bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Timing of deglaciation and rock glacier origin in the southeastern Pyrenees: a review and new data
Authors: Andrés Nuria , Gómez‐Ortiz Antonio , Fernández‐Fernández José M. , Tanarro Luis M. , Salvador‐Franch Ferran , Oliva Marc , Palacios David
Published: May 2018

The aim of this research is to improve our current understanding of the deglaciation stages in the southeastern Pyrenees and integrate it into reconstructions of the long‐term deglaciation in the Iberian mountains since the Last Glaciation. First, we examine the existing chronological data for deglaciation in Iberian mountain ranges, mainly focusing on the Pyrenees and the results derived from cosmic ray exposure dating methods. Then, we recalculate the age of 17 samples from four different areas in the SE Pyrenees (Arànser, La Llosa and Duran valleys and Malniu‐Guils complex) based on the 36Cl isotope and applying a new age calculator. In addition, we date eight new samples from the Malniu‐Guils complex to provide a more accurate chronology for this site. The results do not clarify the timing of the maximum glacier extent, but support an extensive glacial advance followed by multiple small advances and retreats during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Geomorphological and chronological data show evidence of massive deglaciation at the end of the LGM around 18 ka, and deglaciation was practically complete during the Bølling‐Allerød interstadial. There is no geomorphological evidence of glacial advances in the cirques during the Younger Dryas. Instead, cirque walls were covered with rock glaciers during the Bølling‐Allerød interstadial. The fronts of these rock glaciers stabilized at the end of this period, while their roots remained active until well into the Holocene.
Approach or avoidance: Neural correlates of intelligence evaluation from faces
Authors: Akimoto Yoritaka , Yamazaki Ryuichi , Sugiura Motoaki , Nouchi Rui , Terao Chiaki , Tsukiura Takashi , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: May 2018

Intelligence is among the key determinants of power and social status in modern societies. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined the neural correlates of intelligence evaluation from faces. Participants underwent scans while they evaluated the perceived intelligence and friendliness of faces. We found that medial orbitofrontal cortex activity increased linearly with friendliness ratings. The relationship between perceived intelligence and brain activity was positively linear in the right caudate nucleus and U‐shaped (i.e., strong responses to unintelligent‐looking or intelligent‐looking faces) in the right anterior insula/inferior frontal gyrus. Perceived intelligence was also significantly positively correlated with both friendliness and attractiveness. Furthermore, intelligence rating scores had a positive linear effect on reaction times in the friendliness rating task, suggesting that participants had greater conflicts when making friendliness judgments for faces that appeared to belong to intelligent individuals. In addition, the degree of this effect predicted individual differences in the positive linear modulatory effect of intelligence scores in the right caudate nucleus. Our interpretation was that the activity in the caudate nucleus revealed an approach‐avoidance conflict with regard to highly intelligent people, that is, they were perceived as attractive but also potentially threatening. Although our interpretations are merely suggestive because we did not measure the approach‐avoidance behaviors directly, our findings have important implications for understanding the dynamics of human interaction in modern societies that increasingly allocate power and status based on intelligence.
Identification of two highly promiscuous thermostable sugar nucleotidylyltransferases for glycorandomization
Authors: Bais Vaibhav Singh , Batra Sahil , Prakash Balaji
Published: May 2018

Glycorandomization is a process that improves the efficacy of glycoconjugates by the addition of a diverse array of sugars to secondary metabolites and antibiotics of pharmaceutical importance. This process, which employs sugar nucleotidylyltransferases (SNTs) and glycosyl transferases (GTs) in tandem, would benefit by the employment of promiscuous enzymes, i.e. those with the ability to utilize diverse noncanonical substrates. As promiscuous GTs are available, here we set out to identify promiscuous SNTs. For this, we began with a detailed family‐wide characterization of SNTs. Earlier, we had proposed that SNTs could be classified into two major groups – I and II. They share a common structural framework and utilize a similar catalytic mechanism. Subtle variations in the way two magnesium ions — and — are stabilized by metal ion coordination motifs led to their classification into diverse subgroups viz. I‐A, I‐B, I‐C, II‐A, and II‐B. Based on this classification, here we investigate promiscuity across the entire family of SNTs. We study the utilization of several sugar phosphates and nucleotides by the various subgroups of SNTs to understand substrate specificity and promiscuity in these. We find that promiscuity is prevalent among SNTs; and in particular, in the thermophilic homologs. In principle, promiscuity profiling identified four new SNTs that can be employed for the production of sugar‐nucleotide libraries. However, assaying for their ability to simultaneously utilize multiple substrates in a single‐pot reaction, we find two thermophilic SNTs‐ TMGA, an adenylyltransferase from Thermotoga maritima and PHGT, a thymidylyltransferase from Pyrococcus horikoshii that are readily employable for the production of diverse sugar‐nucleotides.
Shatter Not the Branches of the Tree of Anger: Mothering, Affect, and Disability
Authors: Gabel Susan L.
Published: May 2018

Using the social interpretation of disability, Foucault's theory of disciplinary power, literary devices, and feminist literature, I write an affective narrative of mothering disabled children. In doing so I illustrate the ways in which the materiality of normalcy, surveillance, and embodiment can produce emotions that create docile mothers ashamed of their contribution to the world, conflicted mothers struggling with dissonant affects, and unruly, angry mothers battling against the architectures of their children's oppression.
The second‐tier trap: Theory and experimental evidence
Authors: Kim Duk Gyoo
Published: May 2018

Winner‐take‐all competitions can lead to the person in the second‐tier (middle‐tier) environment having the worst expected payoff when players exclusively choose their environment and exert effort before their random, heterogeneous environmental supports are realized. The tiers are defined by the ranks in pairwise competitions. The second‐tier trap (STT) is a situation in which a player from the second‐tier environment has the worst expected payoff even though his expected environmental support is strictly greater than that of the third‐tier player. A sufficient condition for the STT is that the ex‐ante advantages, the winning probabilities when all the players exert the same amount of effort regardless of their environment, are the same for those two environments. I claim that this sufficient condition for the STT is so weak that players can easily be tempted to choose the second‐tier environment, which is the wrong decision. Lab experiments strongly support this claim.
Cellular interactions with bacterial cellulose: Polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffolds produced by a portable electrohydrodynamic gun for point‐of‐need wound dressing
Authors: Aydogdu Mehmet Onur , Altun Esra , Crabbe‐Mann Maryam , Brako Francis , Koc Fatma , Ozen Gunes , Kuruca Serap Erdem , Edirisinghe Ursula , Luo CJ , Gunduz Oguzhan , Edirisinghe Mohan
Published: May 2018

Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds are promising regenerative wound dressing options but have yet to be widely used in practice. The challenge is that nanofibre productions rely on bench‐top apparatuses, and the delicate product integrity is hard to preserve before reaching the point of need. Timing is critically important to wound healing. The purpose of this investigation is to produce novel nanofibrous scaffolds using a portable, hand‐held “gun”, which enables production at the wound site in a time‐dependent fashion, thereby preserving product integrity. We select bacterial cellulose, a natural hydrophilic biopolymer, and polycaprolactone, a synthetic hydrophobic polymer, to generate composite nanofibres that can tune the scaffold hydrophilicity, which strongly affects cell proliferation. Composite scaffolds made of 8 different ratios of bacterial cellulose and polycaprolactone were successfully electrospun. The morphological features and cell–scaffold interactions were analysed using scanning electron microscopy. The biocompatibility was studied using Saos‐2 cell viability test. The scaffolds were found to show good biocompatibility and allow different proliferation rates that varied with the composition of the scaffolds. A nanofibrous dressing that can be accurately moulded and standardised via the portable technique is advantageous for wound healing in practicality and in its consistency through mass production.
Special Editorial: Open science and the Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry – next steps?
Authors: Asarnow Joan , Bloch Michael H. , Brandeis Daniel , Alexandra Burt S. , Fearon Pasco , Fombonne Eric , Green Jonathan , Gregory Alice , Gunnar Megan , Halperin Jeff M. , Hollis Chris , Jaffee Sara , Klump Kelly , Landau Sabine , Lesch Klaus‐Peter , Oldehinkel A.J. (Tineke) , Peterson Bradley , Ramchandani Paul , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Stringaris Argyris , Zeanah Charles H.
Published: May 2018

The JCPP works at the cutting edge of clinical science to publish ground‐breaking research across the full range of topics in the field of child psychology and psychiatry. As JCPP editors, who are also active researchers in our own right, we are conscious of the threat posed to our field by what has come to be known as the reproducibility crisis ‐ the fact that many published findings, initially trumpeted as important developments in the field, cannot be replicated and are therefore likely to be spurious (Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 2017, 21). The JCPP is conscious of its responsibility to play its part in addressing this issue as best it can. The roots of the problem are complex and its causes multifaceted. As one part of its response, the JCPP embraces the principles of open science and encourage preregistration of study protocols. Furthermore, we are working towards implementing new systems to promote preregistration with the hope of increasing scientific transparency and accountability and reducing the risks of selective reporting and posthoc rationalisation of findings (Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 59, 2018, 1).
Different outdoor professions have different risks – a cross‐sectional study comparing non‐melanoma skin cancer risk among farmers, gardeners and mountain guides
Authors: Zink A. , Tizek L. , Schielein M. , Böhner A. , Biedermann T. , Wildner M.
Published: May 2018

Background

One of the main risk factors for non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most common cancer worldwide, is solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This has led to the recognition of NMSC as occupational disease for outdoor workers in several countries. However, outdoor professions are a very heterogeneous group with diverse daily activities and associated UVR exposure.

Objective

To compare the prevalence of NMSC and associated risk behaviour in different outdoor professions.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study among outdoor workers (farmers, gardeners, mountain guides) and indoor workers (office employees) as control group using a paper‐based questionnaire on UVR exposure and protective behaviour followed by a skin examination by a dermatologist.

Results

A total of 563 participants (46.9% women, 46.9 ± 13.8 years) consisting of 348 outdoor workers (38.8% farmer, 35.3% gardener, 25.9% mountain guides) and 215 indoor workers were included in the study between March and September 2017. NMSC incl. actinic keratosis was diagnosed in 33.3% of mountain guides, 27.4% of farmers, 19.5% of gardeners and in 5.6% of indoor workers. Significant differences were seen between the outdoor professions with mountain guides at highest risk compared to farmers (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–5.7). Substantial differences between the professions were also seen in skin cancer screening attendance rates (indoor worker 61.4%, mountain guides 57.8%, farmers 31.9%, gardeners 27.6%), daily UVR exposure during work and protective behaviour such as sunscreen use during work.

Conclusion

Different outdoor professions have significant different risks for NMSC and show different risk behaviour. Tailoring prevention efforts to different professions based on their individual needs could be the key to lower the global burden of (occupational) NMSC.
New procedures for food handlers under infectious gastrointestinal disease: To control emerging microbial problems
Authors: Park Jong Myong , Cho Hyun Min , Kim Jong Mun , Ghim Sa‐Youl
Published: May 2018

Owing to climate change and global warming, foodborne infectious diseases are becoming an inevitable problem worldwide, and this includes Korea. An emerging factor of foodborne infectious disease outbreak in the foodservice business (i.e., restaurants) is inappropriate management of food handlers with acute gastroenteritis. This study will propose new procedures for bigger restaurants such as conglomerate chains or hotel restaurants that have adequate economic capability for operating new or existing procedures to complement the shortcomings of the Korean Food Safety Act based on microbiological, epidemiological, and etiological fundamentals. Designed procedures for managing a primary case (i.e., first symptomatic worker) or confirmed patients in close contact (i.e., colleagues) were based on several concepts, such as isolation, contact quarantine, and release. These procedures can be included in the sanitation standard operating procedures for foodservice business in a chapter on the Food Handler's Hygiene Management Manual.

Practical applications

Foodborne infectious disease spread by food handlers is currently an emerging food safety management crisis in Korea. Since few response procedures have been proposed as to how to act in such a critical situation, our study will suggest new procedures. Possible foodborne infectious disease that can be mediated by food handlers was investigated and categorized into four types based on their microbiological, epidemiological, and etiological characters. Several distinct response procedures were designated for primary or secondary case, confirmed case, and close contact colleagues. Newly designed criteria were simulated for field applicability. These procedures can be included in the sanitation standard operating procedures for foodservice businesses in a chapter of the Food Handler's Hygiene Management Manual.
Neuronal calcineurin transcriptional targets parallel changes observed in Alzheimer disease brain
Authors: Hopp Sarah C. , Bihlmeyer Nathan A. , Corradi John P. , Vanderburg Charles , Cacace Angela M. , Das Sudeshna , Clark Timothy W. , Betensky Rebecca A. , Hyman Bradley T. , Hudry Eloise
Published: May 2018

Synaptic dysfunction and loss are core pathological features in Alzheimer disease (AD). In the vicinity of amyloid‐β plaques in animal models, synaptic toxicity occurs and is associated with chronic activation of the phosphatase calcineurin (CN). Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of CN blocks amyloid‐β synaptotoxicity. We therefore hypothesized that CN‐mediated transcriptional changes may contribute to AD neuropathology and tested this by examining the impact of CN over‐expression on neuronal gene expression in vivo. We found dramatic transcriptional down‐regulation, especially of synaptic mRNAs, in neurons chronically exposed to CN activation. Importantly, the transcriptional profile parallels the changes in human AD tissue. Bioinformatics analyses suggest that both nuclear factor of activated T cells and numerous microRNAs may all be impacted by CN, and parallel findings are observed in AD. These data and analyses support the hypothesis that at least part of the synaptic failure characterizing AD may result from aberrant CN activation leading to down‐regulation of synaptic genes, potentially via activation of specific transcription factors and expression of repressive microRNAs.

Open science badges

This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.

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Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 8.
Factors associated with infants receiving their mother's own breast milk on discharge from hospital in a unit where pasteurised donor human milk is available
Authors: Tshamala Didier , Pelecanos Anita , Davies Mark W
Published: May 2018

Aim

To determine the proportion of very preterm infants who were exclusively fed breast milk at the time of discharge home, before and after the availability of pasteurised donor human milk (PDHM).

Methods

This was an observational retrospective cohort study with historical comparison, comparing two cohorts (<32 weeks gestational age or very low birthweight) before and after the availability of donor human milk. The main explanatory variable was the PDHM cohort: pre‐PDHM or post‐PDHM. The primary dichotomous outcome variable was defined as whether the baby was being fed with breast milk only at the time of discharge home, compared with those fed with artificial formula alone or mixed feeding (artificial formula and breast milk).

Results

There were 1088 babies in the pre‐PDHM cohort and 330 in the post‐PDHM cohort (total n = 1418). Following the introduction of PDHM, 56% (185/330) were exclusively fed breast milk at the time of hospital discharge and 57% (620/1088) in the pre‐PDHM cohort. The availability of PDHM is not a significant predictor of feeding outcome upon discharge (P = 0.45) when adjusted for maternal age, log‐transformed post‐natal age at discharge home and any congenital abnormality.

Conclusions

The availability of donor human milk in our unit is not associated with a decrease in the number of very preterm infants receiving mother's own breast milk at time of discharge home. Other factors that positively impact the successful establishment of breastfeeding in preterm babies were older maternal age, the absence of any congenital abnormality and a shorter duration of hospital stay.
Colour matching in an orb‐web spider: a twig‐masquerading species as seen by potential predators
Authors: Xavier G. M. , Brito V. L. G. , Gonzaga M. O.
Published: May 2018

Distinct predator groups perceive prey colour and brightness differently because they harbour distinct visual systems. Therefore, the evaluation of the presence of visual‐based mechanisms of action in defensive strategies must be assessed from the perspective of the visual abilities of potential predators. Wixia abdominalis O.P. Cambridge, 1882 (Araneae, Araneidae) is a masquerader species that imitates its substrate, the twigs of trees. Using reflectance spectrophotometry and colour visual models, we tested and subsequently corroborated the hypothesis that colour matching occurs in this species based on how it is perceived by the primary spider predators, hymenopterans and birds. These results provide a theoretical basis on the role of colour and brightness in this defensive strategy, indicating that susceptibility to the two main groups of spider predators can be influenced by these characteristics. Then, we discussed the causes and implications of this defensive strategy in W. abdominalis and similar spider species.
Withstanding the Great Recession Like China
Authors: Wen Yi , Wu Jing
Published: May 2018

Data show that the United States, Europe, and even countries with lesser ties to the international financial system have suffered large permanent losses in aggregate output and employment since the financial crisis, despite unprecedented monetary injections. However, the symptoms of the Great Recession were not observed in China, despite a 45% permanent drop in its exports relative to historical trend. We study the precise channels through which the stimulus programs work in China and construct a simple model to rationalize the dramatically different impacts of stimulus programs across countries.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 reduces the replication efficiency of Bamboo mosaic virus in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Cheng , Wu Yi‐Jhen , Hsueh Chia‐Hsin , Huang Yu‐Ting , Hsu Yau‐Heiu , Meng Menghsiao
Published: May 2018

In plants, the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are the central signaling pathways of the complicated defense network triggered by the perception of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns to repel pathogens. The Arabidopsis thaliana MAPK phosphatase 1 (AtMKP1) negatively regulates the activation of MAPKs. Recently, the AtMKP1 homolog of Nicotiana benthamiana (NbMKP1) was found in association with the Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) replication complex. This study aimed to investigate the role of NbMKP1 in BaMV multiplication in N. benthamiana. Silencing of NbMKP1 increased accumulations of the BaMV‐encoded proteins and the viral genomic RNA, although the same condition reduced the infectivity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in N. benthamiana. On the other hand, overexpression of NbMKP1 decreased the BaMV coat protein accumulation in a phosphatase activity‐dependent manner in protoplasts. NbMKP1 also negatively affected the in vitro RNA polymerase activity of the BaMV replication complex. Collectively, the activity of NbMKP1 seems to reduce BaMV multiplication, inconsistent with the negatively regulatory role of MKP1 in MAPK cascades in terms of warding off fungal and bacterial invasion. In addition, silencing of NbMKP1 increased the accumulation of Foxtail mosaic virus but decreased Potato virus X. The discrepant effects exerted by NbMKP1 on different pathogens foresee the difficulty to develop plants with broad‐spectrum resistance through genetically manipulating a single player in MAPK cascades.
Acute kidney injury and disease: Long‐term consequences and management
Authors: Rangaswamy Dharshan , Sud Kamal
Published: May 2018

With increasing longevity and the presence of multiple comorbidities, a significant proportion of hospitalized patients, and an even larger population in the community, is at increased risk of developing an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI). Because of improvements in short‐term outcomes following an episode of AKI, survivors of an episode of AKI are now predisposed to develop its long‐term sequel. The identification of risk for progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complicated by the absence of good biomarkers that identify this risk and the variability of risk associated with clinical factors including, but not limited to, the number of AKI episodes, severity, duration of previous AKI and pre‐existing CKD that has made the prediction for long‐term outcomes in survivors of AKI more difficult. Being a significant contributor to the growing incidence of CKD, there is a need to implement measures to prevent AKI in both the community and hospital settings, target interventions to treat AKI that are also associated with better long‐term outcomes, accurately identify patients at risk of adverse consequences following an episode of AKI and institute therapeutic strategies to improve these long‐term outcomes. We discuss the lasting renal and non‐renal consequences following an episode of AKI, available biomarkers and non‐invasive testing to identify ongoing intra‐renal pathology and review the currently available and future treatment strategies to help reduce these adverse long‐term outcomes.
Sexual dimorphism of estrogen‐sensitized synoviocytes contributes to gender difference in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Xue Xin‐Tong , Zhang Ting , Cui Sheng‐Jie , He Dan‐Qing , Wang Xue‐Dong , Yang Rui‐Li , Liu Da‐Wei , Liu Yan , Gan Ye‐Hua , Kou Xiao‐Xing , Zhou Yan‐Heng
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is approximately twice as prevalent in women than in men. Synoviocytes are believed to play a critical role in joint inflammation. However, it is unknown whether synoviocytes from different genders possess sexual dimorphisms that contribute to female‐predominant TMJOA.

Materials and Methods

Freund's complete adjuvant combined with monosodium iodoacetate was used to induce TMJOA in female and male rats. Histologic and radiographic features were used to evaluate TMJOA. The expression of CD68, MCP‐1, iNOS, and IL‐1β was detected by immunohistochemistry and real‐time PCR. Primary fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) isolated from the synovial membrane of female and male rats were used for in vitro experiments.

Results

Female rats showed aggravated TMJOA features as compared to male rats. Increased expression of iNOS and IL‐1β was detected in synovial membrane from female TMJOA rats as compared to male rats. Furthermore, greater amounts of CD68‐positive macrophage infiltration and increased MCP‐1 expression around the synovial membrane were detected in female TMJOA rats compared to males. Primary cultured FLSs from female rats showed higher sensitivity to TNF‐α treatment and recruited increased macrophage migration than male FLSs. More important, ovariectomy (OVX) by ablation in female rats repressed the sensitivity of female FLSs to TNF‐α treatment due to the loss of estrogen production. Blockage of the estrogen receptor repressed estrogen‐potentiated TNF‐α‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in OVX‐FLSs. Moreover, the injection of estrogen receptor antagonists relieved the cartilage destruction and bone deterioration of TMJOA in female rats.

Conclusion

Estrogen‐sensitized synoviocytes in female rats may contribute to gender differences in the incidence and progression of TMJOA.
Impossible Odds
Authors: SalmÓn Nathan
Published: May 2018

A thesis (“weak BCP”) nearly universally held among philosophers of probability connects the concepts of objective chance and metaphysical modality: Any prospect (outcome) that has a positive chance of obtaining is metaphysically possible—(nearly) equivalently, any metaphysically impossible prospect has zero chance. Particular counterexamples are provided utilizing the monotonicity of chance, one of them related to the four world paradox. Explanations are offered for the persistent feeling that there cannot be chancy metaphysical necessities or chancy metaphysical impossibilities. Chance is objective but contrary to popular opinion it is also largely epistemic. Chancy necessities are analogous to necessary a posteriori truths.
Should obesity affect suitability for kidney donation?
Authors: Sachdeva Mala
Published: May 2018

As with the suitability for kidney transplantation for obese recipients, there is no universally accepted guideline for clinicians for obese donors; criteria for acceptance are variable among transplant centers. Obesity is on the rise in the United States and the number of living kidney donors who are obese parallel this national trend. Careful risk assessment and informed consent must be undertaken predonation prior to accepting an obese kidney donor in order to minimize long‐ and short‐term complications. Likewise, close postdonation follow‐up for this higher risk group should be implemented.
The overexpression of Fra1 disorders the inflammatory cytokine secretion by mTEC of myasthenia gravis thymus
Authors: Li Q.‐R. , Ni W.‐P. , Lei N.‐J. , Yang J.‐Y. , Xuan X.‐Y. , Liu P.‐P. , Gong G.‐M. , Yan F. , Feng Y.‐S. , Zhao R. , Du Y.
Published: May 2018

The thymus of a myasthenia gravis (MG) patient is often accompanied by and effected with follicular hyperplasia. Inflammatory cytokines in thymus induce the formation of germinal centres (GC). MG thymic inflammatory cytokines are predominantly secreted by stromal cells. Our previous studies revealed that the expression level of the Fra1 protein, which is a Fos member of the activator protein 1 transcription factors (AP‐1), was higher in the MG thymus compared with that of the normal thymus. Based on that, we demonstrated that Fra1 was mainly expressed in medulla thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and that the rate of Fra1 positive mTECs in the MG thymus was higher than normal. In vitro, we found that the expression of CCL‐5, CCL‐19 and CCL‐21 could be regulated by Fra1 in mTEC and that IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and ICAM1 were downregulated in the Fra1 overexpression group and upregulated in the Fra1 knock‐down group. Meanwhile, we detected that the expression levels of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) were significantly upregulated along with the overexpression of Fra1. Hence, we considered that the overexpression of Fra1 disrupted inflammatory cytokine secretion by mTEC in the MG thymus and that STAT3 and SOCS3 were strongly involved in this process.
The impact of toceranib, piroxicam and thalidomide with or without hypofractionated radiation therapy on clinical outcome in dogs with inflammatory mammary carcinoma
Authors: Rossi F. , Sabattini S. , Vascellari M. , Marconato L.
Published: May 2018

In dogs, inflammatory mammary carcinoma is a clinicopathological entity characterized by rapid progression and aggressive behavior from onset of disease. Reported median survival time is short, with no effective treatment options. The aims of this prospective, noncontrolled clinical trial were to investigate outcome variables and safety profile of toceranib, thalidomide and piroxicam with or without hypofractionated radiation therapy in dogs with measurable histologically confirmed inflammatory mammary carcinoma that underwent a complete staging. Eighteen dogs were enrolled: 14 received medical treatment, and 4 were treated with hypofractionated radiation therapy and medical therapy. Overall, median time to progression was 34 days and median survival time was 109 days. In dogs treated with medical therapy, overall response rate was 21%, and clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 64%; median time to progression was 28 days and median survival time was 59 days. In dogs receiving medical therapy and undergoing radiation therapy, overall response rate and clinical benefit rate were 100%, with significantly longer time to progression (156 days) and survival time (180 days). Overall, treatment was well tolerated, with mild gastrointestinal and dermatological adverse events. Although the optimal treatment to this disease remains uncertain, the current approach consisting of systemic anti‐angiogenic drugs with or without hypofractionated radiation therapy, provided clinical benefit in a significant proportion of dogs and should, therefore, be further explored.
Effects of nutrient addition and clipping on biomass production of invasive and native annual Asteraceae plants
Authors: Huang Q Q , Fan Z W , Li X X , Wang Y , Liu Y , Shen Y D
Published: May 2018

Invasive plants dominate many habitats and cause significant harm to native plants, agriculture and the wider environment. Clipping by mowing machines has been a common method to control invasive plants, but whether it can reduce the performance of invaders and increase the performance of co‐occurring natives is not known. This study examined the effects of soil nutrient conditions and clipping on the performance of three invasive and three co‐occurring native annual Asteraceae plants under either isolated or competitive conditions. Clipping tended to reduce the aboveground biomass of the invasive plants more than that of the native plants under low, but not under high nutrient conditions. However, invasive plants still produced an aboveground biomass equal to, or larger than, that of native plants under the low nutrient and clipping treatment combination. Nutrient addition increased the aboveground biomass of the invasive plants more than that of the native plants, although this was only marginally significant under competitive conditions. Clipping did not reduce the performance advantage of invaders over natives under high soil nutrient conditions. The ability of invaders to benefit more from nutrient addition, along with its ability to perform equally well, or better than, the native plants after human mechanical control (i.e. clipping), may explain their high abundance and dominance in many habitats.
A Comparison of Human Resource Strategies between the Manufacturing and the Service Sector of Japanese Companies in China
Authors: Ming Lau Chung
Published: May 2018

An investigation into how Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) manage their overseas HRM practices affiliates and an exploration of the underlying factors affecting each practice could contribute to enhancing business knowledge and practice. This is especially important when taking into consideration the dramatic change in industry structure and business environment in China. This study adopted a quantitative survey method and analyzed 180 responses from employees of Japanese companies in China (JCCs); 113 from Mainland China and 67 from Hong Kong. Performance appraisal was rated the most important concern of the five human resource management (HRM) practices. Corporate policy and the complexity of the business were the main factors affecting decision for   expatriation from the viewpoint of headquarters and locals, respectively. Minor differences were observed in HRM practices in the manufacturing and the service sector, and location, age, and size of the companies.
Positive Liberty and Black Female Subjectivity in Toni Morrison’s Sula
Authors: Alfaqir Najd F.
Published: May 2018

The essay investigates the representation of female subjectivity that is disturbed by issues of race, gender, and community in Toni Morrison’s novel, Sula. In my analysis, I bring to bear both the works of postmodernist theory and contemporary Feminist aesthetics in order to strengthen female subjectivity against the closed systems in which black women are objectified and separated from the autonomous existence they deserve. My representation of postmodernism is inspired by Linda Hucheon’s theory of Postmodernism in A Poetics of Postmodernism: History, Theory, Fiction. Her suggestion that postmodernism is a contradictory concept that simultaneously acknowledges and disregards any concept offers new possibilities; it blurs the lines that humans create between self/other and centered/decentered, undermining socially constructed notions of good and bad. As I closely examine the character of Sula, who embodies such postmodern concept, I attempt to rethink her position as marginalized and evil to think about her character as a quest to rise above the limitations resulting from the closed systems in which black women are objectified. In my conclusion, I suggest that Sula’s presence in the novel as radical on the surface is positive, for she transforms her otherness into a space from which female autonomy and liberty emerge. Throughout Sula, Morrison explores spaces of existence beyond constructed social conventions towards female individuality and Sula epitomizes that in her positive liberty.
Derived categories of Gushel–Mukai varieties
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander , Perry Alexander
Published: May 2018

We study the derived categories of coherent sheaves on Gushel–Mukai varieties. In the derived category of such a variety, we isolate a special semiorthogonal component, which is a K3 or Enriques category according to whether the dimension of the variety is even or odd. We analyze the basic properties of this category using Hochschild homology, Hochschild cohomology, and the Grothendieck group. We study the K3 category of a Gushel–Mukai fourfold in more detail. Namely, we show this category is equivalent to the derived category of a K3 surface for a certain codimension 1 family of rational Gushel–Mukai fourfolds, and to the K3 category of a birational cubic fourfold for a certain codimension 3 family. The first of these results verifies a special case of a duality conjecture which we formulate. We discuss our results in the context of the rationality problem for Gushel–Mukai varieties, which was one of the main motivations for this work.
Cremona transformations and derived equivalences of K3 surfaces
Authors: Hassett Brendan , Lai Kuan-Wen
Published: May 2018

We exhibit a Cremona transformation of $\mathbb{P}^{4}$ such that the base loci of the map and its inverse are birational to K3 surfaces. The two K3 surfaces are derived equivalent but not isomorphic to each other. As an application, we show that the difference of the two K3 surfaces annihilates the class of the affine line in the Grothendieck ring of varieties.
LEA Proteins and the Evolution of the WHy Domain
Authors: Mertens Jasmin , Aliyu Habibu , Cowan Don A.
Published: May 2018

The late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) family is composed of a diverse collection of multidomain and multifunctional proteins found in all three domains of the tree of life, but they are particularly common in plants. Most members of the family are known to play an important role in abiotic stress response and stress tolerance in plants but are also part of the plant hypersensitive response to pathogen infection.
Transmission of Monospecies and Dual-Species Biofilms from Smooth to Nanopillared Surfaces
Authors: Gusnaniar  , Hizal Ferdi , Choi Chang-Hwan , Sjollema Jelmer , Nuryastuti Titik , Rustema-Abbing Minie , Rozenbaum Rene T. , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. , Wessel Stefan W.
Published: May 2018

Bacterial transmission from biofilm-covered surfaces to surfaces is mechanistically different from bacterial adhesion to surfaces and involves detachment from the donor and adhesion to the receiver surfaces under pressure. Bacterial transmission occurs, for instance, in food processing or packaging, in household situations, or between surfaces in hospitals. Patients admitted to a hospital room previously occupied by a patient with antibiotic-resistant pathogens are at elevated infection risk by the same pathogens through transmission. Nanopillared receiver surfaces did not collect less biofilm from a smooth donor than a smooth receiver, likely because the pressure applied during transmission negated the smaller contact area between bacteria and nanopillared surfaces, generally held responsible for reduced adhesion. Biofilm left behind on smooth donor surfaces of a non-extracellular-polymeric-substance (EPS)-producing strain and dual species had undergone different structural changes than an EPS-producing strain, which is important for their possible further treatment by antimicrobials or disinfectants.
The Periplasmic Trehalase Affects Type 1 Fimbria Production and Virulence of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain MT78
Authors: Pavanelo Daniel Brisotto , Houle Sébastien , Matter Letícia Beatriz , Dozois Charles Martin , Horn Fabiana
Published: May 2018

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) is responsible for various infections outside the gastrointestinal tract in humans and other animals. ExPEC strain MT78 is invasive to various nonphagocytic cells and highly virulent
in vivo
.
Genomic and Geographic Context for the Evolution of High-Risk Carbapenem-Resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
Complex Clones ST171 and ST78
Authors: Gomez-Simmonds Angela , Annavajhala Medini K. , Wang Zheng , Macesic Nenad , Hu Yue , Giddins Marla J. , O’Malley Aidan , Toussaint Nora C. , Whittier Susan , Torres Victor J. , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin
Published: May 2018

Recent reports have established the escalating threat of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (CREC). Here, we demonstrate that CREC has evolved as a highly antibiotic-resistant rather than highly virulent nosocomial pathogen. Applying genomics and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to a 7-year collection of CREC isolates from a northern Manhattan hospital system and to a large set of publicly available, geographically diverse genomes, we demonstrate clonal spread of a single clone, ST171. We estimate that two major clades of epidemic ST171 diverged prior to 1962, subsequently spreading in parallel from the Northeastern to the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern United States and demonstrating links to international sites. Acquisition of carbapenem and fluoroquinolone resistance determinants by both clades preceded widespread use of these drugs in the mid-1980s, suggesting that antibiotic pressure contributed substantially to its spread. Despite a unique mobile repertoire, ST171 isolates showed decreased virulence
in vitro
. While a second clone, ST78, substantially contributed to the emergence of CREC, it encompasses diverse carbapenemase-harboring plasmids, including a potentially hypertransmissible IncN plasmid, also present in other sequence types. Rather than heightened virulence, CREC demonstrates lineage-specific, multifactorial adaptations to nosocomial environments coupled with a unique potential to acquire and disseminate carbapenem resistance genes. These findings indicate a need for robust surveillance efforts that are attentive to the potential for local and international spread of high-risk CREC clones.

IMPORTANCE
Carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (CREC) has emerged as a formidable nosocomial pathogen. While sporadic acquisition of plasmid-encoded carbapenemases has been implicated as a major driver of CREC, ST171 and ST78 clones demonstrate epidemic potential. However, a lack of reliable genomic references and rigorous statistical analyses has left many gaps in knowledge regarding the phylogenetic context and evolutionary pathways of successful CREC. Our reconstruction of recent ST171 and ST78 evolution represents a significant addition to current understanding of CREC and the directionality of its spread from the Eastern United States to the northern Midwestern United States with links to international collections. Our results indicate that the remarkable ability of
E. cloacae
to acquire and disseminate cross-class antibiotic resistance rather than virulence determinants, coupled with its ability to adapt under conditions of antibiotic pressure, likely led to the wide dissemination of CREC.
Fungal Isocyanide Synthases and Xanthocillin Biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Lim Fang Yun , Won Tae Hyung , Raffa Nicholas , Baccile Joshua A. , Wisecaver Jen , Rokas Antonis , Schroeder Frank C. , Keller Nancy P.
Published: May 2018

Microbial secondary metabolites, including isocyanide moieties, have been extensively mined for their repertoire of bioactive properties. Although the first naturally occurring isocyanide (xanthocillin) was isolated from the fungus
Penicillium notatum
over half a century ago, the biosynthetic origins of fungal isocyanides remain unknown. Here we report the identification of a family of isocyanide synthases (ICSs) from the opportunistic human pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Comparative metabolomics of overexpression or knockout mutants of ICS candidate genes led to the discovery of a fungal biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) that produces xanthocillin (
xan
). Detailed analysis of xanthocillin biosynthesis in
A. fumigatus
revealed several previously undescribed compounds produced by the
xan
BGC, including two novel members of the melanocin family of compounds. We found both the
xan
BGC and a second ICS-containing cluster, named the copper-responsive metabolite (
crm
) BGC, to be transcriptionally responsive to external copper levels and further demonstrated that production of metabolites from the
xan
BGC is increased during copper starvation. The
crm
BGC includes a novel type of fungus-specific ICS-nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) hybrid enzyme, CrmA. This family of ICS-NRPS hybrid enzymes is highly enriched in fungal pathogens of humans, insects, and plants. Phylogenetic assessment of all ICSs spanning the tree of life shows not only high prevalence throughout the fungal kingdom but also distribution in species not previously known to harbor BGCs, indicating an untapped resource of fungal secondary metabolism.

IMPORTANCE
Fungal ICSs are an untapped resource in fungal natural product research. Their isocyanide products have been implicated in plant and insect pathogenesis due to their ability to coordinate transition metals and disable host metalloenzymes. The discovery of a novel isocyanide-producing family of hybrid ICS-NRPS enzymes enriched in medically and agriculturally important fungal pathogens may reveal mechanisms underlying pathogenicity and afford opportunities to discover additional families of isocyanides. Furthermore, the identification of noncanonical ICS BGCs will enable refinement of BGC prediction algorithms to expand on the secondary metabolic potential of fungal and bacterial species. The identification of genes related to ICS BGCs in fungal species not previously known for secondary metabolite-producing capabilities (e.g.,
Saccharomyces
spp.) contributes to our understanding of the evolution of BGC in fungi.
Does the use of an iodine-containing contrast agent to visualise the PICC tip in preterm babies cause hypothyroidism? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rath Chandra Prakash , Thomas Mary , Sullivan Drew , Kluckow Martin
Published: May 2018

Aim

To compare thyroid function tests in preterm neonates (<30 weeks and >48 hour old) exposed to iodine-based contrast with controls and ascertain the certainty of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip position.

Methods

Infants requiring a PICC were randomised to receive 0.3 mL of iodine-containing contrast or normal saline. The primary outcome was the difference in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on day 14 post PICC insertion and on day 28 of life.

Results

41 infants were randomised with no significant differences in TSH level (mIU/L) at day 14 post PICC insertion (3.1 vs 2) or on day 28 of life (2.2 vs 1.7). The PICC tip was more easily localised in the contrast group (85% vs 55%). Urinary iodine levels were significantly increased in the contrast-exposed group.

Conclusion

Use of contrast did not suppress subsequent thyroid function and helped visualise the PICC tip with more certainty.

Clinical trial registration number

ACTRN12614000560695, pre-result.
Growth performance and expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in methionine and cysteine metabolism in piglets fed increasing sulphur amino acid to lysine ratio during enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge
Authors: Kahindi Roseline K. , Regassa Alemu , Htoo John K. , Nyachoti Charles Martin
Published: May 2018

A study was conducted to examine the effect of standardised ileal digestible (SID) sulphur amino acids/lysine ratio (SAA/Lys) on performance and expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 1 and 2 alpha (MAT1α and MAT2α), and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) in piglets challenged with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Thirty five [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] piglets (6.9 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments. The diets were antibiotic free with SID SAA/Lys of 48%, 54%, 60%, 66%, and 72%. Pigs were orally challenged with 6 and 15 mL of ciprofloxacin-resistant ETEC K88+ on days 7 and 10. Blood samples were collected before (BC) and 6, 24, and 48 h after challenge (AC). Body weight gain and feed intake were collected on days 0, 6, and 12 to determine average daily gain (ADG). Gain to feed ratio (G/F) was calculated by dividing ADG by average daily feed intake (ADFI). On day 13, all pigs were euthanized to collect liver and ileal samples to analyse gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pigs fed the diet containing SAA/Lys of 66% had the highest ADG, ADFI, and G/F BC. However, ADG, ADFI, and G/F were similar across all ratios AC. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration at 6 h AC was higher (P < 0.05) than BC and was improved with increasing SAA/Lys. Increasing SAA/Lys quadratically increased (P < 0.01) CTH and MAT1α expression. Ileal expression of CTH and MAT2α were quadratically increased (P < 0.05) with increasing SAA/Lys. In conclusion, SAA/Lys of 60% is suggested to be optimum for piglets to tolerate ETEC pathogenic challenge.