Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peroxisomal carnitine acetyl transferase is required for elaboration of penetration hyphae during plant infection by Magnaporthe grisea

Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of rice blast disease, invades plant tissue due to the action of specialized infection structures called appressoria, which are used to breach the leaf cuticle and allow development of intracellular, infectious hyphae. In this report we demonstrate that peroxisomal carnitine acetyl transferase (CAT) activity is necessary for appressorium function, and in particular, for the elaboration of primary penetration hyphae. The major CAT activity in M. grisea is encoded by the PTH2 gene, which shows elevated expression in response to acetate and lipid, and is regulated by the cyclic AMP response pathway. Furthermore, a Pth2–GFP fusion protein colocalizes with a peroxisomal marker protein. Targeted deletion of PTH2, generated mutants that were completely non‐pathogenic, lacked CAT activity and were unable to utilize a range of lipid substrates. The impairment of appressorium function in Δpth2 was associated with a delay in lipid reserve mobilization from germ tubes into developing infection cells, and abnormal chitin distribution in infection structures. Addition of glucose to Δpth2 mutants partially restored the ability to cause rice blast disease and lipid reserve mobilization. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that Pth2 plays a role in the generation of acetyl CoA pools necessary for appressorium function and rapid elaboration of penetration hyphae during host infection.
Generational differences in the age at diagnosis with IBD: genetic anticipation, bias, or temporal effects

OBJECTIVE:Previous cross-sectional research has demonstrated generational differences in age at diagnosis (AAD) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This observation has at times been ascribed to genetic anticipation, but could also be due to biases related to case ascertainment or follow-up or to temporal changes in IBD epidemiology. We aimed to explore this issue using a population-based database.METHODS:In 1995 we used the comprehensive administrative databases in the province of Manitoba, Canada to establish a population-based IBD Research Registry that includes clinical and demographic information for persons. We contacted those subjects within our Research Registry who reported having any family members with IBD and their family members for verification of diagnosis and AAD. Differences in AAD between familial pairs were calculated. In addition, to assess whether duration of follow-up accounted for generational differences in AAD, we computed the mean AAD for subjects with and without family histories of IBD based on age at the time of interview (i.e., <45 and ≥45 yr of age). RESULTS:Of the 2445 persons with IBD in the Research Registry, 548 reported positive family histories, and 315 of these (58%) were reached by telephone. There were 169 Crohn's disease and 146 ulcerative colitis subjects with positive family histories. The mean AADs for the parents, aunts/uncles, and grandparents were significantly greater than the mean AADs for the children, nieces/nephews, and grandchildren, respectively. There was a doubling of the mean AAD when comparing the grandparent/grandchild cases with the parent/child or aunt/uncle–niece/nephew cases. No statistically significant difference in anticipation was observed, whether or not the older generation was male or female or had Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. The AAD was substantially greater for those interviewed at ≥45 yr of age for subjects with and without family histories. However, there was no substantial difference in mean AAD between familial and nonfamilial subjects.CONCLUSION:The present study has demonstrated that there is a tendency for children to be younger than their parents at the time of diagnosis of familial IBD, and that this difference in mean AAD is almost doubled for grandparent/grandchild pairs. However, we conclude that these differences are most likely due to a bias based on length of follow-up or recent multigenerational temporal changes in the risk of IBD, or both.
Molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis

The emergence of angiogenesis as an important target for cancer therapy has led to increased research aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and destruction of tumor vasculature. Concurrently, molecular imaging technologies have been developed and are being incorporated as integral components of biomedical research due to their ability to noninvasively monitor in vivo molecular events. With the evaluation of numerous anti‐angiogenic agents in clinical trials, the adaptation and validation of molecular imaging modalities for monitoring angiogenesis is actively being pursued. The importance of selecting appropriate molecular targets in the study of angiogenesis has become increasingly complex due to the pleiotropy of vascular phenotypes. Furthermore, due to both the relatively low abundance of endothelial cells in tumor tissue and the inherent difficulties of detecting molecular events, molecular imaging of vasculature necessitates continued improvements in achieving higher sensitivity. While several studies have been published that set the groundwork for imaging angiogenesis, much has yet to be accomplished. Various tumor models and transgenic mice provide an excellent resource for developing molecular imaging technologies for the understanding of angiogenesis. This research may play a particularly crucial role in evaluating mechanism and efficacy during pre‐clinical testing of anti‐angiogenic drugs. Due to practical limitations, however, the implementation of angiogenesis‐directed molecular imaging may not extend beyond highly specialized clinical trials. That is, imaging modalities that evaluate angiogenesis at a functional level may prove more appropriate. Despite future technical challenges, molecular imaging will become an important research and clinical tool in evaluating tumor angiogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 39: 72–78, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance of low-density parity-check codes with 16-QAM in fading channels

The rate design rules for the multilevel coding (MLC) are studied over the Rayleigh fading channel. By simulations on 16-QAM and Ungerboeck mapping, it is speculated that the coding exponent rule is yet the best for finite length. The MLC scheme using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes performs within 2dB above the capacity limit at the bit error rate 10-5 for bandwidth efficiency 2-bits/symbol in the fully interleaved channel with channel state information. LDPC schemes suffer less signal-to-noise ratio penalty in correlated channels.
Workplace intervention and musculoskeletal disorders: the need to develop research on implementation strategy

Despite the considerable amount of knowledge on the physiopathology, epidemiology and risk model of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accumulated the last 20 years, they remain a major cause of work-related diseases in many countries. Multidimensional ergonomic interventions, including a participatory approach and individual, technical and organisational measures, seem to be an appropriate strategy for reducing the physical demands and the symptoms of MSDs,1 2 but evidence of their efficacy is still limited.3 Nevertheless, the scientific understanding of the aetiology of MSDs and their work-relatedness is sufficient to implement effective preventive interventions,1 2 4 as demonstrated by the study of Jensen and Friche5 published in this issue ( see page 20 ). The study provides interesting insights into the prevention of musculoskeletal (knee) disorders and the strategy to implement interventions in a specific trade—that is, floor and carpet fitters (floor layers)—in daily practice. The authors demonstrate that implementation of new working methods requires a …
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ADAM 12 gene with susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis : a case-control study in a Chinese Han population

Objective: Genetic factors play an important role in osteoarthritis (OA) etiology and ADAM12 gene polymorphisms may be involved. This study tried to examine the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADAM12 for their association with knee OA susceptibility in a Chinese Han population. Methods: The rs3740199, rs1871054, rs1278279, and rs1044122 SNPs in ADAM12 gene were genotyped in 152 subjects who were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis and in 179 healthy controls. Results: Rs1871054 was found to be significantly associated with increased risk of OA (C vs. T, OR 1.802 (1.308 to 2.483), P < 0.0001) after adjustment of age, gender, and BMI. For other SNPs, no statistically significant associations with OA were found. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data demonstrated the ADAM12 rs1871054 variant was found to be significantly associated with increased OA susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.
Model Suggesting that Replication of Influenza Virus Is Regulated by Stabilization of Replicative Intermediates

ABSTRACT The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza A virus is responsible for both transcription and replication of negative-sense viral RNA. It is thought that a “switching” mechanism regulates the transition between these activities. We demonstrate that, in the presence of preexisting viral RNA polymerase and nucleoprotein (NP), influenza A virus synthesizes both mRNA (transcription) and cRNA (replication) early in infection. We suggest that there may be no switch regulating the initiation of RNA synthesis and present a model suggesting that nascent cRNA is degraded by host cell nucleases unless it is stabilized by newly synthesized viral RNA polymerase and NP.
Transmission of tuberculosis between men and pet birds: a case report

The present report describes a case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in an African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) kept as a pet bird. Diagnosis was confirmed by microbiologic and pathologic results, and indicated a human–avian transmission. Clinical signs included sublingual nodules resulting in anorexia and signs of osteolysis in the long bones. Proliferation consisted of several nodules with small greenish-caseous foci in cross-section and revealed a severe granulomatous inflammation without intralesional acid-fast rods. M. tuberculosis was cultured from a pooled sample of sublingual and liver nodules, and was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction. Transmission between men and parrot was proved by spoligotyping pattern analysis. The absence of facial skin lesions and acid-fast rods within the tubercles is contrary to previous publications of tuberculosis in birds. This disease in a common pet bird species is of zoonotic importance, and those parrots with close contact to owners suffering from tuberculosis may serve as a potential reservoir for human infection.
Phospholipase A2: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Inflammation and Cancer (In silico, In vitro, In vivo and Clinical Approach)

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (EC 3.1.1.4) is the initial enzyme of arachidonic acid cascade, has key role in inflammation and cancer. Hence, PLA2 inhibitors have wide medicinal importance. This short review focused on PLA2 structure, function and role in inflammation and cancer. Further we tried to collect PLA2 inhibitors from the previous literature and explained the possibility of their utility as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.
High Rate of Uptake of Organic Nitrogen Compounds by Prochlorococcus Cyanobacteria as a Key to Their Dominance in Oligotrophic Oceanic Waters

ABSTRACT Direct evidence that marine cyanobacteria take up organic nitrogen compounds in situ at high rates is reported. About 33% of the total bacterioplankton turnover of amino acids, determined with a representative [35S]methionine precursor and flow sorting, can be assigned to Prochlorococcus spp. and 3% can be assigned to Synechococcus spp. in the oligotrophic and mesotrophic parts of the Arabian Sea, respectively. This finding may provide a mechanism for Prochlorococcus' competitive dominance over both strictly autotrophic algae and other bacteria in oligotrophic regions sustained by nutrient remineralization via a microbial loop.
Emerging drugs for high-grade osteosarcoma

Importance of the field: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents. This review focuses on the most promising therapeutic markers and drugs which may potentially be considered for innovative high-grade OS treatments. Areas covered in this review: The list of drugs and compounds reviewed has been generated by taking into account those which target markers of potential clinical interest for high-grade OS and have been included in Phase I, II or III clinical trials. The literature search covers the last 40 years, starting from the first OS chemotherapy reports of the early 1970s. Particular relevance was given to reports and reviews on new targeted therapies of possible clinical usefulness for high-grade OS. What the reader will gain: This review gives an updated overview of novel therapeutic approaches which have been or are going to be evaluated in Phase I/II/III clinical studies for high-grade OS. Take home message: On the basis of the information that has emerged so far, it can be predicted that in the next 5 – 10 years, new agents to be included in innovative treatment strategies for selected subgroups of high-grade OS patients may become available.
Influence of Wavelength and Temperature Changes on Optical Performance of Fiber Joints With Small Gap

We have investigated the characteristics of optical fiber joints with a small gap over wide wavelength and temperature ranges. When there is a small air gap between fiber ends, the insertion loss increases between 0.0 and 0.6 dB over a wide wavelength range of 0.7-1.7 mum and a wide temperature range of -40 degC to +80 degC. The return loss varies greatly and the worst value is about 9 dB. The return loss depends on temperature with fiber end joints that employ index matching material. The value varies from more than 50 dB to a worst value of 35 dB at low temperature
Bridging Music and Image : A Preliminary Study with Multiple Ranking CCA Learning

Human perception of music and image are highly correlated. Both of them can inspire human sensation like emotion, power etc. This paper preliminarily investigates how to model the relationship between music and image using 47,888 music-image pairs extracted from music videos. We have two basic observations for this relationship: 1) music space exhibits simpler cluster structure than image space, and 2) the relationship between the two spaces is complex and nonlinear. Based on these observations, we develop Multiple Ranking Canonical Correlation Analysis (MR-CCA) to learn such relationship. MR-CCA clusters the music-image pairs according to their music parts, and then conducts Ranking CCA (R-CCA) for each cluster. Compared with classical CCA, R-CCA takes account of the pairwise ranking information available in our dataset. MR-CCA improves performance and significantly reduce computational cost. Experiment results show that R-CCA outperforms CCA, and MR-CCA has the best performance, a consistency score of 84.52% with human labeling. The proposed method can be generalized to model cross media relationship and has potential applications in video generation, background music recommendation etc.
Understanding Document Aboutness Step Two: Identifying Interesting Things

We define the notion of an interesting nugget in a document. Such nuggets attract a user's attention and lead them to explore more information around that nugget. In order to measure and model interestingness, we look at browsing sessions within Wikipedia and we build a data set of transitions (clickthrough) from a source Wikipedia page to a destination Wikipedia page through anchor clicks. We investigate factors that influence the probability of a click on an anchor in a Wikipedia page. We propose a topic modeling approach which jointly models the contents of the source and destination pages. We then use the estimated posterior on latent variables as features, along with page structure and user metadata features to build a model of interestingness. Finally, we evaluate this model using different feature sets and we demonstrate the model's effectiveness at predicting interesting nuggets. Experimental results show that the latent semantic features are effective in predicting interestingness and can outperform baseline features.
How can knowledge discovery methods uncover spatio-temporal patterns in environmental data?

This paper proposes the integration of KDD, GVis and STDB as a long-term strategy, which will allow users to apply knowledge discovery methods for uncovering spatio-temporal patterns in environmental data. The main goal is to combine innovative techniques and associated tools for exploring very large environmental data sets in order to arrive at valid, novel, potentially useful, and ultimately understandable spatio-temporal patterns. The GeoInsight approach is described using the principles and key developments in the research domains of KDD, GVis, and STDB. The GeoInsight approach aims at the integration of these research domains in order to provide tools for performing information retrieval, exploration, analysis, and visualization. The result is a knowledge-based design, which involves visual thinking (perceptual-cognitive process) and automated information processing (computer-analytical process).
αB‐crystallin is mutant B‐RAF regulated and contributes to cyclin D1 turnover in melanocytic cells

The serine/threonine kinase, B‐RAF, is frequently mutated in melanoma and is required for cell proliferation. Proteasomal turnover of cyclins and cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors via E3 ubiquitin ligases regulates cell cycle progression. We previously showed that B‐RAF regulates Cks1, a co‐factor for the F‐box protein Skp2. Recently, a second F‐box protein cofactor was identified, αB‐crystallin, that binds Fbx4 and promotes cyclin D1 degradation. Here, we demonstrate that αB‐crystallin is down‐regulated in mutant B‐RAF melanoma cells compared to melanocytes in a B‐RAF and MEK‐dependent manner. In a subset of lines, MEK inhibition was sufficient to up‐regulate αB‐crystallin protein levels; whereas in other lines combined MEK and proteasome inhibition was required. αB‐crystallin knockdown partially stabilized cyclin D1 in melanocytes. Expression of αB‐crystallin in mutant B‐RAF melanoma cells did not promote cyclin D1 turnover under normal conditions, but did enhance turnover following etoposide‐induced DNA damage. Together, these data show that αB‐crystallin is highly expressed in melanocytes contributing, in part, to cyclin D1 turnover. Furthermore, αB‐crystallin is down‐regulated in a B‐RAF‐dependent manner in melanoma cells and its re‐expression regulates cyclin D1 turnover after DNA damage.
A novel concept for the tunable cavity combline resonator

This paper presents a novel design of the cavity combline resonator. The resonator shows an extremely high sensitivity to the air gap thickness and high-Q performance. The design is well suited for electromechanical tuning. The results of the finite integration technique simulations are discussed. The influence of the resonator dimensions on the frequency tuning efficiency and the Q factor are presented.
Real-Time Sequencing To Decipher the Molecular Mechanism of Resistance of a Clinical Pan-Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolate from Marseille, France

ABSTRACT We compare the whole-genome sequences of two multidrug-resistant clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates recovered in the same patient before (ABIsac_ColiS susceptible to colistin and rifampin only) and after (ABIsac_ColiR resistant to colistin and rifampin) treatment with colistin and rifampin. We decipher all the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and we found mutations in the rpoB gene and in the PmrAB two-component system explaining resistance to rifampin and colistin in ABIsac_ColiR, respectively.
Bloat Control Operators and Diversity in Genetic Programming: A Comparative Study

This paper reports a comparison of several bloat control methods and also evaluates a recent proposal for limiting the size of the individuals: a genetic operator called prune and plant. The aim of this work is to test the adequacy of this method. Since a preliminary study of the method has already shown promising results, we have performed a thorough study in a set of benchmark problems aiming at demonstrating the utility of the new approach. Prune and plant has obtained results that maintain the quality of the final solutions in terms of fitness while achieving a substantial reduction of the mean tree size in all four problem domains considered. In addition, in one of these problem domains, prune and plant has demonstrated to be better in terms of fitness, size reduction, and time consumption than any of the other bloat control techniques under comparison. The experimental part of the study presents a comparison of performance in terms of phenotypic and genotypic diversity. This comparison study can provide the practitioner with some relevant clues as to which bloat control method is better suited to a particular problem and whether the advantage of a method does or does not derive from its influence on the genetic pool diversity.
Detecting the Dimensionality for Principal Components Model

A crucial issue for principal components analysis (PCA) is to determine the number of principal components to capture the variability of usually high-dimensional data. In this article the dimension detection for PCA is formulated as a variable selection problem for regressions. The adaptive LASSO is used for the variable selection in this application. Simulations demonstrate that this approach is more accurate than existing methods in some cases and competitive in some others. The performance of this model is also illustrated using a real example.
Case Management, Client Risk Factors, and Service Use

Six “pure” types of case-manager activity are identified using chart data from 922 cases in the Medicare Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration. The association between case-manager actions and client characteristics, and between case-manager activities and service use outcomes is used to test predictive validity. Case-manager activity is generally more associated with caregiver than client characteristics. Monitoring and service management was protective against nursing home placement. A clinical nursing emphasis was protective against hospitalization. Understanding how case management is differentiated may improve staffing, treatment protocol, and client service outcomes.