bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Treatment of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Aerosol Intoxication in Rhesus Macaques by Using Two Parenterally Administered High-Affinity Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Verreault Daniel , Ennis Jane , Whaley Kevin , Killeen Stephanie Z. , Karauzum Hatice , Aman M. Javad , Holtsberg Rick , Doyle-Meyers Lara , Didier Peter J. , Zeitlin Larry , Roy Chad J.
Published: February 2019

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a protein exotoxin found on the cell surface ofStaphylococcus aureusthat is the source for multiple pathologies in humans. When purified and concentrated in aerosol form, SEB can cause an acute and often fatal intoxication and thus is considered a biological threat agent.
Investigation of Pharmacokinetic Interactions between Doravirine and Elbasvir-Grazoprevir and Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir
Authors: Ankrom Wendy , Sanchez Rosa I. , Yee Ka Lai , Fan Li , Mitra Pranab , Wolford Dennis , Triantafyllou Ilias , Sterling Laura M. , Stoch S. Aubrey , Iwamoto Marian , Khalilieh Sauzanne
Published: February 2019

Doravirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Due to the high prevalence of HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection and coadministration of HIV-1 and HCV treatment, potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between doravirine and two HCV treatments were investigated in two phase 1 drug interaction trials in healthy participants.
Cryptic Cycling of Complexes Containing Fe(III) and Organic Matter by Phototrophic Fe(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria
Authors: Peng Chao , Bryce Casey , Sundman Anneli , Kappler Andreas
Published: February 2019

Iron cycling, including reduction of Fe(III) and oxidation of Fe(II), involves the formation, transformation, and dissolution of minerals and dissolved iron-organic matter compounds. It has been shown previously that Fe can be cycled so rapidly that no measurable changes in Fe(II) and Fe(III) concentrations occur, leading to a so-called cryptic cycle. Cryptic Fe cycles have been shown to be driven either abiotically by a combination of photochemical reduction of Fe(III)-OM complexes and reoxidation of Fe(II) by O
2
, or microbially by a combination of Fe(III)-reducing and Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. Our study demonstrates a new type of light-driven cryptic Fe cycle that is relevant for the photic zone of aquatic habitats involving abiotic photochemical reduction of Fe(III)-OM complexes and microbial phototrophic Fe(II) oxidation. This new type of cryptic Fe cycle has important implications for biogeochemical cycling of iron, carbon, nutrients, and heavy metals and can also influence the composition and activity of microbial communities.
A Phenome-Wide Association Study Uncovers a Pathological Role of Coagulation Factor X duringAcinetobacter baumanniiInfection
Authors: Choby Jacob E. , Monteith Andrew J. , Himmel Lauren E. , Margaritis Paris , Shirey-Rice Jana K. , Pruijssers Andrea , Jerome Rebecca N. , Pulley Jill , Skaar Eric P.
Published: February 2019

Coagulation and inflammation are interconnected, suggesting that coagulation plays a key role in the inflammatory response to pathogens. A phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) was used to identify clinical phenotypes of patients with a polymorphism in coagulation factor X.
Identification of PGN_1123 as the Gene Encoding Lipid A Deacylase, an Enzyme Required for Toll-Like Receptor 4 Evasion, in Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Jain Sumita , Chang Ana M. , Singh Manjot , McLean Jeffrey S. , Coats Stephen R. , Kramer Roger W. , Darveau Richard P.
Published: February 2019

Periodontitis, commonly referred to as gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects a large proportion of the population.Porphyromonas gingivalisis a bacterium closely associated with periodontitis, although how and if it is a cause for the disease are not known. It has a formidable capacity to dampen the host's innate immune response, enabling its persistence in diseased sites and triggering microbial dysbiosis in animal models of infection.P. gingivalisis particularly adept at evading the host's TLR4-mediated innate immune response by modifying the structure of lipid A, the TLR4 ligand. In this paper, we report identification of the gene encoding lipid A deacylase, a key enzyme that modifies lipid A to TLR4-evasive structures.
Phosphosugar Stress in Bacillus subtilis: Intracellular Accumulation of Mannose 6-Phosphate Derepressed the
glcR-phoC
Operon from Repression by GlcR
Authors: Morabbi Heravi Kambiz , Manzoor Irfan , Watzlawick Hildegard , de Jong Anne , Kuipers Oscar P. , Altenbuchner Josef
Published: February 2019

Bacillus subtilis
has different stress response systems to cope with external and internal stressors. Here, we investigated how
B. subtilis
deals with the high intracellular concentration of phosphosugars as an internal stressor. The results indicated the derepression of an operon consisting of a repressor (GlcR) and a phosphatase (PhoC). Further analysis revealed that this operon is not a phosphosugar stress response system. The substrate specificity of PhoC may indicate a connection between the
glcR-phoC
operon and pathways in which glycerol 3-phosphate and ribose 5-phosphate are utilized, such as membrane biosynthesis and teichoic acid elongation.
HACE1, an E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase, Mitigates Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection-Induced Oxidative Stress by Promoting Nrf2 Activity
Authors: Kumar Binod , Roy Arunava , Asha Kumari , Sharma-Walia Neelam , Ansari Mairaj Ahmed , Chandran Bala
Published: February 2019

ROS play important roles in several cellular processes, and increased ROS cause several adverse effects. KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces ROS, which facilitate virus entry by amplifying the infection-induced host cell signaling cascade, which, in turn, induces the nuclear translocation of phospho-Nrf2 protein to regulate the expression of antioxidative genes and viral genes. The present study demonstrates that KSHV infection induces the E3 ligase HACE1 protein to regulate KSHV-induced oxidative stress by promoting the activation of Nrf2 and nuclear translocation. Absence of HACE1 results in increased ROS and cellular death and reduced nuclear Nrf2, antioxidant, and viral gene expression. Together, these studies suggest that HACE1 can be a potential target to induce cell death in KSHV-infected cells.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis DSYZ, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium with Antifungal Properties
Authors: Zhao Jian , Liu Hu , Liu Kai , Li Hao , Peng Yulong , Liu Jing , Han Xiaobin , Liu Xin , Yao Liangtong , Hou Qihui , Wang Chengqiang , Ding Yanqin , Du Binghai
Published: February 2019

Bacillus velezensis
DSYZ is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with the capacity to control fungal pathogens. It was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of garlic.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mannheimia varigena Isolated from Bovine Milk
Authors: McCabe Matthew S. , Esnault Gaelle , Murray Gerard , Earley Bernadette , Cormican Paul
Published: February 2019

Mannheimia varigena
is a pathogen of cattle that has been isolated from diseased lung and udder. There are currently complete genome sequences for 4
M. varigena
isolates, all from lungs of cattle in the United States.
Genome Sequences of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses of Serotype O Lineages Mya-98 and Ind-2001d Isolated from Cattle and Buffalo in Myanmar
Authors: Maung Wint Yi , Nishi Tatsuya , Kato Tomoko , Lwin Khin Ohnmar , Fukai Katsuhiko
Published: February 2019

We report whole-genome sequences and partial genome sequences of eight foot-and-mouth disease viruses obtained from outbreak samples in Myanmar in 2016 and 2017. These viruses are classified into O/ME-SA/Ind-2001d and O/SEA/Mya-98 lineages.
Effect of text messaging on depression in patients with coronary heart disease: a substudy analysis from the TEXT ME randomised controlled trial
Authors: Shariful Islam Sheikh Mohammed , Chow Clara K , Redfern Julie , Kok Cindy , Rådholm Karin , Stepien Sandrine , Rodgers Anthony , Hackett Maree L
Published: February 2019

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the effects on depression scores of a lifestyle-focused cardiac support programme delivered via mobile phone text messaging among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Design

Substudy and secondary analysis of a parallel-group, single-blind randomised controlled trial of patients with CHD.

Setting

A tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Intervention

The Tobacco, Exercise and dieT MEssages programme comprised four text messages per week for 6 months that provided education, motivation and support on diet, physical activity, general cardiac education and smoking, if relevant. The programme did not have any specific mental health component.

Outcomes

Depression scores at 6 months measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Treatment effect across subgroups was measured using log-binomial regression model for the binary outcome (depressed/not depressed, where depressed is any score of PHQ-9 ≥5) with treatment, subgroup and treatment by subgroup interaction as fixed effects.

Results

Depression scores at 6 months were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group, mean difference 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.4, p<0.0001). The frequency of mild or greater depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores≥5) at 6 months was 21/333 (6.3%) in the intervention group and 86/350 (24.6%) in the control group (relative risk (RR) 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.40, p<0.001). This proportional reduction in depressive symptoms was similar across groups defined by age, sex, education, body mass index, physical activity, current smoking, current drinking and history of depression, diabetes and hypertension. In particular, the rates of PHQ-9 ≥5 among people with a history of depression were 4/44 (9.1%) vs 29/62 (46.8%) in intervention vs control (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.51, p<0.001), and were 17/289 (5.9%) vs 57/288 (19.8%) among others (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.50, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Among people with CHD, a cardiac support programme delivered via mobile phone text messaging was associated with fewer symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression at 6 months in the treatment group compared with controls.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12611000161921.
Healthcare providers’ perspectives on use of the national guideline for family planning services in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Tessema Gizachew Assefa , Gomersall Judith Streak , Laurence Caroline O , Mahmood Mohammad Afzal
Published: February 2019

Objective

To explore healthcare providers’ views on barriers to and facilitators of use of the national family planning (FP) guideline for FP services in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

Nine health facilities including two hospitals, five health centres and two health posts in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia.

Participants

Twenty-one healthcare providers working in the provision of FP services in Amhara Region.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Semistructured interviews were conducted to understand healthcare providers’ views on barriers to and facilitators of the FP guideline use in the selected FP services.

Results

While the healthcare providers’ views point to a few facilitators that promote use of the guideline, more barriers were identified. The barriers included: lack of knowledge about the guideline’s existence, purpose and quality, healthcare providers’ personal religious beliefs, reliance on prior knowledge and tradition rather than protocols and guidelines, lack of availability or insufficient access to the guideline and inadequate training on how to use the guideline. Facilitators for the guideline use were ready access to the guideline, convenience and ease of implementation and incentives.

Conclusions

While development of the guideline is an important initiative by the Ethiopian government for improving quality of care in FP services, continued use of this resource by all healthcare providers requires planning to promote facilitating factors and address barriers to use of the FP guideline. Training that includes a discussion about healthcare providers’ beliefs and traditional practices as well as other factors that reduce guideline use and increasing the sufficient number of guideline copies available at the local level, as well as translation of the guideline into local language are important to support provision of quality care in FP services.
Adiposity measures and their validity in estimating risk of hypertension in South Asian children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fowokan Adeleke O , Punthakee Zubin , Waddell Charlotte , Rosin Miriam , Morrison Katherine M , Gupta Milan , Teo Koon , Rangarajan Sumathy , Lear Scott A
Published: February 2019

Objective

Given the South Asian phenotype of higher body fat at similar body mass index (BMI) relative to Caucasians, we sought to explore the association between prominent adiposity indicators with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension, to compare the accuracy of these indicators in estimating hypertension, and to provide cut-off values associated with adverse hypertension risk in South Asian children.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Community-based recruitment in two Canadian cities (Hamilton and Surrey).

Participants

South Asian children (n=762) were recruited from two Canadian cities. Waist circumference, waist to height ratio and BMI were determined. Body fat percentage was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and BP was assessed using an automated device. All variables (except body fat percentage) were transformed to z-scores using published standards.

Outcome measures

Linear and Poisson regression was used to explore associations between the adiposity indicators with BP z-score and hypertension. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to explore the strength of the adiposity indicators in estimating hypertension risk and sex-stratified optimal adiposity cut-off values associated with hypertension risk.

Results

Significant associations were detected in adjusted and unadjusted models between the adiposity indicators with BP z-score and hypertension (p<0.01 for all). The area under the curve (AUC) values for the adiposity indicators for boys and girls ranged from 0.74 to 0.80, suggesting that the adiposity indicators are fair measures of estimating hypertension risk. Sex-stratified cut-off associated with adverse risk of hypertension for girls and boys, respectively, were at the 92nd and 82nd percentile for BMI z-scores, 65th and 80th percentile for WC z-score, 63rd and 67th percentile for WHtR z-score and at 29.8% and 23.5% for body fat.

Conclusion

Our results show associations between adiposity indicators with BP and hypertension and suggests that South Asian children might be at adverse risk of hypertension at levels of adiposity considered normal.
Impact of patient information leaflets on doctor–patient communication in the context of acute conditions: a prospective, controlled, before–after study in two French emergency departments
Authors: Sustersic Mélanie , Tissot Marisa , Tyrant Julie , Gauchet Aurelie , Foote Alison , Vermorel Céline , Bosson Jean Luc
Published: February 2019

Objective

In the context of acute conditions seen in an emergency department, where communication may be difficult, patient information leaflets (PILs) could improve doctor–patient communication (DPC) and may have an impact on other outcomes of the consultation. Our objective was to assess the impact of PILs on DPC, patient satisfaction and adherence, and on patient and doctor behaviours.

Design

Prospective, controlled, before–after trial between November 2013 and June 2015.

Setting

Two French emergency departments.

Participants

Adults and adolescents >15 years diagnosed with ankle sprain or an infection (diverticulitis, infectious colitis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia or prostatitis).

Intervention

Physicians in the intervention group gave patients a PIL about their condition along with an oral explanation.

Main outcome measures

7–10 days later, patients were contacted by phone to answer questionnaires. Results were derived from questions scored using a 4-point Likert scale.

Main findings

Analysis of the 324 patients showed that PILs improved the mean DPC score (range: 13–52), with 46 (42–49) for 168 patients with PILs vs 44 (38-48) for 156 patients without PILs (p<0.01). The adjusted OR for good communication (having a score >35/52) was 2.54 (1.27 to 5.06). The overall satisfaction and adherence scores did not show significant differences. In contrast, satisfaction with healthcare professionals and timing of medication intake were improved with PILs. The overall satisfaction score improved significantly on per-protocol analysis. When using PILs, doctors prescribed fewer drugs and more examinations (radiology, biology, appointment with a specialist); the need for a new medical consultation for the same pathology was reduced from 32.1% to 17.9% (OR 0.46 [0.27 to 0.77]), particularly revisiting the emergency department.

Conclusion

In emergency departments, PILs given by doctors improve DPC, increase patients’ satisfaction with healthcare professionals, reduce the number of emergency reconsultations for the same pathology and modify the doctor’s behaviour.

Trial registration number

NCT02246361.
Value of antigranulocyte scintigraphy with Tc-99m-sulesomab in diagnosing combat-related infections of the musculoskeletal system
Authors: Loessel Christian , Mai A , Starke M , Vogt D , Stichling M , Willy C
Published: February 2019

Aim

Combat-related extremity injuries are regularly associated with long-term complications such as chronic infection, especially osteomyelitis. Clinical examination and laboratory parameters do not usually allow reliable diagnosis. In contrast, imaging techniques enable constructive assertions to be made about the location and extent of an infection of the peripheral musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the diagnostic reliability of three-phase bone scanning and antigranulocyte scintigraphy using Tc-99m-sulesomab (Leukoscan) in the diagnostic clarification of infections associated with combat-related extremity injuries.

Methods

Twenty-seven male patients (mean age 33.9 years) with suspected combat-associated infections of the extremities were included in this retrospective analysis. All patients underwent three-phase bone scanning using Tc-99m-HDP followed by antigranulocyte scintigraphy with Tc-99m-sulesomab. In 26 of the 27 patients, a CT scan of affected limb was obtained, where the secondary fusion with single photon emission CT data set was possible. The diagnostic reliability of imaging techniques was validated against microbiological samples obtained during surgery and used as gold standard.

Results

Three-phase bone scanning yielded a positive result in all patients, with 18 scans classified as true positive (TP) and nine scans as false positive (FP). This produced a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 0% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 67%. Antigranulocyte scintigraphy recognised 13 patients as TP, 1 patient as FP, 8 patients as true negative (TN) and 5 patients as false negative (FN), which gave a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 88%, a PPV of 93%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 62% and an accuracy of 78%. CT recognised in 7 cases a TP result, in 3 cases an FP, in 5 cases a TN and in 11 cases an FN result. This produced a sensitivity of 39%, a specificity of 63%, a PPV of 70%, an NPV of 31% and an accuracy of 46%.

Conclusions

Three-phase bone scanning did not deliver any diagnostic benefit, since no result was able to differentiate unequivocally between infection-related and reactive changes. Antigranulocyte scintigraphy using Tc-99m-sulesomab represented a highly suitable technique for diagnostically clarifying combat-related infections of the extremities. It is superior to CT in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy.
Integrability of type 0A matrix model in the presence of D-brane
Authors: Paul Chandrima
Published: February 2019

We consider type 0A matrix model in the presence of spacelike D-brane which is localized in matter direction at any arbitrary point. In string theory, the boundary state, which in matrix model corresponds to the Laplace transform of the macroscopic loop operator, is known to obey the operator constraints corresponding to open string boundary condition. When we analyze MQM as well as the respective collective field theory and compare it with dual string theory, it appears that consistency of the theory requires a condition equivalent to a constraint on the matter part that needed to be imposed in the matrix model. We identified this condition and observed that this results in constraining the macroscopic loop operator so that it projects the Hilbert space generated by the operator to its physical sector at the point of insertion while keeping the bulk matrix model unaffected, thereby describing a situation parallel to string theory. We analyzed the theory with uncompactified time and have shown explicitly that the matrix model predictions are in good agreement with the relevant string theory. Next, we considered the theory with compactified time, analyzed MQM on a circle in the presence of D-brane. We evaluated the partition function along with the constrained macroscopic loop operator in the grand canonical ensemble and showed the free energy corresponds to that of a deformed Fermi surface. We have also shown that the path integral in the presence of D-brane can be expressed as the Fredholm determinant. We have studied the fermionic scattering in a semiclassical regime. Finally, we considered the compactified theory in the presence of the D-brane with tachyonic background. We evaluated the free energy in the grand canonical ensemble. We have shown the integrable structure of the respective partition function and it corresponds to the tau function of Toda hierarchy. We have also analyzed the dispersionless limit.
Electronic properties and band offsets in InP(1−x−y)BixNy
Authors: Wang Kailin , Liang Dan , Li Yang , Wang Shumin , Lei Ming , Li Shanjun , Lu Pengfei
Published: February 2019

Electronic band structures of [Formula: see text] have been theoretically studied by using Conduction Band Anticrossing (CBAC) model and Valence Band Anticrossing model (VBAC) in conjugation with [Formula: see text] method. This mathematical model’s manifestation is a 16 band Hamiltonian matrix. Our results reveal that the addition of Bi and N to InP causes substantial reduction of band gap, and the conduction band offset is greater than valence band offset. It can provide better electronic confinement and improve the temperature-insensitive characteristics for optoelectronic devices. Material compositions and band gap under various strain conditions have also been added in our calculation. By adjusting the concentration of Bi and N, we obtained a strong control of conduction band edge and valence band edge, which increases the flexibility of design InPBiN/InP structures.
Molecular Interactions Between Plants and Insect Herbivores
Authors: Erb Matthias , Reymond Philippe
Published: February 2019

Diverse molecular processes regulate the interactions between plants and insect herbivores. Here, we review genes and proteins that are involved in plant–herbivore interactions and discuss how their discovery has structured the current standard model of plant–herbivore interactions. Plants perceive damage-associated and, possibly, herbivore-associated molecular patterns via receptors that activate early signaling components such as Ca2+, reactive oxygen species, and MAP kinases. Specific defense reprogramming proceeds via signaling networks that include phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and transcription factors. Local and systemic regulation of toxins, defense proteins, physical barriers, and tolerance traits protect plants against herbivores. Herbivores counteract plant defenses through biochemical defense deactivation, effector-mediated suppression of defense signaling, and chemically controlled behavioral changes. The molecular basis of plant–herbivore interactions is now well established for model systems. Expanding molecular approaches to unexplored dimensions of plant–insect interactions should be a future priority.
The Scope, Functions, and Dynamics of Posttranslational Protein Modifications
Authors: Millar A. Harvey , Heazlewood Joshua L. , Giglione Carmela , Holdsworth Michael J. , Bachmair Andreas , Schulze Waltraud X.
Published: February 2019

Assessing posttranslational modification (PTM) patterns within protein molecules and reading their functional implications present grand challenges for plant biology. We combine four perspectives on PTMs and their roles by considering five classes of PTMs as examples of the broader context of PTMs. These include modifications of the N terminus, glycosylation, phosphorylation, oxidation, and N-terminal and protein modifiers linked to protein degradation. We consider the spatial distribution of PTMs, the subcellular distribution of modifying enzymes, and their targets throughout the cell, and we outline the complexity of compartmentation in understanding of PTM function. We also consider PTMs temporally in the context of the lifetime of a protein molecule and the need for different PTMs for assembly, localization, function, and degradation. Finally, we consider the combined action of PTMs on the same proteins, their interactions, and the challenge ahead of integrating PTMs into an understanding of protein function in plants.
Membrane Electroporation and Electropermeabilization: Mechanisms and Models
Authors: Kotnik Tadej , Rems Lea , Tarek Mounir , Miklavčič Damijan
Published: February 2019

Exposure of biological cells to high-voltage, short-duration electric pulses causes a transient increase in their plasma membrane permeability, allowing transmembrane transport of otherwise impermeant molecules. In recent years, large steps were made in the understanding of underlying events. Formation of aqueous pores in the lipid bilayer is now a widely recognized mechanism, but evidence is growing that changes to individual membrane lipids and proteins also contribute, substantiating the need for terminological distinction between electroporation and electropermeabilization. We first revisit experimental evidence for electrically induced membrane permeability, its correlation with transmembrane voltage, and continuum models of electropermeabilization that disregard the molecular-level structure and events. We then present insights from molecular-level modeling, particularly atomistic simulations that enhance understanding of pore formation, and evidence of chemical modifications of membrane lipids and functional modulation of membrane proteins affecting membrane permeability. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges to our full understanding of electroporation and electropermeabilization.
The Mesozoic Biogeographic History of Gondwanan Terrestrial Vertebrates: Insights from Madagascar's Fossil Record
Authors: Krause David W. , Sertich Joseph J.W. , O'Connor Patrick M. , Curry Rogers Kristina , Rogers Raymond R.
Published: February 2019

The Mesozoic plate tectonic and paleogeographic history of Gondwana had a profound effect on the distribution of terrestrial vertebrates. As the supercontinent fragmented into a series of large landmasses (South America, Africa-Arabia, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, the Indian subcontinent, and Madagascar), particularly during the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous, its terrestrial vertebrates became progressively isolated, evolving into unique faunal assemblages. We focus on four clades that, during the Mesozoic, had relatively low ability for dispersal across oceanic barriers—crocodyliforms, sauropod dinosaurs, nonavian theropod dinosaurs, and mammals. Their distributions reveal patterns that are critically important in evaluating various biogeographic hypotheses, several of which have been informed by recent discoveries from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. We also examine the effects of lingering, intermittent connections, or reconnections, of Gondwanan landmasses with Laurasia (through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Himalayan regions) on the distributions of different clades. ▪ This article reviews the biogeographic history of terrestrial vertebrates from the Mesozoic of the southern supercontinent Gondwana. ▪ Relatively large, terrestrial animals—including crocodyliforms, sauropod and nonavian theropod dinosaurs, and mammals—are the focus of this review. ▪ Most patterns related to vicariance occurred during the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous, the intervals of most active Gondwanan fragmentation. ▪ Recent discoveries of vertebrates from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar have played a key role in formulating and testing various biogeographic hypotheses.
Supraglacial Streams and Rivers
Authors: Pitcher Lincoln H , Smith Laurence C.
Published: February 2019

Supraglacial meltwater channels that flow on the surfaces of glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves connect ice surface climatology with subglacial processes, ice dynamics, and eustatic sea level changes. Their important role in transferring water and heat across and into ice is currently absent from models of surface mass balance and runoff contributions to global sea level rise. Furthermore, relatively little is known about the genesis, evolution, hydrology, hydraulics, and morphology of supraglacial rivers, and a first synthesis and review of published research on these unusual features is lacking. To that end, we review their ( a) known geographical distribution; ( b) formation, morphology, and sediment transport processes; ( c) hydrology and hydraulics; and ( d) impact on ice sheet surface energy balance, heat exchange, basal conditions, and ice shelf stability. We conclude with a synthesis of key knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. ▪ Supraglacial streams and rivers transfer water and heat on glaciers, connecting climate with subglacial hydrology, ice sliding, and global sea level. ▪ Ice surface melting may expand under a warming climate, darkening the ice surface and further increasing melt.
Isotopes in the Water Cycle: Regional- to Global-Scale Patterns and Applications
Authors: Bowen Gabriel J. , Cai Zhongyin , Fiorella Richard P. , Putman Annie L.
Published: February 2019

Stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen have been applied to water cycle research for over 60 years. Over the past two decades, however, new data, data compilations, and quantitative methods have supported the application of isotopic data to address large-scale water cycle problems. Recent results have demonstrated the impact of climate variation on atmospheric water cycling, provided constraints on continental- to global-scale land-atmosphere water vapor fluxes, revealed biases in the sources of runoff in hydrological models, and illustrated regional patterns of water use and management by people. In the past decade, global isotopic observations have spurred new debate over the role of soils in the water cycle, with potential to impact both ecological and hydrological theory. Many components of the water cycle remain underrepresented in isotopic databases. Increasing accessibility of analyses and improved platforms for data sharing will refine and grow the breadth of these contributions in the future. ▪ Isotope ratios in water integrate information on hydrological processes over scales from cities to the globe. ▪ Tracing water with isotopes helps reveal the processes that govern variability in the water cycle and may govern future global changes. ▪ Improvements in instrumentation, data sharing, and quantitative analysis have advanced isotopic water cycle science over the past 20 years.
Exoplanet Clouds
Authors: Helling Christiane
Published: February 2019

Clouds, which are common features in Earth's atmosphere, form in atmospheres of planets that orbit other stars than our Sun, in so-called extrasolar planets or exoplanets. Exoplanet atmospheres can be chemically extremely rich. Exoplanet clouds are therefore composed of a mix of materials that changes throughout the atmosphere. They affect atmospheres through element depletion and through absorption and scattering; hence, they have a profound impact on an atmosphere's energy budget. While astronomical observations point us to the presence of extrasolar clouds and make first suggestions on particle size and material composition, we require fundamental and complex modeling work to merge the individual observations into a coherent picture. Part of this work includes developing an understanding of cloud formation in nonterrestrial environments. ▪ Exoplanet atmospheres exhibit a wide chemical diversity that enables the formation of mineral clouds in contrast to the predominant water clouds on Earth. ▪ Clouds consume elements, causing specific atoms and molecules to drop in abundance. Transport processes such as gravitational settling or advection delocalize this process. ▪ Extrasolar planets can have extreme weather conditions where day- and nightside temperatures vary hugely. This affects cloud formation, and hence the cloud coverage and atmosphere's appearance can change dramatically. ▪ Dynamic extrasolar clouds develop intracloud lightning, and electric circuits may occur on more local, smaller scales in giant exoplanets compared to smaller, Earth-like planets with less dramatic hydrodynamics.
Marsh Processes and Their Response to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise
Authors: FitzGerald Duncan M. , Hughes Zoe
Published: February 2019

In addition to their being vital components of mid- to high-latitude coastal ecosystems, salt marshes contain 0.1% of global sequestered terrestrial carbon. Their sustainability is now threatened by accelerating sea-level rise (SLR) that has reached a rate that is many times greater than the rate at which they formed and evolved. Modeling studies have been instrumental in predicting how marsh systems will respond to greater frequencies and durations of tidal inundation and in quantifying thresholds when marshes will succumb and begin to disintegrate due to accelerating SLR. Over the short term, some researchers believe that biogeomorphic feedbacks will improve marsh survival through greater biomass productivity enhanced by warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide concentrations. Increased sedimentation rates are less likely due to lower-than-expected suspended sediment concentrations. The majority of marsh loss today is through wave-induced edge erosion that beneficially adds sediment to the system. Edge erosion is partly offset by upland marsh migration during SLR. ▪ Despite positive biogeomorphic feedbacks, many salt marshes will succumb to accelerating sea-level rise due to insufficient mineral sediment. ▪ The latest multivariate marsh modeling is producing predictions of marsh evolution under various sea-level rise scenarios. ▪ The least well-known variables in projecting changes to salt marshes are suspended sediment concentrations and net sediment influx to the marsh. ▪ We are in the infancy of understanding the importance and processes of marsh edge erosion and the overall dynamicism of marshes. ▪ This review defines the latest breakthroughs in understanding the response of salt marshes to accelerating sea-level rise and decreasing sediment supply. ▪ Climate change is accelerating sea-level rise, warming temperatures, and increasing carbon dioxide, all of which are impacting marsh vegetation and vertical accretion.
International Divergence in Gene Patenting
Authors: Nicol Dianne , Dreyfuss Rochelle C. , Gold E. Richard , Li Wei , Liddicoat John , Van Overwalle Geertrui
Published: February 2019

This review explores the recent divergence in international patent law relating to genes and associated subject matter. This divergence stems primarily from decisions of the highest courts in the United States and Australia on the eligibility of patent claims relating to the BRCA gene sequences. Patent offices, courts, and policy makers have struggled for many years to clearly articulate the bounds of patent claims on isolated and synthetic DNA and related products and processes, including methods for their use in genetic diagnostics. This review provides context to the current divergence by mapping key events in the gene patent journey from the early 1980s onward in five key jurisdictions: the United States, the member states of the European Patent Convention, Australia, Canada, and China. Early approaches to gene patenting had some commonalities across jurisdictions, which makes exploration of the recent divergence all the more interesting.There is insufficient empirical evidence to date to confidently predict the consequences of this recent divergence. However, it could potentially have a significant effect on local industry and on consumer access.
Acoustic Pattern Recognition and Courtship Songs: Insights from Insects
Authors: Baker Christa A. , Clemens Jan , Murthy Mala
Published: February 2019

Across the animal kingdom, social interactions rely on sound production and perception. From simple cricket chirps to more elaborate bird songs, animals go to great lengths to communicate information critical for reproduction and survival via acoustic signals. Insects produce a wide array of songs to attract a mate, and the intended receivers must differentiate these calls from competing sounds, analyze the quality of the sender from spectrotemporal signal properties, and then determine how to react. Insects use numerically simple nervous systems to analyze and respond to courtship songs, making them ideal model systems for uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying acoustic pattern recognition. We highlight here how the combination of behavioral studies and neural recordings in three groups of insects—crickets, grasshoppers, and fruit flies—reveals common strategies for extracting ethologically relevant information from acoustic patterns and how these findings might translate to other systems.
Monocrotaline pyrrole induces pulmonary endothelial damage through binding to and release from erythrocytes in lung during venous blood reoxygenation
Authors: Xiao Rui , Zhu Liping , Su Yuan , Zhang Jiwei , Lu Yankai , Li Jiansha , Wang Tao , Fang Jing , Jing Zhi-Cheng , Dupuis Jocelyn , Luo Shengquan , Hu Qinghua
Published: February 2019

Monocrotaline has been widely used to establish an animal model of pulmonary hypertension, most frequently in rats. An important feature of this model resides in the selectivity of monocrotaline injury toward the pulmonary vascular endothelium versus the systemic vasculature when administrated at standard dosage. The toxic metabolite of monocrotaline, monocrotaline pyrrole, is transported by erythrocytes. This study aimed to reveal whether partial pressure of oxygen of blood determined the binding and release of monocrotaline pyrrole from erythrocytes in rats with one subcutaneous injection of monocrotatline at the standard dosage of 60 mg/kg. Our experiments demonstrated that monocrotaline pyrrole bound to and released from erythrocytes at the physiological levels of partial pressure of oxygen in venous and arterial blood, respectively, and then aggregated on pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Monocrotaline pyrrole-induced damage of endothelial cells was also dependent on partial pressure of oxygen. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the importance of oxygen partial pressure on monocrotaline pyrrole binding to erythrocytes and on aggregation and injury of pulmonary endothelial cells. We suggest that these mechanisms contribute to pulmonary selectivity of this toxic injury model of pulmonary hypertension.
Time-dependent p53 inhibition determines senescence attenuation and long-term outcome after renal ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Baisantry Arpita , Berkenkamp Birgit , Rong Song , Bhayadia Raj , Sörensen-Zender Inga , Schmitt Roland , Melk Anette
Published: February 2019

Inhibition of p53 has been shown to be an efficient strategy for ameliorating kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in experimental models. The therapeutic value of p53 siRNA-based inhibition for I/R in renal transplantation is currently being evaluated in clinical studies. While the major rationale for these studies is the suppression of proapoptotic properties, there are more equally important injury response pathways regulated by p53. A p53-dependent pathway shown to be crucial for renal long-term outcome is cellular senescence. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that p53 siRNA reduces I/R-induced senescence and thereby improves kidney outcome. By comparing the impact of different treatment durations in a mouse model of renal I/R, we found that repetitive administration of p53 siRNA during the first 14 days after I/R reduced the senescence load and ameliorated the postischemic phenotype. Prolonged application of p53 siRNA over a 26-day period after I/R, however, did not provide any additional benefit for senescence reduction but reversed some of the renoprotective effects of the early treatment. These data suggest a time-dependent role of p53 activity supporting the current therapeutic concept of a short-term inhibition, while advocating against a prolonged treatment after I/R.
A model of uric acid transport in the rat proximal tubule
Authors: Edwards Aurélie , Auberson Muriel , Ramakrishnan Suresh K. , Bonny Olivier
Published: February 2019

The objective of the present study was to theoretically investigate the mechanisms underlying uric acid transport in the proximal tubule (PT) of rat kidneys, and their modulation by factors, including Na+, parathyroid hormone, ANG II, and Na+-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. To that end, we incorporated the transport of uric acid and its conjugate anion urate in our mathematical model of water and solute transport in the rat PT. The model accounts for parallel urate reabsorption and secretion pathways on apical and basolateral membranes and their coupling to lactate and α-ketoglutarate transport. Model results agree with experimental findings at the segment level. Net reabsorption of urate by the rat PT is predicted to be ~70% of the filtered load, with a rate of urate removal from the lumen that is 50% higher than the rate of urate secretion. The model suggests that apical URAT1 deletion significantly reduces net urate reabsorption across the PT, whereas ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 dysfunction affects it only slightly. Inactivation of basolateral glucose transporter-9 raises fractional urate excretion above 100%, as observed in patients with renal familial hypouricemia. Furthermore, our results suggest that reducing Na+ reabsorption across Na+/H+ exchangers or Na+-glucose cotransporters augments net urate reabsorption. The model predicts that parathyroid hormone reduces urate excretion, whereas ANG II increases it. In conclusion, we have developed the first model of uric acid transport in the rat PT; this model provides a framework to gain greater insight into the numerous solutes and coupling mechanisms that affect the renal handing of uric acid.
Volitional control of single-electrode high gamma local field potentials by people with paralysis
Authors: Milekovic Tomislav , Bacher Daniel , Sarma Anish A. , Simeral John D. , Saab Jad , Pandarinath Chethan , Yvert Blaise , Sorice Brittany L. , Blabe Christine , Oakley Erin M. , Tringale Kathryn R. , Eskandar Emad , Cash Sydney S. , Shenoy Krishna V. , Henderson Jaimie M. , Hochberg Leigh R. , Donoghue John P.
Published: February 2019

Intracortical brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can enable individuals to control effectors, such as a computer cursor, by directly decoding the user’s movement intentions from action potentials and local field potentials (LFPs) recorded within the motor cortex. However, the accuracy and complexity of effector control achieved with such “biomimetic” BCIs will depend on the degree to which the intended movements used to elicit control modulate the neural activity. In particular, channels that do not record distinguishable action potentials and only record LFP modulations may be of limited use for BCI control. In contrast, a biofeedback approach may surpass these limitations by letting the participants generate new control signals and learn strategies that improve the volitional control of signals used for effector control. Here, we show that, by using a biofeedback paradigm, three individuals with tetraplegia achieved volitional control of gamma LFPs (40–400 Hz) recorded by a single microelectrode implanted in the precentral gyrus. Control was improved over a pair of consecutive sessions up to 3 days apart. In all but one session, the channel used to achieve control lacked distinguishable action potentials. Our results indicate that biofeedback LFP-based BCIs may potentially contribute to the neural modulation necessary to obtain reliable and useful control of effectors.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study demonstrates that people with tetraplegia can volitionally control individual high-gamma local-field potential (LFP) channels recorded from the motor cortex, and that this control can be improved using biofeedback. Motor cortical LFP signals are thought to be both informative and stable intracortical signals and, thus, of importance for future brain-computer interfaces.
Discriminating between anticipatory and visually triggered saccades: measuring minimal visual saccadic response time using luminance
Authors: Heeman Jessica , Van der Stigchel Stefan , Munoz Douglas P. , Theeuwes Jan
Published: February 2019

We describe a novel behavioral method to accurately discriminate anticipatory (i.e., saccades not generated by visual input) from visually triggered saccades and to identify the minimal visual saccadic reaction time (SRT). This method can be used to calculate a feasible lower bound cutoff for latencies of visually triggered saccades within a certain experimental context or participant group. We apply this method to compute the minimal visual SRT for two different saccade target luminance levels. Three main findings are presented: 1) the minimal visual SRT for all participants was 46 ms shorter for bright targets than for dim targets, 2) the transition from non-visually triggered to visually triggered saccades occurred abruptly, independent of target luminance, and 3) although the absolute minimal visual SRTs varied between participants, the response pattern (response to bright targets being faster than to dim targets) was consistent across participants. These results are consistent with variability in saccadic and neural responses to luminance as has been reported in monkeys. On the basis of these results, we argue that differences in the minimal visual SRT can easily occur when stimuli vary in luminance or other saliency features. Applying an absolute cutoff (i.e., 70–90 ms) that approaches the minimal neuronal conduction delays, which is general practice in many laboratories, may result in the wrongful inclusion of saccades that are not visually triggered. It is suggested to assess the lower SRT bound for visually triggered saccades when piloting an experimental setup and before including saccades based on particular latency criteria.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We successfully developed an anticipation paradigm to discriminate between anticipatory and visually triggered saccades by measuring the minimal visual saccadic response time (SRT). We show that the 70- to 90-ms lower bound cutoff for visually triggered saccades should be applied in a flexible way and that the transitional interval is very short. The paradigm can be employed to investigate the effects of different stimulus features, experimental conditions, and participant groups on the minimal visual SRT in humans.