Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type Three Effector Gene Distribution and Sequence Analysis Provide New Insights into the Pathogenicity of Plant-Pathogenic Xanthomonas arboricola

ABSTRACT Xanthomonas arboricola is a complex bacterial species which mainly attacks fruit trees and is responsible for emerging diseases in Europe. It comprises seven pathovars (X. arboricola pv. pruni, X. arboricola pv. corylina, X. arboricola pv. juglandis, X. arboricola pv. populi, X. arboricola pv. poinsettiicola, X. arboricola pv. celebensis, and X. arboricola pv. fragariae), each exhibiting characteristic disease symptoms and distinct host specificities. To better understand the factors underlying this ecological trait, we first assessed the phylogenetic relationships among a worldwide collection of X. arboricola strains by sequencing the housekeeping gene rpoD. This analysis revealed that strains of X. arboricola pathovar populi are divergent from the main X. arboricola cluster formed by all other strains. Then, we investigated the distribution of 53 type III effector (T3E) genes in a collection of 57 X. arboricola strains that are representative of the main X. arboricola cluster. Our results showed that T3E repertoires vary greatly between X. arboricola pathovars in terms of size. Indeed, X. arboricola pathovars pruni, corylina, and juglandis, which are responsible for economically important stone fruit and nut diseases in Europe, harbored the largest T3E repertoires, whereas pathovars poinsettiicola, celebensis, and fragariae harbored the smallest. We also identified several differences in T3E gene content between X. arboricola pathovars pruni, corylina, and juglandis which may account for their differing host specificities. Further, we examined the allelic diversity of eight T3E genes from X. arboricola pathovars. This analysis revealed very limited allelic variations at the different loci. Altogether, the data presented here provide new insights into the evolution of pathogenicity and host range of X. arboricola and are discussed in terms of emergence of new diseases within this bacterial species.
The Effect of Renal Denervation on Plasma Adipokine Profile in Patients with Treatment Resistant Hypertension

Background: We previously demonstrated the effectiveness of renal denervation (RDN) to lower blood pressure (BP) at least partially via the reduction of sympathetic stimulation to the kidney. A number of adipocyte-derived factors are implicated in BP control in obesity. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether RDN may have salutary effects on the adipokine profile in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). Methods: Fifty seven patients with RH undergoing RDN program have been included in this study (65% males, age 60.8 ± 1.5 years, BMI 32.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2, mean ± SEM). Throughout the study, the patients were on an average of 4.5 ± 2.7 antihypertensive drugs. Automated seated office BP measurements and plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), adiponectin and resistin were assessed at baseline and the 3 months after RDN. Results: There was a significant reduction in mean office systolic (168.75 ± 2.57 vs. 155.23 ± 3.17 mmHg, p < 0.001) and diastolic (90.68 ± 2.31 vs. 83.74 ± 2.36 mmHg, p < 0.001) BP 3 months after RDN. Body weight, plasma leptin and resistin levels and heart rate remained unchanged. Fasting insulin concentration significantly increased 3 months after the procedure (20.05 ± 1.46 vs. 29.70 ± 2.51 uU/ml, p = 0.002). There was a significant drop in circulating NEFA at follow up (1.01 ± 0.07 vs. 0.47 ± 0.04 mEq/l, p < 0.001). Adiponectin concentration was significantly higher after RDN (5,654 ± 800 vs. 6,644 ± 967 ng/ml, p = 0.024). Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that RDN is associated with potentially beneficial effects on aspects of the adipokine profile. Increased adiponectin and reduced NEFA production may contribute to BP reduction via an effect on metabolic pathways. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00483808, NCT00888433.
Fast Minimum-Spanning-Tree-like Based Image Segmentation

We propose a fast segmentation technique for segmenting natural images into meaningful regions based on a minimum spanning tree (MST) principle. The main idea of the technique comes from the redundancy of MST based image segmentation process. We compared the performance of the proposed technique with the performance of depth first search (DFS) and of the traditional MST. Finally, the simple split and merge method based on the proposed technique is proposed with some natural images of the Berkeley segmentation dataset and compared with our results with human's handi-labeled segmentation results.
Status of c‐erbB‐2 in gastric adenocarcinoma: A comparative study of immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization and enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay

c‐erb‐2 amplification and overexpression are currently attracting a great deal of attention because a new adjuvant therapy using an antibody against the c‐erbB‐2 gene product, trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA), has proved effective in treating breast cancer with amplification and/or overexpression of c‐erbB‐2. Aberrations of c‐erbB‐2 have also been detected in ovarian, endometrial and gastric carcinomas at varied frequencies. Amplification of the c‐erbB‐2 locus (17q12‐q21.32), overexpression of c‐erbB‐2 protein (p185) and serum levels of soluble c‐erbB‐2 protein fragments (p105) were examined in gastric cancer patients using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Overexpression of c‐erbB‐2 protein was found in 29 (8.2%) of the 352 gastric carcinomas analyzed. In FISH analysis, all tumors with 3+ immunostaining and 1 of 5 tumors with 2+ staining showed high‐level amplification of c‐erbB‐2. Pre‐operative serum p105 was quantified in serum specimens from 129 patients with gastric cancer and 28 patients with benign diseases. There were no significant differences in the serum p105 levels among 11 patients with c‐erbB‐2‐overexpressing carcinomas, 118 patients with c‐erbB‐2 non‐overexpressing carcinomas and 28 controls, although a single case of gastric carcinoma overexpressing c‐erbB‐2 with extensive liver metastasis had a higher level than the cut‐off value. The mechanisms of overexpression of p185 and high‐level amplification of c‐erbB‐2 in gastric adenocarcinomas seem similar to those well‐established in breast cancers. Patients having gastric adenocarcinoma with c‐erbB‐2 amplification are potential candidates for a new adjuvant therapy using humanized monoclonal antibody. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuropeptide AF Induces Piecemeal Degranulation in Murine Mucosal Mast Cells: A New Mediator in Neuro‐Immune Communication in the Intestinal Lamina Propria?

Neuropeptides AF (NPAF), FF (NPFF) and SF (NPSF) are RFamide neuropeptides known to be widely expressed in the mammalian central nervous system, where they fulfill a wide range of functions with pain modulation being the most prominent one. Recent evidence indicates that RFamides act as mediators in mast cell–sensory nerve communications related to allergic disease. Previous work by our group has shown that the expression levels of some members of the Mas‐related gene receptor (Mrgpr) family in both enteric neurons and mucosal mast cells change during intestinal inflammation. The Mrgpr subtypes C11 and A4 can be activated by NPAF, while A1 and C11 are triggered by NPFF. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether RFamides of the NPFF group are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and to identify possible targets and receptors that might be involved in RFamide‐associated mast cell modulation. To this end, the expression and distribution patterns of NPFF/AF receptors and the NPFF precursor protein were determined in bone marrow‐derived mucosal mast cells (BMMCs) by immunocytochemistry and (RT‐) PCR. BMMCs were found to express MrgprA4 and A1, and functional analysis of the effects of NPAF by means of a β‐hexosaminidase assay, mMCP‐1 ELISA, electron microscopy and live cell calcium imaging revealed a piecemeal degranulation induced by NPAF. However, knock‐out of MrgprA4 and A1 did not reduce the effect of NPAF, indicating that the BMMC response to NPAF was receptor independent. ProNPFF was expressed in neurons and BMMCs, suggesting that both cell types are potential sources of NPAF in situ. Our results show that the RFamide NPAF can be considered as a novel modulator of BMMC activity in the neuro‐immune communication in the gastrointestinal tract, although the exact signaling pathway remains to be elucidated. Anat Rec, 00:000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:1103–1114, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EphrinB2 Activation Enhances Vascular Repair Mechanisms and Reduces Brain Swelling After Mild Cerebral Ischemia

Objective— Cerebral edema caused by the disruption of the blood–brain barrier is a major complication after stroke. Therefore, strategies to accelerate and enhance neurovascular recovery after stroke are of prime interest. Our main aim was to study the role of ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling in mediating the vascular repair and in blood–brain barrier restoration after mild cerebral ischemia occlusion/reperfusion. Approach and Results— Here, we show that the guidance molecule ephrinB2 plays a key role in neurovascular protection and blood–brain barrier restoration after stroke. In a focal stroke model, we characterize the stroke-induced damage to cerebral blood vessels and their subsequent endogenous repair on a cellular, molecular, and functional level. EphrinB2 and its tyrosine kinase receptor EphB4 are upregulated early after stroke by endothelial cells and perivascular support cells, in parallel to their reassembly during neurovascular recovery. Using both retroviral and pharmacological approaches, we show that the inhibition of ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling suppresses post-middle cerebral artery occlusion neurovascular repair mechanisms resulting in an aggravation of brain swelling. In contrast, the activation of ephrinB2 after brain ischemia leads to an increased pericyte recruitment and increased endothelial–pericyte interaction, resulting in an accelerated neurovascular repair after ischemia. Conclusions— We show that reducing swelling could result in improved outcome because of reduction in damaged brain tissue. We also identify a novel role for ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling in the maintenance of the neurovascular homeostasis and provide a novel therapeutic approach in reducing brain swelling after stroke.
Improving Customer Service in the Banking Industry-Case of Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB)-Ghana

Customer service has become so vital and significant to consider especially in the financial business sector whether locally or globally. As banks continue to provide an increasing number of financial services and products, they face the challenge of integrating these disparate systems into a coherent, efficient infrastructure, while delivering the highest level of customer service and convenience without exposing their customers to the bank’s internal system integration problems. However, banks in Ghana especially Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) needed to improve and formalize its customer service and public relations programs. A descriptive research method was used to gather data from the respective target population. Customer service at GCB from the customers’ perspective is not satisfactory but has led to the increase in number of new customers, maintenance of existing customer and increase in profitability among others.
Human Pathophysiological Adaptations to the Space Environment

Space is an extreme environment for the human body, where during long-term missions microgravity and high radiation levels represent major threats to crew health. Intriguingly, space flight (SF) imposes on the body of highly selected, well-trained, and healthy individuals (astronauts and cosmonauts) pathophysiological adaptive changes akin to an accelerated aging process and to some diseases. Such effects, becoming manifest over a time span of weeks (i.e., cardiovascular deconditioning) to months (i.e., loss of bone density and muscle atrophy) of exposure to weightlessness, can be reduced through proper countermeasures during SF and in due time are mostly reversible after landing. Based on these considerations, it is increasingly accepted that SF might provide a mechanistic insight into certain pathophysiological processes, a concept of interest to pre-nosological medicine. In this article, we will review the main stress factors encountered in space and their impact on the human body and will also discuss the possible lessons learned with space exploration in reference to human health on Earth. In fact, this is a productive, cross-fertilized, endeavor in which studies performed on Earth yield countermeasures for protection of space crew health, and space research is translated into health measures for Earth-bound population.
Can virtual reality improve anatomy education? A randomised controlled study of a computer‐generated three‐dimensional anatomical ear model

Introduction The use of computer‐generated 3‐dimensional (3‐D) anatomical models to teach anatomy has proliferated. However, there is little evidence that these models are educationally effective. The purpose of this study was to test the educational effectiveness of a computer‐generated 3‐D model of the middle and inner ear.
Human Capital Development Dynamics in Africa: Evidence from Panel Cointegration and Causality in 33 Countries, 2000-2013

This paper investigates the determinants of human capital development in 33 African countries over the period 2000 to 2013. Results of panel unit root shows that all the variables are integrated of order one while the co integration tests showed that human capital development and its determinants have a stable long-run equilibrium relationship. Specifically, all the variables significantly influence human capital development in the long run whereas the contemporaneous models suggest that only institutions matter. Through the use of alternative estimators as well as estimation of subsamples, our robustness tests reinforce our findings. Therefore, African governments may sustain human capital development through sustained education and health expenditures. At the same time, short-term gains may be attained with enhanced institutional quality as well as infrastructural development.
Palindromic Rheumatism: A Clinical Survey of Sixty Patients

Hannonen P, Mottonen T, Oka M. Palindromic rheumatism: A clinical survey of 60 patients. Scand J Rheumatology 1987; 16:413–420.Sixty patients with palindromic rheumatism (PR) with a total follow-up time of 598 years and 295 years prospectively are presented. The study shows that PR is not a rare condition, but the syndrome is often ignored or misdiagnosed by the physician. Most cases of PR appear to evolve into chronic arthritis. PR may precede other kinds of systemic diseases, such as SLE, Wegener's granulomatosis, and multiple myeloma. The presence of PR in patients with fibromyalgia is reported in this paper. Gold appears to be the best drug for the treatment of PR. Cases of fibromyalgia and PR are treated successfully with antimalarial drugs. Our proposed diagnostic criteria for PR are as follows: 1) recurrent attacks of sudden-onset mono or polyarthritis or of periarticular tissue inflammation, lasting from a few hours to one week; 2) verification of at least one attack by a physician; 3) subsequent .
A phase I-II trial of fludarabine, bendamustine and rituximab (FBR) in previously treated patients with CLL

Chemoimmunotherapy regimens have been the standard first-line therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). For young, fit patients the standard of care is combination of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR). Based on the preclinical work demonstrating that bendamustine combined with fludarabine resulted in increased DNA damage, we designed a phase I-II clinical trial with fludarabine, bendamustine, and rituximab (FBR) for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL. Treatment consisted of fludarabine 20 mg/m2 daily x 3 days and rituximab 375-500 mg/m2 x 1 day. Phase I included bendamustine at increasing doses of 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg/m2 daily x 3 days; phase II was with FR, and B at the selected dose. DNA damage response (H2AX phosphorylation) was evaluated in a subset of patients. Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The median age was 62 years; median number of prior therapies was 2; 40% had del(11q); and 41 patients had received prior FCR-based therapies. Hematologic toxicity was more common in =40 mg/m2 dose cohorts. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not identified. Bendamustine-elicited H2AX phosphorylation was not dose-dependent, but markedly increased after fludarabine. We identified bendamustine 30 mg/m2 as the safe dose for phase II. The overall response rate (ORR) was 67% with 36% complete response (CR) / CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi). Younger patients (<65 years) had significantly higher ORR (81% vs. 50%; p=0.038). The median progression-free survival was 19 months, and the median overall survival was 52.5 months. FBR is an effective and tolerable CIT regimen for patients with relapsed CLL.
Transient receptor potential A1 mediates gastric distention-induced visceral pain in rats

Background: Transient receptor potential (TRP)A1, a member of the TRP family of ion channels, has been proposed to function in diverse sensory processes, including thermosensation and pain. However, TRPA1 has not been directly implicated in stomach mechanosensation, and its contribution to acute visceral pain from this organ is unknown. Here, we investigated the expression of TRPA1 in primary sensory afferents and its involvement in visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Methods: We examined TRPA1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), nodose ganglion (NG), and stomach of rats by using immunohistochemistry. Electromyographic responses to gastric distention (GD) were recorded from the acromiotrapezius muscle in TRPA1 knockdown rats and in control rats. Results: TRPA1 was predominantly expressed with sensory neuropeptides in DRG and NG neurons, and in nerve fibres in the rat stomach. Gastric distention induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in DRG and NG neurons 2 min after stimulation, and most of the phosphorylated-ERK1/2-labelled DRG neurons were TRPA1-positive neurons. Intrathecal injection of TRPA1 antisense attenuated the visceromotor response, and suppressed ERK1/2 activation in the DRG, but not NG, neurons produced by GD. Furthermore, intrathecal and intraperitoneal injections of the TRPA1 inhibitor HC-03003 suppressed the response to noxious GD. Conclusions: The activation of TRPA1 in DRG neurons by noxious GD may be involved in acute visceral pain. Our findings point to the potential blockade of TRPA1 in primary afferents as a new therapeutic target for the reduction of visceral hypersensitivity.
n-3 Fatty acids preserve muscle mass and insulin sensitivity in a rat model of energy restriction

Abstract In obese subjects, the loss of fat mass during energy restriction is often accompanied by a loss of muscle mass. The hypothesis that n-3 PUFA, which modulate protein homoeostasis via effects on insulin sensitivity, could contribute to maintain muscle mass during energy restriction was tested in rats fed a high-fat diet (4 weeks) rich in 18 : 1 n-9 (oleic acid, OLE-R), 18 : 3 n-3 (α-linolenic acid, ALA-R) or n-3 long-chain (LC-R) fatty acid and then energy restricted (8 weeks). A control group (OLE-ad libitum (AL)) was maintained with AL diet throughout the study. Rats were killed 10 min after an i.v. insulin injection. All energy-restricted rats lost weight and fat mass, but only the OLE-R group showed a significant muscle loss. The Gastrocnemius muscle was enriched with ALA in the ALA-R group and with LC-PUFA in the ALA-R and LC-R groups. The proteolytic ubiquitin–proteasome system was differentially affected by energy restriction, with MAFbx and muscle ring finger-1 mRNA levels being decreased in the LC-R group (−30 and −20 %, respectively). RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase and insulin receptor substrate 1 phosphorylation levels increased in the LC-R group (+70 %), together with insulin receptor mRNA (+50 %). The ALA-R group showed the same overall activation pattern as the LC-R group, although to a lesser extent. In conclusion, dietary n-3 PUFA prevent the loss of muscle mass associated with energy restriction, probably by an improvement in the insulin-signalling pathway activation, in relation to enrichment of plasma membranes in n-3 LC-PUFA.
Acute cognitive impact of antiseizure drugs in naive rodents and corneal‐kindled mice

Some antiseizure drugs (ASDs) are associated with cognitive liability in patients with epilepsy, thus ASDs without this risk would be preferred. Little comparative pharmacology exists with ASDs in preclinical models of cognition. Few pharmacologic studies exist on the acute effects in rodents with chronic seizures. Predicting risk for cognitive impact with preclinical models may supply valuable ASD differentiation data.
Determination of Essential and Variable Residues in Pediocin PA-1 by NNK Scanning

ABSTRACT Pediocin PA-1 is an antimicrobial peptide (called bacteriocin) that shows inhibitory activity against the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. To elucidate which residue(s) is responsible for this function, the antimicrobial activities of pediocin PA-1 mutants were evaluated and compared. Each of the 44 native codons was replaced with the NNK triplet oligonucleotide in a technique termed NNK scanning, and 35 mutations at each position were examined for antimicrobial activities using a modified colony overlay screening method. As a consequence, the functional responsibility of each residue was estimated by counting the number of active mutants, allowing us to identify candidate essential/variable residues. Activity was abrogated by many of the mutations at residues Y2, G6, C9, C14, C24, W33, G37, and C44, indicating that these residues may be essential. In contrast, activity was retained by almost all versions harboring mutations at K1, T8, G10, S13, G19, N28, and N41, indicating that these are functionally redundant residues. Sequence analysis revealed that only the wild type was active and 14 and 11 substitutions were inactive at G6 and C14, respectively, while 12 and 11 substitutions were active and 2 and 0 substitutions were inactive at T8 and K1, respectively. These findings suggest that NNK scanning is effective for determining essential and variable residues in pediocin PA-1, leading to an elucidation of structure-function relationships and to improvements in the antimicrobial function efficiently by peptide engineering.