Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minidumbbell structures formed by ATTCT pentanucleotide repeats in spinocerebellar ataxia type 10

Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is a progressive genetic disorder caused by ATTCT pentanucleotide repeat expansions in intron 9 of the ATXN10 gene. ATTCT repeats have been reported to form unwound secondary structures which are likely linked to large-scale repeat expansions. In this study, we performed high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigations on DNA sequences containing two to five ATTCT repeats. Strikingly, we found the first two repeats of all these sequences well folded into highly compact minidumbbell (MDB) structures. The 3D solution structure of the sequence containing two ATTCT repeats was successfully determined, revealing the MDB comprises a regular TTCTA and a quasi TTCT/A pentaloops with extensive stabilizing loop-loop interactions. We further carried out in vitro primer extension assays to examine if the MDB formed in the primer could escape from the proofreading function of DNA polymerase. Results showed that when the MDB was formed at 5-bp or farther away from the priming site, it was able to escape from the proofreading by Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and thus retained in the primer. The intriguing structural findings bring about new insights into the origin of genetic instability in SCA10.
A Multicenter Investigation Examining AUA-Recommended Antibiotic Prophylaxis vs. Non-standard Prophylaxis in Preventing Device Infections in Penile Prosthesis Surgery in Diabetic Patients.

PURPOSE American Urological Association (AUA) antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations may be insufficient for covering organisms commonly found in penile prosthesis infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the difference between AUA-recommended antibiotic prophylaxis and non-standard prophylaxis in preventing device infections in penile prosthesis surgery performed in diabetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of diabetic patients undergoing primary penile prosthesis surgery was performed between April 2003 and August 2018. Eighteen institutions from the United States, Europe and Korea contributed. The association between antibiotic prophylaxis type and postoperative penile prosthesis infections, device explantations, and revision surgeries was assessed. RESULTS Standard AUA antibiotic prophylaxis was followed in 48.6% (n=391) of cases, while non-standard prophylaxis was used in 51.4% (n=413). Common non-standard antibiotic prophylaxis included Vancomycin-Gentamycin- Fluoroquinolone, Clindamycin-Fluoroquinolone, and Vancomycin-Fluoroquinolone among other combinations. Patients who received AUA prophylaxis had significantly more postoperative device infections (5.6% vs. 1.9%, p<0.01) and explantations (8.3% vs. 2.0%, p<0.001) compared to those who received non-standard prophylaxis. Patients who received AUA prophylaxis had significantly higher odds of a postoperative device infection (OR: 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.3) and explantation (OR: 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.1) compared to those who received non-standard prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS Diabetic men with ED who received standard AUA prophylaxis for penile prosthesis surgery had significantly greater odds of experiencing a postoperative device infection and device explantation compared to patients who received non-standard prophylaxis. Our study provides a strong rationale for a prospective investigation to establish the most appropriate prophylaxis strategy in penile prosthesis surgery.
Pro‐resolving mediator protectin D1 promotes epimorphic regeneration by controlling immune cell function in vertebrates

Specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs) are a family of lipids controlling the resolution of inflammation and playing a role in many processes including organ protection and tissue repair. While SPMs are potent bioactive molecules in vivo, their role in epimorphic regeneration of organs in vertebrates has not been tested. Using the zebrafish larva as a robust regenerative vertebrate system, we studied the role of the SPM neuroprotectin/protectin D1 (PD1) during the caudal fin fold regeneration.
Interaction of Varroa destructor and Sublethal Clothianidin Doses during the Larval Stage on Subsequent Adult Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Health, Cellular Immunity, Deformed Wing Virus Levels and Differential Gene Expression

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) are exposed to many parasites, but little is known about interactions with abiotic stressors on their health, particularly when affected as larvae. Larvae were exposed singly and in combination to the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and three sublethal doses of the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin to evaluate their effects on survivorship, weight, haemocyte counts, deformed wing virus (DWV) levels and gene expression of the adult bees that subsequently developed. Clothianidin significantly reduced bee weight at the highest dose and was associated with an increase in haemocyte counts at the lowest dose, whereas V. destructor parasitism increased DWV levels, reduced bee emergence, lowered weight and reduced haemocyte counts. An interaction between the two stressors was observed for weight at emergence. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), V. destructor infestation resulted in broader down-regulatory effects related to immunity that was often shared with the combined stressors, while clothianidin resulted in a broader up-regulatory effect more related to central metabolic pathways that was often shared with the combined stressors. Parasites and abiotic stressors can have complex interactions, including additive effects on reduced weight, number of up-regulated DEGs and biological pathways associated with metabolism.
Ligation of Integrin α3β1 by Laminin 5 at the Wound Edge Activates Rho-dependent Adhesion of Leading Keratinocytes on Collagen*

Wounding of the epidermis signals the transition of keratinocytes from quiescent anchorage on endogenous basement membrane laminin 5 to migration on exposed dermal collagen. In this study, we attempt to characterize activation signals that transform quiescent keratinocytes into migratory leading cells at the wound edge. Previously, we reported that adhesion and spreading on collagen via integrin α2β1 by cultured human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) requires RhoGTP, a regulator of actin stress fibers. In contrast, adhesion and spreading on laminin 5 requires integrins α3β1 and α6β4 and is dependent on phosphoinositide 3-hydroxykinase (Nguyen, B. P., Gil, S. G., and Carter, W. G. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 31896–31907). Here, we report that quiescent HFKs do not adhere to collagen but adhere and spread on laminin 5. By using collagen adhesion as one criterion for conversion to a “leading wound cell,” we found that activation of collagen adhesion requires elevation of RhoGTP. Adhesion of quiescent HFKs to laminin 5 via integrin α3β1 and α6β4is sufficient to increase levels of RhoGTP required for adhesion and spreading on collagen. Consistently, adhesion of quiescent HFKs to laminin 5, but not collagen, also promotes expression of the precursor form of laminin 5, a characteristic of leading keratinocytes in the epidermal outgrowth. We suggest that wounding of quiescent epidermis initiates adhesion and spreading of keratinocytes at the wound edge on endogenous basement membrane laminin 5 via α3β1 and α6β4in a Rho-independent mechanism. Spreading on endogenous laminin 5 via α3β1 is necessary but not sufficient to elevate expression of precursor laminin 5 and RhoGTP, allowing for subsequent collagen adhesion via α2β1, all characteristics of leading keratinocytes in the epidermal outgrowth.
Preparation and Microstructural Characterization of a High-Cr White Cast Iron Reinforced with WC Particles

High-chromium white cast iron (WCI) specimens locally reinforced with WC–metal matrix composites were produced via an ex situ technique: powder mixtures of WC and Fe cold-pressed in a pre-form were inserted in the mold cavity before pouring the base metal. The microstructure of the resulting reinforcement is a matrix of martensite (α’) and austenite (γ) with WC particles evenly distributed and (Fe,W,Cr)6C carbides that are formed from the reaction between the molten metal and the inserted pre-form. The (Fe,W,Cr)6C precipitation leads to the hypoeutectic solidification of the matrix and the final microstructure consists of martensite, formed from primary austenite during cooling and eutectic constituent with (Fe,Cr)7C3 and (Fe,W,Cr)6C carbides. The presence of a reaction zone with 200 µm of thickness, between the base metal and the composite should guarantee a strong bonding between these two zones.
Understanding Needs Satisfaction and Frustration in Young Athletes: Factor Structure and Invariance Analysis

Sports research has been focused on the assessment of basic needs satisfaction, considering its absence as a representation of needs frustration. However, recent findings have suggested needs satisfaction and frustration as asymmetrical factors leading to differentiated outcomes. An accurate measurement of needs poses itself as a crucial aspect, facilitating coaches’ understanding of athlete’s motivational processes. This study aimed to examine the psychometric proprieties of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) in a sample of Portuguese athletes. A multigroup analysis was conducted of gender, sport type, age, and years of sports practice. Additionally, needs satisfaction and needs frustration were tested as predictors of behavioral regulations examining the nomological validity of the BPNSFS. Data from 594 Portuguese athletes (38.6% female; Mage = 15.21; SD = 0.97) that represent two different sports (football and swimming) were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling procedures were followed to test the factor structure and nomological validity of the scale, respectively. Analyses indicated that the six-factor model provided an adequate fit (Comparative Fit Index = 0.947, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.936, Standardized Root Mean Square = 0.039, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.048 (CI 90% = 0.043, 0.054)). Moreover, the multigroup analysis suggested invariance in the observed structure across groups. In addition, findings indicated a strong prediction between needs satisfaction and autonomous forms of motivation, whereas needs frustration predicted significantly controlled forms of motivation. The sport-adapted BPNSFS in a sample of Portuguese athletes seemed to be an adequate measure for the assessment of basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration. Our findings suggested that this scale may be worth testing in future research in the sport context.
Early intervention exercise training does not delay prostate cancer progression in Pten−/− mice

There is convincing evidence that men with advanced prostate cancer experience improved quality of life as a result of exercise therapy, although there is limited preclinical, and no clinical, data to directly support the notion that exercise training improves prostate cancer prognosis or outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of regular exercise training on the early stages of prostate cancer progression, as well as assessing whether alterations to prostate cancer metabolism are induced by exercise.
Teachers’ Perceptions and Understanding of Children’s Fluid Intake

No public health data exists on elementary teachers’ perceptions of both their own fluid intake and of their elementary school aged children’s fluid intake. A total of 271 (20 males, 251 females) teachers in developed areas of Australia, Belgium, England, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America completed an online questionnaire (Feb–Mar 2019) on: (i) their fluid intake, (ii) their perception and understanding of children’s fluid intake and (iii) barriers in the school day that they felt prevented school children consuming fluids. Overall, the data indicated that teachers consume considerably lower amounts than recommended themselves, but have a good awareness of children’s fluid intake and estimate children drink approximately half (1 litre (34% n = 93)) of what is recommended per day. The results were also similar to those reported by children previously. Yet, the data highlighted a lack of active encouragement of drinking water throughout the school day by teachers, with only 11% (n = 29) suggesting they actively encourage children to drink and 45% (n = 123) reporting no active encouragement at all. It is recommended as a public health measure that all school children consume an extra cup of water during lunch times in those schools where water intake was recognized as sub optimal. Furthermore, depending on weather conditions, a cup of water before, during and after Physical Education lessons should be encouraged by teachers. Water coolers or bottles may be used as a supplementary resource, provided that hygiene is maintained. From an educational perspective, more professional development needs to be provided to teachers on the importance of regular water consumption, and more time dedicated across the elementary curriculum to educational understanding of fluid consumption.
Studies of Predators of the Balsam Woolly Aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratz.) (Homoptera: Adelgidae): IV. Neoleucopis obscura (Hal.) (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae), an Introduced Predator in Eastern Canada

Early in the present century the balsam woolly aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratz.), was introduced accidentally into North America. The history of its development and spread in the United States and Canada has been described by Balch (1952). At the present time, the adelgid occurs in eastern Canada over approximately the southern half of New Brunswick with an extension of the range in the extreme northeastern part of the Province, throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and in some areas of the southwestern and southeastern parts of Newfoundland.
Relationships of High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunit Composition and Molecular Weight Distribution of Wheat Flour Protein with Water Absorption and Color Characteristics of Noodle Dough

ABSTRACT Colors of noodle doughs made from hard white winter wheat flours from Oregon were measured at optimum noodle water absorptions (NWA). Partial correlations, removing effect of protein concentration, indicated that NWA had negative relationships with 0 hr L* and 24 hr b*, and positive relationships with 0 and 24 hr a*. Kernel hardness index had positive simple and partial correlations with NWA without any significant (P < 0.05) correlation with color parameters. High molecular weight glutentin subunits (HMW-GS) significantly (P < 0.05) affected all measured noodle parameters except for 0 hr L*. Covariance analysis, using protein concentration as a covariate, indicated that HMW-GS significantly affected NWA and a* (P < 0.01). Wheat cultivars with HMW-GS 17+18 showed significantly higher mean NWA and a* values than those with alternative Glu-B1 subunits. Protein molecular weight distributions affected noodles, as shown by significant correlations with absorbance areas and % areas of protein size excl.
Growth And Longevity of Glycymeris nummaria (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Eastern Adriatic, Croatia

ABSTRACT Growth and longevity of Glycymeris nummaria were determined from samples of shells, collected monthly by scuba divers between January 2010 and December 2010 from Mali Ston Bay, eastern Adriatic Sea. Acetate peel replicas of the shell margin (marginal increment analysis) and hinge region of the shell were used to validate an annual periodicity of growth lines and to determine shell age, respectively. Results indicate that G. nummaria forms a narrow growth line after February, when seawater temperatures are at a minimum. Growth lines, visible in the hinge region of all the shells, were used to estimate the age of 76 G. nummaria and provided an estimate of maximum longevity of the species at 20 y. Construction of a von Bertalanffy curve using shell length at age data produced a value of L∞ = 71 mm, a growth parameter (K) of 0.11/y, and time at length 0 was -3.74 y. The growth performance index was 2.74.
Utility of relationships between lake phosphorus and chlorophyll a as predictive tools in eutrophication control studies

Abstract The validity of the OECD annual mean in‐lake total phosphorus (TP) to chlorophyll (Chl.a) relationship as a predictive tool in eutrophication studies is questioned. Annual mean ratios of dissolved inorganic nitrogen / dissolved reactive phosphorus which are > 10 seem inadequate to identify “phosphorus‐limited lakes” as this yields a distribution of data points which can be covered by New Zealand lakes and some eutrophic lakes in the OECD data set which appear to be “nitrogen‐limited”. Evidence from New Zealand lakes supports the view that the distribution of supposedly “phosphorus‐limited lakes” of the OECD data set contains a systematic error, the probability of biomass control by phosphorus shortage being greater where the Chl.a / TP ratio is high for any specified annual mean Chi . a concentration. It is claimed that the predictive capability of the OECD data set will be improved if it is accepted that TP concentrations may have to be reduced without concomitant reduction of Chl.a until the Chl.
Epidemiological and Microbiological Aspects of the Peritonsillar Abscess

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common complication of tonsillitis. Cultivation usually reveals a wide spectrum of aerobic and anaerobic microbiota. This retrospective study compared PTA incidence and the spectrum of individual microbial findings in groups of patients divided by gender, age, and season. Of the 966 samples cultivated, a positive cultivation finding was detected in 606 patients (62.73%). Cultivation findings were negative in 360 (37.27%), meaning no pathogen was present or only common microbiota was cultivated. The highest incidence of PTA was found in group I patients (19–50 years) (p ≤ 0.0001) and the most frequently cultured pathogens was Streptococcus pyogenes (36.23%). Gender seemed to have an influence on the results, with higher incidence found in males (p ≤ 0.0001). The analysis of correlation between PTA incidence and season did not yield statistically significant results (p = 0.4396) and no statistically significant differences were observed in individual pathogen frequency. PTA had a higher incidence in adult males and a slightly higher incidence in girls in childhood. The following findings are clinically significant and have implications for antibiotic treatment strategy: (1) the most frequently cultivated pathogen was Streptococcus pyogenes; (2) an increased incidence of anaerobes was proven in the oldest group (>50 years).
Population Dynamics of Soil and Vegetation Protozoa

synopsis. Many fresh-water protozoa can be found in litters and soils, but the ubiquitous species are those which are able to oope with fluctuating moisture conditions. Terrestirial protozoa are more characteristic of bryophyte-soil habitats than aquatic ecosystems. Nutritionally, two groups have evolved in response to the plant commu? nity: naked, predominantly bacterial feeders, whose abundance is determined by the decomposability of the litter in which they live; and the slow growing, humusassociated testacea, which are more abundant in the litters of slow decomposability. Ubiquitous species comprise about 90% of the protozoa in soils. More continuous moisture conditions enhance the appearance of additional species. Hence species di? versity indicates higher moisture content of a soil. Protozoa may contribute to the functioning of the soil ecosystem by inducing flocculation of bacterial populations and recycling of minerals through ingestion of bacteria and excretion of soluble products. The surface of vegetation appears to represent the most terrestrial habitat a protozoan can exploit, because in contrast to the litter-soil ecosystem, only one species, Colpoda cucullus, dominates the population. Protozoa are the third most abundant, but the least understood, group of orga? nisms in the soil. This paper seeks to elucidate their possible role in soils by tracing their population dynamics, and is based largely on personal studies of several terrestrial biomes. Previously published work from this laboratory and the contributions and ideas of other authors are cited.
Human herpesvirus 6A promotes glycolysis in infected T cells by activation of mTOR signaling

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is an important immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory virus worldwide. However, whether and how HHV-6 infection influences the metabolic machinery of the host cell to provide the energy and biosynthetic resources for virus propagation remains unknown. In this study, we identified that HHV-6A infection promotes glucose metabolism in infected T cells, resulting in elevated glycolytic activity with an increase of glucose uptake, glucose consumption and lactate secretion. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms involved in HHV-6A-mediated glycolytic activation in the infected T cells. We found increased expressions of the key glucose transporters and glycolytic enzymes in HHV-6A-infected T cells. In addition, HHV-6A infection dramatically activated AKT-mTORC1 signaling in the infected T cells and pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 blocked HHV-6A-mediated glycolytic activation. We also found that direct inhibition of glycolysis by 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) or inhibition of mTORC1 activity in HHV-6A-infected T cells effectively reduced HHV-6 DNA replication, protein synthesis and virion production. These results not only reveal the mechanism of how HHV-6 infection affects host cell metabolism, but also suggest that targeting the metabolic pathway could be a new avenue for HHV-6 therapy.
Anti-VEGF Drugs in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma Patients

The interaction between the bone marrow microenvironment and plasma cells plays an essential role in multiple myeloma progression and drug resistance. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) pathway in vascular endothelial cells activates and promotes angiogenesis. Moreover, VEGF activates and promotes vasculogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry when it interacts with VEGF receptors expressed in precursor cells and inflammatory cells, respectively. In myeloma bone marrow, VEGF and VEGF receptor expression are upregulated and hyperactive in the stromal and tumor cells. It has been demonstrated that several antiangiogenic agents can effectively target VEGF-related pathways in the preclinical phase. However, they are not successful in treating multiple myeloma, probably due to the vicarious action of other cytokines and signaling pathways. Thus, the simultaneous blocking of multiple cytokine pathways, including the VEGF/VEGFR pathway, may represent a valid strategy to treat multiple myeloma. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the role of the VEGF/VEGFR pathway in multiple myeloma, and mainly focuses on the transcription pathway and on strategies that target this pathway.