Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure of male rats to cyclophosphamide alters the chromatin structure and basic proteome in spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND The formation of mature sperm involves the expression of numerous proteins during spermiogenesis and the replacement of histones with protamines to package the genome. Exposure to cyclophosphamide (CPA), an anticancer alkylating agent, during spermiogenesis may disrupt chromatin condensation with adverse consequences to the offspring. METHODS Adult male rats were given CPA in one of two schedules: (i) subchronic, 4 days - day 1 (100 mg kg(-1)) and days 2-4 (50 mg kg(-1) per day) or (ii) chronic - daily (6.0 mg kg(-1) per day). Animals were euthanized on days 14, 21 or 28. RESULTS The effects of CPA on epididymal sperm chromatin structure were germ-cell-phase specific; mid-spermiogenic spermatids were most sensitive. The acridine orange DNA denaturation assay showed significant increases in susceptibility to denaturation (P < 0.01). Chromatin packaging assessment revealed 1,4-dithiothreitol-dependent chromomycin A3 DNA binding and less condensed, protamine-deficient sperm; the total thiol (P < 0.001) and protamine contents (P < 0.01), measured using monobromobimane and the HUP1N protamine 1 antibody, respectively, were reduced. The sperm basic proteome was also altered; proteins that were identified are involved in events during spermiogenesis and fertilization. CONCLUSIONS Paternal exposure to CPA alters sperm chromatin structure, as well as the composition of sperm head basic proteins. We speculate that these changes underlie effects on fertilization and embryo development.
Transgenic plants expressing geminivirus movement proteins: abnormal phenotypes and delayed infection by Tomato mottle virus in transgenic tomatoes expressing the Bean dwarf mosaic virus BV1 or BC1 proteins.

Transgenic tomato plants expressing wild-type or mutated BV1 or BC1 movement proteins from Bean dwarf mosaic virus (BDMV) were generated and examined for phenotypic effects and resistance to Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV). Fewer transgenic plants were recovered with the wild-type or mutated BC1 genes, compared with the wild-type or mutated BV1 genes. Transgenic tomato plants expressing the wild-type or mutated BV1 proteins appeared normal. Interestingly, although BDMV induces only a symptomless infection in tomato (i.e., BDMV is not well adapted to tomato), transgenic tomato plants expressing the BDMV BC1 protein showed a viral disease-like phenotype (i.e., stunted growth, and leaf mottling, curling, and distortion). This suggests that the symptomless phenotype of BDMV in tomato is not due to a host-specific defect in the BC1 protein. One transgenic line expressing the BC1 gene did not show the viral disease-like phenotype. This was associated with a deletion in the 3' region of the gene, which resulted in expression of a truncated BC1 protein. Several R0 plants, expressing either wild-type or mutated BV1 or BC1 proteins, showed a significant delay in ToMoV infection, compared with non-transformed plants. R1 progeny plants also showed a significant delay in ToMoV infection, but this delay was less than that in the R0 parents. These results also demonstrate that expression of viral movement proteins, in transgenic plants, can have deleterious effects on various aspects of plant development.
The giant cardiac membrane patch method: stimulation of outward Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange current by MgATP.

1. A giant patch method was used to study the stimulatory effect of cytoplasmic MgATP on outward Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange current in inside‐out cardiac membrane patches (1‐10 G omega seals with 14‐24 microns pipette tip diameters) excised from guinea‐pig, rabbit and mouse myocytes. 2. To establish the validity of the method with respect to structure, bleb formation was examined with electron microscopy and with confocal fluorescence light microscopy. The blebs, which form as the sarcolemma detaches, excluded intracellular organelles and transverse tubules. The blebbed cells contained normal sarcomeres, sarcoplasmic reticulum, triads and diads. 3. To further establish the validity of the method for ion transport studies, measurements of Na(+)‐K+ pump currents and charge movements are described briefly which demonstrate (i) free access to the cytoplasmic membrane side, (ii) MgATP dependence comparable to reconstituted pump (Kd, 94 microns), (iii) fast, rigorous concentration control and (iv) Na(+)‐K+ pump densities in the range of whole‐cell densities. 4. Stimulation of outward Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange current by MgATP attenuated exchange current decay during step increments of cytoplasmic sodium, shifted the secondary activation of outward exchange current by cytoplasmic calcium to lower free calcium concentrations and, particularly in mouse cardiac sarcolemma, induced cytoplasmic calcium‐independent current. 5. Upon removal of MgATP the stimulatory effect usually decayed with a t50 (half‐time) of about 3 min. However, the reversal took place much more rapidly (t50, 5‐20 s) in patches from individual guinea‐pig and rabbit myocyte batches. When decay was rapid, secondary activation by cytoplasmic calcium was shifted to higher free cytoplasmic calcium concentrations (Kd, 10‐65 microns‐free calcium). 6. With repeated applications of MgATP the rate and magnitude of the stimulatory effect progressively decreased. 7. The Kd for MgATP of the initial rate of stimulation of outward exchange current was 3 mM or greater. When decay was rapid, the steady‐state dependence of exchange current on MgATP also had a Kd of 3 mM or greater. 8. Stimulation of Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange current by MgATP occurred in the absence of cytoplasmic calcium with 9 mM‐EGTA. 9. The stimulatory effect of 2 mM‐MgATP was not inhibited by up to 200 microM of the protein kinase inhibitor 1‐(5‐isoquinoline sulphonyl)‐2‐methylpiperazine (H7), or by peptide inhibitors of cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and calcium‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effect of high ligation on the long-term result of patients with operable colon cancer, particularly those with limited nodal involvement.

OBJECTIVE To find out what effect the extent of nodal dissection has on patients with operable colonic cancer. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Teaching hospital, Japan. PATIENTS 564 consecutive patients who had potentially curative operations for colon cancer. Patients treated by limited nodal dissection, in which only pericolonic nodes were dissected, were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Disease free survival classified by extent of nodal dissection. RESULTS High ligation gave no significant advantage when patients were subgrouped according to degree of nodal involvement. However, number of patients with aggressive involvement (including intermediate or central nodes) was small. 511 patients (91%) had limited nodal involvement (no nodal involvement or nodal involvement confined to pericolonic nodes). High ligation of the vessels gave no advantage even with meticulous subgrouping according to age, site, and depth of invasion. CONCLUSION Most patients with colonic cancer had limited nodal involvement. High ligation did not affect the long term results in these patients, so, less invasive low ligation should be considered. A larger study will be necessary to clarify the indications for low and high ligation for patients with aggressive nodal involvement.
Isolation and characterization of nonsense mutations in gene 10 of bacteriophage phi 6

Nonsense mutants of bacteriophage phi 6 were isolated by a procedure that involved directed mutagenesis of a cDNA copy of genomic segment M, transcription of this segment, in vitro packaging into procapsids, and transfection of spheroplasts to form viable mutant phage. Recombinant phi 6 viruses that contained amber mutations in two open reading frames, ORF 10 and ORF D, of genomic segment M were isolated. We show that phi 6 protein P10 is the gene product of ORF 10. Further characterization of the phi 6 ORF 10(Am) mutant revealed that phi 6 membrane-associated protein P10 is not required to make enveloped phage particles in infected cells. Enveloped phage particles isolated from a phi 6 ORF 10(Am) infection contained extremely low levels of phi 6 membrane-associated proteins P6 and P3. The low abundance is due to the very low level of P6 synthesis in phi 6 ORF 10(Am)-infected cells. The results suggest that P10 might play a role in regulating the translation of gene 6. Protein P10 was found to be required for host lysis.
Exploring the Impact of God Schema on Equal Opportunity Climate and Related Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness

The present study explored the relationship between God schema and work place perceptions, specifically perceptions of equal opportunity (EO) climate and indicators of organizational effectiveness (OE). The first aim of this research was to investigate the impact of God schema (i.e., God schema patterns) on EO climate (i.e., collective EO climate patterns). The second aim of this research was to explore the impact of God schema, race, gender, and EO climate on indicators of organizational effectiveness, such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, perceived work-group cohesion, and perceived work-group effectiveness. The final aim of this study was to examine the impact of group heterogeneity in terms of God schema, race, and gender, on group perceptual agreement. Data was collected and analyzed from 1,622 United States Navy personnel who completed the DEOMI Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) and attached God schema research module. Using a pattern approach (i.e., cluster analysis and configural frequency analysis), the results provided clear support for a relationship between God schema and perceptions of EO climate and OE. The findings suggested the influence of God schema was expressed differently depending on an individual’s race/gender identity. Lastly, the results provided support for the predictive power of God schema (i.e., God schema heterogeneity within a unit) on unit-level agreement.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN SEED INDUSTRY

Impact of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) on seed industry, particularly in developing countries, is not well established. Protection of plant varieties in India is a relatively recent phenomenon and therefore, assessment of its impact is a topical research issue. This study examines the impact of protection on different plant breeding programmes and farmers. Further investigation on the trend in exchange of germplasm, growth in varietal release, publicprivate partnership, production and use of quality seeds, was made. Opinion survey was also carried out among seedsmen both from the private and public sectors. The results indicate a positive impact of plant variety protection on the seed industry and farmers’ access to quality seed.
Differentiation of human monocytic cell lines confers susceptibility to Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is comprised of protective antigen and lethal factor. Lethal factor enters mammalian cells in a protective antigen‐dependent process and cleaves mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinases. Although LT has no observable effect on many cell types, it causes necrosis in macrophages derived from certain mouse strains and apoptosis in activated mouse macrophages. In this study, we observed that LT treatment of three different human monocytic cell lines U‐937, HL‐60 and THP‐1 did not induce cell death. Cells did become susceptible to the toxin, however, after differentiation into a macrophage‐like state. Treatment with LT resulted in decreased phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK in both undifferentiated and differentiated HL‐60 cells, suggesting that the change in susceptibility does not result from differences in toxin delivery or substrate cleavage. Death of differentiated HL‐60 cells was accompanied by chromosome condensation and DNA fragmentation, but was not inhibited by the pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK. In addition, we observed that the macrophage differentiation process could be inhibited by LT. Our results indicate that LT‐mediated death of mouse and human macrophages may occur through distinct processes and that the differentiation state of human cells can determine susceptibility or resistance to LT.
Experimental characterization of the low-dose envelope of spot scanning proton beams

In scanned proton beam radiotherapy, multiple pencil beams are used to deliver the total dose to the target volume. Because the number of such beams can be very large, an accurate dosimetric characterization of every single pencil beam is important to provide adequate input data for the configuration of the treatment planning system. In this work, we present a method to measure the low-dose envelope of single pencil beams, known to play a meaningful role in the dose computation for scanned proton beams. We measured the low-dose proton beam envelope, which extends several centimeters outwards from the center of each single pencil beam, by acquiring lateral dose profile data, down to relative dose levels that were a factor of 104 lower than the central axis dose. The overall effect of the low-dose envelope on the total dose delivered by multiple pencil beams was determined by measuring the dose output as a function of field size. We determined that the low-dose envelope can be influential even for fields as large as 20 cm × 20 cm.
Species richness alters spatial nutrient heterogeneity effects on above-ground plant biomass

Previous studies have suggested that spatial nutrient heterogeneity promotes plant nutrient capture and growth. However, little is known about how spatial nutrient heterogeneity interacts with key community attributes to affect plant community production. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate how nitrogen heterogeneity effects vary with species richness and plant density. Effect size was calculated using the natural log of the ratio in plant biomass between heterogeneous and homogeneous conditions. Effect sizes were significantly above zero, reflecting positive effects of spatial nutrient heterogeneity on community production. However, species richness decreased the magnitude of heterogeneity effects on above-ground biomass. The magnitude of heterogeneity effects on below-ground biomass did not vary with species richness. Moreover, we detected no modification in heterogeneity effects with plant density. Our results highlight the importance of species richness for ecosystem function. Asynchrony between above- and below-ground responses to spatial nutrient heterogeneity and species richness could have significant implications for biotic interactions and biogeochemical cycling in the long term.
Rhinovirus transmission within families with children: incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections.

BACKGROUND Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of respiratory tract infections, but the transmission in families has not been studied using sensitive and specific molecular detection methods. METHODS Children hospitalized for any infection were screened for rhinoviruses. Eight families with a rhinovirus-positive index child and 16 families with a rhinovirus-negative index child were monitored for 3 weeks for disease symptoms, and the presence and quantity of rhinoviruses in nasal swab samples were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Rhinoviruses were further identified by melting temperature and partial sequence analysis. RESULTS The rates of rhinovirus infection were 1.00 cases per person among the 17 siblings and 0.50 cases per person among the 14 parents of rhinovirus-positive index patients; the rates were 0.54 cases per person among the 24 siblings and 0.23 cases per person among the 30 parents of rhinovirus-negative index patients. Symptomatic infections were associated with an age of <7 years but not with a high copy number of rhinovirus genomes. Virus typing revealed the transmission routes of the viruses and showed that several virus types could circulate in the families simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS Rhinoviruses are frequently transmitted from children to other family members. Most rhinovirus infections in young children are symptomatic, but secondary infections in adults are often asymptomatic. Multiple virus types circulate simultaneously in families.
Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a class of hemoglobinopathy in humans, which causes a disruption of the normal activities in different systems. Although this disease begins with the polymerization of red blood cells during its deoxygenating phase, it can erupt into a cascade of debilitating conditions such as ischemia‐reperfusion injury, inflammation, and painful vaso‐occlusion crises. The purpose of this review is to discuss how these phenomena can result in the formation of oxidative stress as well as limit nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and decrease antioxidant status. The cumulative effects of these traits cause an increase in other forms of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn intensify the symptoms of SCD and generate a vicious circle. Finally, we will discuss antioxidant therapeutic strategies that limit ROS generation and subsequently increase NO bioavailability with respect to endothelial protection in SCD. © IUBMB, IUBMB Life, 2011.
Why is There a Lack of Evidence on Knowledge Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment?

Empirical analyses of knowledge spillovers from foreign direct investment (FDI) offer mixed results; they find positive, neutral and negative FDI spillover effects. This lack of evidence mainly comes from the results of firmâ€ level panel data analysis. This is important since this approach seems to be the most appropriate for estimating FDI spillovers. The paper takes a look at recent substantive and methodological developments in FDI spillover analysis, which have brought some more optimistic results with regard to FDI spillovers, and can help in further development in this field. The main substantive development relates to the introduction of a broad variety of sources of firm heterogeneity (foreign affiliates as well as local firms) in the analysis. Others include differentiation between vertical (interâ€ industry) and horizontal (intraâ€ industry) spillovers, and host country absorptive capacity for knowledge spillovers. Methodological developments relate to distinguishing between technological/knowledge and productivity spillovers, improvement of modelling and estimation methods, and an increased amount and quality of data.
Unethical and Inept? The Influence of Moral Information on Perceptions of Competence

While moral character heavily influences global evaluations of others (Goodwin, Piazza, & Rozin, 2014), its causal effect on perceptions of others’ competence (i.e., one’s knowledge, skills, and abilities) is less clear. We found that people readily use information about another’s morality when judging their competence, despite holding folk intuitions that these domains are independent. Across 6 studies (n = 1,567), including 2 preregistered experiments, participants judged targets who committed hypothetical transgressions (Studies 1 and 3), cheated on lab tasks (Study 2), acted selfishly in economic games (Study 4), and received low morality ratings from coworkers (Study 5 and 6) as less competent than control or moral targets. These findings were specific to morality and were not the result of incidentally manipulating impressions of warmth (Study 4), nor were they fully explained by a general halo effect (Studies 2 and 3). We hypothesized that immoral targets are seen as less competent because their immoral actions led them to be viewed as low in social intelligence. Studies 4 and 5 supported this prediction, demonstrating that social intelligence was a more reliable mediator than perceptions of self-control or general intelligence. An experimental test of this mediation argument found that presenting targets as highly socially intelligent eliminated the negative effect of immoral information on judgments of competence (Study 6). These results suggest that information about a person’s moral character readily influences perceptions of their competence.
Political Diversity in Social and Personality Psychology

A lack of political diversity in psychology is said to lead to a number of pernicious outcomes, including biased research and active discrimination against conservatives. We surveyed a large number (combined N = 800) of social and personality psychologists and discovered several interesting facts. First, although only 6% described themselves as conservative “overall,” there was more diversity of political opinion on economic issues and foreign policy. Second, respondents significantly underestimated the proportion of conservatives among their colleagues. Third, conservatives fear negative consequences of revealing their political beliefs to their colleagues. Finally, they are right to do so: In decisions ranging from paper reviews to hiring, many social and personality psychologists said that they would discriminate against openly conservative colleagues. The more liberal respondents were, the more they said they would discriminate.
Learning to Break Camouflage by Learning the Background

How does the visual system recognize a camouflaged object? Obviously, the brain cannot afford to learn all possible camouflaged scenes or target objects. However, it may learn the general statistical properties of backgrounds of interest, which would enable it to break camouflage by comparing the statistics of a background with a target versus the statistics of the same background without a target. To determine whether the brain uses this strategy, we digitally created novel camouflaged scenes that had only the general statistical properties of the background in common. When subjects learned to break camouflage, their ability to detect a camouflaged target improved significantly not only for previously unseen instances of a camouflaged scene, but also for scenes that contained novel targets. Moreover, performance improved even for scenes that did not contain an actual target but had the statistical properties of backgrounds with a target. These results reveal that learning backgrounds is a powerful, versatile strategy by which the brain can learn to break camouflage.
Intracellular pools of FcαR (CD89) in human neutrophils are localized in tertiary granules and secretory vesicles, and two FcαR isoforms are found in tertiary granules

The human FcαRΙ (CD89) is expressed on cells of myeloid lineage and plays an important role in host defense. Neutrophils make up the majority of FcαRΙ‐positive cells. Previous reports suggested that FcαR was stored in neutrophil intracellular pools, and it could be mobilized quickly once neutrophils were activated. However, the subcellular localization of FcαR in neutrophils has not been defined yet. In this sudy, we identified that FcαR was stored in secretory vesicles and tertiary granules of neutrophils by flow cytometry analysis, ELISA, confocal microscopy, and Western blotting. The molecular mass of FcαR in secretory vesicles was different from that in tertiary granules. FcαR stored in tertiary granules had a molecular mass of 50–70 kDa, whereas FcαR in secretory vesicles and membranes had a molecular mass of 55–75 kDa. After treatment by peptide‐N‐glycosidase F, an enzyme that removes N‐glycosylation, FcαR from secretory vesicles and tertiary granules revealed a core protein of 32 kDa, which was the same as the backbone of full length of FcαR. A smaller FcαR variant with a core protein of 29–30 kDa was found in tertiary granules but not in secretory vesicles. The nature of the small variant is not clear at present and remains to be investigated further.