bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A quartet pollen phenotype identified in a population of Brassica interspecific hybrids shows incomplete penetrance and variable response to temperature
Authors: Gohar M. , Gäbelein R. , Mason A. S.
Published: June 2018

Quartet pollen, where pollen grains remain attached to each other post‐meiosis, is useful for tetrad analysis, crossover assessment and centromere mapping. We observed the quartet pollen phenotype for the first time in the agriculturally significant Brassica genus, in an experimental population of allohexaploid Brassica hybrids derived from the cross (Brassica napus × B. carinata) × B. juncea followed by two self‐pollination generations.

Quartet pollen production was assessed in 144 genotypes under glasshouse conditions, following which a set of 16 genotypes were selected to further investigate the effect of environment (warm: 25 °C and cold: 10 °C temperatures) on quartet pollen production in growth cabinets.

Under glasshouse phenotyping conditions, only 92 out of 144 genotypes produced enough pollen to score: of these, 30 did not produce any observable quartet pollen, while 62 genotypes produced quartet pollen at varying frequencies. Quartet pollen production appeared quantitative and did not clearly fall into phenotypic or qualitative categories indicative of major gene expression. No consistent effect of temperature on quartet pollen production was identified, with some genotypes producing more and some producing less quartet pollen under different temperature treatments.

The genetic heterogeneity and frequent pollen infertility of this population prevents strong conclusions being made. However, it is clear that the quartet phenotype in this Brassica population does not show complete penetrance and shows variable (likely genotype‐specific) response to temperature stress. In future, identification of quartet phenotypes in Brassica would perhaps best be carried out via screening of diploid (e.g. B. rapa) TILLING populations.
Maternal folic acid supplementation for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bulloch Rhodi E. , Lovell Amy L. , Jordan Vanessa M. B. , McCowan Lesley M. E. , Thompson John M. D. , Wall Clare R.
Published: June 2018

Background

Preeclampsia is a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Folic acid supplementation is recommended periconceptionally for the prevention of neural tube defects. Epidemiological evidence suggests that maternal folic acid supplementation may play a role in preventing other adverse birth outcomes. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

Methods

Multiple scientific databases and grey literature were searched for relevant studies. Studies were reviewed according to pre‐specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study characteristics were summarised and study quality was assessed. A meta‐analysis of observational studies was conducted to examine the effect of maternal folic acid supplementation on preeclampsia risk.

Results

Meta‐analysis of eight observational studies showed significantly lower odds of preeclampsia with folic acid supplementation in comparison to no folic acid supplementation: OR = 0.78 (95% CI 0.63, 0.98), with moderately high heterogeneity between studies. Subgroup analysis showed no significant subgroup difference between folic acid supplementation taken by itself, in comparison to folic acid taken in or alongside a multivitamin.

Conclusion

Low level evidence is available for a modest association between maternal folic acid supplementation and reduction in preeclampsia risk. Future studies should differentiate between early and late onset and mild vs severe preeclampsia, and should control for relevant confounders including the presence of multivitamin supplements.

The protocol for this systematic review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42015029310).
Exporting to fragile states in Africa: Firm‐level evidence
Authors: Chacha Peter Wankuru , Edwards Lawrence
Published: June 2018

This study analyses the effect of fragility in destination markets on firm export behavior and the role of firm size in mediating adverse outcomes. The analysis is conducted using firm transaction data on Kenyan exports to Africa over the period 2004–2013. The analysis reveals that fragility negatively affects a firm's decision to enter a given destination market, reducing Kenya's bilateral trade flows to African countries. Larger firms are more resilient to destination shocks in fragility and are less likely to exit. These results are robust to alternative measures of destination fragility, and the exclusion of bordering countries and the East African Community partner states. Our analysis reveals that the effect of business fragility (regulatory quality, government effectiveness, and control of corruption) dominates that of political fragility (voice and accountability, rule of law, and political stability), although both effects are negative and significant.
Primary hyperoxaluria: Orthodontic management in a pediatric patient: A case report
Authors: Cazzolla A. P. , Zhurakivska K. , Ciavarella D. , Lacaita M. G. , Favia G. , Testa N. F. , Marzo G. , La Carbonara V. , Troiano G. , Lo Muzio L.
Published: June 2018

Aims

The aim of this study is to report the case of the orthodontic treatment in a patient affected by primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and subjected to a combinate liver‐kidney transplant.

Methods and results

The 9‐year patient was admitted to our department for the presence of facial dysmorphism. The patient was affected by primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and has undergone a combined liver‐kidney transplantation. At the time of the visit, he was in treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and received a corticosteroid and an antibiotic therapy monthly. An intraoral and extraoral examination, as well as radiographic and model analysis, was performed in order to define an accurate diagnosis and a proper rehabilitation planning. An orthopedic‐orthodontic treatment was performed and satisfactory final results obtained. A laser gingivectomy was also realized for eliminate the gengival hyperplasia probably induced by cyclosporine assumption. Both skeletal and dental relationships were improved by the treatment, reaching a good dental arches alignment.

Conclusion

An early diagnosis, as well as a multidisciplinary approach, is very important in patients with rare diseases. An appropriate treatment allowed us to achieve acceptable results and improve the patient quality of life.
T follicular‐like helper cells in the peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Brokstad K. A. , Fredriksen M. , Zhou F. , Bergum B. , Brun J. G. , Cox R. J. , Skarstein K.
Published: June 2018

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction, mainly causing sicca symptoms. B cells have a prominent role in SS, and the T follicular helper (TFH) cells provide B cells with survival and specialization signals in germinal centres. Here, we investigate peripheral TFH cells in pSS. Sixteen pSS patients and healthy controls were enrolled in the study, with 13 women and 3 men in each group. Whole blood was collected and separated into PBMC and plasma, followed by cryopreservation. Plasma samples were analysed for Ro52, Ro60 and La48 autoantibodies by indirect ELISA. For flow cytometric analysis, we defined 4 subsets of TFH‐like cells within the CD3+CD4+CXCR5+ population, namely the ICOS−PD‐1−, ICOS−PD‐1+, ICOS+PD‐1− and ICOS+PD‐1+ (“TFH”) cells. We also investigated 4 CD19+ B cell subsets, the CD20+CD27+CD38− memory B cells, CD20+CD27+CD38+ memory B cells, CD20−CD27+CD38++CD138− plasmablasts and CD20−CD27+CD38++CD138+ plasma cells. We observed higher fractions of ICOS+PD‐1− cells, ICOS+PD‐1+ (“TFH”) cells and plasmablasts in pSS patients compared to controls, and lower frequencies of both types of memory B cells. The number of TFH cells correlated positively with the levels of plasmablasts and plasma cells in the pSS patients, but not in the controls. The pSS patients were stratified according to Ro52/Ro60/La48 serology, and a positive association was found between autoantibody levels and increased level of TFH cells, plasmablasts and plasma cells and lowered levels of memory B cells. We observed a higher response to Ro/La stimulation in pSS patients compared to controls of the memory B cells, although only significantly for the CD38− memory B cells. Overall, a pathological relation between the ICOS+ T follicular‐like helper cells and B cells in pSS was observed, but further work should be conducted to explore their overall impact upon disease progression.
Care and the afterlives of industrial moralities in post‐industrial northern England
Authors: Goodwin‐Hawkins Bryonny , Dawson Andrew
Published: June 2018

Building on recent anthropological work on post‐Fordist affect, this article explores comparatively the ‘afterlives’ of the social organisation of production. In particular, based on comparative ethnography of milling and mining on Northern England, it explores the very different forms of work organisation and their relationships with similarly contrasting moralities of care amongst and for older people.
Oxalyltransferase, a plant cell‐wall acyltransferase activity, transfers oxalate groups from ascorbate metabolites to carbohydrates
Authors: Dewhirst Rebecca A. , Fry Stephen C.
Published: June 2018

In the plant apoplast, ascorbate is oxidised, via dehydroascorbic acid, to O‐oxalyl esters [oxalyl‐l‐threonate (OxT) and cyclic oxalyl‐l‐threonate (cOxT)]. We tested whether OxT and cOxT can donate the oxalyl group in transacylation reactions to form oxalyl‐polysaccharides, potentially modifying the cell wall. [oxalyl‐14C]OxT was incubated with living spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Arabidopsis cell‐suspension cultures in the presence or absence of proposed acceptor substrates (carbohydrates). In addition, [14C]OxT and [14C]cOxT were incubated in vitro with cell‐wall enzyme preparations plus proposed acceptor substrates. Radioactive products were monitored electrophoretically. Oxalyltransferase activity was detected. Living cells incorporated oxalate groups from OxT into cell‐wall polymers via ester bonds. When sugars were added, [14C]oxalyl‐sugars were formed, in competition with OxT hydrolysis. Preferred acceptor substrates were carbohydrates possessing primary alcohols e.g. glucose. A model transacylation product, [14C]oxalyl‐glucose, was relatively stable in vivo (half‐life >24 h), whereas [14C]OxT underwent rapid turnover (half‐life ~6 h). Ionically wall‐bound enzymes catalysed similar transacylation reactions in vitro with OxT or cOxT as oxalyl donor substrates and any of a range of sugars or hemicelluloses as acceptor substrates. Glucosamine was O‐oxalylated, not N‐oxalylated. We conclude that plants possess apoplastic acyltransferase (oxalyltransferase) activity that transfers oxalyl groups from ascorbate catabolites to carbohydrates, forming relatively long‐lived O‐oxalyl‐carbohydrates. The findings increase the range of known metabolites whose accumulation in vivo indicates vitamin C catabolism. Possible signalling roles of the resulting oxalyl‐sugars can now be investigated, as can the potential ability of polysaccharide oxalylation to modify the wall's physical properties.
Changes in mitochondrial DNA levels during early embryogenesis in Torenia fournieri and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gao Long , Guo Xue , Liu Xue‐Qiong , Zhang Li , Huang Jilei , Tan Li , Lin Zhen , Nagawa Shingo , Wang Dan‐Yang
Published: June 2018

Changes in the amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have never been investigated in plant zygotes or early plant embryos due to the difficulty in isolating these cells, although such changes have been investigated in mammalian embryos. Using the single‐cell quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and laser confocal microscopy, we surveyed the changes in mtDNA levels during early embryogenesis in Torenia fournieri and Arabidopsis thaliana. In contrast with the amount of mtDNA in early mammalian embryos, which does not change, we found that mtDNA doubling occurred during zygotic development in T. fournieri and during two‐cell proembryo development in A. thaliana. These findings reveal that mtDNA doubling occurs during early embryogenesis in T. fournieri and A. thaliana, indicating that the dynamics of mtDNA in early plant embryos differs from that in early mammalian embryos.
Investigation of the Experiences of Classroom Teacher Candidates in the Reconstruction of Gender Role: A Case Study in Turkey
Authors: Özen Fatmanur
Published: June 2018

This research, examining the perception of classroom teacher candidates about the gender equality through the personal experiences of the teacher candidates, is a qualitative study. The phenomenological pattern was adopted. Data were collected in two stages: The participants were asked to provide written responses to the open-ended questions for clarifying which concepts are used for explaining the gender equality, which factors cause the gender inequality and how the equality will be ensured. Next, focus group discussion was carried to find the situations that the classroom teacher candidates encountered in their learning process. The results reveal that the role of men and women, generated by the cultures of different societies but the individuals should have equal rights and opportunities and every kind of discrimination about sex should be prevented. The causes of inequality: Socialization, social roles. The factors causes the inequality are the religious beliefs, prejudices, patriarchy. For the equality, it is necessary to raise awareness, the roles in the family should be re-arranged and women employment should be supported. The results of the focus group discussion announced that biological gender was effective in choosing the profession: Men were more successful in professions working with numbers and producing some concrete products, while the women should be employed in professions that would guarantee the emotional and physical security. Women are successful in the management because of their maternal roles and they attach a great importance to details and organization. However, the governance, in other words, the power is the men's specialty.
Students' and Instructors' Opinions on the Implementation of Flipped Learning Model for Cello Education in Turkish Music
Authors: Akbel Burcu Avcı
Published: June 2018

Flipped learning is based on more effective use of the time spent with the instructor in the classroom. This study is aimed at identifying students’ and instructors’ opinions on the use of flipped learning model in cello education in Turkish music. This is the first study whereby flipped learning model has ever been used in Turkish Music education and cello education. Opinions on the implementation of the model were obtained through semi-structured interviews separately prepared for students and instructors. The data were analyzed by using the content analysis method. According to the data from the interviews, it has been revealed that the flipped learning model can be used in cello education in Turkish Music and the ‘imitation’ element in mesk method, the most important teaching method in instrument education in Turkish music, can be supported by flipped learning model.
Development of a clarity parameter using a time-varying loudness model
Authors: Lee Doheon , van Dorp Schuitman Jasper , Qiu Xiaojun , Burnett Ian
Published: June 2018

The perceived sound clarity is often estimated with the clarity index, which is calculated on the basis of physical acoustic measures that can correlate weakly to the way humans perceive sound for certain test conditions. Therefore, this study proposes a clarity parameter based on a binaural room impulse response processed with a time-varying loudness model. The proposed parameter is validated by calculating the correlation coefficient with subject responses collected from previous listening experiments. Results show that the parameter outperforms the clarity index in most of the tested conditions, but its performance is less robust than parameter for clarity (PCLA).
Temporal factors in cochlea-scaled entropy and intensity-based intelligibility predictions
Authors: Aubanel Vincent , Cooke Martin , Davis Chris , Kim Jeesun
Published: June 2018

Cochlea-scaled entropy (CSE) was proposed as a signal-based metric for automatic detection of speech regions most important for intelligibility, but its proposed superiority over traditional linguistic and psychoacoustical characterisations was not subsequently confirmed. This paper shows that the CSE concept is closely related to intensity and as such captures similar speech regions. However, a slight but significant advantage of a CSE over an intensity-based characterisation was observed, associated with a time difference between the two metrics, suggesting that the CSE index may capture dynamical properties of the speech signal crucial for intelligibility.
Soft mechanical metamaterials with unusual swelling behavior and tunable stress-strain curves
Authors: Zhang Hang , Guo Xiaogang , Wu Jun , Fang Daining , Zhang Yihui
Published: June 2018

Soft mechanical metamaterials were designed to offer large negative/positive swelling ratios and tunable stress-strain curves.
Intermetallic nickel silicide nanocatalyst—A non-noble metal–based general hydrogenation catalyst
Authors: Ryabchuk Pavel , Agostini Giovanni , Pohl Marga-Martina , Lund Henrik , Agapova Anastasiya , Junge Henrik , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: June 2018

Incorporation of silicon atoms into nickel nanoparticles boosts the catalytic activity for (de)hydrogenation reactions.
A pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile/selenium disulfide composite cathode with remarkable lithium and sodium storage performances
Authors: Li Zhen , Zhang Jintao , Lu Yan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: June 2018

A pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile/selenium disulfide composite cathode manifests high performance for both lithium and sodium storage.
CD4
+
T cell–mediated HLA class II cross-restriction in HIV controllers
Authors: Galperin Moran , Farenc Carine , Mukhopadhyay Madhura , Jayasinghe Dhilshan , Decroos Amandine , Benati Daniela , Tan Li Lynn , Ciacchi Lisa , Reid Hugh H. , Rossjohn Jamie , Chakrabarti Lisa A. , Gras Stephanie
Published: June 2018

The structural basis of HIV-Gag recognition by class II–restricted T cell receptors in spontaneous controllers.
Human Asymptomatic Epitope Peptide/CXCL10-Based Prime/Pull Vaccine Induces Herpes Simplex Virus-Specific Gamma Interferon-Positive CD107
+
CD8
+
T Cells That Infiltrate the Corneas and Trigeminal Ganglia of Humanized HLA Transgenic Rabbits and Protect against Ocular Herpes Challenge
Authors: Khan Arif A. , Srivastava Ruchi , Vahed Hawa , Roy Soumyabrata , Walia Sager S. , Kim Grace J. , Fouladi Mona A. , Yamada Taikun , Ly Vincent T. , Lam Cynthia , Lou Anthony , Nguyen Vivianna , Boldbaatar Undariya , Geertsema Roger , Fraser Nigel W. , BenMohamed Lbachir
Published: June 2018

There is an urgent need for a vaccine against widespread herpes simplex virus infections. The present study demonstrates that immunization of HLA transgenic rabbits with a peptide/CXCL10 prime/pull vaccine triggered mobilization of HSV-specific CD8
+
T cells locally into the cornea and TG, the sites of acute and latent herpesvirus infections, respectively. Mobilization of antiviral CD8
+
T cells into the cornea and TG of rabbits that received the prime/pull vaccine was associated with protection against ocular herpesvirus infection and disease following an ocular HSV-1 challenge. These results highlight the importance of the prime/pull vaccine strategy to bolster the number and function of protective CD8
+
T cells within infected tissues.
UNRWA’s innovative e-Health for 5 million Palestine refugees in the Near East
Authors: Ballout Ghada , Al-Shorbaji Najeeb , Abu-Kishk Nada , Turki Yassir , Zeidan Wafaa , Seita Akihiro
Published: June 2018

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) provides primary healthcare (PHC) for some 5 million Palestine refugees in five operational fields (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza) through its 143 health centres (HCs). UNRWA started, in 2009, developing an electronic health records (e-Health) system. The primary aim was to improve the quality of services and to respond to the increasing workload and the rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The system was developed in-house based on the Family Health Team approach as a web-based, patient-centred application to support UNRWA’s health services for common illnesses, maternal and child health, NCDs, laboratory and pharmacy. It has a built-in appointment system, uses the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10thEdition classification and generates 29 reports. By October 2017, the system was rolled out in 121 HCs, of which 100 are paperless, covering almost 3 million refugee population, and managing some 9 million visits a year. The number of physician’s daily consultations was reduced from 104 to 85. It enabled the introduction of an innovative cohort analysis to monitor patients with NCD efficiently. 89% of doctors expressed their satisfaction concerning timesaving and efficiency of e-Health. Long-standing effective PHC services, detailed clinical guidelines, well-trained staff and in-house development made that roll-out possible. Interoperability enabled operation in five different fields. However, the main challenges include HCs’ infrastructure and connectivity. UNRWA is working to address such challenges to complete the roll-out, except for HCs in Syria, by the end of 2017. UNRWA’s experience indicates that implementing such an innovation is possible and can improve efficiency, effectiveness and control the duplication of PHC services. Mobile technologies (m-Health) and integration with host countries’ e-Health systems are planned to achieve best value for low cost.
Quantifying influence of drilling additional boreholes on quality of geological model
Authors: Fillion Marie-Hélène , Hadjigeorgiou John
Published: June 2018

Geotechnical stability analysis in open-pit mines requires access to a representative geotechnical model. The confidence level in the collected geotechnical data influences slope design. This paper investigates the influence of the number of boreholes, drilled to collect geological information, on the quality of one component of the geotechnical model, the geological model. The number of boreholes influences the number of rock core samples collected for the identification of rock type, and the definition of geotechnical domains and their boundaries within the rock mass. A challenge in the definition of the geotechnical domains is the determination of the drill hole density that minimizes the variation in the interpreted geological model from the actual rock mass. To quantify the influence of the drill hole density, boreholes are simulated in the most recently updated geological model for three mine sites. The simulated drill hole density is increased progressively until the variation of the interpreted section, compared with the original section, is minimized. A classification strategy was developed to determine the complexity level for each geotechnical domain. Furthermore, a series of empirical quantitative guidelines are presented prescribing the minimum drill hole density per domain complexity, while limiting variations from the actual rock mass.
Computational study of polarizability anisotropies
Authors: Chong Delano P.
Published: June 2018

The dipole polarizabilities (α) and polarizability anisotropies (Δα) of over 20 molecules are calculated to search for negative Δα. The geometry of each molecule is first optimized at the level of CCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ. Then, the α tensors are computed both with CCSD(T)/daug-cc-pVTZ in Gaussian 09 and with the exchange-correlation potential Vxc known as SAOP in the Amsterdam density functional theory program called ADF and a large basis set called QZ3P-3DIFFUSE. In addition to the popular formula of the ΔαRaman connected with Raman spectroscopy, we also present values of an alternative definition of the polarizability anisotropy ΔαKerr connected with Kerr spectroscopy, recently proposed by Kampfrath and colleagues (2018. Chem. Phys. Lett. 692: 319). On one hand, the signs of many ΔαRaman are undetermined; on the other hand, we obtain negative ΔαKerr for more than one-half of the small molecules studied. Of the 24 molecules studied, 18 have negative ΔαKerr.
Efficiency of night interruption treatments with red and far-red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in preventing bud set in Norway spruce seedlings
Authors: Riikonen Johanna
Published: June 2018

Terminal bud set can be prevented by interrupting night with short pulses of light when the natural photoperiod is too short to maintain growth. Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) seedlings originating from 61°N and 64°N were grown in growth chambers under conditions that mimic growth conditions in a heated greenhouse in early spring in Finland (experiment 1) or under constant growth conditions (experiment 2). The seedlings were exposed to the following night interruption (NI) treatments using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that generated red (R, peak at 660 nm) and far-red (FR, peak at 735 nm) wavelengths in 20 s pulses at 15 min intervals: (i) red light alone (R); (ii) R combined with FR (R + FR); and (iii) control (no NI treatment). The R + FR treatment was more effective in preventing terminal bud set than the R treatment. Seedling responses depended on the provenance and growth conditions. The R treatment reduced the proportion of seedlings with terminal buds in the 61°N seedlings and delayed bud set in the 64°N seedlings. The fluctuating growth conditions or longer dark period between the photoperiod and NI treatments reduced the efficiency of the R + FR treatment. A combination of R and FR LEDs with adequate light intensity and duration is suitable for intermittent NI treatment in Norway spruce seedlings.
Genome survey sequencing of Dioscorea zingiberensis
Authors: Zhou Wen , Li Bin , Li Lin , Ma Wen , Liu Yuanchu , Feng Shuchao , Wang Zhezhi
Published: June 2018

Dioscorea zingiberensis (Dioscoreceae) is the main plant source of diosgenin (steroidal sapogenins), the precursor for the production of steroid hormones in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite its large economic value, genomic information of the genus Dioscorea is currently unavailable. Here, we present an initial survey of the D. zingiberensis genome performed by next-generation sequencing technology together with a genome size investigation inferred by flow cytometry. The whole genome survey of D. zingiberensis generated 31.48 Gb of sequence data with approximately 78.70× coverage. The estimated genome size is 800 Mb, with a high level of heterozygosity based on K-mer analysis. These reads were assembled into 334 288 contigs with a N50 length of 1079 bp, which were further assembled into 92 163 scaffolds with a total length of 173.46 Mb. A total of 4935 genes, 81 tRNAs, 69 rRNAs, and 661 miRNAs were predicted by the genome analysis, and 263 484 repeated sequences were obtained with 419 372 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Among these SSRs, the mononucleotide repeat type was the most abundant (up to 54.60% of the total SSRs), followed by the dinucleotide (29.60%), trinucleotide (11.37%), tetranucleotide (3.53%), pentanucleotide (0.65%), and hexanucleotide (0.25%) repeat types. The 1C-value of D. zingiberensis was calibrated against Salvia miltiorrhiza and calculated as 0.87 pg (851 Mb) by flow cytometry, which was very close to the result of the genome survey. This is the first report of genome-wide characterization within this taxon.
Analysis of Brachypodium genomes with genome-wide optical maps
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Hu Zhaorong , Rodriguez Juan C. , Deal Karin R. , Dvorak Jan , Vogel John P. , Liu Zhiyong , Luo Ming-Cheng
Published: June 2018

Brachypodium distachyon (n = 5) is a diploid and has been widely used as a genetic model. Brachypodium stacei (n = 10) and B. hybridum (n = 15) are species that are related to B. distachyon, leading to an hypothesis that they are part of a polyploid series based on x = 5. Several lines of evidence suggest that this hypothesis is incorrect and that the genomes of the three taxa may have evolved by a more complex process. We constructed an optical whole-genome BioNano genome (BNG) map for each species and did pairwise alignment of the BNG maps. The maps showed that B. distachyon and B. stacei are both diploid, in spite of B. stacei having twice as many chromosomes as B. distachyon, and that B. hybridum is an allopolyploid formed from hybridization between B. distachyon and B. stacei. This study also demonstrated the use of BNG maps in the detection and quantification of structural variants among the genomes.
Hidden messenger from quantum geometry: Towards information conservation in quantum gravity
Authors: Guo Xiao-Kan , Cai Qing-Yu
Published: June 2018

The back reactions of Hawking radiation allow nontrivial correlations between consecutive Hawking quanta, which gives a possible way of resolving the paradox of black hole information loss known as the hidden messenger method. In a recent work of Ma et al. [ arXiv:1711.10704 ], this method is enhanced by a general derivation using small deviations of the states of Hawking quanta off canonical typicality. In this paper, we use this typicality argument to study the effects of generic back reactions on the quantum geometries described by spin network states, and discuss the viability of entropy conservation in loop quantum gravity. We find that such back reactions lead to small area deformations of quantum geometries including those of quantum black holes. This shows that the hidden-messenger method is still viable in loop quantum gravity, which is a first step towards resolving the paradox of black hole information loss in quantum gravity.
Nano–Stem Cell Interactions: Applications Versus Implications
Authors: Peng Guotao , Wang Xiaoxiao , He Yuan , Yu Tianyu , Lin Sijie
Published: June 2018

Understanding nano–stem cell interactions plays a significant role in fostering both innovative and safe implementation of nanotechnology in stem cell research. Herein, we reviewed the recent advances of engineered nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in stem cell engineering and highlighted the key parameters that led to beneficial effects toward stem cell proliferation or differentiation. Meanwhile, we brought attention to the nanomaterials characteristics that contributed to toxic effects on stem cells with the hope to appeal balanced studies in the future by considering both the applications and implications of nanotechnologies.
Targeted Therapy for Premenopausal Women with HR+, HER2− Advanced Breast Cancer: Focus on Special Considerations and Latest Advances
Authors: Bardia Aditya , Hurvitz Sara
Published: June 2018

The incidence of advanced breast cancer in premenopausal women is increasing, and breast cancer in younger women is often more aggressive and has a worse prognosis compared with breast cancer in older women. Premenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer are frequently under-represented in clinical trials, and treatment strategies in the premenopausal setting are usually extrapolated from data from postmenopausal patients, with the addition of ovarian function suppression to endocrine therapy in HR+ disease. However, the underlying biology of breast cancer in premenopausal women can be different from postmenopausal women, and treatment strategies should ideally be specifically tested in premenopausal patients. Recent phase III trials have now investigated cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors in premenopausal patients with HR+, HER2− advanced breast cancer: Palbociclib and abemaciclib have been tested in a subset of premenopausal patients in the PALOMA-3 and MONARCH-2 studies, and ribociclib has been tested in the phase III MONALEESA-7 trial, which was entirely dedicated to premenopausal women. This comprehensive review summarizes the differences in the biology of HR+, HER2− breast cancer in the premenopausal population compared with the postmenopausal population; discusses special considerations for treatment of premenopausal women; and reviews the evidence from clinical trials investigating endocrine therapy, other targeted treatments, and ovarian function suppression in the HR+, HER2− advanced breast cancer setting. Clin Cancer Res; 24(21); 5206–18. ©2018 AACR.
An Empirical Approach Leveraging Tumorgrafts to Dissect the Tumor Microenvironment in Renal Cell Carcinoma Identifies Missing Link to Prognostic Inflammatory Factors
Authors: Wang Tao , Lu Rong , Kapur Payal , Jaiswal Bijay S. , Hannan Raquibul , Zhang Ze , Pedrosa Ivan , Luke Jason J. , Zhang He , Goldstein Leonard D. , Yousuf Qurratulain , Gu Yi-Feng , McKenzie Tiffani , Joyce Allison , Kim Min S. , Wang Xinlei , Luo Danni , Onabolu Oreoluwa , Stevens Christina , Xie Zhiqun , Chen Mingyi , Filatenkov Alexander , Torrealba Jose , Luo Xin , Guo Wenbin , He Jingxuan , Stawiski Eric , Modrusan Zora , Durinck Steffen , Seshagiri Somasekar , Brugarolas James
Published: June 2018

By leveraging tumorgraft (patient-derived xenograft) RNA-sequencing data, we developed an empirical approach, DisHet, to dissect the tumor microenvironment (eTME). We found that 65% of previously defined immune signature genes are not abundantly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and identified 610 novel immune/stromal transcripts. Using eTME, genomics, pathology, and medical record data involving >1,000 patients, we established an inflamed pan-RCC subtype (IS) enriched for regulatory T cells, natural killer cells, TH1 cells, neutrophils, macrophages, B cells, and CD8+ T cells. IS is enriched for aggressive RCCs, including BAP1-deficient clear-cell and type 2 papillary tumors. The IS subtype correlated with systemic manifestations of inflammation such as thrombocytosis and anemia, which are enigmatic predictors of poor prognosis. Furthermore, IS was a strong predictor of poor survival. Our analyses suggest that tumor cells drive the stromal immune response. These data provide a missing link between tumor cells, the TME, and systemic factors.

Significance: We undertook a novel empirical approach to dissect the renal cell carcinoma TME by leveraging tumorgrafts. The dissection and downstream analyses uncovered missing links between tumor cells, the TME, systemic manifestations of inflammation, and poor prognosis. Cancer Discov; 8(9); 1142–55. ©2018 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1047
Promoção do bem-estar em adolescentes: contributos do projeto +Contigo
Authors: Pereira Simões Rosa Maria , Santos José Carlos , Façanha Jorge , Erse Maria , Loureiro Cândida , Marques Lúcia Amélia , Quaresma Helena , Matos Ermelinda
Published: June 2018

Objetivos: O projeto +Contigo insere-se no âmbito da promoção da saúde mental e bem-estar e da prevenção de comportamentos autolesivos e enquanto projeto de investigação longitudinal é baseado numa intervenção multinível em rede. Tem como um dos objetivos gerais promover o bem-estar em adolescentes do 3º ciclo e do ensino secundário. Métodos: Estudo de natureza quasi-experimental, com grupo de controlo, avaliado no início, no final e seis meses após intervenção ao longo do ano letivo. A intervenção dirigida aos adolescentes é composta por 7 sessões em sala de aula, abordando o estigma, a adolescência, o autoconceito, a re­solução de problemas, a depressão e o bem-estar. O instrumento de recolha de dados, aplicado sob a forma de questionário é constituído por vários instrumentos de medida entre os quais o índice de bem-estar (OMS, 1998). Foi autoadministrado a 2.105 adolescentes, de escolas da região centro de Portugal com adesão ao projeto +Contigo, durante os anos letivos de 2011/2012 e 2012/2013. Resultados: A amostra é constituída por 2.105 adolescentes, maioritariamente do género masculino, com idade entre os 13 e os 14 anos, pertencentes maioritariamente a turmas do 8º ano. O índice de bem-estar demonstra um aumento ao longo das três fases, no grupo alvo de intervenção, com diferença estatisticamente significativa para o grupo de controlo. Os adolescentes do género masculino apresentam melhores índices de bem-estar, existindo no decorrer do projeto aumento deste índice para ambos os géneros, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas no género masculino. Os adolescentes do 7º, 8º e 9º ano evoluíram favoravelmente no índice de bem-estar em todas as fases de avaliação. Conclusão: A intervenção produz resultados positivos a curto e a médio prazo para o índice de bem-estar, com resultados estatisticamente significativos para o grupo de intervenção comparativamente ao grupo de controlo. Estas repercussões ao nível do bem-estar dos adolescentes reforçam a estratégia preventiva de comportamentos suicidários adotada, já que, sendo o bem-estar um indicador de saúde mental acredita-se que poderá ajudar a prevenir os comportamentos autolesivos nos adolescentes.
The Use of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF and Triamcinolone in the Treatment of Radiation Papillopathy
Authors: Roelofs Kelsey , Larocque Matthew P. , Murtha Albert , Weis Ezekiel
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: To evaluate a treatment regimen for radiation papillopathy. Methods: This is a prospective noncomparative interventional case series of patients who developed radiation papillopathy after plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Treatment consisted of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) (1.25 mg in 0.05 mL) at the time of diagnosis, and 1 week later, intravitreal triamcinolone (IVK) (2.00 mg in 0.05 mL). One month later, patients again received both IVB and IVK. Patients were then switched to monotherapy with monthly IVB until the papillopathy resolved. Results: Eleven patients developed radiation papillopathy, with 9 receiving treatment. On multivariate analysis, total radiation dose to the optic nerve was the only significant predictor of papillopathy (p = 0.005). Four of nine patients presented with a significant decline in visual acuity (VA) at the time of diagnosis of papillopathy. In all 4, significant improvement was documented following treatment. Five patients did not present with a decrease in VA, and in this group, 80% remained stable with treatment. Conclusions: In this series, patients who had a precipitous drop in VA at the time of diagnosis of radiation papillopathy returned to baseline VA following this treatment algorithm. This protocol was effective at maintaining stability of VA in 80% of those who developed papillopathy but did not present with an acute drop in VA.
The Protective Effect of Cantonese/Mandarin Bilingualism on the Onset of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Zheng Yifan , Wu Qi , Su Fengjuan , Fang Yingying , Zeng Jinsheng , Pei Zhong
Published: June 2018

Background: Several studies have found that bilingualism can delay the age of onset of Alz­heimer disease (AD). The interpretation of these findings is that switching between two languages can enhance cognitive reserve. However, some studies have provided inconsistent results. Diverse language pairs used by the bilinguals in different studies may contribute to the discrepancies. Cantonese and Mandarin are widely used in southern China, and regarded as bilingualism. The present study aims to determine if Cantonese/Mandarin bilingualism can delay the onset of AD. Methods: The data of 129 patients diagnosed with probable AD, including 48 Cantonese monolinguals, 20 Mandarin monolinguals, and 61 Cantonese/Mandarin bilinguals were analyzed. Results: Cantonese/Mandarin bilinguals were found to have an older age at AD onset, and older age at the first clinic visit than Mandarin monolinguals and Cantonese monolinguals. Both Mandarin monolinguals and Cantonese/Mandarin bilinguals had a higher education level and higher occupation status than the Cantonese monolinguals. Mandarin monolinguals did not differ from Cantonese/Mandarin bilinguals significantly in years of education and occupation status. The multiple linear regression analyses indicated that Cantonese/Mandarin bilingualism can delay the onset of AD independently. Conclusion: Constantly speaking both Cantonese and Mandarin from at least early adulthood can delay the onset of AD.
Short-Term Intraocular Pressure Rise during Locally Induced Force by Ophthalmologic Surgery Applications
Authors: Koelbl Philipp Simon , Werner Jens Ulrich , Enders Christian , Lingenfelder Christian , Koch Frank H.J. , Hessling Martin
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Surgical or diagnostic procedures are often accompanied by a short-term increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). A short-term increase in IOP can occur during refractive procedures, vitreoretinal surgery, transillumination, photocoagulation, or cryocoagulation. A porcine eye model was chosen (n = 89) to compile comparable study data and to de termine correlations between the force induced and the resulting intraocular pressure while excluding the effect of surgeons. Methods: The IOP was measured in the anterior chamber. IOP changes were induced by applying an external force and measured when using a cannula, trocar, and cryocoagulation (n = 32), and correlations between force and resulting IOP were assessed (n = 57). Results: A correlation was noted between the force induced and the IOP increase, which showed a linear dependency. The insertion of a 29-G cannula caused a mean ΔIOP value of 49.1 ± 2.9 mm Hg and an external force of 0.76 N, and that of a 23-G trocar 344.4 ± 5.9 mm Hg and 6.09 N, respectively. The rise in IOP during a simulated cryocoagulation reached values between 57.3 ± 14.8 mm Hg (cryoprobe tip diameter: 0.9 mm) and 130.3 ± 2.9 mm Hg (cryoprobe tip diameter: 7.0 mm). Conclusion: The values of the forces applied can be converted into the resulting IOP based on the specific action. Surgical or diagnostic procedures should, therefore, be evaluated with regard to preexisting pathologies, such as glaucoma.
Biocompatibility and Cytotoxic Evaluation of New Sorbent Cartridges for Blood Hemoperfusion
Authors: Pomarè Montin Diego , Ankawi Ghada , Lorenzin Anna , Neri Mauro , Caprara Carlotta , Ronco Claudio
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: The use of adsorption cartridges for hemoperfusion (HP) is rapidly evolving. For these devices, the potential induced cytotoxicity is an important issue. The aim of this study was to investigate potential in vitro cytotoxic effects of different sorbent cartridges, HA130, HA230, HA330, HA380 (Jafron, China), on U937 monocytes. Methods: Monocytes were exposed to the sorbent material in static and dynamic manners. In static test, cell medium samples were collected after 24 h of incubation in the cartridges. In dynamic test, HP modality has been carried out and samples at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min were collected. Results: Compared to control samples, there was no evidence of increased necrosis or apoptosis in monocytes exposed to the cartridges both in the static and dynamic tests. Conclusion: Our in vitro testing suggests that HA cartridges carry an optimal level of biocompatibility and their use in HP is not associated with adverse reactions or signs of cytotoxicity.
Postembolization Intratumoral Chronic Bleeding, without the Classic CT Feature of Active Extravasation, in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-Related Renal Angiomyolipoma: Two Case Reports
Authors: Zhang Xixi , Kuwatsuru Ryohei , Toei Hiroshi , Yashiro Daisuke , Okada Shingo , Kato Hitomi
Published: June 2018

Two patients with tuberous sclerosis complex each had multiple bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. After undergoing embolization for a ruptured angiomyolipoma, patient 1 experienced long-lasting abdominal fullness; contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a large chronic hematoma without contrast extravasation. Patient 2 underwent embolization for the largest right renal angiomyolipoma which contained a chronic hematoma. 2 weeks later, the symptom of abdominal fullness presented, and CECT revealed that the preexisting hematoma had enlarged without contrast extravasation. In both cases, a second embolization of the angiomyolipomas resulted in shrinking of the intratumoral hematomas and alleviation of the associated symptoms. Therefore, chronic postembolization intratumoral bleeding from renal angiomyolipoma may present as a persistently large or growing hematoma with an associated symptom of abdominal fullness but without the typical CECT feature of active extravasation.
Democracia fake, más notícias
Authors: Fenton Natalie , Freedman Des
Published: June 2018

A mídia e a democracia, assim como Cagney e Lacey ou Starsky e Hutch, são inseparáveis. Não se pode ter um sem ter o outro. A livre troca de ideias, informações e símbolos que alimentam os cidadãos e reconstitui o sistema como um todo tem sido há muito vista como uma das bases de sociedades democráticas. De fato, uma parafernália normativa complexa emergiu para descrever as principais responsabilidades dadas à mídia no surgimento e manutenção da democracia: como um vigilante de poderes desconhecidos, uma tribuna para a população, um defensor das minorias, um quarto poder e uma esfera pública. Diz-se que a mídia livre fornece o oxigênio, a lubrificação ou, mesmo, que é os tendões de uma democracia funcional e robusta.
François Jost: entre a intimidade e a maldade (comunicação, personagens e séries de televisão na atualidade)
Authors: Mungioli Maria Cristina Palma
Published: June 2018

O professor e pesquisador francês François Jost tem se dedicado aos estudos da comunicação e, mais especificamente, aos estudos de cinema e televisão a partir de diferentes perspectivas e abordagens. É professor emérito de ciências da informação e da comunicação da Universidade Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3, na qual fundou, em 1996, o Centro de Estudos de Imagens e Sons (CEISME), que coordenou até 2016. Na mesma universidade, dirigiu o Laboratório de Comunicação, Informação e Mídias (CIM), de 2012 a 2016. Dirige a revista Télévision, publicada pela CNRS éditions (editora do Centre National de Recherches Scientifques – CNRS). Tem sido professor convidado em universidades europeias, latino-americanas e canadenses. Cabe destacar ainda que os resultados de suas pesquisas nesses centros bem como os seminários e conferências realizados no Brasil têm impactado os estudos de televisão em nosso país. Possui dezenas de livros publicados na França, muitos dos quais foram traduzidos para outros idiomas. No Brasil publicou, até o momento, Seis lições sobre a televisão, em 2004, A narrativa cinematográfica, escrito em coautoria com André Gaudreault, em 2009, Compreender a televisão, em 2010, e Do que as séries americanas são sintoma?, em 2012. Dois de seus mais recentes livros, Les nouveaux méchants: quand les séries américaines font bouger les lignes du bien et du mal e La méchanceté en actes à l’ère numérique2, servem como pano de fundo para algumas das questões desta entrevista.
A representação do mecanismo cognitivo de Sherlock Holmes em “A Noiva Abominável”
Authors: Magno Maria Ignês Carlos , Kuhl Letícia
Published: June 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar e analisar o mecanismo cognitivo de Sherlock Holmes na narrativa do episódio “A Noiva Abominável”, exibido pela BBC, que sintetiza todos os processos usados durante a série por meio da definição de sua personalidade, caracterizada como a de um sociopata altamente funcional. A função da memória para a resolução dos crimes; o motivo de seu ceticismo diante de fatos que não podem ser comprovados cientificamente; a inteligência acima da média e a capacidade para observar e imaginar além daquilo que é obvio; a prática de meditação e uso de drogas alucinógenas também são analisados. Para esta discussão serão apresentados autores como Ivan Izquierdo, com seu referencial sobre o mecanismo da memória, além de Umberto Eco e Thomas Sebeok, com a teoria de abdução, essencial para o entendimento das estratégias investigativas de Sherlock Holmes.Palavras-chave: Sherlock Holmes. Série Televisiva, Cognição.