Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis of CLPT1, a Rab/GTPase required for protein secretion and pathogenesis in the plant fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

In eukaryotic cells, Rab/GTPases are major regulators of vesicular trafficking and are involved in essential processes including exocytosis, endocytosis and cellular differentiation. To investigate the role of these proteins in fungal pathogenicity, a dominant-negative mutant allele of CLPT1, a Rab/GTPase of the bean pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, was expressed in transgenic strains. This mutated gene encodes the amino-acid substitution N123I analogous to the N133I substitution in a known trans-dominant inhibitor of the Sec4 Rab/GTPase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A pectinase gene promoter was used to drive the CLPT1(N123I) allele in C. lindemuthianum, allowing the expression of the foreign gene on pectin medium and during pathogenesis, but not on glucose. The same strategy was used to overexpress the wild-type CLPT1 allele. During growth on pectin medium, production of extracellular pectinases was strongly impaired only in CLPT1(N123I)-expressing strains. Cytological analysis revealed that CLPT1(N123I) strains accumulated intracellular aggregates only on pectin, resulting from the fusion of vesicles containing polysaccharides or glycoproteins. Moreover, these strains showed a severe reduction of pathogenesis and were unable to penetrate the host cells. These results indicated that the Rab/GTPase CLPT1 is essential for fungal pathogenesis by regulating the intracellular transport of secretory vesicles involved in the delivery of proteins to the extracellular medium and differentiation of infectious structures.
Subculturing of a polychlorinated biphenyl-dechlorinating anaerobic enrichment on solid media

An anaerobic culture capable of dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyls was subcultured under strict anaerobic conditions on solid media containing sterilized river sediment. The dechlorination activity was transferred as a bacterial colony on a solid medium three times. After two transfers on solid medium, the culture was no longer methanogenic but still dechlorinated a mixture of tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls. This demonstrates that anaerobic bacteria are responsible for the polychlorinated biphenyl dechlorination and can be grown without polychlorinated biphenyl on solid media.
The Verbal Overshadowing Effect: Influence on Perception

The current study aims to observe altera- tions on perception of attractiveness due to the Verbal Over- shadowing Effect (VOE). University students (N=458, 178 males and 280 females) participated in a study where two faces were shown, one male and one female, for 5 sec- onds. The experimental group verbalized their perception of the face and then immediately rated the attractiveness of the face on a Likert scale ranging from 1-7. It is hy- pothesized that describing the face will influence the rat- ing of attractiveness, and that gender will also influence perception. Statistical analysis supported the hypothesis and revealed significance in the factor of verbalization, and between males and females in the experimental group. There was no main effect for the factor of gender; how- ever, a test for interactions revealed a significant main ef- fect for females. Results are discussed in relation to gen- der differences and a general shift in cognitive process.
Risk Stratification in Unstable Angina: How to Select Patients Who Need Emergency Revascularization

Abstract Patients considered to have unstable angina have a varying prognosis depending on their clinical presentation. Prognosis can be influenced by several factors including persistent pain, transient ST segment shifts, left main coronary artery stenosis, and silent myocardial ischemia. Most patients who present with unstable angina have their symptoms controlled initially with pharmacological management. If symptoms persist, coronary angioplasty or heart surgery can be performed but morbidity and mortality is slightly higher than in patients who are stable. Patients who will benefit from early revascularization include those with persistent myocardial ischemia as manifested by spontaneous angina, spontaneous ST segment shifts on ambulatory ECG, a positive exercise test at a low cardiac workload, or a markedly positive radionuclide or cardiac ultrasound imaging test.
Information Transfer Effects of Senior Executives' Migrations and Subsequent Write-Offs

In this study, we consider whether the market conditions its reactions to a senior executive s (SE) move from an origin company (OC) to a destination company (DC) onthe SE s past performance and any other information impounded in the market reaction to the SE s emigration from the OC. We also examine whether the market perceives abenefit in the hiring of an SE with an industry-specific background. We find that, with regard to migration events, the performance of the OC accounting and stock before the SE s migration is positively associated with the market reaction to the immigration event only when the OC and the DC are members of the same industry. With respect to an OC s contiguously subsequent write-off and restructuring events, we conjecture that subsequent large restructuring events signal hitherto unrecognized shortcomings of theemigrating SE, whereas non-restructuring asset write-offs are more likely to be amanifestation of neutral (with respect to inferences regarding the quality of theemigrating SE) big baths taken by the OC s incoming SE. We hypothesize and find that,ceteris paribus, the market reaction to the DC s stock at the time of the OC sannouncement of a post-immigration write-off or restructuring is negatively associatedwith the OC s pre-emigration performance (which is predominantly positive in oursample), and possibly non-negatively associated with an asset write-off (which is not a restructuring event). We also conjecture that these effects are enhanced (become more negative) when the DC imports an SE from a competitor.
The Interactive Effects of Drinking Motives, Age, and Self-Criticism in Predicting Hazardous Drinking

ABSTRACT Background: Individuals who disclose hazardous drinking often report strong motives to drink, which may occur to modulate views of the self. Investigating self-criticism tendencies in models of drinking motives may help explain who is more susceptible to drinking for internal or external reasons. As much of the research on drinking motives and alcohol use is conducted in young adult or college student samples, studying these relations in a wider age range is clearly needed. Objectives: The current study examined the interactive relationship between drinking motives (internal: coping, enhancement; external: social, conformity), levels of self-criticism (internalized, comparative), and age to predict hazardous drinking. Methods: Participants (N = 427, Mage = 34.16, 54.8% female) who endorsed drinking within the last year completed an online study assessing these constructs. Results: Results indicated internalized self-criticism and drinking to cope interacted to predict hazardous drinking for middle-aged adults. However, comparative self-criticism and conformity motives interacted to predict greater hazardous drinking for younger-aged adults. In addition, both social and conformity motives predicted less hazardous drinking for middle-aged adults high in comparative self-criticism. Conclusions/Importance: Interventions that target alcohol use could minimize coping motivations to drink while targeting comparative self-criticism in the context of social, and conformity motives.
Phytomonas: Trypanosomatids Adapted to Plant Environments

Over 100 years after trypanosomatids were first discovered in plant tissues, Phytomonas parasites have now been isolated across the globe from members of 24 different plant families. Most identified species have not been associated with any plant pathology and to date only two species are definitively known to cause plant disease. These diseases (wilt of palm and coffee phloem necrosis) are problematic in areas of South America where they threaten the economies of developing countries. In contrast to their mammalian infective relatives, our knowledge of the biology of Phytomonas parasites and how they interact with their plant hosts is limited. This review draws together a century of research into plant trypanosomatids, from the first isolations and experimental infections to the recent publication of the first Phytomonas genomes. The availability of genomic data for these plant parasites opens a new avenue for comparative investigations into trypanosomatid biology and provides fresh insight into how this important group of parasites have adapted to survive in a spectrum of hosts from crocodiles to coconuts.
SECTION 3, COMPONENT 3: CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND COMORBID CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT ASTHMA

Reduce or eliminate exposure to the allergen(s) the patient is sensitive to, including: Animal dander: Remove animal from house or, at a minimum, keep animal out of the patient’s bedroom. House-dust mites: — Recommended: Encase mattress in an allergen-impermeable cover; encase pillow in an allergen-impermeable cover or wash it weekly; wash sheets and blankets on the patient’s bed in hot water weekly (water temperature of >130 °F is necessary for killing mites): cooler water and detergent and bleach will still reduce live mites and allergen level. Prolonged exposure to dry heat or freezing can also kill mites but does not remove allergen. — Desirable: Reduce indoor humidity to or below 60 percent, ideally 30–50 percent; remove carpets from the bedroom; avoid sleeping or lying on upholstered furniture; remove carpets that are laid on concrete. Cockroaches: Use poison bait or traps to control insects, but intensive cleaning is necessary to reduce reservoirs. Do not leave food or garbage exposed. Pollens (from trees, grass, or weeds) and outdoor molds: If possible, adults who have allergies should stay indoors, with windows closed, during periods of peak pollen exposure, which are usually during the midday and afternoon. Indoor mold: Fix all leaks and eliminate water sources associated with mold growth; clean moldy surfaces. Consider reducing indoor humidity to or below 60 percent, ideally 30–50 percent. Dehumidify basements if possible. It is recommended that allergen immunotherapy be considered for patients who have asthma if evidence is clear of a relationship between symptoms and exposure to an allergen to which the patient is sensitive.
Molecular Cloning of the Helodermin and Exendin-4 cDNAs in the Lizard

Helodermin and exendin-4, two peptides isolated from the salivary gland of the Gila monster,Heloderma suspectum, are approximately 50% homologous to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), respectively, and interact with the mammalian receptors for VIP and GLP-1 with equal or higher affinity and efficacy. Immunohistochemical studies suggested the presence of helodermin-like peptides in mammals. To determine whether helodermin and exendin-4 are present in mammals and their evolutionary relationship to VIP and GLP-1, their cDNAs were first cloned from Gila monster salivary gland. Northern blots and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of multiple Gila monster tissues identified ∼500-base pair transcripts only from salivary gland. Both helodermin and exendin-4 full-length cDNAs were ∼500 base pairs long, and they encoded precursor proteins containing the entire amino acid sequence of helodermin and exendin-4, as well as a 44- or 45-amino acid N-terminal extension peptide, respectively, having ∼60% homology. The size and structural organization of these cDNAs indicated that they were closely related to one another but markedly different from known cDNAs for the VIP/GLP-1 peptide family previously identified in both lower and higher evolved species. Cloning of the Gila monster VIP/peptide histidine isoleucine, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide, and glucagon/GLP-1 cDNAs and Southern blotting of Gila monster DNA demonstrate the coexistence of separate genes for these peptides and suggests, along with the restricted salivary gland expression, that helodermin and exendin-4 coevolved to serve a separate specialized function. Probing of a variety of rat and human tissues on Northern blots, human and rat Southern blots, and genomic and cDNA libraries with either helodermin- or exendin-4-specific cDNAs failed to identify evidence for mammalian homologues. These data indicate that helodermin and exendin-4 are not the precursors to VIP and GLP-1 and that they belong to a separate peptide family encoded by separate genes. Furthermore, the existence of as yet undiscovered mammalian homologues to helodermin and exendin-4 seems unlikely.
Transcriptome profiling of individual rhesus macaque oocytes and preimplantation embryos†

Abstract Early mammalian embryonic transcriptomes are dynamic throughout the process of preimplantation development. Cataloging of primate transcriptomics during early development has been accomplished in humans, but global characterization of transcripts is lacking in the rhesus macaque: a key model for human reproductive processes. We report here the systematic classification of individual macaque transcriptomes using RNA-Seq technology from the germinal vesicle stage oocyte through the blastocyst stage embryo. Major differences in gene expression were found between sequential stages, with the 4- to 8-cell stages showing the highest level of differential gene expression. Analysis of putative transcription factor binding sites also revealed a striking increase in key regulatory factors in 8-cell embryos, indicating a strong likelihood of embryonic genome activation occurring at this stage. Furthermore, clustering analyses of gene co-expression throughout this period resulted in distinct groups of transcripts significantly associated to the different embryo stages assayed. The sequence data provided here along with characterizations of major regulatory transcript groups present a comprehensive atlas of polyadenylated transcripts that serves as a useful resource for comparative studies of preimplantation development in humans and other species. Summary Sentence The embryonic genome is activated at the 8-cell stage in the rhesus macaque.
Lack of Motor Symptoms Progression in Parkinson's Disease Patients With Long-Term Bilateral Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation

ABSTRACT To evaluate the long-term progression of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS), we retrospectively analyzed data from 50 PD patients with bilateral STN-DBS. Clinical records at baseline and at several yearly intervals were reviewed. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating scale (UPDRS) was performed preoperatively after withholding medications for at least 12 hr (OFF) and after taking the usual dose of levodopa. Postoperative evaluations were completed in four clinical states: OFF medications—stimulators OFF (OFF/OFF); OFF medications—stimulators ON; ON medications—stimulators OFF; and ON medications—stimulators ON. The UPDRS motor scores OFF/OFF were virtually unmodified up to 5 years when compared with preoperative OFF scores. There was no significant difference between OFF/OFF score variations from baseline in patients with shorter (<11 years) and longer PD duration at the time of surgery. No consistent deterioration from untreated baseline was noted for each UPDRS motor subscore (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and axial). Untreated PD motor scores did not worsen over time in patients undergoing STN-DBS, suggesting that there is no progression of motor severity. These results could be explained either by a natural stabilization of PD motor symptoms after many years or neuroprotective properties of STN-DBS.
In Vitro Assessment and Multicenter Cohort Study of Comparative Nephrotoxicity Rates Associated with Colistimethate versus Polymyxin B Therapy

ABSTRACT Despite concerns of nephrotoxicity, polymyxin antibiotics often remain the only susceptible agents for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Colistin has been more commonly used clinically due to a perceived safety benefit. We compared the nephrotoxicity of colistin to polymyxin B. The in vitro cytotoxicity of colistin was compared to polymyxin B in two mammalian renal cell lines. To validate the clinical relevance of the findings, we evaluated adult patients with normal renal function who received a minimum of 72 h of polymyxin therapy in a multicenter study. The primary outcome was the prevalence of nephrotoxicity, as defined by the RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease) criteria. Colistin exhibited an in vitro cytotoxicity profile similar to polymyxin B. A total of 225 patients (121 receiving colistimethate, 104 receiving polymyxin B) were evaluated. Independent risk factors for colistimethate-associated nephrotoxicity included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.07; P = 0.03), duration of therapy (OR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.15; P = 0.02), and daily dose by ideal body weight (OR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.88; P = 0.02). In contrast, cystic fibrosis was found to be a protective factor in patients who received colistimethate (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.79; P = 0.04). In a matched analysis based on the risk factors identified (n = 76), the prevalence of nephrotoxicity was higher with colistimethate than with polymyxin B (55.3% versus 21.1%; P = 0.004). Polymyxin B was not found to be more nephrotoxic than colistin and may be the preferred polymyxin for MDR infections. A prospective study comparing the two polymyxins directly is warranted.
Genetic Factors Affecting Clinical Severity in &bgr;-Thalassemia Syndromes

Purpose Heterogeneity in the clinical manifestation of &bgr;-thalassemic diseases may occur from the nature of &bgr;-globin gene mutations, &agr;-thalassemia gene interaction, or differences in the amount of hemoglobin (Hb) F production. This study was conducted to determine whether these genetic determinant factors can predict phenotypic severity of patients with &bgr;-thalassemia and to assess the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of the disease. Materials and Methods A total of 144 patients with &bgr;-thalassemia were divided into mild (46 patients), intermediate (55 patients), and severe groups (43 patients). DNA analysis based on polymerase chain reaction technique was performed to characterize types of &bgr;-thalassemia mutation, interaction of &agr;-thalassemia, and Xmn I polymorphism 5´ to G&ggr;-globin gene. Results Two alleles of mild &bgr;-thalassemia mutation (&bgr;+/&bgr;+-thalassemia or &bgr;+-thalassemia/Hb E) resulted in a mild clinical symptom whereas two alleles of severe &bgr;-thalassemia mutation (&bgr;o/&bgr;o) produced a severe clinical phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for mild and severe alleles of &bgr;-thalassemia (&bgr;o/&bgr;+-thalassemia or &bgr;o-thalassemia/Hb E) led to variable severity of anemia. Coinheritance of &agr;-thalassemia alleviated the severity of &bgr;-thalassemia disease in those patients with at least one allele of the mild &bgr;-thalassemia genotype. DNA polymorphism at position -158 nt 5´ to the G&ggr;-globin gene was demonstrated by Xmn I restriction enzyme. Homozygote of the Xmn I site, +/+, was found to have a strong linkage with high Hb F levels and high hemoglobin production in two patients who had mild clinical symptoms. However, some patients who had Xmn I site −/− also had mild clinical symptoms because the Xmn I− was found to be associated with &bgr;+-thalassemia mutation. Conclusion Types of &bgr;-thalassemia mutation and coinheritance of &agr;-thalassemia in the patient who has at least one allele of the mild &bgr;-thalassemia genotype are predictive for the clinical severity of the disease. However, a mild clinical symptom in some patients with &bgr;o/&bgr;+-thalassemia or &bgr;o-thalassemia/Hb E who do not have a detectable &agr;-thalassemia haplotype and no linkage with Xmn I++ suggests that there are other confounding factors responsible for the severity differences of the disease.
Molecular systematics of five Onchocerca species (Nematoda: Filarioidea) including the human parasite, O. volvulus, suggest sympatric speciation

Abstract The genus Onchocerca (Nematoda: Filarioidea) consists of parasites of ungulate mammals with the exception of O. volvulus, which is a human parasite. The relationship between O. volvulus, O. ochengi and O. gibsoni remains unresolved. Based on morphology of the microfilariae and infective larvae, vector transmission and geographical distribution, O. ochengi and O. volvulus have been placed as sister species. Nevertheless, the cuticle morphology and chromosomal data (O. volvulus and O. gibsoni have n=4 while O. ochengi is n=5) suggest that O. gibsoni could be more closely related to O. volvulus than O. ochengi. Sequences from the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and ND5 mitochondrial genes have been used to reconstruct the phylogeny of five Onchocerca species including O. volvulus. Analyses with maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony showed that O. ochengi is the sister species of O. volvulus, in accordance with the classification based on morphology and geographical location. The separate specific status of the species O. gutturosa and O. lienalis was supported, although their phylogenetic relationship was not well resolved. The analyses indicated that the basal species was O. gibsoni, a South-East Asian and Australasian species, but this result was not statistically significant. The possible involvement of sympatric speciation in the evolution of this group of parasites is discussed.
Localization of PDZ domain containing proteins Discs Large-1 and Scribble in the mouse eye.

PURPOSE In invertebrates such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, the PDZ domain containing proteins, Discs large (Dlg) and Scribble (Scrib), are found localized to specific junctional complexes and have been shown to be required for establishing and maintaining epithelial cell adhesion, polarity, and proliferation during development. In addition, they are known to be critical for neural development. However, the mechanisms and pathways through which they act in mammalian systems, especially in vivo, are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize the distribution of Dlg-1 and Scrib in various structures of the mouse eye and the regions where these proteins overlap with known adhesion proteins. METHODS Embryos or mouse eyes were embedded, sectioned, subjected to immunofluorescence with antibodies to Dlg-1, Scrib, and E-cadherin, N-cadherin, or ZO-1, and stained sections viewed under confocal microscopy. RESULTS Dlg-1 and Scrib were found widely distributed throughout the eye. In the lens, overlap was observed with E- and N-cadherin and ZO-1 in regions where adherens junctions are found, as well as in the complexes that attach lens cells to the underlying capsule. Overlap of Dlg-1 and Scrib with E-cadherin and ZO-1 was observed in the portions of the cornea and in the retinal pigment epithelium. However, in the neural retina, there appeared to be little, if any, overlap of Dlg-1 or Scrib with adhesion proteins, consistent with a role in synapse biology in the neural retina rather than adhesion. CONCLUSIONS The observed localization of Dlg-1 and Scrib with cadherins suggests that these proteins may play roles in cell adhesion, polarity and proliferation, as they do in invertebrates, suggesting cross-species conservation of function for these PDZ proteins. However, the broader distribution of these PDZ proteins within the eye suggests they may play more diverse roles in cell adhesion and differentiation.