Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel role of PR2 in abscisic acid (ABA) mediated, pathogen-induced callose deposition in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Pathogenesis-related protein 2 (PR2) is known to play a major role in plant defense and general stress responses. Resistance against the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans in Arabidopsis requires abscisic acid (ABA), which promotes the deposition of callose, a β-1,3-glucan polymer. Here, we examined the role of PR2 in callose deposition in relation to ABA treatment and challenge with L. maculans and Pseudomonas syringae. Characterization of PR2-overexpressing plants and the knockout line indicated that PR2 negatively affects callose deposition. Recombinant PR2 purified from Pichia pastoris showed callose-degrading activity, and a considerable reduction in the callose-degrading activity was observed in the leaf extract of the PR2 knockout line compared with the wild-type. ABA pretreatment before challenge with L. maculans concomitantly repressed PR2 and enhanced callose accumulation. Likewise, overexpression of an ABA biosynthesis gene NCED3 resulted in reduced PR2 expression and increased callose deposition. We propose that ABA promotes callose deposition through the transcriptional repression of PR2 in Arabidopsis challenged by L. maculans and P. syringae. Callose by itself is likely to act antagonistically on salicylic acid (SA) defense signaling, suggesting that PR2 may function as a modulator of callose- and SA-dependent defense responses.
Design of a RANK-Mimetic Peptide Inhibitor of Osteoclastogenesis with Enhanced RANKL-Binding Affinity

The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) and its ligand RANKL are key regulators of osteoclastogenesis and well-recognized targets in developing treatments for bone disorders associated with excessive bone resorption, such as osteoporosis. Our previous work on the structure of the RANK-RANKL complex revealed that Loop3 of RANK, specifically the non-canonical disulfide bond at the tip, performs a crucial role in specific recognition of RANKL. It also demonstrated that peptide mimics of Loop3 were capable of interfering with the function of RANKL in osteoclastogenesis. Here, we reported the structure-based design of a smaller peptide with enhanced inhibitory efficiency. The kinetic analysis and osteoclast differentiation assay showed that in addition to the sharp turn induced by the disulfide bond, two consecutive arginine residues were also important for binding to RANKL and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations proposed the binding mode of the peptide to the RANKL trimer, showing that the arginine residues provide electrostatic interactions with RANKL and contribute to stabilizing the complex. These findings provided useful information for the rational design of therapeutics for bone diseases associated with RANK/RANKL function.
Ty1 in vitro integration: effects of mutations in cis and in trans

Mutations within the TYB gene of Ty1 encoding integrase (IN) as well as alterations in its substrate, a linear DNA molecule, were examined for their effects on in vitro IN activity, using a recently developed physical assay. Five different codon-insertion mutations, two frameshift mutations, and one missense mutation, previously identified as transposition-deficient mutations, were tested. Virus-like particles, the source of IN, from two different protease mutants and a reverse transcriptase mutant exhibited near-normal to normal IN activity. Two frameshift mutations mapping within the phylogenetically variable C-terminal domain of IN resulted in significant in vitro IN activity. In contrast, three mutations within the amino-terminal conserved domain of IN completely abolished IN activity. When the substrate termini were mutated, we found that substrates with as few as 4 bp of Ty1 termini were capable of efficiently generating integration products. Surprisingly, certain substrates that lacked obvious similarity to Ty1 termini were also readily integrated into both linear and circular targets, whereas others were not used as substrates at all. Termini rich in adenosine residues were among the more active substrates; however, certain substrates lacking terminal adenosine residues can form small quantities of integration products, including complete integration reactions.
Enhancement of cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide by hyperthermia in chinese hamster ovary cells: role of antioxidant defenses.

Regional hyperthermia has potential for human cancer treatment, particularly in combination with systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The mechanisms involved in heat-induced cell killing are currently unknown. Hyperthermia may increase oxidative stress in cells, and thus, oxidative stress could have a role in the mechanism of cell death. We use hydrogen peroxide as a model oxidant to improve understanding of interactions between heat and oxidative stress. Heat increased cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Altered levels of cellular antioxidants should create an imbalance between prooxidant and antioxidant systems, thus modifying cytotoxic responses to heat and to oxidants. We determine the involvement of the two cellular antioxidant defenses against peroxides, catalase and the glutathione redox cycle, in cellular sensitivity to heat, to hydrogen peroxide, and to heat combined with the oxidant. Defense systems were either inhibited or increased. For inhibition studies, intracellular glutathione was diminished to less than 15% of its initial level by treatment with L-buthionine sulfoximine (1 mM, 24 h). Inhibition of catalase was achieved with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (20 mM, 2 h), which caused a 80% decrease in endogenous enzyme activity. To increase antioxidants, cells were pretreated with the thiol-containing reducing agents, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, 2-oxo-4-thiazolidine carboxylate, and 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate. These compounds increased intracellular glutathione levels by 30%. Catalase activity was increased by addition of exogenous enzyme to cells. We show that levels of glutathione and catalase affect cellular cytotoxic responses to heat and hydrogen peroxide, either used separately or in combination. These findings are relevant to mechanisms of cell killing at elevated temperatures and suggest the involvement of oxidative stress.
Pharmacokinetics of Loxapine Following Inhalation of a Thermally Generated Aerosol in Healthy Volunteers

The objective of this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation study was to determine the pharmacokinetic characteristics, safety, and tolerability of single doses of inhaled loxapine aerosol in healthy volunteers. Loxapine was delivered by means of a unique thermally generated aerosol comprising drug particles of a size designed for deep lung delivery and absorption. Fifty participants were randomized to receive 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, or 10 mg of loxapine aerosol or placebo. Following inhalation, the tmax median (25%, 75%) was 2 (1, 3) minutes. The loxapine AUC∞ was dose proportional across all doses with slope (90% confidence interval) of log AUC∞ versus log dose = 0.909 (0.832, 0.987). No clinically meaningful changes were noted in hematology results, blood chemistry, vital signs, or respiratory function. The most common adverse events were dizziness, somnolence, and bad taste. The inhalation of Staccato loxapine represents a safe, well‐tolerated means for rapidly achieving therapeutic plasma concentrations of loxapine.
Teor de clorofila e desenvolvimento de feijão guandu adubado com fosfato natural reativo em Latossolo do Cerrado

0 0 1 181 1032 Universidade 8 2 1211 14.0 96 800x600 Normal 0 false false false PT-BR JA X-NONE Os fosfatos naturais reativos representam alternativa para diminuir a fixacao de fosforo nos solos do cerrado brasileiro, favorecendo o desenvolvimento das plantas devido a importância deste nutriente para a producao vegetal. Objetivou-se avaliar o teor de clorofila e desenvolvimento de plantas de feijao guandu ( Cajanus cajan ) cv. Fava Larga em funcao de doses de fosforo, utilizando como fonte o fosfato natural reativo Bayovar. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetacao durante 72 dias. Utilizou-se vasos de 3,5 dm 3 e Latossolo Vermelho, coletado na camada 0-0,20 m. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com sete doses de fosforo (P 2 O 5 ): 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mg dm -3 e quatro repeticoes. Os resultados foram submetidos a analise de variância e teste de regressao a 5% de probabilidade pelo Sisvar. A altura de plantas, numero de folhas e diâmetro do caule ajustaram-se a modelo quadratico de regressao apresentando maior valor nas doses entre 400 a 500 mg dm -3 . O teor de clorofila ajustou-se a modelo linear de regressao. A adubacao com fosfato natural reativo promove influencia positiva no teor de clorofila e desenvolvimento de feijao guandu em Latossolo do Cerrado.
Situational leadership: a model for leading telecommuters.

AIM To describe a leadership model aimed at assisting health care leaders to incorporate situational leadership into their practice when leading telecommuters. BACKGROUND Technological developments have grown in two areas, including medicine and communication, which have facilitated an enhanced information exchange in health care. These technological enhancements have allowed the health care arena to expand and improve its capabilities, including the delivery of health care and the information exchange among patients, providers and workers. KEY ISSUES Traditional leadership styles must be modified to respond to the needs of telecommuters. Situational leadership gives structured guidance to the nursing leader when managing telecommuters. CONCLUSIONS Situational leadership has been used in the traditional work setting and can be used in the virtual workplace. The strategies and techniques used have to be modified for the telecommuter and must focus on increasing communication.
Energy-Efficient Relay Deployment in Cellular Systems Using Fractional Frequency Reuse Scheme

In cellular systems, the relaying technique is used for increasing service coverage, system capacity, and cell- edge user throughput at a relatively low cost. However, the introduction of relay stations (RSs) leads to a more complex intra-cell and inter-cell interference problem between the base station (BS) and RSs. The fractional frequency reuse (FFR) is one of the most simple and efficient (thus, practical) techniques to solve this problem. To heighten the performance of cellular systems with the relaying/FFR combination, the deployment (i.e., the positioning) of RSs should be managed carefully. In this paper, we focus on energy efficiency (EE) as a performance index, which is quantified as the number of bits that can be transmitted per unit of energy consumption. We first derive the EE as a function of the distance between BS and RS. Then, we find out the optimal distance using optimization approach. Based on the numerical results, we provide a guideline in the deployment of RSs.
In-vitro bactericidal activity of recombinant lysostaphin on biofilm producing methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Department of Microbiology, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus) Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India *Corresponding author
Risk of late-onset hypogonadism (andropause) in Brazilian men over 50 years of age with osteoporosis: usefulness of screening questionnaires.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the relative risk of late-onset hypogonadism in men with osteoporosis and the usefulness of screening questionnaires. METHODS We correlated the Aging Male's Symptoms (AMS), Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaires and the laboratory diagnosis of hypogonadism in 216 men aged 50-84 years (110 with osteoporosis and 106 with normal bone density, paired by age and ethnicity). RESULTS Hypogonadism presented in 25% of the osteoporotic and in 12.2 % of normal bone density men (OR 2.08; IC95%: 1.14-3.79) and was associated with ADAM first question (low libido, p=0.013). Levels of TT below 400 ng/dl correlated with an AMS score above 26 (p=0.0278). IIEF-5 showed no correlation with testosterone levels. CONCLUSION Hypogonadism was 2.08 times more prevalent in osteoporotic men. The symptom that best correlated with late-onset hypogonadism was low libido (ADAM 1 positive).
Mortality associated with low plasma concentration of beta carotene and the effect of oral supplementation.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between beta carotene plasma concentration and beta carotene supplementation and risk of death from major disease causes. DESIGN Cohort study of plasma concentrations; randomized, controlled clinical trial of supplementation. SETTING Medical school-affiliated dermatology practices. PATIENTS A total of 1188 men and 532 women with mean age of 63.2 years, who had enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of beta carotene supplementation to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancer. INTERVENTION Oral beta carotene, 50 mg per day for a median of 4.3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All-cause mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer. RESULTS During a median follow-up period of 8.2 years, there were 285 deaths. Persons whose initial plasma beta carotene concentrations were in the highest quartile (>0.52 micromol/L [27.7 microg/dL]) had a lower risk of death from all causes (adjusted relative rate [RR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 to 0.87) and from cardiovascular diseases (adjusted RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.95) compared with persons with initial concentrations in the lowest quartile (<0.21 micromol/L [11.2 microg/dL]). Patients randomly assigned to beta carotene supplementation showed no reduction in relative mortality rates from all causes (adjusted RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.30) or from cardiovascular disease (adjusted RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.64). There was no evidence of lower mortality following supplementation among patients with initial beta carotene concentrations below the median for the study group. CONCLUSIONS These analyses provide no support for a strong effect of supplemental beta carotene in reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease or other causes. Although the possibility exists that beta carotene supplementation produces benefits that are too small or too delayed to have been detected in this study, noncausal explanations should be sought for the association between plasma concentrations of beta carotene and diminished risk of death.
Nucleotide sequence of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene from the Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin, 1791).

The Atlantic sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, is a bivalve mollusc that occurs along the Atlantic seaboard of North America. It is commercially exploited and in many areas has sustained an important fishery for more than 60 years (1). Recently it has been targeted as a potential species for aquaculture (2). The 18S rRNA sequence presented below represents the first complete molluscan sequence of this gene. DNA was extracted as in (3) from the adductor muscle of a specimen collected from
Tumorigenesis and Neoplastic Progression Absence of Host-Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) Augments Peritoneal Ovarian Carcinomatosis

The matricellular glycoprotein SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) possesses multifaceted roles in modulation of cell-matrix interactions, as well as tumor growth and metastasis. To investigate the influence of host-derived SPARC on peritoneal dissemination of ovarian cancer, we established a murine model that faithfully recapitulates advanced human disease by intraperitoneal injection of syngeneic ID8 ovarian cancer cells into SPARC-null and wild-type mice. Compared to wild-type mice, SPARC-null mice showed significantly shorter survival and developed extensive nodular peritoneal dissemination with hemorrhagic ascitic fluid accumulation. Ascitic fluid collected from SPARC-null mice showed significantly augmented levels and activity of vascular endothelial growth factor and gelatinases. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor nodules from SPARC-null mice revealed higher proliferation and lower apoptosis indices with minimal staining for major extracellular matrix constituents. In vitro , SPARC significantly suppressed adhesion to and invasion of various peritoneal extracellular matrix constituents by murine and human ovarian cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that SPARC ameliorates ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis through abrogation of the initial steps of disease pathogenesis, namely tumor cell adhesion and invasion, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and induction of apoptosis. Thus, SPARC represents an important therapeutic candidate in ovarian cancer. (Am J Pathol 2005, 167:1739–1752) room temperature in 2.5% Triton X-100 (Sigma), followed by incubation at 37°C overnight in a buffer consisting of 10 mmol/L CaCl 2 , 0.15 mol/L NaCl, and 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl (pH 7.5). Gels were stained for protein with 0.25% Coomas-sie blue (Fisher Scientific). Proteolysis was detected as a white zone in a blue background and photographed using a Kodak Gel Logic 100 imaging system equipped with Kodak D 3.6 software.
Taxing Capital, Stunting Growth? Capital Income Taxes, Costly Equity Finance, and Investment in R&D

R&D drives long-run growth and is financed extensively with external equity, making it a potentially important mechanism linking capital income taxation with economic performance. Exploiting variation in corporate payout taxes in a broad international panel and in the years surrounding the 2003 US dividend tax cut, we document a robust negative association between payout tax rates and investment in R&D. Higher taxes on capital income (dividends and capital gains) have a stronger negative effect on R&D in more equity-dependent sectors and firms, but little impact on fixed capital spending, consistent with the equity financing mechanism we emphasize. The economic consequences of payout taxation are much larger than prior research suggests.
Everyone’s Talking About It, But Does It Work? Nursing Home Diversion and Transition

In response to increasing Medicaid expenditures and consumer preferences, states are reforming their long-term care systems to provide more community-based services. One popular reform is renewed efforts to prevent unnecessary long-term nursing home placement (diversion) and to provide nursing home residents an opportunity to return to the community (transition). Nearly 3,800 individuals, 60 years old and older, participated in Ohio’s statewide nursing home diversion and transition initiative between March 2010 and May 2011. This research tracked outcomes for consumers and evaluated the implementation of the new program. Nearly 80% of diversion and transition participants who were still living at the time of their 6-month follow-up were residing in the community. An agency-level process analysis revealed innovative intervention strategies, promising practices, and barriers. Process results found that Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have become more proactive in working with high-risk individuals, with agencies identifying new at-risk consumers through hospital and nursing home interventions.
Bovine brucellosis - diagnosis and eradication.

seen in the young horse should be considered as a potential source of, or a precurser to, chronic airway problems if good care is not taken. Secondly, sufficient resting time or lay off for performing or racing animals is the best treatment regime to viral infection frequently seen in two to three year olds. Thirdly, recognition of the early stage of chronic airway disease would likely prevent and reduce the number of horses progressing to more severe respiratory problems. Initial treatment of chronic small airway disease should consist of removing the animal from the environmental predisposing causes to control the allergic challenge. In our early discussion, allergic reaction was shown to be responsible for causing obstruction of the small airway (Figure 1), through bronchospasm and excess mucus production with subsequent poor ciliary clearance. Pharmacological agents capable of controlling or reducing inflammatory cells involved in the immune reaction are glucocorticoids. We all know that there are wide ranges and strengths of glucocorticoids, as well as the numerous side effects of these drugs. The use of long-term, shortacting steroids were shown at the Ontario Veterinary College to be more effective than their long-acting counterparts. In our experience, long-term administration refers to a period of at least four weeks with a maintenance dose for three to four weeks. To reduce the bronchospasm and accelerate the removal of excess mucus production, use of a bronchodilator is the most efficient therapeutic approach. Again, the treatment regime should not be restricted to one to two weeks but spread over four to six weeks. At any time when treating a horse for a respiratory disorder, it is of great importance to remember that the cough is a primary component of the clearance mechanism and therefore cough suppressants should never be administered.
Activities and kinetic mechanisms of native and soluble NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase.

Native yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR; EC 1.6.2.4) and a soluble derivative lacking 33 amino acids of the NH(2)-terminus have been overexpressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. The presence of a hexahistidine sequence at the N-terminus allowed protein purification in a single step using nickel-chelating affinity chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed the predicted molecular weights of the proteins and indicated a purity of >95%. Protein functionality was demonstrated by cytochrome c reduction and reconstitution of CYP61-mediated sterol Delta(22)-desaturation. Steady-state kinetics of cytochrome c reductase activity revealed a random Bi-Bi mechanism with NADPH donating electrons directly to CPR to produce a reduced intermediary form of the enzyme. The kinetic mechanism studies showed no difference between the two yeast CPRs in mechanism or after reconstitution with CYP61-mediated 22-desaturation, confirming that the retention of the NH(2)-terminable membrane anchor is functionally dispensable.
A SiGe Distributed Millimeter-Wave Frequency Tripler

A distributed differential frequency tripler covering the 30-90 GHz range is implemented in IBM 0.13-μm SiGe technology. The distributed design utilizes a right-handed input and a left-handed output synthesized transmission lines to overcome the challenging fundamental rejection. Six cascode stages in deep saturation act as frequency generators connected in a differential configuration for even harmonic suppression. Operation is demonstrated for 30 to 90 GHz output range with minimum spur rejection of better than 10 dBc between 43 to 79 GHz. Output power varies between -8.3 dBm at 72 GHz and reaches -0.8 dBm at 45 GHz. The core circuit occupies only 0.16 mm2 and draws 151 mA from a 2.4 V supply.