Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blocking of Plasmodium transmission by cooperative action of Cecropin A and Defensin A in transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

To overcome burden of mosquito-borne diseases, multiple control strategies are needed. Population replacement with genetically modified mosquitoes carrying antipathogen effector genes is one of the possible approaches for controlling disease transmission. However, transgenic mosquitoes with antipathogen phenotypes based on overexpression of a single type effector molecule are not efficient in interrupting pathogen transmission. Here, we show that co-overexpression of two antimicrobial peptides (AMP), Cecropin A, and Defensin A, in transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes results in the cooperative antibacterial and antiPlasmodium action of these AMPs. The transgenic hybrid mosquitoes that overexpressed both Cecropin A and Defensin A under the control of the vitellogenin promoter exhibited an elevated resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, indicating that these AMPs acted cooperatively against this pathogenic bacterium. In these mosquitoes infected with P. gallinaceum, the number of oocysts was dramatically reduced in midguts, and no sporozoites were found in their salivary glands when the mosquitoes were fed twice to reactivate transgenic AMP production. Infection experiments using the transgenic hybrid mosquitoes, followed by sequential feeding on naive chicken, and then naive wild-type mosquitoes showed that the Plasmodium transmission was completely blocked. This study suggests an approach in generating transgenic mosquitoes with antiPlasmodium refractory phenotype, which is coexpression of two or more effector molecules with cooperative action on the parasite.
Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization of RF Sputtered ZnSnN2

ZnSnN(2), a new earth-abundant semiconductor, is synthesized and characterized for use as a photovoltaic absorber material. Results confirm the predicted orthorhombic Pna2(1) crystal structure in RF sputtered thin films. Additionally, optical measurements reveal a direct bandgap of about 2 eV, which is larger than our calculated bandgap of 1.42 eV due to the Burstein-Moss effect.
Driving forces of global wildfires over the past millennium and the forthcoming century

Recent bursts in the incidence of large wildfires worldwide have raised concerns about the influence climate change and humans might have on future fire activity. Comparatively little is known, however, about the relative importance of these factors in shaping global fire history. Here we use fire and climate modeling, combined with land cover and population estimates, to gain a better understanding of the forces driving global fire trends. Our model successfully reproduces global fire activity record over the last millennium and reveals distinct regimes in global fire behavior. We find that during the preindustrial period, the global fire regime was strongly driven by precipitation (rather than temperature), shifting to an anthropogenic-driven regime with the Industrial Revolution. Our future projections indicate an impending shift to a temperature-driven global fire regime in the 21st century, creating an unprecedentedly fire-prone environment. These results suggest a possibility that in the future climate will play a considerably stronger role in driving global fire trends, outweighing direct human influence on fire (both ignition and suppression), a reversal from the situation during the last two centuries.
A simple fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope for paediatric difficult intubation: a manikin study *

The fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope is a new airway device. We compared the fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope with the Bullard laryngoscope, Macintosh laryngoscope and fibreoptic bronchoscope in a manikin with a simulated Cormack and Lehane Grade 4 laryngoscopic view. Eighteen anaesthetists intubated the manikin’s trachea using these devices and the success rate of intubation was measured. They were then asked to rate the subjective difficulty of intubation. The success rate (95% confidence interval) was 100% (94.6–100) with the fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope, 88.9% (80.5–97.3) using the Bullard laryngoscope, 37.0% (24.1–49.9) with the Macintosh laryngoscope, and 22.2% (11.1–33.3) using the fibreoptic bronchoscope. Tracheal intubation using the fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope or Bullard laryngoscope is easier than that using the Macintosh laryngoscope or fibreoptic bronchoscope by subjective difficulty score. All of the intubations were successful with the fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope without practice. These results suggest that fibreoptic assisted laryngoscope may be a useful tool for paediatric difficult intubation.
MOF‐Polymer Composite Microcapsules Derived from Pickering Emulsions

Hollow composite microcapsules are prepared by the assembly of pre-formed nanocrystals of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) around emulsion droplets, followed by interfacial polymerisation of the interior. The micropores of the MOF crystals embedded within a semipermeable hierarchically structured polymeric membrane are an effective combination for the retention of encapsulated dye molecules. Release can be triggered however by acid dissolution of the MOF component.
β-Blocker drugs mediate calcium signaling in native central nervous system neurons by β-arrestin–biased agonism

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of signaling receptors expressed in the CNS, mediate the neuropsychiatric effects of a diverse range of clinically relevant drugs. It is increasingly clear that GPCRs can activate distinct G protein-dependent and -independent transduction pathway(s), and that certain drugs differ in the ability to regulate distinct signaling mechanisms linked to the same receptors. A fundamental question in neuropharmacology is whether such “biased agonism” occurs in physiologically relevant neurons and with endogenous receptors. Here we show that propranolol and carvedilol, two β-blocker drugs that inhibit β-adrenergic signaling via heterotrimeric G proteins, function in hippocampal pyramidal neurons as potent and selective activators of an alternate receptor-linked calcium signaling pathway mediated by β-arrestin-2 and ERK1/2. Our results support the emerging view of β-arrestin–biased agonism as a significant mechanism of drug action and do so in CNS-derived neurons expressing only native receptors.
Subacute pain and function after fast‐track hip and knee arthroplasty

In a well‐defined fast‐track setup for total hip and knee arthroplasty, with a multimodal analgesic regimen consisting of intra‐operative local anaesthetic infiltration and oral celecoxib, gabapentin and paracetamol for 6 days postoperatively, we conducted a prospective, consecutive, observational study. The purpose was to describe the prevalence and intensity of subacute postoperative pain and opioid related side effects, use of analgesics and functional ability 1–10 and 30 days postoperatively. Fast‐track total hip and knee arthroplasty with early discharge (< 3 days) resulted in acceptable levels of pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting with concomitant low use of opioids in > 95% of patients after discharge before day 10 after total hip arthroplasty. However, after total knee arthroplasty 52% patients reported moderate pain (VAS 30–59 mm), and 16% severe pain (VAS ≥ 60 mm) when walking 1 month after surgery with a concomitant increase in the use of strong opioids. These results emphasise the need for improvement in analgesia after discharge following total knee arthroplasty, to facilitate rehabilitation.
Kinesin-1 heavy chain mediates microtubule sliding to drive changes in cell shape

Microtubules are typically observed to buckle and loop during interphase in cultured cells by an unknown mechanism. We show that lateral microtubule movement and looping is a result of microtubules sliding against one another in interphase Drosophila S2 cells. RNAi of the kinesin-1 heavy chain (KHC), but not dynein or the kinesin-1 light chain, eliminates these movements. KHC-dependent microtubule sliding powers the formation of cellular processes filled with parallel microtubule bundles. The growth of these cellular processes is independent of the actin cytoskeleton. We further observe cytoplasmic microtubule sliding in Xenopus and Ptk2 cells, and show that antibody inhibition of KHC in mammalian cells prevents sliding. We therefore propose that, in addition to its well established role in organelle transport, an important universal function of kinesin-1 is to mediate cytoplasmic microtubule–microtubule sliding. This provides the cell with a dedicated mechanism to transport long and short microtubule filaments and drive changes in cell shape.
Simple Bar‐Coating Process for Large‐Area, High‐Performance Organic Field‐Effect Transistors and Ambipolar Complementary Integrated Circuits

Large-area polymer FET arrays and integrated circuits (ICs) are successfully demonstrated via a simple wire-bar-coating process. Both a highly crystalline conjugated polymer layer and very smooth insulating polymer layer are formed by a consecutive wire-bar-coating process on a 4-inch plastic substrate with a short processing time for application as the active and dielectric layers of OFET arrays and ICs.
Assessment Of Body Mass Index In Younger And Older Pregnant Women And Itsâ€™ Effect On Their Health Status: Comparative Study.

Abstract Background:A number of studies have reported a clear association between maternal overweight and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes.Pregnancy obesity associated with greater risk of pregnancy complications, caesarean delivery and greater birth and placenta weight. longer stay in hospital after delivery.Objective:1. To assess (BMI)of younger pregnant women.2. To assess (BMI) of older pregnant women.To compare ( BMI) between younger and older pregnant women.3Methodology:Non-probability (purposive sample) of (100) pregnant women (50%) of them younger and (50%) was older pregnant women, who visitBab AL-Moadam primary health center. This study started from 15th of March 2013 to 20th of May 2013.The data are collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which consists of two parts. part 1: consists of (3)items about demographic characteristics , part 2: consists ofÂ (2) itemsÂ about Body Mass Index of younger and older pregnant women before and after pregnancy.Descriptive statistical analysis procedures (frequency, percentage ,Chi square test, T-paired test ) . Results: Revealed that the Body Mass Index of older pregnant women and younger pregnant women increase related to pregnancy but the older pregnant women were more affected by increase maternal weight more than younger pregnant women and the interpretation of these results related to the relationship between women age and their weight.Conclusions: Body Mass Index of the women increase and this increase related to pregnancy and the age of women.Recommendations: the study recommended that all the pregnant women should be maintenance their weight and become within normal rang to avoid the complication during and before pregnancy.Keywords: Body Mass Index, Younger, Older and Pregnant women.
αβγ-Synuclein triple knockout mice reveal age-dependent neuronal dysfunction

Synucleins are a vertebrate-specific family of abundant neuronal proteins. They comprise three closely related members, α-, β-, and γ-synuclein. α-Synuclein has been the focus of intense attention since mutations in it were identified as a cause for familial Parkinson's disease. Despite their disease relevance, the normal physiological function of synucleins has remained elusive. To address this, we generated and characterized αβγ-synuclein knockout mice, which lack all members of this protein family. Deletion of synucleins causes alterations in synaptic structure and transmission, age-dependent neuronal dysfunction, as well as diminished survival. Abrogation of synuclein expression decreased excitatory synapse size by ∼30% both in vivo and in vitro, revealing that synucleins are important determinants of presynaptic terminal size. Young synuclein null mice show improved basic transmission, whereas older mice show a pronounced decrement. The late onset phenotypes in synuclein null mice were not due to a loss of synapses or neurons but rather reflect specific changes in synaptic protein composition and axonal structure. Our results demonstrate that synucleins contribute importantly to the long-term operation of the nervous system and that alterations in their physiological function could contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease.
Large volume collapse observed in the phase transition in cubic PbCrO3 perovskite

When cubic PbCrO3 perovskite (Phase I) is squeezed up to ∼1.6 GPa at room temperature, a previously undetected phase (Phase II) has been observed with a 9.8% volume collapse. Because the structure of Phase II can also be indexed into a cubic perovskite as Phase I, the transition between Phases I and II is a cubic to cubic isostructural transition. Such a transition appears independent of the raw materials and synthesizing methods used for the cubic PbCrO3 perovskite sample. In contrast to the high-pressure isostructural electronic transition that appears in Ce and SmS, this transition seems not related with any change of electronic state, but it could be possibly related on the abnormally large volume and compressibility of the PbCrO3 Phase I. The physical mechanism behind this transition and the structural and electronic/magnetic properties of the condensed phases are the interesting issues for future studies.
Hydrogen‐Bond Reinforced Vanadia Nanofiber Paper of High Stiffness

Low-temperature, solution-based self-assembly of vanadia nanofibers yields a free-standing, ceramic paper with an outstanding combination of high strength, stiffness, and macroscopic flexibility. Its excellent mechanical performance results from a brick-and-mortar like architecture, which combines strong covalent bonding within the single-crystalline nanofibers with an intricate hydrogen bonding network between them.
The Use of Experiential Groups in the Training of Group Workers: Student Attitudes and Instructor Participation.

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PICKLES: the database of pooled in-vitro CRISPR knockout library essentiality screens

Abstract The adaptation of CRISPR/Cas9 systems for pooled library genetic knockout screens in mammalian cells has substantially advanced the state of the art in human functional genomics. Screening panels of cell lines for genes whose knockout imposes a significant fitness defect has dramatically expanded our catalog of high-confidence essential genes, and has already proven useful in identifying tumor-specific essential genes for the development of targeted therapies. However, nonexperts currently lack an easy to use way to access this data and to identify whether their genes of interest are essential across different genetic backgrounds. The volume of screening data is expected to grow massively, making the problem more intractable. Here we describe PICKLES, the database of Pooled In vitro CRISPR Knockout Library Essentiality Screens, where end users can display and download raw or normalized essentiality profiles for more that 18 000 protein-coding genes across more than 50 cell lines. An additional data set with 15,000 genes targeted by pooled library shRNA in over 100 cell lines is also included. Researchers can see at a glance the relative fitness defect and tissue specificity of their genes of interest, generate and save figures locally, and download all raw data. The database is available at http://pickles.hart-lab.org.
Structural basis for the regulation of NtcA-dependent transcription by proteins PipX and PII

PII, an ancient and widespread signaling protein, transduces nitrogen/carbon/energy abundance signals through interactions with target proteins. We clarify structurally how PII regulates gene expression mediated by the transcription factor NtcA, the global nitrogen regulator of cyanobacteria, shedding light on NtcA structure and function and on how NtcA is activated by 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and coactivated by the nonenzymatic PII target, protein PipX. We determine for the cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus the crystal structures of the PII–PipX and PipX–NtcA complexes and of NtcA in active and inactive conformations (respective resolutions, 3.2, 2.25, 2.3, and 3.05 Å). The structures and the conclusions derived from them are consistent with the results of present and prior site-directed mutagenesis and functional studies. A tudor-like domain (TLD) makes up most of the PipX structure and mediates virtually all the contacts of PipX with PII and NtcA. In the PII–PipX complex, one PII trimer sequesters the TLDs of three PipX molecules between its body and its extended T loops, preventing PipX activation of NtcA. Changes in T loop conformation triggered by 2OG explain PII–PipX dissociation when 2OG is bound. The structure of active dimeric NtcA closely resembles that of the active cAMP receptor protein (CRP). This strongly suggests that with these proteins DNA binding, transcription activation, and allosteric regulation occur by common mechanisms, although the effectors are different. The PipX–NtcA complex consists of one active NtcA dimer and two PipX monomers. PipX coactivates NtcA by stabilizing its active conformation and by possibly helping recruit RNA polymerase but not by providing extra DNA contacts.
Ocean acidification compromises recruitment success of the threatened Caribbean coral Acropora palmata

Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the ongoing decline in oceanic pH resulting from the uptake of atmospheric CO2. Mounting experimental evidence suggests that OA will have negative consequences for a variety of marine organisms. Whereas the effect of OA on the calcification of adult reef corals is increasingly well documented, effects on early life history stages are largely unknown. Coral recruitment, which necessitates successful fertilization, larval settlement, and postsettlement growth and survivorship, is critical to the persistence and resilience of coral reefs. To determine whether OA threatens successful sexual recruitment of reef-building corals, we tested fertilization, settlement, and postsettlement growth of Acropora palmata at pCO2 levels that represent average ambient conditions during coral spawning (∼400 μatm) and the range of pCO2 increases that are expected to occur in this century [∼560 μatm (mid-CO2) and ∼800 μatm (high-CO2)]. Fertilization, settlement, and growth were all negatively impacted by increasing pCO2, and impairment of fertilization was exacerbated at lower sperm concentrations. The cumulative impact of OA on fertilization and settlement success is an estimated 52% and 73% reduction in the number of larval settlers on the reef under pCO2 conditions projected for the middle and the end of this century, respectively. Additional declines of 39% (mid-CO2) and 50% (high-CO2) were observed in postsettlement linear extension rates relative to controls. These results suggest that OA has the potential to impact multiple, sequential early life history stages, thereby severely compromising sexual recruitment and the ability of coral reefs to recover from disturbance.
Design of an HA2-based Escherichia coli expressed influenza immunogen that protects mice from pathogenic challenge

Influenza HA is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies during infection, and its sequence undergoes genetic drift and shift in response to immune pressure. The receptor binding HA1 subunit of HA shows much higher sequence variability relative to the metastable, fusion-active HA2 subunit, presumably because neutralizing antibodies are primarily targeted against the former in natural infection. We have designed an HA2-based immunogen using a protein minimization approach that incorporates designed mutations to destabilize the low pH conformation of HA2. The resulting construct (HA6) was expressed in Escherichia coli and refolded from inclusion bodies. Biophysical studies and mutational analysis of the protein indicate that it is folded into the desired neutral pH conformation competent to bind the broadly neutralizing HA2 directed monoclonal 12D1, not the low pH conformation observed in previous studies. HA6 was highly immunogenic in mice and the mice were protected against lethal challenge by the homologous A/HK/68 mouse-adapted virus. An HA6-like construct from another H3 strain (A/Phil/2/82) also protected mice against A/HK/68 challenge. Regions included in HA6 are highly conserved within a subtype and are fairly well conserved within a clade. Targeting the highly conserved HA2 subunit with a bacterially produced immunogen is a vaccine strategy that may aid in pandemic preparedness.
Articulação entre as dimensões gerencial e assistencial do processo de trabalho do enfermeiro

The purpose of this study was to analyze the nursing management work process dimension in order to better identify and understand possibilities for linkages with the care dimension. A qualitative approach was used, referencing health care and nursing work-studies. The data was collected from June until August of 2005 at a private hospital located in Sao Paulo through semi-structured interviews with 10 nurses who work in an inpatient care unit and using thematic content analysis. The results show that supplies, equipment control, costs, and scale elaboration are the prevailing activities of the management work process dimension. The connections between management and assistance work dimensions can be shown in the nurse's visit and the Nursing Care Systematization as actions which allow care and management interventions, within the unraveling of a set of other assistance and management actions interconnected in an understood or explicit form, as well as in the care management conception. DESCRIPTORS: Nursing. Human resources. Nursing care. Hospital, private. Work.
RNA-mediated trans-communication can establish paramutation at the b1 locus in maize

Paramutation is the epigenetic transfer of information between alleles that leads to the heritable change of expression of one allele. Paramutation at the b1 locus in maize requires seven noncoding tandem repeat (b1TR) sequences located ∼100 kb upstream of the transcription start site of b1, and mutations in several genes required for paramutation implicate an RNA-mediated mechanism. The mediator of paramutation (mop1) gene, which encodes a protein closely related to RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is absolutely required for paramutation. Herein, we investigate the potential function of mop1 and the siRNAs that are produced from the b1TR sequences. Production of siRNAs from the b1TR sequences depends on a functional mop1 gene, but transcription of the repeats is not dependent on mop1. Further nuclear transcription assays suggest that the b1TR sequences are likely transcribed predominantly by RNA polymerase II. To address whether production of b1TR-siRNAs correlated with paramutation, we examined siRNA production in alleles that cannot undergo paramutation. Alleles that cannot participate in paramutation also produce b1TR-siRNAs, suggesting that b1TR-siRNAs are not sufficient for paramutation in the tissues analyzed. However, when b1TR-siRNAs are produced from a transgene expressing a hairpin RNA, b1 paramutation can be recapitulated. We hypothesize that either the b1TR-siRNAs or the dsRNA template mediates the trans-communication between the alleles that establishes paramutation. In addition, we uncovered a role for mop1 in the biogenesis of a subset of microRNAs (miRNAs) and show that it functions at the level of production of the primary miRNA transcripts.