bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convention on Biological Diversity
Authors: Höft Robert , Yifru Worku 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

The Convention on Biological Diversity is the key global instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. Through a globally agreed Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and related global Aichi targets, the Convention promotes, among other things, the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, the protection of threatened species and the conservation of the genetic material that underpins populations of wild and domesticated species. Increasingly, nongovernmental organisations, civil society groups and indigenous and local communities work through the Convention to urge governments to live up to their commitments and to support them, for example, in the establishment and effective management of protected area networks. As population growth and economic pressures enlarge humanity's ecological footprint, it remains to be seen whether the Convention is an effective tool for conserving the beauty, diversity and inspiring nature of our living environment for future generations to enjoy.

Key Concepts

International Conventions and protocols.

Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

Biodiversity targets.

National biodiversity strategies and action plans.
Scale‐Dependence in Ecological Systems
Authors: Hewitt Judi E , Thrush Simon F , Lundquist Carolyn 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Scale has a profound influence on how we conduct ecological studies, interpret results and understand the links between processes operating at different rates. All of these factors profoundly influence our ability to predict responses to change. The ecological patterns and variability we observe range from millimetres to across ocean basins and from seconds to the expanse of evolutionary history. Patterns apparent at one scale can collapse to noise when viewed from other scales, indicating that perceptions of the importance of different processes vary in a scale‐dependent manner. Moreover, rather than the environment simply providing an arena within which organisms are born grow and die, many organisms interact with the environment, altering it for both for themselves and for other species. Because of these factors, studying ecological systems is far from simple and scale needs to be considered in study design and analysis.

Key Concepts

The pattern you see depends on the scale at which it is studied.

Threats from human activities occur at varying scales, from small point sources to large diffuse threats and changes in disturbance regimes across landscapes.

How organisms interact with the environment depends on how they perceive it and how patchy it is.

How an organism moves and how far it can move is crucial to how an organism perceives and responds to their environment.

Many organisms can alter their environment, both for themselves and for other species.

Connectivity between locations and habitats does occur not only for organisms but also for ecosystem processes and services.

Because most processes are scale dependent, studies must explicitly consider scale in their design.

Understanding both the scale of threats and the scale over which species live are essential for successful management and conservation.
Evolution of Genome Size
Authors: Wright Stephen I 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe size of the genome represents one of the most strikingly variable yet poorly understood traits in eukaryotic organisms. Genomic comparisons suggest that most properties of genomes tend to increase with genome size, but the fraction of the genome that comprises transposable elements (TEs) and other repetitive elements tends to increase disproportionately. Neutral, nearly neutral and adaptive models for the evolution of genome size have been proposed, but strong evidence for the general importance of any of these models remains lacking, and improved understanding of factors driving the activity of TEs should also be considered. Fine‐scale investigation of the mutational and population‐genetic properties of both small and large insertions and deletions should help advance our understanding of how and why genome size evolution has occurred.Key ConceptsLarger genomes tend to have larger amounts of most genome components, but the proportional representation of different types of DNA changes dramatically.Transposable elements and other repetitive DNA represent a major determinant of genome size variation.The importance of ancient whole genome duplication events in genome size evolution, particularly in plants, remains to be fully resolved.Direct estimates of mutational patterns do not suggest that the relative rate and size of small insertion/deletion events are major contributors to genome size evolution.Although broad‐scale patterns suggest a negative correlation between effective population size and genome size, comparative phylogenetic methods and comparisons of focal taxa have not suggested repeated shifts in genome size are tied to repeated changes in effective population size.The extent and causes of between‐species changes in transposable element activity should be characterised, to better understand the drivers of genome expansion.
Gene Therapy in Heart Failure
Authors: Hayward Carl , Patel Hitesh C , Welch Sophie , Patel Ketna , Lyon Alexander R 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Heart failure is a chronic condition leading to debilitating symptoms and reduced life expectancy. Several pharmacological therapies which improve symptoms and mortality have been developed over the past 30 years. These therapies are, however, limited in terms of both efficacy and side‐effect profile. Gene therapy represents a fundamental change in the way treatments are developed with the potential to directly target and correct individual molecular abnormalities. These therapies have the potential to offer long‐term beneficial effects from a single treatment and, with direct targeting, less off‐target effects. As with any new therapy, a number of challenges must be overcome before gene therapy can be considered a realistic option to patients with heart failure.

Key Concepts

Gene therapy could allow direct targeting of molecular abnormalities in patients with heart failure.

Preclinical data suggests that in animal models of heart failure, SERCA2a gene therapy significantly improves haemodynamic parameters, reduces arrhythmia risk and corrects molecular abnormalities.

Initial clinical data in a small number of patients suggested that SERCA2a gene therapy was beneficial to patients with advanced heart failure. However, a recent study in a larger number of patients was disappointingly neutral.

A number of molecular abnormalities exist in the failing myocytes, each of which could represent a potential target to treat heart failure.

Gene therapy requires a large financial commitment from pharmaceutical companies and cost is a major limitation to the development of gene therapy products.
GITR
: A Modulator of Regulatory and Effector
T
‐Cell Activity, Crucial in Tumour Rejection and Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Nocentini Giuseppe , Cari Luigi , Riccardi Carlo 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

The immune response is the result of complex interactions among cells of innate immunity, the vascular system and cells of adaptive immunity including T and B lymphocytes. Interactions among effector T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and antigen‐presenting cells determine the outcome of the immune response. Activated effector T cells and Tregs express high levels of glucocorticoid‐induced tumour necrosis factor receptor‐related protein (GITR, also known as TNFRSF18 or CD357), which is triggered by the ligands GITRL and SECTM1. The effect of GITR triggering on the immune system is complex, with GITR playing a physiological role in inflammation, response to infection, graft rejection, autoimmunity and tumours. Antibodies and fusion proteins capable of modulating GITR and GITRL activity produce meaningful effects in animal models of advanced tumours and boost the effectiveness of vaccines. GITR triggering also shows potential for curing autoimmune diseases and preventing graft rejection and graft‐versus‐host disease.

Key Concepts

GITR is a costimulatory molecule that is overexpressed by activated T lymphocytes and promotes their activation/expansion following activation by its ligand (GITRL).

GITR triggering can treat infection, particularly chronic viral infection, and boost the effectiveness of vaccines.

Inhibition of GITR triggering by fusion proteins has an anti‐inflammatory effect.

The highest levels of GITR expression are found in regulatory T cells (Tregs).

GITR plays a crucial role in the development of FoxP3
+
Tregs in the thymus (tTregs) and the expansion of tTregs and peripherally derived Tregs (pTregs).

A subset of CD4
+
pTregs that expresses GITR, but not FoxP3 or CD25, is expanded in patients with autoimmune diseases who show low disease activity.

In mouse models, GITR triggering by anti‐GITR antibodies promotes the rejection of established tumours via effector T lymphocyte activation and, more importantly, via Treg killing by antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity, Treg inhibition/differentiation and modulation of Treg trafficking.

The GITR/GITRL system is structurally different in mice and humans, suggesting that functional differences also exist.

Phase I studies testing anti‐human GITR antibodies in cancer patients are underway.
Genetics of Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Fukuoka Hidenori 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Genetic changes of pituitary have been investigated during several decades and have been identified as germ line mutations, including
MEN1
,
PRKAR1A
,
AIP
,
CDKN1B
and
SDHx
genes, and somatic mutations including
GNAS
and
PIK3CA
genes. In addition to these genetic changes, further novel genes were recently identified related to childhood pituitary tumours including
DICER1
and
GPR101
. And somatic
USP8
gene mutations were found in 35–62% of Cushing disease by next‐generation sequencing technique. Furthermore, Genome‐wide association study of pituitary adenomas and whole‐genome sequencing of
GH
‐secreting adenomas were reported. From the studies of genetically engineered animals which develop pituitary adenomas, predominant genes related to cell cycle (
Rb
,
p27
,
p18
,
PTTG1
,
HMGAs
,
MEN1
and
Cdk4
) and
cAMP
signalling (
Prkar1a
,
D2r
,
Ghrhr
and
Aip
) have been identified.

Key Concepts

Genetic changes in human pituitary adenomas are identified predominantly from germ line mutations of hereditary syndromes.

Some genes related to germ line mutations were also identified in somatic mutations.

Recent developments of somatic mutations using next‐generation sequencing are updated.

Genetically engineered animal models of pituitary adenomas are summarised.

Further epigenetic and proteomic analyses are important in pituitary adenomas.
‘Everyday Enhancement’: Parents and Professionals Making Decisions about Drug Treatment of Minors for Problems with Learning and Behaviour
Authors: Bard Imre , Singh Ilina , Eduard Peter 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe use of pharmaceuticals to support learning and behaviour in children has been a controversial topic since the 1990s. Concerns have been raised about overmedicating children, thwarting their moral develop with drugs, as well as providing an unfair advantage. Everyday enhancement can be understood as the grey area between unambiguously therapeutic and unambiguously non‐therapeutic uses of medication to improve cognitive performance in children. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder and psychostimulant medication use offer a good case study to reflect on the questions raised by everyday enhancement. Over the past years several frameworks have been developed to guide medical professionals' decision‐making. These are rooted in different ethical commitments and include a pragmatic managerial approach to reducing or preventing the harms of enhancement in children; a framework centered on the physician's fiduciary responsibility; and a framework starting from the notion of children's best interests.Key ConceptsEnhancement is a controversial subject that rose to prominence from the late 1990s.Evidence suggests that psychostimulant medication is being used to enhance normal performance in children and adolescents.Current evidence is inconclusive about the prevalence of the practice and the efficacy of stimulants in improving normal cognitive performance.Several ethical, societal and neurodevelopmental concerns have been raised about the use of psychostimulants for nonmedical purposes, although the boundaries between therapeutic and enhancing interventions may sometimes be very difficult to define.Various frameworks for professional decision‐making have been formulated, which allocate different weight to a shared set of ethical and societal considerations, such as harm reduction, children's best interests and the fiduciary responsibility of physicians.
The World of
SET
‐Containing Lysine Methyltransferases
Authors: Vasileva Elena , Barlev Nickolai 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Genomic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in eukaryotic cells is compacted into chromatin that plays an important role in regulation of DNA replication, gene expression, recombination and repair. Chromatin is composed of nucleosomes – genomic DNA – wrapped around two copies of each of the four canonical histones: H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. The amino‐terminal tails of histones undergo multiple post‐translational modifications such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ADP (adenosine diphosphate)‐ribosylation and ubiquitination, resulting in chromatin remodeling. Lysine methylation of histones is a post‐translational modification playing a key role in regulation of gene expression and chromatin functioning. Each type of histones undergoes methylation at various lysines by SET domain‐containing methyltransferases (KMTs). These modifications act in a combinatorial or sequential manner with other histone modifications conforming to the ‘histone code’ hypothesis. Such interplay between histone modifications determines unique functional consequences for gene expression, DNA replication and mitosis. Importantly, KMTs are also able to methylate non‐histone targets, for example, important transcription factors, TP53, E2F1 and others, affecting their protein stability and activity.

Key Concepts

The amino‐terminal tails of histones undergo multiple post‐translational modifications. In particular, methylation of lysines in histones is a post‐translational modification regulating gene expression, chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation and non‐histone protein function.

Each type of histones undergoes methylation by SET lysine methyltransferases at various sites: Lys26, Lys121, Lys129, Lys159, Lys171, Lys177 and Lys192 in histone H1B; Lys5, Lys13 and Lys15 in histone H2A; Lys15 in histone H2B; Lys4, Lys9, Lys27, Lys36 and Lys79 in histone H3; and Lys20 and Lys59 in histone H4.

Different extent of methylation on multiple lysines within histones is associated with various transcriptional outcomes ranging from activation to complete repression of genes.

Different numbers of methyl groups on target lysines are recognised by special protein domains within transcription‐related proteins, which facilitate the formation of protein complexes on chromatin.

Defects in SET methyltransferases enzymes can lead to cancer, neurological disorders, growth and developmental defects and other human pathologies.
Population Genetics and Genome Evolution of Selfing Species
Authors: Burgarella Concetta , Glémin Sylvain 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

The evolution of self‐fertilisation from outcrossing is one of the most frequent evolutionary transitions in hermaphrodite species of plants, animals and fungi. Accordingly, a large body of theoretical and empirical studies has been dedicated to understand the impact of selfing on population genetics and genome evolution. Compared to outcrossing, selfing reduces heterozygosity, effective recombination and migration rate and increases genetic drift. As a consequence, selfing species are expected to show reduced and more structured genetic diversity, genomic degradation and low adaptive potential because they should respond less efficiently to natural selection. Although selfing can have immediate advantages and be selected for, all detrimental genetic effects are thought to drive selfing lineages to extinction on the long run. Human activities (e.g. domestication and breeding, ecosystem alterations) can also induce mating system shifts that could potentially threaten long‐term population viability.

Key Concepts

The transition from outcrossing to selfing affects fundamental population genetics parameters that influence the evolutionary trajectory of populations and species.

Selfing increases homozygosity, which reveals recessive deleterious alleles causing inbreeding depression.

Selfing reduces the effective recombination, which increases genome‐wide linkage disequilibrium.

Selfing increases genetic structure by reducing gene flow.

Selfing reduces the effective population size, making selfing species less diverse and less efficient in responding to selection than outcrossing ones.

The outcome of selection in selfing species depends on the interplay among dominance level and selection strength of mutations and the initial conditions (new mutations or preexisting variation).

In selfing organisms, sexual conflicts and the spread of selfish genetic elements are attenuated.

Overall, the genome of selfing species is prone to the accumulation of deleterious mutations and to low rates of fixation of beneficial mutations, which should make selfing an evolutionary ‘dead‐end’ strategy.

The genetic consequences induced by self‐fertilisation have practical implications for human activities linked to the conservation and management of natural and cultivated resources.
Bi(IO3)F2: The First Metal Iodate Fluoride with a Very Strong Second Harmonic Generation Effect
Authors: Mao Fei‐Fei , Hu Chun‐Li , Xu Xiang , Yan Dong , Yang Bing‐Ping , Mao Jiang‐Gao 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe first metal iodate fluoride, Bi(IO3)F2, with a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect has been prepared. Bi(IO3)F2 crystallizes in the polar space group C2 and features a three‐dimensional [BiF2]+ cationic framework with IO3 groups capping the inner walls of the one‐dimensional tunnels. This [BiF2]+ cationic framework acts as a template for the assembly of the polar IO3 units in a favorable superposed fashion, which leads to the polar structure of the material. Bi(IO3)F2 displays a rather wide transmittance window (0.3–11 μm) and exhibits a very strong SHG response that is about 11.5 times larger than that of KH2PO4 (KDP) under 1064 nm laser radiation and the same as that of KTiOPO4 (KTP) under 2.05 μm laser radiation. Preliminary investigations indicate that Bi(IO3)F2 is a promising nonlinear optical material in the visible and mid‐IR region.
Three‐component mixed matrix organic/inorganic hybrid membranes for pervaporation separation of ethanol–water mixture
Authors: Zhu Zhigao , Hu Deng , Liu Yuanren , Xu Ying , Zeng Gaofeng , Wang Wei , Zhang Yanfeng , Cui Fuyi 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTMixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were made by incorporating vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS)‐modified Silicalite‐1 zeolite nanoparticles (V‐Silicalite‐1 NPs) into fluorinated polybenzoxazine (F‐PBZ) modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer through in situ polymerization method. The membrane morphology, surface wettability, and pervaporation performance were systematically investigated. The addition of F‐PBZ into PDMS membranes resulted in substantially improved flux and marginal increase of separation factor, which is the result of higher free volume and higher hydrophobicity caused by the addition of F‐PBZ. The modification of Silicalite‐1 NPs improved the interfacial contact between zeolite crystals and polymer phase. The incorporation of hydrophobic V‐Silicalite‐1 zeolite NPs into the PDMS membranes led to much higher separation factor but reduced flux, which is the result of increased hydrophobicity and reduced free volume. The three‐component MMMs with V‐Silicalite‐1 zeolite NPs in the F‐PBZ fluorinated PDMS exhibited separation factor of 28.7 and flux of 0.207 kg m−2 h−1 for 5 wt % ethanol aqueous solution at 50 °C, while the pure PDMS membranes only had separation factor of 4.8 and flux of 0.088 kg m−2 h−1. The substantial increase of both flux and separation factor were attributed to the higher hydrophobicity and free volume caused by the incorporation of both hydrophobic zeolite crystals and F‐PBZ polymer into the PDMS membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44753.
Synergistic effect on flame retardancy and thermal behavior of polycarbonate filled with α‐zirconium phosphate@gel‐silica
Authors: Xu Lingfeng , Lei Caihong , Xu Ruijie , Zhang Xiaoqing , Zhang Feng 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTA new kind of flame retardant (ZS) with layered α‐zirconium phosphate disks (α‐ZrP) as the core and inorganic flame retardant (gel‐silica, GS) to shield solid acid sites on the surface of α‐ZrP as the shell, was synthesized via a facile method. The incorporation effects of ZS with silicone resin on the thermal properties and flame retardance of PC composites were investigated. The presence of ZS could improve the thermal stability of PC matrix. With the addition of ZS contents increased to 3 wt %, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the composite was 32.3% and the vertical burning (UL‐94) test reached a V‐0 rating. However, with more contents of ZS, the LOI value decreased, and without the GS layer, the LOI value was decreased significantly as well. The synergism between the α‐ZrP core and gel‐silica shell, also with the silicone resin were found. Based on these results, the flame‐retardant mechanism was proposed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44829.
Variation of pore structure of organosilicone‐modified skin collagen matrix
Authors: Li Yupeng , Wang Baochuan , Li Zhengjun , Li Lixin 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThe pore structure of skin collagen matrix modified by organosilicone alone, combination of organosilicone and chromium respectively, was investigated mainly through nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy and fractal analysis. The results indicated that increasing the dosage of organosilicone endowed more numbers of uniform smaller pores, increased porosity in modified collagen matrix and improved thermal stability verified by differential scanning calorimeter analysis. A similar trend was observed after incorporating less amount of chromium to organosilicone modification in the process. It can be presumed that a rigid and stable three‐dimensional silica network structure formed in the interior of the collagen fiber plays a role in fixing the collagen molecular chain, conferring improved hydrothermal stability to the skin matrix. The findings are of great significance to explore chrome‐less and further chrome‐free silicone tanning technology, and are helpful to promote sustainable development of the leather industry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44831.