Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cj1121c, a Novel UDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-GlcNAc C-4 Aminotransferase Essential for Protein Glycosylation and Virulence in Campylobacter jejuni*

Campylobacter jejuni produces glycoproteins that are essential for virulence. These glycoproteins carry diacetamidobacillosamine (DAB), a sugar that is not found in humans. Hence, the enzymes responsible for DAB synthesis represent potential therapeutic targets. We describe the biochemical characterization of Cj1121c, a putative aminotransferase encoded by the general protein glycosylation locus, to assess its role in DAB biosynthesis. By using overexpressed and affinity-purified enzyme, we demonstrate that Cj1121c has pyridoxal phosphate- and glutamate-dependent UDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-GlcNAc C-4 transaminase activity and produces UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-GlcNAc. This is consistent with a role in DAB biosynthesis and distinguishes Cj1121c from Cj1294, a homologous UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-β-l-arabino-4-hexulose C-4 aminotransferase that we characterized previously. We show that Cj1121c can also use this 4-keto-arabino sugar indirectly as a substrate, that Cj1121c and Cj1294 are active simultaneously in C. jejuni, and that the activity of Cj1121c is preponderant under standard growth conditions. Kinetic data indicate that Cj1121c has a slightly higher catalytic efficiency than Cj1294 with regard to the 4-keto-arabino substrate. By site-directed mutagenesis, we show that residues Glu-158 and Leu-131 are not essential for catalysis or for substrate specificity contrary to expectations. We further demonstrate that a cj1121c knock-out mutant is impaired for flagella-mediated motility, for invasion of intestinal epithelial cells, and for persistence in the chicken intestine, clearly demonstrating that Cj1121c is essential for host colonization and virulence. Finally, we show that cj1121c is necessary for protein glycosylation by lectin Western blotting. Collectively, these results validate Cj1121c as a promising drug target and provide the means to assay for inhibitors.
Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles on some of fungi

In this study, we investigated the antifungal effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nps) on Candida albicans (ATCC 5027), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 5027). Investigating method by using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technique, some of drugs including Amphotericin B, Fluconazole and synthesized Ag-Nps have been obtained on the fungi and the changes on membrane reactions of yeasts have been elucidated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The present study indicates Ag-Nps has considerable antifungal activity comparison with other antifungal drugs, so deserving further investigation for clinical applications.
Effects of immunosuppressant agents on growth hormone release and gene expression.

THE immunosuppressant drug, FK506 (FK), acts through its binding protein, FK-binding protein (FKBP12) to suppress the function of T lymphocytes with relative selectivity [1-3]. Recent reports have indicated that FKBPs are widely distributed in the central nervous system [4] including the hypothalamus, suggesting biological effects of FK on brain and neuroendocrine functions. Antoni et al. reported that FK stimulates ACTH secretion from AtT20 mouse pituitary corticotrope tumor cells [5]. We have also reported that FK stimulates both GH secretion and gene expression of hypothalamic GHreleasing hormone (GRH) in rats [6]. Although dual actions of FK to the hypothalamus and pituitary have been indicated in this paper, the intracellular signaling pathway has not yet been elucidated. Other principal immunosuppressant drugs, cyclosporin A (CyA) and rapamycin (RP) bind to cyclophillin and FKBP12, respectively [2]. The major target of CyA-cyclosphillin complex is a calcium and calmodulin dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin (CaN), similar to FK, but RP does not affect CaN activity [2, 7], so that the signaling processes of these drugs are different. To investigate the intracellular signaling pathway in FK-induced GH release, these drugs were used in combination with FK in the present study. We also investigated whether FK stimulates not only
The Evolutionary Ecology of Sprouting in Woody Plants

Woody plants may be killed by severe disturbance or resprout from vegetative tissue. Sprouters can persist at a site through several generations of nonsprouters. Differences in sprouting behavior are therefore important for understanding vegetation dynamics, extinction risks, and woody plant management. Although sprouting appears not to be uniquely correlated with many other intrinsic attributes, such as specific leaf area or breeding systems, a clear correlate is reduced seedling aboveground growth rates from sprouters allocating more to belowground structures. Consequently, sprouters tend to have low seedling recruitment rates, and saplings take longer to reach maturity. Sprouters also tend to have lower seed output than nonsprouters, but comparative studies have seldom taken other trait differences such as plant size into account. Added to these trade‐offs between persistence and recruitment, sprouters are often multistemmed and shorter than related nonsprouters and may be outcompeted by them when disturbances are rare. Since sprouters tend to have long generation times, damped demographic trends, and gene flow across generations, it has been suggested that their speciation rates would be low. The available data, primarily from fire‐prone Gondwanan shrublands in South Africa, show no strong differences in speciation rates of related sprouters versus seeders. This indicates that ecological factors are important determinants of the evolution of fire life histories. Analysis of disturbance regimes indicates a fundamental ecological correlate: sprouters are favored where disturbance regimes are frequent and severe in comparison to regrowth rates. To bridge the gap between ecology and evolution, data are needed on the genetical differences between related species with contrasting sprouter life histories.
1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 promotes IL‐10 production in human B cells

1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) regulates immune responses, e.g., inhibits expression of IgE by B cells and enhances expression of IL‐10 by dendritic cells and T cells. We report here that activation of human B cells by B cell receptor, CD40 and IL‐4 signals induces expression of the gene for 25‐hydroxyvitamin‐D3–1α‐hydroxylase (CYP1α). Accordingly, these B cells generate and secrete significant amounts of calcitriol. In activated B cells calcitriol induces expression of the genes Cyp24, encoding a vitamin D hydroxylase, and Trpv6, encoding a calcium selective channel protein. Calcitriol enhances IL‐10 expression of activated B cells more than threefold, both by recruiting the vitamin D receptor to the promoter of Il‐10, and to lesser extent by modulation of calcium‐dependent signaling. The molecular link in activated B cells between vitamin D signaling, expression of IgE and IL‐10, and their ability to produce calcitriol from its precursor, suggest that pro‐vitamin D (25‐hydroxyvitamin D3) can be used as a modulator of allergic immune responses.
Human Endometrial Leukemia Inhibitory Factor and Interleukin-6: Control of Secretion by Transforming Growth Factor-β-Related Members

Objective(s): The implantation process is closely linked to the fundamental question of the tolerance of the maternal immune system. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether different members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily could intervene in the first steps of embryo implantation by modulating the secretion of proimplantatory leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and in the tolerance of the fetal graft by regulating proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 secretion by human endometrial epithelium (EEC) in vitro. Methods: EEC were isolated from biopsies collected from 16 informed and consenting fertile women and were cultured for 72 h. Cytokine measurements (LIF and IL-6) were realized by ELISA. Results: TGF-β<sub>1</sub> (from 10<sup>–12</sup> to 10<sup>–8</sup>M), -β<sub>2</sub>, -β<sub>3</sub> and activin A (10<sup>–10</sup> and 10<sup>–8</sup>M) increased LIF secretion by EEC cultures. Inhibin B (10<sup>–10</sup> and 10<sup>–8</sup>M) did not stimulate LIF production by human EEC. Contrastingly, TGF-β<sub>1</sub> (from 10<sup>–12</sup> to 10<sup>–8</sup>M), -β<sub>2</sub>, -β<sub>3</sub> and activin A (10<sup>–10</sup> and 10<sup>–8</sup>M) reduced IL-6 release by the same cells. Activin A at 10<sup>–8</sup> M also significantly reduced the stimulating effect of IL-1β (10<sup>–9</sup>M) which is known to stimulate LIF production by EEC. Only the highest concentration of inhibin B (10<sup>–8</sup>M) reduced IL-6 secretion by EEC, but did not modulate IL-1β-induced stimulation of IL-6 secretion. Conclusion(s): Besides their role in the control of the process of implantation and in the induction of embryonic mesoderm, different members of the TGF-β superfamily may also contribute in the reproductive process by enhancing endometrial proimplantatory LIF secretion and reducing proinflammatory IL-6 release by EEC.
Spatial and temporal organization of the Bacillus subtilis replication cycle

DNA replication occurs at discrete sites in the cell. To gain insight into the spatial and temporal organization of the Bacillus subtilis replication cycle, we simultaneously visualized replication origins and the replication machinery (replisomes) inside live cells. We found that the origin of replication is positioned near midcell prior to replication. After initiation, the replisome colocalizes with the origin, confirming that replication initiates near midcell. The replisome remains near midcell after duplicated origins separate. Artificially mispositioning the origin region leads to mislocalization of the replisome indicating that the location of the origin at the time of initiation establishes the position of the replisome. Time‐lapse microscopy revealed that a single replisome focus reversibly splits into two closely spaced foci every few seconds in many cells, including cells that recently initiated replication. Thus, sister replication forks are likely not intimately associated with each other throughout the replication cycle. Fork dynamics persisted when replication elongation was halted, and is thus independent of the relative movement of DNA through the replisome. Our results provide new insights into how the replisome is positioned in the cell and refine our current understanding of the spatial and temporal events of the B. subtilis replication cycle.
Glycine receptors containing the α4 subunit in the embryonic sympathetic nervous system, spinal cord and male genital ridge

Inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) are known to mediate postsynaptic inhibition in spinal cord, brain stem and some higher brain regions. Several developmentally and regionally regulated GlyR isoforms exist, which result from a differential expression of the GlyR α (α1‐α4) and β subunit genes. Currently, very little is known about GlyRs containing the α4 subunit, whose existence was predicted from a partial genomic sequence. Here, we describe the isolation of complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences for the mouse and chick GlyR α4 subunits. We show that a mouse GlyR α4 subunit full‐length cDNA directs the formation of functional homo‐oligomeric strychnine‐sensitive GlyRs in Xenopus laevis oocytes and mammalian cells, and that these resemble GlyRs composed of the α1 subunit in pharmacological profile and single‐channel properties. In situ hybridization reveals high levels of GlyR α4 subunit transcripts in the embryonic (E13) chick spinal cord, lumbosacral sympathetic ganglia and dorsal root ganglia. The avian GlyR α4 subunit gene also shows male‐specific expression in the developing genital ridge. The pharmacological profile of α4 subunit‐containing receptors and deduced location of the avian GlyR α4 subunit are consistent with it being a component of the embryonic excitatory GlyRs previously identified in sympathetic neurons. Our data also suggest a novel role for GlyRs in the maturation of reproductive organs.
Effectiveness and safety of etanercept in subjects with RA who have failed infliximab therapy: 16-week, open-label, observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, including etanercept (a soluble TNF receptor) and infliximab (an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody) are used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 50 mg etanercept weekly in subjects with RA who have failed infliximab therapy. METHODS This phase 4, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, 16-week observational study enrolled subjects who had experienced primary (failure to achieve an initial response) or secondary (failure to maintain an initial response) infliximab failures. Effectiveness was measured using European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria and laboratory assessments were used to evaluate levels of inflammation, lymphotoxin alpha, drug concentrations, and antibodies to infliximab. Safety endpoints included incidence of serious adverse events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered under U.S. National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00099554. RESULTS At week 16, over half (62%; 95% CI = 55, 69) of all subjects in the trial achieved a good or moderate EULAR response (DAS28) with etanercept. Using ACR criteria, after 16 weeks of etanercept therapy, 45% (95% CI = 38, 52) of all subjects had achieved an ACR20 response. Benefits were noted in tender and swollen joint counts, subject and physician global assessments, joint pain, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Outcomes were similar between subjects with primary and secondary infliximab failures. Levels of lymphotoxin alpha did not appear to affect response to etanercept. Potential limitations included the lack of a washout period, short duration of the trial, and the number of subjects who did not receive all doses of etanercept. CONCLUSION In this open-label, uncontrolled study, subjects with moderate to severe RA who failed to respond or who lost their initial response to infliximab safely benefited from receiving etanercept.
In Vitro Behavior of Osteoblasts on Zirconia After Different Intensities of Erbium, Chromium-Doped: Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, and Garnet-Laser Irradiation

Objective: This study investigated the osteoblastic behavior to yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) surface after different intensities of erbium, chromium-doped:yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation treatment. Materials and Methods: Y-TZP blocks were randomized divided into 4 groups to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation: group G1 = control (no laser irradiation); group G2 = 1.5 W; group G3 = 3.0 W; group G4 = 5.0 W, with air–water irrigation. The irradiated surface roughness (Sa and Ra) topography was evaluated. MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells were cultured and seeded onto the treated surfaces at a plate density of 1 × 104 cells/mL. At the third and seventh days cell proliferation was measured by the colorimetric assay methods. The specimens were prepared to scanning electron microscope to observe adhesion and morphology of cells. Results: MTT assay showed adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in all groups. Compared with group G1 (control), the group G2 had a proliferation 1.4% higher (P > 0.05), the group G3 had a proliferation 3.1% higher (P < 0.05) and group G4 had a proliferation 4.5% higher (P < 0.01). After 7 days there was no difference among the groups (ANOVA, Newman–Keuls). Conclusions: Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation may have contributed to the greater and earlier cell spreading that was observed with the Y-TZP without alterations on surface topography.
Penicillin in Non-gonococcal Urethritis*

The place of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis (N.G.U.) is well established (Harkness, 1953; Willcox, 1954; Morton and Read, 1957). A success rate of 85 per cent. with oral oxytetracycline hydrochloride (Terramycin) is above that obtained with other antibiotics, sulphonamides, or a combination of these. High levels of response to such therapy have been one of the arguments in favour of a virus aetiology in a percentage of non-gonococcal cases. The place of penicillin in the treatment of this condition has received little attention. Willcox (1953) reported treating 85 cases with 600,000 units procaine penicillin daily for 3 days. There were 36 treatment failures within 3 post-treatment months, i.e. a success rate of 57 per cent. Hurst (1957) has pointed out that penicillin has a place in the treatment of those virus conditions which respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics. He stresses the need for adequate dosage, e.g. in trachoma.
Enhanced Phosphorus Removal from Municipal Wastewater by Coagulation with Alum and Iron Salts

Phosphorus is often a limiting factor for the eutrophication of surface waters. An efficient removal of this constituent from the effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plants has been of growing interest. Alum salts (AlCl3, Al2(SO4)3) and iron salts (FeCl3, FeSO4) are the commonly used chemical coagulants for the removal of phosphorus. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the coagulation performances of the four coagulants by treating the effluent of sewage treatment plants. The effects of coagulation dosage, pH and coagulation time on the coagulation ability were systematic investigated. The results indicated that the coagulant dosage and pH were the major factors influencing the removal of the total phosphorus (TP). At the optimum coagulation time of 15min, the optimum dosages for AlCl3, Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3 and FeSO4 were 3.5, 4.0, 4.0 and 4.0 mg/L with the phosphorus removal efficiencies of 69.70%, 70.34%, 68.48% and 68.04%, respectively. At slightly acidic and neutral pH, AlCl3 was more effective for the TP removal, while Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3 and FeSO4 were more effective at slightly alkaline pH. The residual phosphorus concentrations for the four coagulants were all below the effluent discharge limitation of 0.5 mg/L. The coagulation with alum and iron salts can be used as an option for the tertiary removal of phosphorus from the effluent of wastewater treatment plants.
Detection of both Hepatitis A Virus and Norwalk-Like Virus in Imported Clams Associated with Food-Borne Illness

ABSTRACT Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Norwalk-like virus (NLV) were detected by reverse transcription-PCR in clams imported into the United States from China. An epidemiological investigation showed that these clams were associated with five cases of Norwalk-like gastroenteritis in New York State in August 2000 (Food and Drug Administration Import Alert 16-50). They were labeled “cooked” but appeared raw. Viral RNA extraction was performed by using dissected digestive tissues rather than whole shellfish meats; this was followed by glycine buffer elution, polyethylene glycol precipitation, Tri-Reagent treatment, and purification of poly(A) RNA with magnetic beads coupled to poly(dT) oligonucleotides. We identified HAV and NLV as genotype I and genogroup II strains, respectively. Both viruses have high levels of homology to Asian strains. An analysis of fecal coliforms revealed a most-probable number of 93,000/100 g of clam meat, which is approximately 300-fold higher than the hygienic standard for shellfish meats.
Participants' Perceptions of a Peer-Helper, Telephone-Based Social Support Intervention for Melanoma Patients

This descriptive study investigated perceptions of a peer-helper, telephone-based, social support intervention for melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy. Participants were 59 male and female Stage 3 or 4 melanoma patients (helpees) at a Comprehensive Cancer Center and 29 former patients (helpers). Helpers were matched with helpees about to begin immunotherapy based on the site of the melanoma, age, and, when possible, biological sex. The intervention consisted of 2 required telephone contacts initiated by the helper before the helpee's first and second immunotherapy treatments. The reactions to this social support intervention were assessed using surveys and telephone interviews with both open- and closed-ended questions. Results indicated that (a) helpees became more sensitive and open to available social support in their environment; (b) helpers and helpees thought the intervention was effective; and (c) the telephone, as a medium for providing support, was a satisfactory substitute for face-to-face interaction. Limitations of the study and future directions for telephone-based support programs for melanoma patients are discussed.
Influence of Recipient-Bed Isolation on Survival Rates of Skin-Flap Transfer in Rats

The effect of recipient-bed isolation with artificial barriers on skin-flap survival, compared to flap transfer without bed isolation, was evaluated in a modified rat epigastric skin-flap model. The pattern of blood flow in the raised flap with a proximal axial portion and distal random portion was confirmed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Forty rats were divided into four groups. Three of the groups had one of three different artificial barriers-silicone, polypropylene, or gelatin sponge. In each of these three groups, one of the artificial barriers was placed between the flap and its recipient bed after flap replacement. The flaps without bed isolation (Group 4) were used as controls. The survival area was measured 7 days postoperatively. Results demonstrated that necrosis in the groups with silicone and polypropylene barriers was significantly higher than in the controls. Histologically, neovascularization was shown in the flaps without artificial barriers. Foreign-body reactions were observed in the flaps with bed isolation and among these, severe inflammation and congestion were seen in the flaps with polypropylene isolation. In this study, the authors demonstrated that the random portion of a rat skin flap could survive partially through imbibition of plasma and the ingrowth of new vessels from the recipient bed. This neovascularization can be prevented by recipient-bed isolation with an artificial barrier. Bed isolation with a silicone sheet is suggested for use in the study of rat skin-flap survival.
Effects of pH and ionic strength on sulfamethoxazole and cipro fl oxacin transport in saturated porous media

Article history: Received 28 October 2010 Received in revised form 5 June 2011 Accepted 6 June 2011 Available online 24 June 2011 Many antibiotics regarded as emerging contaminants have been frequently detected in soils and groundwater; however, their transport behaviors in soils remain largely unknown. This study examined the transport of two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), in saturated porous media. Laboratory columns packed with quartz sand was used to test the effects of solution pH and ionic strength (IS) on their retention and transport. The results showed that these two antibiotics behaved differently in the saturated sand columns. In general, SMZ manifested a much higher mobility than CIP for all experimental conditions tested. Almost all SMZ transported through the columns within one pore volume in deionized water (i.e., pH=5.6, IS=0), but no CIP was detected in the effluents under the same condition after extended column flushing. Perturbations in solution pH (5.6 and 9.5) and IS (0 and 0.1 M) showed no effect on SMZ transport in the saturated columns. When pH increased to 9.5, however, ~93% of CIP was eluted from the sand columns. Increase of IS from 0 to 0.1 M also slightly changed the distribution of adsorbed CIP within the sand column at pH 5.6, but still no CIP was detected in the effluents. A mathematical model based on advection–dispersion equation coupledwith equilibrium and kinetic reactions successfully simulated the transport of the antibiotics in water-saturated porous media with R=0.99. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.