bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gina Mather
Authors: Smaal Yorick
Published: August 2016

Gina Mather has been the president of the Australian Transgender Support Association (ATSA) for over 15 years. Her vociferous activism for social justice and equality has its roots in her work with Queensland Rail, which she joined in 1967. Gina quickly became entrenched in the union movement and soon afterwards became the secretary of the Australian Railways Union. During her time with the railways, Gina spent a considerable period of time in regional parts of Queensland, advocating for workers' rights. While her activities earned her the ire of the authorities — the police tapped her phone and the then premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, threatened to remove her as secretary of the union — she persevered undeterred.
'Who's the Man and Who's the Woman?'
Authors: Kentlyn Susan
Published: August 2016

This article reports an exploratory study that investigated domestic labour in same-sex households, to the best of my knowledge the first in Australia to do so. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 couples in Southeast Queensland reveal that these lesbians and gay men do not take on heteronormative gender roles when doing domestic labour, and that their practices reflect a variety of styles of sharing, with no pattern emerging as clearly dominant. Theoretical frameworks conceptualising gender as performative, and queer theory's figuring of identity as a constellation of multiple and unstable positions, suggest how the performance of gender may vary in different domains of social and cultural space, and in relation to other actors in those spaces. I have conceptualised this process by means of an analogy with the modulation of sound such that each person adjusts the balance between treble (conventionally feminine behaviours, attitudes and attributes) and bass (conventionally masculine behaviours and attributes). Rather than being ‘the man’ or ‘the woman’, or even displaying a single form of gay masculinity or lesbian femininity, lesbians and gay men can be seen to perform varying degrees of masculinity and femininity in the private space of the home, and in relation to their intimate partners, by the way they engage with domestic labour. Finally, I reflect on how the socio-geographical specificities of being situated in Southeast Queensland may have impacted on this research.
Writing from the Hinterland
Authors: McKay Belinda
Published: August 2016

Eleanor Dark's years in Montville represent an unusual moment in the history of Queensland literature: it was one of the rare instances, until recent times, of an established professional writer moving to Queensland and pursuing her career in a small rural community. Since the 1980s, the Sunshine Coast and its hinterland have become something of a mecca for writers. None of the later arrivals, however, has pursued Dark's project of viewing the wider world from the hinterland. In Lantana Lane she intertwines meticulous observation of local life, in which she participated as a farmer, with wider cultural and political concerns. She transforms the apparently inauspicious location of the hinterland into a vantage point from which to reflect on modes of production, from the agricultural to the literary.
Maternal micronutrient consumption periconceptionally and during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Livock Michelle , Anderson Peter J , Lewis Sharon , Bowden Stephen , Muggli Evelyne , Halliday Jane
Published: August 2016

Objective

To examine overall micronutrient intake periconceptionally and throughout pregnancy in a population-based cohort of Australian women.

Design

In a prospective cohort study, micronutrient dosages were extracted from self-reported maternal supplement use, recorded pre-conception, and for each trimester of pregnancy. A food frequency scale (DQESv2) captured usual maternal diet for gestational weeks 14–26. The influence of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with supplement use was examined using logistic regression, and changes in micronutrient intakes prior to and throughout pregnancy were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA analyses.

Setting

Metropolitan hospital sites in Melbourne, Australia.

Subjects

Women with a viable singleton pregnancy were recruited at less than 19 weeks’ gestation (n2146).

Results

Compared with non-users, women using supplements during pregnancy were more likely to have planned their pregnancy, be >25 years old, primiparous, Caucasian, non-smokers, have a tertiary education and be consuming a folate-rich diet. Intakes of folate, Fe and Zn were significantly lower in the periconceptional period, compared with other periods (P<0·001). Intakes below Recommended Daily Intake levels were common both periconceptionally and throughout pregnancy, with 19–46 % of women not meeting the Recommended Daily Intake for folate, 68–82 % for Fe and 17–36 % for Zn. Conversely, 15–19 % of women consumed beyond the recommended Upper Limit for folate and 11–24 % for Fe.

Conclusions

The study highlights the need for improved public health education on nutritional needs during pregnancy, especially among women with lower educational achievements and income.
Water Subsidies May Not Be Going to Those Who Need Them Most
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: August 2016

A new study finds a widely used water tariff does not effectively deliver subsidies to intended beneficiaries in Nairobi, Kenya.
Utilization of different anti‐viral mechanisms by mammalian embryonic stem cells and differentiated cells
Authors: Guo Yan‐Lin
Published: August 2016

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have received tremendous attention because of their potential applications in regenerative medicine. Over the past two decades, intensive research has not only led to the generation of various types of cells from ESCs that can be potentially used for the treatment of human diseases but also led to the formation of new concepts and breakthroughs that have significantly impacted our understanding of basic cell biology and developmental biology. Recent studies have revealed that ESCs and other types of pluripotent cells do not have a functional interferon (IFN)‐based anti‐viral mechanism, challenging the idea that the IFN system is developed as the central component of anti‐viral innate immunity in all types of cells in vertebrates. This finding also provided important insight into a question that has been uncertain for a long time: whether or not the RNA interference (RNAi) anti‐viral mechanism operates in mammalian cells. An emerging paradigm is that mammals may have adapted distinct anti‐viral mechanisms at different stages of organismal development; the IFN‐based system is mainly used by differentiated somatic cells, while the RNAi anti‐viral mechanism may be used in ESCs. This paper discusses the molecular basis and biological implications for mammals to have different anti‐viral mechanisms during development.
MRF4 negatively regulates adult skeletal muscle growth by repressing MEF2 activity
Authors: Moretti Irene , Ciciliot Stefano , Dyar Kenneth A. , Abraham Reimar , Murgia Marta , Agatea Lisa , Akimoto Takayuki , Bicciato Silvio , Forcato Mattia , Pierre Philippe , Uhlenhaut N. Henriette , Rigby Peter W. J. , Carvajal Jaime J. , Blaauw Bert , Calabria Elisa , Schiaffino Stefano
Published: August 2016

The myogenic regulatory factor MRF4 is highly expressed in adult skeletal muscle but its function is unknown. Here we show that Mrf4 knockdown in adult muscle induces hypertrophy and prevents denervation-induced atrophy. This effect is accompanied by increased protein synthesis and widespread activation of muscle-specific genes, many of which are targets of MEF2 transcription factors. MEF2-dependent genes represent the top-ranking gene set enriched after Mrf4 RNAi and a MEF2 reporter is inhibited by co-transfected MRF4 and activated by Mrf4 RNAi. The Mrf4 RNAi-dependent increase in fibre size is prevented by dominant negative MEF2, while constitutively active MEF2 is able to induce myofibre hypertrophy. The nuclear localization of the MEF2 corepressor HDAC4 is impaired by Mrf4 knockdown, suggesting that MRF4 acts by stabilizing a repressor complex that controls MEF2 activity. These findings open new perspectives in the search for therapeutic targets to prevent muscle wasting, in particular sarcopenia and cachexia.
High fat diet-induced TGF-β/Gbb signaling provokes insulin resistance through the tribbles expression
Authors: Hong Seung-Hyun , Kang Moonyoung , Lee Kyu-Sun , Yu Kweon
Published: August 2016

Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance are hallmarks of obesity-induced type 2 diabetes, which is often caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying HFD-induced insulin resistance have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we established a Drosophila model to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HFD-induced diabetes. HFD model flies recapitulate mammalian diabetic phenotypes including elevated triglyceride and circulating glucose levels, as well as insulin resistance. Expression of glass bottom boat (gbb), a Drosophila homolog of mammalian transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), is elevated under HFD conditions. Furthermore, overexpression of gbb in the fat body produced obese and insulin-resistant phenotypes similar to those of HFD-fed flies, whereas inhibition of Gbb signaling significantly ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic phenotypes. We also discovered that tribbles, a negative regulator of AKT, is a target gene of Gbb signaling in the fat body. Overexpression of tribbles in flies in the fat body phenocopied the metabolic defects associated with HFD conditions or Gbb overexpression, whereas tribbles knockdown rescued these metabolic phenotypes. These results indicate that HFD-induced TGF-β/Gbb signaling provokes insulin resistance by increasing tribbles expression.
Pre-Clinical Study of a Novel Recombinant Botulinum Neurotoxin Derivative Engineered for Improved Safety
Authors: Vazquez-Cintron Edwin , Tenezaca Luis , Angeles Christopher , Syngkon Aurelia , Liublinska Victoria , Ichtchenko Konstantin , Band Philip
Published: August 2016

Cyto-012 is a recombinant derivative of Botulinum neurotoxin Type A (BoNT/A). It primarily differs from wild type (wt) BoNT/A1 in that it incorporates two amino acid substitutions in the catalytic domain of the light chain (LC) metalloprotease (E224 > A and Y366 > A), designed to provide a safer clinical profile. Cyto-012 is specifically internalized into rat cortical and hippocampal neurons, and cleaves Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 (SNAP-25), the substrate of wt BoNT/A, but exhibits slower cleavage kinetics and therefore requires a higher absolute dose to exhibit pharmacologic activity. The pharmacodynamics of Cyto-012 and wt BoNT/A have similar onset and duration of action using the Digital Abduction Assay (DAS). Intramuscular LD50 values for Cyto-012 and wt BoNT/A respectively, were 0.63 ug (95% CI = 0.61, 0.66) and 6.22 pg (95% CI = 5.42, 7.02). ED50 values for Cyto-012 and wt BoNT/A were respectively, 0.030 ug (95% CI = 0.026, 0.034) and 0.592 pg (95% CI = 0.488, 0.696). The safety margin (intramuscular LD50/ED50 ratio) for Cyto-012 was found to be improved 2-fold relative to wt BoNT/A (p < 0.001). The DAS response to Cyto-012 was diminished when a second injection was administered 32 days after the first. These data suggest that the safety margin of BoNT/A can be improved by modulating their activity towards SNAP-25.
The Microbiome of Aseptically Collected Human Breast Tissue in Benign and Malignant Disease
Authors: Hieken Tina J. , Chen Jun , Hoskin Tanya L. , Walther-Antonio Marina , Johnson Stephen , Ramaker Sheri , Xiao Jian , Radisky Derek C. , Knutson Keith L. , Kalari Krishna R. , Yao Janet Z. , Baddour Larry M. , Chia Nicholas , Degnim Amy C.
Published: August 2016

Globally breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women. The breast consists of epithelium, stroma and a mucosal immune system that make up a complex microenvironment. Growing awareness of the role of microbes in the microenvironment recently has led to a series of findings important for human health. The microbiome has been implicated in cancer development and progression at a variety of body sites including stomach, colon, liver, lung and skin. In this study, we assessed breast tissue microbial signatures in intraoperatively obtained samples using 16S rDNA hypervariable tag sequencing. Our results indicate a distinct breast tissue microbiome that is different from the microbiota of breast skin tissue, breast skin swabs and buccal swabs. Furthermore, we identify distinct microbial communities in breast tissues from women with cancer as compared to women with benign breast disease. Malignancy correlated with enrichment in taxa of lower abundance including the genera Fusobacterium, Atopobium, Gluconacetobacter, Hydrogenophaga and Lactobacillus. This work confirms the existence of a distinct breast microbiome and differences between the breast tissue microbiome in benign and malignant disease. These data provide a foundation for future investigation on the role of the breast microbiome in breast carcinogenesis and breast cancer prevention.
Frontotemporal dementia and language networks: cortical thickness reduction is driven by dyslexia susceptibility genes
Authors: Paternicó Donata , Manes Marta , Premi Enrico , Cosseddu Maura , Gazzina Stefano , Alberici Antonella , Archetti Silvana , Bonomi Elisa , Cotelli Maria Sofia , Cotelli Maria , Turla Marinella , Micheli Anna , Gasparotti Roberto , Padovani Alessandro , Borroni Barbara
Published: August 2016

Variations within genes associated with dyslexia result in a language network vulnerability, and in patients with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), language disturbances represent a disease core feature. Here we explored whether variations within three related-dyslexia genes, namely KIAA0319, DCDC2, and CNTNAP, might affect cortical thickness measures in FTD patients. 112 FTD patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological examination, genetic analyses and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). KIAA0319 rs17243157 G/A, DCDC2 rs793842 A/G and CNTNAP2 rs17236239 A/G genetic variations were assessed. Cortical thickness was analysed by Freesurfer. Patients carrying KIAA0319 A*(AG or AA) carriers showed greater cortical thickness atrophy in the left fusiform and inferior temporal gyri, compared to KIAA0319 GG (p ≤ 0.001). Patients carrying CNTNAP2 G*(GA or GG) showed reduced cortical thickness in the left insula thenCNTNAP2 AA carriers (p≤0.001). When patients with both at-risk polymorphisms were considered (KIAA0319 A* and CNTNAP2 G*), greater and addictive cortical thickness atrophy of the left insula and the inferior temporal gyrus was demonstrated (p ≤ 0.001). No significant effect of DCDC2 was found. In FTD, variations of KIAA0319 and CNTNAP2 genes were related to cortical thickness abnormalities in those brain areas involved in language abilities. These findings shed light on genetic predisposition in defining phenotypic variability in FTD.
Composite alginate gels for tunable cellular microenvironment mechanics
Authors: Khavari Adele , Nydén Magnus , Weitz David A. , Ehrlicher Allen J.
Published: August 2016

The mechanics of the cellular microenvironment can be as critical as biochemistry in directing cell behavior. Many commonly utilized materials derived from extra-cellular-matrix create excellent scaffolds for cell growth, however, evaluating the relative mechanical and biochemical effects independently in 3D environments has been difficult in frequently used biopolymer matrices. Here we present 3D sodium alginate hydrogel microenvironments over a physiological range of stiffness (E = 1.85 to 5.29 kPa), with and without RGD binding sites or collagen fibers. We use confocal microscopy to measure the growth of multi-cellular aggregates (MCAs), of increasing metastatic potential in different elastic moduli of hydrogels, with and without binding factors. We find that the hydrogel stiffness regulates the growth and morphology of these cell clusters; MCAs grow larger and faster in the more rigid environments similar to cancerous breast tissue (E = 4–12 kPa) as compared to healthy tissue (E = 0.4–2 kpa). Adding binding factors from collagen and RGD peptides increases growth rates, and change maximum MCA sizes. These findings demonstrate the utility of these independently tunable mechanical/biochemistry gels, and that mechanical confinement in stiffer microenvironments may increase cell proliferation.
Control of fibrotic changes through the synergistic effects of anti-fibronectin antibody and an RGDS-tagged form of the same antibody
Authors: Tiwari Anil , Kumar Rajendra , Ram Jagat , Sharma Maryada , Luthra-Guptasarma Manni
Published: August 2016

TGF-β and myofibroblasts play a key role in fibrosis, characterized by aberrant synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as fibronectin (Fn) and collagen type I. There are two major roles played by integrins in the fibrotic pathology: (i) Fn-integrin interaction, coupled with cytokines like TGF-β, facilitates the self-polymerization of Fn and regulates cell–matrix fibrillar adhesions, thereby promoting fibrillogenesis; (ii) Integrin interaction with an RGD (arginine-glycine–aspartic) consensus sequence in the latent TGF-β, resulting in its activation. This study describes an anti-fibrotic strategy using a combination of two antibodies: Fn52 (targeted against the N-terminal 30 kDa region of fibronectin, a major site for Fn self-association) and its engineered form, Fn52RGDS (which binds to integrins). Interestingly, a synergistic effect of the cocktail in causing a decline in fibrotic features was confirmed in the context of fibrotic posterior capsular opacification (PCO), mediated by the lens epithelial cells (left behind after cataract surgery). Inclusion of Fn52RGDS to Fn52 aids in better diffusion of the antibodies; such combination therapies could be useful in the context of pathologies involving extensive remodeling of the fibronectin matrix, where the thick ECM offers a major challenge for efficient drug delivery.
Study of Binding Interaction between Pif80 Protein Fragment and Aragonite
Authors: Du Yuan-Peng , Chang Hsun-Hui , Yang Sheng-Yu , Huang Shing-Jong , Tsai Yu-Ju , Huang Joseph Jen-Tse , Chan Jerry Chun Chung
Published: August 2016

Pif is a crucial protein for the formation of the nacreous layer inPinctada fucata. Three non-acidic peptide fragments of the aragonite-binding domain (Pif80) are selected, which contain multiple copies of the repeat sequence DDRK, to study the interaction between non-acidic peptides and aragonite. The polypeptides DDRKDDRKGGK (Pif80-11) and DDRKDDRKGGKDDRKDDRKGGK (Pif80-22) have similar binding affinity to aragonite. Solid-state NMR data indicate that the backbones of Pif80-11 and Pif80-22 peptides bound on aragonite adopt a random-coil conformation. Pif80-11 is a lot more effective than Pif80-22 in promoting the nucleation of aragonite on the substrate of β-chitin. Our results suggest that the structural arrangement at a protein-mineral interface depends on the surface structure of the mineral substrate and the protein sequence. The side chains of the basic residues, which function as anchors to the aragonite surface, have uniform structures. The role of basic residues as anchors in protein-mineral interaction may play an important role in biomineralization.
Screening differential circular RNA expression profiles reveals the regulatory role of circTCF25-miR-103a-3p/miR-107-CDK6 pathway in bladder carcinoma
Authors: Zhong Zhenyu , Lv Mengxin , Chen Junxia
Published: August 2016

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a kind of non-coding RNAs, have shown large capabilities in gene regulation. However, the mechanisms underlying circRNAs remain largely unknown so far. Recent studies demonstrated that circRNAs play miRNA sponge effects and regulate gene expression by microRNA response elements. Here, we screened circRNA expression profiles of bladder carcinoma using microarray assay. A total of 469 dysregulated circular transcripts are found in bladder cancer compared with normal tissues, among which 285 were up-regulated and 184 were down-regulated. Six circRNAs were identified to have significant differences by qRT-PCR. We speculated that circRNAs might involve in cancer-related pathways via interactions with miRNA by multiple bioinformatical approaches. Therefore, we further predicted that circTCF25 could sequester miR-103a-3p/miR-107, which potentially lead to the up-regulation of thirteen targets related to cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Subsequently, we demonstrated that over-expression of circTCF25 could down-regulate miR-103a-3p and miR-107, increase CDK6 expression and promote proliferation and migration in vitro and vivo. This is the first study to exploit circRNA profiling and circRNA/miRNA interactions in bladder cancer. Our work laid the foundation to investigate the functions of circRNAs in cancers. The data also suggest that circTCF25 might be a new promising marker for bladder cancer.
Agglutinating mouse IgG3 compares favourably with IgMs in typing of the blood group B antigen: Functionality and stability studies
Authors: Klaus Tomasz , Bzowska Monika , Kulesza Małgorzata , Kabat Agnieszka Martyna , Jemioła-Rzemińska Małgorzata , Czaplicki Dominik , Makuch Krzysztof , Jucha Jarosław , Karabasz Alicja , Bereta Joanna
Published: August 2016

Mouse immunoglobulins M (IgMs) that recognize human blood group antigens induce haemagglutination and are used worldwide for diagnostic blood typing. Contrary to the current belief that IgGs are too small to simultaneously bind antigens on two different erythrocytes, we obtained agglutinating mouse IgG3 that recognized antigen B of the human ABO blood group system. Mouse IgG3 is an intriguing isotype that has the ability to form Fc-dependent oligomers. However, F(ab′)2 fragments of the IgG3 were sufficient to agglutinate type B red blood cells; therefore, IgG3-triggered agglutination did not require oligomerization. Molecular modelling indicated that mouse IgG3 has a larger range of Fab arms than other mouse IgG subclasses and that the unique properties of mouse IgG3 are likely due to the structure of its hinge region. With a focus on applications in diagnostics, we compared the stability of IgG3 and two IgMs in formulated blood typing reagents using an accelerated storage approach and differential scanning calorimetry. IgG3 was much more stable than IgMs. Interestingly, the rapid decrease in IgM activity was caused by aggregation of the molecules and a previously unknown posttranslational proteolytic processing of the μ heavy chain. Our data point to mouse IgG3 as a potent diagnostic tool.
Design and characterization of a polyamine derivative inhibiting the expression of type III secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Chao , Liu Xiaoling , Wang Jing , Zhou Jianuan , Cui Zining , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: August 2016

The type III secretion system (TTSS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a key virulence determinant for infection of eukaryotic hosts. Based on the findings that spermidine-mediated host-pathogen signalling is important for activation of type III secretion systems (TTSS), in this study, we designed, synthesized and evaluated a series of polyamine derivatives for their potentials in inhibiting the expression TTSS in P. aeruginosa. In vitro assay of 15 compounds synthesized in this study unveiled stringent structural requirements for TTSS-inhibitory activity. Among them, R101SPM, a conjugate between rhodamine 101 and spermine, showed a potent activity in inhibition of the TTSS gene expression and in attenuation of the TTSS-mediated cytotoxicity on human cells. In vivo analysis demonstrated that R101SPM could rescue mice from the lethal infection by P. aeruginosa. Moreover, genetic analysis showed that the full TTSS-inhibitory activity of R101SPM required a functional spermidine transporter. Taken together, our results present a new class of lead molecules for developing anti-virulence drugs and demonstrate that the spermidine transporter SpuDEGHF of P. aeruginosa is a promising drug target.
Bacterial IgA protease-mediated degradation of agIgA1 and agIgA1 immune complexes as a potential therapy for IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Wang Li , Li Xueying , Shen Hongchun , Mao Nan , Wang Honglian , Cui Luke , Cheng Yuan , Fan Junming
Published: August 2016

Mesangial deposition of aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 (agIgA1) and its immune complexes is a key pathogenic mechanism of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, treatment of IgAN remains ineffective. We report here that bacteria-derived IgA proteases are capable of degrading these pathogenic agIgA1 and derived immune complexes in vitro and in vivo. By screening 14 different bacterial strains (6 species), we found that 4 bacterial IgA proteases from H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis exhibited high cleaving activities on serum agIgA1 and artificial galactose-depleted IgA1 in vitro and the deposited agIgA1-containing immune complexes in the mesangium of renal biopsy from IgAN patients and in a passive mouse model of IgAN in vitro. In the modified mouse model of passive IgAN with abundant in situ mesangial deposition of the agIgA-IgG immune complexes, a single intravenous delivery of IgA protease from H. influenzae was able to effectively degrade the deposited agIgA-IgG immune complexes within the glomerulus, demonstrating a therapeutic potential for IgAN. In conclusion, the bacteria-derived IgA proteases are biologically active enzymes capable of cleaving the circulating agIgA and the deposited agIgA-IgG immune complexes within the kidney of IgAN. Thus, the use of such IgA proteases may represent a novel therapy for IgAN.
Tumor Growth Suppression Induced by Biomimetic Silk Fibroin Hydrogels
Authors: Yan Le-Ping , Silva-Correia Joana , Ribeiro Viviana P. , Miranda-Gonçalves Vera , Correia Cristina , da Silva Morais Alain , Sousa Rui A. , Reis Rui M. , Oliveira Ana L. , Oliveira Joaquim M. , Reis Rui L.
Published: August 2016

Protein-based hydrogels with distinct conformations which enable encapsulation or differentiation of cells are of great interest in 3D cancer research models. Conformational changes may cause macroscopic shifts in the hydrogels, allowing for its use as biosensors and drug carriers. In depth knowledge on how 3D conformational changes in proteins may affect cell fate and tumor formation is required. Thus, this study reports an enzymatically crosslinked silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel system that can undergo intrinsic conformation changes from random coil to β-sheet conformation. In random coil status, the SF hydrogels are transparent, elastic, and present ionic strength and pH stimuli-responses. The random coil hydrogels become β-sheet conformation after 10 days in vitro incubation and 14 days in vivo subcutaneous implantation in rat. When encapsulated with ATDC-5 cells, the random coil SF hydrogel promotes cell survival up to 7 days, whereas the subsequent β-sheet transition induces cell apoptosis in vitro. HeLa cells are further incorporated in SF hydrogels and the constructs are investigated in vitro and in an in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane model for tumor formation. In vivo, Angiogenesis and tumor formation are suppressed in SF hydrogels. Therefore, these hydrogels provide new insights for cancer research and uses of biomaterials.
Visual Outcome and Related Factors in Bilateral Total Congenital Cataract Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Xiaohang , Lin Duoru , Long Erping , Liu Zhenzhen , Cao Qianzhong , Chen Jingjing , Li Xiaoyan , Lin Zhuoling , Luo Lixia , Chen Hui , Xiang Wu , Liu Jinchao , Tan Xuhua , Qu Bo , Lin Haotian , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi
Published: August 2016

This study is to evaluate the visual outcome and identify its crucial related factors in children undergoing cataract surgery for bilateral total congenital cataract (CC). This prospective study included consecutive bilateral total cataract patients undergoing primary surgery at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), Guangzhou, China from Jan 2010 to May 2014. Visual outcome was estimated by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at last follow-up. Potential related factors, including gender, age at last follow-up, age at primary surgery, surgical procedure, postoperative complications (PCs), frequency of follow-up and changes in spectacles were evaluated. Eighty-eight children (176 eyes) were included in the cohort. The mean post-operative BCVA (logMAR) was 1.07 ± 0.53 at the mean follow-up duration 31.07 ± 19.36 months. Multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEEs) showed BCVA was significantly associated with PCs, age at last follow-up and age at primary surgery. Partial correlation analysis indicated age at primary surgery was positively correlated with BCVA controlling for the other factors, both for the whole age range (R = 0.415, P < 0.001) and age >6 months (R = 0.867, P < 0.001). Better visual acuity was related to early primary surgery and low PC occurrence in children with bilateral total CC. Timely surgical intervention and strict control of PCs would be potential steps to achieving better visual outcome.
Understanding positive and negative deviations in polarity of ionic liquid mixtures by pseudo-solvent approach
Authors: Beniwal Vijay , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2016

Physico-chemical properties of liquid mixtures in general display large deviations from linear behaviour, arising out of complex specific and non-specific intermolecular interactions.
Mono- and multimeric ferrocene congeners of quinoline-based polyamines as potential antiparasitics
Authors: Stringer Tameryn , De Kock Carmen , Guzgay Hajira , Okombo John , Liu Jenny , Kanetake Sierra , Kim Jihwan , Tam Christina , Cheng Luisa W. , Smith Peter J. , Hendricks Denver T. , Land Kirkwood M. , Egan Timothy J. , Smith Gregory S.
Published: August 2016

A series of mono- and multimeric polyamine-containing ferrocenyl complexes bearing a quinoline motif were prepared.
Structural characterization, molecular modification and hepatoprotective effect of melanin from Lachnum YM226 on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice
Authors: Song Sheng , Li Shenglan , Su Nana , Li Jinglei , Shi Fang , Ye Ming
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we obtained the possible structural formula of the intracellular melanin of Lachnum YM226 and evaluated the protective effect of this melanin and itsd-glucosamine-modified product on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.
New dinuclear palladium(ii) complexes with formamidine and bridged pyrophosphate ligands
Authors: Soliman Ahmed A. , Alajrawy Othman I. , Attabi Fawzy A. , Linert Wolfgang
Published: August 2016

New dinuclear palladium(ii) complexes with formamidine and bridged pyrophosphate ligands were synthesized and characterized. The complexes are diamagnetic with a distorted square planar geometry. The IC50values are in the range of 0.036–0.61 μM.
6-Bromo-7-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarin (mBhc) is an efficient multi-photon labile protecting group for thiol caging and three-dimensional chemical patterning
Authors: Mahmoodi M. Mohsen , Fisher Stephanie A. , Tam Roger Y. , Goff Philip C. , Anderson Reid B. , Wissinger Jane E. , Blank David A. , Shoichet Molly S. , Distefano Mark D.
Published: August 2016

Photochemical release of thiol groups allows spatio-temporal control of biological processes.
Syntheses of pterocarpenes and coumestans via regioselective cyclodehydration
Authors: Nayak Maloy , Jung Youngeun , Kim Ikyon
Published: August 2016

A highly efficient synthetic route to pterocarpenes and coumestans is described.
Dioxo-vanadium(v), oxo-rhenium(v) and dioxo-uranium(vi) complexes with a tridentate Schiff base ligand
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Fanna Daniel J. , Shepherd Nicholas D. , Karatchevtseva Inna , Lu Kim , Kong Linggen , Price Jason R.
Published: August 2016

The complexation of a tridentate Schiff base ligand with three oxo-metal ions lead to the formations of four new complexes.
Simultaneous determination of guanine and adenine in the presence of uric acid by a poly(para toluene sulfonic acid) mediated electrochemical sensor in alkaline medium
Authors: Jesny S. , Menon Shalini , Girish Kumar K.
Published: August 2016

Simultaneous sensing of guanine and adenine in presence of uric acid in alkaline medium by polymer modified electrode.
A highly sensitive gas sensor based on CuO nanoparticles synthetized via a sol–gel method
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Hairong , Yuan Zhaoxin , Sun Yongzhe , Chang Fangzhi , Deng Heng , Xie Longzhen , Li Haiyan
Published: August 2016

In this paper, CuO nanoparticles were synthetized via a sol–gel method and their corresponding gas sensor was achieved simultaneously.
Size controlled fullerene nanoparticles prepared by guest exchange of γ-cyclodextrin complexes in water
Authors: Sugikawa Kouta , Kozawa Kentaro , Ueda Masafumi , Ikeda Atsushi
Published: August 2016

Fullerene nanoparticles (nCx; x = 60 or 70) with a monodisperse size and morphology are obtained through guest exchange of a γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) complex.
Let's twist again: elasto-capillary assembly of parallel ribbons
Authors: Legrain Antoine , Berenschot Erwin J. W. , Abelmann Leon , Bico José , Tas Niels R.
Published: August 2016

We show the self-assembly through twisting and bending of side by side ribbons under the action of capillary forces.
A comparative study of the mechanical properties of hybrid double-network hydrogels in swollen and as-prepared states
Authors: Chen Hong , Yang Fengyu , Hu Rundong , Zhang Mingzhen , Ren Baiping , Gong Xiong , Ma Jie , Jiang Binbo , Chen Qiang , Zheng Jie
Published: August 2016

Significant efforts have been made to develop very tough hydrogels at both swelling and as-prepared states towards many scientific and industrial applications.
Systematic control of heteroatoms in donor–acceptor copolymers and its effects on molecular conformation and photovoltaic performance
Authors: Wood Sebastian , Kim Ji-Hoon , Wade Jessica , Park Jong Baek , Hwang Do-Hoon , Kim Ji-Seon
Published: August 2016

Understanding the effects of heteroatom substitutions in donor–acceptor copolymers on their electronic structure, conformation, molecular packing, and optoelectronic device performance.
Klinikhygiene im Königreich: „In Großbritannien ist der politische Wille da“
Authors: König Romy
Published: August 2016

Der österreichische Arzt Ojan Assadian hat auf einem Hygieneforum in Rheinhessen die Vorzüge der englischen Klinikhygiene gepriesen. Dabei nimmt der Wahl-Brite kein Blatt vor den Mund: Die deutsche Herangehensweise bei MRSA-Infektionen erntet in seinem Beitrag deutliche Kritik.
Katheter-Assoziierte Infektionen: Fallzahlen deutlich reduzieren
Authors: Mewis Dirk
Published: August 2016

Der Anteil von Katheter-assoziierten Infektionen bei nosokomialen Infektionen ist groß, die Kosten sind hoch. Häufigste Ursache ist dabei die Hygiene. Ist diese einwandfrei, können Sepsis-Fälle weitgehend verhindert werden.
Pflegekooperation: Gemeinsames Lernen auf Augenhöhe
Authors: Napp Barbara
Published: August 2016

Seit Anfang 2016 kooperiert das Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf (UKE) bei der Pflege mit dem Tongji-Hospital in der chinesischen Millionenmetropole Wuhan. Wie sich zeigt, können Deutsche und Chinesen bei der Pflege durchaus voneinander profitieren.
ÖVKT-Tagung – 27. bis 30.9 in Pörtschach: Die Zukunft beginnt jetzt
Authors: Thalmayr Maria
Published: August 2016

„Wir leben in einer sich schnell und massiv verändernden Welt. Im Krankenhaus ist der Anspruch lebenslangen Lernens deshalb besonders hoch“, erklärt ÖVKT-Präsident Martin Krammer. Von 27. bis 30. September wird die diesjährige ÖVKT-Tagung einmal mehr Strategien und Lösungen für eine bestmögliche technische Performance des Gesundheitswesens aufzeigen.
Stress and Humoral Innate Immune Response of Gilthead Seabream Sparus aurata Cultured in Sea Cages
Authors: Salati Fulvio , Roncarati Alessandra , Angelucci Giulia , Fenza Alessandra , Meluzzi Adele
Published: August 2016

Innate and acquired immune responses of Gilthead Seabream Sparus aurata was studied under normal culture and short-term stressful conditions for 18 months in offshore sea cages in Alghero Bay, Italy. Every 45 d, 50 fish were sampled and divided into two groups: fish in the first group (normal culture conditions) were bled after harvesting; fish in the second group were put into a tank under stressful conditions (crowding and confinement) and bled after 2 h. Innate humoral immunity, such as complement-like, hemagglutination, and lysozyme activities, was determined in the sera of both groups. Pathogen challenge was not performed, but the specific humoral immune response was assessed against the most common pathogens affecting cultured fish in Sardinia. Stressed fish, compared with the control, showed a lower lysozyme activity against Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum, which was not clearly correlated with temperatures. Complement-like activity differed between the first and second half of the study and, at the end of the trial, a slightly higher activity was recorded in the controls than in the stressed fish. Hemagglutination activity was mainly higher in the stressed fish than in control fish. Confinement, crowding, and cold water temperature caused decreased lysozyme activity in short-term stressed Gilthead Seabream compared with those reared normally. The specific humoral immune response, against V. anguillarum, Tenacibaculum mesophilum, Enterococcus Seriolicida, and Aeromonas sobria, fluctuated during the rearing period, particularly during the first year of culture.

Received October 12, 2015; accepted March 24, 2016 Published online August 2, 2016
Bonding mechanism and interface characterisation during dissimilar friction stir welding of an aluminium/polymer bi-material joint
Authors: Khodabakhshi F. , Haghshenas M. , Chen J. , Shalchi Amirkhiz B. , Li J. , Gerlich A.P.
Published: August 2016

In the present study, detailed microstructural characterisation of a friction-stir-welded joint between AA5059 alloy and high-density polyethylene was carried out using field-emission scanning and high-resolution-transmission electron microscopy analysis. The structural features indicate large numbers of macro-, micro- and nano-mechanical interlocks between the Al-fragments and melted/re-solidified polymer matrix at the stir zone of the joint, with a 30-nm thick semi-crystalline aluminium structure layer elevated in levels of O, and traces of C at the interface. An ultrafine-grained structure with an average cell size of <100 nm was formed for the embedded Al-alloy fragments in the polymer matrix, as a result of low-temperature severe plastic deformation during friction-stir welding process. The interfacial chemical reactions assisted by generation of nano-scale pores inside the metal surface at the interface and secondary Van der Waals bonding are suggested as the main joining mechanisms, leading to significant improvements in the mechanical properties.
MetaCoMET: a web platform for discovery and visualization of the core microbiome
Authors: Wang Yi , Xu Ling , Gu Yong Q. , Coleman-Derr Devin
Published: August 2016

Motivation: A key component of the analysis of microbiome datasets is the identification of OTUs shared between multiple experimental conditions, commonly referred to as the core microbiome.

Results: We present a web platform named MetaCoMET that enables the discovery and visualization of the core microbiome and provides a comparison of the relative abundance and diversity patterns between subsets of samples within a microbiome dataset. MetaCoMET provides an efficient and interactive graphical interface for analyzing each subset defined by the union or disjunction of groups within the Venn diagram, and includes a graphical taxonomy summary, alpha diversity metrics, Principal Coordinate analysis, abundance-based heatmaps, and a chart indicating the geographic distribution of each sample.

Availability and Implementation: MetaCoMET is a user-friendly and efficient web platform freely accessible at http://probes.pw.usda.gov/MetaCoMET or http://aegilops.wheat.ucdavis.edu/MetaCoMET.

Contact:  devin.coleman-derr@ars.usda.gov

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Predicting G protein-coupled receptor downstream signaling by tissue expression
Authors: Hao Yun , Tatonetti Nicholas P.
Published: August 2016

Motivation

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are central to how cells respond to their environment and a major class of pharmacological targets. However, comprehensive knowledge of which pathways are activated and deactivated by these essential sensors is largely unknown. To better understand the mechanism of GPCR signaling system, we integrated five independent genome-wide expression datasets, representing 275 human tissues and cell lines, with protein-protein interactions and functional pathway data.

Results

We found that tissue-specificity plays a crucial part in the function of GPCR signaling system. Only a few GPCRs are expressed in each tissue, which are coupled by different combinations of G-proteins or β-arrestins to trigger specific downstream pathways. Based on this finding, we predicted the downstream pathways of GPCR in human tissues and validated our results with L1000 knockdown data. In total, we identified 154,988 connections between 294 GPCRs and 690 pathways in 240 tissues and cell types.

Availability and Implementation

The source code and results supporting the conclusions of this article are available at http://tatonettilab.org/resources/GOTE/source_code/.

Contact

nick.tatonetti@columbia.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Virulence Characterization of Wheat Stripe Rust Fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in Ethiopia and Evaluation of Ethiopian Wheat Germplasm for Resistance to Races of the Pathogen from Ethiopia and the United States
Authors: Wan Anmin , Muleta Kebede T. , Zegeye Habtemariam , Hundie Bekele , Pumphrey Michael O. , Chen Xianming
Published: August 2016

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important diseases of wheat in Ethiopia. In total, 97 isolates were recovered from stripe rust samples collected in Ethiopia in 2013 and 2014. These isolates were tested on a set of 18 Yr single-gene differentials for characterization of races and 7 supplementary differentials for additional information of virulence. Of 18 P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races identified, the 5 most predominant races were PSTv-105 (21.7%), PSTv-106 (17.5%), PSTv-107 (11.3%), PSTv-76 (10.3%), and PSTv-41 (6.2%). High frequencies (>40%) were detected for virulence to resistance genes Yr1, Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr17, Yr25, Yr27, Yr28, Yr31, Yr43, Yr44, YrExp2, and YrA. Low frequencies (<40%) were detected for virulence to Yr10, Yr24, Yr32, YrTr1, Hybrid 46, and Vilmorin 23. None of the isolates were virulent to Yr5, Yr15, YrSP, and YrTye. Among the six collection regions, Arsi Robe and Tiyo had the highest virulence diversities, followed by Bekoji, while Bale and Holeta had the lowest. Evaluation of 178 Ethiopian wheat cultivars and landraces with two of the Ethiopian races and three races from the United States indicated that the Ethiopian races were more virulent on the germplasm than the predominant races of the United States. Thirteen wheat cultivars or landraces that were resistant or moderately resistant to all five tested races should be useful for breeding wheat cultivars with resistance to stripe rust in both countries.
The impact of phylogenetic dating method on interpreting trait evolution: a case study of Cretaceous–Palaeogene eutherian body-size evolution
Authors: Halliday T. J. D. , Goswami A.
Published: August 2016

The fossil record of the earliest Cenozoic contains the first large-bodied placental mammals. Several evolutionary models have been invoked to explain the transition from small to large body sizes, but methods for determining evolutionary mode of trait change depend on input from tree topology and divergence dates. Different dating methods may therefore affect inference of evolutionary model. Here, we fit models of body mass evolution onto dated phylogenies of Cretaceous and Palaeogene mammals, comparing the effect of dating method on interpretation of evolutionary model. Among traditional palaeontological dating approaches, an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model with high alpha parameters is recovered as best-fitting when minimum-age dating is used, while branch-sharing methods are highly sensitive to topology. Release or release–radiate models are preferred when Bayesian fossilized birth–death method is used, but when using stochastic cal3 dating of trees, a model of increased evolutionary rate without a release in constraint at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary has highest support. These results demonstrate unambiguously that choice of dating method is critical for interpretation of continuous trait evolution, and that care must therefore be taken to consider these effects in macroevolutionary studies.
Aposematism: balancing salience and camouflage
Authors: Barnett James B. , Scott-Samuel Nicholas E. , Cuthill Innes C.
Published: August 2016

Aposematic signals are often characterized by high conspicuousness. Larger and brighter signals reinforce avoidance learning, distinguish defended from palatable prey and are more easily memorized by predators. Conspicuous signalling, however, has costs: encounter rates with naive, specialized or nutritionally stressed predators are likely to increase. It has been suggested that intermediate levels of aposematic conspicuousness can evolve to balance deterrence and detectability, especially for moderately defended species. The effectiveness of such signals, however, has not yet been experimentally tested under field conditions. We used dough caterpillar-like baits to test whether reduced levels of aposematic conspicuousness can have survival benefits when predated by wild birds in natural conditions. Our results suggest that, when controlling for the number and intensity of internal contrast boundaries (stripes), a reduced-conspicuousness aposematic pattern can have a survival advantage over more conspicuous signals, as well as cryptic colours. Furthermore, we find a survival benefit from the addition of internal contrast for both high and low levels of conspicuousness. This adds ecological validity to evolutionary models of aposematic saliency and the evolution of honest signalling.
Prey depletion as a threat to the world's large carnivores
Authors: Wolf Christopher , Ripple William J.
Published: August 2016

Large terrestrial carnivores are an ecologically important, charismatic and highly endangered group of species. Here, we assess the importance of prey depletion as a driver of large carnivore endangerment globally using lists of prey species for each large carnivore compiled from the literature. We consider spatial variation in prey endangerment, changes in endangerment over time and the causes of prey depletion, finding considerable evidence that loss of prey base is a major and wide-ranging threat among large carnivore species. In particular, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), tiger (Panthera tigris), dhole (Cuon alpinus) and Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) all have at least 40% of their prey classified as threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and, along with the leopard (Panethra pardus), all of these species except the Ethiopian wolf have at least 50% of their prey classified as declining. Of the 494 prey species in our analysis, an average of just 6.9% of their ranges overlap protected areas. Together these results show the importance of a holistic approach to conservation that involves protecting both large carnivores directly and the prey upon which they depend.