B Cells with a Senescent-Associated Secretory Phenotype Accumulate in the Adipose Tissue of Individuals with Obesity

Senescent cells accumulate in the adipose tissue (AT) of individuals with obesity and secrete multiple factors that constitute the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This paper aimed at the identification of B cells with a SASP phenotype in the AT, as compared to the peripheral blood, of individuals with obesity. Our results show increased expression of SASP markers in AT versus blood B cells, a phenotype associated with a hyper-metabolic profile necessary to support the increased immune activation of AT-derived B cells as compared to blood-derived B cells. This hyper-metabolic profile is needed for the secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokines, chemokines, micro-RNAs) that fuel local and systemic inflammation.     

Thermal Management Enables Bright and Stable Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

The performance of lead-halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has increased rapidly in recent years. However, most reports feature devices operated at relatively small current densities (<500 mA cm⁻²) with moderate radiance (<400 W sr⁻¹ m⁻²). Here, Joule heating and inefficient thermal dissipation are shown to be major obstacles toward high radiance and long lifetime. Several thermal management strategies are proposed in this work, such as doping charge-transport layers, optimizing device geometry, and attaching heat spreaders and sinks. Combining these strategies, high-performance perovskite LEDs are demonstrated with maximum radiance of 2555 W sr⁻¹ m⁻², peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 17%, considerably reduced EQE roll-off (EQE > 10% to current densities as high as 2000 mA cm⁻²), and tenfold increase in operational lifetime (when driven at 100 mA cm⁻²). Furthermore, with proper thermal management, a maximum current density of 2.5 kA cm⁻² and an EQE of ≈1% at 1 kA cm⁻² are shown using electrical pulses, which represents an important milestone toward electrically driven perovskite lasers.     

An Improved Protocol for Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Subterranean Clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is the most widely grown annual pasture legume in southern Australia. With the advent of advanced sequencing and genome editing technologies, a simple and efficient gene transfer protocol mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was developed to overcome the hurdle of genetic manipulation in subterranean clover. In vitro tissue culture and Agrobacterium transformation play a central role in testing the link between specific genes and agronomic traits. In this paper, we investigate a variety of factors affecting the transformation in subterranean clover to increase the transformation efficiency. In vitro culture was optimised by including cefotaxime during seed sterilisation and testing the best antibiotic concentration to select recombinant explants. The concentrations for the combination of antibiotics obtained were as follows: 40 mg L⁻¹ hygromycin, 100 mg L⁻¹ kanamycin and 200 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime. Additionally, 200 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime increased shoot regeneration by two-fold. Different plant hormone combinations were tested to analyse the best rooting media. Roots were obtained in a medium supplemented with 1.2 µM IAA. Plasmid pH35 containing a hygromycin-resistant gene and GUS gene was inoculated into the explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL0 for transformation. Overall, the transformation efficiency was improved from the 1% previously reported to 5.2%, tested at explant level with Cefotaxime showing a positive effect on shooting regeneration. Other variables in addition to antibiotic and hormone combinations such as bacterial OD, time of infection and incubation temperature may be further tested to enhance the transformation even more. This improved transformation study presents an opportunity to increase the feeding value, persistence, and nutritive value of the key Australian pasture.     

The Twisting Paths to Planning Reform in Scotland

In the context of modernization in the public sector and the reforms of land use planning practices, this article traces the paths followed in Scotland to articulate an appropriate agenda for change to create a modern planning system. Fundamental to this drive for public sector reform is devolution, and the search to articulate an appropriate form of state apparatus for a modern Scottish state. Context, however, is all-important. Research and extensive consultation have paved the path to a planning White Paper, Modernizing the Planning System, and a draft Planning Bill. This article examines the archaeology of the Scottish road to reform, and considers the nature of the changing practices associated with devolution in Scotland.

We are therefore determined to build a planning system that balances the right of individuals to develop their property and the interests of the wider community. This White Paper outlines our detailed proposals for modernisation of the planning system, to secure greater fairness and equity, a system where everyone's views are listened to and taken proper account of.

First Minister, Jack McConnell, 2005 McConnell, J. 2005. “Scottish Executive”. In Modernising the Planning System: A White Paper, Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.  [Google Scholar]     

Biological assessments of a mixture of endocrine disruptors at environmentally relevant concentrations in water following UV/H2O2 oxidation

Numerous studies have investigated degradation of individual endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in lab or natural waters. However, natural variations in water matrices and mixtures of EDCs in the environment may confound analysis of the treatment efficiency. Because chemical based analytical methods cannot represent the combined or synergistic activities between water quality parameters and/or the EDC mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations (microg L(-1)-ng L(-1)), bioanalytical assessments of residual estrogenic activity in treated water were used to evaluate the performance of the UV based advanced oxidation process for estrogenic contaminants in water. Four EDCs including estradiol (E(2)), ethinyl estradiol (EE(2)), bisphenol-A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) were spiked individually or as a mixture at mug L(-1)-ng L(-1) in laboratory or natural river water. The removal rates of estrogenic activity were quantitatively evaluated by in vitro yeast estrogen screen (YES) and in vivo Vitellogenin (VTG) assays with Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). UV in combination with 10 ppm H(2)O(2) as an oxidation process was capable of decreasing in vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity, however, in vivo estrogenic activity of the EDC mixture in natural water was not completely removed at UV fluence up to 2000 mJ cm(-2). The removal rates of in vitro estrogenic activity of the EDC mixtures were lower than those observed for single compounds, and slower in natural waters, likely due to lower steady-state concentrations of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) in the presence of *OH scavengers from the water matrix and EDC mixture.     

可持续理念的体现——杭州来福士中心

正UNStudio由Ben van Berkel和Caroline Bos创立,是一个国际性的建筑设计网络。拥有三个全方位服务的国际事务所,分别位于阿姆斯特丹、香港和上海。专于建筑、室内建筑、产品设计、城市发展和基础设施项目。地址:浙江省杭州市钱江新城富春路业主方:凯德集团建筑面积:392526m~2项目年份:2017醒目的裙楼之上坐落着两座流线型的高楼,从中可以饱览钱塘江和西湖的迷人风光。     

Discovery of Ubonodin,an Antimicrobial Lasso Peptide Active against Members of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

We report the heterologous expression, structure, and antimicrobial activity of a lasso peptide, ubonodin, encoded in the genome of Burkholderia ubonensis. The topology of ubonodin is unprecedented amongst lasso peptides, with 18 of its 28 amino acids found in the mechanically bonded loop segment. Ubonodin inhibits RNA polymerase in vitro and has potent antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic members of the Burkholderia genus, most notably B. cepacia and B. multivorans, causative agents of lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients.