Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial diversity and microbial activity in the rhizosphere

INTRODUCTION It is well established that microbial life only occupies a minor volume of soil being localised in hot spots such as the rhizosphere soil (Nannipieri et al., 2003), where microflora has a continuous access to a flow of low and high molecular weight organic substrates derived from roots. This flow, together with specific physical, chemical and biological factors, can markedly affect microbial activity and community structure of the rhizosphere soil (Sorensen, 1997; Brimecombe et al., 2001). Both beneficial and detrimental interactions occur between microorganisms of rhizosphere soil and plants, and the matter as been extensively studied as shown by several chapters and books (Lynch, 1990a; Keister & Creagen, 1991; Waisel et al., 1991; Brimecombe et al., 2001; Pinton et al., 2001) on the subject. Rhizosphere is considered the soil volume surrounding the rhizoplane and the term was firstly conied by Hiltner in 1904 (Brimecombe et al., 2001). In his memory a successful (more than 400 participants) meeting was organized in Munich in 2004. The aim of this review is to discuss both composition and activity of microbial communities of rhizosphere soil, which are affected by rhizodeposition, a term that includes all substances released from roots to soil. Type of compounds released by roots, and systems used to study the rhizosphere effect will be also discussed. Since it is not possible to prepare an exhaustive review as the complexity and the vastness of the treated matter exceeds the limits of this short contribution, the review summarises the main topics without a detailed dicussion of the underlying mechanisms. Relevant reviews are cited more than original reports and the reader may consult cited books and reviews for a better knowledge of the treated matter.
Passive bistatic radar experiments from an airborne platform

The initial analysis of data collected during the airborne experiments has demonstrated airborne passive radar operation, using commercial FM radio signals as illuminators of opportunity, and these are believed to be the first results of this kind. The results have highlighted several practical techniques for improving the system performance: using multiple perspectives, optimal illuminator modulation bandwidth, and multiple looks over time.
Structural Insight into the Transglycosylation Step of Bacterial Cell-Wall Biosynthesis

Peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the polymerization step of cell-wall biosynthesis, are membrane-bound, and are highly conserved across all bacteria. Long considered the “holy grail” of antibiotic research, they represent an essential and easily accessible drug target for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We have determined the 2.8 angstrom structure of a bifunctional cell-wall cross-linking enzyme, including its transpeptidase and GT domains, both unliganded and complexed with the substrate analog moenomycin. The peptidoglycan GTs adopt a fold distinct from those of other GT classes. The structures give insight into critical features of the catalytic mechanism and key interactions required for enzyme inhibition.
Diet affects female mating behaviour in a seed‐feeding beetle

In species where males provide nuptial gifts, females can improve their nutritional status and thus increase their fecundity by mating when in need of resources. However, mating can be costly, so females should only mate to acquire resources when the need for resources is large, such as when females are nutritionally‐deprived. Two populations of the seed‐feeding beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, a species that produces relatively large nuptial gifts, are used to test whether female nutritional status affects mating behaviour. Female access to water, sugar and yeast are manipulated and the fitness consequences of these manipulations are examined together with the effects of diet on the propensity of nonvirgin females to mate. Access to water has a small but significant effect on mass loss over time, lifespan and fecundity of females, relative to unfed controls. Access to sugar (dissolved in water) improves female fecundity and lifespan above that of hydrated females but access to yeast has no positive effects on female survival or reproduction. Diet has a large effect on both receptivity of nonvirgin females to a male and how quickly they accept that male. Unfed females are both more likely to mate, and accept a mate more quickly, than females provided access to water, which are more likely to mate and accept a mate more quickly than females provided with sugar. This rank order of behaviours matches the order predicted if females increase their mating rate when nutritionally deprived (i.e. it matches the effect of diet on female fitness). The results obtained also suggest that mate choice may be condition‐dependent: females from one population (Burkina Faso) show a preference for large males when well‐fed but not when unfed, although this result is not found in a second population (South India). It is concluded that nutritionally‐deprived females are more receptive to mates than are well‐fed females, consistent with the hypothesis that females ‘forage’ for nuptial gifts, or at least more willingly accept sperm in exchange for nuptial gifts, when they are nutritionally deprived.
Homocysteine induces serum amyloid A3 in osteoblasts via unlocking RGD‐motifs in collagen

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. Homocysteine (Hcys) inhibits collagen cross‐linking and consequently decreases bone extracellular matrix (ECM) quality. Serum amyloid A (A‐SAA), an acute‐phase protein family, plays an important role in chronic and inflammatory diseases and up‐regulates MMP13, which plays an important role in bone development and remodeling. Here, we investigate the effect of Hcys on expression of SAA3, a member of the A‐SAA gene family, in osteoblasts characterizing underlying mechanisms and possible consequences on bone metabolism. MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast‐like cells were cultured up to 21 d with Hcys (low millimolar range) or reseeded onto ECM resulting from untreated or Hcys‐treated MC3T3‐E1 cells. Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy and a discriminative antibody were used to characterize the resulting ECM. Gene expression and signaling pathways were analyzed by gene chip, quantitative RT‐PCR, and immunoblotting. Transcriptional regulation of Saa3 was studied by promoter transfection assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Hcys treatment resulted in reduced collagen cross‐linking, uncovering of RGD‐motifs, and activation of the PTK2‐PXN‐CTNNB1 pathway followed by RELA activation. These signaling events led to increased SAA3 expression followed by the production of MMP13 and several chemokines, including Ccl5, Ccl2, Cxcl10, and Il6. Our data suggest Saa3 as link between hyperhomocysteinemia and development of osteoporosis. —Thaler, R. , Zwerina, J., Rumpler, M. , Spitzer, S. , Gamsjaeger, S. , Paschalis, E. P., Klaushofer, K. , Varga, F. Homocysteine induces serum amyloid A3 in osteoblasts via unlocking RGD motifs in collagen. FASEB J. 27, 446–463 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Immediate occlusal loading of Brånemark TiUnite implants placed predominantly in soft bone: 1-year results of a prospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND The original Brånemark protocol for dental implant treatment was based on submerged healing prior to loading. However, immediate loading has been reported possible with high success rates for various indications, provided that good bone quality and quantity are present. In many of these studies, machined-surface implants have been used. Recently, a new surface texture has been developed, based on an oxidation processing, that aims to enhance the early bone response (Brånemark System Mk IV TiUnite , Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden). It has been documented that this surface texture may help to better maintain primary implant stability during the early healing period and that secondary implant stability can be reached earlier compared with results when using a machined surface. Such a positive influence on implant stability might be an advantage when applying an immediate-loading protocol, especially in soft bone regions where a tendency toward reduced success rates has been reported. PURPOSE The aim of this report was to present the short-term success rates of TiUnite-surfaced immediate occlusally loaded Brånemark System Mk IV implants placed in various regions of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-eight patients received a total of 51 prosthetic reconstructions, all of which were connected on the day the implants were inserted. Of these, 20 were single-tooth restorations, 30 were fixed partial dentures, and 1 was a complete fixed lower jaw restoration. These prostheses were supported by 102 Brånemark System Mk IV TiUnite implants (38 maxillary and 64 mandibular), the majority of which were placed in posterior regions (88%) and mainly in soft bone (76%). Cutting resistance measurements were performed during implant insertion, and resonance frequency measurements were conducted during the course of the study. Furthermore, radiographic examinations were performed in connection with the delivery of the prostheses and at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits. This article reports on the results after 1 year of loading. RESULTS Three maxillary implants were removed, although stable, in one patient at the 8-week follow-up because of postoperative infection in the adjacent area of guided bone regeneration (GBR). This resulted in a cumulative success rate of the implants of 97.1% after 1 year of prosthetic loading. The mean marginal bone resorption after 1 year of loading was 1.2 +/- 0.9 mm (SD). CONCLUSIONS The applied immediate loading protocol in combination with a slightly tapered implant and a modified implant surface texture was shown to be a successful treatment alternative even in regions exhibiting soft bone.
Dual-Band Substrate Integrated Waveguide Balun Bandpass Filter With High Selectivity

A new method of designing a dual-band balun bandpass filter (BPF) with high selectivity is proposed and implemented by taking advantage of the existence of multiple substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity modes. The major design concept applied in this letter is based on two mechanisms: one is by properly placing the output ports to achieve the balanced output for both passbands, and the other is by taking cross coupling of higher/lower order modes to achieve transmission zeros (TZs) at each side of the passband. Two internal coupling slots are involved to separately control the coupling level between cascaded cavities for each passband. A prototype operating at 9.0 GHz and 9.8 GHz has been realized and shows the desired filtering performance. The differences between the two outputs are within 180°±2° in phase and 0.6 dB in magnitude across the two passbands. Measured frequency responses agree well with the simulated ones in this work.
Gini Coefficients of Educational Attainment: Age Group Specific Trends in Educational (In)equality

The broad concept of human capital comprises aspects inherent in humans, which are as in the case of congenital abilities, skills and talent either given or as in the case of education, experience and health develop over time. In this context education obtained through the formal schooling system takes on an essential role in linking those two components of human capital. On the one hand, education is able to compensate for congenital differences as well as educational gaps arising in early childhood. Equal access to education therefore secures equality of opportunities. On the other hand, education constitutes the foundation of individuals’ professional careers and affects, among other things, life-time income and health thus well-being over the whole life-cycle. Individuals not only interact with each other and with other economic agents by engaging in production, supplying labor and consuming goods but also participate in political-decision making. The aggregate level of education hence crucially shapes economies’ welfare. This is true for industrialized countries, where human capital is vital for technology driven, sustainable development and for developing countries, ∗Institute for Fiscal and Monetary Policy, University of Economics and Business; Wittgenstein Centre †World Population Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA); Wittgenstein Centre) ‡RI for Human Capital and Development/Wittgenstein Centre, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Analysis of 2D metamaterial structures using accelerated computation of mixed-potential Green's functions

Metamaterials are usually composed of periodic arrays of inclusions embedded in layered media. Their full-wave numerical characterisation with integral-equation formulations generally requires the accelerated computation of multilayered periodic Green's functions. An efficient strategy is presented here, able to solve plane-wave incidence problems and carry out rigorous dispersive analyses of two-dimensional structures with periodic cylindrical-type inclusions. Asymptotic terms are extracted from the relevant spectral series and are accelerated with the Ewald method, after suitable modifications depending on the Green's function component under analysis.
Growth kinetics and chemoprevention of aberrant crypts in the rat colon

Single and multiple colonic crypts exhibiting dysplasia that are detectable in situ by staining of rat colon with methylene blue are called aberrant crypts (AC) and may serve as an intermediate marker for colon cancer. In a characterization study, we have established the kinetics of AC growth and development over a period of 20 d following injection of rats with the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM). AC are not present at 5 d post‐injection, but are a constant feature at 10 d and thereafter. Multiple AC, presumably clonal, begin to evolve at 10 d and are consistent by 20 d, forming incipient microdenomata. We have examined 20 candidate chemopreventive agents for inhibition of AC. All agents were given in AIN‐76diet, at two dose levels, with injections of AOM. AC were measured after 5 weeks of growth. Among the most active AC‐inhibiting agents were BHA, DFMO, quercetin, diallyl sulfide, 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid, and ascorbyl palmitate. In a postinitiation study, the differentiating agent sodium butyrate was ineffective, but piroxicam was highly effective in modulating AC growth. Further, piroxicam inhibited AC development at all stages of growth from single to polycryptal clusters of AC. The AC assay shows marked sensitivity and specificity for screening agents for chemoprevention of colon cancer. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Symmetric boundary conditions in boundary critical phenomena

Conformally invariant boundary conditions for minimal models on a cylinder are classified by pairs of Lie algebras $(A,G)$ of ADE type. For each model, we consider the action of its (discrete) symmetry group on the boundary conditions. We find that the invariant ones correspond to the nodes in the product graph $A \otimes G$ that are fixed by some automorphism. We proceed to determine the charges of the fields in the various Hilbert spaces, but, in a general minimal model, many consistent solutions occur. In the unitary models $(A,A)$, we show that there is a unique solution with the property that the ground state in each sector of boundary conditions is invariant under the symmetry group. In contrast, a solution with this property does not exist in the unitary models of the series $(A,D)$ and $(A,E_6)$. A possible interpretation of this fact is that a certain (large) number of invariant boundary conditions have unphysical (negative) classical boundary Boltzmann weights. We give a tentative characterization of the problematic boundary conditions. Comment: 13 pages, REVTeX; reorganized and expanded version; includes a new section on unitary minimal models; conjectures reformulated, pointing to the generic existence of negative boundary Boltzmann weights in unitary models
Spleen Tyrosine Kinase Mediates BEAS-2B Cell Migration and Proliferation and Human Rhinovirus-Induced Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Interleukin-8

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is an immunoregulatory tyrosine kinase that was identified originally in leukocytes. It is a key regulator of innate immunity as well as hematopoietic cell differentiation and proliferation. A role for Syk in regulating normal cellular functions in nonhematopoietic cells is increasingly recognized. We have shown previously robust Syk expression in airway epithelium, where it regulates the early inflammatory response to human rhinovirus (HRV) infections, and HRV cell entry by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. To test the hypothesis that Syk plays a role in modulating airway epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and production of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8, we studied the BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cell line and primary human airway epithelia from normal and asthmatic donors using Syk-specific pharmacologic inhibitors and small interfering RNA. Using an in vitro “wounding” model, we demonstrated significant impairment of “wound” closure after treatment with the Syk inhibitors N4-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-4H-pyrid[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine (R406) and 2-[7-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-ylamino]-nicotinamide dihydrochloride (BAY61-3606), overexpression of the kinase-inactive SykK396R mutant, and Syk knockdown by small interfering RNA. HRV infection also impaired wound healing, an effect that was partly Syk-dependent because wound healing was impaired further when HRV infection occurred in the presence of Syk inhibition. Further investigation of potential regulatory mechanisms revealed that inhibition of Syk suppressed HRV-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression while promoting the activation of caspase-3, a mediator of epithelial cell apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that Syk plays a role in promoting epithelial cell proliferation and migration, while mitigating the effects of apoptosis.
Broadening Our View About the Role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cell Envelope Components During Infection: A Battle for Survival

TB is an ancient disease, however, it is still a major health problem in the world (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). The number of new cases of TB worldwide roughly correlates with economic conditions: the highest incidences are seen in those countries with the lowest gross national products (countries mainly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America). WHO numbers indicate that 8 million people are newly infected and nearly 2 million people die of TB every year; translating to one person infected every 4 seconds and one person dying every 18 seconds (WHO, 2007). WHO estimates that by year 2020 up to 36 million people will die of TB every year (WHO, 2010). The current TB burden in the world is strictly associated to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) co-infection with HIV, and the recent emergence of practically untreatable extensive-, extremely-, and totally-drug resistant M.tb strains (XDR-, XXDR-, and TDR-) in endemic areas. In this context, a person infected with a XDR/XXDR M.tb strain currently has a survival rate between 36-50%, however, for people co-infected with HIV, their survival rate drops to ~15% with a life span of 16 days upon XDR/XXDR M.tb infection (Gandhi et al., 2006). XXDR-M.tb strains are resistant to all first and second line of drugs currently available, and TDR-M.tb strains are even resistant to the new developed drugs currently in clinical trials (Andrews et al., 2010;Basu et al., 2009; Gandhi et al., 2006, 2010). Very little is known about the cell wall composition of XDR/XXDR/TDR M.tb strains. The presence of phenolic glycolipids and triglycerides in the M.tb cell wall has been directly related to the hypervirulence observed in some strains (Reed et al., 2004, 2007). However, in the case of XDR/XXDR/TDR M.tb strains, it still is unknown which bacterial and host factors are involved in the induction of the overwhelming host immune response generated by these strains.
Targeting IL-1 in depression

Introduction: Depression is associated with inflammation, Th1 and Th17 responses, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), autoimmune responses against neoantigenic determinants, and neuroprogression (i.e., neurodegeneration, impaired plasticity and reduced neurogenesis). These pathways involve increased monocytic activation and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels. Areas covered: This review will highlight the putative role of IL-1 in depression and the potential use of IL-1 signaling blockade as a treatment of depression. Electronic databases, i.e., Scopus, PUBMED and Google Scholar were employed using keywords: depression, depressive-like, interleukin-1, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). Expert opinion: Ample studies show that depression is accompanied by increased levels of IL-1 and IL-1RA, which attenuates the pro-inflammatory activities of IL-1. In some, but not all studies, antidepressant treatment decreased IL-1β levels. In translational models, IL-1β administration elicits depressive-like behaviors, neuroinflammation and neuroprogression, whereas treatment with IL-1RA yields antidepressant-like effects and attenuates neuroprogression. Anakinra, an IL-1RA, targets not only IL-1 signaling, but also Th1, Th17, O&NS and neuroprogressive pathways and therefore may be advanced to clinical Phase-II trials in depression due to medical conditions associated with an elevated IL-1/IL-1RA ratio.
The impact of managed care on children's access, satisfaction, use, and quality of care.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of managed care on children's access, satisfaction, use, and quality of care using nationally representative household survey data. DATA SOURCE The 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). STUDY DESIGN Bivariate and multivariate analyses are used to detect independent effects of managed care on access, satisfaction, utilization, and quality of pediatric health services. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Data were obtained from rounds 1, 2, and 3 of the 1996 MEPS. MEPS collects data on health care use, insurance, access, and satisfaction, along with basic demographic and health status information for a representative sample of the U. S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. Our sample consists of 5,995 children between the ages of 0 and 17. FINDINGS Among the 18 outcome indicators examined, the bivariate analysis revealed only three statistically significant differences between children enrolled in managed care and children in traditional health plans: children enrolled in managed care were more likely to receive physician services, more likely to have access to office-based care during evening or weekend hours, and less likely to report being very satisfied with overall quality of care. However, after controlling for confounding factors, none of these differences remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that there are no statistically significant differences in self-reported outcomes for children enrolled in managed care and traditional health plans. This conclusion is provisional, however, because of limitations in the data set.