bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential requirement of MED14 and UVH6 for heterochromatin transcription upon destabilization of silencing
Authors: Bourguet Pierre , Bossoreille Stève de , López-González Leticia , Pouch-Pélissier Marie-Noëlle , Gómez-Zambrano Ángeles , Devert Anthony , Pélissier Thierry , Pogorelcnik Romain , Vaillant Isabelle , Mathieu Olivier 
Published: September 2018

AbstractConstitutive heterochromatin is commonly associated with high levels of repressive epigenetic marks and is stably maintained transcriptionally silent by the concerted action of different, yet convergent, silencing pathways. Reactivation of heterochromatin transcription is generally associated with alterations in levels of these epigenetic marks. However, in mutants for particular epigenetic regulators, or upon particular environmental changes such as heat stress, heterochromatin-associated silencing is destabilized without noticeable changes in epigenetic marks. This suggests that transcription can occur in a non-permissive chromatin context, yet the factors involved remain poorly known. Here, we show that heat stress-induced transcription of heterochromatin depends on the TFIIH component UVH6 and the Mediator subunit MED14. Mutants for these two factors exhibit hypersensitivity to heat stress, and under these conditions, UVH6 and MED14 are required for transcription of a high number of loci. We further show that MED14, but not UVH6, is required for transcription when heterochromatin silencing is destabilized in the absence of stress. In this case, MED14 requires proper chromatin patterns of repressive epigenetic marks for its function. We also uncover that MED14 regulates non-CG DNA methylation at a subset of RNA-directed DNA methylation target loci. These findings provide insight into the control of heterochromatin transcription upon silencing destabilization and identify MED14 as a regulator of DNA methylation.
Peroxisomes control mitochondrial dynamics and the mitochondrion-dependent pathway of apoptosis
Authors: Tanaka Hideaki , Okazaki Tomohiko , Yokota Mutsumi , Koike Masato , Okada Yasushi , Fujiki Yukio , Gotoh Yukiko 
Published: September 2018

Summary StatementsWe unveil a previously unrecognized role of peroxisomes in the regulation of mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics, mitochondrion-dependent caspase activation, and cellular apoptosis.AbstractPeroxisomes cooperate with mitochondria in the performance of cellular metabolic functions such as fatty acid oxidation and maintenance of redox homeostasis. Whether peroxisomes also regulate mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics or mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis has remained unclear, however. We now show that genetic ablation of the peroxins Pex3 or Pex5, which are essential for peroxisome biogenesis, resulted in mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in a manner dependent on dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). Conversely, treatment with 4-phenylbutyric acid, an inducer of peroxisome proliferation, resulted in mitochondrial elongation in wild-type MEFs, but not in Pex3-deficient MEFs. We further found that peroxisome deficiency increased the levels of cytosolic cytochrome c and caspase activity under basal conditions without inducing apoptosis. It also greatly enhanced etoposide-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, indicative of an enhanced cellular sensitivity to death signals. Together, our data unveil a previously unrecognized role of peroxisomes in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis. Given that mutations of peroxin genes are responsible for lethal disorders such as Zellweger syndrome, effects of such mutations on mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis may contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Quantitative Mapping of Free-Standing Lipid Membranes on Nano-Porous Mica Substrates
Authors: Costa Luca , Carretero-Genevrier Adrian , Ferrain Etienne , Milhiet Pierre-Emmanuel , Picas Laura 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe physic-chemistry of biological membranes is at the origin of fundamental cellular functions such as vesicle trafficking, cell adhesion and migration1-3. Because most of intracellular shapes and local demixing of membranes take place in the nanometer scale, AFM becomes an extremely powerful technique to assess the properties of these biological membranes. Porous substrates provide an elegant strategy to avoid the conundrum of placing soft and thin biomembranes on hard substrates for AFM studies, although the surface chemistry make the actual substrates rather challenging setups. Here, we have engineered porous systems on the most widely used substrate in AFM, mica muscovite, with tunable pore sizes from some tens to few hundreds nanometers for biological applications. We show that free-standing bilayers on nano-porous can be obtained by using well-established vesicle spreading methods and that they display equivalent nano-mechanical stability and phsyco-chemical properties to that of membranes on conventional mica supports. By reducing the pore radius < 40 nm and limiting the contribution of membrane tension to the elastic response of free-standing membranes we estimate a bending modulus of 18 kbT and 73 kbT for DOPC and DPPC bilayers, respectively. The quantitative mapping of suspended membranes shows a different mechanical response at the pore rims, which is more pronounced for DPPC and suggest a different lipid ordering. We find that the combination of membrane bending and the different lipid packing at the edges of pores shapes the curvature of free-standing membranes on pores in the range of few tens of nm.
Hygienic behaviour selection via freeze-killed honey bee brood not associated with chalkbrood resistance in eastern Australia
Authors: Gerdts Jody , Dewar R. Laurie , Simone-Finstrom Michael , Edwards Trevor , Angove Michael 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHygienic behaviour is a social immune response in honey bees shown to help provide resistance to honey bee pests and diseases. A survey of hygienic behaviour and brood diseases was conducted on 649 colonies in eastern Australia to initiate a selective breeding program targeting disease resistance and provide a level of resistance to Varroa (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman and V. jacobsoni Oudemans) mites should they become established in Australia. The test population showed a remarkably high baseline level of hygienic behaviour with 17% of colonies meeting or exceeding breeding selection thresholds. Colonies belonging to a breeding program were 5.8 times more likely to be highly hygienic and colonies headed by queens raised from hygienic queen mothers were 2.2 times more likely. Nectar availability (nectar yielding flowering plants within honey bee forage range) influenced hygienic behaviour expression but was not a significant predictor of level of hygienic behaviour. Surprisingly, hygienic behaviour was not a significant predictor of the presence of infection of the honey bee brood disease chalkbrood (Ascosphaera apis) and was not influential in predicting severity of chalkbrood the infection in surveyed honey bee colonies. This study, along with reports from commercial beekeepers that chalkbrood infection is on the rise, warrants a deeper exploration of the host-pathogen relationship between Apis mellifera and Ascosphaera apis in Australia.
Ancestry informative alleles captured with reduced representation library sequencing in Theobroma cacao
Authors: Osorio-Guarín Jaime A. , Quackenbush Corey R. , Cornejo Omar E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAs the source of chocolate, cacao has become one of the most important crops in the world. The identification of molecular markers to understand the demographic history, genetic diversity and population structure plays a pivotal role in cacao breeding programs. Here, we report the use of a modified genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach for large-scale single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery and allele ancestry mapping. We identified 12,357 bi-allelic SNPs after filtering, of which, 7,009 variants were ancestry informative. The GBS approach proved to be rapid, cost-effective, and highly informative for ancestry assignment in this species.
Barriers faced by new-adopter of Last Planner System®: a case study
Authors: Perez Athena Maria , Ghosh Somik 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
Documented evidence supports the improvements resulting from the use of the Last Planner System® (LPS) as a lean construction technique; however, several barriers to the implementation of the technique have been identified. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation process of LPS by a project team that is transitioning from the traditional planning and control to LPS on a typical commercial project. The paper compares the adopted implementation process with that of the recommended best practices and identifies the overlaps and variances.

Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth case study was conducted to accomplish the specific objectives: document the process of LPS implementation in detail; identify the overlaps and variance from the recommended practices; and investigate the causes for variance from the recommended practices. The authors used direct observations, document investigations and semi-structured interviews with key project participants to gather data. Constant comparison and content analysis were used as data analysis method for this study.

Findings
The paper identified critical barriers to the implementation process of LPS in the case study project, which are supported by existing literature and are considered typical of project teams that are new adopters and transitioning to the implementation of LPS.

Research limitations/implications
Based on a single case study, the outcomes may lack generalizability. However, similar findings of existing literature and evaluations by the project personnel substantiated the findings of the study.

Originality/value
The study attempted to conduct a systematic investigation on the implementation process of LPS, which is a less investigated topic. The paper draws attention to the major barriers experienced while adopting LPS in the case study project and suggested possible ways to address similar issues in the future. The barriers experienced by the case study project are typical of project teams who are new adopters and transitioning to the adoption of LPS, process and have the potential to be alleviated through the recommended practice implementation and process maintenance strategy.
Neurocognitive testing in the emergency department: A potential assessment tool for mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lunter Catherine M , Carroll Ellen L , Housden Charlotte , Outtrim Joanne , Forsyth Faye , Rivera Annie , Maimaris Chris , Boyle Adrian , Sahakian Barbara J , Menon David K , Newcombe Virginia FJ 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveDespite mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounting for 80% of head injury diagnoses, recognition of individuals at risk of cognitive dysfunction remains a challenge in the acute setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential role for computerised cognitive testing as part of a complete ED head injury assessment.MethodsmTBI patients (n = 36) who incurred a head injury within 24 h of presentation to the ED were compared to trauma controls (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) on tests assessing reaction time, speed and attention, episodic memory, working memory and executive functioning. Testing occurred during their visit to the ED at a mean of 12 h post‐injury for mTBI and 9.4 h for trauma controls. These tasks were part of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery iPad application. Healthy controls were tested in both a quiet environment and the ED to investigate the potential effects of noise and distraction on neurocognitive function.ResultsReaction time was significantly slower in the mTBI group compared to trauma patients (P = 0.015) and healthy controls (P = 0.011), and deficits were also seen in working memory compared to healthy controls (P ≤ 0.001) and in executive functioning (P = 0.021 and P < 0.001) compared to trauma and healthy controls. Performances in the control group did not differ between testing environments.ConclusionComputerised neurocognitive testing in the ED is feasible and can be utilised to detect deficits in cognitive performance in the mTBI population as part of a routine head injury assessment.
Yield of serious axial injury from pan scans after blunt trauma in haemodynamically stable low‐risk trauma patients
Authors: Roberts Jessica , Watts Sara , Klim Sharon , Ritchie Peter , Kelly Anne‐Maree 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectivesWhole body computed tomography (WBCT) scanning for trauma has gained popularity but its role in low‐risk patients is controversial. We aimed to determine the rate of serious axial/truncal injury and emergency intervention in conscious, stable patients undergoing WBCT for blunt trauma in two non‐trauma centre EDs in the Victorian trauma system.MethodsRetrospective cohort study by medical record and radiology report review. Patients were included if they were conscious, haemodynamically stable adults presenting by ambulance and having WBCT scan. Exclusion criteria were age <16 years, no history of trauma, Glasgow Coma Scale <14, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg and intoxication with alcohol or drugs. Data collected included demographics, clinical findings, results of CT scans and emergency interventions (emergency truncal surgery, transfer to a trauma centre and/or transfusion within 24 h). The outcomes of interest were the rate of defined serious axial/truncal injury and emergency interventions.ResultsOne hundred and four patients were studied. Median age was 45 years; 67% were men. Median injury severity score (ISS) was 1.5 (interquartile range 0–5); only one patient had an ISS ≥15. Ninety (87%, 78–92%) patients had no defined serious injury. Five (5%) patients had a defined emergency intervention – four trauma centre transfers and one transfusion. Two of these were not trauma‐related.ConclusionThe rate of serious axial/truncal injury was low. The high rate of normal scans makes it likely that the risk:benefit ratio between injury identification and radiation related cancer risk is unacceptably high. This data supports a selective CT strategy in low‐risk trauma patients.
Weather risk: how does it change the yield benefits of nitrogen fertilizer and improved maize varieties in sub‐Saharan Africa?
Authors: Hurley Terrance , Koo Jawoo , Tesfaye Kindie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to explore how weather risk affects the value of nitrogen fertilizer use and improved seed variety adoption to sub‐Saharan African (SSA) maize farmers. It contributes to the literature by providing additional broad support for the hypothesis that low rates of fertilizer use and improved seed variety adoption can be attributed to the fact that the SSA landscape is heterogeneous, so fertilizer and improved seed are not always advantageous, especially when considering the potentially high cost to farmers of obtaining fertilizer and improved seed. The analysis finds a synergy between nitrogen fertilizer and improved seed varieties. While the benefits of nitrogen tend to increase overtime without improved seed varieties and the benefits of improved seed varieties tend to decrease overtime without nitrogen, combining the two provides more sustained productivity benefits. Therefore, securing both nitrogen use and improved seed variety adoption is important for promoting sustained maize productivity increases across much of SSA. The research also contributes to the literature by using a methodology for calculating willingness to pay bounds that assess the importance of farmers’ risk tolerances as a barrier to fertilizer use or improved seed variety adoption.
Development of an ‘Enteral tube feeding decision support tool’ for hip fracture patients: A modified Delphi approach
Authors: Mon Aye Su , Pulle Chrys , Bell Jack 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesMalnutrition after hip fracture is recognised as the co‐morbidity most likely to impact hospital length of stay and cost. Despite this, the role of enteral tube feeding in hip fracture patients remains unclear.MethodsA modified Delphi process was used to establish consensus for an enteral tube feeding decision support tool. Three rounds of the Delphi survey were administered to a purposeful sample of twenty multidisciplinary clinicians from the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry.ResultsConsensus markedly improved across the three rounds (33, 44 and 87%, respectively). More than 80% of participants positively supported implementing the tool in clinical practice.ConclusionsThis study describes experienced, multidisciplinary clinician consensus and support for an ‘Enteral tube feeding decision support tool’ to be applied in acute hip fracture settings. Further studies are being undertaken to identify the impact of the checklist tool on informed consent decision processes in this population.
Excess glucose induce trophoblast inflammation and limit cell migration through HMGB1 activation of Toll‐Like receptor 4
Authors: Heim Kathleen R. , Mulla Melissa J. , Potter Julie A. , Han Christina S. , Guller Seth , Abrahams Vikki M. 
Published: September 2018

ProblemHyperglycemia increases the risk of preeclampsia. Hyperglycemia induces a placental trophoblast inflammatory (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8), antiangiogenic (sFlt‐1, sEndoglin), and anti‐migratory profile. The IL‐1β response is mediated via inflammasome activation by the damage‐associated molecular pattern (DAMP), uric acid. The objective of this study was to determine the role of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1), a DAMP that activates Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), in human first trimester trophoblast responses to hyperglycemia. The trophoblast response to excess glucose under different oxygen tensions was also investigated.Method of studyThe human first trimester trophoblast cell line (Sw.71) was exposed to glucose mimicking normoglycemia (5 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (10 mmol/L), either alone or with the TLR4 antagonist, LPS‐RS; or the HMGB1 inhibitor, glycyrrhizin. Cells were also treated with glucose under hyperoxic (21% O2), normoxic (8% O2), and hypoxic (2% O2) conditions. Cell‐free supernatants were assayed by ELISA and bioassays for inflammatory: IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8; inflammasome‐associated: uric acid and caspase‐1; angiogenic: sEndoglin, sFlt‐1, and PlGF; and the DAMP, HMGB1. Cell migration was measured using a two‐chamber colormetric assay.ResultsExcess glucose triggered a trophoblast sterile inflammatory IL‐8 and antimigratory response through HMGB1 activation of TLR4. The IL‐1β and sFlt‐1/PlGF response was TLR4‐mediated, but HMGB1‐independent, suggesting another DAMP may be involved. Hyperoxia rather than normoxia or hypoxia was a major driver of trophoblast dysfunction in response to excess glucose.ConclusionThe findings from this study indicate a novel mechanism by which hyperglycemia may impact trophoblast function, early placentation, and ultimately, pregnancy outcome.
Use of fetal fibronectin testing in women transferred for threatened preterm labour in remote far north Queensland
Authors: Downing Sandra G. , Wright Rebecca , Marquardt Tonia , Callander Emily 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundThreatened preterm labour is a common reason for medical transfer from remote communities; however, many transferred women do not deliver preterm. A tool for prediction of preterm birth such as fetal fibronectin may reduce transfers and related social and economic costs.AimTo review the use of fetal fibronectin testing in women transferred for threatened preterm labour from Cape York to Cairns Hospital between 2011 and 2015 and determine the role testing could play in reducing transfers and associated costs.Materials/methodsRecords from the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Cairns Hospital were accessed. Women transferred solely for threatened preterm labour were included in the study. Fetal fibronectin testing, hospital admission, outpatient stays and birth outcome data were collated and analysed. Costs were assigned using the National Hospital Cost Data Collection, round 19.ResultsForty‐seven women were included in the study; however, only 20 underwent fetal fibronectin testing. Transfer of 30 women who had either a negative test or were not tested but delivered at term resulted in 41 inpatient nights and 443 excess outpatient nights, costing an estimated AU$57 408. Aeromedical transfers were estimated to cost a further $151 500.ConclusionAdherence to clinical guidelines and greater availability and use of fetal fibronectin testing in Cape York have the potential to reduce aeromedical transfers for threatened preterm labour. Substantial inpatient and excess outpatient stays could be avoided with associated reduction in health system and social costs. Strategies to improve adherence to guidelines and increase access to testing are required.
Effects of different cryopreservation methods on DNA integrity and sperm chromatin quality in men
Authors: Lusignan M. F. , Li X. , Herrero B. , Delbes G. , Chan P. T. K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundCryopreserved human sperm are used in assisted reproductive technology. However, the effect of cryopreservation on spermDNAintegrity is unclear.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the impact of semen cryopreservation on human spermDNAintegrity and chromatin structure; (ii) test if parameters obtained fromTUNELandSCSA® correlate; and (iii) verify correlation between sperm motility, morphology and viability withTUNELandSCSA® parameters.Materials and methodsMen attending a fertility clinic were recruited and grouped according to their sperm parameters (n = 9/group): normozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Each semen sample was processed as follow: (i) directly frozen at −80 °C; (ii) diluted in Sperm Maintenance Medium, cooled for 30 min at 4 °C and frozen at −80 °C; (iii) diluted in Sperm Maintenance Medium; or (iv) in SpermFreeze. Each mixture from method (iii) and (iv) was then suspended for 30 min in liquid nitrogen vapor and plunged into liquid nitrogen. After at least two months of storage, samples were thawed at room temperature and analyzed for motility and viability,TUNELandSCSA® assays.ResultsProgressive motility and viability decreased after freeze‐thawing.TUNELscores increased significantly in all samples after freezing‐thawing while no significant change in theDNAfragmentation index (DFI) fromSCSA® was observed. No change in the percentage highDNAstainability (HDS) was observed in normozoospermic samples; however it was significantly increased in all the methods in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and in the methods (ii)–(iv) in teratozoospermic samples. TheDFIandTUNELscores correlated significantly with each other and inversely with sperm motility, viability and morphology.Discussion and conclusionCryopreservation seems to be deleterious for the integrity of human spermDNAand compaction. However, the spermDFIwas not affected during cryopreservation under the various methods of storage tested. Clinicians and investigators should take this information into consideration when using cryopreserved sperm for assisted reproduction.