Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of 2,3-Dichloro-1-Propanol-Degrading Rhizobia

ABSTRACT 2,3-Dichloro-1-propanol is more chemically stable than its isomer, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, and is therefore more difficult to degrade. The isolation of bacteria capable of complete mineralization of 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol was successful only from enrichments at high pH. The bacteria thus isolated were found to be members of the α division of the Proteobacteria in the Rhizobiumsubdivision, most likely Agrobacterium sp. They could utilize both dihaloalcohol substrates and 2-chloropropionic acid. The growth of these strains in the presence of 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol was strongly affected by the pH and buffer strength of the medium. Under certain conditions, a ladder of four active dehalogenase bands could be visualized from this strain in activity gels. The enzyme involved in the complete mineralization of 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol was shown to have a native molecular weight of 114,000 and consisted of four subunits of similar molecular weights.
Decreased Cardiovagal Regulation in Exfoliation Syndrome

PurposeTo investigate the parasympathetic cardiovascular regulation, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in exfoliation syndrome (XFS). MethodsHeart rate variability indices [standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN); the mean of absolute successive differences (RMSSD); the percentage of intervals differing by >50 ms from the preceding interval (pNN50); low frequency power, and high frequency power], as well as BRS and PWV, were determined on 27 consecutive white XFS patients and 20 white control subjects under standard circumstances, with controlled breath rate of 0.25 Hz. The paired t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Fisher exact test were used for comparisons. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the XFS and control groups in sex distribution, age, heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, systemic diseases, or medication. But in XFS patients, SDNN (mean±SD, 24±7.3 vs. 49±16.5 ms), RMSSD (17±7.3 vs. 45±29.1 ms), pNN50 (1.6%±2.5% vs. 17.7%±25.9%), high frequency (112±109 vs. 479±554 ms2), and BRS (4.64±2.12 vs. 9.49±4.76 ms/mm Hg for BRS+ and 5.28±2.16 vs. 10.29±4.62 ms/mm Hg for BRS−) were all significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01 for each parameter). Low frequency was also reduced in XFS (72±55 vs. 253±241 ms2) (P=0.027). In XFS, PWV was significantly increased compared with the control group (11.6±4.1 vs. 9.3±2.2 m/s) (P=0.023). DiscussionOur results suggest a clinically and statistically significant impairment of cardiovagal regulation and impairment of conduit artery function in XFS patients.
Monitoring matrix metalloproteinase activity at the epidermal–dermal interface by SILAC‐iTRAQ‐TAILS

Secreted proteases act on interstitial tissue secretomes released from multiple cell types. Thus, substrate proteins might be part of higher molecular complexes constituted by many proteins with diverse and potentially unknown cellular origin. In cell culture, these may be reconstituted by mixing native secretomes from different cell types prior to incubation with a test protease. Although current degradomics techniques could identify novel substrate proteins in these complexes, all information on the cellular origin is lost. To address this limitation, we combined iTRAQ‐based terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (iTRAQ‐TAILS) with SILAC to assign proteins to a specific cell type by MS1‐ and their cleavage by MS2‐based quantification in the same experiment. We demonstrate the power of our newly established workflow by monitoring matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 10 dependent cleavages in mixtures from light‐labeled keratinocyte and heavy‐labeled fibroblast secretomes. This analysis correctly assigned extracellular matrix components, such as laminins and collagens, to their respective cellular origins and revealed their processing in an MMP10‐dependent manner. Hence, our newly devised degradomics workflow facilitates deeper insight into protease activity in complex intercellular compartments such as the epidermal–dermal interface by integrating multiple modes of quantification with positional proteomics. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001643 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001643).
Prospective comparison of three risk scoring systems in non‐variceal and variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Data regarding the efficacy of the Glasgow Blatchford score (GBS), full Rockall score (FRS) and pre‐endoscopic Rockall scores (PRS) in comparing non‐variceal and variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) are limited. Our aim was to determine the performance of these three risk scores in predicting the need for treatment, mortality, and re‐bleeding among patients with non‐variceal and variceal UGIB.
Marsupial Anti-Müllerian Hormone Gene Structure, Regulatory Elements, and Expression1

Abstract During male sexual development in reptiles, birds, and mammals, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) induces the regression of the Müllerian ducts that normally form the primordia of the female reproductive tract. Whereas Müllerian duct regression occurs during fetal development in eutherian mammals, in marsupial mammals this process occurs after birth. To investigate AMH in a marsupial, we isolated an orthologue from the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and characterized its expression in the testes and ovaries during development. The wallaby AMH gene is highly conserved with the eutherian orthologues that have been studied, particularly within the encoded C-terminal mature domain. The N-terminus of marsupial AMH is divergent and larger than that of eutherian species. It is located on chromosome 3/4, consistent with its autosomal localization in other species. The wallaby 5′ regulatory region, like eutherian AMH genes, contains binding sites for SF1, SOX9, and GATA factors but also contains a putative SRY-binding site. AMH expression in the developing testis begins at the time of seminiferous cord formation at 2 days post partum, and Müllerian duct regression begins shortly afterward. In the developing testis, AMH is localized in the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells but is lost by adulthood. In the developing ovary, there is no detectable AMH expression, but in adults it is produced by the granulosa cells of primary and secondary follicles. It is not detectable in atretic follicles. Collectively, these studies suggest that AMH expression has been conserved during mammalian evolution and is intimately linked to upstream sex determination mechanisms.
Emotional Distress in African American Women with HIV

SUMMARY This study identified factors associated with emotional distress in 109 African American women with HIV. The relationship of personal factors (demographic, social conflict, social support, and spirituality), health-related factors (perception of health, physical and mental health problems, and years diagnosed), and cognitive/coping responses (stigma, worry, and emotion focused coping) on depressive symptoms and mood state was examined. Younger age, more social conflict, less social support, lower perception of health, and more HIV worry were associated with higher depressive symptom scores. Variables most often affecting various mood states included personal factors (public housing, unemployment, and social conflict) and worry about having HIV worry.
Effectiveness of mechanical tongue cleaning on breath odour and tongue coating: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The objective of this review was to summarize the available evidence regarding the effects of mechanical tongue cleaning compared with no mechanical tongue cleaning on breath odour and tongue coating (TC). METHODS PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane-CENTRAL were searched to identify potentially relevant studies. The inclusion criteria included the following: randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) conducted in humans in good general health (no systemic disorders) and a patient age of ≥17 years. For the intervention, we considered tongue cleaning [the use of a tongue scraper (TS) or tongue brush (TB)] and for the control, brushing only (B) groups. Clinical parameters such as volatile sulphur compound concentration, organoleptic scores and TC were the outcome variables of interest. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. RESULTS After screening of the titles and abstracts and subsequent full text reading of the potential papers, we identified five publications that met the eligibility criteria and provided seven experiments. The five studies consisted of three RCTs and two CCTs. All experiments show a positive effect of mechanical tongue cleaning in addition to toothbrushing on various parameters of oral malodour. CONCLUSIONS This review demonstrated that mechanical approaches, such as tongue brushing or tongue scraping to clean the dorsum of the tongue, have the potential to successfully reduce breath odour and TC. However, data concerning the effect of mechanical tongue cleaning on chronic oral malodour (halitosis) are insufficient.
Engineered lanthanide‐binding metallohomeodomains: Designing folded chimeras by modular turn substitution

A series of chimeric metallohomeodomains are described, engineered by rational design of a flexible Ca/Ln binding site into a DNA‐binding scaffold. A modular turn‐substitution approach was used to create proteins that both bind DNA and lanthanide ions, while retaining the secondary structure of the full homeodomain (determined by circular dichroism [CD]). Four similar metallohomeodomains were designed (C1–C4), their structural stability predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of loop‐mutations into the known homeodomain structure, and each designed protein cloned, expressed, and purified using standard molecular biology techniques. Two of the four loop insertions resulted in folded, metal‐ and DNA‐binding proteins (EuC2 Kd = 2.1 ± 0.4 μM; EuC4 Kd = 3.2 ± 1.0 μM). These results show the successful incorporation of a metal site into a full protein domain, without compromising long‐range structure. This is an important achievement in biomolecular design, as it provides a critical starting point for exploring metallonuclease function and substrate accessibility in a well‐organized chimeric protein domain (rather than only in small HTH peptide systems).
Prevalence of, Antibody Response to, and Immunity Induced by Haemophilus ducreyi Hemolysin

ABSTRACT Haemophilus ducreyi, the etiologic agent of chancroid, a genital ulcer disease, produces a cell-associated hemolysin whose role in virulence is not well defined. Hemolysin is encoded by two genes, hhdA and hhdB, which, based on their homology to Serratia marcescens shlA and shlBgenes, are believed to encode the hemolysin structural protein and a protein required for secretion and modification of this protein, respectively. In this study, we determined the prevalence and expression of the hemolysin genes in 90 H. ducreyi isolates obtained from diverse geographic locations from 1952 to 1996 and found that all strains contained DNA homologous to the hhdB andhhdA genes. In addition, all strains expressed a hemolytic activity. We also determined that hemolysin is expressed in vivo and is immunogenic, as indicated by the induction of antibodies to hemolysin in both the primate and rabbit disease models as well as in human patients with naturally acquired chancroid. Wild-type strain 35000 and isogenic hemolysin-negative mutants showed no difference in lesion development in the temperature-dependent rabbit model. However, immunization of rabbits with the purified hemolysin protein reduced the recovery of wild-type H. ducreyi, but not hemolysin-negative mutants, from lesions. Our study indicates that hemolysin is a possible candidate for vaccine development due to its immunogenicity, expression in vitro and in vivo by most, if not all, strains, and the effect of immunization on reducing the recovery of viable H. ducreyi in experimental disease in rabbits.
Effects of Low‐Intensity Walk Training With Restricted Leg Blood Flow on Muscle Strength and Aerobic Capacity in Older Adults

PurposeSlow-walk training combined with restricted leg muscular blood flow (KAATSU) produces muscle hypertrophy and strength gains in young men, which may lead to increased aerobic capacity and functional fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of walk training combined with KAATSU on muscle size, strength, and functional ability, as well as aerobic capacity, in older participants. MethodsA total of 19 active men and women, aged 60 to 78 years, were randomized into either a KAATSU-walk training group (n = 11, K-walk) or a nonexercising control group (n = 8, control). The K-walk group performed 20-minute treadmill walking (67 m/min), 5 days/wk for 6 weeks. ResultsIsometric (11%) and isokinetic (7%-16%) knee extension and flexion torques, muscle-bone cross-sectional area (5.8% and 5.1% for thigh and lower leg, respectively), as well as ultrasound-estimated skeletal muscle mass (6.0% and 10.7% for total and thigh, respectively) increased (P < .05) in the K-walk group but not in the control group. Functional ability also increased significantly only in the K-walk group (P < .05); however, there was no change in the estimated peak oxygen uptake(absolute and relative to body mass) for either group. ConclusionThe results of the current study indicate that 6 weeks of KAATSU-walk training did not simultaneously improve cardiovascular and muscular fitness of older participants. However, it significantly increased muscular size and strength as well as functional ability of active older men and women.
Cryopreservation of cord blood CD34+ cells before or after thrombopoietin expansion differentially affects early platelet recovery in NOD SCID mice

Expansion of human cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells with thrombopoietin (TPO) can accelerate delayed platelet (PLT) recovery after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. Clinical implementation, however, will depend on practical and effective protocols. The best timing of TPO expansion in relation to cryopreservation in this respect is unknown.
Suicidal behavior runs in families. A controlled family study of adolescent suicide victims.

BACKGROUND While previous studies have shown an increased rate of suicidal behavior in the relatives of suicide victims, it is unclear if this is attributable merely to increased familial rates of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we conducted a family study of adolescent suicide victims (suicide probands) and community control probands (controls) to determine if the rates of suicidal behavior were higher in the relatives of adolescent suicide probands even after adjusting for differences in the familial rates of psychiatric disorders. METHOD The relatives of 58 adolescent suicide probands and 55 demographically similar controls underwent assessment for Axis I and II psychiatric disorders, lifetime history of aggression, and history of suicidal behavior (attempts and completions) using a combination of family study and family history approaches. RESULTS The rate of suicide attempts was increased in the first-degree relatives of suicide probands compared with the relatives of controls, even after adjusting for differences in rates of proband and familial Axis I and II disorders (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence intervals, 1.1-16.6). On the other hand, the excess rate of suicidal ideation found in the relatives of suicide probands was explained by increased familial rates of psychiatric disorders. Among suicide probands, higher ratings of aggression were associated with higher familial loading for suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS Liability to suicidal behavior might be familially transmitted as a trait independent of Axis I and II disorders. The transmitted spectrum of suicidal behavior includes attempts and completions, but not ideation, and the transmission of suicidal behavior and aggression are related.
Child and Family Psychiatric and Psychological Factors Associated With Child Physical Health Problems: Results From the Boricua Youth Study

To examine associations among Puerto Rican children's physical health problems and children's internalizing disorders, parental psychopathology and acculturative stress, and family factors. A population-based probability sample of 2491 Puerto Rican children, aged between 5 and 13 years, and caregivers from the South Bronx and the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participated in this study. The parent version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV was used to assess children's internalizing disorders. Children's anxiety disorders, parental psychopathology, and acculturative stress were associated with childhood asthma, abdominal pain, and headaches. Children's depressive disorders, maternal acceptance, and family functioning were associated with abdominal pain and headaches. Parents of children living in Puerto Rico were more likely to report physical health problems in their children than in the Bronx. Children's internalizing disorders, parental psychopathology, and acculturative stress may be important areas to target among Puerto Rican children with physical health problems.
Children and adolescent physical activity participation and enjoyment during active play.

BACKGROUND Girls' (9-19 years) participation in physical activity (PA) is known to decrease at a faster rate than boys. A reduction in PA attractiveness (enjoyment) and lower psychosocial profile of girls approaching biological maturity may underlie the decreasing rate of PA participation. Since engaging children in active play programs improves health related quality of life indictors and enjoyment levels; the purposes of this study were to: 1) assess psychosocial status and PA attractiveness/enjoyment of boys and girls to an eight-week active play program; and 2) investigate the relationships among PA participation, psychosocial status and PA attractiveness with both age and maturity status for boys and girls following an active play PA program. METHODS Thirty-three children (age 9.8±1.3 years; weight 43.1±13.4 kg; BMI 20.8±3.2 kg/m2) were recruited to participate in an active play program for 8 weeks (4x/week; 1hr/d). M-S estimates ranged from -6.7 to -2.5 years away from biological maturity Daily program PA was assessed and compared to pre-post measures of psychosocial functioning and PA attractiveness. Statistical procedures were performed using ANOVA and/or Pearson's correlation r (SPSS v. 22.0) with P=0.05. RESULTS PA participation in the active play program showed a group average of 39±11% time spent in moderate-vigorous PA (%MVPA) with boys averaging 45% MVPA and girls averaging 30% MVPA (P<0.05). PA attractiveness scores for boys did not change following the program; whereas girls improved from 67±13% to 76±9% (P<0.05). Minimal changes were noted for the health-related quality of life measures as a result of the PA program. Comparing PA attractiveness to %MVPA, 80% of girls reporting positive changes or no change; in contrast 56% of boys responded with negative/less PA attractiveness. PA attractiveness for all children was negatively associated with age (r=-0.19) and/or M-S (r=-0.29). The relationships, however, were gender specific with boys exhibiting a coefficient of -0.28 (age) and -0.61 (M-S) (P<0.05). For girls, increased PA attractiveness promoted less decline in %MVPA for M-S (r=0.18) compared to age (r=-0.17). CONCLUSIONS For girls, approaching biological maturity, PA enjoyment/attractiveness can be positively influenced with an active play program, which is a major consideration promoting PA participation in girls but not boys.
Training of a leaning agent for Navigation-inspired by brain-Machine interface

The design clue for the remote control of a mobile robot is inspired by the Talwar's brain-machine interface technology for remotely training and controlling rats. Our biologically inspired autonomous robot control consciousness-based architecture (CBA) is used for the remote control of a robot as a substitute for a rat. CBA is a developmental hierarchy model of the relationship between consciousness and behavior, including a training algorithm. This training algorithm computes a shortcut path to a goal using a cognitive map created based on behavior obstructions during a single successful trial. However, failures in reaching the goal due to errors of the vision and dead reckoning sensors require human intervention to improve autonomous navigation. A human operator remotely intervenes in autonomous behaviors in two ways: low-level intervention in reflexive actions and high-level ones in the cognitive map. Experiments are conducted to test CBA functions for intervention with a joystick for a Khepera robot navigating from the center of a square obstacle with an open side toward a goal. Their statistical results show that both human interventions, especially high-level ones, are effective in drastically improving the success rate of autonomous detours.
Central obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk after adjusting for body mass index.

AIM To investigate whether central obesity is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) formation after adjusting for general obesity. METHODS The online databases PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science were searched for studies estimating the influence of central obesity on NAFLD occurrence published through April 2014. Studies that did not adjust for body mass index (BMI) were excluded. In addition, the independent effect of BMI was also assessed with the included studies. The pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models based on the degree of heterogeneity. Furthermore, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias were performed. RESULTS Twenty eligible studies were identified. The summary odds ratio (OR) values per-unit increase in waist circumference (WC) and BMI for NAFLD formation were 1.07 (95%CI: 1.03-1.10, I (2) = 73.9%, n = 11 studies) and 1.25 (95%CI: 1.13-1.38, I (2) = 88.7%, n = 11 studies), respectively. When the indices were expressed as binary variables (with the non-obesity group as reference), the pooled OR in WC, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI were 2.34 (95%CI: 1.83-3.00, I (2) = 41.8%, n = 7 studies), 4.06 (95%CI: 1.53-10.79, I (2) = 65.7%, n = 3 studies), and 2.85 (95%CI: 1.60-5.08, I (2) = 57.8%, n = 5 studies), respectively. Using the same studies as the latter (n = 5), pooled OR in WC was 3.14 (95%CI: 2.07-4.77), which is greater than that in BMI. CONCLUSION Central obesity may pose a greater threat to national health than general obesity, although both are independently associated with increased risk of NAFLD.