Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypermutator Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exploits Multiple Genetic Pathways To Develop Multidrug Resistance during Long-Term Infections in the Airways of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exploits intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms to resist almost every antibiotic used in chemotherapy. Antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is further enhanced by the occurrence of hypermutator strains, a hallmark of chronic infections in CF patients. However, the within-patient genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa populations related to antibiotic resistance remains unexplored. ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa exploits intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms to resist almost every antibiotic used in chemotherapy. Antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is further enhanced by the occurrence of hypermutator strains, a hallmark of chronic infections in CF patients. However, the within-patient genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa populations related to antibiotic resistance remains unexplored. Here, we show the evolution of the mutational resistome profile of a P. aeruginosa hypermutator lineage by performing longitudinal and transversal analyses of isolates collected from a CF patient throughout 20 years of chronic infection. Our results show the accumulation of thousands of mutations, with an overall evolutionary history characterized by purifying selection. However, mutations in antibiotic resistance genes appear to have been positively selected, driven by antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic resistance increased as infection progressed toward the establishment of a population constituted by genotypically diversified coexisting sublineages, all of which converged to multidrug resistance. These sublineages emerged by parallel evolution through distinct evolutionary pathways, which affected genes of the same functional categories. Interestingly, ampC and ftsI, encoding the β-lactamase and penicillin-binding protein 3, respectively, were found to be among the most frequently mutated genes. In fact, both genes were targeted by multiple independent mutational events, which led to a wide diversity of coexisting alleles underlying β-lactam resistance. Our findings indicate that hypermutators, apart from boosting antibiotic resistance evolution by simultaneously targeting several genes, favor the emergence of adaptive innovative alleles by clustering beneficial/compensatory mutations in the same gene, hence expanding P. aeruginosa strategies for persistence.
Seleção de bactérias láticas com potencial probiótico para uso como veículos vacinais orais contra a Leptospirose Canina

Os lactobacilos sao bacterias Gram-positivo, catalase negativo, fermentadoras de glicose e outros acucares cujo produto final principal e o acido latico. Devem apresentar varias caracteristicas que facam delas candidatas em potencial a veiculos de antigenos em processos de vacinacao oral e bons probioticos. Neste estudo foram isoladas 79 bacterias de fezes de filhotes de caes de Crista Chines e Yorkshire Terrier com cerca de 20 dias de vida, as quais foram submetidas a identificacao molecular ao nivel de genero. Destas, 37 foram identificadas ao nivel de especie como lactobacilos e submetidas a caracterizacao probiotica. A fim de avaliar a viabilidade dos isolados perante os desafios do trato gastrintestinal, as bacterias foram testadas quanto a susceptibilidade ao baixo pH estomacal e aos sais biliares intestinais. A maior parte das bacterias foi resistente ao pH acido do estomago e a maioria dos isolados apresentou inibicao de crescimento leve ou moderada aos sais biliares. O potencial de adesao a superficie hidrofobica do epitelio intestinal foi avaliado indiretamente pela capacidade dos isolados de se associarem a solventes orgânicos apolares, destacando-se sete isolados com superficie celular de alta hidrofobicidade. Quase todos os isolados apresentaram forte atividade antagonista contra os sete patogenos bacterianos testados. Porem, os isolados testados contra Leptospira interrogans sorovar Icterohaemorrhagiae nao apresentaram halo de inibicao ao crescimento do patogeno. A grande maioria dos isolados (34/37) mostrou-se produtora de peroxido de hidrogenio, substância antimicrobiana associada a colonizacao da mucosa vaginal. Por meio de todos os resultados obtidos foi possivel selecionar sete isolados de lactobacilos como potenciais probioticos que podem vir a ser usados como veiculos vacinais orais.
Life history and host range determination of Paectes n. sp. – a potential classical biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in the United States

ABSTRACT The life history and host range of the South American defoliator Paectes n. sp. (Lepidoptera: Euteliidae) was evaluated to determine its suitability for classical biological control of invasive Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia, in the U.S.A. The genus Paectes is well represented in both Florida and South America. We used DNA barcoding to assign our Paectes collections to species. However, this method did not match any known species of this genus. Larvae were collected feeding on the target weed in Brazil in June 2015 and were colonised under quarantine with mating pairs. Larval no-choice host range tests were conducted on nine members of the family Anacardiaceae, including native, ornamental, and commercial species. Larvae completed development on all species except Anacardium occidentale and Mangifera indica, although survival and development time differed significantly among species. Multiple generation testing was conducted using survivors of no-choice tests. Non-target species Schinus molle, Rhus typhina, and Cotinus coggygria produced F1 adults, although only the target weed produced F2 adults. The results of the testing suggest that although Paectes n. sp. is only capable of completing multiple generations on the target weed, Paectes larvae consume and complete at least one generation on a number of native and commercial Anacardiaceae species. Due to its relatively broad host range, and because congener species feed on the weed in the invaded range, Paectes n. sp. will not be developed as a classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree in the U.S.A.
Demystifying the Disease State: Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment Across the Bipolar Spectrum

It is estimated that only one-third of the people with bipolar disorder are correctly diagnosed, and even fewer are receiving appropriate treatment. This information is of concern, particularly in light of emerging data reflecting the potential negative consequences of failed or delayed diagnosis and lack of focused treatment. The article attempts to illuminate this complex disorder by describing the bipolar spectrum through a review of the criteria for diagnosis, aswell as practical advice on improving the detection of the disorder. Treatment options for bipolar disorder, with a focus on the latest pharmacological evidence base, as well as clinical recommendations regarding the safe and effective use of mood stabilizers and antidepressants are presented.
p53 Activates the Long Noncoding RNA Pvt1b to Inhibit Myc and Suppress Tumorigenesis.

The tumor suppressor p53 transcriptionally activates target genes to suppress cellular proliferation during stress. p53 has also been implicated in the repression of the proto-oncogene Myc, but the mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we identify Pvt1b, a p53-dependent isoform of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Pvt1, expressed 50 kb downstream of Myc, which becomes induced by DNA damage or oncogenic signaling and accumulates near its site of transcription. We show that production of the Pvt1b RNA is necessary and sufficient to suppress Myc transcription in cis without altering the chromatin organization of the locus. Inhibition of Pvt1b increases Myc levels and transcriptional activity and promotes cellular proliferation. Furthermore, Pvt1b loss accelerates tumor growth, but not tumor progression, in an autochthonous mouse model of lung cancer. These findings demonstrate that Pvt1b acts at the intersection of the p53 and Myc transcriptional networks to reinforce the anti-proliferative activities of p53.
total and individual glucosinolates ofnewly bred open pollinating genotypes of broccoli brassica oleraceaconvar botrytis var. italica grown organically effect of genotype and growing season

Total and Individual Glucosinolates of Newly Bred Open Pollinating Genotypes of Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. italica ) Grown Organically: Effect of Geno type and Growing Season. Abstract Considering the demand for broccoli cultivars suitable for organic production and the prohibition of cultivating CMS-F1 hybrid cultivars under organic farming condition, current study evaluated glucosinolate content of eleven newly bred open pollinating genotypes of broccoli by comparison with F1 hybrid cultivars over two growing seasons. Effect of genotype, growing season and their interaction on glucosinolates was assessed as well. The results indicated the determination of six individual glucosinolates including glucoiberin, glucosinigrin, glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin. Glucoraphanin was the major glucosinolate with the largest share in total-glucosinolates (more than 70%) and significantly higher concentration in fall. Total-glucosinolates and glucoraphanin ranged from 3.46 to 3.60 µmol g -1 DW and 1.44 to 1.69 µmol g -1 DW, respectively. We observed significant reduction in concentration of glucoraphanin, glucoiberin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin in all genotypes in spring compared to fall growing season as the result of growing season significant effect. In contrast, glucobrassicin content of open pollinating genotypes was mostly stable across growing seasons. The genotype × growing season interaction did not affect the concentration of glucosinigrin and total-glucosinolates. Genetic factor affected the concentration of all glucosinolates significantly and resulted in differences in individual glucosinolates content of open pollinating genotypes and F1 hybrid cultivars. However, the level of total-glucosinolates of newly bred open pollinating genotypes was similar to F1 hybrid cultivars (3.46 - 3.60 µmol g -1 DW). A study on the agronomic performance of the open pollinating genotypes supplements the outcomes of this study and helps breeders and farmers to select the promising genotypes.
Amrubicin for the treatment of advanced lung cancer

Although the advancement of the chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer is remarkable in recent years, it is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, some new agents or a new treatment strategy for lung cancer is required. Amrubicin is a totally synthetic anthracycline anticancer drug that acts as a potent topoisomerase II inhibitor. Recently, amrubicin has been approved in Japan for the treatment of small- and non-small cell lung cancers and some clinical trials about amrubicin were conducted in Japan, and promising results have been reported for the treatment of small cell lung cancer in particular. The preclinical, pharmacology and clinical data of amrubicin for the treatment of advanced lung cancer are reviewed.
C-terminal tail polyglycylation and polyglutamylation alter microtubule mechanical properties

Microtubules are biopolymers that perform diverse cellular functions. The regulation of microtubule behavior occurs in part through post-translational modification of both the α- and β- subunits of tubulin. One class of modifications is the heterogeneous addition of glycine and glutamate residues to the disordered C-terminal tails of tubulin. Due to their prevalence in stable, high stress cellular structures such as cilia, we sought to determine if these modifications alter the intrinsic stiffness of microtubules. Here we describe the purification and characterization of differentially-modified pools of tubulin from Tetrahymena thermophila. We found that glycylation on the α-C-terminal tail is a key determinant of microtubule stiffness, but does not affect the number of protofilaments incorporated into microtubules. We measured the dynamics of the tail peptide backbone using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We found that the spin-spin relaxation rate (R2) showed a pronounced decreased as a function of distance from the tubulin surface for the α-tubulin tail, indicating that the α-tubulin tail interacts with the dimer surface. This suggests that the interactions of the α-C-terminal tail with the tubulin body contributes to the stiffness of the assembled microtubule, providing insight into the mechanism by which glycylation and glutamylation can alter microtubule mechanical properties. SIGNIFICANCE Microtubules are regulated in part by post-translational modifications including the heterogeneous addition of glycine and glutamate residues to the C-terminal tails. By producing and characterizing differentially-modified tubulin, this work provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of how these modifications alter intrinsic microtubule properties such as flexibility. These results have broader implications for mechanisms of how ciliary structures are able to function under high stress.
How the bending mechanics of setae modulate hydrodynamic sensing in copepods

Copepods sense the hydrodynamic disturbances induced by swimming planktonic prey, potential mates, and predators through the bending of setae on their first antennae and other appendages. While the flows induced by these sources have been studied and are crucial for the mechanoreception of copepods, there is little knowledge on how these flows cause the deformation of the copepod's mechanoreceptional seta. In this article, we present a mechanical model to address how the mechanics of setal deformation by hydrodynamic signals determines the sensing capabilities of copepods. We represent a generic flow around a copepod as a combination of a uniform plus shear flow, and demonstrate that the detailed geometry of the first antenna has non‐negligible effects on the flow profile across the seta. We then proceed to evaluate the setal deformations induced by such a flow oscillating at frequencies relevant for copepod sensing, and find that lower frequency signals lead to larger setal bending and are more easily detected. We investigate the effects of setal length, signal amplitude, and signal frequency on setal bending. Finally, we investigate the response time of setal bending to hydrodynamic signals, and find short response time consistent with the rapid behavioral and neurological response of copepods.
Families of prisoners: Literature review on issues and difficulties

This literature review identifies issues and difficulties for families of prisoners in Australia, especially those issues affecting prisoners' children and the children's care givers. The review reflects research that has been conducted over the last decade and includes studies, reports, commissions, census data and program documentation from within the areas of human services, criminology, child welfare, Indigenous perspectives and youth affairs. The research focus is primarily on Australian literature supplemented by relevant literature from the United Kingdom and United States.
Light spectrum preference of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) 
under different hunger levels

In order to improve the light welfare of Nile tilapia in aquaculture, the influence of hunger level on light spectrum preference of Nile tilapia was explored in this study. The whole experiment was based on the emptying of the gastrointestinal contents, and carried out under the controlled laboratory conditions. The light spectrum preference was assessed by counting the head location of fish in each experimental tank, which containing seven compartments (i.e., red, blue, white, yellow, black, green and public area). t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) was adopted to visualize the hunger level-based dynamic preference on light spectrum in two-dimensional space. According to the clustering results, significant differences in light spectrum preferences of Nile tilapia, under the different hunger levels, were indicated. In addition, the average visit frequency in green compartment was significantly lower than that in other color compartments throughout the whole experiment, and the total visit frequency in red compartment was relatively higher during the whole experiment.
The nutritional status of school-aged children in an urban squatter settlement in Pakistan.

A study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of school-aged children living in an urban squatter settlement in Islamabad Pakistan. 200 children were selected through systematic random sampling from 1479 children aged 5-10 years living in 1147 households. Measurement of height and body weight revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition among these children. The prevalence of underweight (< 2 standard deviations below the NCHS standard for weight-for-age) was 29.5% wasting (< 2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 13% and stunting (< 2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 35%. Overall 44% of the children had one or more of underweight wasting or stunting. Severe malnutrition (< 3 SD below the standard value) was present in 15.4% of the children. The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher among older children and those from larger poorer households. The study recommends the inclusion of school-aged children in the Pakistan National Nutrition Survey. (authors)
Mitochondrial ascorbate synthesis acts as a pro-oxidant pathway and down-regulate energy supply in plants

Attempts to improve the ascorbate (AsA) content of plants are still dealing with the limited understanding of why exists a wide variability of this powerful anti-oxidant molecule in different plant sources, species and environmental situations. In plant mitochondria, the last step of AsA synthesis is catalyzed by the enzyme L-galactone-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (L-GalLDH). By using GalLDH-RNAi silencing plant lines, biochemical and proteomic approaches, we here discovered that, in addition to accumulate this antioxidant, mitochondria synthesize AsA to down-regulate the respiratory activity and the cellular energy provision. The work reveals that the AsA synthesis pathway within mitochondria is a branched electron transfer process that channels electrons towards the alternative oxidase, interfering with conventional electron transport. It was unexpectedly found that significant hydrogen peroxide is generated during AsA synthesis, which affects the AsA level. The induced AsA synthesis shows proteomic alterations of mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial proteins related to oxidative and energetic metabolism. The most identified proteins were known components of plant responses to high light acclimation, programmed cell death, oxidative stress, senescence, cell expansion, iron and phosphorus starvation, different abiotic stress/pathogen attack responses and others. We propose that changing the electron flux associated with AsA synthesis might be part of a new mechanism by which the L-GalLDH enzyme would adapt plant mitochondria to fluctuating energy demands and redox status occurring under different physiological contexts.
Highly efficient direct conversion of human monocytes into neuronal cells using a small molecule combination

Previous studies reported that human fibroblasts and astrocytes were successfully converted into neuronal cells by small molecules without introducing ectopic transgenes. Induced neuronal cells—reprogrammed directly from dermal fibroblasts or brain astrocytes—were obtained from some donors; however, the clinical applications of this approach would be limited because it requires an invasive biopsy to harvest enough cells for derivation. Here, we report that adult human peripheral blood monocytes may be directly converted into neuron-like cells using only a combination of small molecules without transgene integration. This method enables neuronal cell generation from TUJ1-positive cells after 3 days of induction (at over 80% conversion efficacy). These cells presented neuronal morphologies and markers, suggesting that terminally differentiated human cells may be efficiently transdifferentiated into a distantly related lineage. Overall, our study provides a strategy to develop neuronal cells directly from human adult peripheral blood monocytes using a generate transgene-free, chemical-only approach.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of dengue fever in the rural area of central India.

Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is an emergent disease in India. It is endemic in some parts of country and contributes annual outbreaks of dengue. Aims: To study the knowledge regarding dengue and the preventive measures practiced by the rural population attending a hospital. Setting: The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha is the rural medical college located in Maharashtra. Study Design: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study concerning Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of DF prevention among the people in Rural Hospital of Central India. Study Population: The population in this study was residents of Wardha Districts, Maharashtra State, India, who were living there for at least one year. A 410 adults (aged 18 years and above) were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude and practices about DF. Results: Results: 43.91 % respondents belonged to the age group of 30 44 years, 84.15 % respondents were married and 31.21 % respondents were high school certificate (31.21 %). 76.58 % respondent knew that the vector for dengue is a mosquito. Whereas 47.8 % respondents knew that human to human spread occurs in dengue and mainly transmitted by mosquito bites. Around 60.48 % of them were aware of fever as the presenting symptom. With regards to the knowledge of the preventive measures, respondents were generally aware of mosquito coils/liquid (57.08 %) and spraying (35.12 %). 74.14 % respondents knew about breeding places of mosquitoes. 94.64 % respondents strongly agreed and agreed that dengue is a serious illness. Only 17.06 % respondents strongly agreed and agreed that they are at risk of getting dengue whereas 62.92 % was not sure about the risk. Common preventive practices that were prevalent in the respondents were use of mosquito coils/liquid (45.12 %); cleaning the house (28.30 %) and mosquito spray (23.42 %). Important sources of information about DF were from television (59.75 %) followed by Friends/relatives (47.80 %). Conclusion: The DF remains a public health problem in this area and the people need more understanding of the disease. Our findings highlight the need for further information, education and communication programs. Preventive strategies are the only means of controlling the DF.
Extend Shelf-life of Vacuum-Packaged Herring Fish Fillets using Garlic and Ginger Extracts

The present study explored the preservation effect of the garlic and ginger extract (GGE) on herring fish fillets under refrigerated storage (4°C) for 8 weeks. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of GGE was evaluated: GGE exhibited a reasonable antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potency against some foodborne pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis DB 100 host, Clostridium botulinum ATCC 3584, Escherichia coli BA 12296, Salmonella senftenberg ATCC 8400, and Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 10788. The effect of GGE on the quality and shelf life of herring fish fillet was screened. The study findings highlight the effects of GGE treatment: significant microbial growth inhibition, postponed lipid oxidation, decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration and decreased protein oxidation. Additionally, GGE treatment preserved the pleasant appearance of the fish compared to that of the control after 8weeks of storage. This study verified that GGE effectively maintained herring fish fillet quality and safety compared to the control treatment and the treatments with nisin or butylated hydroxyl-toluene (BHT).