Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression and Regulation of the sodF Gene Encoding Iron-and Zinc-Containing Superoxide Dismutase in Streptomyces coelicolor

Streptomyces coelicolor Müller contains two superoxide dismutases (SODs), nickel-containing (NiSOD) and ironand zinc-containing SOD (FeZnSOD). The sodF gene encoding FeZnSOD was isolated by using PCR primers corresponding to the N-terminal peptide sequence of the purified FeZnSOD and a C-terminal region conserved among known FeSODs and MnSODs. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited highest similarity to Mnand FeSODs from Propionibacterium shermanii and Mycobacterium spp. The transcription start site of the sodF gene was determined by primer extension. When the sodF gene was cloned in pIJ702 and introduced into Streptomyces lividans TK24, it produced at least 30 times more FeZnSOD than the control cells. We disrupted the sodF gene in S. lividans TK24 and found that the disruptant did not produce any FeZnSOD enzyme activity but produced more NiSOD. The expression of the cloned sodF gene in TK24 cells was repressed significantly by Ni, consistent with the regulation pattern in nonoverproducing cells. This finding suggests that the cloned sodF gene contains the cis-acting elements necessary for Ni regulation. When the sodF mRNA in S. coelicolor Müller cells was analyzed by S1 mapping of both 5* and 3* ends, we found that Ni caused a reduction in the level of monocistronic sodF transcripts. Ni did not affect the stability of sodF mRNA, indicating that it regulates transcription. S. lividans TK24 cells overproducing FeZnSOD became more resistant to oxidants such as menadione and lawsone than the control cells, suggesting the protective role of FeZnSOD. However, the sodF disruptant survived as well as the wild-type strain in the presence of these oxidants, suggesting the complementing role of NiSOD increased in the disruptant.
Early modulation by the dopamine D4 receptor of morphine‐induced changes in the opioid peptide systems in the rat caudate putamen

The peptides dynorphin and enkephalin modulate many physiological processes, such as motor activity and the control of mood and motivation. Their expression in the caudate putamen (CPu) is regulated by dopamine and opioid receptors. The current work was designed to explore the early effects of the acute activation of D4 and/or μ opioid receptors by the agonists PD168,077 and morphine, respectively, on the regulation of the expression of these opioid peptides in the rat CPu, on transcription factors linked to them, and on the expression of μ opioid receptors. In situ hybridization experiments showed that acute treatment with morphine (10 mg/kg) decreased both enkephalin and dynorphin mRNA levels in the CPu after 30 min, but PD168,077 (1 mg/kg) did not modify their expression. Coadministration of the two agonists demonstrated that PD168,077 counteracted the morphine‐induced changes and even increased enkephalin mRNA levels. The immunohistochemistry studies showed that morphine administration also increased striatal μ opioid receptor immunoreactivity but reduced P‐CREB expression, effects that were blocked by the PD168,077‐induced activation of D4 receptors. The current results present evidence of functional D4–μ opioid receptor interactions, with consequences for the opioid peptide mRNA levels in the rat CPu, contributing to the integration of DA and opioid peptide signaling. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic and metabolic engineering of microorganisms for the development of new flavor compounds from terpenic substrates

Abstract Throughout human history, natural products have been the basis for the discovery and development of therapeutics, cosmetic and food compounds used in industry. Many compounds found in natural organisms are rather difficult to chemically synthesize and to extract in large amounts, and in this respect, genetic and metabolic engineering are playing an increasingly important role in the production of these compounds, such as new terpenes and terpenoids, which may potentially be used to create aromas in industry. Terpenes belong to the largest class of natural compounds, are produced by all living organisms and play a fundamental role in human nutrition, cosmetics and medicine. Recent advances in systems biology and synthetic biology are allowing us to perform metabolic engineering at the whole-cell level, thus enabling the optimal design of microorganisms for the efficient production of drugs, cosmetic and food additives. This review describes the recent advances made in the genetic and metabolic engineering of the terpenes pathway with a particular focus on systems biotechnology.
Correlation coefficient analysis based on fuzzy negations and representable automorphisms

This paper aims to study the correlation between Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy sets (A-IFSs) obtained as image of strong intuitionistic fuzzy negations. We consider the action of strong fuzzy negations in order to verify the conditions under which the correlation coefficient related to such A-IFSs and their corresponding conjugate constructions are obtained. We attempt to present algebraic expressions of correlation relationship by considering representable intuitionistic automorphisms.
Object-Aware Dense Semantic Correspondence

This work aims to build pixel-to-pixel correspondences between images from the same visual class but with different geometries and visual similarities. This task is particularly challenging because (i) their visual content is similar only on the high-level structure, and (ii) background clutters keep bringing in noises. To address these problems, this paper proposes an object-aware method to estimate per-pixel correspondences from semantic to low-level by learning a classi? er for each selected discriminative grid cell and guiding the localization of every pixel under the semantic constraint. Specifically, an Object-aware Hierarchical Graph (OHG) model is constructed to regulate matching consistency from one coarse grid cell containing whole object(s), to fine grid cells covering smaller semantic elements, and finally to every pixel. A guidance layer is introduced as the semantic constraint on local structure matching. In addition, we propose to learn the important high-level structure for each grid cell in an objectness-driven way as an alternative to handcrafted descriptors in de? ning a better visual similarity. The proposed method has been extensively evaluated on various challenging benchmarks and real-world images. The results show that our method signi? cantly outperforms the state-of-the-arts in terms of semantic flow accuracy.
Platelets in Diabetes: The Role in the Hemostatic Regulation in Atherosclerosis

Vascular diseases and related complications still represent the main cause of death in diabetic patients. Neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and disturbed nutritive tissue perfusion may result from reduced capillary microcirculation. These disturbances are diabetes specific. Macroangiopathy does not differ structurally from atherosclerotic lesions of nondiabetic subjects, but leads to accelerated cerebral, coronary, and peripheral artery disease. Occurrence of life-terminating thrombotic events, which are superimposed on those vascular lesions, are increased. Thus, morbidity and mortality of diabetics depend mainly on vascular complications. Normal blood flow is a prerequisite of adequate organ perfusion and results from vasomotion, plasma components, corpuscular blood elements, vascular architecture, and the undisturbed interaction of these components at the endothelial interface. Functional thromboresistance of the endothelial layer is reduced in the diabetic state. Increased intravascular thrombin generation, reduced fibrinolytic potential, and hyperactive platelets lead to a prethrombotic state. This thrombotic diathesis increases the permanent danger of acute flow interruption. Activated platelets operate by three mechanisms: (1) Microembolization of the capillaries; (2) local progression of preexisting vascular lesions by secretion of constrictive, mitogenic, and oxidative substances; (3) trigger of the prognosis-limiting arterial thrombotic event. We were able to show that the increased functional properties of diabetic platelets result from the primary release of larger platelets with enhanced thromboxane formation capacity and increased numbers of functional glycoprotein receptors GPIb and GPIIb/IIIa, which are synthesized in the megakaryocytes. The megakaryocyte-platelet system is turned on in diabetes mellitus. It could be demonstrated with the Duesseldorf III method of flow cytometric activation marker testing (CD62, CD63, thrombospondin) that predominantly large platelets circulate in an activated state in diabetes mellitus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Psychological Birth Trauma in Adolescents Experiencing an Early Birth

Purpose: To explore and compare associations among demographics, childbirth-related stressors, depressive symptoms, gestational age, and psychological birth trauma (PBT) among adolescents. Study Design and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study compared two groups of adolescents for PBT. From a larger study dataset, we identified all adolescents delivering prior to 38 weeks (n = 30) and randomly selected 30 adolescents delivering between 38 and 42 weeks gestation for comparison. PBT was defined via birth appraisal, assessed by a one-item rating scale, and trauma impact, assessed via the Impact of Event Scale. Surveys, including the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, were completed within 72 hours of birth. We used frequencies and percentages to describe the sample and Chi square, Spearman Rank-Order Correlation, and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation to determine relationships between variables. Chi square and ANOVA statistical tests determined group differences. Results: Adolescents were primarily Latina, single, primigravidas, and over 16 years of age. Adolescents delivering before 38 weeks experiencing cesarean births reported symptoms of depression and were highest risk for PBT. Additionally adolescents delivering before 38 weeks reported lack of pain control and unsupportive caregivers in labor. Clinical Implications: Healthcare professionals cognizant of the potential risk factors for PBT can help vulnerable adolescents through caregiver support, adequate pain control in labor, education, and screening and treatment of depressive symptoms. Follow-up postdischarge, especially for high-risk adolescents, should be arranged to monitor for continued, delayed, or remitting symptoms of depression and PBT.
Weekly patterns of drug treatment attendance.

OBJECTIVES This study examined weekly patterns of drug treatment attendance in relation to date of welfare payment receipt and reason for treatment absence. METHODS Treatment attendance by Medicaid-eligible pregnant women who were drug dependent was examined by calendar week over a 29-month period. RESULTS Time series analyses showed that attendance was lower during week 1 than week 4. Drug use was the most frequently reported reason for treatment absence during week 1 (25%) but was not reported as a reason during week 3. CONCLUSIONS Drug-dependent outpatients had increased absences associated with illicit drug use during the first week of the month when welfare payments were received. The generalizability of the findings is unknown.
Comparative Study of 3rd Generation V/S 4th Generation ELISA in Blood Donors for Early Diagnosis of HIV in Rural Population

The sero-prevalence of HIV among blood donors in India is 0.28 % (NACO 2013) although it varies from 0.16 % to 0.8 % in various Indian studies. The HIV prevalence in Andhra Pradesh is 1.07 per cent among males, and 0.73 among females, which again is higher than in other states. This grim scenario, and the need for early detection, formed an impetus for our study. Early diagnosis of HIV infection is the cornerstone of prevention and care strategies for HIV-infected individual (Diagnostic window with a new combined p24 antigen and human immunodeficiency virus antibody screening assay). Early detection of HIV is important for reasons of Infection security, prevention, and individual prognosis. Antiretroviral combination therapy started early, during Primary HIV infection, reduces the likelihood of a rapid progression to the AIDS stage. Moreover, the frequency of opportunistic infections later, is reduced, enhancing the quality of life (Van Binsbergen et al., 1998). Expensive assays that can be applied both in developed and developing countries for early diagnosis are needed to determine prognosis, guide therapy. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of various techniques for Antibody detection and Antigen detection, and to determine the technique most suitable for early diagnosis of HIV infection (Schreiber et al., 1996). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 6 (2017) pp. 1183-1193 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Observational Properties of Diffuse Halos in Clusters

The number of known diffuse radio sources in clusters of galaxies has grown in recent years, making it possible to derive statistical properties of these sources and of the hosting clusters. We show that diffuse sources are associated with X-ray luminous clusters which have undergone recent merger processes. The radio and X-ray structures are often similar, and correlations are found between radio and X-ray parameters. This is indication of a link between the diffuse relativistic and thermal plasma in clusters of galaxies.
Proliferation and cell death of human glioblastoma cells after carbon‐ion beam exposure: Morphologic and morphometric analyses

Histological analyses of glioblastoma cells after carbon‐ion exposure are still limited and ultrastructural characteristics have not been investigated in detail. Here we report the results of morphological and morphometric analyses of a human glioblastoma cell line, CGNH‐89, after ionizing radiation to characterize the effect of a carbon‐beam on glioblastoma cells. Using CGNH‐89 cells exposed to 0–10 Gy of X‐ray (140 kVp) or carbon‐ions (18.3 MeV/nucleon, LET = 108 keV/μm), we performed conventional histology and immunocytochemistry with MIB‐1 antibody, transmission electron microscopy, and computer‐assisted, nuclear size measurements. CGNH‐89 cells with a G to A transition in codon 280 in exon 8 of the TP53 gene had nuclei with pleomorphism, marked nuclear atypia and brisk mitotic activity. After carbon‐ion and X‐ray exposure, living cells showed decreased cell number, nuclear condensation, increased atypical mitotic figures, and a tendency of cytoplasmic enlargement at the level of light microscopy. The deviation of the nuclear area size increased during 48 h after irradiation, while the small cell fraction increased in 336 h. In glioblastoma cells of the control, 5 Gy carbon‐beam, and 10 Gy carbon‐beam, and MIB‐1 labeling index decreased in 24 h (12%, 11%, 7%, respectively) but increased in 48 h (10%, 20%, 21%, respectively). Ultrastructurally, cellular enlargement seemed to depend on vacuolation, swelling of mitochondria, and increase of cellular organelles, such as the cytoskeleton and secondary lysosome. We could not observe apoptotic bodies in the CGNH‐89 cells under any conditions. We conclude that carbon‐ion irradiation induced cell death and senescence in a glioblastoma cell line with mutant TP53. Our results indicated that the increase of large cells with enlarged and bizarre nuclei, swollen mitochondria, and secondary lysosome occurred in glioblastoma cells after carbon‐beam exposure.
The effect of maternal inbreeding on incidence of twinning, dystocia and stillbirth in Holstein cows of Iran

Summary The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal inbreeding on incidence of twinning, dystocia and stillbirth in Holstein cows of Iran. Calving records from March 2000 to April 2009 comprising of 365,021 calvings on 153,802 cows from 86 dairy herds were used. The mean level of inbreeding was 0.7%, less than 37% of all animals were inbred, and a small proportion (3.45%) of inbreed animals had inbreeding coefficients greater than 5%, with a maximum inbreeding coefficient of 38%. The overall average twinning and stillbirth rates were 2.7 and 3.78%, respectively. Dam parity and calving season significantly affected the incidence of twinning (P<0.01). The twinning rate at parities 1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5 were 0.72, 3.4, 4.51, 4.70 and 5.23%, respectively (P<0.01). The incidence of stillbirth was significantly influenced by parity, calving season, calf sex and twinning (P<0.05). Dystocia scores of ≥3 were less common amongst older cows. Gender of the calf was significantly associated with dystocia, whereas the incidence of dystocia was higher in dams delivering male calves (P<0.01). First parity cows showed more difficult calving than higher parity cows (P<0.01). The results indicated that the degree of maternal inbreeding presently observed in Iranian Holstein herds does not seem to have a significant effect on the twinning, dystocia and stillbirth rates.
Towards post-quantum security for IoT endpoints with NTRU

The NTRU cryptosystem is one of the main alternatives for practical implementations of post-quantum, public-key cryptography. In this work, we analyze the feasibility of employing the NTRU encryption scheme, NTRUEncrypt, in resource constrained devices such as those used for Internet-of-Things endpoints. We present an analysis of NTRUEncrypt's advantages over other cryptosystems for use in such devices. We describe four different NTRUEncrypt implementations on an ARM Cortex M0-based microcontroller, compare their results, and show that NTRUEncrypt is suitable for use in battery-operated devices. We present performance and memory footprint figures for different security parameters, as well as energy consumption in a resource constrained microcontroller to backup these claims. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, in this work we present the first time-independent implementation of NTRUEncrypt.
Encapsulated platelets modulate kupffer cell activation and reduce oxidative stress in a model of acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by massive hepatocyte cell death. Kupffer cells (KC) are the first cells to be activated after liver injury. They secrete cytokines and produce reactive oxygen species, leading to apoptosis of hepatocytes. In a previous study, we showed that encapsulated platelets (PLTs) increase survival in a model of ALF. Here, we investigate how PLTs exert their beneficial effect. Wistar rats submitted to 90% hepatectomy were treated with PLTs encapsulated in sodium alginate or empty capsules. Animals were euthanized at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after hepatectomy, and livers were collected to assess oxidative stress, caspase activity, and gene expression related to oxidative stress or liver function. The number of KCs in the remnant liver was evaluated. Interaction of encapsulated PLTs and KCs was investigated using a coculture system. PLTs increase superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and reduce lipid peroxidation. In addition, caspase 3 activity was reduced in animals receiving encapsulated PLTs at 48 and 72 hours. Gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor kappa B were elevated in the PLT group at each time point analyzed. Gene expression of albumin and factor V also increased in the PLT group. The number of KCs in the PLT group returned to normal levels at 12 hours but remained elevated in the control group until 72 hours. Finally, PLTs modulate interleukin (IL) 6 and IL10 expression in KCs after 24 hours of coculture. In conclusion, these results indicate that PLTs interact with KCs in this model and exert their beneficial effect through reduction of oxidative stress that results in healthier hepatocytes and decreased apoptosis. Liver Transplantation 22 1562–1572 2016 AASLD.
Maternal smoking and developmental changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) and the LH receptor in the fetal testis.

CONTEXT The LH receptor (LHCGR) drives fetal testosterone secretion, which is vital for human masculinization. Maternal smoking is associated with defective masculinization, but the relationship between smoking, tropic hormones, testosterone, and functional LHCGR expression is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate developmental changes in fetal gonadotropins, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and expression of fetal testicular LHCGR isoforms and the effects of maternal cigarette smoking. DESIGN We conducted an observational study of the male fetus, comparing pregnancies in which the mothers did or did not smoke. SETTING The study was conducted at the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Testes and blood were collected from 54 morphologically normal human male fetuses of women undergoing elective termination of normal second-trimester pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured circulating testosterone, hCG, LH, prolactin, FSH, and testicular LHCGR isoform expression. RESULTS Fetal testosterone and hCG, but not LH, significantly declined between 11 and 19 wk gestation with no significant change in testicular responsiveness. The proportion of nonfunctional LHCGR transcript in fetal testes was 2.3-fold lower than in adults. Fetal hCG was reduced 38% (P = 0.021) and the ratio of inactive vs. active LHCGR isoforms lowered by smoking. CONCLUSIONS Falling second-trimester fetal testosterone is probably due to declining maternal hCG because Leydig cell LH/hCG responsiveness remains constant. Although maternal cigarette smoking reduces fetal hCG, the ratio of inactive LHCGR isoforms is reduced and gonadotropin drive maintains testosterone production near control levels. The lower relative abundance of inactive isoforms compared with the adult testis reflects the importance of LHCGR.
Inheritance of gynoecism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using genotype GBS-1 as gynoecious parent

Pati K. , A. Das Munshi and T. Kanti Behera (2015): Inheritance of gynoecism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using genotype gbs-1 as gynoecious parentGenetika, Vol 47, No. 1, 349-356. The inheritance pattern of gynoecious sex expression in cucumber was studied by utilizing a gynoecious line (GBS-1) and two monoecious lines (Pusa Uday and Punjab Naveen). Crosses were made between gynoecious line (GBS-1) and monoecious lines (Pusa Uday and Punjab Naveen). The F1 and F2 population along with parental lines were evaluated to study the inheritance of this trait. All F1 hybrids showed gynoecious sex in both crosses and in the F2 generation, the observed distribution of plant phenotypes fitted the expected mendelian ratio of 3 (gynocious plant) : 1 (monoecious plant). The segregation of plant sex types suggested monogenic dominant control of gynoecious sex form in cucumber using genotype GBS-1 .