Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic Analysis of Borrelia japonica Sp. Nov. Isolated from Ixodes ovatus in Japan

Genetic characteristics of 12 Borrelia isolates from the tick, Ixodes ovatus, I. persulcatus, and the rodent, Apodemus speciosus ainu, in Japan were compared to members of the three genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and group VS461. The methods used in this study were the quantitative microplate DNA hybridization assay and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of the flagellin structural genes and the 16S rRNA genes. The six isolates from I. persulcatus and A. speciosus ainu were identified as genospecies B. garinii using RFLP analysis of the flagellin and 16S rRNA genes. In contrast, RFLP analysis of the six isolates from I. ovatus indicated that they were different from the three reported genospecies. DNA homology studies confirmed the RFLP results. The six isolates from I. ovatus had DNA homologies ranging from 85 to 99%, whereas DNA relatedness of the I. ovatus isolate with strains belonging to the three genospecies was 50 to 64%. These results suggest that the strains isolated from I. ovatus in Japan differ from the three genospecies and should be classified as a new genospecies of B. burgdorferi sensu lato. We propose that strains isolated from I. ovatus should be classified as B. japonica sp. nov.
Moraxella catarrhalis induces ERK- and NF-κB-dependent COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 in lung epithelium

Moraxella catarrhalis is a major cause of infectious exacerbations of chronic obstructive lung disease. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostaglandins, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), are considered to be important regulators of lung function. The present authors tested the hypothesis that M. catarrhalis induces COX-2-dependent PGE2 production in pulmonary epithelial cells. In the present study, the authors demonstrate that M. catarrhalis specifically induces COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 release in pulmonary epithelial cells. Furthermore, the prostanoid receptor subtypes EP2 and EP4 were also upregulated in these cells. The M. catarrhalis-specific ubiquitous cell surface protein A1 was important for the induction of COX-2 and PGE2. Moreover, M. catarrhalis-induced COX-2 and PGE2 expression was dependent on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-driven activation of nuclear factor-κB, but not on the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In conclusion, the present data suggest that ubiquitous cell surface protein A1 of Moraxella catarrhalis, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and nuclear factor-κB control cyclooxygenase-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin E2 release by lung epithelial cells. Moraxella catarrhalis-induced prostaglandin E2 expression might counteract lung inflammation promoting colonisation of the respiratory tract in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Estimating colonization potential of migrant tree species

Plant populations migrating in response to climate change will have to colonize established communities. Even if a population disperses to a new region with a favorable climate, interactions with other species may prevent its establishment and further spread. The potential of these species to grow along with residents will be a critical factor controlling their response to climate change. To determine the capacity of migrating species to colonize established communities we conducted extensive long‐term transplant experiments where potential tree migrant species, i.e. species within ‘migration range,’ were planted side by side with resident ones. Potential immigrants were selected to be representative species of their native communities. For both groups, residents and potential migrants (17 species), we compared their growth response along gradients in soil moisture and light availability. Rather than manipulate climate directly, we exploited natural microclimatic gradients and the fluctuations in climate that occurred during the 5‐year experiment. Experimental results were used to estimate growth in the context of novel climate and relevant establishment factors. Results suggest that potential immigrant species had similar growth rates in the new environment than those from resident species ensuring their ability to establish in the area. However, contrary to our expectations, the soil moisture requirements for the immigrant group were similar to those of the resident species. These results could have major implications for vegetation changes under the predicted drier climate for the region. If it is the case that neither resident species nor potential migrants are able to maintain stable populations, the region may experience a decline in local biodiversity.
What Brings Newborns to the Emergency Department?: A 1-Year Study

Aims: Characterization of newborn visits to the pediatric emergency department (PED). Analysis of the main illnesses and establishment of association between certain conditions and severity of diseases. Methods: Retrospective study information concerning newborns (aged <28 days) who presented to the PED of Hospital Central de Faro during 2005. We studied the clinical and demographic data referring to the PED's episode and to perinatal occurrences. Results: A total of 540 neonates visited the PED (1.5% of the total PED use), with an average age of 14.0 days and a slight prevalence of males (53.1%). Of the total visits, 17.2% were primary physician referrals. The chief complaints were jaundice, excessive crying, and rash. Diagnostic tests were requested in 27.2% cases. The major diagnoses were nonapparent disease, infant colics, and physiologic jaundice. In 13.0%, hospital admission was necessary. Newborns with referral, those with less than 37 weeks of gestation and those whose delivery weight was less than 2500 g, were more likely to be admitted. Conclusions: Most PED visits were because of nonserious diseases, mainly because of insufficient caretaker knowledge and information. This highlights the great need for caretakers' education by health staff. It is also important that physicians are aware of the main illnesses in the newborn period and know how to correctly identify the conditions associated to serious pathology.
Role of TNF‐α in virus‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness and neuronal M2 muscarinic receptor dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Infections with respiratory viruses induce exacerbations of asthma, increase acetylcholine release and potentiate vagally mediated bronchoconstriction by blocking inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic neurons. Here we test whether virus‐induced M2 receptor dysfunction and airway hyperresponsiveness are tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) dependent.
Binding of CO to myoglobin from a heme pocket docking site to form nearly linear Fe-C-O

The relative orientations of carbon monoxide (CO) bound toand photodissociated from myoglobin in solution have been determinedwith time-resolved infrared polarization spectroscopy. The bound CO isoriented < or = 7 degrees from the heme normal, corresponding tonearly linear FE-C-O. Upon dissociation from the Fe, CO becomestrapped in a docking site that orientationally constrains it to lieapproximately in the plane of the heme. Because the bound and "docked"CO are oriented in nearly orthogonal directions CO binding from thedocking site is suppressed. These solutions results help to establishhow myoglobin discriminates against CO, a controversial issuedominated by the misconception that Fe-C-O is bent.
Aminoglycoside-mediated promotion of translation readthrough occurs through a non-stochastic mechanism that competes with translation termination

Attempts have been made to treat nonsense-associated genetic disorders by chemical agents and hence an improved mechanistic insight into the decoding of readthrough signals is essential for the identification and characterisation of factors for the treatment of these disorders. To identify either novel compounds or genes that modulate translation readthrough, we have employed dual reporter-based high-throughput screens that use enzymatic and fluorescence activities and screened bioactive National Institute of Neurological Disease Syndrome (NINDS) compounds (n = 1000) and siRNA (n = 288) libraries. Whilst siRNAs targeting kinases such as CSNK1G3 and NME3 negatively regulate readthrough, neither the bioactive NINDS compounds nor PTC124 promote readthrough. Of note, PTC124 has previously been shown to promote readthrough. Furthermore, the impacts of G418 on the components of eukaryotic selenocysteine incorporation machinery have also been investigated. The selenocysteine machinery decodes the stop codon UGA specifying selenocysteine in natural selenoprotein genes. We have found that the eukaryotic SelC gene promotes the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS)-mediated readthrough but inhibits the readthrough activity induced by G418. We have previously reported that SECIS-mediated readthrough at UGA codons follows a non-processive mechanism. Here, we show that G418-mediated promotion of readthrough also occurs through a non-processive mechanism which competes with translation termination. Based on our observations, we suggest that proteins generated through a non-processive mechanism may be therapeutically beneficial for the resolution of nonsense-associated genetic disorders.
Inhibition of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase reaction by the mycarose moiety of the antibiotics carbomycin, spiramycin and tylosin.

Many antibiotics, including the macrolides, inhibit protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes. Only some of the macrolides affect the peptidyl transferase reaction. The 16-member ring macrolide antibiotics carbomycin, spiramycin, and tylosin inhibit peptidyl transferase. All these have a disaccharide at position 5 in the lactone ring with a mycarose moiety. We have investigated the functional role of this mycarose moiety. The 14-member ring macrolide erythromycin and the 16-member ring macrolides desmycosin and chalcomycin do not inhibit the peptidyl transferase reaction. These drugs have a monosaccharide at position 5 in the lactone ring. The presence of mycarose was correlated with inhibition of peptidyl transferase, footprints on 23 S rRNA and whether the macrolide can compete with binding of hygromycin A to the ribosome. The binding sites of the macrolides to Escherichia coli ribosomes were investigated by chemical probing of domains II and V of 23 S rRNA. The common binding site is around position A2058, while effects on U2506 depend on the presence of the mycarose sugar. Also, protection at position A752 indicates that a mycinose moiety at position 14 in 16-member ring macrolides interact with hairpin 35 in domain II. Competitive footprinting of ribosomal binding of hygromycin A and macrolides showed that tylosin and spiramycin reduce the hygromycin A protections of nucleotides in 23 S rRNA and that carbomycin abolishes its binding. In contrast, the macrolides that do not inhibit the peptidyl transferase reaction bind to the ribosomes concurrently with hygromycin A. Data are presented to argue that a disaccharide at position 5 in the lactone ring of macrolides is essential for inhibition of peptide bond formation and that the mycarose moiety is placed near the conserved U2506 in the central loop region of domain V 23 S rRNA.
Nanoparticle effects on creeping flashover characteristics of oil/pressboard interface

Surface creeping discharge at solid-liquid interface is regarded as one of the reasons for oil-immersed transformers failure. In order to restrain the surface creeping discharge, we investigated the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on creeping discharge and flashover characteristics of the oil/pressboard interface under AC and impulse voltages. Partial discharge and creeping flashover tests of oil/pressboard (OPs) and nanofluid/- pressboard (NPs) were carried out. The results show that TiO2 nanoparticles can improve both partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) and creeping flashover strength of oil-impregnated pressboards. Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current (TSDC) and Electrostatic probe techniques were used to measure space charge behaviors of oil/pressboard before and after modification of TiO2 nanoparticles. It reveals that the space charge dissipation rate at the surface of NPs is much faster than that of OPs. Moreover, TiO2 nanoparticles can greatly increase the shallow trap density and lower the shallow trap energy level of oil-impregnated pressboard. It is believed that electrons may be repeatedly trapped and de-trapped by shallow traps in NPs, which can reduce the accumulation of space charges and result in improving the creeping flashover strength of oil/pressboard interface.
The Impact of CRM System Use on Companies’ Customer Understanding: The Case of the Russian Ophthalmology Market

As the customer relationship management process comes to play an increasingly important role in business success, a number of authors are attempting to evaluate the impact of various CRM process components on the quality of company interaction with customers and, ultimately, on company performance. This paper explores the impact of CRM systems on the quality of companies’ customer understanding. This understanding is measured in the context of an international pharmaceutical company in the Russian market. The field research is based on quantitative data from online questionnaires and telephone interviews. The sample consists of 64 company representatives and 217 ophthalmologists. The authors developed and tested a model of physician loyalty drivers and studied employees’ perceptions of the CRM system. The findings of this paper demonstrate that, despite the fact that a CRM system is actively used and perceived as a crucial part of the customer relationship management process within the company, understanding of key customer loyalty drivers needs to be significantly improved. The paper contributes to existing theory by evaluating the link between the use of CRM applications and customer relationship performance as well as by developing a physician prescription loyalty influencers framework in the context of the Russian pharmaceutical market. This research could be used by other pharmaceutical companies as well in order to understand the influence of their CRM applications on customer loyalty and also to identify the drivers of physicians’ prescriptions.
Reversible G1 Arrest Induced by Inhibition of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Requires Up-regulation of p27KIP1 Independent of MAPK Activity*

We have used quinazoline inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase to study the link between EGFR signaling and G1 to S traverse. Treatment of A431 and MDA-468 human tumor cells with 0.1–10 μm AG-1478 inhibited basal and ligand-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation without a decrease in receptor content, EGF-binding sites, or binding affinity. Incubation of A431 cells with 0.1–1 μm AG-1517 abrogated 125I-EGF internalization. Both AG-1478 and AG-1517 markedly inhibited A431 and MDA-468 colony formation in soft agarose at concentrations between 0.01 and 1 μm. Daily injections of AG-1478 at 50 mg/kg delayed A431 tumor formation in athymic nude mice. A transient exposure of A431 cells to AG-1478 resulted in a dose-dependent up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27, down-regulation of cyclin D1 and of active MAPK, and hypophosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). These changes were temporally associated with recruitment of tumor cells in G1 phase and a marked reduction of the proportion of cells in S phase. Upon removal of the kinase inhibitor, EGFR and Rb phosphorylation and the levels of cyclin D1 protein were quickly restored, but the cells did not reenter S phase until p27 protein levels were decreased. Phosphorothioate p27 oligonucleotides decreased p27 protein in A431 cells and abrogated the quinazoline-mediated G1 arrest. Treatment of A431 cells with PD 098509, a synthetic inhibitor of MEK1, inhibited MAPK activity without inducing G1 arrest or increasing the levels of p27. However, treatment with LY 294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited basal Akt activity, up-regulated p27, and recruited cells in G1. These data suggest that p27 is required for the growth arrest that follows interruption of the EGFR kinase in receptor-overexpressing cells. In addition, the G1 arrest and up-regulation of p27 resulting from EGFR blockade are not due to the interruption of MAPK, but to the interruption of constitutively active PI3K function.
Interrelationship between Gingival Pigmentation and Hemoglobin Concentration in Children-A Cross Sectional Study

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) continue to be of worldwide concern. Among children in the developing world, iron is the most common single-nutrient deficiency. [4] The prevalence of anaemia is an important health indicator and when it is used with other measurements of iron status the haemoglobin concentration can provide information about the severity of iron deficiency. [5] Thus the purpose of the present study was to assess the distribution of gingival pigmentation, establish whether correlation exist between hemoglobin concentration and gingival pigmentation.
Ephrin‐B2 elicits differential growth cone collapse and axon retraction in retinal ganglion cells from distinct retinal regions

The circuit for binocular vision and stereopsis is established at the optic chiasm, where retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons diverge into the ipsilateral and contralateral optic tracts. In the mouse retina, ventrotemporal (VT) RGCs express the guidance receptor EphB1, which interacts with the repulsive guidance cue ephrin‐B2 on radial glia at the optic chiasm to direct VT RGC axons ipsilaterally. RGCs in the ventral retina also express EphB2, which interacts with ephrin‐B2, whereas dorsal RGCs express low levels of EphB receptors. To investigate how growth cones of RGCs from different retinal regions respond upon initial contact with ephrin‐B2, we utilized time‐lapse imaging to characterize the effects of ephrin‐B2 on growth cone collapse and axon retraction in real time. We demonstrate that bath application of ephrin‐B2 induces rapid and sustained growth cone collapse and axon retraction in VT RGC axons, whereas contralaterally‐projecting dorsotemporal RGCs display moderate growth cone collapse and little axon retraction. Dose response curves reveal that contralaterally‐projecting ventronasal axons are less sensitive to ephrin‐B2 treatment compared to VT axons. Additionally, we uncovered a specific role for Rho kinase signaling in the retraction of VT RGC axons but not in growth cone collapse. The detailed characterization of growth cone behavior in this study comprises an assay for the study of Eph signaling in RGCs, and provides insight into the phenomena of growth cone collapse and axon retraction in general. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 70: 781–794, 2010
Evidence for an Association between Gender-Role Identity and a Measure of Executive Function

Two studies assessed the relation between gender role and executive function. In Study One (N = 234) analyses indicated that among college students executive function, assessed by the Coolidge and Griego scale, is related to masculine gender-role classification, measured by the Bem Sex-role Inventory. This relationship remained significant when biological sex was controlled. Further, factor analysis of the Bem Sex-role Inventory identified six components, three related to executive function. Two of these scales were associated with masculine characteristics, and the third was associated with the denial of several feminine items. Study Two (N = 55) further assessed the relationship among undergraduates through additional measures of executive functions and mood, in addition to the Bem Sex-role Inventory. In this study, executive functioning, as measured by the Coolidge and Griego scale, was again generally related to masculinity. Psychological well-being was not related to gender identity or executive functioning.
Absorbable Versus Non-Absorbable Suture in Carpal Tunnel Decompression

This randomised prospective clinical study compared the use of an absorbable suture (subcuticular 4 : 0 polyglactin 910) and a non-absorbable suture (5 : 0 monofilament polypropylene) for elective carpal tunnel decompression wound closure. An increased perception of pain was reported by the patients in the polypropylene (Prolene®) group. At the 6-week assessment, there was a higher level of residual wound inflammation in the polyglactin 910 (Vicryl®) group.
Kinetic Mechanism of Monomeric Non-claret Disjunctional Protein (Ncd) ATPase*

The non-claret disjunctional protein (Ncd) is a kinesin-related microtubule motor that moves toward the negative end of microtubules. The kinetic mechanism of the monomer motor domain, residues 335–700, satisfied a simple scheme for the binding of 2′-3′-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) (MANT) ATP, the hydrolysis step, and the binding and release of MANT ADP, Equation 1 MtN + T ⇌ k 1 > 300 s − 1 MtN · T ⇌ k 2 = 15 s − 1 MtN · D · P i ⇌ k 3 ≥ 10 s − 1 ( − P ) MtN · D ⇌ k − 4 = 220 s − 1 k 4 = 4 s − 1 MtN + D where T, D, and Pi refer to nucleotide triphosphate, nucleotide diphosphate, and inorganic phosphate, respectively, and MtN is the complex of an Ncd motor domain with a microtubule site. Rate constantsk 1 and k −4 are the rates of a first order step, an isomerization induced by nucleotide binding. The apparent second order rate constants for the binding steps are 1.5 × 106 m −1s−1 for MANT ATP and 3.5 × 106 m −1 s−1 for MANT ADP (conditions, 50 mm NaCl, pH 6.9, 21 °C). The rate constant of the hydrolysis step (k 2) was obtained from quench flow measurements of the phosphate burst phase corrected for the contribution of the rate of product release to the transient rate constant. The rate of phosphate dissociation was not measured; the value was assigned to account for a steady state rate of 3 s−1. The MtN complex is dissociated by ATP at a rate of 10 s−1 based on light scattering measurements. Dissociation constants of Ncd-nucleotide complexes from microtubules increased in the order adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS) < ADP-AlF4 < ATP < ADP < ADP-vanadate. Comparison of the properties of Ncd with a monomeric kinesin K332 (Ma and Taylor (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 717–723) showed a close similarity, except that the rate constants for the hydrolysis and ADP release steps and the steady state rate are approximately 15–20 times smaller for Ncd. There are two differences that may affect the reaction pathway. The rate of dissociation of MtN by ATP is comparable to the rate of the hydrolysis step, and N·T may dissociate in the cycle, whereas for kinesin, dissociation occurs after hydrolysis. The rate of dissociation of MtN by ADP is larger than the rate of ADP release from MtN·D, whereas for the microtubule-kinesin complex, the rate of dissociation by ADP is smaller than the rate of ADP release. The monomeric Mt·Ncd complex is not processive.
Too many rodent carcinogens: mitogenesis increases mutagenesis.

In the Perspective "Too many rodent carcinogens: Mitogenesis increases mutagenesis" by Bruce N. Ames and Lois Swirsky Gold (31 Aug., p. 970), the last paragraph on page 970 (continuing on page 971) was incorrectly printed. It should have read, "One major group of natural chemicals in the human diet are the chemicals that plants produce to defend themselves, the natural pesticides ( 4 ). We calculate that 99.9% (by weight) of the pesticides in our diet are natural. Few natural pesticides have been tested in at least one rodent species, and again about half (27/52 ) are rodent carcinogens. These 27 occur commonly in plant foods ( 10 ). The human diet contains thousands of natural pesticides, and we estimate that the average intake is about 1500 mg per person per day ( 4 ). This compares to a total of 0.09 mg per person per day of residues of about 100 synthetic pesticides ( 4 ). In addition, of the mold toxins tested at the MTD (induding aflatoxin), 11 out of 16 are rodent carcinogens. " Also, in paragraph 3 on page 970, "47,000 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosines per cell" should have been "90,000" per cell.