bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evolutionarily conserved P‐subfamily pentatricopeptide repeat protein is required to splice the plastid ndhA transcript in the moss Physcomitrella patens and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ito Ayaka , Sugita Chieko , Ichinose Mizuho , Kato Yoshinobu , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Shikanai Toshiharu , Sugita Mamoru
Published: March 2018

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are known to play important roles in post‐transcriptional regulation in plant organelles. However, the function of the majority of PPR proteins remains unknown. To examine their functions, Physcomitrella patens PpPPR_66 knockout (KO) mutants were generated and characterized. The KO mosses exhibited a wild‐type‐like growth phenotype but showed aberrant chlorophyll fluorescence due to defects in chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase‐like (NDH) activity. Immunoblot analysis suggested that disruption of PpPPR_66 led to a complete loss of the chloroplast NDH complex. To examine whether the loss of PpPPR_66 affects the expression of plastid ndh genes, the transcript levels of 11 plastid ndh genes were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. This analysis indicated that splicing of the ndhA transcript was specifically impaired while mRNA accumulation levels as well as the processing patterns of other plastid ndh genes were not affected in the KO mutants. Complemented PpPPR_66 KO lines transformed with the PpPPR_66 full‐length cDNA rescued splicing of the ndhA transcript. Arabidopsis thaliana T‐DNA tagged lines of a PPR_66 homolog (At2 g35130) showed deficient splicing of the ndhA transcript. This indicates that the two proteins are functionally conserved between bryophytes and vascular plants. An in vitro RNA‐binding assay demonstrated that the recombinant PpPPR_66 bound preferentially to the region encompassing a part of exon 1 to a 5′ part of the ndhA group II intron. Taken together, these results indicate that PpPPR_66 acts as a specific factor to splice ndhA pre‐mRNA.
Mechanism of Darunavir (DRV)’s High Genetic Barrier to HIV-1 Resistance: A Key V32I Substitution in Protease Rarely Occurs, but Once It Occurs, It Predisposes HIV-1 To Develop DRV Resistance
Authors: Aoki Manabu , Das Debananda , Hayashi Hironori , Aoki-Ogata Hiromi , Takamatsu Yuki , Ghosh Arun K. , Mitsuya Hiroaki
Published: March 2018

Darunavir (DRV) has bimodal activity against HIV-1 protease, enzymatic inhibition and protease dimerization inhibition, and has an extremely high genetic barrier against development of drug resistance. We previously generated a highly DRV-resistant HIV-1 variant (HIV
DRV
R
P51
). We also reported that four amino acid substitutions (V32I, L33F, I54M, and I84V) identified in the protease of HIV
DRV
R
P51
are largely responsible for its high-level resistance to DRV. Here, we attempted to elucidate the role of each of the four amino acid substitutions in the development of DRV resistance. We found that V32I is a key substitution, which rarely occurs, but once it occurs, it predisposes HIV-1 to develop high-level DRV resistance. When two infectious recombinant HIV-1 clones carrying I54M and I84V (rHIV
I54M
and rHIV
I84V
, respectively) were selected in the presence of DRV, V32I emerged, and the virus rapidly developed high-level DRV resistance. rHIV
V32I
also developed high-level DRV resistance. However, wild-type HIV
NL4-3
(rHIV
WT
) failed to acquire V32I and did not develop DRV resistance. Compared to rHIV
WT
, rHIV
V32I
was highly susceptible to DRV and had significantly reduced fitness, explaining why V32I did not emerge upon selection of rHIV
WT
with DRV. When the only substitution is at residue 32, structural analysis revealed much stronger van der Waals interactions between DRV and I-32 than between DRV and V-32. These results suggest that V32I is a critical amino acid substitution in multiple pathways toward HIV-1’s DRV resistance development and elucidate, at least in part, a mechanism of DRV’s high genetic barrier to development of drug resistance. The results also show that attention should be paid to the initiation or continuation of DRV-containing regimens in people with HIV-1 containing the V32I substitution.

IMPORTANCE
Darunavir (DRV) is the only protease inhibitor (PI) recommended as a first-line therapeutic and represents the most widely used PI for treating HIV-1-infected individuals. DRV possesses a high genetic barrier to development of HIV-1’s drug resistance. However, the mechanism(s) of the DRV’s high genetic barrier remains unclear. Here, we show that the preexistence of certain single amino acid substitutions such as V32I, I54M, A71V, and I84V in HIV-1 protease facilitates the development of high-level DRV resistance. Interestingly, all
in vitro
-selected highly DRV-resistant HIV-1 variants acquired V32I but never emerged in wild-type HIV (HIV
WT
), and V32I itself rendered HIV-1 more sensitive to DRV and reduced viral fitness compared to HIV
WT
, strongly suggesting that the emergence of V32I plays a critical role in the development of HIV-1’s resistance to DRV. Our results would be of benefit in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients receiving DRV-containing regimens.
Carbapenem-Resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Exhibiting Clinically Undetected Colistin Heteroresistance Leads to Treatment Failure in a Murine Model of Infection
Authors: Band Victor I. , Satola Sarah W. , Burd Eileen M. , Farley Monica M. , Jacob Jesse T. , Weiss David S.
Published: March 2018

Antibiotic resistance is a growing crisis and a grave threat to human health. It is projected that antibiotic-resistant infections will lead to 10 million annual deaths worldwide by the year 2050. Among the most significant threats are carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE), including carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CRKP), which lead to mortality rates as high as 40 to 50%. Few treatment options are available to treat CRKP, and the polymyxin antibiotic colistin is often the “last-line” therapy. However, resistance to colistin is increasing. Here, we identify multidrug-resistant, carbapenemase-positive CRKP isolates that were classified as susceptible to colistin by clinical diagnostics yet harbored a minor subpopulation of phenotypically resistant cells. Within these isolates, the resistant subpopulation became predominant after growth in the presence of colistin but returned to baseline levels after subsequent culture in antibiotic-free media. This indicates that the resistance was phenotypic, rather than due to a genetic mutation, consistent with heteroresistance. Importantly, colistin therapy was unable to rescue mice infected with the heteroresistant strains. These findings demonstrate that colistin heteroresistance may cause
in vivo
treatment failure during
K. pneumoniae
infection, threatening the use of colistin as a last-line treatment for CRKP. Furthermore, these data sound the alarm for use of caution in interpreting colistin susceptibility test results, as isolates identified as susceptible may in fact resist antibiotic therapy and lead to unexplained treatment failures.

IMPORTANCE
This is the first report of colistin-heteroresistant
K. pneumoniae
in the United States. Two distinct isolates each led to colistin treatment failure in an
in vivo
model of infection. The data are worrisome, especially since the colistin heteroresistance was not detected by current diagnostic tests. As these isolates were carbapenem resistant, clinicians might turn to colistin as a last-line therapy for infections caused by such strains, not knowing that they in fact harbor a resistant subpopulation of cells, potentially leading to treatment failure. Our findings warn that colistin susceptibility testing results may be unreliable due to undetected heteroresistance and highlight the need for more accurate and sensitive diagnostics.
Making Millennial Medicine More Meta
Authors: Turnbaugh Peter J.
Published: March 2018

Although the importance of human genetic polymorphisms in therapeutic outcomes is well established, the role of specific genotypic or copy number variants in our “second genome” (the microbiome) has been largely overlooked. In this Perspective, I will discuss three major barriers to integrating metagenomics into pharmacology, highlighting ongoing research by us and others that has begun to shed light on the mechanisms that link the human microbiome to the efficacy and toxicity of small-molecule and biological therapies.
Metabolomics and Agriculture: What Can Be Done?
Authors: do Prado Rodolpho Martin , Porto Carla , Nunes Estela , de Aguiar Claudio Lima , Pilau Eduardo Jorge
Published: March 2018

The importance of Brazil as a producer and exporter of food and feed will continuously increase. Despite the recent economic and political problems in Brazil, the scientific field is expanding.
Beyond Structure: Defining the Function of the Gut Using Omic Approaches for Rational Design of Personalized Therapeutics
Authors: Theriot Casey M.
Published: March 2018

Over the past 10 years, microbiome research has focused on defining the structures associated with different disease states in multiple systems, but has fallen short on showing causation. Prior omic studies have generated many new hypotheses, but moving forward we need to start dissecting the function of each bacterium alone and in concert with complex bacterial communities in well-characterized systems.
Collapse in the scrum
Authors: Donnelly David , Patrick David , Weir Robin A
Published: March 2018

Clinical introduction

A 17-year-old male patient was brought by ambulance to the ED following a witnessed collapse while playing rugby. He denied any significant trauma, chest pain or breathlessness, and was alert and uncomplaining on arrival, with normal observations and a normal physical exam. Witnesses described a loss of consciousness, with a period of respiratory arrest requiring rescue breaths at the scene. Paramedics reported frequent ventricular extrasystoles on their arrival.

The patient had no medical history and was on no medication, although admitted to ‘fainting’ some 3 weeks previously, again while playing rugby. A paternal uncle had died suddenly at the age of 45.

His initial ECG is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1

Initial ECG.

Question

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOT)
Three-dimensional monotonic and cyclic behavior of a gravel–steel interface from large-scale simple-shear tests
Authors: Feng Da-kuo , Zhang Jian-min , Deng Li-jun
Published: March 2018

Gravel–structure interfaces are involved in many large-scale geotechnical applications and play a vital role in the performance of soil–structure interaction systems. A large-scale simple-shear device was professionally developed and used to investigate three-dimensional (3-D) monotonic and cyclic shear behavior of a gravel–steel interface in two-way beeline, cross, and circular shear paths. The soil deformation was measured and was used to determine the interface thickness. The deforming and sliding displacements of the interface were quantified and separated from the total tangential displacement. Results show that the interface thickness is about 6–7 times the mean grain size, D50, independent of the normal stress and shear path. Under 3-D loading conditions, the shear stress vs. tangential displacement hysteretic response exhibits notably 3-D features. The interface becomes stiffer because of the hardening behavior of the gravel during cyclic shearing. The total normal displacement can be divided into irreversible and reversible components, which present different responses. The peak shear strength is mobilized when the interface dilatancy rate reaches the maximum at a sliding displacement of about 0.5D50, and behaves in an anisotropic manner caused by the shear orientation effect. The normal stress and shear paths have significant influences on the 3-D interface behavior.
The role of microRNA-146a in regulating the expression of IRAK1 in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Chu Bo , Zhou Yadong , Zhai Heng , Li Lei , Sun Li , Li Yun
Published: March 2018

MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) is reportedly implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury; however, its role in cerebral I/R injury is unclear and requires further investigation. In this study, cerebral I/R injury was established in mice via middle cerebral artery occlusion, and the expression of miR-146a was detected in the brain tissue via quantitative real-time PCR. We found that the expression of miR-146a was upregulated. Furthermore, the endogenous miR-146a was antagonized by its specific inhibitor. The results indicated that the inhibition of miR-146a deteriorated I/R-induced neurobehavioral impairment, exaggerated the infarct size, and exacerbated blood–brain barrier leakage. Cerebral I/R injury-induced generation of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, was further promoted by miR-146a inhibitor. The expression of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), a target of miR-146a, was upregulated upon miR-146a inhibition. In addition, the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway was over-activated when miR-146a was antagonized as manifested by the increased levels of phospho-NF-κB inhibitor α and nuclear p65. In summary, our findings demonstrate that the elevation of miR-146a may be one of the compensatory responses after the cerebral I/R injury and suggest miR-146a as a potential therapeutic target for cerebral I/R injury.
A Integrable Generalized Super-NLS-mKdV Hierarchy, Its Self-Consistent Sources, and Conservation Laws
Authors: Wei Hanyu , Xia Tiecheng
Published: March 2018

A generalized super-NLS-mKdV hierarchy is proposed related to Lie superalgebra B(0,1); the resulting supersoliton hierarchy is put into super bi-Hamiltonian form with the aid of supertrace identity. Then, the super-NLS-mKdV hierarchy with self-consistent sources is set up. Finally, the infinitely many conservation laws of integrable super-NLS-mKdV hierarchy are presented.
Corneal Thickness Response after Anesthetic Eye Drops: Our Own Results and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Perez-Bermejo Marcelino , Cervino Alejandro , Calvo-Maroto Ana M. , Moscardo Monica , Murillo-Llorente Mayte , Sanchis-Gimeno Juan A.
Published: March 2018

We aimed to test if there are different patterns in the central corneal thickness (CCT) response after instilling oxybuprocaine anesthetic eye drops and also to determine whether there is a significant change in the CCT. CCT was measured in 60 eyes of 60 healthy subjects before and during the hour after oxybuprocaine 0.4% eye drops were instilled. In addition, a systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in order to answer the following PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome) question: What effect do anesthetic eye drops have on CCT values? We found no significant changes in the mean CCT values during the hour’s observation (ANOVA,p=0.209), and the meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant changes in the CCT after anesthesia (Q-Value = 1.111;pvalue = 1.000;I2= 0.000; Tau2 = 0.000; Stderr = 0.020). However, we found three CCT response patterns 5 minutes after anesthesia: Pattern 1, subjects with no significant changes in their CCT values (n=14, 46.7%); Pattern 2, subjects with significant CCT increases (n=11, 36.7%); and Pattern 3, subjects with significant CCT decreases (n=5, 16.7%). In sum, there are no significant changes in the CCT after anesthesia, but there are three different CCT response patterns 5 minutes after anesthesia.
Predictors of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy Onset and Progression in a Cohort of Type 1 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Matta M. , Pavy-Le Traon A. , Perez-Lloret S. , Laporte C. , Berdugo I. , Nasr N. , Hanaire H. , Senard J. M.
Published: March 2018

Aim. The prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in diabetes mellitus is well documented. However, the rate and predictors of both the development and progression of CAN have been less studied. Hereby, we assessed the rate and the major risk factors for CAN initiation and progression in a cohort of type 1 diabetic patients followed over a three-year period. Methods. 175 type 1 diabetic patients (mean age: 50 ± 11 years; female/male: 76/99) with positive bedside screening for CAN were included and underwent 2 standardized autonomic testings using 4 standardized tests (deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, 30/15 ratio, and changes in blood pressure during standing), separated by 3 ± 1 years. CAN staging was achieved according to the Toronto Consensus Panel on Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy into 4 categories: absent, possible, confirmed, or severe CAN. Results. Out of the 175 patients included, 31.4% were free of CAN, 34.2% had possible CAN, 24.6% had confirmed CAN, and 9.7% exhibited severe CAN at the first assessment. Among the 103 patients with nonsevere CAN at inclusion, forty-one (39.8%) had an increase of at least one category when reassessed and 62 (60.2%) remained stable. A bivariate analysis indicated that only BMI and exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were significantly different in both groups. A multivariate analysis indicated that lower BMI (OR: 0.15, CI 95%: 0.05–0.48, p=0.003) and SSRI exposure (OR: 4.18, CI 95%: 1.03–16.97, p=0.04) were the sole predictors of CAN deterioration. In the 55 patients negative for CAN at the first laboratory assessment, 12 became positive at the second assessment. Conclusion. No clear predictive factor for CAN onset was identified. However, once present, CAN progression was related to low BMI and SSRI exposure.
A Novel Application of an Anthelmintic Mixture for Use against Gastrointestinal Parasites of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Hughes P. L.
Published: March 2018

A mixture of proprietary anthelmintics delivering 0.5 mg/kg moxidectin, 9.06 mg/kg oxfendazole, 15 mg/kg levamisole, and 0.08 mg/kg selenium on bodyweight basis per os to red deer is investigated. On a deer farm with a history of parasite problems, six weaner red deer were treated orally with a 50/50 mixture of Exodus Pour-On and Oxfen C Plus (Ex/Ox) at a dose rate of 1 ml/5 kg bodyweight. Six herd mates were untreated. Eleven days later abomasal worm counts for the untreated deer revealed an arithmetic mean burden of 2,566 Ostertagia-type worms and 300 Trichostrongylus axei. No worms were detected in the abomasa of the treated group. Six yearling red deer were treated with the Ex/Ox combination and sent 39 days later to a slaughter plant where tissue samples were collected for residue analysis. Moxidectin was the only anthelmintic compound to show residues and the concentrations measured were well below maximum residue limits. Laboratory analysis of the Ex/Ox product after six-week storage at ambient temperature indicated good physical and chemical stability. These investigations support the hypothesis that the Ex/Ox combination can be an effective and practical anthelmintic option for use in red deer against a background of widespread gastrointestinal parasite resistance to the registered alternatives.
Regulation of Central Nervous System Myelination in Higher Brain Functions
Authors: Nickel Mara , Gu Chen
Published: March 2018

The hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex are interconnected brain regions, playing central roles in higher brain functions, including learning and memory, planning complex cognitive behavior, and moderating social behavior. The axons in these regions continue to be myelinated into adulthood in humans, which coincides with maturation of personality and decision-making. Myelin consists of dense layers of lipid membranes wrapping around the axons to provide electrical insulation and trophic support and can profoundly affect neural circuit computation. Recent studies have revealed that long-lasting changes of myelination can be induced in these brain regions by experience, such as social isolation, stress, and alcohol abuse, as well as by neurological and psychiatric abnormalities. However, the mechanism and function of these changes remain poorly understood. Myelin regulation represents a new form of neural plasticity. Some progress has been made to provide new mechanistic insights into activity-independent and activity-dependent regulations of myelination in different experimental systems. More extensive investigations are needed in this important but underexplored research field, in order to shed light on how higher brain functions and myelination interplay in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
The Reliability of the Use of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin Levels in the Assessment of Renal Functions after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Balkanay Ozan Onur , Göksedef Deniz , Ömeroğlu Suat Nail , İpek Gökhan
Published: March 2018

Objective. Evaluation of perioperative renal function is very important for early diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting. Serum creatinine levels, creatinine clearance, and estimated glomerular filtration rates used in determination of postoperative kidney injury can lead to late detection. Therefore, it is necessary to make a diagnosis earlier in clinical practice and to search for a reliable method. The reliability of the use of serum neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin levels in close follow-up of renal function was evaluated in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass in our study. Patients and Methods. A total of 40 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass between September 2009 and February 2010 were included in the study. The reliability of the postoperative 1st day plasma neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (Triage® NGAL Device; Biosite Inc.) measurements was evaluated in kidney injury developed in the first 5 days after operation that was detected using the Risk-Injury-Failure-Loss-End stage criteria. Results. Ten (25%) women and 30 (75%) male patients were included in the study. The average age is 59 ± 8.6 years. Kidney injury according to Risk-Injury-Failure-Loss-End stage criteria developed in 8 patients (20%). For 150 ng/mL cutoff value of postoperative plasma neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin levels, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.965. Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin’s sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were 100%, 93.8%, 100%, and 80%, respectively. Conclusion. It has been determined that plasma neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin levels can be reliably used for early diagnosis of kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
Elevated TERT Expression in TERT-Wildtype Adult Diffuse Gliomas: Histological Evaluation with a Novel TERT-Specific Antibody
Authors: Masui Kenta , Komori Takashi , Kato Yukinari , Masutomi Kenkichi , Ichimura Koichi , Ogasawara Satoshi , Kaneko Mika K. , Oki Hiroharu , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Nitta Masayuki , Maruyama Takashi , Muragaki Yoshihiro , Kawamata Takakazu , Sawada Tatsuo , Shibata Noriyuki
Published: March 2018

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is important for the biology of diffuse gliomas.TERTpromoter mutations are selectively observed among 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendrogliomas and isocitrate dehydrogenase gene-(IDH-)wildtype glioblastoma (GBM). However, TERT transcripts range widely in various cancers including gliomas, and TERT protein expression has been rarely investigated thus far. It would be thus critical to examine the expression level of TERT in tumors in addition to its mutational status, and sensitive and specific methods are urgently needed to examine TERT protein expression for the assessment of TERT biology in gliomas. Using our newly developed TERT-specific monoclonal antibody (TMab-6) applicable to human tissue, we found an unexpected increase in TERT expression inTERT-wildtype as well asTERT-mutated gliomas and in tumor vasculature. This is the first extensive analysis on the expression of TERT immunoreactivity in human glioma tissue, suggesting that TERT protein expression may be regulated by several mechanisms in addition to its promoter mutation.
Murine Nephrotoxic Nephritis as a Model of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ougaard M. K. E. , Kvist P. H. , Jensen H. E. , Hess C. , Rune I. , Søndergaard H.
Published: March 2018

Using the nonaccelerated murine nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) as a model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) could provide an easily inducible model that enables a rapid test of treatments. Originally, the NTN model was developed as an acute model of glomerulonephritis, but in this study we evaluate the model as a CKD model and compare CD1 and C57BL/6 female and male mice. CD1 mice have previously showed an increased susceptibility to CKD in other CKD models. NTN was induced by injecting nephrotoxic serum (NTS) and evaluated by CKD parameters including albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), mesangial expansion, and renal fibrosis. Both strains showed significant albuminuria on days 2-3 which remained significant until the last time point on days 36-37 supporting dysfunctional filtration also observed by a significantly declined GFR on days 5-6, 15–17, and 34–37. Both strains showed early progressive mesangial expansion and significant renal fibrosis within three weeks suggesting CKD development. CD1 and C57BL/6 females showed a similar disease progression, but female mice seemed more susceptible to NTS compared to male mice. The presence of albuminuria, GFR decline, mesangial expansion, and fibrosis showed that the NTN model is a relevant CKD model both in C57BL/6 and in CD1 mice.
Vamos à história dos subúrbios: uma leitura espacial do romance Dom Casmurro, de Machado de Assis
Authors: Silva Adriana Carvalho
Published: March 2018

Considerando o romance como resultado de uma relação que implica sujeito (autor), espaço e narrativa, partimos da hipótese de que Machado de Assis, através de recursos narrativos, qualifica a cidade do Rio de Janeiro e, particularmente, o subúrbio carioca, em Dom Casmurro. O romance é analisado sob o conceito da ambientação desenvolvido por Osman Lins, o que permitiu que novos elementos fizessem parte da composição do espaço geográfico investigado, a exemplo do leitor, das diversas “lacunas” do texto, das analogias e intertextualidades.
Mário de Andrade e Lévi-Strauss: aprendizes de um certo Brasil
Authors: Bueno Raquel Illescas
Published: March 2018

Nas décadas de 1920 e 1930, Mário de Andrade e Lévi-Strauss percorreram áreas bastante isoladas do território brasileiro. Foram, assim, viajantes e aprendizes de um certo Brasil profundo, que se propuseram a divulgar e preservar. Este trabalho identifica pontos de convergência entre os relatos de viagem reunidos em O turista aprendiz (primeira publicação, 1976) e Tristes trópicos (1955) e compara aspectos da observação da cultura brasileira por cada um dos autores. O interesse pela arte popular e pelas culturas indígenas, com visada antropológica, são elementos basilares das duas obras. Ainda que os pontos de partida de seus autores fossem distintos, tanto geográfica como ideologicamente, a perspectiva antietnocêntrica é marcante nos dois trabalhos.
O Sertão Errante
Authors: Brandão Carlos Rodrigues
Published: March 2018

Poesia em prosa.
Geografia, Literatura e arte: sensibilidades geoarteliterárias
Authors: Suzuki Júlio César
Published: March 2018

Pretende-se apresentar os textos constantes no primeiro número da revista.
O espaço fluído no imaginário das artes contemporâneas: a sensibilidade emergente
Authors: Silva Valéria Cristina Pereira da
Published: March 2018

As artes são, a priori, fontes privilegiadas de acesso à cultura e ao imaginário social. A partir delas, o espaço e o tempo descortinam-se como referências nas quais emergem saberes, a percepção, as astúcias, angústias, questionamentos e alternativas poético-simbólicas do momento. As artes pinçam o zeitgeist – o espírito de época - a mentalidade do período e seu universo de sentido. O que há nele de secreto e invisível ganha evidência. Desse modo, a arte põe a ver, a sentir, pensar e a imaginar. Neste artigo pretendo abordar fenomenologicamente obras de artes visuais que trazem o imaginário da fluidez e os sentidos perceptivos como um sintoma do espaço-tempo em que vivemos e suas implicações. A partir do recorte das obras de Tom Storm, Cao Guimaraes, Ernesto Neto, Laura Vinci, Vinícius de Souza Almeida, Neli Azevedo, Adriana Giora, Li Hongbo e a exposição “Olfatória: O cheiro na Arte” na X Bienal do Mercosul busco identificar como as formas do sensível são postas em ação e como as imagens da fluidez desdobram-se em lugar e paisagem.
O pensamento geográfico no Kitab de Idrisi e na Rihla de Battuta: uma reflexão epistemológica comparativa
Authors: Amorim Filho Oswaldo Bueno
Published: March 2018

O presente estudo procurou alcançar três objetivos maiores, todos de caráter epistemológico: o primeiro foi o de abordar com um novo olhar as contribuições de pensadores muçulmanos medievais ao desenvolvimento de vários domínios da geografia; o segundo foi o de buscar a confirmação da ideia de que os geógrafos do Islã medieval fizeram a ligação entre os gregos da Antiguidade e dos precursores, nos séculos XVII e XVIII, das grandes escolas clássicas europeias de geografia; o terceiro foi o de mostrar um outro aspecto até agora não contemplado, ou seja, a constatação de que, além de várias semelhanças e diferenças significativas, um estudo comparativo entre o Kitab de Idrisi e a Rihla de Battuta, permite identificar, já no Islã medieval, a presença, de um lado, de uma abordagem científica ou, pelo menos pré-científica (Idrisi) e, de outro, de um enfoque predominantemente corográfico, com forte influência religiosa e práticas que prenunciam algumas feições que podem ser encontradas nas geografias humanistas e culturais da atualidade (Battuta).
Current Advances in Molecular Imaging: Noninvasive in Vivo Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Optical Imaging in Cancer Research
Authors: Choy Garry , Choyke Peter , Libutti Steven K
Published: March 2018

Recently, there has been tremendous interest in developing techniques such as MRI, micro-CT, micro-PET, and SPECT to image function and processes in small animals. These technologies offer deep tissue penetration and high spatial resolution, but compared with noninvasive small animal optical imaging, these techniques are very costly and time consuming to implement. Optical imaging is cost-effective, rapid, easy to use, and can be readily applied to studying disease processes and biology in vivo.

In vivo optical imaging is the result of a coalescence of technologies from chemistry, physics, and biology. The development of highly sensitive light detection systems has allowed biologists to use imaging in studying physiological processes. Over the last few decades, biochemists have also worked to isolate and further develop optical reporters such as GFP, luciferase, and cyanine dyes. This article reviews the common types of fluorescent and bioluminescent optical imaging, the typical system platforms and configurations, and the applications in the investigation of cancer biology.
Ultrasonic Analysis of Peptide- and Antibody-Targeted Microbubble Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of αvβ3-Expressing Cells
Authors: Dayton Paul A. , Pearson David , Clark Jarrod , Simon Scott , Schumann Patricia A. , Zutshi Reena , Matsunaga Terry O. , Ferrara Katherine W.
Published: March 2018

The goal of targeted ultrasound contrast agents is to significantly and selectively enhance the detection of a targeted vascular site. In this manuscript, three distinct contrast agents targeted to the αvβ3 integrin are examined. The αvβ3 integrin has been shown to be highly expressed on metastatic tumors and endothelial cells during neovascularization, and its expression has been shown to correlate with tumor grade. Specific adhesion of these contrast agents to αvβ3-expressing cell monolayers is demonstrated in vitro, and compared with that of nontargeted agents. Acoustic studies illustrate a backscatter amplitude increase from monolayers exposed to the targeted contrast agents of up to 13-fold (22 dB) relative to enhancement due to control bubbles. A linear dependence between the echo amplitude and bubble concentration was observed for bound agents. The decorrelation of the echo from adherent targeted agents is observed over successive pulses as a function of acoustic pressure and bubble density. Frequency–domain analysis demonstrates that adherent targeted bubbles exhibit high-amplitude narrowband echo components, in contrast to the primarily wideband response from free microbubbles. Results suggest that adherent targeted contrast agents are differentiable from free-floating microbubbles, that targeted contrast agents provide higher sensitivity in the detection of angiogenesis, and that conventional ultrasound imaging techniques such as signal subtraction or decorrelation detection can be used to detect integrin-expressing vasculature with sufficient signal-to-noise.
Fluorescently Labeled Adenovirus with pIX-EGFP for Vector Detection
Authors: Le Long P. , Everts Maaike , Dmitriev Igor P. , Davydova Julia G. , Yamamoto Masato , Curiel David T.
Published: March 2018

Adenoviruses are extensively studied in terms of their use as gene therapy vectors and pathogenesis. These vectors have been targeted on both transcriptional and transductional levels to achieve cell-specific gene delivery. Current detection strategies, including reporter gene expression, viral component detection, and vector labeling with fluorophores, have been applied to analyze adenoviral vectors; however, these methods are inadequate for assessing transductional targeting. As an alternative to conventional vector detection techniques, we developed a specific genetic labeling system whereby an adenoviral vector incorporates a fusion between capsid protein IX and EGFP. DNA packaging and thermostability were marginally hampered by the modification while DNA replication, cytopathic effect, and CAR-dependent binding were not affected. The fluorescent label was associated with the virus capsid and conferred a fluorescent property useful in detecting adenoviral particles in flow cytometry, tracking, and tissue sections. We believe our genetic adenovirus labeling system has important implications for vector development, detecting adenovirus vectors in targeting schemes, and studying adenovirus biology. In addition, this technique has potential utility for dynamic monitoring of adenovirus replication and spread.
Collaborative Composition of Classical Arabic Poetry
Authors: Naaman Erez
Published: March 2018

Evidence of collaborative composition of poetry goes back to the earliest documented phases in the history of Arabic literature. Already during pre-Islamic times, poets like Imruʾ al-Qays used to challenge others to complete their impromptu verse and create poetry collaboratively with them. This practice—commonly called iǧāza or tamlīṭ and essentially different from the better known poetic dueling of the naqāʾiḍ (flytings)—has shown remarkable stability and adherence to its form and dynamics in the pre-modern Arabophone world. In this article, I will discuss evidence of collaborative poetry from pre-Islamic times to the early seventh/thirteenth century, in order to present a picture of the typical situations in which it was practiced, its functions, its composition process, and formal aspects. Although usually not producing poetic masterpieces, this practice has the merit of revealing much about the processes of composing classical Arabic poetry in general. In this respect, its study and critical assessment are highly important, given the fact that medieval Arabic literary criticism does not always reflect praxis or focus on the actual practicalities of composing poetry. This practice and the contextualized way in which it was preserved allow us to see vividly the inextricable link between poetic form and the conditions in which poetry was created. It likewise sheds light on the intricate ways in which poets resisted, influenced, and manipulated others by poetic means. Based on the obvious fact that collaborative composition is imbued with the spirit of play, I offer at the end of the article criticism of Johan Huizinga’s famous play concept and his (much less famous) views of early Arabic culture and poetry in light of the evidence I studied.
Procédés de décrédibilisation dans al-Fīl al-azraq, roman noir d’Aḥmad Murād
Authors: Ghosn Katia
Published: March 2018

Contemporary Egyptian author Aḥmad Murād writes works of fiction as well as crime novels. The detective genre emerged very late on the Arab literary scene in comparison to its birth in the 19th century in the West. Al-Fīl al-azraq (The blue elephant), that we are about to analyse, is based on a psychological story. It fits into the matrix of the black novel as it appeared in the United States in the interwar period and incorporates many of its strategies. In this article, we will try to uncover the processes of “decredibilization” established in the novel, in order to create “undecidability” as to the outcome of the investigation and to set up, from a hermeneutic point of view, some confusion of meaning. We will try subsequently to underline the distinctive features of the generic model of the novel, prominent among which, the open structure, the fantastic themes, the use of the vernacular and a certain social realism outlook.
Twelve new species and four new records of Stenoloba Staudinger 1892 from China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae: Bryophilinae)
Authors: HAN H.L. , KONONENKO V.S.
Published: March 2018

Twelve new species of the genus Stenoloba Staudinger, 1892 (S. gaoligonga sp. n., S. huanxipoa sp. n., S. chlorobrunnea sp. n., S. ochraceola sp. n., S. plumbeoviridis sp. n., S. plumbeobrunnea sp. n., S. cucullata sp. n., S. asymmetrica sp. n., S. acontioides sp. n., S. rectilinoides sp. n., S. uncata sp. n. and S. assimilina sp. n.) are described from China. Four species (S. albistriata Kononenko & Ronkay, S. glaucescens (Hampson), S. rectilinea Yoshimoto, and S. brunnescens Kononenko & Ronkay) are reported to China for the first time; S. nora Kononenko & Ronkay is firstly reported for the continental China. The female genitalia of five species (S. albistriata, S. brunnescens, S. plumbeoculata Pekarsky, Dvořák & G. Ronkay, S. motuoensis Han & Lu and S. acutivalva Han & Kononenko) are described and illustrated for the first time. New data on distribution in China for four species are provided. All treated species are illustrated in colour with black and white photographs of their genitalia in 56 figures. The updated global checklist of the genus Stenoloba with marking of Chinese species is presented.
The Sixth AMS Symposium on Education
Authors: Bastiaans L. M. , Smith D. R. , McPherson R. A. , Phoebus P. A. , Moran J. M. , Croft P. J. , Ceritelli M. J. , Rao G. V. , Schaefer J. T. , Gadomski F. J. , Kloesel K. A. , Quayle R. G. , Zeitler J. W.
Published: March 2018

The American Meteorological Society held its Sixth Symposium on Education in conjunction with the 77th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California. The theme of the symposium was “Atmospheric and Oceanographic Education: Teaching about the Global Environment.” Thirty-eight oral presentations and 37 poster presentations summarized a variety of educational programs or examined educational issues for both the precollege and university levels. There was also a joint session with the Eighth Symposium on Global Change Studies and a special session on “home pages” to promote popular meteorological education. Over 200 people representing a wide spectrum of the Society attended one or more of the sessions in this two-day conference where they increased their awareness of teaching about the global environment.
Project EUROMET: Meteorological Computer-Assisted Learning in Europe
Authors: Gimeno Luis , García Ricardo
Published: March 2018

This paper presents the EUROMET project to the international meteorological community. EUROMET is an effort to develop a multimedia, network-based service to support meteorological education and training throughout Europe.
Summer Upper-Level Vortex over the North Pacific
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang , Yen Ming-Cheng , Liu Gin-Rong , Wang Shu-Yu
Published: March 2018

The midocean trough in the North Pacific may form a favorable environment for the genesis of some synoptic disturbances. In contrast, the North Pacific anticyclone may hinder the downward penetration of these disturbances into the lower troposphere and prevent the moisture supply to these disturbances from the lower troposphere. Because no thick clouds, rainfall, and destructive surface winds are associated with these disturbances to attract attention, they have not been analyzed or documented. Actually, the upper-level wind speed within these disturbances is sometimes as strong as tropical cyclones and has the possibility of causing air traffic hazards in the western subtropic Pacific. With infrared images of the Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite and the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, 25 North Pacific disturbances were identified over six summers (1993–98). Two aspects of these disturbances were explored: spatial structure and basic dynamics. For their structure, the disturbances possess a well-organized vortex in the middle to upper troposphere with a descending dry/cold core encircled by the moist ascending air around the vortex periphery; the secondary circulation of the vortex is opposite to other types of synoptic disturbances. Since vorticity reaches maximum values along the midocean trough line, barotrophic instability is suggested as a likely genesis mechanism of the vortex. After the vortex is formed, the horizontal advection of total vorticity results in its westward propagation, while the secondary circulation hinders this movement. Along its westward moving course, close to East Asia, there is a reduction in vortex size and a tangential speed increase inversely proportional to the vortex size. Diminishing its horizontal convergence/descending motion by the upper-tropospheric East Asian high and the lower-tropospheric monsoon low, the vortex eventually dissipates along the East Asian coast.
Ossicular Chain Reconstruction in a Developing Country
Authors: Bedri Es-Hak , Redleaf Miriam
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

In Ethiopia, 2-stage operations with middle ear prostheses are economically unfavorable. We hypothesized that single-stage autologous ossiculoplasty results in acceptable tympanic membrane (TM) and hearing improvements in a setting of limited resources.

Methods:

One hundred eighty-eight patients (197 ears) who underwent 1-stage autologous ossiculoplasty for ossicular dysfunction are presented. All but 14 of these ears also had perforations of the TM. Conditions of the middle ear were granulation tissue, ossicular disruption only, tympanosclerosis, and cholesteatoma. Reconstructions of the ossicular chain were performed with autologous ossicles only.

Results:

The closure rate of TM perforations was 95%. Preoperative air bone gaps were 27 to 60 dB (mean [SD] = 44 [7] dB); postoperative air bone gaps were 0 to 50 dB (average [SD] = 23 [10] dB), for an average improvement of 21 dB across all reconstruction types ( P < .001). The largest favorable changes in air bone gaps were with incus and malleus columellas from the footplate to the TM (33 and 23 dB, respectively) ( P < .001). No patient had worsening of sensorineural hearing levels or extrusion of the reconstructed ossicles.

Conclusion:

Autologous ossiculoplasty performed well in this setting. Acceptable TM closure rates and improvement of air bone gaps were seen in 1-stage operations without the use of prostheses.
“Nothing Fits Exactly”: Experiences of Asian American Parents of Twice-Exceptional Children
Authors: Park Soeun , Foley-Nicpon Megan , Choate Alyssa , Bolenbaugh Mallory
Published: March 2018

Parents of high-ability students with disabilities (i.e., twice-exceptional) play a crucial role in their children’s home and educational environments. In addition, parents’ sociocultural contexts, including race and ethnicity, can influence their parenting practice. We conducted interviews with 10 Asian American parents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and analyzed the interview transcripts by using a phenomenological framework and general inductive approach. Themes identified included the parents’ recognition of and reaction to twice-exceptionality, challenges and efforts in supporting their children, and perception of their sociocultural contexts in relation to parenting practices. The Asian American parents in this study developed resilient parenting styles and persistent advocacy efforts as they navigated the complex characteristics of twice-exceptionality within their multilayered cultural contexts. Findings are particularly important for practitioners and educators who work with Asian American parents and/or high-ability children with disabilities to better address their complex needs.
Does the Tempo of Music Impact Human Behavior Behind the Wheel?
Authors: Navarro Jordan , Osiurak François , Reynaud Emanuelle
Published: March 2018

Objective:

Assess the influence of background music tempo on driving performance.

Background:

Music with a fast tempo is known to increase the level of arousal, whereas the reverse is observed for slow music. The relationship between driving performance and level of arousal was expected to take the form of an inverted U-curve.

Method:

Three experiments were undertaken to manipulate the musical background during driving. In Experiment 1, the driver’s preferred music track played at its original and modified (plus or minus 30%) tempo were used together with the simple ticking of a metronome. In Experiment 2, music tracks of different tempos were played during driving. In Experiment 3, music tracks were categorized as arousing or relaxing based on the associated perceived level of arousal.

Results:

Listening to music tended to influence drivers’ performances in a car-following task by improving coherence and gain adjustments relative to the followed vehicle but simultaneously shortened the intervehicular time. Although the tempo of the music per se did not directly affect driving behavior, arousing music tracks improved drivers’ adjustments to the followed vehicle (Experiment 3).

Conclusion:

The tempo of the music listened to behind the wheel was not found to influence driving behaviors. However, arousing music improved drivers’ responsiveness to changes in the speed of the followed vehicle. However, this benefit was canceled out by a reduction in the drivers’ intervehicle safety margin.

Application:

Listening to arousing music while driving cannot be considered to improve road safety, at least in a car-following task without attentional impairments.
Economic Genocide Under International Law
Authors: Morris P Sean
Published: March 2018

The status of genocide in international law is well developed and forms part of customary international law and also treaty law. International tribunals such as the International Criminal Court and specialised chambers such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda have addressed and made a number of convictions regarding genocide. This relative success in the international criminal justice system regarding genocide has given the appearance that perpetrators responsible for genocide will be brought to justice. Yet, there is a fundamental crack in international criminal law with regard to genocide as a crime and how to bring perpetrators to justice. That crack, is essentially, the narrow scope and definition of genocide, and also how to demonstrate that perpetrators had the intention of committing genocide. I contend in this article that the scope of genocide should be extended to include economic genocide and argue that spillover intent of aiders and abettors of genocide requires more clear and coherent rules to include economic genocide as part of how the crime of genocide is assessed in international law. The article first presents and discusses the notion of genocide, taking into consideration the Genocide Convention (1948) and then discusses the status of Article 2(c) of the Convention to define economic genocide. The article then posits the calculated economic measures that affect the conditions of life of peoples involve intent and that intention has a spillover effect.