bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human seminal fibronectin fragmentation patterns and their domain immunoreactivities in leucocytospermic patients
Authors: Kratz Ewa M. , Wójtowicz Marcin , Przybysz Magdalena , Faundez Ricardo , Kątnik-Prastowska Iwona
Published: August 2014

The aim of the work was to analyse fibronectin (FN) domain immunoreactivities and profiles of FN fragmentation in seminal plasmas of fertile normozoospermic and infertile leucocytospermic male patients. ELISA with domain-specific monoclonal antibodies and immunoblotting were used in these measurements. Immunoblotting of normal and leucocytospermic seminal plasmas revealed the presence of twelve FN bands of ~70–196 kDa with nearly identical FN profiles under reducing and non-reducing conditions. The epitopes of the cell-, fibrin-, collagen-binding FN domains and the extra domain A (EDA) FN segment retained the ability to bind their specific monoclonal antibodies, whereas the fibrin–heparin domain (N-terminal end) and the area around the disulfide bridges (C-terminal end) of the FN polypeptide did not show any reactivities with their respective specific antibodies. The mean values of cell- (338.4 ± 138.4 and 398.3 ± 310 mg L–1), fibrin- (79.1 ± 38.5 and 145.2 ± 188.8 mg L–1) and collagen-binding (19 ± 19.8 and 50.9 ± 73.4 mg L–1) FN domain immunoreactivities and the relative amount of EDAFN did not show any significant differences between the normal and leucocytospermic groups. The high values of standard deviations for the FN domain immunoreactivities in the leucocytospermic group probably results from different aetiology of leucocytospermia. The profile of FN fragmentation and alterations of FN domain immunoreactivities in seminal plasma may influence their engagement in the fertilisation process. The analysis of seminal FN molecular status would be helpful for selecting the highest quality spermatozoa for use in assisted reproduction techniques.
Oxygen modulates human embryonic stem cell metabolism in the absence of changes in self-renewal
Authors: Harvey Alexandra J. , Rathjen Joy , Yu Lijia Jackie , Gardner David K.
Published: August 2014

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are routinely cultured under atmospheric oxygen (~20%), a concentration that is known to impair embryo development in vitro and is likely to be suboptimal for maintaining human ES cells compared with physiological (~5%) oxygen conditions. Conflicting reports exist on the effect of oxygen during human ES cell culture and studies have been largely limited to characterisation of typical stem cell markers or analysis of global expression changes. This study aimed to identify physiological markers that could be used to evaluate the metabolic impact of oxygen on the MEL-2 human ES cell line after adaptation to either 5% or 20% oxygen in extended culture. ES cells cultured under atmospheric oxygen displayed decreased glucose consumption and lactate production when compared with those cultured under 5% oxygen, indicating an overall higher flux of glucose through glycolysis under physiological conditions. Higher glucose utilisation at 5% oxygen was accompanied by significantly increased expression of all glycolytic genes analysed. Analysis of amino acid turnover highlighted differences in the consumption of glutamine and threonine and in the production of proline. The expression of pluripotency and differentiation markers was, however, unaltered by oxygen and no observable difference in proliferation between cells cultured in 5% and 20% oxygen was seen. Apoptosis was elevated under 5% oxygen conditions. Collectively these data suggest that culture conditions, including oxygen concentration, can significantly alter human ES cell physiology with coordinated changes in gene expression, in the absence of detectable alterations in undifferentiated marker expression.
Role of linker histone H1c during the reprogramming of Chinese swamp buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Huang Gao-Bo , Quan Li , Zeng Yong-Lian , Yang Jian , Lu Ke-Huan , Lu Sheng-Sheng
Published: August 2014

During reprogramming, there is exchange of histone H1c and the oocyte-specific linker histone, and H1c may play a critically important role in the reprogramming process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the H1c gene in SCNT reprogramming in Chinese swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using RNA interference (RNAi). Chinese swamp buffalo H1c gene sequences were obtained and H1c-RNAi vectors were designed, synthesised and then transfected into a buffalo fetal skin fibroblast cell line. Expression of H1c was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction to examine the efficiency of vector interference. These cells were then used as a nuclear donor for SCNT so as to observe the further development of SCNT embryos. Inhibition of H1c gene expression in donor cells significantly improved the developmental speed of embryos from the 1-cell to 8-cell stage. Furthermore, compared with the control group, inhibition of H1c gene expression significantly reduced the blastocyst formation rate. It is concluded that linker histone H1c is very important in SCNT reprogramming in Chinese swamp buffalo. Correct expression of the H1c gene plays a significant role in preimplantation embryonic development in B. bubalis.
Metaphors: Sources for intercultural misunderstanding?
Authors: Musolff Andreas
Published: August 2014

Over the last two decades, questions of languages’ cultural specificity, diversity, and of linguistic universalism versus relativism, have increasingly been applied to the study of metaphor in analyses that take data from a wide range of languages into account. After reviewing existing research on cross-cultural metaphor variation, this paper focuses on the phenomenon of ‘false-friend metaphors,’ i.e., seemingly identical mappings which reveal hidden culture-specific differences when used in intercultural communication and in contrastive analysis. Examples of this phenomenon are drawn (1) from interpretations tasks concerning the metaphor THE STATE IS A (HUMAN) BODY, and (2) from cross-cultural research on the concept of SOCIAL FACE. In conclusion, a preliminary categorization of types of metaphor-induced intercultural misunderstanding is proposed.
The non-spiritual semasiology of the adjectivedivinein Late Modern American English
Authors: Lodej Sylwester , Newman John G.
Published: August 2014

This paper examines semantic change in the adjectivedivineas evidenced in its attributive constructions in Late Modern American English. Even before modern English times, the word was capable of bearing two meanings, one spiritual and one non-spiritual. However, according to theOxford English dictionary, the adjectivaldivine, a Middle English loanword from Old French, was used earlier (fourteenth century) in the spiritual sense “pertaining to God” and later (fifteenth century) in the non-spiritual sense “supremely good,” and further that it was used primarily in the spiritual sense and secondarily in the non-spiritual sense into modern English times. It is with semantic developments regarding these two senses in American English, particularly the rise in frequency and spread in the applicability of the non-spiritual sense ofdivinein American English, with which we are concerned here. A main object of the investigation is to identify metaphorical conceptualizations that have been responsible for the emergence of conceptual values, which themselves have facilitated the diachronic semasiological patterns observable in extant textual materials.The corpus of historical American English(COHA) is the source of the bulk of the data analyzed.
Prospects for Peircean Truth
Authors: Howat Andrew
Published: August 2014

Peircean Truth (PT) is the view that truth is in some sense epistemically constrained, constrained that is by what we would, if we inquired long enough and well enough, eventually come to believe. Contemporary Peirceans offer various different formulations of the view, which can make it difficult, particularly for critics, to see exactly how PT differs from popular alternatives such as correspondence theories or deflationism. This article, therefore, considers four possible formulations of PT, and sets out the different objections and challenges they each face and their relationships with one another. I focus upon the question of what, if anything, PT has to say about thepropertyof truth.
Adolescent Alcohol-Drinking Frequency and Problem-Gambling Severity: Adolescent Perceptions regarding Problem-Gambling Prevention and Parental/Adult Behaviors and Attitudes
Authors: Rahman Ardeshir S. , Balodis Iris M. , Pilver Corey E. , Leeman Robert F. , Hoff Rani A. , Steinberg Marvin A. , Rugle Loreen , Krishnan-Sarin Suchitra , Potenza Marc N.
Published: August 2014

Background

The study examined in adolescents how alcohol-drinking frequency relates to gambling-related attitudes and behaviors and perceptions of both problem-gambling prevention strategies and adult (including parental) behaviors/attitudes.

Methods

A survey assessing alcohol, gambling, and health and functioning measures in 1609 high school students. Students were stratified into low-frequency/nondrinking and high-frequency-drinking groups, and into low-risk and at-risk/problematic gambling groups.

Results

High-frequency drinking was associated with at-risk/problematic gambling (χ2(1, N = 1842) = 49.22, P < .0001). High-frequency-drinking versus low-frequency/nondrinking adolescents exhibited more permissive attitudes towards gambling (e.g., less likely to report multiple problem-gambling prevention efforts to be important). At-risk problematic gamblers exhibited more severe drinking patterns and greater likelihood of acknowledging parental approval of drinking (χ2(1, N = 1842) = 31.58, P < .0001). Problem-gambling severity was more strongly related to gambling with adults among high-frequency-drinking adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [1.97, 5.09]) versus low-frequency/nondrinking (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = [0.61, 2.68]) adolescents (interaction OR = 1.78, 95% CI = [1.05, 3.02]).

Conclusions

Interrelationships between problematic drinking and gambling in youth may relate to more permissive attitudes across these domains. Stronger links between at-risk/problem gambling and gambling with adults in the high-frequency-drinking group raises the possibility that interventions targeting adults may help mitigate youth gambling and drinking.
Baylor Pediatric SBIRT Medical Residency Training Program: Model Description and Evaluation
Authors: Bray James H. , Kowalchuk Alicia , Waters Vicki , Allen Erin , Laufman Larry , Shilling Elizabeth H.
Published: August 2014

Background

The Baylor College of Medicine SBIRT Medical Residency Training Program is a multilevel project that trains residents and faculty in evidenced-based screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment methods for alcohol and substance use problems.

Methods

This paper describes the training program created for pediatric residents and provides an evaluation of the program. Ninety-five first-year pediatric residents participated in the training program. They were assessed on satisfaction with the program, self-rated skills, observed competency, and implementation into clinical practice.

Results

The program was successfully incorporated into the residency curricula in two pediatric residencies. Evaluations indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the program, self-reported improvement in SBIRT skills, observed proficiency in SBIRT skills, and utilization of SBIRT skills in clinical practice.

Conclusions

SBIRT skills training can be incorporated into pediatric residency training, and residents are able to learn and implement the skills in clinical practice.
Working Memory Impairment in Cannabis- and Opioid-Dependent Adolescents
Authors: Vo Hoa T. , Schacht Rebecca , Mintzer Miriam , Fishman Marc
Published: August 2014

Background

Cannabis and opioid use are associated with cognitive impairment, whether preexisting or substance-induced, but there have been few substance-specific assessments of cognitive functioning in adolescent substance users. Working memory impairment may be particularly important, as it has been linked to poorer performance in substance abuse treatment.

Methods

Working memory (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV or Adult Intelligence Scale-IV) and baseline substance use were assessed in 42 youth (mean age = 17.9 years, SD = 1.3, range: 16–20; 65% Caucasian, 30% female) 1–2 weeks after admission to residential treatment with supervised abstinence, 19 for primary cannabis dependence and 23 for primary opioid dependence.

Results

There were substantial deficits in working memory in both groups, with significant differences ( P < .001) between the opioid ( M = 39.1th%ile, SD = 25.6) and cannabis ( M = 16.3th%ile, SD = 13.6) groups. The primary opioid group had high rates of cannabis use, with no significant difference in past-month days of cannabis use from the primary cannabis group. The opioid group was older and had completed more years of formal education. Seventy-nine percent of the cannabis group had public health care coverage (mostly Medicaid), compared with 24% of the opioid sample.

Conclusions

Working memory impairment was substantial in treatment-seeking youth with primary cannabis and opioid dependence (the latter actually having comparable rates of cannabis use), and significantly more pronounced in the primary cannabis-dependent group. Without an assessment of working memory prior to substance exposure, the differential contributions of substance-induced vs. preexisting impairment are unclear. Lower scores in the cannabis group may reflect lower socioeconomic status (SES), which is typically correlated with cognitive performance. These findings highlight underrecognized cognitive impairment in youth with SUDs, especially inner-city cannabis-dependent youth. Modification of treatments to account for cognitive capacity and/or cognitive remediation interventions may be indicated to improve treatment outcomes.
Influenza A virus prevalence and its implications on survival in mallard
Authors: Giammarino Mauro , Quatto Piero , Rizzo Francesca , Mandola Maria Lucia
Published: August 2014

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. Aquatic bird species have adapted to carry and transmit a wide range of influenza strains in nature. Here we report the results of a 4.5-year monitoring program forOrthomyxovirusprevalence in a population of wild mallard (Anas plathyrynchos) in northwestern Italy. To determine whetherOrthomyxovirusprevalence affects survival, we used MARK software to compare the survival of AIV-positive versus AIV-negative birds. Prevalence rates and variance were estimated using inverse sampling method. The prevalence rate of influenza A virus was 4.3% (SE 0.00116) and lifespan was shorter (29.8%) for the young infected birds than for the young non-infected birds.
The Robyn Barst Memorial Lecture: Differences between the Fetal, Newborn, and Adult Pulmonary Circulations: Relevance for Age‐Specific Therapies (2013 Grover Conference Series)
Authors: Abman Steven H. , Baker Christopher , Gien Jason , Mourani Peter , Galambos Csaba
Published: August 2014

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) contributes to poor outcomes in diverse diseases in newborns, infants, and children. Many aspects of pediatric PAH parallel the pathophysiology and disease courses observed in adult patients; however, critical maturational differences exist that contribute to distinct outcomes and therapeutic responses in children. In comparison with adult PAH, disruption of lung vascular growth and development, or angiogenesis, plays an especially prominent role in the pathobiology of pediatric PAH. In children, abnormalities of lung vascular development have consequences well beyond the adverse hemodynamic effects of PAH alone. The developing endothelium also plays critical roles in development of the distal airspace, establishing lung surface area for gas exchange and maintenance of lung structure throughout postnatal life through angiocrine signaling. Impaired functional and structural adaptations of the pulmonary circulation during the transition from fetal to postnatal life contribute significantly to poor outcomes in such disorders as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Down syndrome, and forms of congenital heart disease. In addition, several studies support the hypothesis that early perinatal events that alter lung vascular growth or function may set the stage for increased susceptibility to PAH in adult patients (“fetal programming”). Thus, insights into basic mechanisms underlying unique features of the developing pulmonary circulation, especially as related to preservation of endothelial survival and function, may provide unique therapeutic windows and distinct strategies to improve short‐ and long‐term outcomes of children with PAH.
Mitigating killer whale depredation on demersal longline fisheries by changing fishing practices
Authors: Tixier Paul , Vacquie Garcia Jade , Gasco Nicolas , Duhamel Guy , Guinet Christophe
Published: August 2014

Odontocete depredation on longlines involves socioeconomic and conservation issues with significant losses for fisheries and potential impacts on wild populations of depredating species. As technical solutions to this conflict are limited and difficult to implement, this study aimed to identify fishing practices that could reduce odontocete depredation, with a focus on killer whales (Orcinus orca) interacting with Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longliners off the Crozet islands. Data collected by fishery observers from 6013 longline sets between 2003 and 2013 allowed us to statistically detect the significant influence of five operational variables using GLMMs. The probability of interactions between vessels and killer whales was decreased by (i) the number of vessels operating simultaneously in the area: the limited number of depredating killer whales may induce a dilution effect with increased fleet size, and (ii) depth of longline sets: vessels operating in shallow waters may be more accessible to whales that are initially distributed on peri-insular shelves. The cpue was negatively influenced by (iii) length of longlines: longer sets may provide killer whales access to a greater proportion of hooked fish per set, and positively influenced by (iv) hauling speed: increased speed may shorten the time during which toothfish are accessible to whales during hauling. The time it takes for killer whales to reach vessels was positively correlated to (v) the distance travelled between longline sets with an estimated threshold of 100 km beyond which whales seem to temporarily lose track of vessels. These findings provide insightful guidelines about what fishing strategy to adopt given these variables to reduce killer whale depredation here and in similar situations elsewhere. To a greater extent, this study is illustrative of how collaborative work with fishermen in a fully controlled fishery framework may lead to the definition of cost-limited and easy-to-implement mitigation solutions when facing such human-wildlife conflict.
Propaganda and Conflict: Evidence from the Rwandan Genocide *
Authors: Yanagizawa-Drott David
Published: August 2014

This article investigates the role of mass media in times of conflict and state-sponsored mass violence against civilians. We use a unique village-level data set from the Rwandan genocide to estimate the impact of a popular radio station that encouraged violence against the Tutsi minority population. The results show that the broadcasts had a significant effect on participation in killings by both militia groups and ordinary civilians. An estimated 51,000 perpetrators, or approximately 10% of the overall violence, can be attributed to the station. The broadcasts increased militia violence not only directly by influencing behavior in villages with radio reception but also indirectly by increasing participation in neighboring villages. In fact, spillovers are estimated to have caused more militia violence than the direct effects. Thus, the article provides evidence that mass media can affect participation in violence directly due to exposure and indirectly due to social interactions.
One bad apple: experimental effects of psychological conflict on social resilience
Authors: Pincus David
Published: August 2014

Past research suggests that small groups are self-organizing systems, and that social resilience may be measured as the meta-flexibility of group dynamics: the ability to shift back and forth from flexiblity to rigidity in response to conflict. This study extends these prior results, examining the impact of experimentally induced internal conflict and group-level conflict resolution on group dynamics—
whether one bad apple can spoil the bunch
. Six experimental groups with four members each participated in a series of four 25 min discussions. The first two discussions served as a baseline condition. Internal conflict was induced to one or more group members prior to discussion three, with the prediction that higher levels of conflict induction would lead to significant drops in group flexibility—creating a press on the group's resilience, whereas conflict resolution in discussion four was expected to allow for a rebound in group flexibility. Consistent with prior research, the turn-taking dynamics of each the 24 groups were distributed as inverse power laws (
R
2
= 0.86–0.99) providing evidence for self-organization. Furthermore, there were significant study-wise negative correlation between levels of personality conflict and two measures of flexibility: information entropy (
r
= −0.47,
p
= 0.019) and fractal dimension (
r
= −0.42,
p
= 0.037). Altogether, these results suggest that: (i) small groups are self-organizing systems with structure and flexibility providing social resilience and (ii) individual conflict is able to spread to higher level social dynamics, creating pressure on social resilience. Practical implications for assessment of, and intervention with, psychosocial resilience are discussed.
Biological mechanisms underlying the role of physical fitness in health and resilience
Authors: Silverman Marni N. , Deuster Patricia A.
Published: August 2014

Physical fitness, achieved through regular exercise and/or spontaneous physical activity, confers resilience by inducing positive psychological and physiological benefits, blunting stress reactivity, protecting against potentially adverse behavioural and metabolic consequences of stressful events and preventing many chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical fitness on mental and physical health. Physical fitness appears to buffer against stress-related disease owing to its blunting/optimizing effects on hormonal stress responsive systems, such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. This blunting appears to contribute to reduced emotional, physiological and metabolic reactivity as well as increased positive mood and well-being. Another mechanism whereby regular exercise and/or physical fitness may confer resilience is through minimizing excessive inflammation. Chronic psychological stress, physical inactivity and abdominal adiposity have been associated with persistent, systemic, low-grade inflammation and exert adverse effects on mental and physical health. The anti-inflammatory effects of regular exercise/activity can promote behavioural and metabolic resilience, and protect against various chronic diseases associated with systemic inflammation. Moreover, exercise may benefit the brain by enhancing growth factor expression and neural plasticity, thereby contributing to improved mood and cognition. In summary, the mechanisms whereby physical fitness promotes increased resilience and well-being and positive psychological and physical health are diverse and complex.
Characterization of a novel insect-specific flavivirus from Brazil: potential for inhibition of infection of arthropod cells with medically important flaviviruses
Authors: Kenney Joan L. , Solberg Owen D. , Langevin Stanley A. , Brault Aaron C.
Published: August 2014

In the past decade, there has been an upsurge in the number of newly described insect-specific flaviviruses isolated pan-globally. We recently described the isolation of a novel flavivirus (tentatively designated ‘Nhumirim virus’; NHUV) that represents an example of a unique subset of apparently insect-specific viruses that phylogenetically affiliate with dual-host mosquito-borne flaviviruses despite appearing to be limited to replication in mosquito cells. We characterized thein vitrogrowth potential and 3′ untranslated region (UTR) sequence homology with alternative flaviviruses, and evaluated the virus’s capacity to suppress replication of representativeCulexspp.-vectored pathogenic flaviviruses in mosquito cells. Only mosquito cell lines were found to support NHUV replication, further reinforcing the insect-specific phenotype of this virus. Analysis of the sequence and predicted RNA secondary structures of the 3′ UTR indicated NHUV to be most similar to viruses within the yellow fever serogroup and Japanese encephalitis serogroup, and viruses in the tick-borne flavivirus clade. NHUV was found to share the fewest conserved sequence elements when compared with traditional insect-specific flaviviruses. This suggests that, despite apparently being insect specific, this virus probably diverged from an ancestral mosquito-borne flavivirus. Co-infection experiments indicated that prior or concurrent infection of mosquito cells with NHUV resulted in a significant reduction in virus production of West Nile virus (WNV), St Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Japanese encephalitis virus. The inhibitory effect was most effective against WNV and SLEV with over a 106-fold and 104-fold reduction in peak titres, respectively.
Cell-to-cell transfer of HIV infection: implications for HIV viral persistence
Authors: Costiniuk Cecilia T. , Jenabian Mohammad-Ali
Published: August 2014

A major research priority for HIV eradication is the elucidation of the events involved in HIV reservoir establishment and persistence. Cell-to-cell transmission of HIV represents an important area of study as it allows for the infection of cell types which are not easily infected by HIV, leading to the establishment of long-lived viral reservoirs. This phenomenon enables HIV to escape elimination by the immune system. This process may also enable HIV to escape suppressive effects of anti-retroviral drugs. During cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, a dynamic series of events ensues at the virological synapse that promotes viral dissemination. Cell-to-cell transmission involves various types of cells of the immune system and this mode of transmission has been shown to have an important role in sexual and mother-to-child transmission of HIV and spread of HIV within the central nervous system and gut-associated lymphoid tissues. There is also evidence that cell-to-cell transmission of HIV occurs between thymocytes and renal tubular cells. Herein, following a brief review of the processes involved at the virological synapse, evidence supporting the role for cell-to-cell transmission of HIV in the maintenance of the HIV reservoir will be highlighted. Therapeutic considerations and future directions for this area of research will also be discussed.
Choosing an appropriate modelling framework for analysing multispecies co-culture cell biology experiments
Authors: Markham Deborah C , Simpson Matthew J , Baker Ruth E
Published: August 2014

In vitrocell biology assays play a crucial role in informing our understanding of the migratory, proliferative and invasive properties of many cell types in different biological contexts. While mono-culture assays involve the study of a population of cells composed of a single cell type, co-culture assays study a population of cells composed of multiple cell types (or subpopulations of cells). Such co-culture assays can provide more realistic insights into many biological processes including tissue repair, tissue regeneration and malignant spreading. Typically, system parameters, such as motility and proliferation rates, are estimated by calibrating a mathematical or computational model to the observed experimental data. However, parameter estimates can be highly sensitive to the choice of model and modelling framework. This observation motivates us to consider the fundamental question of how we can best choose a model to facilitate accurate parameter estimation for a particular assay. In this work we describe three mathematical models of mono-culture and co-culture assays that include different levels of spatial detail. We study various spatial summary statistics to explore if they can be used to distinguish between the suitability of each model over a range of parameter space. Our results for mono-culture experiments are promising, in that we suggest two spatial statistics that can be used to direct model choice. However, co-culture experiments are far more challenging: we show that these same spatial statistics which provide useful insight into mono-culture systems are insufficient for co-culture systems. Therefore, we conclude that great care ought to be exercised when estimating the parameters of co-culture assays.
TACC3–ch-TOG track the growing tips of microtubules independently of clathrin and Aurora-A phosphorylation
Authors: Gutiérrez-Caballero Cristina , Burgess Selena G. , Bayliss Richard , Royle Stephen J.
Published: August 2014

The interaction between TACC3 (transforming acidic coiled coil protein 3) and the microtubule polymerase ch-TOG (colonic, hepatic tumor overexpressed gene) is evolutionarily conserved. Loading of TACC3–ch-TOG onto mitotic spindle microtubules requires the phosphorylation of TACC3 by Aurora-A kinase and the subsequent interaction of TACC3 with clathrin to form a microtubule-binding surface. Recent work indicates that TACC3 can track the plus-ends of microtubules and modulate microtubule dynamics in non-dividing cells via its interaction with ch-TOG. Whether there is a pool of TACC3–ch-TOG that is independent of clathrin in human cells, and what is the function of this pool, are open questions. Here, we describe the molecular interaction between TACC3 and ch-TOG that permits TACC3 recruitment to the plus-ends of microtubules. This TACC3–ch-TOG pool is independent of EB1, EB3, Aurora-A phosphorylation and binding to clathrin. We also describe the distinct combinatorial subcellular pools of TACC3, ch-TOG and clathrin. TACC3 is often described as a centrosomal protein, but we show that there is no significant population of TACC3 at centrosomes. The delineation of distinct protein pools reveals a simplified view of how these proteins are organized and controlled by post-translational modification.
ATP-Dependent Binding Cassette Transporter G Family Member 16 Increases Plant Tolerance to Abscisic Acid and Assists in Basal Resistance against Pseudomonas syringae DC3000
Authors: Ji Hao , Peng Yanhui , Meckes Nicole , Allen Sara , Stewart C. Neal , Traw M. Brian
Published: August 2014

Plants have been shown previously to perceive bacteria on the leaf surface and respond by closing their stomata. The virulent bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000) responds by secreting a virulence factor, coronatine, which blocks the functioning of guard cells and forces stomata to reopen. After it is inside the leaf, PstDC3000 has been shown to up-regulate abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and thereby suppress salicylic acid-dependent resistance. Some wild plants exhibit resistance to PstDC3000, but the mechanisms by which they achieve this resistance remain unknown. Here, we used genome-wide association mapping to identify an ATP-dependent binding cassette transporter gene (ATP-dependent binding cassette transporter G family member16) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that contributes to wild plant resistance to PstDC3000. Through microarray analysis and β-glucuronidase reporter lines, we showed that the gene is up-regulated by ABA, bacterial infection, and coronatine. We also used a green fluorescent protein fusion protein and found that transporter is more likely to localize on plasma membranes than in cell walls. Transferred DNA insertion lines exhibited consistent defective tolerance of exogenous ABA and reduced resistance to infection by PstDC3000. Our conclusion is that ATP-dependent binding cassette transporter G family member16 is involved in ABA tolerance and contributes to plant resistance against PstDC3000. This is one of the first examples, to our knowledge, of ATP-dependent binding cassette transporter involvement in plant resistance to infection by a bacterial pathogen. It also suggests a possible mechanism by which plants reduce the deleterious effects of ABA hijacking during pathogen attack. Collectively, these results improve our understanding of basal resistance in Arabidopsis and offer unique ABA-related targets for improving the innate resistance of plants to bacterial infection.
A structural and functional investigation of a novel protein fromMycobacterium smegmatisimplicated in mycobacterial macrophage survivability
Authors: Shahine Adam , Littler Dene , Brammananath Rajini , Chan Phooi Y. , Crellin Paul K. , Coppel Ross L. , Rossjohn Jamie , Beddoe Travis
Published: August 2014

The success of pathogenic mycobacterial species is owing in part to their ability to parasitize the generally inhospitable phagosomal environment of host macrophages, utilizing a variety of strategies to avoid their antimycobacterial capabilities and thereby enabling their survival. A recently identified gene target inMycobacterium smegmatis, highly conserved withinMycobacteriumspp. and denoted MSMEG_5817, has been found to be important for bacterial survival within host macrophages. To gain insight into its function, the crystal structure of MSMEG_5817 has been solved to 2.40 Å resolution. The structure reveals a high level of structural homology to the sterol carrier protein (SCP) family, suggesting a potential role of MSMEG_5817 in the binding and transportation of biologically relevant lipids required for bacterial survival. The lipid-binding capacity of MSMEG_5817 was confirmed by ELISA, revealing binding to a number of phospholipids with varying binding specificities compared withHomo sapiensSCP. A potential lipid-binding site was probed by alanine-scanning mutagenesis, revealing structurally relevant residues and a binding mechanism potentially differing from that of the SCPs.
The structure of human interleukin-11 reveals receptor-binding site features and structural differences from interleukin-6
Authors: Putoczki Tracy L. , Dobson Renwick C. J. , Griffin Michael D. W.
Published: August 2014

Interleukin (IL)-11 is a multifunctional member of the IL-6 family of cytokines. Recombinant human IL-11 is administered as a standard clinical treatment for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopaenia. Recently, a new role for IL-11 signalling as a potent driver of gastrointestinal cancers has been identified, and it has been demonstrated to be a novel therapeutic target for these diseases. Here, the crystal structure of human IL-11 is reported and the structural resolution of residues previously identified as important for IL-11 activity is presented. While IL-11 is thought to signalviaa complex analogous to that of IL-6, comparisons show important differences between the two cytokines and it is suggested that IL-11 engages GP130 differently to IL-6. In addition to providing a structural platform for further study of IL-11, these data offer insight into the binding interactions of IL-11 with each of its receptors and the structural mechanisms underlying agonist and antagonist variants of the protein.
Crystal structure of bis(acetato-κO)bis(pyridine-2-carboxamide oxime-κ2N,N′)cadmium ethanol disolvate
Authors: Liu Jiyong
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, [Cd(CH3COO)2(C6H7N3O)2]·2C2H5OH, the CdIIatom, which lies on a twofold rotation axis, is coordinated by two monodentate acetate groups and twoN,N′-chelating pyridine-2-carboxamide oxime ligands, leading to a distorted octahedral coordination sphere. The mononuclear complex molecules are assembled into chains along thec-axis directionviaN—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions. These chains are further assembled by O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the ethanol solvent molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
Crystal structure ofN-(1-allyl-3-chloro-1H-indazol-5-yl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide
Authors: Chicha Hakima , Rakib El Mostapha , Chigr Mohamed , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: August 2014

The 3-chloro-1H-indazole system in the title molecule, C17H16ClN3O2S, is almost planar, with the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.029 (2) Å for one of the N atoms. This system is nearly perpendicular to the allyl chain, as indicated by the C—C—N—N torsion angle of −90.1 (6)° between them. The allyl group is split into two fragments, the major component has a site occupancy of 0.579 (7). The indazole system makes a dihedral angle of 47.53 (10)° with the plane through the benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules are connected by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-[(4-chloro-2H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]-N-cyclohexylhydrazinecarbothioamide
Authors: Gangadharan Rajeswari , Haribabu Jebiti , Karvembu Ramasamy , Sethusankar K.
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, C17H20ClN3OS, the mean plane of the central thiourea core makes dihedral angles of 26.56 (9) and 47.62 (12)° with the mean planes of the chromene moiety and the cyclohexyl ring, respectively. The cyclohexyl ring adopts a chair conformation. The N–H atoms of the thiourea unit adopt ananticonformation. The chromene group is positionedtrans, whereas the cyclohexyl ring lies in thecisposition to the thione S atom, with respect to the thiourea C—N bond. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers enclosingR22(8) ring motifs. The dimers are linked by C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, enclosingR66(44) ring motifs, forming sheets lying parallel to (010).
Crystal structure of magnesium selenate heptahydrate, MgSeO4·7H2O, from neutron time-of-flight data
Authors: Fortes A. Dominic , Gutmann Matthias J.
Published: August 2014

MgSeO4·7H2O is isostructural with the analogous sulfate, MgSO4·7H2O, consisting of isolated [Mg(H2O)6]2+octahedra and [SeO4]2−tetrahedra, linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, with a single interstitial lattice water molecule. As in the sulfate, the [Mg(H2O)6]2+coordination octahedron is elongated along one axis due to the tetrahedral coordination of the two apical water molecules; these have Mg—O distances of ∼2.10 Å, whereas the remaining four trigonally coordinated water molecules have Mg—O distances of ∼2.05 Å. The mean Se—O bond length is 1.641 Å and is in excellent agreement with other selenates. The unit-cell volume of MgSeO4·7H2O at 10 K is 4.1% larger than that of the sulfate at 2 K, although this is not uniform; the greater part of the expansion is along theaaxis of the crystal.
New structural forms of a mycobacterial adenylyl cyclase Rv1625c
Authors: Barathy Deivanayaga , Mattoo Rohini , Visweswariah Sandhya , Suguna Kaza
Published: August 2014

Rv1625c is one of 16 adenylyl cyclases encoded in the genome ofMycobacterium tuberculosis. In solution Rv1625c exists predominantly as a monomer, with a small amount of dimer. It has been shown previously that the monomer is active and the dimeric fraction is inactive. Both fractions of wild-type Rv1625c crystallized as head-to-head inactive domain-swapped dimers as opposed to the head-to-tail dimer seen in other functional adenylyl cyclases. About half of the molecule is involved in extensive domain swapping. The strain created by a serine residue located on a hinge loop and the crystallization condition might have led to this unusual domain swapping. The inactivity of the dimeric form of Rv1625c could be explained by the absence of the required catalytic site in the swapped dimer. A single mutant of the enzyme was also generated by changing a phenylalanine predicted to occur at the functional dimer interface to an arginine. This single mutant exists as a dimer in solution but crystallized as a monomer. Analysis of the structure showed that a salt bridge formed between a glutamate residue in the N-terminal segment and the mutated arginine residue hinders dimer formation by pulling the N-terminal region towards the dimer interface. Both structures reported here show a change in the dimerization-arm region which is involved in formation of the functional dimer. It is concluded that the dimerization arm along with other structural elements such as the N-terminal region and certain loops are vital for determining the oligomeric nature of the enzyme, which in turn dictates its activity.
The impact of social responsibility disclosure and governance on financial analysts’ information environment
Authors: Cormier Denis , Magnan Michel
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure, corporate governance and financial analysts’ information environment, as proxied by their ability to forecast a firm’s earnings. Hence, we extend prior voluntary disclosure research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Our paper considers that the determination of CSR disclosure, corporate governance and financial analyst forecasting work are closely intertwined. Therefore, we rely on simultaneous equations to explore these relations.

Findings

– Findings show that there is a direct relation between both CSR disclosure and corporate governance and financial analysts’ information environment: more disclosure and better governance translate into a tighter consensus in earnings forecasts as well as less dispersion. However, corporate governance substitutes for CSR disclosure in improving analyst forecast precision, thus supporting a comprehensive view of corporate governance that encompasses disclosure. Finally, results also suggest that CSR disclosure, through its effect on governance and analyst following, has an indirect influence on analyst forecast precision. Overall, it appears that both CSR disclosure and good corporate governance attract analysts and improve their ability to forecast earnings.

Originality/value

– To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the joint effect of corporate governance and CSR disclosure on analyst forecast precision.
Corporate governance, analyst following and firm value
Authors: Mouselli Sulaiman , Hussainey Khaled
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a firm’s corporate governance (CG) mechanisms on the number of financial analysts following UK firms. The potential effect of the number of analysts following firms in the UK on the association between CG mechanisms and firm value was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multiple regression models were used to examine the association between CG, analyst coverage and firm value for a large sample of UK firms listed in London Stock Exchange with financial year ends between January 2003 and December 2008.

Findings

– It was found that the aggregate level of CG quality is positively associated with the number of analysts following UK firms. In addition, the compensation score is the main component that affects the number of analysts following UK firms. The results suggest that financial analysts are particularly concerned with how much compensation executives and directors receive. This is consistent with Jensen and Meckling (1976) who argue that chief executive officer (CEO) compensation can be used as effective mechanisms for mitigating agency costs. Hence, higher levels of CEO compensation attract more financial analysts to follow the firm. Surprisingly, when the joint effect of both CG quality and the number of analysts following on firm value was examined, no significant effect was found for both variables on firm value.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to prior research by providing the first empirical evidence on the impact of disaggregated levels of CG on analyst following and firm value for a large sample of UK firms.
Board effectiveness in corporate crises: lessons from the evolving empirical research
Authors: Abatecola Gianpaolo , Farina Vincenzo , Gordini Niccolò
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to comment on how the empirical research on board effectiveness in crisis contexts has been evolving over time. Over the years, the empirical evidences have demonstrated that particular board features can improve the survival chances of firms suffering a crisis and, to date, experts agree that discussing these evidences is necessary for the further improvement of knowledge in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a critical review article.

Findings

– Valuable evidences emerge from the review. For example, it seems that board independence has a key role in enhancing the performance of firms suffering a crisis. At the same time, the review suggests that further refinement is needed for supporting (or eventually refuting) the idea that boards and/or Chief Executive Officers (1) must be replaced to achieve successful turnaround strategies.

Originality/value

– On the basis of its findings, the review also prospects a number of conceptual and methodological implications for the future research and practice about board effectiveness in corporate crises. For example, these implications are associated with future investigations about the executives’ sociodemographic features and personality traits as well. More international comparisons seem also needed to improve the reliability of the extant knowledge.
Good governance and confidentiality: a matter of the preservation of the public sphere
Authors: Goede Miguel , J. Neuwirth Rostam
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to discuss the concepts confidentiality and transparency in the context of good governance.

Design/methodology/approach

– After exploring the concepts of confidentiality, good governance and other relevant concepts, they are related to each other.

Findings

– When it comes to good governance, transparency is overrated and confidentiality is taken for granted. For good governance, there must be a balance between the two to preserve the public sphere.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the understanding of good governance and the evolution of the public sphere.