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Summary: In the context of global warming, this study aimed to assess the effect of temperature and irradiance on the macroalgal Taonia atomaria holobiont dynamics. We developed an experimental set‐up using aquaria supplied by natural seawater with three temperatures combined with three irradiances. The holobiont response was monitored over 14 days using a multi‐omics approach coupling algal surface metabolomics and metabarcoding. Both temperature and irradiance appeared to shape the microbiota and the surface metabolome, but with a distinct temporality. Epibacterial community first changed according to temperature, and later in relation to irradiance, while the opposite occurred for the surface metabolome. An increased temperature revealed a decreasing richness of the epiphytic community together with an increase of several bacterial taxa. Irradiance changes appeared to quickly impact surface metabolites production linked with the algal host photosynthesis (e.g. mannitol, fucoxanthin, dimethylsulfoniopropionate), which was hypothesized to explain modifications of the structure of the epiphytic community. Algal host may also directly adapt its surface metabolome to changing temperature with time (e.g. lipids content) and also in response to changing microbiota (e.g. chemical defences). Finally, this study brought new insights highlighting complex direct and indirect responses of seaweeds and their associated microbiota under changing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of maximum voluntary muscle contractions are effort-dependent – valid measurement requires maximal voluntary effort (MVE) from participants. Submaximal efforts (SMEs) yield invalid and potentially misleading results. This is particularly problematic in medico-legal and Para sport assessments where low strength scores may confer a personal advantage. Therefore, objective methods for accurately differentiating MVE and SME are required. This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise and synthesise evidence from scientific studies evaluating the validity of objective methods for differentiating MVE from SME during maximal voluntary contractions. Four electronic databases were searched for original research articles published in English and secondary references appraised for relevance yielding 25 studies for review. Methods were categorised based on eight distinct underlying theories. For isokinetic strength assessment, methods based on two theories – Strength-measure Ratios and Inter-Trial Strength Consistency – correctly classified 100% MVE and > 92% SME. Consequently, research evaluating the relative suitability of these methods for translation into practice is warranted. During isometric strength assessments, methods based on Deceptive Visual Feedback and Force-length properties warrant further investigation. Both methods yielded statistically significant differences between MVE and SME, with minimal overlap in values, but their sensitivity and specificity have not been evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: An integrative multi‐omics approach allowed monthly variations for a year of the surface metabolome and the epibacterial community of the Mediterranean Phaeophyceae Taonia atomaria to be investigated. The LC–MS‐based metabolomics and 16S rDNA metabarcoding data sets were integrated in a multivariate meta‐omics analysis (multi‐block PLS‐DA from the MixOmic DIABLO analysis) showing a strong seasonal covariation (Mantel test: p < 0.01). A network based on positive and negative correlations between the two data sets revealed two clusters of variables, one relative to the 'spring period' and a second to the 'summer period'. The 'spring period' cluster was mainly characterized by dipeptides positively correlated with a single bacterial taxon of the Alteromonadaceae family (BD1‐7 clade). Moreover, 'summer' dominant epibacterial taxa from the second cluster (including Erythrobacteraceae, Rhodospirillaceae, Oceanospirillaceae and Flammeovirgaceae) showed positive correlations with few metabolites known as macroalgal antifouling defences [e.g. dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and proline] which exhibited a key role within the correlation network. Despite a core community that represents a significant part of the total epibacteria, changes in the microbiota structure associated with surface metabolome variations suggested that both environment and algal host shape the bacterial surface microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate simulation of snowmelt runoff is of much importance in arid alpine regions. Data availability is usually an obstacle to use energy-based snowmelt models for the snowmelt runoff simulation, and temperature-based snowmelt models are more appealing in these regions. The snow runoff model is very popular nowadays, especially in the data sparse regions, because only temperature, precipitation and snow cover data are required for inputs to the model. However, this model uses average temperature as index, which cannot reflect the snowmelt simulation in the high altitude band. In this study, the snow runoff model is modified on the basis of accumulated active temperature. Snow cover calculation algorithm is added and is no longer needed as input but output. This makes the model able to simulate long-time runoff and long-time snow cover variation in every band. An examination of the improved model in the Manas River basin showed that the model is effective. It can reproduce the behaviour of the hydrology and can reflect the actual snow cover fluctuation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Field studies were carried out near Lake Muhazi, Rwanda, to investigate the pollutants present and salinity of soils and the physicochemical content of aeolian dust. The data on aeolian dust and saline sediments showed that soil formation and salinization may be related to aeolian processes. The ecological status of the region a major cause of aeolian material in the Lake. The results revealed that dust originating from the dried bottom of the Lake and riversides contribute to the formation of East African dust storms and adversely affects the climate of the region. Apart from copper and zinc that were identified as heavy metals that polluted the Lake, petroleum products, Fe and Mn were also the main pollutants. Chemical properties of the soils are related to sediment composition of aeolian material, some elements like Zn, Fe, Cd and Cu. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The primary objective of this study was to analyze soil degradation and altered flood risks as a consequence of deforestation. The results showed that the use of fuelwood and competition for agriculture land are the main causes of deforestation, which leads to increased soil erosion and floods. The consequences and the societal risks from floods are quantified. This study indicates that the numbers of fatalities and mortality per river flood event are lower compared with those caused by flash floods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical airway access justifiably remains the final option for managing the 'can't intubate can't ventilate' situation, but available techniques are often complicated and might require special equipment. This paper reports on the real world experience of two experienced Australian medical specialists with backgrounds in Anaesthesia and Aeromedical Retrieval who performed 24 surgical airways, mainly under adverse prehospital conditions, over a combined 40 years of practice. All attempts were successful, the majority through a simple open 'scalpel-finger-tube' method, which is described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dorsoventral and anteroposterior axes of the ascidian embryo are defined before first cleavage by means of a series of reorganizations that reposition cytoplasmic and cortical domains established during oogenesis. These domains situated in the periphery of the oocyte contain developmental determinants and a population of maternal postplasmic/PEM RNAs. One of these RNAs (macho‐1) is a determinant for the muscle cells of the tadpole embryo. Oocytes acquire a primary animal–vegetal (a‐v) axis during meiotic maturation, when a subcortical mitochondria‐rich domain (myoplasm) and a domain rich in cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cER) and maternal postplasmic/PEM RNAs (cER‐mRNA domain) become polarized and asymmetrically enriched in the vegetal hemisphere. Fertilization at metaphase of meiosis I initiates a series of dramatic cytoplasmic and cortical reorganizations of the zygote, which occur in two major phases. The first major phase depends on sperm entry which triggers a calcium wave leading in turn to an actomyosin‐driven contraction wave. The contraction concentrates the cER‐mRNA domain and myoplasm in and around a vegetal/contraction pole. The precise localization of the vegetal/contraction pole depends on both the a‐v axis and the location of sperm entry and prefigures the future site of gastrulation and dorsal side of the embryo. The second major phase of reorganization occurs between meiosis completion and first cleavage. Sperm aster microtubules and then cortical microfilaments cause the cER‐mRNA domain and myoplasm to reposition toward the posterior of the zygote. The location of the posterior pole depends on the localization of the sperm centrosome/aster attained during the first major phase of reorganization. Both cER‐mRNA and myoplasm domains localized in the posterior region are partitioned equally between the first two blastomeres and then asymmetrically over the next two cleavages. At the eight‐cell stage the cER‐mRNA domain compacts and gives rise to a macroscopic cortical structure called the Centrosome Attracting Body (CAB). The CAB is responsible for a series of unequal divisions in posterior–vegetal blastomeres, and the postplasmic/PEM RNAs it contains are involved in patterning the posterior region of the embryo. In this review, we discuss these multiple events and phases of reorganizations in detail and their relationship to physiological, cell cycle, and cytoskeletal events. We also examine the role of the reorganizations in localizing determinants, postplasmic/PEM RNAs, and PAR polarity proteins in the cortex. Finally, we summarize some of the remaining questions concerning polarization of the ascidian embryo and provide comparisons to a few other species. A large collection of films illustrating the reorganizations can be consulted by clicking on “Film archive: ascidian eggs and embryos” at http://biodev.obs‐vlfr.fr/recherche/biomarcell/. Developmental Dynamics 236:1716–1731, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In classical studies of loss systems with restricted availability, the utilization was suggested of a probabilistic loss function, defining the conditional probability of an incoming call being rejected, as a function of the number of occupations in the destination group of servers. This paper gives an exact analysis of stochastic processes of practical relevance, associated with a system with MMPP (Markov Modulated Poisson Process) input, finite queueing capacity and a general loss function, assuming exponential service times. In addition to the process defining the state of the system at any instant, the analysis of the overflow point process (associated with the rejected arriving customers), the accepted point process (associated with the accepted arriving customers), and of the departure process will be presented. Together with the exact analysis of this system, based on the matrix analytical methodology of Neuts, (1981), we will derive expressions for calculating some key-parameters of pertinent associated processes, which may also be used for their approximate modelling. Also, examples of applications and of blocking probability calculations in specific models of this class will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the role of aromatase as a cytochrome P-450 enzyme complex which catalyzes the conversion of androgens, androstenedione and testosterone into oestrogens, oestrone and oestradiol. Observation of sequential oxygenations at the C19 position; Aromatization of the A ring of the androgen to from the oestrogen; Ability of steroids to bind to the enzyme.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The 2010 Royal Australasian College of Physician's policy statement 'Circumcision of infant males' is not evidence based," by B. J. Morris and colleagues in the July 2012 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the re-analysis of statistics about fatality on Australian roads during the Christmas and Easter periods from 1995-2004 that was published in 2006.

A letter to the editor is presented correcting the holiday roadtoll myth.

Aims: Oral therapies, including hormone-based or targeted therapies, have recently taken an increasing place in cancer treatment. In this context, a state of the art of the available studies dealing with the adherence of adult patients to oral anticancer treatment is warranted. The purpose of this review is to address (i) the association between assessment methods and measured adherence, (ii) the putative factors related to adherence and (iii) new ways of improving adherence to oral cancer therapies., Methods: We conducted a literature-based narrative review of studies obtained from Pubmed using medical subject heading terms and free-text terms combining concepts related to oral anticancer medication and adherence., Results: The analysis is based on 48 studies published since 1990, mostly assessing hormone-based therapy in breast cancer and targeted therapies in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Various methods of adherence were reported including self-report, medication measurement or combinations of methods. Adherence rates were found to vary from 14% to 100%. Beside patient related-factors, adherence rate discrepancies were found to be dependent on the method used. Furthermore, there was no consensual definition of adherence even regarding the same methods, some of them tolerating a period of interruption during the treatment period. Finally, several studies addressing persistence found a progressive decrease in adherence with time., Conclusion: Adherence to novel oral therapies is a major issue and further research is warranted to standardize adherence assessment in clinical studies better and to define better the most appropriate approaches to improve long term adherence in oncology practice., (© 2015 The British Pharmacological Society.)

Background: While procedures acquired before the development of amnesia are likely to be preserved in alcoholic patients with Korsakoff's syndrome, the ability of Korsakoff patients (KS) to learn new cognitive procedures is called in question. According to the Adaptive Control of Thoughts model, learning a new cognitive procedure requires highly controlled processes in the initial cognitive phase, which may be difficult for KS with episodic and working memory deficits. The goals of the present study were to examine the learning dynamics of KS compared with uncomplicated alcoholic patients (AL) and control subjects (CS) and to determine the contribution of episodic and working memory abilities in cognitive procedural learning performance., Methods: Fourteen KS, 15 AL, and 15 CS were submitted to 40 trials (4 daily learning sessions) of the Tower of Toronto task (disk-transfer task similar to the tower of Hanoi task) as well as episodic and working memory tasks., Results: The 10 KS who were able to perform the cognitive procedural learning task obtained lower results than both CS and AL. The cognitive phase was longer in the Korsakoff's syndrome group than in the other 2 groups but did not differ between the 3 groups any more when episodic memory abilities were controlled., Conclusions: Our results indicate that KS have impaired cognitive procedural learning abilities compared with both AL and CS. Episodic memory deficits observed in KS result in a delayed transition from the cognitive learning phase to more advanced learning phases and, as a consequence, in an absence of automation of the procedure within 40 trials., (Copyright © 2012 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.)

Background Information: mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) mutations that impair oxidative phosphorylation can contribute to carcinogenesis through the increased production of reactive oxygen species and through the release of proteins involved in cell motility and invasion. On the other hand, many human cancers are associated with both the up-regulation and the increased secretion of several proteases and heparanase. In the present study, we tried to determine whether the depletion in mtDNA could modulate the expression and/or the secretion of some lysosomal hydrolases in the 143B osteosarcoma cells, as these mtDNA-depleted cells are characterized by a higher degree of invasiveness than the parental cells., Results: In comparison with the parental cells, we measured a higher amount of procathepsin B in the conditioned culture medium of the 143B cells lacking mtDNA (rho(0) 143B cells), as well as a rise in the specific activity of intracellular cathepsin B. In addition, we observed an activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) in the cells devoid of functional mitochondria. Finally, we demonstrated that the down-regulation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit by RNA interference led to a reduction in cathepsin B expression in rho(0) 143B cells., Conclusions: The up-regulation of cathepsin B by NF-kappaB, followed by its secretion into the extracellular environment, might be partly responsible for the previously reported invasiveness of the mtDNA-depleted 143B osteosarcoma cells.

The title compound, C30H34FNO7S, is a key intermediate in the design of dual 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase)/COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitors. The compound crystallizes as a racemate. Linear hydrogen-bonded chains are aligned along the [201] direction, and stacked pi-pi interactions and C-H...O contacts stabilize the crystal structure.

Three related compounds containing a pyrazole moiety with vicinal phenyl rings featuring a methylsulfonyl substituent are described, namely 3-methyl-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole, C17H16N2O2S, ethyl 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate, C19H18N2O4S, and 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-[3-(morpholino)phenoxymethyl]-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole, C27H27N3O4S. The design of these compounds was based on celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, in order to study the influence of various substituents on COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition.

We carried out a screening of genes that are differentially expressed in normal mice and reeler mutants and are characterized by abnormal neuronal migration and neurite deployment due to defective Reelin signalling. A novel gene, provisionally named C61, was overexpressed in Reelin-deficient embryonic mouse brain RNA. C61 encodes a 3.7 kb mRNA that is brain specific and developmentally regulated, with predominant expression in differentiating neurons. The predicted protein is 664 amino acids long, and contains LAG1 and Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin-Myosin-Filament motifs, suggesting that it may function as an intracellular adaptor. From E14.5 to birth, C61 was highly expressed in all neuronal differentiation fields, with the highest signal in the telencephalic cortical plate and mitral cells in the olfactory bulb. When expressed as a GFP fusion protein in transfected non-neuronal cells and primary neurons, this protein localizes, respectively, to the nuclear membrane or axonal outgrowths, indicating a function in axonal traffic or signalling.

A theoretical method is applied to describe protein structures in terms of hierarchically related substructures. The approach is based on the location of local maxima (peaks) in promolecular electron-density (ED) distributions established at various smoothing levels. Promolecular ED distributions are generated using either the Promolecular Atom Shell Approximation (PASA) representation or the ED are calculated using the Cromer-Mann coefficients. The analysis of the decomposition patterns of a protein structure in its native and hypothetical extended conformations showed that the amino-acid residues have a similar decomposition pattern regardless of their position in the protein sequence, the protein conformation and the influence of the crystal packing. A link is proposed with model-building tools in protein structure determination from diffraction data.

This paper presents a computer-modelling approach for the generation of low-resolution representations of two protein-DNA complexes, NF-kappaB and HIF-1. The representation is obtained by topological analysis of electron-density maps at 2.85 A crystallographic resolution, which leads to a set containing a limited number of critical points (CP). Analyses of the structure and properties of the CP graphs (density at peak position, volume and ellipticity), as well as comparisons with other reduced representations, are performed in order to assess the usefulness of such representations in molecular-docking applications at medium resolution.

The title compound (BM531), C(17)H(26)N(4)O(5)S, has been designed for use as both a thromboxane synthase inhibitor (TXSI) and a thromboxane receptor antagonist (TXRA). We report here the X-ray crystal structure determination of the compound.

The title compound, C(12)H(12)N(2)O(3)S, is a strict pyridine analogue of nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2. The structure is characterized by a pyridinium ring with a deprotonated sulfonamide group. An intermolecular charge-assisted hydrogen bond between these two groups is observed within the crystal packing, linking the molecules into an infinite chain running along the b-axis direction.

The crystal structures of 4-methyl-2-[N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzylidene)hydrazino]thiazole, C(12)H(11)N(3)O(2)S, and its reduction product 4-methyl-2-[N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzylidene)hydrazono]-4,5-dihydrothiazole, C(12)H(13)N(3)O(2)S, have been determined and compared. In the reduction product, the tautomer observed bears an H atom on the exocyclic N atom. Both compounds form hydrogen-bonded dimers over centers of inversion.

Family 11 endo-beta-1,4-xylanases degrade xylan, the main constituent of plant hemicelluloses, and have many potential uses in biotechnology. The structure of Xyl1, a family 11 endo-xylanase from Streptomyces sp. S38, has been solved. The protein crystallized from ammonium sulfate in the trigonal space group P321, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.49, c = 130.30 A, gamma = 120.0 degrees. The structure was solved at 2.0 A by X-ray crystallography using the molecular-replacement method and refined to a final R factor of 18.5% (R(free) = 26.9%). Xyl1 has the overall fold characteristic of family 11 xylanases, with two highly twisted beta-sheets defining a long cleft containing the two catalytic residues Glu87 and Glu177.

The crystal structures of three angiotensin-II receptor antagonists involving different spacer groups (CO, CONH and NHCO) between the aryl rings are presented, namely 2-[4-[(3-butyl-1,4-dioxo-2,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-2-yl)methyl]benzoyl]benzoic acid, C(26)H(28)N(2)O(5), (I), 2-[4-[(3-butyl-1,4-dioxo-2,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-2-yl)methyl]benzamido]benzoic acid, C(26)H(29)N(3)O(5), (II), and 2-[4-[(3-butyl-1,4-dioxo-2,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-2-yl)methyl]anilinocarbonyl]benzoic acid monohydrate, C(26)H(29)N(3)O(5) x H(2)O, (III). The aryl rings of (II) are almost coplanar, in contrast with compounds (I) and (III). The conformation of (II) is induced by an intramolecular N-H.O hydrogen bond between the amide and carboxylic acid groups.

Crystals have been obtained of the Enterobacter cloacae 908R beta-lactamase and two point mutants by the vapour-diffusion method using similar conditions [pH 9.0, polyethylene glycol (M(r) = 6000) as precipitant]. The three crystal forms belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2, with roughly the same unit-cell parameters; i.e. for the wild-type crystals a = 46.46, b = 82.96, c = 95.31 A. In the best cases, the crystals diffract to about 2.1 A resolution on a rotating-anode X-ray source at room temperature. Co-crystallization experiments of poor substrates with the wild-type protein and the active-site serine mutant (S64C) are planned and should lead to a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism of class C beta-lactamases.

Terbogrel, (E)-6-[4-(3-tert-butyl-2-cyanoguanidino)phenyl]-6-(3-pyridyl)hex-5 -enoic acid, C(23)H(27)N(5)O(2), a mixed thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist and thromboxane A(2) synthase inhibitor, shows a hairpin-like conformation stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. A structural feature characteristic of the thromboxane A(2) synthase inhibitor mode is observed: a distance of 8.4257 (19) A between the pyridine N atom and the carboxyl group.

A potential metal cation-pi interaction between a sodium cation (Na(+)) and the indole ring of a tryptophan residue was detected in the crystallographic structure (2 A) of the thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus triosephosphate isomerase H12N/K13G mutant (bTIMmut). The cation-pi binding site is located near the surface of the protein, the alkali metal ion facing the benzo ring of Trp9. The presence of Phe21 and Glu17 close to Trp9 could indicate an additional role for those residues in the stability of the sodium-indole interaction. The sodium cation lies in a position that is occupied by CE and NZ of Lys13 in the wild-type structure.

This work reports on the structure of trielaidin [EEE, 1,2,3-tri(trans-9-octadecenoyl)glycerol], a trans unsaturated triglyceride present in many refined fatty materials (margarines, chocolate products etc.). Firstly, the polymorphism, i.e. the existence of different crystalline forms at various temperature ranges, was defined. Secondly, the crystal growth was examined. By developing a particular growing system, monocrystals of the most stable polymorphic form, i.e. the beta-form, were obtained. To reduce thermal vibrations the X-ray data were collected at low temperature (173 K) and the structure was solved using direct methods. The structure was then analyzed in terms of conformation and crystal packing and compared with those of the other known triglycerides.

In the work reported here, we have compared the elimination from the blood, the uptake by the liver and the intracellular distribution of bovine growth hormone, free(Gh) or bound to a monoclonal antibody (GhAb). Results show that: a) the elimination from the blood is more rapid for Gh than for GhAb; b) both molecules are quickly taken up by the liver; c) probably after travelling through endosomes, Gh and GhAb get to lysosomes where they are degraded. However, Gh mostly ends in hepatocyte lysosomes while GhAb is recovered to a large extent in sinusoidal cell lysosomes; and d) binding by isolated hepatocytes is markedly less efficient for GhAb than for Gh.

The influence of culture duration on some characteristics of hepatocyte subcellular membranes involved in endocytosis was investigated. Activity of enzymes located in plasma membrane, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes increases with time. These modifications are accompanied with several changes in the sedimentation properties of these organelles. Endocytosis of [14C]sucrose and [14C]sucrose-LDL is not affected by culture age. On the contrary, [14C]sucrose-ASF endocytosis strongly decreases in these conditions. These modifications are delayed to some extent by lowering the temperature. Addition to the culture medium of 3-methyladenine (an inhibitor of autophagy), sodium butyrate, dimethylsulfoxide, phenobarbital or nicotinamide does not prevent the decrease of ASF endocytosis caused by culture duration. These results indicate that one must be cautious when extrapolating to liver in vivo, observations on endocytosis obtained with primary culture of hepatocytes.

The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal 12 residues of papain digested BoLA class I molecules has been determined. This sequence except for its 5th amino acid, appears largely similar to those reported in man, mouse and rat.