bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection at the pathway level drives the evolution of gene-specific transcriptional noise
Authors: Barroso Gustavo Valadares , Puzovic Natasa , Dutheil Julien Y
Published: January 2017

Biochemical reactions within individual cells result from the interactions of molecules, typically in small numbers. Consequently, the inherent stochasticity of binding and diffusion processes generate noise along the cascade that leads to the synthesis of a protein from its encoding gene. As a result, isogenic cell populations display phenotypic variability even in homogeneous environments. The extent and consequences of this stochastic gene expression have only recently been assessed on a genome-wide scale, in particular owing to the advent of single cell transcriptomics. However, the evolutionary forces shaping this stochasticity have yet to be unraveled. We take advantage of two recently published data sets of the single-cell transcriptome of the domestic mouseMus musculusin order to characterize the effect of natural selection on gene-specific transcriptional stochasticity. We show that noise levels in the mRNA distributions (a.k.a.transcriptional noise) significantly correlate with three-dimensional nuclear domain organization, evolutionary constraint on the encoded protein and gene age. The position of the encoded protein in biological pathways, however, is the main factor that explains observed levels of transcriptional noise, in agreement with models of noise propagation within gene networks. Because transcriptional noise is under widespread selection, we argue that it constitutes an important component of the phenotype and that variance of expression is a potential target of adaptation. Stochastic gene expression should therefore be considered together with mean expression level in functional and evolutionary studies of gene expression.
Regulatory DNA inA.thalianacan tolerate high levels of sequence divergence
Authors: Alexandre C.M. , Urton J.R. , Jean-Baptiste K. , Dorrity M.W. , Cuperus J.C. , Sullivan A.M. , Bemm F. , Jolic D. , Arsovski A.A. , Thompson A. , Nemhauser J.L. , Fields S. , Weigel D. , Bubb K.L. , Queitsch C.
Published: January 2017

Variation in regulatory DNA is thought to drive evolution. Cross-species comparisons of regulatory DNA have provided evidence for both weak purifying selection and substantial turnover in regulatory regions. However, disruption of transcription factor binding sites can affect the expression of neighboring genes. Thus, the base-pair level functional annotation of regulatory DNA has proven challenging. Here, we explore regulatory DNA variation and its functional consequences in genetically diverse strains of the plantArabidopsis thaliana, which largely maintain the positional homology of regulatory DNA. Using chromatin accessibility to delineate regulatory DNA genome-wide, we find that 15% of approximately 50,000 regulatory sites varied in accessibility among strains. Some of these accessibility differences are associated with extensive underlying sequence variation, encompassing many deletions and dramatically hypervariable sequence. For the majority of such regulatory sites, nearby gene expression was similar, despite this large genetic variation. However, among all regulatory sites, those with both high levels of sequence variation and differential chromatin accessibility are the most likely to reside near genes with differential expression among strains. Unexpectedly, the vast majority of regulatory sites that differed in chromatin accessibility among strains show little variation in the underlying DNA sequence, implicating variation in upstream regulators.
A toolkit for tissue-specific protein degradation inC. elegans
Authors: Wang Shaohe , Tang Ngang Heok , Lara-Gonzalez Pablo , Prevo Bram , Cheerambathur Dhanya K. , Chisholm Andrew D. , Desai Arshad , Oegema Karen
Published: January 2017

Proteins essential for embryo production, cell division, and early embryonic events are frequently re-utilized later in embryogenesis, during organismal development, or in the adult. Examining protein function across these different biological contexts requires tissue-specific perturbation. Here, we describe a method that utilizes expression of a fusion between a GFP-targeting nanobody and SOCS-box containing ubiquitin ligase adaptor to target GFP tagged proteins for degradation. When combined with endogenous locus GFP tagging by CRISPR-Cas9 or rescue of a null mutant with a GFP fusion, this approach enables routine and efficient tissue-specific protein ablation. We show that this approach works in multiple tissues—the epidermis, intestine, body wall muscle, sensory neurons, and touch neurons—where it recapitulates expected loss-of-function mutant phenotypes. The transgene toolkit and the strain set described here will complement existing approaches to enable routine analysis of the tissue-specific roles ofC. elegansproteins.
Aberration corrections for non-Bragg–Brentano diffraction geometries
Authors: Rowles Matthew R. , Buckley Craig E.
Published: January 2017

The construction of peak intensity, profile and displacement aberration functions based on the geometry of a powder diffraction measurement allows for physically realistic corrections to be applied in Rietveld modelling through a fundamental parameters approach. Parallel-beam corrections for asymmetric reflection and Debye–Scherrer geometry are summarized, and corrections for thin-plate transmission are derived and validated. Geometrically correct implementations of preferred orientation models are also summarized.
Synthesis and structure determination of Ce6Cd23Te: a new chalcogen-containing member of theRE6Cd23T family (REis a rare-earth metal and T is a late group 14, 15 and 16 element)
Authors: Desroches Griffen , Bobev Svilen
Published: January 2017

The ternary phase hexacerium tricosacadmium telluride, Ce6Cd23Te, was synthesized by a high-temperature reaction of the elements in sealed Nb ampoules and was structurally characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure, established from single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods, is isopointal with the Zr6Zn23Si structure type (Pearson symbolcF120, cubic space groupFm-3m), a filled version of the Th6Mn23structure with the same space group and Pearson symbolcF116. Though no Cd-containing rare-earth metal binaries are known to form with this structure, it appears that the addition of small amounts of ap-block element allows the formation of such interstitially stabilized ternary compounds. Temperature-dependent direct current (dc) magnetization measurements suggest local-moment magnetism arising from the Ce3+ground state, with possible valence fluctuations at low temperature, inferred from the deviations from the Curie–Weiss law.
Cloud computing and virtual machines in LIS education: options and resources
Authors: Tomer Christinger
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider how and why virtual machines (VMs) and cloud computing and related development environments built on cloud-based resources may be used to support and enhance the technological elements of library and information science (LIS) education.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on analysis of available technologies and relevant applications.

Findings

Cloud computing and virtualization offer a basis for creating a robust computing infrastructure for LIS education.

Practical implications

In the context of LIS education, cloud computing is relevant in two respects. First, many important library and archival services already rely heavily on cloud-based infrastructures, and in the near future, cloud computing is likely to define a much larger part of the computing environment on which libraries and archives rely. Second, cloud computing affords a highly flexible and efficient environment that is ideal for learning about VMs, operating systems and a wide variety of applications. What is more important, it constitutes an environment for teaching and learning that is vastly superior to the ones that currently support most LIS degree programs. From a pedagogical perspective, the key aspect of teaching and learning in the cloud environment is the VM. So, the article focuses a significant portion of its attentions on questions related to the deployment and use of VMs and Linux Containers, within and without cloud-based infrastructures, as means of learning about computer systems, applications and networking and achieving an understanding of essential aspects of both cloud computing and VM environments.

Originality/value

Based on a search of available literature in computer science and library and information science, the paper has no counterparts.
Creating history: a case study in making oral histories more accessible in the digital age
Authors: Turner Kristopher
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how the University of Wisconsin Law School Library sought to create easily searchable oral histories by partnering with the University of Kentucky and the University of Wisconsin Oral History Program. Through this partnership, a digital archive of fully searchable and indexed oral histories with links to relevant articles, Library of Congress keywords, summaries and maps is being created, giving users the ability to delve into the Law School’s history more deeply and with more historical perspective than ever before.

Design/methodology/approach

The implementation of the Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS) and the development of a daily workflow for adding University of Wisconsin Law School oral histories to the program is closely examined. The pros and cons of the program are discussed as well as the future of the Law School oral histories.

Findings

The OHMS program is a powerful tool that allows researchers to quickly and easily locate relevant portions of an oral history, saving the time required to review hours of an interview. OHMS also allows archivists and librarians to better organize and catalog each oral history by providing important metadata tools that provide context and background on each unique oral history.

Originality/value

The University of Wisconsin Law School is the first law school to implement the OHMS program in concert with an institutional repository. The program, which is free and open source, may be of great value to historians, archivists and non-profits who wish to make their content more visible and more searchable.
Evaluating social media presence
Authors: Cervone H. Frank
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical example of how big data and analytics can help answer questions related to a relevant problem many libraries and information organizations have: How to evaluate the effectiveness of social media efforts?

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon a number of disciplines, including marketing, consumer decision theory and evidence-based practice, the utility of big data and analytics is applied to a practical application in libraries and information organizations: the evaluation of social media presence.

Findings

There are a multitude of techniques (social network analysis, statistical analysis, geographic coding) that can be used as part of a project to evaluate the effectiveness of social media presence. Each technique provides its own “lens” on the data. By combining techniques, powerful analyses can be performed.

Originality/value

Practical applications of big data and analytics to problems in libraries and information organizations are still being developed. This paper provides one perspective on how this emerging area of study can help in understanding and improving the perception of products and services in information organizations.
Climate variability and community stability in Mediterranean shrublands: the role of functional diversity and soil environment
Authors: Pérez‐Ramos Ignacio M. , Díaz‐Delgado Ricardo , de la Riva Enrique G. , Villar Rafael , Lloret Francisco , Marañón Teodoro
Published: January 2017

Understanding how different factors mediate the resistance of communities to climatic variability is a question of considerable ecological interest that remains mostly unresolved. This is particularly remarkable to improve predictions about the impact of climate change on vegetation.

Here, we used a trait‐based approach to analyse the sensitivity to climatic variability over 9 years of 19 Mediterranean shrubland communities located in southwest Spain. We evaluated the role of functional diversity (FD) and soil environment as drivers of community stability (assessed as changes in plant cover, species diversity and composition).

The studied shrubland communities were strongly sensitive to inter‐annual variability in climate. First, colder and drier conditions caused remarkable decreases in total plant cover but increased FD, likely because the reduction of plant cover after harsh climatic conditions promoted the expansion of functionally dissimilar species in the new open microsites; although communities returned to their initial values of plant cover after nine years, changes in FD and structure persisted over time. Second, drier and colder conditions favoured the predominance of shrubs with a conservative resource‐use strategy (i.e. with higher dry matter content in leaves, stems and roots), bigger seeds and a more efficient use of water.

The most functionally diverse communities were the most stable over time in terms of species diversity, likely because a higher number of functionally dissimilar species allowed compensatory dynamics among them.

Communities inhabiting more acidic and resource‐limited environments were less variable over time, probably because they were mainly constituted by slow‐growth, stress‐tolerant species that are potentially better adapted to harsh climatic conditions.

Synthesis. This study highlights the utility of a trait‐based approach to evaluate how plant communities respond to climatic variability. We could infer that the increased frequency of extreme climatic events predicted by climatic models will alter the functional structure of shrubland communities, with potential repercussions for ecosystem functioning. Our results also provide new insights into the role of FD and soil environment as buffers of the climate impact on woody communities, as well as potentially useful information to be applied in ecologically based management and restoration strategies.
Fine‐scale asexual and sexual reproduction in Quercus crispula var. horikawae, a stunted shrub oak, on a mountain with deep snow in central Japan
Authors: Aizawa Mineaki , Enkawa Chisato , Ohkubo Tatsuhiro
Published: January 2017

Quercus crispula var. horikawae, a stunted shrub oak, occurs on mountains with deep snow on the Sea of Japan side of Japan. This oak generates patches of multiple creeping stems. It is unclear whether these patches are the result of asexual or sexual reproduction, or both. We therefore aimed to describe the clonal structure and gene flow in Q
. crispula var. horikawae on Mount Nasu in central Japan by using nuclear microsatellites. Genotypes of 331 stems with no distinct connection with roots and creeping stems above the ground were determined using nine loci in two study plots, and 64 acorns from three mother genets in a plot were determined using eight loci. The results of the clonal identification indicated that the patches consisted of 51 genets; at least 85% of the stems may have been derived from asexual reproduction through sprouting and layering. The prominence of asexual reproduction may be a result of adaptation to the snowy environment. In contrast, 15% of the ramets in the study plots probably originate via sexual reproduction by seedling regeneration. Analyses of the spatial genetic structure and paternity showed that limited ability of the pollen and seeds to disperse might result in the spatial aggregations of closely related offspring at a relatively short distance (<10 m), and inbreeding, a factor that might reduce sexual reproduction, was not observed. Thus, sexual reproduction could be reduced by ecological rather than genetic factors, namely the hindrance of seedling regeneration by the dense coverage of dwarf bamboo (Sasa) on the forest floor.
Assisted vaginal delivery in low and middle income countries: an overview
Authors: Bailey PE , van Roosmalen J , Mola G , Evans C , de Bernis L , Dao B
Published: January 2017

Objective

To assess the use of assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), highlighting what level of care procedures were performed and identifying systemic barriers to its use.

Design

Cross‐sectional health facility assessments.

Setting

Up to 40 countries in Latin America, sub‐Saharan Africa and Asia.

Population

Assessments tended to be national in scope and included all hospitals and samples of midlevel facilities in public and private sectors.

Methods

Descriptive secondary data analysis.

Main outcome measures

Percentage of facilities where health workers performed AVD in the 3 months prior to the assessment, instrument preference, which health workers performed the procedure, and reasons AVD was not practiced.

Results

Fewer than 20% of facilities in Latin America reported performing AVD in the last 3 months. In sub‐Saharan Africa, 53% of 1728 hospitals had performed AVD but only 6% of nearly 10 000 health centres had done so. It was not uncommon to find <1% of institutional births delivered by AVD. Vacuum extraction appears preferred over forceps. Lack of equipment and trained health workers were the most frequent reasons for non‐performance.

Conclusions

The low use of AVD in LMICs is in contrast with many high‐income countries, where high caesarean rates are also associated with significant rates of AVD. In many LMICs, rising caesarean rates have not been associated with maintenance of skills and practice of AVD. AVD is underused precisely in countries where pregnant women continue to face hardships accessing emergency obstetric care and where caesarean delivery can be relatively unsafe.

Tweetable abstract

Many LMICs exhibit low use of assisted vaginal delivery where access to EmONC continues to be a hardship.
Pharmacogenomics of 17‐alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate for recurrent preterm birth: a case–control study
Authors: Manuck TA , Watkins WS , Esplin MS , Biggio J , Bukowski R , Parry S , Zhan H , Huang H , Andrews W , Saade G , Sadovsky Y , Reddy UM , Ilekis J , Yandell M , Varner MW , Jorde LB ,   the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Genomics and Proteomics Network for Preterm Birth Research (GPN‐PBR)
Published: January 2017

Objective

To compare maternal genotypes between women with and without significant prolongation of pregnancy in the setting of 17‐alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17‐P) administration for the prevention of recurrent preterm birth (PTB).

Design

Case–control.

Setting

Three tertiary‐care centres across the USA.

Population

Women (n = 99) with ≥ 1 prior singleton spontaneous PTB, receiving 17‐P.

Methods

Women were classified as having successful prolongation of pregnancy during the 17‐P treated pregnancy, in two ways: (1) Definition A: success/non‐success based on difference in gestational age at delivery between 17‐P‐treated and untreated pregnancies (success: delivered ≥ 3 weeks later with 17‐P) and (2) Definition B: success/non‐success based on reaching term (success: delivered at term with 17‐P).

Main outcome measures

To assess genetic variation, all women underwent whole exome sequencing. Between‐group sequence variation was analysed with the Variant Annotation, Analysis, and Search Tool (VAAST). Genes scored by VAAST with P < 0.05 were then analysed with two online tools: (1) Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER) and (2) Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).

Results

Using Definition A, there were 70 women with successful prolongation and 29 without; 1375 genes scored by VAAST had P < 0.05. Using Definition B, 47 women had successful prolongation and 52 did not; 1039 genes scored by VAAST had P < 0.05. PANTHER revealed key differences in gene ontology pathways. Many genes from definition A were classified as prematurity genes (P = 0.026), and those from definition B as pharmacogenetic genes (P = 0.0018); (P, non‐significant after Bonferroni correction).

Conclusion

A novel analytic approach revealed several genetic differences among women delivering early vs later with 17‐P.

Tweetable abstract

Several key genetic differences are present in women with recurrent preterm birth despite 17‐P treatment.
Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research: probable causes of stillbirth in low‐ and middle‐income countries using a prospectively defined classification system
Authors: McClure EM , Garces A , Saleem S , Moore JL , Bose CL , Esamai F , Goudar SS , Chomba E , Mwenechanya M , Pasha O , Tshefu A , Patel A , Dhaded SM , Tenge C , Marete I , Bauserman M , Sunder S , Kodkany BS , Carlo WA , Derman RJ , Hibberd PL , Liechty EA , Hambidge KM , Krebs NF , Koso‐Thomas M , Miodovnik M , Wallace DD , Goldenberg RL
Published: January 2017

Objective

We sought to classify causes of stillbirth for six low‐middle‐income countries using a prospectively defined algorithm.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Setting

Communities in India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Kenya.

Population

Pregnant women residing in defined study regions.

Methods

Basic data regarding conditions present during pregnancy and delivery were collected. Using these data, a computer‐based hierarchal algorithm assigned cause of stillbirth. Causes included birth trauma, congenital anomaly, infection, asphyxia, and preterm birth, based on existing cause of death classifications and included contributing maternal conditions.

Main outcome measures

Primary cause of stillbirth.

Results

Of 109 911 women who were enrolled and delivered (99% of those screened in pregnancy), 2847 had a stillbirth (a rate of 27.2 per 1000 births). Asphyxia was the cause of 46.6% of the stillbirths, followed by infection (20.8%), congenital anomalies (8.4%) and prematurity (6.6%). Among those caused by asphyxia, 38% had prolonged or obstructed labour, 19% antepartum haemorrhage and 18% pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia. About two‐thirds (67.4%) of the stillbirths did not have signs of maceration.

Conclusions

Our algorithm determined cause of stillbirth from basic data obtained from lay‐health providers. The major cause of stillbirth was fetal asphyxia associated with prolonged or obstructed labour, pre‐eclampsia and antepartum haemorrhage. In the African sites, infection also was an important contributor to stillbirth. Using this algorithm, we documented cause of stillbirth and its trends to inform public health programs, using consistency, transparency, and comparability across time or regions with minimal burden on the healthcare system.

Tweetable abstract

Major causes of stillbirth are asphyxia, pre‐eclampsia and haemorrhage. Infections are important in Africa.
Conceptualising the policy engagement of interest groups: Involvement, access and prominence
Authors: HALPIN DARREN R. , FRAUSSEN BERT
Published: January 2017

While much progress has been made in empirically mapping and analysing a variety of interest group activities in the last decade, less attention has been devoted to conceptual work that clearly defines and distinguishes different forms of policy engagement. This article contributes to this endeavour by developing a theoretical framework that explicitly links currently available measures of the policy engagement of groups to the distinct concepts of group involvement, access and prominence. It argues that greater conceptual clarity will lead to better accumulation of knowledge in the sub‐field and a better understanding of the role of interest groups in political systems.
Informative plot sizes in presence‐absence sampling of forest floor vegetation
Authors: Ståhl Göran , Ekström Magnus , Dahlgren Jonas , Esseen Per‐Anders , Grafström Anton , Jonsson Bengt‐Gunnar
Published: January 2017

Plant communities are attracting increased interest in connection with forest and landscape inventories due to society's interest in ecosystem services. However, the acquisition of accurate information about plant communities poses several methodological challenges. Here, we investigate the use of presence‐absence sampling with the aim to monitor state and change in plant density. We study what plot sizes are informative, i.e. the estimators should have as high precision as possible.

Plant occurrences were modelled through different Poisson processes and tests were developed for assessing the plausibility of the model assumptions. Optimum plot sizes were determined by minimizing the variance of the estimators. While state estimators of similar kind as ours have been proposed in previous studies, our tests and change estimation procedures are new.

We found that the most informative plot size for state estimation is 1·6 divided by the plant density, i.e. if the true density is 1 plant per square metre the optimum plot size is 1·6 square metres. This is in accordance with previous findings. More importantly, the most informative plot size for change estimation was smaller and depended on the change patterns. We provide theoretical results as well as some empirical results based on data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory.

Use of too small or too large plots resulted in poor precision of the density (and density change) estimators. As a consequence, a range of different plot sizes would be required for jointly monitoring both common and rare plants using presence‐absence sampling in monitoring programmes.
Multifocal visual evoked potentials for quantifying optic nerve dysfunction in patients with optic disc drusen
Authors: Malmqvist Lasse , de Santiago Luis , Boquete Luciano , Hamann Steffen
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To explore the applicability of multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEPs) for research and clinical diagnosis in patients with optic disc drusen (ODD). This is the first assessment of mfVEP amplitude in patients with ODD.

Methods

MfVEP amplitude and latency from 33 patients with ODD and 22 control subjects were examined. Mean amplitude, mean inner ring (IR) amplitude (0.87–5.67° of visual field) and mean outer ring amplitude (5.68–24° of visual field) were calculated using signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and peak‐to‐peak analysis. Monocular latency was calculated using second peak analysis, while latency asymmetry was calculated using cross‐correlation analysis.

Results

Compared to normals, significantly decreased mean overall amplitude (p < 0.001), IR amplitude (p < 0.001) and outer ring amplitude (p < 0.001) were found in ODD patients when using SNR. An overall monocular latency delay of 7 ms was seen in ODD patients (p = 0.001). A significant correlation between amplitude and automated perimetric mean deviation as well as retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was found (respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). The overall highest correlation was found in this order: outer ring, full eye and IR. In the control group, SNR intersubject variability was 17.6% and second peak latency intersubject variability was 2.8%.

Conclusion

Decreased mfVEP amplitude in patients with ODD suggests a direct mechanical compression of the optic nerve axons. Our results suggest that mfVEP amplitude is applicable for the assessment of optic nerve dysfunction in patients with ODD.
Dexamethasone implant with fixed or individualized regimen in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema: six‐month outcomes of the UDBASA study
Authors: Sarao Valentina , Veritti Daniele , Furino Claudio , Giancipoli Ermete , Alessio Giovanni , Boscia Francesco , Lanzetta Paolo
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate a pro re nata administration of Ozurdex® implant versus a single administration for treating diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Methods

This exploratory study is designed as a comparative, multicentre, randomized study with a follow‐up of 6 months. Patients with DME were assigned to treatment at baseline either with a single Ozurdex® implant during the entire six‐month follow‐up (fixed group) or Ozurdex® implant followed by retreatment on an individualized basis (PRN group). Patients were scheduled for monthly evaluation based on assessment of best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography.

Results

Twenty eyes were enrolled to the PRN group, and 22 were included in the fixed group. Following an equally steady, initial gain up to month 1, and maintenance up to month 3, vision started to decline in the fixed regimen group. At 6 months, a difference of 0.11 logMAR in BCVA was observed in favour of the PRN group. Compared to baseline, a significant reduction in retinal thickness was achieved up to month 2, when the fixed regimen group had begun to revert to pretreatment level. At 4 and 5 months, the difference in thickness between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mean number of treatments was 1.6 in the PRN group. Both fixed and PRN administration of Ozurdex showed a good safety profile.

Conclusion

A personalized treatment with monthly monitoring and retreatment as needed is effective in maintaining functional and anatomical benefits of Ozurdex®.
The expression of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 proteins regulating endometrial remodeling in the porcine endometrial tissues during follicular and luteal phase
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Lee Sang‐Hee , Yang Boo‐Keun , Park Choon‐Keun
Published: January 2017

Endometrial remodeling is important for successful embryo development and implantation in pigs. Therefore, this study investigated change of proteins regulating endometrial remodeling on follicular and luteal phase in porcine endometrial tissues. The endometrial tissue samples were collected from porcine uterus during follicular and luteal phase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myoglobin and cysteine‐rich protein 2 (CRP2) proteins were expressed by immnofluorescence, immunoblotting, and determined by 2‐DE and MALDI‐TOF/MS. We found that VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 were strongly localized in endometrial tissues during luteal phase, but not follicular phase. The protein levels of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 in endometrial tissues were higher than luteal phase (P < 0.05). These results may provide understanding of intrauterine environment during estrous cycle in pigs, and will be used in animal reproduction for developing specific biomarkers in the future.
Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in endothelium‐independent relaxation to raloxifene in rat aorta
Authors: Wong Chi Ming , Au Chak Leung , Tsang Suk Ying , Lau Chi Wai , Yao Xiaoqiang , Cai Zongwei , Chung Arthur Chi‐Kong
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose

Raloxifene can induce both endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent relaxation in different arteries. However, the underlying mechanisms by which raloxifene triggers endothelium‐independent relaxation are still incompletely understood. The purpose of present study was to examine the roles of NOSs and Ca2+channels in the relaxant response to raloxifene in the rat isolated, endothelium‐denuded aorta.

Experimental Approach

Changes in isometric tension, cGMP, nitrite, inducible NOS protein expression and distribution in response to raloxifene in endothelium‐denuded aortic rings were studied by organ baths, radioimmunoassay, Griess reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively.

Key Results

Raloxifene reduced the contraction to CaCl2in a Ca2+‐free, high K+‐containing solution in intact aortic rings. Raloxifene also acutely relaxed the aorta primarily through an endothelium‐independent mechanism involving NO, mostly from inducible NOS (iNOS) in vascular smooth muscle layers. This effect of raloxifene involved the generation of cGMP and nitrite. Also, it was genomic in nature, as it was inhibited by a classical oestrogen receptor antagonist and inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Raloxifene‐induced stimulation of iNOS gene expression was partly mediated through activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Raloxifene was more potent than 17β‐estradiol or tamoxifen at relaxing endothelium‐denuded aortic rings by stimulation of iNOS.

Conclusions and Implications

Raloxifene‐mediated vasorelaxation in rat aorta is independent of a functional endothelium and is mediated by oestrogen receptors and NF‐κB. This effect is mainly mediated through an enhanced production of NO, cGMP and nitrite, via the induction of iNOS and inhibition of calcium influx through Ca2+channels in rat aortic smooth muscle.
Targeting Parenting in Early Childhood: A Public Health Approach to Improve Outcomes for Children Living in Poverty
Authors: Morris Amanda Sheffield , Robinson Lara R. , Hays‐Grudo Jennifer , Claussen Angelika H. , Hartwig Sophie A. , Treat Amy E.
Published: January 2017

In this article, the authors posit that programs promoting nurturing parent–child relationships influence outcomes of parents and young children living in poverty through two primary mechanisms: (a) strengthening parents' social support and (b) increasing positive parent–child interactions. The authors discuss evidence for these mechanisms as catalysts for change and provide examples from selected parenting programs that support the influence of nurturing relationships on child and parenting outcomes. The article focuses on prevention programs targeted at children and families living in poverty and closes with a discussion of the potential for widespread implementation and scalability for public health impact.
Metaphorical Accounting: How Framing the Federal Budget Like a Household's Affects Voting Intentions
Authors: Thibodeau Paul H. , Flusberg Stephen J.
Published: January 2017

Political discourse is saturated with metaphor, but evidence for the persuasive power of this language has been hard to come by. We addressed this issue by investigating whether voting intentions were affected by implicit mappings suggested by a metaphorically framed message, drawing on a real‐world example of political rhetoric about the federal budget. In the first experiment, the federal budget was framed as similar to or different from a household budget, though the information participants received was identical in both conditions. When the federal budget was described as similar to a household's, people considered the personal finances of a presidential candidate more relevant—a finding we replicated in a larger, pre‐registered study. In a follow‐up experiment, we presented participants with a more explicit rhetorical argument and found a similar effect, moderated by political affiliation. These studies illuminate how metaphorical comparison affects cognition for important real‐world issues, sometimes in unintended ways.
Advancing the Understanding of Regional Economic Adaptability in a Non‐Western Context: An Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Hassink Robert
Published: January 2017

Regional economic adaptability is a classical topic in economic geography. Studying the fall and necessary restructuring and adaptability of regional economies has a long tradition in Europe, whereas the non‐Western world is a blind spot particularly concerning the use of newer evolutionary theoretical concepts in analysing and explaining regional economic adaptability. The aim of this special issue is therefore to put an evolutionary perspective on industrial dynamics and regional economic adaptability in non‐Western countries, and by doing that to contribute to theorising back from non‐Western countries to mainly Western concepts on regional economic adaptability.
Industrial Variety and Structural Change in Korean Regional Manufacturing, 1992–2004
Authors: Lee Dongheon
Published: January 2017

There has been increasing concern about the roles of industrial variety, particularly related and unrelated variety, in adaptive response of regional economies to recessionary shock. Using South Korean regional manufacturing data around the 1997 Asian financial crisis, this paper investigates how differently related and unrelated variety affect intrasectoral and intersectoral structural change in regional economy. The empirical findings reveal that regions with higher related variety adapt to recessionary shock mainly through intrasectoral structural change, but that related variety diminishes the opportunity for regional economies to pursue intersectoral reorganization. However, unrelated variety makes up for this negative effect as it increases intersectoral structural change. This study sheds light on the complementary roles of related and unrelated variety in regional adaptability and path creation or diversion.
Physiological oral melanin pigmentation in a South African sample: A clinical study
Authors: Masilana Aubrey , Khammissa Razia A. G. , Lemmer Johan , Feller Liviu
Published: January 2017

Aim

Physiological oral melanin pigmentation is genetically determined, more frequently affecting people with darker skin. It can involve any oral mucosal site, but predominantly the gingiva. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and to characterize the clinical features of physiological oral melanin pigmentation in a South African population sample.

Methods

A trainee in the discipline of periodontology and oral medicine interviewed all participants and examined the oral soft tissues. The diagnosis of physiological oral melanin pigmentation was based on clinical findings and on the history reported by the patient. A predetermined list of exclusion criteria was applied.

Results

The study population comprised 430 participants, of whom 319 (74%) were black, 55 (13%) Indian, 54 (12.5%) white, and two (0.5%) were mixed race. A total of 182 participants were diagnosed with physiological oral melanin pigmentation. The overall prevalence of physiological oral melanin pigmentation in the ethnically‐mixed study population was 42%: 54% of blacks were affected, 16% of Indians, and 21% of whites. The female (101): male (81) ratio was 1.2:1; the gingiva was the site most frequently affected (73%). The total number of oral mucosal sites with physiological oral melanin pigmentation in the study population was 263; 68% of participants had one, 22% had two, 7% had three, and 3% had four sites affected. There was no significant association between the number of sites affected and sex or age.

Conclusions

In this study of a South African population sample, the prevalence of physiological oral melanin pigmentation was higher in blacks than in Indians or whites, and the gingiva was the oral mucosal site most frequently affected.
The development of a lexicon for cashew nuts
Authors: Griffin L. E. , Dean L. L. , Drake M. A.
Published: January 2017

A lexicon of flavor and texture terms was developed to describe the sensory characteristics of cashew nuts. A highly trained and experienced descriptive analysis panel (n = 10, ages 22–58 each with at least 60 hr of descriptive work in nuts) was used to create the lexicon for cashews. After initial identification and discussion of terms, 22 flavor terms, 4 texture terms, and 3 feeling factors to describe the sensory attributes of cashews were identified. The lexicon was validated by demonstrating that the panel could detect differences among 18 different cashew samples, including raw, oil‐roasted, dry‐roasted, skin‐on, store‐brand, national‐brand, and rancid types when using the identified lexicon. The differences in products were analyzed using analysis of variance and principal component analysis. Differences in flavor and texture were observed across all product categories and the lexicon was validated.

Practical applications

The lexicon is intended for use in cashew research and by the cashew industry as a way for communicating differences in cashew flavor and texture in a common language.
“It Just Always Seemed Like it Wasn't a Big Deal, Yet I Know for Some People They Really Struggle with It”: LGBT Religious Identities in Context
Authors: Fuist Todd Nicholas
Published: January 2017

Scholarly examinations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) religious identities have typically focused on “identity reconciliation,” which assumes that being both LGBT and religious is a “contradiction,” and posits a “coherent” identity as a desired end goal. The present research draws on a qualitative study of three LGBT‐identified congregations to demonstrate that there are a variety of ways in which LGBT religious people approach the connection between their LGBT identity and their religion. While some participants of the study did feel a need to reconcile these aspects of their self, others report never feeling a strong conflict between their LGBT identity and faith. The differences in these understandings of LGBT identity emerge out of the sociotemporal contexts the interviewees exist in, suggesting that different contexts provide divergent resources for identity performances. Through these findings, I contribute to our understanding of the intersection of religious agency, religious identities, and religion as a quality of social spaces.
Temperature dependency of the interaction between xanthan gum and sage seed gum: An interpretation of dynamic rheology and thixotropy based on creep test
Authors: Razavi Seyed M. A. , Behrouzian Fataneh , Alghooneh Ali
Published: January 2017

The viscoelastic (transient and dynamic) and time‐dependent rheological behaviors of XG (xanthan gum), SSG (sage seed gum) and their blends at various ratios (1‐3, 1‐1, and 3‐1 SSG‐XG) and temperatures (10, 30, and 50C) were investigated using creep and recovery analyses. The creep compliance was converted to stress relaxation data; then, the structural kinetic model satisfactorily fitted the time‐dependent relaxation modulus. Furthermore, dynamic rheology of mixtures was investigated using creep analyses. The most important contribution of the Maxwell spring to deformation (53.51%), was that corresponding to the SSG at 50C and the most important contribution of the Maxwell dashpot to the maximum deformation, were those corresponding to the XG (61.44%) and 1‐3 SSG‐XG (58.91%) samples both at 50C. The breakdown rate constant (
of the crosslinked gum structure in SSG and 3‐1 SSG‐XG under the application of external shear stress increases with temperature from 10 to 50C in the range of 0.14–0.32 (1/s) and 0.14–0.24 (1/s), respectively, whereas other dispersions showed the reverse trend. Among all dispersions, only XG and 1‐3 SSG‐XG demonstrated crossover frequency at 9.95 and 31.47 rad/s, respectively, at 50C, indicative of the lowest entanglement density for 1‐3 SSG‐XG. The greatest interaction between SSG and XG occurred for 3‐1 ratio at 50C, which was confirmed by the Han curves.

Practical applications

Hydrocolloid blends, particularly those consisting of xanthan gum and a galactomannan from new source can provide a range of attractive textural properties. Rheological studies contribute to the description of the molecular structure and prediction of the structural changes during their manufacturing processes. Sage seed gum (SSG), as a polyelectrolyte galactomannan, has a great potential to exert stabilizing, thickening, gelling and binding properties in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical systems. Therefore, we elaborate the interactions between SSG and xanthan gum and also the effect of temperature using transient measurements. In this way, we show that the viscoelastic (transient and dynamic) and time‐dependent rheological behaviors may be investigated using single creep/recovery tests. This new insight into transient measurements is useful to characterize the interaction behavior of similar biopolymers blends.
The cyclase‐associated protein FgCap1 has both protein kinase A‐dependent and ‐independent functions during deoxynivalenol production and plant infection in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Yin Tao , Zhang Qiang , Wang Jianhua , Liu Huiquan , Wang Chenfang , Xu Jin‐Rong , Jiang Cong
Published: January 2017

Fusarium graminearum is a causal agent of wheat scab and a producer of the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). The expression of trichothecene biosynthesis (TRI) genes and DON production are mainly regulated by the cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐protein kinase A (cAMP‐PKA) pathway and two pathway‐specific transcription factors (TRI6 and TRI10). Interestingly, deletion mutants of TRI6 show reduced expression of several components of cAMP signalling, including the FgCAP1 adenylate‐binding protein gene that has not been functionally characterized in F. graminearum. In this study, we show that FgCap1 interacts with Fac1 adenylate cyclase and that deletion of FgCAP1 reduces the intracellular cAMP level and PKA activity. The Fgcap1 deletion mutant is defective in vegetative growth, conidiogenesis and plant infection. It also shows significantly reduced DON production and TRI gene expression, which can be suppressed by exogenous cAMP, indicating a PKA‐dependent regulation of DON biosynthesis by FgCap1. The wild‐type, but not tri6 mutant, shows increased levels of intracellular cAMP and FgCAP1 expression under DON‐producing conditions. Furthermore, the promoter of FgCAP1 contains one putative Tri6‐binding site that is important for its function during DON biosynthesis, but is dispensable for hyphal growth, conidiogenesis and pathogenesis. In addition, FgCap1 shows an actin‐like localization to the cortical patches at the apical region of hyphal tips. Phosphorylation of FgCap1 at S353 was identified by phosphoproteomics analysis. The S353A mutation in FgCAP1 has no effect on its functions during vegetative growth, conidiation and DON production. However, expression of the FgCAP1S353A allele fails to complement the defects of the Fgcap1 mutant in plant infection, indicating the importance of the phosphorylation of FgCap1 at S353 during pathogenesis. Taken together, our results suggest that FgCAP1 is involved in the regulation of DON production via cAMP signalling and subjected to a feedback regulation by TRI6, but the phosphorylation of FgCap1 at S353 is probably unrelated to the cAMP‐PKA pathway because the S353A mutation only affects plant infection.
Catheter‐based high‐frequency intraluminal ultrasound imaging is a powerful tool to study esophageal dysmotility patients
Authors: Santander Cecilio , Perea Elena , Caldas María , Clave Pere
Published: January 2017

High‐resolution manometry (HRM) is currently the most important diagnostic test for esophageal motility disorders, providing information on the contraction pattern of the circular muscle layer, which helps classify these esophageal motor diseases. However, with the increasing development of ultrasound, other techniques, such as high‐frequency intraluminal ultrasound (HFIUS), have gained importance. This technique uses a flexible shaft with a central wire integrated into a standard endoscope, which facilitates real‐time sonography. Its main utility is to provide anatomical information on the structure of the esophageal wall, including both the circular and longitudinal layers that constitute the esophageal muscularis propria. Increasing knowledge about these motility disorders has led to the hypothesis that, in addition to an abnormal contraction pattern of the circular muscle, an overall increased muscle thickness and an abnormal longitudinal muscle contraction could be added as pathophysiological factors. The increase in muscle thickness could be an important indicator of the severity of diseases, such as achalasia, distal esophageal spasm, or hypercontractile esophagus. More studies are required before definitive conclusions can be reached, but HFIUS employed simultaneously with HRM could provide a more complete and precise evaluation of these esophageal motor disorders.