Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β3-Adrenergic receptors, adipokines and neuroendocrine activation during stress induced by repeated immune challenge in male and female rats

Abstract The main hypothesis of the study is that stress associated with repeated immune challenge has an impact on β3-adrenergic receptor gene expression in the brain. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with increasing doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for five consecutive days. LPS treatment was associated with body weight loss and increased anxiety-like behavior. In LPS-treated animals of both sexes, β3-receptor gene expression was increased in the prefrontal cortex but not the hippocampus. LPS treatment decreased β3-receptor gene expression in white adipose tissue with higher values in males compared to females. In the adipose tissue, LPS reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, leptin and adiponectin gene expression, but increased interleukin-6 expression, irrespective of sex. Repeated immune challenge resulted in increased concentrations of plasma aldosterone and corticosterone with higher values of corticosterone in females compared to males. Concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in plasma were unaffected by LPS, while DHEA levels in the frontal cortex were lower in the LPS-treated animals compared to the controls. Thus, changes of DHEA levels in the brain take place irrespective of the changes of this neurosteroid in plasma. We have provided the first evidence on stress-induced increase in β3-adrenergic receptor gene expression in the brain. Greater reduction of β3-adrenergic receptor expression in the adipose tissue and of the body weight gain by repeated immune challenge in male than in female rats suggests sex differences in the role of β3-adrenergic receptors in the metabolic functions. LPS-induced changes in adipose tissue regulatory factors and hormone concentrations might be important for coping with chronic infections.
Altered responses to cutaneous stimuli in the second somatosensory cortex following lesions of the postcentral gyrus in infant and juvenile macaques

Infant macaques recover tactile abilities better than older animals after somatosensory cortical lesions. To investigate the neural basis of this phenomenon, we ablated the hand representation in primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of infant and juvenile Macaca mulatta and recorded in ipsilateral second somatosensory cortex (SII) a year later. We also made tracer injections to verify the lesion boundaries and to study the connections of SII after the lesion of SI. Similar to the report of Pons et al. (Science 237:417‐420, '87), we found that substantial portions of the SII hand area were unresponsive to cutaneous stimulation of the hand in both age groups. Particularly, there were no cutaneous receptive fields restricted to the digits. Some responses were elicited in each animal by mechanical stimulation of the hand, including a proportion related to cutaneous receptive fields. This proportion was higher in the infants than in the juveniles, which may explain the greater capacity of the infants for recovery of tactile function after SI lesions. The residual somatic drive in the SII hand area of the juveniles was attributable to sparing of parts of areas 3a and 3b. However, in the infants, this explanation was not tenable since the responses noted in SII occurred even after total ablations of the postcentral gyrus. The pattern of corticocortical connections revealed by injections of HRP into the medial margin of the SI lesion and of Fast Blue into SII in one infant confirmed the absence of SI inputs to the region of SII where responses were recorded from the hand. Representations of body parts other than the hand were normally responsive, and their location was consistent with normal somatotopy in SII.
Electric field interactions between closely abutting excitable cells. .

This review article summarizes some of the electrophysical evidence and morphological evidence against the hypothesis that the myocytes of cardiac muscles and visceral smooth muscles are profusely interconnected by low-resistance pathways (e.g., tunnels or gap-junction channels), which would give rise to a long length constant. Instead, propagation of the action potential (AP) is discontinuous, with a substantial junctional delay time at the cell junctions. Since the entire surface membrane of each cell becomes excited nearly simultaneously, a plot of propagation time versus distance (along a strand of cells) exhibits a typical staircase shape. This article demonstrates that the electric field that develops in the narrow junctional cleft (negative cleft potential) when the prejunctional membrane (pre-JM) fires an AP acts to depolarize the post-JM to its threshold. This mechanism, by itself, can account for transmission of excitation from cell to cell, but accessory mechanisms that act additively include K/sup +/ accumulation in the junctional clefts, gap-junction channels, and capacitive coupling.
The Reliability of Arthroscopic Classification of Acetabular Rim Labrochondral Disease

Background: The results of surgical treatment for femoroacetabular impingement have been increasingly reported, and more advanced intra-articular disease has been identified as an important predictive factor of outcome. Yet, the reliability of arthroscopic hip disease classification has not been well defined. Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the Beck classification of labral and articular cartilage disease (anterior-superior acetabular rim) encountered in hip arthroscopy. Secondly, we identified the sources of poor reliability that may be improved with future disease classification schemes. Our hypothesis was that the Beck classification of labral and chondral lesions would demonstrate substantial reliability, while the differentiation of early forms of disease would be a common source of disagreement. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Four experienced hip arthroscopists reviewed standardized arthroscopic videos of 40 cases. Arthroscopic findings at the anterior-superior acetabular rim were classified using the Beck classification of labral and articular cartilage disease. Repeat classification of videos was performed at least 2 weeks later. The reliability of arthroscopic classification was defined using the average weighted Cohen κ values and agreement rates. Results: Arthroscopic classification of labral disease using the Beck classification demonstrated moderate to substantial interobserver reliability (average κ = .62; range, .48-.78) and an overall agreement rate of 81.7%. Intraobserver reliability showed a similar level of reliability (average κ = .65; agreement rate, 80.6%). The differentiation between labral degeneration and labral detachment was a common source of disagreement. Similarly, the Beck classification of articular cartilage disease had moderate to substantial interobserver reliability (average κ = .65; range, .49-.78) and overall agreement rate of 57.5%. Intraobserver reliability showed a slightly better level of reliability (average κ = .80; agreement rate, 77.5%). The differentiation between articular cartilage malacia and debonding was a common source of disagreement. Conclusion: The arthroscopic classification of acetabular rim disease with the Beck classification has substantial interobserver reliability. This level of reliability is similar to previously reported arthroscopic disease classifications in the knee and shoulder and seems appropriate for future outcome reporting. Future classifications that eliminate common sources of disagreement may further improve the reliability.
ZmWRKY79 positively regulates maize phytoalexin biosynthetic gene expression and is involved in stress response

Maize (Zea mays) accumulates maize terpenoid phytoalexins (MTPs), kauralexins and zealexins in response to various elicitations. Although the key biosynthetic genes for these have been characterized, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Through co-correlation analysis, a transcription factor (TF), ZmWRKY79, was identified as highly correlated with expression of MTP biosynthetic genes. Gene expression analysis indicated that ZmWRKY79 was induced by Fusarium graminearum infection, phytohormone treatment, and multiple stresses. Overexpression of ZmWRKY79 in maize protoplasts increased expression of genes involved in MTP biosynthesis, jasmonic acid and ethylene pathways, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Subsequent transient RNAi in maize protoplast compromised the induction of MTP biosynthetic genes by jasmonic acid and ethylene combined treatment. Such regulation was further demonstrated to be dependent on a W-box or WLE cis-element. Transient overexpression of ZmWRKY79 in tobacco conferred resistance against Rhizoctonia solani infection through reducing ROS production. Our results indicate that MTP biosynthesis is regulated by the common transcription factor ZmWRKY79, which plays a broad role as a potential master regulator in stress response through involvement in phytohormone metabolism or signaling and ROS scavenging.
Rigorous performance evaluation in protein structure modelling and implications for computational biology

In principle, given the amino acid sequence of a protein, it is possible to compute the corresponding three-dimensional structure. Methods for modelling structure based on this premise have been under development for more than 40 years. For the past decade, a series of community wide experiments (termed Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP)) have assessed the state of the art, providing a detailed picture of what has been achieved in the field, where we are making progress, and what major problems remain. The rigorous evaluation procedures of CASP have been accompanied by substantial progress. Lessons from this area of computational biology suggest a set of principles for increasing rigor in the field as a whole.
Acute effect of exercise intensity and duration on acylated ghrelin and hunger in men.

Acute exercise transiently suppresses the orexigenic gut hormone acylated ghrelin, but the extent to which exercise intensity and duration determine this response is not fully understood. The effects of manipulating exercise intensity and duration on acylated ghrelin concentrations and hunger were examined in two experiments. In experiment one, nine healthy males completed three, 4-h conditions (control, moderate-intensity running (MOD) and vigorous-intensity running (VIG)), with an energy expenditure of ~2.5 MJ induced in both MOD (55-min running at 52% peak oxygen uptake (V.O2peak)) and VIG (36-min running at 75% V.O2peak). In experiment two, nine healthy males completed three, 9-h conditions (control, 45-min running (EX45) and 90-min running (EX90)). Exercise was performed at 70% V.O2peak In both experiments, participants consumed standardised meals, and acylated ghrelin concentrations and hunger were quantified at predetermined intervals. In experiment one, delta acylated ghrelin concentrations were lower than control in MOD (ES = 0.44, P = 0.01) and VIG (ES = 0.98, P < 0.001); VIG was lower than MOD (ES = 0.54, P = 0.003). Hunger ratings were similar across the conditions (P = 0.35). In experiment two, delta acylated ghrelin concentrations were lower than control in EX45 (ES = 0.77, P < 0.001) and EX90 (ES = 0.68, P < 0.001); EX45 and EX90 were similar (ES = 0.09, P = 0.55). Hunger ratings were lower than control in EX45 (ES = 0.20, P = 0.01) and EX90 (ES = 0.27, P = 0.001); EX45 and EX90 were similar (ES = 0.07, P = 0.34). Hunger and delta acylated ghrelin concentrations remained suppressed at 1.5 h in EX90 but not EX45. In conclusion, exercise intensity, and to a lesser extent duration, are determinants of the acylated ghrelin response to acute exercise.
Correlates of osteoclast function in the presence of perchlorate ions in the rat

The effects of perchlorate anion (ClO4‐) on osteoclast properties were investigated through a number of independent in vivo and in vitro procedures. Intravenous infusion of ClO4‐ significantly reduced plasma [Ca] in young (50 g) Wistar rats, in the absence of changes in plasma [Mg] or [albumin]. This effect was maximal at 20 min after administration, and at a dose of 600 mumol/rat. Scanning electron‐microscope images suggested that the presence of 10 mM‐perchlorate reduced both the total area of cortical bone resorbed by freshly disaggregated rat osteoclasts, and the number of osteoclastic excavations in vitro. Similar effects were observed in the presence of 5 mM [Ca2+]. The effects of Ca2+ were potentiated by otherwise ineffective (1 mM) doses of perchlorate. Indo‐1 dual‐emission microspectrofluorimetry indicated a transient sixfold elevation of cytosolic free [Ca2+], in isolated cultured osteoclasts, with addition of 10 mM‐perchlorate. Records of time‐lapse video images indicated that this was followed by a marked and sustained cell retraction, by up to 70% of control cell area. Such effects were not observed at thiocyanate concentrations (10 mM) that would have produced comparable lyotropic effects as perchlorate. However, perchlorate did not alter morphometric measures for pseudopodial motility and cell migration. Nor did it influence supernatant concentrations of tartrate‐resistant (osteoclastic) acid phosphatase in cultures of resorbing osteoclasts. These findings suggest that perchlorate is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast function, and acts through an influence on intracellular [Ca2+], and in turn upon the degree of cell retraction.
Gender-specific interactions between education and income in relation to obesity: a cross-sectional analysis of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V)

Objectives To identify gender-specific associations between education and income in relation to obesity in developed countries by considering both the interaction-effect terms of the independent variables and their main-effect terms. Design A cross-sectional study. Education and income levels were chosen as socioeconomic status indicators. Sociodemographics, lifestyles and medical conditions were used as covariates in multivariable logistic regression models. Adjusted ORs and predicted probabilities of being obese were computed and adjusted for a complex survey design. Setting Data were obtained from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012). Participants The sample included 7337 male and 9908 female participants aged ≥19 years. Outcome measure Obesity was defined as body mass index of ≥25, according to a guideline for Asians. Results In models with no interaction-effect terms of independent variables, education was significantly associated with obesity in both men and women, but income was significant only in women. However, in models with the interaction-effect terms, education was significant only in women, but income was significant only in men. The interaction effect between income and education was significant in men but not in women. Participants having the highest predicted probability of being obese over educational and income levels differed between the two types of models, and between men and women. A prediction using the models with the interaction-effect terms demonstrated that for all men, the highest level of formal education was associated with an increase in their probability of being obese by as much as 26%. Conclusions The well-known, negative association between socioeconomic status and obesity in developed countries may not be valid when interaction effects are included. Ignoring these effects and their gender differences may result in the targeting of wrong populations for reducing obesity prevalence and its resultant socioeconomic gradients.
The RecF pathway of homologous recombination can mediate the initiation of DNA damage-inducible replication of the Escherichia coli chromosome

DNA damage-inducible DNA replication in SOS-induced Escherichia coli cells, termed inducible stable DNA replication (iSDR), has previously been shown to require either the RecBCD or the RecE pathway of homologous recombination for initiation. Here, we demonstrate that recB recC sbcC quadruple mutant cells are capable of iSDR induction and that a mutation in the recJ gene abolishes the inducibility. These results indicate that the RecF pathway of homologous recombination can also catalyze iSDR initiation.
Social Identity and Social Media Activities in Equity Crowdfunding

The existence of crowdfunding platforms has helped creators to bring their innovative products to market. In recent years, equity crowdfunding has increased in popularity as an alternative form of finance, and has helped thousands of innovating entrepreneurs to raise money, and join a broader conversation with large numbers of potential investors. Early-stage startup investment is no longer restricted to venture capital firms and high net worth angel investors. Using Social Identity Theory (SIT) as a basis, we look at a sample of crowdfunding campaigns from the UK-based platform, Crowdcube. In this study we are trying to understand how groups of potential crowdfunding investors act in relation to the social media activities of those campaigns. We examine how different social media activities of can have an impact upon the funding of a crowdfunding campaign. This study has significant implications for fundraisers who want to utilize social media to increase their chances of a successful crowdfunding campaign. In our study we identify that by being more active on social media, and having a higher level of engagement with the crowd, this will have a positive impact on the overall funding of a crowdfunding campaign.
Procédés de traitement de l'eau de mer en conchyliculture pour la sauvegarde et le maintien de la qualité des mollusques bivalves

L‘objectif de ce travail est l‘etude de procedes de filtration de l‘eau de mer pour la sauvegarde et le maintien de la qualite des mollusques bivalves lors d‘efflorescences de microalgues toxiques. Son originalite repose sur la recherche de procedes rustiques permettant l‘elimination des dinoflagelles toxiques. Deux procedes ont ete e��tudies, les membranes immergees et le filtre a sable. L‘origine et la nature des mecanismes de colmatage ont ete identifiees en lien avec la selectivite et la consommation energetique. Des suspensions de dinoflagelles toxiques et non toxiques ont ete reconstituees puis filtrees sur membranes 10 kDa, 300 kDa et 0,2 μm, et sur un filtre a sable (diametre de grain moyen « dg » compris entre 250 et 520 μm). La microfiltration sur membrane 0,2 μm est apparue comme la plus adaptee : plus de 99 % des microalgues sont retenues et une consommation energetique specifique inferieure a 0,5 kWh/m3. Les mecanismes de colmatage ont ete etudies par la mise en oeuvre d‘autopsies membranaires et l‘utilisation de modeles de filtration. La filtration sur sable n‘a pas permis de retenir la totalite des microalgues, mais une diminution de la taille moyenne des grains de sable permet d‘augmenter significativement leur retention (Retention de 90 % en 6 h avec dg = 256 μm). Ne permettant pas l‘elimination totale des microalgues toxiques, la filtration sur sable ne peut etre proposee que comme une solution de pretraitement de l‘eau de mer en complement de la filtration par membranes immergees fibres creuses. En depit d‘un cout plus eleve, seule la filtration par membranes peut etre envisagee dans le cadre de la protection des bassins conchylicoles.
LCCT-Z-Source inverters

Many renewable generation units (e.g. PVs, fuel cells, small wind turbines) require integrated DC-AC converters providing efficient high step-up power conversion. On the basis of recent developments in impedance source (Z-source) inverters the present paper proposes an integration of quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) with a built-in high frequency transformer. Two new type LCCT-Z-Source inverters are presented by author. Proposed inverters characterize continuous input current, improved relationship between boost coefficient and modulation index and improved EMI performance. Application of four element (Inductor — Capacitor — Capacitor — Transformer) LCCT impedance network provides higher voltage gain than obtained in quasi-Z-source inverter. The advantage of proposed topology over other recently developed trans Z-source inverters (TZSI) is that two built-in capacitors block DC currents in transformer windings and prevents core saturation. Simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the proposed topologies.
Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and variation in the distributions of clinicopathologic values related to geographic sampling site.

OBJECTIVE To develop robust reference intervals for hematologic and serum biochemical variables by use of data derived from free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and examine potential variation in distributions of clinicopathologic values related to sampling sites' geographic locations. ANIMALS 255 free-ranging bottlenose dolphins. PROCEDURES Data from samples collected during multiple bottlenose dolphin capture-release projects conducted at 4 southeastern US coastal locations in 2000 through 2006 were combined to determine reference intervals for 52 clinicopathologic variables. A nonparametric bootstrap approach was applied to estimate 95th percentiles and associated 90% confidence intervals; the need for partitioning by length and sex classes was determined by testing for differences in estimated thresholds with a bootstrap method. When appropriate, quantile regression was used to determine continuous functions for 95th percentiles dependent on length. The proportion of out-of-range samples for all clinicopathologic measurements was examined for each geographic site, and multivariate ANOVA was applied to further explore variation in leukocyte subgroups. RESULTS A need for partitioning by length and sex classes was indicated for many clinicopathologic variables. For each geographic site, few significant deviations from expected number of out-of-range samples were detected. Although mean leukocyte counts did not vary among sites, differences in the mean counts for leukocyte subgroups were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although differences in the centrality of distributions for some variables were detected, the 95th percentiles estimated from the pooled data were robust and applicable across geographic sites. The derived reference intervals provide critical information for conducting bottlenose dolphin population health studies.
Two Distinct Functions of ComW in Stabilization and Activation of the Alternative Sigma Factor ComX in Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Natural genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae is controlled by a quorum-sensing system, which acts through the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) for transient activation of genes required for competence. More than 100 genes have been identified as CSP regulated by use of DNA microarray analysis. One of the CSP-induced genes required for genetic competence is comW. As the expression of this gene depended on the regulator ComE, but not on the competence sigma factor ComX (σX), and as expression of several genes required for DNA processing was affected in a comW mutant, comW appears to be a new regulatory gene. Immunoblotting analysis showed that the amount of the σX protein is dependent on ComW, suggesting that ComW may be directly or indirectly involved in the accumulation of σX. As σX is stabilized in clpP mutants, a comW mutation was introduced into the clpP background to ask whether the synthesis of σX depends on ComW. The clpP comW double mutant accumulated an amount of σX higher (threefold) than that seen in the wild type but was not transformable, suggesting that while comW is not needed for σX synthesis, it acts both in stabilization of σX and in its activation. Modification of ComW with a histidine tag at its C or N terminus revealed that both amino and carboxyl termini are important for increasing the stability of σX, but only the N terminus is important for stimulating its activity.