Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CrgA Is an Inducible LysR-Type Regulator of Neisseria meningitidis, Acting both as a Repressor and as an Activator of Gene Transcription

ABSTRACT The crgA gene of Neisseria meningitidis, which codes for a LysR-type regulator, is divergently oriented with respect to the mdaB gene, which codes for a hypothetical NADPH-quinone oxidoreductase. Transcriptional studies of the intergenic region between crgA and mdaB showed that two overlapping and divergent promoters, PcrgA and PmdaB, control transcription of these genes. Deletion of the crgA gene led to a strong increase in transcription from the PcrgA promoter and a concomitant strong decrease in transcription from the PmdaB promoter, indicating that CrgA acts both as an autorepressor of transcription at its own promoter and as an activator of transcription at the mdaB promoter. Addition of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (MBL), an inducer of NADPH-quinone oxidoreductase, to wild-type N. meningitidis cells specifically resulted in further activation of transcription of the PmdaB promoter and more repression of transcription of the PcrgA promoter. No such regulation was observed when MBL was added to crgA-deficient cells, indicating that the transcriptional response to MBL is CrgA mediated. Under the same experimental conditions, no regulation of transcription by either CrgA or MBL was detected at the pilus and capsule genes. The role of CrgA in the regulation of gene expression during the infectious cycle of N. meningitidis is discussed.
Access to contraceptive services among unmarried young people in the north-east of China

Objective The concerns about the potential threats of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have increased, since, in China, there is a lack of sexual education and condom use is rare. A community-based survey was conducted in September 2001 in Changchun city among 1227 unmarried young people aged 15-24 years (619 males and 608 females) to assess risky sexual practices and the obstacles to accessing appropriate contraceptive and other services. Method The study comprised a survey employing self-administered questionnaires, as well as key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. This paper investigates the factors associated with young people's access to contraceptive services. Results Results showed that 16% of young people had experienced premarital sexual intercourse and, among them, only 48.2% used contraceptive methods during the first sexual intercourse; 29.9% used a condom. Drug stores were the main source of contraceptives. Conclusions While data are sparse, findings suggest that the hostile and judgmental attitudes of providers, as well as the lack of counseling and privacy, were the key obstacles that unmarried youth encountered in their search for contraceptive services. Findings suggest the need for a reorientation of the contraceptive services to focus on unmarried youth, and generally to make contraceptive services more accessible to young people.
Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States

Abstract This systematic study documents the taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the tarantula spider genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 within the United States. By employing phylogenomic, morphological, and geospatial data, we evaluated all 55 nominal species in the United States to examine the evolutionary history of Aphonopelma and the group’s taxonomy by implementing an integrative approach to species delimitation. Based on our analyses, we now recognize only 29 distinct species in the United States. We propose 33 new synonymies (Aphonopelma apacheum, Aphonopelma minchi, Aphonopelma rothi, Aphonopelma schmidti, Aphonopelma stahnkei = Aphonopelma chalcodes; Aphonopelma arnoldi = Aphonopelma armada; Aphonopelma behlei, Aphonopelma vogelae = Aphonopelma marxi; Aphonopelma breenei = Aphonopelma anax; Aphonopelma chambersi, Aphonopelma clarum, Aphonopelma cryptethum, Aphonopelma sandersoni, Aphonopelma sullivani = Aphonopelma eutylenum; Aphonopelma clarki, Aphonopelma coloradanum, Aphonopelma echinum, Aphonopelma gurleyi, Aphonopelma harlingenum, Aphonopelma odelli, Aphonopelma waconum, Aphonopelma wichitanum = Aphonopelma hentzi; Aphonopelma heterops = Aphonopelma moderatum; Aphonopelma jungi, Aphonopelma punzoi = Aphonopelma vorhiesi; Aphonopelma brunnius, Aphonopelma chamberlini, Aphonopelma iviei, Aphonopelma lithodomum, Aphonopelma smithi, Aphonopelma zionis = Aphonopelma iodius; Aphonopelma phanum, Aphonopelma reversum = Aphonopelma steindachneri), 14 new species (Aphonopelma atomicum sp. n., Aphonopelma catalina sp. n., Aphonopelma chiricahua sp. n., Aphonopelma icenoglei sp. n., Aphonopelma johnnycashi sp. n., Aphonopelma madera sp. n., Aphonopelma mareki sp. n., Aphonopelma moellendorfi sp. n., Aphonopelma parvum sp. n., Aphonopelma peloncillo sp. n., Aphonopelma prenticei sp. n., Aphonopelma saguaro sp. n., Aphonopelma superstitionense sp. n., and Aphonopelma xwalxwal sp. n.), and seven nomina dubia (Aphonopelma baergi, Aphonopelma cratium, Aphonopelma hollyi, Aphonopelma mordax, Aphonopelma radinum, Aphonopelma rusticum, Aphonopelma texense). Our proposed species tree based on Anchored Enrichment data delimits five major lineages: a monotypic group confined to California, a western group, an eastern group, a group primarily distributed in high-elevation areas, and a group that comprises several miniaturized species. Multiple species are distributed throughout two biodiversity hotspots in the United States (i.e., California Floristic Province and Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands). Keys are provided for identification of both males and females. By conducting the most comprehensive sampling of a single theraphosid genus to date, this research significantly broadens the scope of prior molecular and morphological investigations, finally bringing a modern understanding of species delimitation in this dynamic and charismatic group of spiders.
Ocular diseases of llamas: 194 cases (1980-1993)

OBJECTIVE To identify ocular and adnexal diseases to which llamas in North America are susceptible, to determine prevalence of these diseases in llamas, and to compare prevalences of the major ocular diseases of llamas, cattle, and horses. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 194 llamas, 4,937 cows, and 11,950 horses with ocular disease. PROCEDURE Medical records of all llamas entered into the Veterinary Medical Database between 1980 and 1993 were reviewed. Data on ocular structures affected and types of ocular disease were compiled. Prevalences of uveitis, corneal ulcers, and ocular squamous cell carcinoma in llamas were compared with prevalences in cattle and horses. RESULTS 194 of 3,243 (6%) llamas had at least 1 ocular disease. The proportion of llamas that had ocular disease was significantly higher than the proportions of cattle or horses. The most frequently affected ocular structure in llamas was the cornea, and ulcerative keratitis was the most common corneal disease. The second most commonly affected structure was the uveal tract. Cataracts were reported in 20 (10%) of the llamas with ocular problems. Eyelid disorders, retinal diseases, glaucoma, and ocular or adnexal neoplasia were reported infrequently in llamas. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Results suggest that corneal disease is common in llamas and is usually secondary to trauma. Uveitis may also be common in llamas, but llamas do not appear to be highly susceptible to glaucoma, ocular neoplasia, or to direct corneal invasion by bacteria such as Moraxella sp.
Evaluation of the sensitivity of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes to two insect repellents: DEET and KBR 3023

We conducted laboratory tests to assess the sensitivity to the insect repellent 1‐piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐, 1‐methylpropylester (known as KBR 3023 or Picaridin, trade name Bayrepel®) of West African strains of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti and of malaria vectors of the Anopheles gambiae complex, in comparison with the standard repellent N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methyl‐benzamide (DEET). Test mosquitoes were exposed according to a ‘separate arms’ protocol to logarithmic dose increments applied on one arm of human subjects to evaluate the relative potency, and the median effective dosages (ED50 and ED90). According to a logistic regression model fitted to the experimental data, the dose–response relationship for the two repellents was the same within each species, thus pooled ED values were assessed for each mosquito separately. The median ED of KBR 3023 and DEET was estimated at 0.78 (95% confidence limits (CI): 0.57–1.04) and at 0.018 μg/cm2 (0.004–0.052) for mosquitoes of the An. gambiae complex and Ae. aegypti, respectively. ED90 values were 125.6 (81.4–201.3) and 24.0 μg/cm2 (5.7–208.5) for An. gambiae s.l. and Ae. aegypti, respectively. The relative potency of KBR 3023 was not significantly different from that of DEET for An. gambiae s.l. (95% confidence limits 0.7–1.0), whereas in the case of Ae. aegypti it was with 95% probability 1.1–2.0 times more potent than DEET. On the basis of available evidence, KBR 3023 represents a promising alternative to DEET for personal protection against bites of these important vectors of disease in the Afrotropical region.
Fallacies about water pipe use in Turkish university students - what might be the consequences?

BACKGROUND The popularity of the narghile waterpipe, also referred to as hookah, shisha or hubble-bubble has increased tremendously during the past few decades. The aim of this study was to expose perception of narghile among a representative sample of university students in Sakarya University campus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Written approval was taken from the local education authority. An anonymous questionnaire which was prepared by the investigators and contained 17 questions was administered. Nine of the questions were related to socio-demographic characteristics and eight were related to the students harm perceptions about waterpipe. A total of 1,320 questionnaries were received and after preliminary evaluation 1,255 (95.7%) were found to be suitable for evaluation. The data was evaluated in SPSS program by using percentages and averages. RESULTS The mean ± SD age of the students was 20.8 ± 2.29 years (min 18, max 32). There were 864 (68.8%) females and 391 (31.2%) males. A total of 6.3 % of the students (n=79) believed that waterpipe is not harmful because its smoke does not burn the lungs. Almost one-third (n=318) think that the carcinogenic chemicals are filtered while waterpipe smoke passes from the water; 12.1 % of the students (n=152) checked "true" for the statement of "waterpipe smoke contains no nicotine". It is seen that 14.0 % of the students (n=176) think waterpipe with fruit/ aroma is healthier than plain waterpipe. CONCLUSIONS As a result of this study, it is found out that a substantial number of university students have false beliefs on harmful effects of waterpipe smoking.
Effect of ozone exposure on airway responses to inhaled allergen in asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND Controlled human exposure studies have produced conflicting results regarding the effect of ozone on the early bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled allergen in specifically sensitized asthmatic subjects. Spirometric parameters do not necessarily reflect the airway inflammatory effects of inhaled ozone or allergen. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate whether exposure to ozone enhances the late airway inflammatory response, as well as the early bronchoconstrictor response, to inhaled house dust mite allergen in sensitized asthmatic subjects. DESIGN Randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over study. SETTING Human exposure laboratory. METHODS Fourteen subjects were exposed to 0.2 ppm O(3) or filtered air, on separate days, for 1 h during exercise. After each exposure, the subjects were challenged with doubling doses of Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) allergen (provocative concentration of DF causing a 15% decrease in FEV(1) [PC(15)]). At 6 h after allergen challenge, bronchoscopy with BAL, proximal airway lavage (PAL), and endobronchial biopsy were performed. The second exposure/allergen challenge/bronchoscopy sequence was performed at least 4 weeks after the first sequence. RESULTS No significant difference in cellular or biochemical markers of the late inflammatory response after allergen was found between the ozone and air exposures (although a trend toward increased neutrophils was noted after ozone exposure in the PAL fluid, p = 0.06). For the group as a whole, no significant difference in PC(15) was demonstrated after ozone exposure compared to air exposure. However, subjects with the greatest ozone-induced decrements in FEV(1) tended to have lower PC(15) values after ozone exposure. CONCLUSION Exposure to a relatively low-level concentration of ozone does not enhance the late inflammatory or early bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled antigen in most allergic asthmatic subjects. Our results do suggest, however, that a subgroup of asthmatics may acquire increased sensitivity to aeroallergens after exposure to ozone.
Copper stimulates proliferation of human endothelial cells under culture

Copper ions stimulate proliferation of human umbilical artery and vein endothelial cells but not human dermal fibroblasts or arterial smooth muscle cells. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells for 48 h with 500 μM CuSO4 in a serum‐free medium in the absence of exogenous growth factors results in a twofold increase in cell number, similar to the cell number increase induced by 20 ng/ml of basic fibroblast growth factor under the same conditions. Copper‐induced proliferation of endothelial cells is not inhibited by 10% fetal bovine serum or by the presence of antibodies against a variety of angiogenic, growth, and chemotactic factors including angiogenin, fibroblast growth factors, epidermal growth factor, platelet‐derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor‐α, transforming growth factor‐β, macrophage/monocyte chemotactic and activating factor, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α. Moreover, despite the previous observations that copper increased total specific binding of 125I‐angiogenin to endothelial cells, binding to the 170 kDa receptor is not changed; hence, the mitogenic activity of angiogenin is not altered by copper. Copper‐induced proliferation, along with early reports that copper induces migration of endothelial cells, may suggest a possible mechanism for the involvement of copper in the process of angiogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 69:326–335, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anticipatory Caregiving Anxiety Among Older Women and Men

ABSTRACT This study, based on a sample of 221 older women and men, explores factors associated with anticipatory caregiving anxiety using a scale developed by Cicirelli (1988). Results show that even the anticipation of providing care evokes anxiety. We find that women have higher levels of anxiety than men, individuals who have served as care-givers have higher levels of anxiety than individuals who have never provided care to family members, and that individuals who are in better health and have more income have lower levels of anxiety than those with less health or income. Implications for services to support caregivers and long-term care reform are discussed.
Molecular organization and dynamics in bacteriorhodopsin-rich reconstituted membranes: discrimination of lipid environments by the oxygen transport parameter using a pulse ESR spin-labeling technique.

Molecular organization and dynamics in protein-rich membranes have been studied by investigating transport (diffusion-concentration product) of molecular oxygen at various locations in reconstituted membranes of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine. Oxygen transport was evaluated by monitoring the bimolecular collision of molecular oxygen with four types of nitroxide lipid spin labels placed at various locations in the membrane. The collision rate was estimated from the spin-lattice relaxation times (T1's) measured at various oxygen partial pressures by analyzing the short-pulse saturation recovery ESR signals. CD spectra and decay of polarized flash-induced photodichroism of bacteriorhodopsin indicated that BR molecules are monomers in reconstituted membranes with a lipid/BR molar ratio of 80 (80-rec) and are 25% monomers and 75% trimers plus oligomers of trimers when the lipid/BR ratio is 40 (40-rec). In the 80-rec, the lipid environment is homogeneous on a microsecond scale (T1), probably because the exchange rate of lipids between the bulk and the boundary regions is greater than the T1 relaxation rate (approximately 10(6) s-1). The oxygen collision rate in the hydrophobic region of the 80-rec membrane is smaller by a factor of 1.6 than in that of the lipid membrane without BR, and the effect of BR in decreasing the collision rate is independent of the "depth" in the hydrophobic region. In the 40-rec, two collision rates were observed, one of which is close to those for purple membrane (or the gel-phase membrane), while the other is about the same as was measured in the 80-rec. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Attenuation of Responses to Self-Generated Sounds in Auditory Cortical Neurons

Many of the sounds that we perceive are caused by our own actions, for example when speaking or moving, and must be distinguished from sounds caused by external events. Studies using macroscopic measurements of brain activity in human subjects have consistently shown that responses to self-generated sounds are attenuated in amplitude. However, the underlying manifestation of this phenomenon at the cellular level is not well understood. To address this, we recorded the activity of neurons in the auditory cortex of mice in response to sounds generated by their own behavior. We found that the responses of auditory cortical neurons to these self-generated sounds were consistently attenuated, compared with the same sounds generated independently of the animals' behavior. This effect was observed in both putative pyramidal neurons and in interneurons and was stronger in lower layers of auditory cortex. Downstream of the auditory cortex, we found that responses of hippocampal neurons to self-generated sounds were almost entirely suppressed. Responses to self-generated optogenetic stimulation of auditory thalamocortical terminals were also attenuated, suggesting a cortical contribution to this effect. Further analyses revealed that the attenuation of self-generated sounds was not simply due to the nonspecific effects of movement or behavioral state on auditory responsiveness. However, the strength of attenuation depended on the degree to which self-generated sounds were expected to occur, in a cell-type-specific manner. Together, these results reveal the cellular basis underlying attenuated responses to self-generated sounds and suggest that predictive processes contribute to this effect. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Distinguishing self-generated from externally generated sensory input poses a fundamental problem for behaving organisms. Our study in mice shows for the first time that responses of auditory cortical neurons are attenuated to sounds generated manually by the animals' own behavior. This effect is distinct from the nonspecific effect of behavioral activity on auditory responsiveness that has previously been reported and its magnitude is modulated by the probability with which self-generated sounds occur, suggesting an underlying predictive process. We also reveal how this effect varies across cell types and cortical layers. These findings lay a foundation for studying impairments in the processing of self-generated sounds, which are observed in psychiatric illness, in animal disease models.
Stabilization of Partially Folded Conformation during α-Synuclein Oligomerization in Both Purified and Cytosolic Preparations*

Aggregation of α-synuclein is tightly associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy body, Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, multiple system atrophy, and Hallervorden-Spatz disease, implicating a crucial role of aggregated forms of α-synuclein in the pathogenesis. Here, we examined the effect of elevated temperature on the oligomerization and structural changes of α-synuclein in the early stage of aggregation and show that self-assembly is crucial for the stabilization of a partially folded conformation. The efficiency of α-synuclein oligomerization increased proportional to the temperature increase, both in purified form and in crude cytosolic preparation. This oligomerization coincided with a small but reproducible change in the circular dichroism spectrum and an increase in the 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid binding. The hydrodynamic dimensions of the dimer measured by size exclusion chromatography suggest a pre-molten globule-like structure. These data suggest that partially folded α-synuclein, which is unstable in the monomeric form, is stabilized by self-assembly and that these oligomers may evolve into the fibril nucleus.
Early onset psychopathology and the risk for teenage pregnancy among clinically referred girls.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether early onset DSM-III depressive and conduct disorders and historical/familial variables increased the risk of teenage pregnancy among clinically referred girls, whose referral was unrelated to their reproductive status. METHOD The sample of 83 girls, 8 to 13 years old at study entry, were participating in a longitudinal investigation of childhood-onset psychiatric disorders. They were repeatedly evaluated during an interval of up to 12 years. RESULTS Twenty-nine girls had at least one pregnancy, and 25 had their first pregnancies as teenagers (< or = 18 years old). Several variables that predicted earlier age at first pregnancy in longitudinal univariate analyses became nonsignificant in the multivariate model. In the final model, childhood or adolescent onset conduct disorders (but not depressive disorders), and race were significantly associated with teenage pregnancy. Among the girls with conduct disorders, 54.8% became pregnant teenagers versus 12% of the rest, and 56% of the black adolescents versus 12% of the rest, had teenage pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for race, early onset conduct disorder represents a risk factor for teenage pregnancy among psychiatrically referred girls. The mechanisms may entail behavioral dysregulation, delay in social-cognitive development, and misinformation about reproductive issues. Such girls may benefit from therapeutic and educational interventions to delay childbearing.
“At the sharp end”: does ambulance dispatch data from south Yorkshire support the picture of increased weapon-related violence in the UK?

Objective: To assess whether ambulance responses in South Yorkshire to stabbing, gunshot, penetrating trauma cases have increased over the past few years, supporting the observed increase in media reporting. Methods: A review was undertaken of the frequency with which the ambulance medical priority dispatch system card 27 (stab/gunshot/penetrating trauma) was used, grouped by financial year, and comparison made over time and by patient age group. Results: There is a steady increase in the number of occurrences of these cases and also an increase in the percentage made up by the 10–29 year age group. Conclusions: Ambulance data from South Yorkshire support the media conclusion that there is an increase in stabbing, gunshot and penetrating trauma as well as an increase in the proportion of younger victims. This has wider implications for ambulance staff and the UK as a whole; however, these calls remain a low percentage of overall ambulance service activity.