Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HcwA, an Autolysin, Is Required for Heterocyst Maturation in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120

ABSTRACT In many filamentous cyanobacteria, vegetative cells can differentiate into heterocysts, cells that are specialized for aerobic fixation of N2. Synthesis of the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide is dependent on the gene hepA inAnabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. In search of genes that are involved in the regulation of hepA, we transposon mutagenized strain DR1069, which bears a chromosomalhepA::luxAB fusion. One resulting mutant, designated HNL3, grows normally in medium with nitrate and shows poor induction of hepA in response to nitrogen deprivation. In HNL3, transposon Tn5-1058 is inserted within gene hcwA, a constitutively expressed open reading frame whose predicted product resemblesN-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidases. Reconstruction of the mutation confirmed that the mutant phenotype resulted from the insertion of the transposon. The induction ofhepA in HNL3 is partially restored upon recombination of HNL3 with plasmid-borne, wild-type hcwA. Moreover, HcwA expressed in Escherichia coli exhibits wall-lytic activity. These results suggest that the degradation, or possibly reconstruction, of the cell peptidoglycan layer is a prerequisite for heterocyst maturation.
A Conserved Proline between Domains II and III of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Influences both RNA Replication and Virus Assembly

ABSTRACT We previously demonstrated that two closely spaced polyproline motifs, with the consensus sequence Pro-X-X-Pro-X-Lys/Arg, located between residues 343 to 356 of NS5A, mediated interactions with cellular SH3 domains. The N-terminal motif (termed PP2.1) is only conserved in genotype 1 isolates, whereas the C-terminal motif (PP2.2) is conserved throughout all hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates, although this motif was shown to be dispensable for replication of the genotype 1b subgenomic replicon. In order to investigate the potential role of these motifs in the viral life cycle, we have undertaken a detailed mutagenic analysis of these proline residues in the context of both genotype 1b (FK5.1) or 2a subgenomic replicons and the genotype 2a infectious clone, JFH-1. We show that the PP2.2 motif is dispensable for RNA replication of all subgenomic replicons and, furthermore, is not required for virus production in JFH-1. In contrast, the PP2.1 motif is only required for genotype 1b RNA replication. Mutation of proline 346 within PP2.1 to alanine dramatically attenuated genotype 1b replicon replication in three distinct genetic backgrounds, but the corresponding proline 342 was not required for replication of the JFH-1 subgenomic replicon. However, the P342A mutation resulted in both a delay to virus release and a modest (up to 10-fold) reduction in virus production. These data point to critical roles for these proline residues at multiple stages in the HCV life cycle; however, they also caution against extrapolation of data from culture-adapted replicons to infectious virus.
New progress in large-size CZT (Zn=10%) single crystal growth using MVB technique for room temperature radiation detectors

Using modified vertical Bridgman (MVB) technique, Yinnel has been successfully growing 3-inch-diameter CZT ingots with single crystal volume up to 300 cm/sup 3/ per ingot. Using the "best" growth condition, Yinnel can reproducibly grow the CZT with high /spl mu//spl tau/(e) and /spl mu//spl tau/(h) products. Baltic Scientific Instruments (B.S.I.) has made six large-size (15/spl times/15/spl times/10 mm/sup 3/) coplanar detectors, which showed the excellent spectrum resolution (<2%), the best resolution is 1.58%, and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has made the planar Frisch Grid detector (5/spl times/6/spl times/11 mm/sup 3/) with the 1.2 % resolution (at 5/spl deg/C) both detectors measured with Cs/sup 137/ at 662 keV.
Exposure to job stress--a new psychometric instrument.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether men employed in the metal industry have sperm of poorer quality than men in other types of work. A postal questionnaire was sent to men employed in the metal industry, certain other types of nonmetal industries, and other types of employment in which the factors suspected to influence sperm quality were not present. By means of this questionnaire survey, it was hoped to define the possible influences of the work environment on sperm quality. Out of the total of 3,119 men included in the investigation, 2,517 (81%) filled out the questionnaire satisfactorily. Semen analysis was performed for all 3,119 men. There was a greater risk for poor sperm quality among welders than among men not employed in welding. The risk for poor sperm quality was increased for those welders who worked with stainless steel. Welding in general, and specifically with stainless steel, is connected with a risk of reduced sperm quality.
Ror1, a cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and may serve as a putative target for therapy

Gene profiling studies of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has revealed increased expression of Ror1, a cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase. The aim of present study was to analyze gene and protein expression of Ror1 in CLL cells and normal blood leukocytes. Gene expression analysis reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction of ROR1 revealed that all patients with CLL (n = 100) spontaneously expressed ROR1 mRNA whereas enriched blood B and T cells as well as granulocytes from healthy donors (n = 10) were negative. A strong nonphysiological activation signal (PMA/ionomycin) was required to induce expression in vitro in normal lymphocytes. Major genomic aberrations (mutations or truncation) of ROR1 were not observed. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot using a panel of polyclonal anti‐Ror antibodies as well as flow cytometry. Blood lymphocytes from 18/18 CLL patients, but none of the 10 healthy donors, expressed surface Ror1. The majority of CLL cells exhibited Ror1 surface expression (71% mean; range 36–92%) with a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of 20 (range 10–45). The corresponding MFI of CD19 on CLL cells was 26 (range 9–48). There was no difference in the Ror1 protein expression comparing IgVH mutated and unmutated cases as well as progressive and nonprogressive CLL patients. Two different variants of the Ror1 protein, 105 and 130 kDa, were identified. The Ror1 protein expression in patients with CLL but not in normal leukocytes merits further studies of its role in the pathobiology of CLL, which may provide a basis for development of Ror1 directed targeted therapy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Statistics of polarization-dependent gain in fiber Raman amplifiers

We developed an analytical model for the statistics of polarization-dependent gain (PDG) in both copumped and counterpumped fiber Raman amplifiers (FRAs). The validity of this model was confirmed by using experimental data and numerical simulations. The results show that the PDG in a counterpumped FRA cannot be neglected since it is only about 3 times smaller than that in a copumped FRA. Using the proposed model, we also evaluated the effects of various parameters on the PDG including the wavelength difference between the signal and pump, degree-of-polarization (DOP) of pump laser, polarization-mode dispersion, and fiber loss at the pump wavelength. In addition, the proposed model was used to analyze the requirement of the DOP of pump for the suppression of PDG within 1 dB.
Impact of Po Valley emissions on the highest glacier of the Eastern European Alps

Abstract. In June 2009, we conducted the first extensive glaciological survey of Alto dell'Ortles, the uppermost glacier of Mt. Ortles (3905 m a.s.l.), the highest summit of the Eastern European Alps. This section of the Alps is located in a rain shadow and is characterized by the lowest precipitation rate in the entire Alpine arc. Mt. Ortles offers a unique opportunity to test deposition mechanisms of chemical species that until now were studied only in the climatically-different western sector. We analyzed snow samples collected on Alto dell'Ortles from a 4.5 m snow-pit at 3830 m a.s. l. , and we determined a large suite of trace elements and ionic compounds that comprise the atmospheric deposition over the past two years. Trace element concentrations measured in snow samples are extremely low with mean concentrations at pg g −1 levels. Only Al and Fe present median values of 1.8 and 3.3 ng g −1 , with maximum concentrations of 21 and 25 ng g −1 . The median crustal enrichment factor (EFc) values for Be, Rb, Sr, Ba, U, Li, Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ga and V are lower than 10 suggesting that these elements originated mainly from soil and mineral aerosol. EFc higher than 100 are reported for Zn (118), Ag (135), Bi (185), Sb (401) and Cd (514), demonstrating the predominance of non-crustal depositions and suggesting an anthropogenic origin. Our data show that the physical stratigraphy and the chemical signals of several species were well preserved in the uppermost snow of the Alto dell'Ortles glacier. A clear seasonality emerges from the data as the summer snow is more affected by anthropogenic and marine contributions while the winter aerosol flux is dominated by crustal sources. For trace elements, the largest mean EFc seasonal variations are displayed by V (with a factor of 3.8), Sb (3.3), Cu (3.3), Pb (2.9), Bi (2.8), Cd (2.1), Zn (1.9), Ni (1.8), Ag (1.8), As (1.7) and Co (1.6). When trace species ratios in local and Po Valley emissions are compared with those in Alto dell'Ortles snow, the deposition on Mt. Ortles is clearly linked with Po Valley summer emissions. Despite climatic differences between the Eastern and Western Alps, trace element ratios from Alto dell'Ortles are comparable with those obtained from high-altitude glaciers in the Western Alps, suggesting similar sources and transport processes at seasonal time scales in these two distinct areas. In particular, the large changes in trace element concentrations both in the Eastern and Western Alps appear to be more related to the regional vertical structure of the troposphere rather than the synoptic weather patterns.
Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor-1 Mediates the Transmigration of Regulatory T Cells across Human Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelium

The common lymphatic endothelial and vascular endothelial receptor (CLEVER-1; also known as FEEL-1 and stabilin-1) is a recycling and intracellular trafficking receptor with multifunctional properties. In this study, we demonstrate increased endothelial expression of CLEVER-1/stabilin-1 at sites of leukocyte recruitment to the inflamed human liver including sinusoids, septal vessels, and lymphoid follicles in inflammatory liver disease and tumor-associated vessels in hepatocellular carcinoma. We used primary cultures of human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC) to demonstrate that CLEVER-1/stabilin-1 expression is enhanced by hepatocyte growth factor but not by classical proinflammatory cytokines. We then showed that CLEVER-1/stabilin-1 supports T cell transendothelial migration across HSEC under conditions of flow with strong preferential activity for CD4 FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). CLEVER-1/stabilin-1 inhibition reduced Treg transendothelial migration by 40% and when combined with blockade of ICAM-1 and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) reduced it by >80%. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that 60% of transmigrating Tregs underwent transcellular migration through HSEC via ICAM-1– and VAP-1–rich transcellular pores in close association with CLEVER-1/stabilin-1. Thus, CLEVER-1/stabilin-1 and VAP-1 may provide an organ-specific signal for Treg recruitment to the inflamed liver and to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Serum Transferrin Receptor in Children: Usefulness for Determinating the Nature of Anemia in Infection

Objectives To know the variations of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and its indices depending on the status of body iron and the presence of infection in children, to evaluate their usefulness for recognizing the nature of anemia in infection, and to know the role of erythropoietic activity in these conditions. Design and Methods Three hundred and sixty-eight children between 1 and 10 years were included: 206 healthy children; 60 iron deficient anemic children (IDA); 102 with anemia and infectious disease, 58 of them meeting criteria for IDA. We measured hemoglobin, red cell indices, reticulocytes, transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, serum erythropoietin, and sTfR. Statistic method: ANOVA test, multiple linear regression, and ROC curve. Results sTfR, sTfR/ferritin ratio, and sTfR-logferritin index values were found to increase significantly in IDA children. These values were significantly lower in infectious anemia than iron deficiency states. Serum erythropoietin only was elevated significantly in iron deficiency states. In children without infection, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, erythrocyte protoporphirin, erythropoietin logarithm, and total-iron-binding-capacity logarithm predicted 81% of sTfR variability. sTfR and its indices showed a very high sensitivity and specificity for recognizing iron deficiency states. In children with IDA and infection sensitivity for sTfR/ferritin ratio was low (area under the curve: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.88). For discriminating the nature of anemia in infection the cut-off point obtained for sTfR, sTfR/ferritin ratio, and sTfR-F index were 3, 70, and 1.8, respectively, and their sensitivity and specificity were also very high. Conclusions sTfR, sTfR/ferritin ratio, and sTfR-F index are useful parameters for recognizing iron deficiency and the nature of anemia in infection. In IDA+infection, sTfR/ferritin ratio should not be recommended in the diagnosis of iron deficiency. In iron deficiency, erythropoietic activity has a secondary role as predictor factor of sTfR levels.
Effects of Perinatal Maternal Food Restriction on Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Plasma Leptin Level in Rat Pup at Birth and Weaning and on Timing of Puberty

Abstract The effects of maternal 50% food restriction (FR) during the last week of gestation and/or lactation on pituitary-gonadal axis (at birth and weaning), on circulating levels of leptin (at weaning), and on the onset of puberty have been determined in rats at birth and at weaning. Maternal FR during pregnancy has no effect at term on the litter size, on the basal level of testosterone in male pups, and on the drastic surge of circulating testosterone that occurs 2 h after birth. At weaning, similar retardation of body growth is observed in male and female pups from mothers exposed to FR. This undernutrition induces the most drastic effects when it is performed during both gestation and lactation or during lactation alone. Drastic retardation of testicle growth with reduction of cross-sectional area and intratubular lumen of the seminiferous tubules is observed in male pups from mothers exposed to undernutrition during both gestation and lactation or during lactation alone. Maternal FR during the perinatal period reduces circulating levels of FSH in male pups without affecting LH and testosterone concentrations. Maternal FR does not affect circulating levels of LH, estradiol, and progesterone in female pups. Female pups from mothers exposed to FR during both gestation and lactation show a significant increase of plasma FSH as well as a drastic retardation of ovarian growth. The follicular population was also altered. The number of antral follicles of small size (vesicular follicles) was increased, although the number of antral follicles of large size (graafian follicles) was reduced. Maternal FR occurring during both late gestation and lactation (male and female pups), during lactation alone (male and female pups), or during late gestation (female pups) induces a drastic reduction of plasma leptin and fat mass in pups at weaning. The onset of puberty is delayed in pups of both sexes from mothers exposed to FR during lactation and during both gestation and lactation. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that a perinatal growth retardation induced by maternal FR has long-term consequences on both size and histology of the genitals, on plasma gonadotropins and leptin levels, on fat stores at weaning, and on the onset of puberty.
Thalamic neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is still regarded primarily as a disease of the white matter. However, recent evidence suggests that there may be significant involvement of gray matter. Here, we have used magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo and histopathology postmortem to estimate thalamic neuronal loss in patients with multiple sclerosis. Our results show that neuronal loss in multiple sclerosis can be substantial (30–35% reduction). We conclude that a neurodegenerative pathology may make a major contribution to the genesis of symptoms in multiple sclerosis.
Predictors of work satisfaction among physicians.

BACKGROUND Work satisfaction among physicians is an important concern because it is associated with several important aspects of care, such as the continuity of care and health care costs. In this study, a brief work satisfaction questionnaire was developed, its validity was assessed, and it was used to examine the determinants of work-related satisfaction among a sample of Swiss physicians. METHODS Based on the literature, a 17-item work satisfaction questionnaire was developed that addressed five dimensions of satisfaction: patient care, work-related burden, income-prestige, personal rewards and professional relations with colleagues. This questionnaire was administered by mail to 1904 doctors practising in Geneva, Switzerland; 1184 (59%) responded. Additional data were collected on physicians' personal and work situation. RESULTS In general, physicians were more satisfied with the following aspects of their current work situation: patient care, professional relations and personal rewards (intellectual stimulation, opportunities for continuing medical education, enjoyment at work). The lowest satisfaction scores were found for work-related burden (workload, time available for family, friends or leisure, work-related stress, administrative burden) and work-related income and prestige. In multivariate models, variables associated with most dimensions of satisfaction included type of practice (physician in training were less satisfied), specialty (internal medicine specialists and pediatricians were more satisfied), time spent on administrative tasks (globally negative effect), time spent on continuing medical education (globally positive effect). Age and sex had only a minor influence on satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION Physician work satisfaction is multidimensional and can easily be measured using a short self-administered questionnaire. This instrument could be useful to monitor changes in the near future.
Disability and Exposure to High Levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences

BACKGROUND Health disparities among persons with disabilities have been previously documented. However, there is little research specific to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in this population and how ACE exposure affects health outcomes in adulthood. METHODS Data from the 2012 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were analyzed to compare the prevalence of ACEs between adults with and without disabilities and high ACE exposure (3–8 ACEs). Adjusted risk ratios of health risks and perceived poor health by disability status were calculated using predicted marginals. RESULTS A higher percentage of persons with disabilities (36.5%) than those without disabilities (19.6%) reported high ACE exposure. Among those with high ACE exposure, persons with disabilities were more likely to report several ACE categories, particularly childhood sexual abuse. In adjusted analyses, persons with disabilities had an increased risk of smoking (relative risk [RR] = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10–1.51), poor physical health (RR = 4.34; 95% CI, 3.08–6.11), poor mental health (RR = 4.69; 95% CI, 3.19–6.87), and doctor-diagnosed depression (RR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.82–2.56) compared to persons without disabilities. LIMITATIONS The definition of disability derived from the BRFSS survey does not allow for those with disabilities to be categorized according to physical disabilities versus mental or emotional disabilities. In addition, we were unable to determine the timing of ACE exposure in relation to disability onset. CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of the life course associations between ACEs and disability and the impact of exposure to multiple types of childhood adversity on disability and health is needed to inform research and services specific to this vulnerable population.
OPTIMIZATION OF THE ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION BY CORRELATING THE INITIAL SUGAR CONCENTRATION WITH THE INOCULUM SIZE OF YEASTS AND ASSIMILABLE NITROGEN REQUIREMENTS

It is known from the literature that the yeasts require assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in a certain dosage in order to ferment sugar and for the exact calculation of the nitrogen can be done by applying a certain equation derived from the Bisson and Butzke tables. This equation however does not take into account the yeast strain and its requirements for assimilable nitrogen, nor the possibilities of yeasts to ferment all the available sugar. Taking into account the high concentration of sugar which is more and more found in our grape musts in the later years the selection of yeast and the inoculum size is also important. We have used a 'Feteasca regala' must with various amounts of initial sugar and we have corrected the YAN in accordance with the Bisson and Butzke table for each sample. In order to optimize the fermentation, we tested 3 different yeast strains, used in quantities proportional to the initial sugar concentration. In this way the yeast quantity used is optimized in accordance to sugar fermentation requirements. We have observed that not all the yeasts are able to totally ferment the sugar in samples with 26-28° Brix, leaving in the same time unconsumed YAN. Therefore, the correction of nitrogen should not by applied only in accordance to the calculations, but should be also adapted and limited in the case of high sugar concentration musts. The moment of nitrogen correction, the yeast strain and the inoculum size are evaluated and discussed.