Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Phase- and Cell Division-Dependent Activation and Inactivation of the σ32 Regulon in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Alternative sigma factors allow bacteria to reprogram global transcription rapidly and to adapt to changes in the environment. Here we report on growth- and cell division-dependent σ32 regulon activity in Escherichia coli in batch culture. By analyzing σ32 expression in growing cells, an increase in σ32 protein levels is observed during the first round of cell division after exit from stationary phase. Increased σ32 protein levels result from transcriptional activation of the rpoH gene. After the first round of bulk cell division, rpoH transcript levels and σ32 protein levels decrease again. The late-logarithmic phase and the transition to stationary phase are accompanied by a second increase in σ32 levels and enhanced stability of σ32 protein but not by enhanced transcription of rpoH. Throughout growth, σ32 target genes show expression patterns consistent with oscillating σ32 protein levels. However, during the transition to early-stationary phase, despite high σ32 protein levels, the transcription of σ32 target genes is downregulated, suggesting functional inactivation of σ32. It is deduced from these data that there may be a link between σ32 regulon activity and cell division events. Further support for this hypothesis is provided by the observation that in cells in which FtsZ is depleted, σ32 regulon activation is suppressed.
Sex differences among children 2–13 years of age presenting at the emergency department with acute asthma

Hospitalization rates for asthma have been reported to be higher in males than females in children under age 15, but it is not clear whether this disparity reflects gender differences in prevalence, severity, or treatment. We performed a prospective cohort study as part of the Emergency Medicine Network. Patients aged 2–13 years who presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma underwent a structured interview in the ED and another by telephone 2 weeks later. Of 1,602 patients, 61% (95% CI, 59–64%) were boys. Girls were slightly older than boys, although no material differences existed in acute presentation, chronic asthma characteristics, ED treatment, or ED course. There was no difference in admission rates for boys or girls (20% vs. 22%; P = 0.48). This finding persisted when adjusting for other factors in a multivariate logistic regression model. No sex differences were observed for relapse or ongoing exacerbation on univariate or multivariate analysis. These data suggest that asthma is not inherently more severe in boys with asthma compared to girls, and that the increased rate of hospitalizations in boys under age 13 is due to differences in prevalence, not severity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:523–529. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterizing blood microparticles: Technical aspects and challenges

Although long considered to be cellular debris, microparticles (MPs) are more recently considered reflective of cellular stimulation, activation, and degeneration/apoptosis. MPs that arise from the cellular components of blood and the endothelial lining of blood vessels are referred to as blood MPs and by general consensus are small (≤1.5 μm), expose the anionic phospholipid (PL) phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer leaflet of their membrane, and bear surface membrane antigens reflecting their cellular origin. This brief review summarizes the different approaches used by several groups to study blood MPs. The aim of this article is to review the technical aspects of characterizing the morphological and functional properties of blood MPs with emphasis on the preanalytical and analytical variables involved in these studies.
Intravenous pyruvate prolongs survival during hemorrhagic shock in swine.

Pyruvate improves cellular and organ function during hypoxia and ischemia and stabilizes the NADH redox state and cytosolic ATP phosphorylation potential. In this in vivo study, we evaluated the effects of intravenous pyruvate on cardiovascular and neocortical function, indexes of the cytosolic redox state (lactate/pyruvate ratio, L/P) and cellular energy state (adenosine and degradative products hypoxanthine and inosine, ADO + HX + Ino) during controlled arterial hemorrhage (40 mmHg) in sedated swine (45 kg). Na+ pyruvate was infused 1 h before (1 g ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ h-1) and 2 h during (0.5 g ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ h-1) hemorrhage to attain arterial pyruvate levels of 6 mM. Volume (0.9% NaCl) and osmotic (10% NaCl) effects were matched in controls. Time to peak hemorrhage (57 min) and peak hemorrhage volume (43 ml/kg) were similar in all groups. The volume and osmotic groups experienced spontaneous cardiovascular decompensation between 60 and 90 min, with an average time until death of 82.7 ± 5.5 and 74.8 ± 8.2 min. In contrast, survival in the pyruvate group was 151.2 ± 10.0 min ( P < 0.001). During hemorrhage, the pyruvate group had better cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function with significantly higher systemic and cerebral oxygen consumption and less attenuation of the amplitude and frequency of the electrocorticogram. In addition, pyruvate prevented metabolic acidosis and stabilized the L/P. Pyruvate slowed the rise in neocortical microdialysis levels of ADO + HX + Ino, and prevented the net efflux of ADO + HX + Ino into the sagittal sinus. The findings reveal considerable metabolic and functional enhancement by pyruvate during severe hemorrhagic shock with a 75-min delay in spontaneous cardiovascular decompensation and death.
Optimizing approaches to head and neck cancer. Metastatic head and neck cancer: new options.

In 2002 there were about 144 000 new cases of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) in Europe and 69 000 deaths, making it the seventh leading cause of cancer death [1]. HNSCC arise from the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. They include cancers of the oral cavitiy, the pharynx (naso-, oroand hypopharynx), the larynx and the paranasal sinuses. The head and neck region includes different tissues so that other kinds of neoplasms occur there, such as cancer of the salivary glands and rare histotypes of the paranasal sinuses and thyroid cancer. In this paper we will focus on HNSCC.
Prevalence and Correlates of Low Fundamental Movement Skill Competency in Children

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic and health-related characteristics of school-aged children with low competency in fundamental movement skills (FMS). METHODS: Cross-sectional representative school-based survey of Australian elementary and high school students (n = 6917) conducted in 2010. Trained field staff measured students’ height, weight, and assessed FMS and cardiorespiratory endurance (fitness). Information on students’ demographics and physical activity was collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of students with low motor skill competency was high. Girls with low socioeconomic status (SES) were twice as likely to be less competent in locomotor skills compared with high SES peers. Among boys, there was a strong association between low competency in FMS and the likelihood of being from non–English-speaking cultural backgrounds. There was a clear and consistent association between low competency in FMS and inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness. For boys, there was a clear association between low competency in object-control skills and not meeting physical activity recommendations. Conversely, the odds of being inactive were double among girls who had low competency in locomotor skills. CONCLUSIONS: Low competency in FMS is strongly associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels in children and adolescents. The characteristics of students with competency in FMS differ by gender and skills types and show that interventions need to target girls from low SES backgrounds and boys from non–English-speaking cultural backgrounds. The high prevalence of low competency in FMS among Grade 4 students indicates that FMS interventions need to start during the preschool and early school years.
The Effect of Image Resolution on the Geometry and Topological Characteristics of 3-D Reconstructed Images of Reservoir Rock Samples

The effect of image resolution on the measured geometry and topological characteristics of network models extracted from 3-D micro-computer tomography images has been investigated. The study was conducted by extracting geologically realistic networks from images of two rock samples, imaged at different resolutions. The rock samples involved were a Castlegate Sandstone and a Carbonate-28 reservoir rock. Two-dimensional images of these rocks were obtained at a magnification of ×50. The carbonate sample was studied at two different resolutions of 0.133 microns and 1.33 microns, while the sandstone was studied at 5.60 microns. Three-dimensional images of these 2-D images were obtained via image reconstruction, to generate the pore architecture models (PAMs) from which networks models of the imaged rocks were extracted with the aid of Pore Analysis software Tools (PATs). The measured geometry and topology (GT) properties included Coordination Number, Pore Shape Factor, Pore Size Distribution, and Pore Connectivity. The results showed that the measured geometry-topology (GT) characteristics of a network model depend greatly on the image resolution used for the model. Depending on the micro-structure of the reservoir rock, a minimum image resolution is necessary to properly define the geometrical and topological characteristics of the given porous medium.
Notch Intracellular Domain Expression in Various Skin Fibroproliferative Diseases

Background The effects of the Notch signaling pathway in fibroproliferative skin diseases have not been fully elucidated. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activated Notch signaling molecules in various skin fibroproliferative diseases. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) expression in keloid, hypertrophic scar, morphea, dermatofibroma, and normal control skin specimens was performed, and the clinical characteristics of patients with various skin fibroproliferative diseases were analyzed. Results NICD was highly expressed in fibroblasts of keloids and moderately to highly expressed in hypertrophic scars and dermatofibromas, whereas low or no expression was detected in the fibroblasts of normal skin specimens and morpheas. NICD was constitutively expressed in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in normal skin specimens. Conclusion NICD was significantly expressed in human fibroproliferative skin disorders, especially keloids, suggesting that an activated Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.
Synergistic Effect of Bone Marrow Mobilization and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-2 Gene Therapy in Myocardial Ischemia

Background—We performed a series of investigations to test the hypothesis that combining angiogenic gene therapy and cytokine (CK)-induced endothelial progenitor cell mobilization would be superior to either strategy alone for treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia. Methods and Results—A swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia and a murine model of acute myocardial infarction were used in this study. In both models, animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: Combo group, intramyocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-2 gene transfer plus subcutaneous injection of CKs; VEGF-2, VEGF-2 gene transfer plus saline subcutaneously injected; CK, empty vector transfer plus CKs; and control, empty vector plus subcutaneous saline. Acute myocardial infarction was also induced in wild-type mice 4 weeks after bone marrow transplantation from enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice to permit observation of bone marrow–derived cells in the myocardium after acute myocardial infarction. In chronic myocardial ischemia, combination therapy resulted in superior improvement in all indexes of perfusion and function compared with all other treatment groups. In the bone marrow transplant mice, double immunofluorescent staining revealed that the combination of CK-induced mobilization and local VEGF-2 gene transfer resulted in a significant increase in the number of bone marrow–derived cells incorporating into the neovasculature, indicating that recruitment and/or retention of bone marrow–derived progenitors was enhanced by mobilization and that local VEGF-2 gene transfer can provide signals for recruitment or incorporation of circulating progenitor cells. Conclusions—Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells with cytokines potentiates VEGF-2 gene therapy for myocardial ischemia and enhances bone marrow cell incorporation into ischemic myocardium.
Insect Resistance in Sweetpotato Plant Introduction Accessions

ABSTRACT Fifty-five sweetpotato cultivars, experimental breeding clones, and plant introduction (PI) accessions were evaluated in 17 field experiments at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory (Charleston, SC; 12 evaluations, 1997–2010), the Clemson University, Edisto Research and Education Center (Blackville, SC; two evaluations, 1998–1999), and the University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center (Homestead, FL; three evaluations, 2005–2007). These experiments included two insect-susceptible control entries (‘Beauregard’ and ‘SC1149-19’) and three insect-resistant control cultivars (‘Regal,’ ‘Ruddy,’ and ‘Sumor’). At each location, genotypes differed significantly in the percentage of uninjured roots WDS (wireworm, Diabrotica, Systena) index, the percentage of roots damaged by the sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius (F.)), the percentage of roots damaged by the sweetpotato flea beetle (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch), and the percentage of roots damaged by white grub larvae (including Plectris aliena Chapin and Phyllophaga spp.). ‘SC1149-19’ had a significantly lower percentage of uninjured roots, a significantly higher WDS index rating, and significantly higher percentages of infestation by flea beetles, grubs, and sweetpotato weevils than most other sweetpotato genotypes in this study. In addition, 43 of 55 genotypes had significantly less overall insect damage than ‘Beauregard,’ one of the leading commercial orange-fleshed cultivars in the United States. Ten genotypes had significantly less insect injury than ‘Picadito,’ a commercial boniatotype sweetpotato grown extensively in southern Florida. Many of these sweetpotato genotypes have high levels of resistance to soil insect pests, and they may be useful as sources of insect resistance for use in sweetpotato breeding programs.
Duality Theory of Strong Interaction

The main objective of this article is to explore the duality of strong interaction derived from an SU (3) gauge theory based on two basic principles: the principle of interaction dynamics (PID) and principle of representation invariance (PRI). Intuitively, PID takes the variation of the action functional under energy-momentum conservation constraint, and PRI requires that physical laws be independent of representations of the gauge group. The new SU (3) gauge field equations establish a natural duality between strong gauge fields {S k }, representing the eight gluons, and eight bosonic scalar fields. With the duality, we derive three levels of strong interaction potentials: the quark potential Φq, the nucleon/hadron potential Φn and the atom/molecule potential Φa. These potentials clearly demonstrates many features of strong interaction consistent with observations. In particular, they provide a clear explanation for both quark confinement and asymptotic freedom. Also, in the nuclear level, the new potential is an improvement of the Yukawa potential. As the distance between two nucleons is increasing, the nuclear force corresponding to the nucleon potential Φn behaves as repelling, then attracting, then repelling again and diminishes, consistent with experimental observations. c
Effect of sub-lethal treatment with formalin on the germination of Aspergillus fumigatus spores

Summary Sub-lethal exposure of Aspergillus fumigatus spore suspensions to formalin resulted in prolongation by 1–22 days of the period of less than one day normally needed by spores to produce visible growth in Sabouraud's liquid medium at 37° C. ; the degree of delay depended on the concentration of formalin and the duration of exposure, and was due to an increase in the germination-time of spores. The formalin concentration could be adjusted so as to affect the germination-time of almost all spores in a suspension without reducing viability. The effect on germination was not abolished by thorough washing or treatment with sodium sulphite. The spores of four different strains of A. fumigatus and of cultures aged 3 to 14 days reacted similarly to formalin treatment. Although of greatly reduced virulence for mice, affected viable spores were still capable of producing infection and death following intravenous inoculation, provided they were not eliminated by the host before germination occurred.
Within-host diversity of MRSA antimicrobial resistances

Objectives MRSA is a major antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogen. The reservoir of infecting isolates is colonization, which is the site of evolutionary selection. The aim was to identify if AMRs in colonizing MRSA populations diversified and potential mechanisms of resistance gene transfer in vivo. Methods Nasal swabs from 38 MRSA carriers admitted to hospital were plated and 20 individual colonies from each patient tested for phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility and genetically for lineage, carriage of four prophages and three plasmid families. Free bacteriophages were detected in swabs as well as their capacity for transducing resistance genes. Results Nine (24%) patients carried phenotypic AMR variants and 24 (63%) carried prophage and plasmid variants. If a single colony was selected for testing, the probability of detecting all AMR in that patient was 87%. Sixty-four different AMR and mobile genetic element (MGE) profiles were detected, mostly in the MRSA CC22 background (where CC stands for clonal complex), with up to 8 profiles per patient. Nearly half of the patients carried detectable free bacteriophages and phages successfully transduced resistance genes between laboratory and patient isolates in vitro. WGS showed MRSA core genomes were stable, while AMR and MGEs varied. Conclusions ‘Clouds’ of MRSA variants that have acquired or lost AMR and MGEs are common in nasal colonizing populations and bacteriophages may play an important role in gene transfer. Accurate estimation of AMR and genetic variability has implications for diagnostics, epidemiology, antimicrobial stewardship and understanding the evolutionary selection of AMR in colonizing populations.
Interactions between stream fungi and bacteria associated with decomposing leaf litter at different levels of nutrient availability

We examined the potential for interactions between aquatic hyphomycetes and bacteria isolated from leaves decaying in a headwater stream. In agar plate assays, culture filtrates of each of 28 aquatic hyphomycete isolates tested (5 species) inhibited bacterial growth (16 Gram-negative bac- terial isolates belonging to 6 colony morphotypes were tested). Inhibition of bacterial growth oc- curred in 20% of the combinations. To determine whether such interactions could occur on decom- posing leaves, Articulospora tetracladia (isolate 24-4) and bacterial isolate B2NPM3-1 (tentatively placed in Comamonadaceae) were grown in axenic and dual cultures on leaf litter in microcosms. Performance of both microorganisms was estimated by measuring leaf mass loss, fungal and bacterial biomass, conidia production, respiration and calculating carbon flow through different microbial compartments in 2 treatments that differed with respect to inorganic nutrient (N and P) concentra- tions. High fungal antagonistic activity demonstrated in plate assays was not corroborated in micro- cosms. Cumulative Articulospora tetracladia production decreased 21 to 24% in 2-membered micro- cosms regardless of nutrient level, whereas the bacterial isolate exhibited a differential response (1.7 times lower cumulative production in the low nutrient and 52% increase in the high nutrient treatment in 2-membered cultures compared with axenic cultures), suggesting that nutrient avail- ability may modify microbial interactions. Fungal performance (yield coefficient and production effi- ciency) was not affected in 2-membered microcosms, whereas the bacterial yield coefficient was 1.7 to 2.2 times lower when grown with the fungus in comparison to axenic cultures. We observed only antagonistic or competitive interactions and no signs of synergistic relationships causing faster leaf litter decomposition or resulting in enhanced microbial production. Overall, the interactions were relatively mild and did not affect fungal dominance in the transformation of leaf organic matter.
ANALYSIS OF THE CONCRETE STRENGTH VERSUS WATER CEMENT RATIO RELATIONSHIP

The Abrams rule implies that only the quality of the cement paste controls the strengths of comparable concretes; the paste quantity does not matter. Analysis of a variety of experimental data shows that this is not quite true. The observation is reflected by new formulas (mathematical models) in this paper. These were developed for formulas where the strength is a function of the water-cement ratio only (basic models), by the addition of, or augmentation with a suitable term representing the concrete composition. The Abrams' formula is one used in this paper as a basic model, but two linear models were also examined. Augmenting terms are: cement content, water content, paste content, measure of consistency, squared terms, or combinations of these. It is shown that the use of the new formulas is as simple as that of any of the basic formulas, yet they provide an improved tool for the prediction of concrete strength and for concrete proportioning.
Unilateral relationship of embryos and the corpus luteum in cattle.

The unilateral relationship between embryo and corpus luteum was studied in two experiments in Holstein heifers. Two fertilized ova were inserted into one uterine horn of recipient heifers on Day 6 after estrus. Recipients were given progesterone from Day 13 through Day 23 and were necropsied on Day 24 (18 days after ova transfer). Corpora lutea were weighed and classified as maintained or regressed. In Exp. 1, the uterine horns were separated and the fertilized ova were inserted ipsilateral (group 1, 5 heifers) or contralateral (group 2, 5 heifers) to the CL. Nine of 10 heifers were pregnant at necropsy. Mean CL weight for group 1 (3725 mg) was greater (P<0.01) than that for group 2 (1300 mg). Results indicated that in heifers with a surgically isolated uterine horn a unilateral utero-ovarian mechanism was involved in maintenance of the CL during early pregnancy. Experiment 2 was designed to determine if embryos inserted into the uterine horn contralateral to the CL in uterine-intact heifers would maintain the CL and, if so, whether the Iuteotropic message passed from gravid to nongravid side through the uterine body and horns or through the intercornual area. Recipient heifers were randomized into 4 groups (n=4): 1) uterine-intact controls; 2) ipsilateral horn transected, intercornual ligament intact; 3) uterine horns intact, intercornual ligament severed; 4) ipsilateral horn and intercornual ligament severed. Mean CL weight was smaller (P<0.05) in group 1 (2900 mg), group 2 (1405 mg) and group 4 (578 mg) than in group 3 (4848 mg). There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 although the CL in all heifers in both groups were classified as maintained. Mean CL weight was not significantly different between groups 2 and 4. Results indicated that embryos transferred to the contralateral horn were capable of maintaining the CL if the uterine horns were not separated. The passage of the luteotropic message from gravid to nongravid side was exerted through the uterine body and horns rather than through the intercornual area and is most likely attributable to the growth of