Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
JNK1/2‐dependent phosphorylation of angulin‐1/LSR is required for the exclusive localization of angulin‐1/LSR and tricellulin at tricellular contacts in EpH4 epithelial sheet

Tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) are specialized structural variants of tight junctions within tricellular contacts of an epithelial sheet and comprise several transmembrane proteins including lipolysis‐stimulated lipoprotein receptor (angulin‐1/LSR) and tricellulin. To elucidate the mechanism of its formation, we carried out stepwise screening of kinase inhibitors followed by RNAi screening to identify kinases that regulate intracellular localization of angulin‐1/LSR to the tTJs using a fluorescence image‐based screen. We found that the activity of JNK1 and JNK2, but not JNK3, was required for the exclusive localization of angulin‐1/LSR at the tTJs. Based on a bioinformatics approach, we estimated the potential phosphorylation site of angulin‐1/LSR by JNK1 to be serine 288 and experimentally confirmed that JNK1 directly phosphorylates angulin‐1/LSR at this site. We found that JNK2 was also involved in the phosphorylation of angulin‐1/LSR. Furthermore, GFP‐tagged angulin‐1/LSR(S288A), in which serine 288 was substituted by alanine, was observed to be dispersed to bicellular junctions, indicating that phosphorylation of Ser288 is crucial for the exclusive localization of angulin‐1/LSR and tricellulin at tTJs. Our fluorescence image‐based screening for kinases inhibitor or siRNAs combined with the phosphorylation site prediction could become a versatile and useful tool to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of tTJs regulated by kinase networks.
Growth and plant mass of radish fertirrigated with different doses nitrogen

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen doses applied via fertigation and associated with different types of crop establishment fertilization on growth and biomass of radish. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the Academic Unit of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, from April to May 2014. Treatments consisted of five doses of nitrogen fertilizer applied by fertigation (0, 0.7, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.8g per pot) and three types of crop establishment fertilization (humus 2:2; NPK and control), arranged in a 5 x 3 factor design with four repetitions. The 15 treatments were arranged in 60 plots. The nitrogen source used in the study was urea, divided in three applications: the first application was carried out eight days after transplanting, the second, on day 15, and the third, on day 22. The crop establishment fertilization significantly influenced the growth variables and plant mass of the radish on day 35 after transplanting. The highest values of the variables (number of leaves, plant height, bulb diameter, leaf area, fresh mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the aerial part and root/aerial part were observed in the treatment with humus on day 35 after transplanting. The dose of 2.8g nitrogen per pot corresponding to 6.22g of urea per plant provided the highest yield for the variable number of leafs, leaf area and root length on day 35 after transplanting.
Biochemical investigations in geophagia.

Woywodt and Kiss’ historical review of geophagia1 prompts us to report a study illustrating how, through absorption or liberation of essential minerals, earth when consumed habitually can be either harmful or, possibly, nutritious. The amount of material ingested probably contributes as well. An African woman admitted to hospital with limb paralysis had a serum potassium of 1.3 mmol/L (reference range, 3.5–5.0). Other serum electrolytes were normal. The hypokalaemia and a concurrent iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin 7.9 g/dL, serum iron 3.5 μmol/L) remained unaccounted for. Further enquiry disclosed a 10-year history of geophagia. The earth she ingested was obtained from her garden. It was black with white speckles, malleable, rough in texture and composed of granular particles (‘black earth’). Earth excavated locally for eating was obtained from a nearby market. This was dusky pink, firm, fine in texture and composed of flaky particles (‘red earth’). Samples of black earth and red earth weighing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g were mixed with 5 mL iron-enriched Ringer-lactate. Studies were done at both pH 2.0 (addition of 6 mol/L HCl) and pH 6.2. Analyses were performed on a standard system. Black earth absorbed sodium, potassium and iron. It also liberated calcium and magnesium. These effects were present at either pH. Red earth absorbed potassium, slightly, at either pH. Iron was liberated at pH 2.0 and absorbed at pH 6.2. Other elements showed small differences only. Changes for black earth and for red earth were proportionate to mass concentration. (Full details can be had from RFG.) Our patient’s intake of potassium conformed to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and that of iron was deficient (44% of RDA). The demonstrated absorbent properties for potassium and for iron of black earth indeed could thereby have caused her hypokalaemic paralysis and contributed to her iron deficiency anaemia. Absorbent properties for sodium of black earth, though notable, were not homoeostatically significant. Intake was estimated at only 7.5% of dietary guidelines, yet the serum concentration was normal. The same applies to magnesium. This was liberated from black earth in quite large amounts, dietary intake exceeded the RDA (120%) and yet the serum concentration again was normal. Intake of calcium was below the RDA (43.5%), while the serum concentration was normal. Possibly, the calcium liberated from black earth actually functioned as a dietary supplement.2–4 The local African population believes that ingestion of earth benefits women when they become pregnant. Red earth indeed had properties that might prevent iron deficiency anaemia, though the bioavailability of this (non-haem, contaminant) iron may be limited.5 Before attributing any adverse or beneficial consequences to geophagia, the ion-exchange capacity6 of the substance in question should be evaluated. That is within the scope of most hospital laboratories.
The seroepidemiology of human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) from a case‐control study of leukaemia and lymphoma

Sera from an epidemiological case‐control study of leukaemias and lymphomas conducted between 1980 and 1986 were examined for reactivity to human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Statistical analyses of the data revealed higher HHV‐6 seroprevalence and antibody titres in the cases, particularly evident in the disease subtypes acute myeloid leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease (HD), and low‐grade non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Within the control group alone, HHV‐6 seroprevalence was placed at 55% at a serum dilution of 1:40. The controls also displayed higher seropositivity in females as compared with males. Further analyses suggest an association of increased HHV‐6 seropositivity and geometric mean titre ratio with HD among young adults lacking social contact in the family group. This finding might indicate late exposure to HHV‐6 in such persons and could possibly signify late exposure to a number of viruses, including those hypothesized as playing a role in the aetiology of HD. Previous reports have nominated Epstein‐Barr virus as a possible candidate. Our results suggest that HHV‐6 should be included in further investigations of the aetiology of HD.
Hypophosphatasia: The mutations in the tissue‐nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene

Hypophosphatasia is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency of liver‐, bone‐ or kidney‐type alkaline phosphatase due to mutations in the tissue‐nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene. Most of the 65 distinct mutations described to date are missense mutations, a result which must be correlated with the great variability of clinical expression ranging from stillbirth without mineralized bone to pathologic fractures developing only late in adulthood. Correlations of genotype and phenotype have been established on the basis of clinical data exhibited by the patients, transfection studies, computer‐assisted modeling, and examination of biochemical properties of ALP in cultured fibroblasts of patients. Screening for mutations in the TNSALP gene allows genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of the disease in families with severe forms of hypophosphatasia, and screening may also be helpful in confirming diagnosis of hypophosphatasia when biochemical and clinical data are not clear. Screening is also the necessary first step in further studies to elucidate dominant transmission of the disease and of liver‐, bone‐ and kidney‐type alkaline phosphatase activity mechanism. Hum Mutat 15:309–315, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
1 ANTIVIRAL ACTION OF HOT PEPPER ( Capsicum annuum ) AGAINST TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS INFECTED

Tow field experiments were conducted during April 2006 and September 2006 to study the sensitivity of tomato cultivars against infection with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and effect of treatments with ethanolic extract of hot pepper fruits with three concentrations (50, 125 and 250 μg/ml) to induce resistance against infection with TSWV in tomato plants (cv. Peto 86 ). The results showed that all treatments induced resistance to the virus infection when applied to plants as crude extract with TSWV in a mixed inoculum. Also all treatments gave a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments, total soluble phenols and flavonoids as well as the activity of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase compared with infected plants.
Complications following tension-band fixation of patellar fractures with cannulated screws compared with Kirschner wires.

BACKGROUND Displaced patellar fractures are commonly stabilized with a modified anterior tension-band construct. The goal of the current study was to compare the incidence of complications after tension-band fixation of the patella with Kirschner wires as compared with cannulated screws. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive, surgically treated patellar fractures. Patients were divided into two cohorts: fractures fixed with use of Kirschner wires and fractures fixed with use of cannulated screws. The primary outcome measure was early loss of fixation that necessitated revision surgery. Secondary outcomes included early postoperative infection and the need for implant removal. RESULTS Four hundred and forty-eight patellar fractures were studied. Kirschner wires were used for fixation in 315 (70%), and cannulated screws were used for fixation in 133 (30%). The incidence of fixation failure was 3.5% in the Kirschner-wire group and 7.5% in the screw group (p = 0.065). A postoperative infection occurred in 4.4% of patients in the Kirschner-wire group and 1.5% of patients in the screw group (p = 0.17). One hundred sixteen (37%) patients in the Kirschner-wire group and 30 (23%) in the screw group underwent elective implant removal (p = 0.003). After adjusting for confounding variables, a trend toward increased incidence of fixation failure with screws as compared with Kirschner wires was present (p = 0.083). Patients treated with Kirschner wires were twice as likely to undergo implant removal compared with those treated with screws (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Serious complications are uncommon following treatment of patellar fractures with a modified tension-band technique, with use of either Kirschner wires or cannulated screws. In both groups the rate of fixation failure was low, as was the rate of postoperative infection. Symptomatic implants, the most common complication observed, were twice as frequent in patients treated with Kirschner wires.
Characterization and Epidemiology of Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type-1 Viruses (PPMV-1) Isolated in Macedonia

SUMMARY We have characterized in this study 10 PPMV-1 isolated from domestic pigeons and one PPMV-1 isolated from a feral pigeon in the period 2007–2012, using both classical methods (HI test and ICPI test) and molecular methods (RT-qPCR, RT-PCR, and nucleotide sequencing). Using phylogenetic analysis of partial fusion gene sequences, these viruses clustered with recent European PPMV-1 isolates (EU/re) within the genotype VIb/1. All isolates possessed virulent cleavage site motifs with variable morbidity and mortality in pigeons. The intracerebral pathogenecity indices of the five isolates ranged from 0.59 to 1.53. The repetitive isolation of PPMV-1 viruses for several consecutive years led toward establishing enzootic presence of the disease in pigeons. A high nucleotide sequence homology between the Macedonian isolates and EU/re isolates was shown. Co-circulation of different isolates in the same holdings was detected. This is the first study to extensively describe the molecular epidemiology of PPMV-1 isolated in Macedonia.
Protective effects of quercetin against arsenic‐induced testicular damage in rats

This study investigated the effect of quercetin on changes in testes due to arsenic exposure. Twenty‐seven male rats were divided into three groups: control (10 ml kg−1 day−1 saline), arsenic (10 mg kg−1 day−1 sodium arsenite) and arsenic + quercetin (arsenic + 50 mg kg−1 day−1 quercetin). The rats were sacrificed at the end of 15‐day experiment. There was no difference between control group and arsenic group in body weight gain, testicular weight and serum total testosterone level. Quercetin treatment did not cause a significant difference in these parameters. In the arsenic group rats, we determined deterioration in the structure of seminiferous tubules, a decrease in the number of spermatogenic cells, an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, a decrease in the number of PCNA‐positive cells, a decrease in SOD, CAT and GSH‐Px activities, and an increase in the MDA level in testicular tissue. In all these changes, arsenic+quercetin group showed an improved compared to arsenic group. The amount of arsenic increased in the arsenic group was compared to the control group, and there was no difference between arsenic group and arsenic + quercetin group in the amount of arsenic. In conclusion, quercetin prevented arsenic‐induced testicular damage with its anti‐apoptotic and antioxidant effects.
Vetoing Co-operation: The Impact of Veto Players on Preferential Trading Arrangements

Since the Second World War, preferential trading arrangements (PTAs) have become increasingly pervasive features of the international economic system. A great deal of research has addressed the economic consequences of these arrangements, but far less effort has been made to identify the political factors leading states to enter them. In this article, the domestic political factors affecting whether countries enter PTAs are investigated, placing particular emphasis on the number of veto players within a state. It is argued that the probability of forming a PTA declines as the number of such players rises. The results, covering 194 countries from 1950 to 1999, strongly support this argument. Holding various political and economic factors constant, increasing the number of veto players within a country significantly reduces the probability of signing a PTA.
Gender effect on the scapular 3D posture and kinematic in healthy subjects

Populations considered for shoulder analysis are often composed of various ratios of men and women. It is consequently hypothesized that gender has no significant effect on the joint kinematic. However, the literature reports, for the shoulder, differences in the range of motion between genders. The specific influence of gender on the scapulo‐thoracic kinematics has not been studied yet. The dominant shoulder of two populations of men and women composed of 11 subjects each were evaluated in three dimensions for three distinct motions: flexion in the sagittal plane, abduction in the frontal plane and gleno‐humeral internal/external rotation with the arm abducted at 90°. Posture, kinematics and range of motion were studied separately. For flexion and abduction and with regard to the scapular kinematic, external rotation was significantly larger for women than men. The differences were of at least 5° at 120° of humeral elevation. Upward rotations were identical. Women also showed larger average active humero‐thoracic range of motion. The mean differences were of 13°, 7°, 12° and 5° for abduction, flexion, internal rotation and external rotation, respectively. No difference was observed between the scapular resting positions of both populations. The observed differences concerning both the scapular and humeral patterns would indicate that the shoulder behaviour of men and women should not be expected to be similar.
Intention of Inactive Registered Nurses to Return to Nursing

A mail survey of inactive registered nurses who indicated they were either not employed or employed in a nonnursing field was conducted in the state of Alabama. Results of a multiple regression prediction model indicate their intention to return to nursing is affected by career satisfaction/commitment, demographic, and work history variables. The primary reasons for leaving the nursing field were more personal (i.e., pregnancy/child rearing) than professional. However, professional factors predominated when all the reasons for leaving or returning to the field were identified. Implications for management and policy are discussed.
Capillary morphogenesis gene‐2 mutation in infantile systemic hyalinosis: ultrastructural study and mutation analysis in a Taiwanese infant

Infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) is a very rare infantile stiff‐skin syndrome characterized by extensive deposits of hyaline material in various organs, especially the skin and gingiva. Recent studies identified pathogenic mutations in the capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) in both ISH and juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF). Capillary morphogenesis protein‐2 is an integrin‐like cell surface receptor for laminins and type IV collagen, and may play a key role in cell–matrix or cell–cell interactions. We report a case of ISH in a 13‐month‐old Taiwanese girl who manifested progressive joint contractures, recurrent chest infections, chronic diarrhoea with severe hypoalbuminemia and ascites, gum hypertrophy, and violaceous papules and nodules over the occipital area, neck, lumbosacral and anogenital areas since birth. Skin biopsy revealed a thickened and hyalinized papillary dermis. Electron microscopy showed abundant extracellular fibrillogranular material and active fibroblasts with conspicuous Golgi complex filled with fibrillar material. Mutation analysis identified a homozygous 1073–1074insC mutation of CMG2 which had been reported in four other families and may represent a mutation hot spot.
Prognostic significance of Bcl-2, p53 overexpression, and lymph node metastasis in surgically staged endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to clarify whether Bcl-2 and p53 have prognostic significance that is independent of lymph node metastasis and other conventional histopathologic factors in endometrial carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN Immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 and p53 expression was performed on the frozen sections of 102 cases that were treated with surgery, including pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the prognostic significance. RESULTS By univariate analysis, both loss of Bcl-2 expression and p53 overexpression were related to patient survival. Lymph node metastasis, p53 overexpression, and nuclear grade were found to be independent prognostic factors (determined by multivariate analysis). The estimated 5-year survival rate of patients with stage III/IV disease without p53 overexpression was 75.7%; the estimated 5-year survival rate for patients with p53 overexpression was only 40.4%. The difference was highly significant (P =.0053). CONCLUSION Lymph node metastasis, p53 overexpression, and nuclear grade are independent prognostic factors for endometrial carcinoma. Bcl-2 may have little importance in the progression of endometrial carcinoma and is a less potent prognostic factor than is p53. A new treatment strategy is necessary for advanced stage endometrial carcinoma with p53 overexpression.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate modulates the immune response in the uterus, cervix and placenta in a mouse model of preterm birth

Objective. These studies sought to determine whether a progestational agent, specifically medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) prevents inflammation-induced preterm birth, in a mouse model, through modulation of the host immune response. Study design. Using an established mouse model of inflammation-induced preterm birth, the activation of the immune response in maternal serum, uterus, cervix and placenta was assessed. In addition, the ability of MPA to modulate this response was investigated. Message RNA and protein expression were assessed by quantitative PCR and ELISAs respectively. Results. Intrauterine inflammation promotes a significant up-regulation of both TH1 and TH2 mediators in all tissues studies though the response is divergent by time and tissue studied. MPA significantly differentially regulates this immune response in the uterus, cervix and placenta. Conclusions. In the setting of inflammation-induced preterm birth, the host immune response is activated and not limited to a traditional TH1 bias. The ability of MPA to modulate the immune response may be a critical mechanism by which progestins prevent preterm birth.
Effects of mutations in the hinge region of serpins.

An expression system for alpha 1-antitrypsin in Escherichia coli was developed using a T7 RNA polymerase promoter. Addition of rifampicin to inhibit the E. coli RNA polymerase after induction of the T7 RNA polymerase gene resulted in about 30% of newly synthesized protein being alpha 1-antitrypsin. This expression system was then used to examine the effect of mutations in the hinge region of alpha 1-antitrypsin on its activity. The mutations were based on ones in antithrombin III that had previously been shown to have adverse effects on activity. Mutation of Ala347 to threonine in alpha 1-antitrypsin did not affect the kinetic behavior of the protein with trypsin or human leukocyte elastase. In contrast, mutation of Gly349 to proline converted the majority of the protein into a substrate for both proteinases. The small fraction of this mutant that was active, however, had kinetic parameters that were indistinguishable from wild-type alpha 1-antitrypsin. Cleavage within the reactive-site loop of wild-type alpha 1-antitrypsin causes a conformational change in the molecules (the S-to-R transition) and results in a marked increase in heat stability. This increase in heat stability was also seen upon cleavage within the reactive-site loops of both of the alpha 1-antitrypsin mutants. The results are discussed in terms of a kinetic mechanism for serpin-proteinase interactions, in which after the formation of an initial complex the serpin partitions between the formation of a stable complex and a cleavage reaction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)