Sicherheit, welche bei genauerer Betrachtung keine ist. Das Praxisprojekt "Aktive Patientenkontakte in der Nacht" zeigt den Veränderungsprozess auf vier Akutstationen der Luzerner Psychiatrie (﻿lups﻿), zur Auflösung dieser Regel, von der Fragestellung bis zur Umsetzung eines neuen Konzepts.
„In der psychiatrischen Pflege hat sich alles verändert“
Authors: Rogge Stefan
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Wer kennt Heinz Lepper nicht? In der deutschsprachigen psychiatrischen Pflegeszene zählt er zu den Altvorderen. Bis zum Februar 2017 arbeitete Lepper als Pflegedirektor an der LVR-Klinik Bonn. In dieser Position stand er in den vergangenen Jahren der Berufsgruppe der Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegenden vor und prägte als Vorstandsmitglied die Entwicklung der Klinik. Daneben war er viele Jahre Vorsitzender der Bundesfachvereinigung Leitender Krankenpflegekräfte (BFLK). Grund genug, kurz nach seinem Eintritt in den wohlverdienten Ruhestand, sich mit Heinz Lepper für ein Gespräch über die vergangenen beruflichen Jahrzehnte zu treffen. Stefan Rogge hat die Gelegenheit genutzt.
Mutational and putative neoantigen load predict clinical benefit of adoptive T cell therapy in melanoma
Authors: Lauss Martin , Donia Marco , Harbst Katja , Andersen Rikke , Mitra Shamik , Rosengren Frida , Salim Maryem , Vallon-Christersson Johan , Törngren Therese , Kvist Anders , Ringnér Markus , Svane Inge Marie , Jönsson Göran
Published: November 2017

Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) is a highly intensive immunotherapy regime that has yielded remarkable response rates and many durable responses in clinical trials in melanoma; however, 50–60% of the patients have no clinical benefit. Here, we searched for predictive biomarkers to ACT in melanoma. Whole exome- and transcriptome sequencing and neoantigen prediction were applied to pre-treatment samples from 27 patients recruited to a clinical phase I/II trial of ACT in stage IV melanoma. All patients had previously progressed on other immunotherapies. We report that clinical benefit is associated with significantly higher predicted neoantigen load. High mutation and predicted neoantigen load are significantly associated with improved progression-free and overall survival. Further, clinical benefit is associated with the expression of immune activation signatures including a high MHC-I antigen processing and presentation score. These results improve our understanding of mechanisms behind clinical benefit of ACT in melanoma.
Fusion guide RNAs for orthogonal gene manipulation with Cas9 and Cpf1
Authors: Kweon Jiyeon , Jang An-Hee , Kim Da-eun , Yang Jin Wook , Yoon Mijung , Rim Shin Ha , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Yongsub
Published: November 2017

The bacteria-derived clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)–Cas systems are powerful tools for genome engineering. Recently, in addition to Cas protein engineering, the improvement of guide RNAs are also performed, contributing to broadening the research area of CRISPR–Cas9 systems. Here we develop a fusion guide RNA (fgRNA) that functions with both Cas9 and Cpf1 proteins to induce mutations in human cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fgRNAs can be used in multiplex genome editing and orthogonal genome manipulation with two types of Cas proteins. Our results show that fgRNAs can be used as a tool for performing multiple gene manipulations.
Heme enables proper positioning of Drosha and DGCR8 on primary microRNAs
Authors: Partin Alexander C. , Ngo Tri D. , Herrell Emily , Jeong Byung-Cheon , Hon Gary , Nam Yunsun
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs regulate the expression of many proteins and require specific maturation steps. Primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRs) are cleaved by Microprocessor, a complex containing the RNase Drosha and its partner protein, DGCR8. Although DGCR8 is known to bind heme, the molecular role of heme in pri-miR processing is unknown. Here we show that heme is critical for Microprocessor to process pri-miRs with high fidelity. Furthermore, the degree of inherent heme dependence varies for different pri-miRs. Heme-dependent pri-miRs fail to properly recruit Drosha, but heme-bound DGCR8 can correct erroneous binding events. Rather than changing the oligomerization state, heme induces a conformational change in DGCR8. Finally, we demonstrate that heme activates DGCR8 to recognize pri-miRs by specifically binding the terminal loop near the 3′ single-stranded segment.
Generation of interspecies limited chimeric nephrons using a conditional nephron progenitor cell replacement system
Authors: Yamanaka S. , Tajiri S. , Fujimoto T. , Matsumoto K. , Fukunaga S. , Kim B. S. , Okano H. J. , Yokoo T.
Published: November 2017

Animal fetuses and embryos may have applications in the generation of human organs. Progenitor cells may be an appropriate cell source for regenerative organs because of their safety and availability. However, regenerative organs derived from exogenous lineage progenitors in developing animal fetuses have not yet been obtained. Here, we established a combination system through which donor cells could be precisely injected into the nephrogenic zone and native nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) could be eliminated in a time- and tissue-specific manner. We successfully achieved removal of Six2+ NPCs within the nephrogenic niche and complete replacement of transplanted NPCs with donor cells. These NPCs developed into mature glomeruli and renal tubules, and blood flow was observed following transplantation in vivo. Furthermore, this artificial nephron could be obtained using NPCs from different species. Thus, this technique enables in vivo differentiation from progenitor cells into nephrons, providing insights into nephrogenesis and organ regeneration.
Daily Time-Use Patterns and Obesity and Mental Health among Primary School Students in Shanghai: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Yunting , Zhang Donglan , Li Xinyue , Ip Patrick , Ho Frederick , Jiang Yanrui , Sun Wanqi , Zhu Qi , Zhu Weiming , Zhang Jun , Zhao Hongyu , Wang Guanghai , Shen Xiaoming , Jiang Fan
Published: November 2017

Physical activity, screen viewing, sleep, and homework among children have been independently linked to health outcomes. However, few studies have assessed the independent associations between time spent in daily activities and children’s physical and mental health. This study describes time spent in four activities among primary school students in Shanghai, and examines the relationship between daily time-use patterns and obesity and mental health. The representative sample consists of 17,318 children aged 6–11 years in Shanghai. Time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activities (MVPA), screen viewing, sleep, and homework was measured by validated questionnaires. Logistic regressions were performed. We also fitted generalized additive models (GAM) and performed two-objective optimization to minimize the probability of poor mental health and obesity. In 2014, 33.7% of children spent ˂1 hour/day on MVPA, 15.6% spent ≥ 2 hours/day on screen viewing, 12.4% spent ˂ 9 hours/day on sleep, and 27.2% spent ≥ 2 hours/day on homework. The optimization results suggest that considering the 24-hour time limit, children face trade-offs when allocating time. A priority should be given to the duration of sleep and MVPA. Screen exposure should be minimized to save more time for sleep and other beneficial activities.
Increased core body temperature in astronauts during long-duration space missions
Authors: Stahn Alexander C. , Werner Andreas , Opatz Oliver , Maggioni Martina A. , Steinach Mathias , von Ahlefeld Victoria Weller , Moore Alan , Crucian Brian E. , Smith Scott M. , Zwart Sara R. , Schlabs Thomas , Mendt Stefan , Trippel Tobias , Koralewski Eberhard , Koch Jochim , Choukèr Alexander , Reitz Günther , Shang Peng , Röcker Lothar , Kirsch Karl A. , Gunga Hanns-Christian
Published: November 2017

Humans’ core body temperature (CBT) is strictly controlled within a narrow range. Various studies dealt with the impact of physical activity, clothing, and environmental factors on CBT regulation under terrestrial conditions. However, the effects of weightlessness on human thermoregulation are not well understood. Specifically, studies, investigating the effects of long-duration spaceflight on CBT at rest and during exercise are clearly lacking. We here show that during exercise CBT rises higher and faster in space than on Earth. Moreover, we observed for the first time a sustained increased astronauts’ CBT also under resting conditions. This increase of about 1 °C developed gradually over 2.5 months and was associated with augmented concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, a key anti-inflammatory protein. Since even minor increases in CBT can impair physical and cognitive performance, both findings have a considerable impact on astronauts’ health and well-being during future long-term spaceflights. Moreover, our findings also pinpoint crucial physiological challenges for spacefaring civilizations, and raise questions about the assumption of a thermoregulatory set point in humans, and our evolutionary ability to adapt to climate changes on Earth.
An estimate of diapycnal nutrient fluxes to the euphotic zone in the Florida Straits
Authors: Zhang Jia-Zhong , Baringer Molly O. , Fischer Charles J. , Hooper V. James A.
Published: November 2017

A recent hydrographic survey of the Florida Current at 27°N revealed an enhanced upward flux of nutrients along the Florida coast. Geostrophic flow of the Gulf Stream through the narrow Florida Straits causes an uplift of the nutricline toward its western edge, shoaling the mixed layers into the base of the euphotic zone. At a nearshore station, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate concentrations reached 19, 1.4, and 10 µM, respectively, at a water depth of 27 m. Furthermore, nutrient vertical gradients below the mixed layer increased with decreasing seafloor depth toward the Florida coast. The estimated vertical eddy diffusive nutrient fluxes across diapycnal surfaces reached 0.40–83.7, 0.03–6.24, and 0.24–45.5 mmol m−2 d−1 for nitrate, phosphate, and silicate, respectively, along the shore. Estimated fluxes span a wide range due to the range of diffusivity measured. The lower end of estimated fluxes are comparable to open ocean values, but higher end of estimates are two orders of magnitude greater than those observed in open ocean. The diapycnal nutrient fluxes declined rapidly offshore as a result of decreasing vertical gradients of nutrient concentration.
Fate tracing of hepatocytes in mouse liver
Authors: Gu Xiaowen , Huang Danyi , Ci Lei , Shi Jiahao , Zhang Mengjie , Yang Hua , Wang Zhugang , Sheng Zhejin , Sun Ruilin , Fei Jian
Published: November 2017

Hepatocytes perform most of the functions of the liver and are considered terminally differentiated cells. Recently, it has been suggested that hepatocytes might have the potential to transdifferentiate or dedifferentiate under physiological or pathological conditions in vivo. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes in liver fibrosis has also been proposed. However, these findings have not been fully confirmed. In this study, hepatocytes were genetically labelled for cell fate tracing using lacZ via the tamoxifen-induced CreERT/loxP system. After induction with tamoxifen, alb + cells were permanently marked by lacZ expression, and all progeny lacZ + cells were derived from a single source with no interference. We did not observe transdifferentiation or dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into cholangiocytes or hepatic progenitor cells under conditions of liver homeostasis or following a 2/3 partial hepatectomy. Meanwhile, lacZ/OPN-positive cells were observed in livers of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine-fed mice, and lacZ/alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were detected in carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury models. These results suggested that some existing differentiated alb + cells might have the potential of transdifferentiation/dedifferentiation or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in vivo in some liver injury models, but the proportion of these alb + cells in liver was very low, and their significance and actual function during the pathological process remains to be elucidated.
Genome-wide proteomic profiling reveals the role of dominance protein expression in heterosis in immature maize ears
Authors: Hu Xiaojiao , Wang Hongwu , Li Kun , Wu Yujin , Liu Zhifang , Huang Changling
Published: November 2017

Heterosis refers to the phenomenon in which hybrid progeny show superior performance relative to their parents. Early maize ear development shows strong heterosis in ear architecture traits and greatly affects grain yield. To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, genome-wide proteomics of immature ears of maize hybrid ZD909 and its parents were analyzed using tandem mass tag (TMT) technology. A total of 9,713 proteins were identified in all three genotypes. Among them, 3,752 (38.6%) proteins were differentially expressed between ZD909 and its parents. Multiple modes of protein action were discovered in the hybrid, while dominance expression patterns accounted for 63.6% of the total differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Protein pathway enrichment analysis revealed that high parent dominance proteins mainly participated in carbon metabolism and nitrogen assimilation processes. Our results suggested that the dominant expression of favorable alleles related to C/N metabolism in the hybrid may be essential for ZD909 ear growth and heterosis formation. Integrated analysis of proteomic and quantitative trait locus (QTL) data further support our DEP identification and provide useful information for the discovery of genes associated with ear development. Our study provides comprehensive insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis in immature maize ears from a proteomic perspective.
Association of protein kinase CK2 inhibition with cellular radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Qianwen , Li Ke , Yang Tianyang , Zhang Sheng , Zhou Yu , Li Zhenyu , Xiong Jinrong , Zhou Fangzheng , Zhou Xiaoshu , Liu Li , Meng Rui , Wu Gang
Published: November 2017

Protein kinase CK2 is a highly conserved protein Ser/Thr protein kinase and plays important roles in cell proliferation, protein translation and cell survival. This study investigated the possibility of using CK2 inhibition as a new approach for increasing the efficacy of radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanisms. Kinase inhibition of CK2 was attempted either by using the specific CK2 inhibitor, Quinalizarin or by applying siRNA interference technology to silence the expression of the catalytic subunit of CK2 in A549 and H460 cells. The results showed that CK2α knockdown or Quinalizarin significantly enhanced the radiosensitivity of various NSCLC cells. The notable findings we observed after exposure to both CK2 inhibition and ionizing radiation (IR) were a prolonged delay in radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) repair, robust G2/M checkpoint arrest and increased apoptosis. In vivo studies further demonstrated that compared with each treatment alone, CK2 inhibition combined with IR reduced tumor growth in the H460 cell xenograft model. In conclusion, CK2 is a promising target for the enhancement of radiosensitivity in NSCLC.
Influence of Stage Cooling Method on Pore Architecture of Biomimetic Alginate Scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Yuanming , Wang Conger , Jiang Wei , Zuo Wenqian , Han Guangting
Published: November 2017

Porous scaffold is widely used in the field of tissue engineering. However, the anisotropic structure of actual extracellular matrix (ECM) of human tissue pose a challenge to the scaffold structure that pore size should be changed in gradient. Here we report a stage cooling method to fabricate alginate scaffold with gradient pores. Eight cooling models were set according to different temperature steps, different initial temperature, and different time duration. The thermal characterization of solution during cooling process were recorded and scaffold morphology were observed. The results revealed that the temperature steps mainly affected pore shape, while the initial temperature and time duration mainly affected pore size. By altering the initial temperature and time duration, scaffold exhibited cellular and gradually enlarged pores on the vertical axial direction (10–65 μm at base, 50–141 μm at top). With this stage cooling method, pore shape and pore size could be easily tailored and scaffold with gradient structure could be fabricated.
Arabidopsis RSS1 Mediates Cross-Talk Between Glucose and Light Signaling During Hypocotyl Elongation Growth
Authors: Singh Manjul , Gupta Aditi , Singh Dhriti , Khurana Jitendra P. , Laxmi Ashverya
Published: November 2017

Plants possess exuberant plasticity that facilitates its ability to adapt and survive under challenging environmental conditions. The developmental plasticity largely depends upon cellular elongation which is governed by a complex network of environmental and phytohormonal signals. Here, we report role of glucose (Glc) and Glc-regulated factors in controlling elongation growth and shade response in Arabidopsis. Glc controls shade induced hypocotyl elongation in a dose dependent manner. We have identified a Glc repressed factorREGULATED BY SUGAR AND SHADE1(RSS1) encoding for an atypical basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein of unknown biological function that is required for normal Glc actions. Phenotype analysis of mutant and overexpression lines suggested RSS1 to be a negative regulator of elongation growth. RSS1 affects overall auxin homeostasis. RSS1 interacts with the elongation growth-promoting proteins HOMOLOG OF BEE2 INTERACTING WITH IBH 1 (HBI1) and BR ENHANCED EXPRESSION2 (BEE2) and negatively affects the transcription of their downstream targets such asYUCs,INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID INDUCIBLE(IAAs),LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR-RED1(HFR1),HOMEOBOX PROTEIN 2(ATHB2),XYLOGLUCAN ENDOTRANSGLUCOSYLASE/HYDROLASES(XTHs) andEXPANSINS. We propose, Glc signals might maintain optimal hypocotyl elongation under multiple signals such as light, shade and phytohormones through the central growth regulatory bHLH/HLH module.
Functional diversity of topological modules in human protein-protein interaction networks
Authors: Liu Guangming , Wang Huixin , Chu Hongwei , Yu Jian , Zhou Xuezhong
Published: November 2017

A large-scale molecular interaction network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) enables the automatic detection of molecular functional modules through a computational approach. However, the functional modules that are typically detected by topological community detection algorithms may be diverse in functional homogeneity and are empirically considered to be default functional modules. Thus, a significant challenge that has been described but not elucidated is investigating the relationship between topological modules and functional modules. We systematically investigated this issue by initially using seven widely used community detection algorithms to partition the PPI network into communities. Four homogeneity measures were subsequently implemented to evaluate the functional homogeneity of protein community. We determined that a significant portion of topological modules with heterogeneous functionality exists and should be further investigated; moreover, these findings indicated that topologically based functional module detection approaches must be reconsidered. Furthermore, we found that the functional homogeneity of topological modules is positively correlated with their edge densities, degree of association with diseases and general Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Thus, topologically based module detection approaches should be used with caution in the identification of functional modules with high homogeneity
A study of splicing mutations in disorders of sex development
Authors: de Calais Flavia Leme , Smith Lindsay D. , Raponi Michela , Maciel-Guerra Andréa Trevas , Guerra-Junior Gil , de Mello Maricilda Palandi , Baralle Diana
Published: November 2017

The presence of splicing sequence variants in genes responsible for sex development in humans may compromise correct biosynthesis of proteins involved in the normal development of gonads and external genitalia. In a cohort of Brazilian patients, we identified mutations in HSD17B3 and SRD5A2 which are both required for human sexual differentiation. A number of these mutations occurred within regions potentially critical for splicing regulation. Minigenes were used to validate the functional effect of mutations in both genes. We evaluated the c.277 + 2 T > G mutation in HSD17B3, and the c.544 G > A, c.548-44 T > G and c.278delG mutations in SRD5A2. We demonstrated that these mutations altered the splicing pattern of these genes. In a genomic era these results illustrate, and remind us, that sequence variants within exon-intron boundaries, which are primarily identified for diagnostic purposes and have unknown pathogenicity, need to be assessed with regards to their impact not only on protein expression, but also on mRNA splicing.
Monocyte-derived exosomes upon exposure to cigarette smoke condensate alter their characteristics and show protective effect against cytotoxicity and HIV-1 replication
Authors: Haque Sanjana , Sinha Namita , Ranjit Sabina , Midde Narasimha M. , Kashanchi Fatah , Kumar Santosh
Published: November 2017

Smoking is known to exacerbate HIV-1 pathogenesis, especially in monocytes, through the oxidative stress pathway. Exosomes are known to alter HIV-1 pathogenesis through inter-cellular communication. However, the role of exosomes in smoking-mediated HIV-1 pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on the characteristics of monocyte-derived exosomes and their influence on HIV-1 replication. Initially, we demonstrated that CSC reduced total protein and antioxidant capacity in exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected and uninfected macrophages. The exosomes from CSC-treated uninfected cells showed a protective effect against cytotoxicity and viral replication in HIV-1-infected macrophages. However, exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected cells lost their protective capacity. The results suggest that the exosomal defense is likely to be more effective during the early phase of HIV-1 infection and diminishes at the latter phase. Furthermore, we showed CSC-mediated upregulation of catalase in exosomes from uninfected cells, with a decrease in the levels of catalase and PRDX6 in exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected cells. These results suggest a potential role of antioxidant enzymes, which are differentially packaged into CSC-exposed HIV-1-infected and uninfected cell-derived exosomes, on HIV-1 replication of recipient cells. Overall, our study suggests a novel role of exosomes in tobacco-mediated HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Coalescent-based delimitation outperforms distance-based methods for delineating less divergent species: the case of Kurixalus odontotarsus species group
Authors: Yu Guohua , Rao Dingqi , Matsui Masafumi , Yang Junxing
Published: November 2017

Few empirical studies have compared coalescent-based methods to distance-based methods for delimitation of less divergent species. In this study, we used two coalescent-based (BFD and BPP) and two distance-based barcoding (ABGD and jMOTU) methods to delimit closely related species in theKurixalus odontotarsusspecies group. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that theK. odontotarsusspecies group comprises 11 distinct maternal clades with strong support values. Based on the genetic and morphological evidences, we consider that species diversity in theK. odontotarsusspecies group was underestimated and the 11 clades represent 11 species, of which six are unnamed. The coalescent-based delimitations decisively supported the scenario of 11-species corresponding to the 11 clades. However, the distance-based ABGD only obtained 3–6 candidate species, which is not consistent with morphological evidence. These results indicate that BFD and BPP are more conservative than ABGD to false negatives (lumping). Method of fixed threshold (jMOTU) may obtain a resolution similar to that inferred by BFD and BPP, but it severely relies on subjective choice of the threshold and lacks statistical support. We consider that coalescent-based BFD and BPP approaches outperform distance-based methods for delineation of less divergent species.
Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae
Authors: Assis Renata de A. B. , Polloni Lorraine Cristina , Patané José S. L. , Thakur Shalabh , Felestrino Érica B. , Diaz-Caballero Julio , Digiampietri Luciano Antonio , Goulart Luiz Ricardo , Almeida Nalvo F. , Nascimento Rafael , Dandekar Abhaya M. , Zaini Paulo A. , Setubal João C. , Guttman David S. , Moreira Leandro Marcio
Published: November 2017

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria.
Analysis of the respiratory component of heart rate variability in the Cururu toad Rhinella schneideri
Authors: Zena Lucas A. , Leite Cléo A. C. , Longhini Leonardo S. , Dias Daniel P. M. , da Silva Glauber S. F. , Hartzler Lynn K. , Gargaglioni Luciane H. , Bícego Kênia C.
Published: November 2017

Beat-to-beat variation in heart rate (fH) has been used as a tool for elucidating the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of the heart. A portion of the temporal changes infHis evidenced by a respiratory influence (cardiorespiratory interaction) on heart rate variability (HRV) with heartbeats increasing and decreasing within a respiratory cycle. Nevertheless, little is known about respiratory effects on HRV in lower vertebrates. By using frequency domain analysis, we provide the first evidence of a ventilatory component in HRV similar to mammalian respiratory sinus arrhythmia in an amphibian, the toadRhinella schneideri. Increases in the heartbeats arose synchronously with each lung inflation cycle, an intermittent breathing pattern comprised of a series of successive lung inflations. A well-marked peak in the HRV signal matching lung inflation cycle was verified in toads whenever lung inflation cycles exhibit a regular rhythm. The cardiac beat-to-beat variation evoked at the moment of lung inflation accounts for both vagal and sympathetic influences. This cardiorespiratory interaction may arise from interactions between central and peripheral feedback mechanisms governing cardiorespiratory control and may underlie important cardiorespiratory adjustments for gas exchange improvement especially under extreme conditions like low oxygen availability.
Higher risk sexual behaviour is associated with unawareness of HIV-positivity and lack of viral suppression – implications for Treatment as Prevention
Authors: Huerga Helena , Venables Emilie , Ben-Farhat Jihane , van Cutsem Gilles , Ellman Tom , Kenyon Chris
Published: November 2017

Efficacy of Treatment as Prevention Strategy depends on a variety of factors including individuals’ likelihood to test and initiate treatment, viral load and sexual behaviour. We tested the hypothesis that people with higher risk sexual behaviour are less likely to know their HIV-positive status and be virologically suppressed. A cross-sectional population-based survey of individuals aged 15–59 years old was conducted in 2013 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A two-stage cluster probability sampling was used. After adjustment for age and sex, lack of awareness of HIV-positivity was strongly associated with having more than one sexual partner in the preceding year (aOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.5–3.1). Inconsistent condom use was more common in individuals with more than one sexual partner (aOR: 16.6, 95%CI: 7.6–36.7) and those unaware (aOR: 3.7, 95%CI: 2.6–5.4). Among people aware of their HIV-positivity, higher risk sexual behaviour was associated with lack of viral suppression (aOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1–4.5). Risky sexual behaviour seems associated with factors linked to poor health-seeking behaviour which may have negative implications for HIV testing and Treatment as Prevention. Innovative strategies, driven by improved epidemiological and anthropological understanding, are needed to enable comprehensive approaches to HIV prevention.
mTORC1 suppresses PIM3 expression via miR-33 encoded by the SREBP loci
Authors: Kelsey Ilana , Zbinden Marie , Byles Vanessa , Torrence Margaret , Manning Brendan D.
Published: November 2017

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a central regulator of cell growth that is often aberrantly activated in cancer. However, mTORC1 inhibitors, such as rapamycin, have limited effectiveness as single agent cancer therapies, with feedback mechanisms inherent to the signaling network thought to diminish the anti-tumor effects of mTORC1 inhibition. Here, we identify the protein kinase and proto-oncogene PIM3 as being repressed downstream of mTORC1 signaling. PIM3 expression is suppressed in cells with loss of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) tumor suppressors, which exhibit growth factor-independent activation of mTORC1, and in the mouse liver upon feeding-induced activation of mTORC1. Inhibition of mTORC1 with rapamycin induces PIM3 transcript and protein levels in a variety of settings. Suppression of PIM3 involves the sterol regulatory element-binding (SREBP) transcription factors SREBP1 and 2, whose activation and mRNA expression are stimulated by mTORC1 signaling. We find that PIM3 repression is mediated by miR-33, an intronic microRNA encoded within the SREBP loci, the expression of which is decreased with rapamycin. These results demonstrate that PIM3 is induced upon mTORC1 inhibition, with potential implications for the effects of mTORC1 inhibitors in TSC, cancers, and the many other disease settings influenced by aberrant mTORC1 signaling.
Interaction Effects of AFB1 and MC-LR Co-exposure with Polymorphism of Metabolic Genes on Liver Damage: focusing on SLCO1B1 and GSTP1
Authors: Yang Xiaohong , Liu Wenyi , Lin Hui , Zeng Hui , Zhang Renping , Pu Chaowen , Wang Lingqiao , Zheng Chuanfen , Tan Yao , Luo Yang , Feng Xiaobin , Tian Yingqiao , Xiao Guosheng , Wang Jia , Huang Yujing , Luo Jiaohua , Qiu Zhiqun , Chen Ji-an , Wu Liping , He Lixiong , Shu Weiqun
Published: November 2017

AFB1 and MC-LR are two major environmental risk factors for liver damage worldwide, especially in warm and humid areas, but there are individual differences in health response of the toxin-exposed populations. Therefore, we intended to identify the susceptible genes in transport and metabolic process of AFB1 and MC-LR and find their effects on liver damage. We selected eight related SNPs that may affect liver damage outcomes in AFB1 and MC-LR exposed persons, and enrolled 475 cases with liver damage and 475 controls of healthy people in rural areas of China. The eight SNPs were genotyped by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. We found that SLCO1B1 (T521C) is a risk factor for liver damage among people exposed to high AFB1 levels alone or combined with MC-LR, and that GSTP1 (A1578G) could indicate the risk of liver damage among those exposed to high MC-LR levels alone or combined with high AFB1 levels. However, GSTP1 (A1578G) could reduce the risk of liver damage in populations exposed to low MC-LR levels alone or combined with high AFB1 levels. In conclusion, SLCO1B1 (T521C) and GSTP1 (A1578G) are susceptible genes for liver damage in humans exposed to AFB1 and/or MC-LR in rural areas of China.