Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macrolide Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli: Molecular Mechanism and Stability of the Resistance Phenotype

ABSTRACT A collection of 23 macrolide-resistant Campylobacter isolates from different geographic areas was investigated to determine the mechanism and stability of macrolide resistance. The isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli based on the results of the hippurate biochemical test in addition to five PCR-based genotypic methods. Three point mutations at two positions within the peptidyl transferase region in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene were identified. About 78% of the resistant isolates exhibited an A→G transition at Escherichia coli equivalent base 2059 of the 23S rRNA gene. The isolates possessing this mutation showed a wide range of erythromycin and clarithromycin MICs. Thus, this mutation may incur a greater probability of treatment failure in populations infected by resistant Campylobacter isolates. Another macrolide-associated mutation (A→C transversion), at E. coli equivalent base 2058, was detected in about 13% of the isolates. An A→G transition at a position cognate with E. coli 23S rRNA base 2058, which is homologous to the A2142G mutation commonly described in Helicobacter pylori, was also identified in one of the C. jejuni isolates examined. In the majority of C. jejuni isolates, the mutations in the 23S rRNA gene were homozygous except in two cases where the mutation was found in two of the three copies of the target gene. Natural transformation demonstrated the transfer of the macrolide resistance phenotype from a resistant Campylobacter isolate to a susceptible Campylobacter isolate. Growth rates of the resulting transformants containing A-2058→C or A-2059→G mutations were similar to that of the parental isolate. The erythromycin resistance of six of seven representative isolates was found to be stable after successive subculturing in the absence of erythromycin selection pressure regardless of the resistance level, the position of the mutation, or the number of the mutated copies of the target gene. One C. jejuni isolate showing an A-2058→G mutation, however, reverted to erythromycin and clarithromycin susceptibility after 55 subcultures on erythromycin-free medium. Investigation of ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 by sequence analysis in five representative isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli demonstrated no significant macrolide resistance-associated alterations in either the L4 or the L22 protein that might explain either macrolide resistance or enhancement of the resistance level.
Analyzing the electrogenicity of cytochrome c oxidase

Significance Evaluation of voltage changes in response to charge transfer within membrane proteins can be used in studies of spectroscopically “invisible” electrogenic steps. Previous analyses of such voltage changes used qualitative macroscopic models. Here, we used a coarse-grained model, which includes an explicit description of the membrane, electrolytes, and electrodes, to interpret the observable voltage changes in cytochrome c oxidase. These calculations found that different possible electron/proton transfer (ET/PT) paths can lead to the same observed voltage changes, thus challenging the uniqueness of previous conclusions. However, our method offers a general tool for studies of a wide range of electrogenic ET/PT by combining voltage measurements with other experiments and simulations to analyze new mechanistic proposals. Measurements of voltage changes in response to charge separation within membrane proteins can offer fundamental information on spectroscopically “invisible” steps. For example, results from studies of voltage changes associated with electron and proton transfer in cytochrome c oxidase could, in principle, be used to discriminate between different theoretical models describing the molecular mechanism of proton pumping. Earlier analyses of data from these measurements have been based on macroscopic considerations that may not allow for exploring the actual molecular mechanisms. Here, we have used a coarse-grained model describing the relation between observed voltage changes and specific charge-transfer reactions, which includes an explicit description of the membrane, the electrolytes, and the electrodes. The results from these calculations offer mechanistic insights at the molecular level. Our main conclusion is that previously assumed mechanistic evidence that was based on electrogenic measurements is not unique. However, the ability of our calculations to obtain reliable voltage changes means that we have a tool that can be used to describe a wide range of electrogenic charge transfers in channels and transporters, by combining voltage measurements with other experiments and simulations to analyze new mechanistic proposals.
MATERNAL ANAEMIA AND FETAL BIRTHWEIGHT

The pattern of fetal birthweight distribution was examined in singleton babies bora to several groups of pregnant Nigerian women: 43 of them were anaemic throughout pregnancy and also at delivery; 142 had been successfully treated for anaemia during pregnancy; 35 had sickle‐cell anaemia; and 65 served as healthy controls. The causes of anaemia were haemolysis from malaria, folate deficiency and haemoglobinopathies. When other factors known to reduce fetal birthweight were excluded, it was found that maternal anaemia (haematocrit less than 30 per cent) was itself associated with retardation of fetal growth and that this was most marked in the presence of sickle‐cell anaemia. If, at the end of pregnancy, maternal anaemia still remained uncorrected, then a 2 per cent drop in maternal haematocrit reduced fetal birthweight by about 100 g.
A New Time Measurement Method Using a High-End Global Navigation Satellite System to Analyze Alpine Skiing

Abstract Accurate time measurement is essential to temporal analysis in sport. This study aimed to (a) develop a new method for time computation from surveyed trajectories using a high-end global navigation satellite system (GNSS), (b) validate its precision by comparing GNSS with photocells, and (c) examine whether gate-to-gate times can provide more detailed information about alpine skiing performance. The results demonstrated small mean time differences with no systematic bias, with a velocity dependent scatter of time differences, which diminished at higher velocities. Furthermore, the multiple gate-to-gate and lag times demonstrated that the GNSS enabled a more detailed analysis compared to photocells. The measurements using GNSS showed high validity and potential as a tool for more specific analysis of performance in skiing.
Characterization of micro-bump C4 interconnects for Si-carrier SOP applications

This paper describes yield, contact resistance, and preliminary reliability test results on micro-bump C4 interconnects in modules containing Si-chips and Si-carriers. Modules containing eutectic PbSn or SnCu bump solders were fabricated with high yield, with similar interconnect contact resistances for both solders. The contact resistance and reliability test results to date suggest that reliable, high-current, high-density bump interconnections can be achieved for Si-carrier technology
Human Herpesvirus 6 Suppresses T Cell Proliferation through Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest in Infected Cells in the G 2 / M Phase

Human Herpesvirus 6 Suppresses T Cell Proliferation through Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest in Infected Cells in the G2/M Phase Lingyun Li, Bin Gu, Feng Zhou, Jing Chi, Fang Wang, Guangyong Peng, Fangyi Xie, Jian Qing, Dongju Feng, Shiqiang Lu, and Kun Yao* Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Developmental Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Laboratory Medicine, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and College of Foreign Languages, Hehai University, Nanjing 210029, China, and Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy & Immunology and Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63104
The Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory: Is it Valid and Reliable for Mexican American Youth?

In this study, we examined the internal consistency reliability, construct-related validity, and mean base rate scores of the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI; Millon, Millon, & Davis, 1993) Personality and Clinical scales in a sample (N = 131) of juvenile offending, educationally at-risk, and substance-dependent Mexican American youth. Overall, the MACI scales demonstrated good reliability estimates. Using methods derived from contrast analysis (Westen & Rosenthal, 2003), the scales performed as would be expected based on predictions derived from Millon's (1969, 1981) theory. In addition, the scales differentiated in an expected fashion among the 3 groups. The results of this study provide preliminary support for the use of the MACI among Mexican Americans.
Occult Spinal Dysraphism : Utility of Cutaneous Lesions as a Screening Tool for Early Diagnosis in a Series of 31 Cases

*Correspondence: Catherine Jolly, CHU de Reims, American Memorial Hospital, REIMS, F-51092, France, Tel: 0033326787726; Fax: 0033326787077; E-mail: cjolly@chu-reims.fr Received Date: 24 Jan 2017 Accepted Date: 17 Feb 2017 Published Date: 24 Feb 2017 Citation: Merzeau N, Poli-Merol M-L, Jolly D, Bourelle S, Jolly C. Occult Spinal Dysraphism: Utility of Cutaneous Lesions as a Screening Tool for Early Diagnosis in a Series of 31 Cases. Remed Open Access. 2017; 2: 1045. Copyright © 2017 Jolly C. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Research Article Published: 24 Feb, 2017
Extracts from Radix Astragali and Radix Rehmanniae Promote Keratinocyte Proliferation by Regulating Expression of Growth Factor Receptors

Chinese herbal medicine has long been used as a treatment for wounds. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study it was shown that the proliferation of keratinocytes, which is known to play an important role in wound healing as the major cell type in the epidermis, was promoted by three herbal extracts/natural compounds: NF3 (an extract from the mixture of Radix Astragali (RA) and Radix Rehmanniae (RR) in the ratio of 2:1), stachyose (an isolated compound from Radix Rehmanniae) and extract P2‐2 (a sub‐fraction from the extract of Radix Astragali). The effect of the herbal extracts/natural compounds on the growth of keratinocytes was not influenced by a high glucose level, a condition similar to diabetic patients who usually suffer from diabetic foot ulcers. Real time RT‐PCR results showed that the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, but not transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) receptor, was up‐regulated by NF3. Moreover, treatments with the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 and the MEK inhibitor U0126 resulted in the diminishment of the effect of the three herbal extracts/natural compounds on keratinocyte proliferation, indicating that EGF receptor might have a significant role in this action. This study has further elucidated the molecular mechanism under which herbal extracts/natural compounds exert their effects on the wound healing process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glucocorticoids are not always deleterious for bone

A 23‐year‐old man with the rare sclerosing bone disorder van Buchem disease presented with progressively worsening headaches that eventually became persistent and associated with papilledema. Increased intracranial pressure was diagnosed, and the patient had a ventriculoperitoneal drain inserted as well as simultaneously receiving treatment with prednisone. Before starting treatment, there was biochemical evidence for increased bone turnover and for steady increases in bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and total hip despite the patient having reached his peak height of 197 cm at the age of 19 years. Treatment with prednisone for 2 years resulted in biochemical and histologic suppression of bone formation as well as of bone resorption and arrest of further bone accumulation. Our data suggest that glucocorticoids (GCs) may represent an attractive alternative to the high‐risk surgical approaches used in the management of patients with progressive sclerosing bone disorders. Our findings also suggest that whereas sclerostin may not be required for the action of GCs on bone formation, it may well be important for the action of GCs on bone resorption. The exact mechanism by which sclerostin may be involved in the regulation of bone resorption is as yet to be explored. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Multisensory Interactions Elicited by Audiovisual Stimuli Presented Peripherally in a Visual Attention Task: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Study in Humans

We applied behavioral and event-related potential measurements to study human multisensory interactions induced by audiovisual (AV) stimuli presented peripherally in a visual attention task in which an irrelevant auditory stimulus occasionally accompanied the visual stimulus. A stream of visual, auditory, and AV stimuli was randomly presented to the left or right side of the subjects; subjects covertly attended to the visual stimuli on either the left or right side and promptly responded to visual targets on that side. Behavioral results showed that responses to AV stimuli were faster and more accurate than those to visual stimuli only. Three event-related potential components related to AV interactions were identified: (1) over the right temporal area, approximately 200 to 220 milliseconds; (2) over the centromedial area, approximately 290 to 310 milliseconds; and (3) over the left and right ventral temporal area, approximately 290 to 310 milliseconds. We found that these interaction effects occurred slightly later than those reported in previously published AV interaction studies in which AV stimuli were presented centrally. Our results suggest that the retinotopic location of stimuli affects AV interactions occurring at later stages of cognitive processing in response to a visual attention task.
[Reconstruction of shoulder abduction and external rotation in obstetric brachial plexus palsy].

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the results of the subscapularis and pectoralis major muscle releases and the transfer of the latissimus dorsi/teres major muscles to the rotator cuff in patients with internal rotation contractures due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy. METHODS Seventy patients (44 boys, 26 girls; mean age 7.6 years; range 2 to 16 years) underwent transfer of the latissimus dorsi/teres major muscles to the rotator cuff. Spinal root involvement was at C5-C6 in 19 patients, at C5-C7 in 16 patients, and at C5-T1 in 35 patients. In 46 patients, the subscapularis muscle was released from the anterior surface of the scapula, and in 55 patients, the pectoralis major muscle was released by fractional tenotomy. The glenohumeral joint was evaluated by anteroposterior direct graphies and axial magnetic resonance scans. According to the Waters-Peljovich grading system, all the patients had type I or type II deformities. Pre- and postoperative range of motion values and Mallet scores were compared. The mean follow-up period was 37.9 months (range 24 to 64 months). RESULTS The mean shoulder abduction increased to 132.6 degrees (range 90 degrees to 170 degrees; mean gain 60.3 degrees) and external rotation increased to 81.1 degrees (range 30 degrees to 100 degrees; mean gain 58.7 degrees). The mean postoperative Mallet scores for global abduction and external rotation were 3.9; hand-to-head, to-mouth, and to-back scores were 3.7, 3.4, and 2.5, respectively. No serious complications were seen during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION The results of reconstruction techniques employed in our study show satisfactory increases in shoulder abduction and external rotation in patients with a minimal glenohumeral deformity.
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology Accounting for Dependence in Similarity Data from DNA Fingerprinting

Differentiating strains of a pathogen is often central to investigating its epidemiological aspects. The genetic similarity of a group of strains can be assessed by calculating a matrix of dissimilarities from their DNA fingerprinting profiles. The mean dissimilarity for each strain across other strains within the group is then used as an observation in a statistical analysis. These observations are not independent of each other, and so standard analysis techniques such as the ttest are inappropriate, because they underestimate the variance of the group means, and hence overstate the statistical significance of any differences. By examining the correlation between elements of the dissimilarity matrix, it is shown that the variance is underestimated by a factor of between about 2 and 4. Permutation tests are proposed as a way of addressing the problem of dependence, and are applied to a study of fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans.
Dementia and agitation in nursing home residents: how are they related?

The link between agitated behaviors and cognitive functioning in 408 nursing home residents was examined. Results showed that cognitively impaired residents manifested aggressive behaviors (e.g., cursing, hitting) and physically nonaggressive behaviors (e.g., pacing). The highest levels of physically nonaggressive behaviors were manifested by those residents who presented intermediate levels of impairment in their performance of activities of daily living. Cognitively intact residents exhibited verbally agitated behaviors (e.g., complaining). These findings have important implications for caregivers of agitated nursing home residents.
Physician attitudes about anticoagulation for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the elderly.

BACKGROUND Our goal was to determine whether patient age affects a physician's reported likelihood of using anticoagulant therapy or the intensity of anticoagulant therapy for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS We surveyed a nationwide sample of 1189 randomly selected office-based practitioners in three strata: primary care (geriatrics, internal medicine, family practice, and general practice), cardiology, and neurology. A vignette-based questionnaire was used to measure attitudes and beliefs regarding anticoagulation risks and effectiveness, barriers to anticoagulation in clinical practice, and likelihood of using anticoagulation and target intensity of anticoagulation at three patient ages (55, 65, and 75 years) for four clinical scenarios (chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation with mild left atrial enlargement, intermittent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, recent-onset atrial fibrillation, and atrial fibrillation with recent [3 months] embolic stroke). RESULTS The overall response rate was 38%. The mean likelihoods of using anticoagulation for the three ages were unequal (P < .0001) for each scenario. Most physicians were "very" or "somewhat" likely to use anticoagulant therapy for a 65-year-old with left atrial enlargement (71%), intermittent or paryoxysmal atrial fibrillation (68%), recent-onset atrial fibrillation (86%), or embolic stroke (96%). Fewer physicians were likely to use anticoagulant therapy for a 75-year-old with left atrial enlargement (63%), intermittent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (56%), recent-onset atrial fibrillation (80%), or embolic stroke (93%). Among physicians equally likely to use anticoagulation for 65- and 75-year-old patients, intensity of anticoagulant therapy (target international normalized ratio or prothrombin time ratio) was lower (P < .04) for the 75-year-old. CONCLUSION Anticoagulant therapy may be less often and less intensively used for elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Molecular, genetic and physiological characterisation of dystrobrevin-like (dyb-1) mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Dystrobrevins are protein components of the dystrophin complex, whose disruption leads to Duchenne muscular dystrophy and related diseases. The Caenorhabditis elegans dystrobrevin gene (dyb-1) encodes a protein 38 % identical with its mammalian counterparts. The C. elegans dystrobrevin is expressed in muscles and neurons. We characterised C. elegans dyb-1 mutants and showed that: (1) their behavioural phenotype resembles that of dystrophin (dys-1) mutants; (2) the phenotype of dyb-1 dys-1 double mutants is not different from the single ones; (3) dyb-1 mutants are more sensitive than wild-type animals to reductions of acetylcholinesterase levels and have an increased response to acetylcholine; (4) dyb-1 mutations alone do not lead to muscle degeneration, but synergistically produce a progressive myopathy when combined with a mild MyoD/hlh-1 mutation. All together, these findings further substantiate the role of dystrobrevins in cholinergic transmission and as functional partners of dystrophin.
Impact of Enhanced Capacity to Scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species on Cold Tolerance of Tobacco

Premise of research. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in plant tissues when the plant is exposed to stress, causing damage to cell structure and metabolism. Plants have a variety of mechanisms to prevent such damage, including a number of enzymes that scavenge ROS. The impact of specific enzymes, however, is as yet poorly understood. Methodology. The impact on plant tolerance to cold stress of enzymes involved in scavenging ROS was explored by comparing transplastomic tobacco lines overexpressing genes encoding glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and manganese superoxide dismutase, singly or in pairwise combinations, with nontransformed (NT) tobacco. Pivotal results. Chilling to 10°C resulted in less photoinhibition in lines overexpressing GR alone or in combination with GST, compared to NT tobacco, but more photoinhibition in lines overexpressing DHAR alone or in combination with GR. These differences were not, however, reflected in other indicators of stress. When chilled at 4°C, all lines showed similar damage to NT, except under relatively high photosynthetically active radiation, in which case photoinhibition was reduced in all transplastomic lines compared to NT. Growth over several weeks in a greenhouse was inhibited in the transplastomic lines when the duration included transient cool air temperatures. When optimal air temperature was maintained, growth over a similar duration was equal in transplastomics and NT tobacco. Conclusions. These experiments suggest a subtle interaction of enhanced ROS scavenging and tolerance of chilling stress.