Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure-function relationship between FDF, FDT, SAP, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE Flicker defined form perimetry (FDF) and frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDT) are alleged to detect glaucoma at an earlier stage than standard automated perimetry (SAP). It is the purpose of this study to investigate the structure-function relationship between FDF, FDT, SAP, and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS Seventy-six patients with glaucoma were included in the study. Patients were tested with SAP, Matrix-FDT, FDF perimetry, and cSLO. Structure-function relationships between global and sectoral cSLO parameters and global and sectoral mean sensitivity (MS) of SAP, Matrix-FDT, and FDF were calculated using Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression. RESULTS Overall, FDF perimetry showed the strongest structure-function relationship (GLOBAL correlation with rim area: 0.44; range of significant sectoral FDF values: 0.23-0.69), followed by FDT (global correlation with rim area: 0.35; range of significant sectoral FDT values: 0.25-0.60). SAP presented with the weakest structure-function relationship and fewer statistically significant results (global correlation with rim volume: 0.32; range of significant sectoral SAP values: 0.23-0.58). Sector-by-sector, the structure-function relationship was greatest in the superotemporal and inferotemporal regions. Weakest correlations were found in the inferonasal and nasal sectors. CONCLUSIONS The correlation between structure and function is stronger in FDF and FDT compared with SAP. Correlations are strongest in temporal areas where glaucomatous damage tends to occur first. A better understanding of the structure-function relationship should allow for improved detection and management of glaucoma patients.
The Impact of Financial Crises on the Short-Term Interaction between Balkan Stock Markets

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of financial crises on the short-term interaction between stock market returns of the Macedonian, Serbian and Croatian equity markets. Daily data sample spans from January 4th 2006 to March 31st 2017and based on detected Zivot-Andrews structural break point tests three subsamples are created: Subsample 1- January 4th 2006 to December 31th 2007, the period characterized as period of growth on the three Balkan stock markets, Subsample 2 - January 1st2008 to June 30th 2011, turbulent period for the stock markets and Subsample3 – July 1st2011 to March 31st 2017, after crisis period. Using simple Correlation and Granger-causality tests it is found that three stock markets interacted mostly in the crisis period. A bi-directional pattern of causality is detected for all pairs, except for the relation Macedonia-Serbia. Via variance decomposition and impulse response functions the extent of the interaction within Subsample 2 is analyzed and as a most influential stock market that transmits the changes on the others is the Croatian stock market. From a perspective of Macedonian and Serbian investors, this means that they can benefit following the movement of the Croatian stock market.
De novo protein synthesis by bovine uterine tube (oviduct) epithelial cells changes during co-culture with bull spermatozoa.

Polypeptides secreted by uterine tube epithelial cells (UTEC) may facilitate sperm cell capacitation in vivo. This experiment evaluated the effect of sperm-UTEC co-culture on de novo protein synthesis by epithelial cells of the tubal isthmus. Comparisons of the patterns of proteins secreted into medium were made between four culture groups incubated for 24 h in the presence of 35S-methionine: group 1, sperm cells alone; group 2, control UTEC monolayers; group 3, UTEC co-cultured with sperm cells; and group 4, UTEC partitioned by a diffusible membrane from sperm cells during culture. Two-dimensional PAGE followed by fluorography was used to analyze conditioned medium containing secreted proteins from each group. The experiment was replicated four times. Sperm cells alone secreted no detectable proteins, whereas control UTEC monolayers produced a wide array of polypeptides. Sperm cells attached to UTEC in co-culture within minutes, and the resultant protein profile for these UTEC differed markedly from that of the control UTEC. Several new proteins were seen only from co-cultured cells, whereas other protein groups that were present with UTEC alone were absent in the co-culture medium of group 3. The protein pattern expressed by UTEC partitioned from sperm cells (group 4) was intermediate between that of the group 2 controls and that of co-cultured UTEC (group 3). In summary, the attachment of sperm cells to the UTEC during co-culture changed the types and quantities of proteins secreted into the conditioned medium as compared to those of control UTEC monolayers. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Arabidopsis thaliana AMY3 Is a Unique Redox-regulated Chloroplastic α-Amylase*

Background: AtAMY3 is an α-amylase implicated in leaf starch degradation. Results: AtAMY3 releases small linear and branched glucans from starch under neutral-alkaline conditions and is subject to reductive activation by thioredoxins. Conclusion: AtAMY3 is adapted for activity in the chloroplast and is a redox-regulated enzyme. Significance: The unique properties of AtAMY3 among α-amylases provide new insight into the regulation of starch degradation in vivo. α-Amylases are glucan hydrolases that cleave α-1,4-glucosidic bonds in starch. In vascular plants, α-amylases can be classified into three subfamilies. Arabidopsis has one member of each subfamily. Among them, only AtAMY3 is localized in the chloroplast. We expressed and purified AtAMY3 from Escherichia coli and carried out a biochemical characterization of the protein to find factors that regulate its activity. Recombinant AtAMY3 was active toward both insoluble starch granules and soluble substrates, with a strong preference for β-limit dextrin over amylopectin. Activity was shown to be dependent on a conserved aspartic acid residue (Asp666), identified as the catalytic nucleophile in other plant α-amylases such as the barley AMY1. AtAMY3 released small linear and branched glucans from Arabidopsis starch granules, and the proportion of branched glucans increased after the predigestion of starch with a β-amylase. Optimal rates of starch digestion in vitro was achieved when both AtAMY3 and β-amylase activities were present, suggesting that the two enzymes work synergistically at the granule surface. We also found that AtAMY3 has unique properties among other characterized plant α-amylases, with a pH optimum of 7.5–8, appropriate for activity in the chloroplast stroma. AtAMY3 is also redox-regulated, and the inactive oxidized form of AtAMY3 could be reactivated by reduced thioredoxins. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with mass spectrometry analysis showed that a disulfide bridge between Cys499 and Cys587 is central to this regulation. This work provides new insights into how α-amylase activity may be regulated in the chloroplast.
WWOX, the chromosomal fragile site FRA16D spanning gene: Its role in metabolism and contribution to cancer

The WWOX gene spans the common chromosomal fragile site FRA16D that is located within a massive (780 kb) intron. The WWOX gene is very long, at 1.1 Mb, which may contribute to the very low abundance of the full-length 1.4 kb mRNA. Alternative splicing also accounts for a variety of aberrant transcripts, most of which are devoid of C-terminal sequences required for WWOX to act as an oxidoreductase. The mouse WWOX gene also spans a chromosomal fragile site implying some sort of functional relationship that confers a selective advantage. The encoded protein domains of WWOX are conserved through evolution (between humans and Drosophila melanogaster) and include WW domains, an NAD -binding site, short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase enzyme and nuclear compartmentalization signals. This homology has enabled functional analyses in D. melanogaster that demonstrate roles for WWOX in reactive oxygen species regulation and metabolism. Indeed the human WWOX gene is also responsive to altered metabolism. Cancer cells typically exhibit altered metabolism (Warburg effect). Many cancers exhibit FRA16D DNA instability that results in aberrant WWOX expression and is associated with poor prognosis for these cancers. It is therefore thought that aberrant WWOX expression contributes to the altered metabolism in cancer. In addition, others have found that a specific (low-expression) allele of WWOX genotype contributes to cancer predisposition.
Acyclic Phosphonate Nucleotides and Human Adenylate Kinases: Impact of a Borano Group on α-P Position

Adenylate kinases are involved in the activation of antiviral drugs such as the acyclic phosphonates analogs PMEA and (R)PMPA. We examine the in vitro phosphorylation of PMEA and PMPA bearing a borano- or a H- group on the phosphorus atom. The α-borano or α-H on PMEA and PMPA were detrimental to the activity of recombinant human AMP kinases 1 and 2. Docking PMEA to the active site of AMP kinase 1 indicated that the borano group may prevent two conserved critical Arg interactions with the α-phosphate, resulting in substrate bad positioning.
Air pollution-related health and climate benefits of clean cookstove programs in Mozambique

Approximately 95% of households in Mozambique burn solid fuels for cooking, contributing to elevated indoor and outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and subsequent health and climate impacts. Little is known about the potential health and climate benefits of various approaches for expanding the use of cleaner stoves and fuels in Mozambique. We use state-of-the-science methods to provide a first-order estimation of potential air pollution-related health and climate benefits of four illustrative scenarios in which traditional cooking fires and stoves are displaced by cleaner and more efficient technologies. For rural areas, we find that a 10% increase in the number of households using forced draft wood-burning stoves could achieve >2.5 times more health benefits from reduced PM2.5 exposure (200 avoided premature deaths and 14 000 avoided disability adjusted life years, DALYs, over a three-year project lifetime) compared to natural draft stoves in the same households, assuming 70% of households use the new technology for both cases. Expanding use of LPG stoves to 10% of households in five major cities is estimated to avoid 160 premature deaths and 11 000 DALYs from reduced PM2.5 exposure for a three-year intervention, assuming 60% of households use the new stove. Advanced charcoal stoves would achieve ∽80% of the PM2.5-related health benefits of LPG stoves. Approximately 2%–5% additional health benefits would result from reduced ambient PM2.5, depending on the scenario. Although climate impacts are uncertain, we estimate that all scenarios would reduce expected climate change-related temperature increases from continued solid fuel use by 4%–6% over the next century. All results are based on an assumed adjustment factor of 0.8 to convert from laboratory-based emission reduction measurements to exposure reductions, which could be optimistic in reality given potential for continued use of the traditional stove. We conclude that cleaner cooking stoves in Mozambique can achieve health and climate benefits, though both are uncertain and local information about baseline and intervention PM2.5 exposure levels are needed.
yst gene expression in Yersinia enterocolitica is positively regulated by a chromosomal region that is highly homologous to Escherichia coli host factor 1 gene (hfq)

Yersinia enterocolitica produces heat‐stable enterotoxin (Y‐ST) as one of its virulence factors. The yst gene, however, frequently and spontaneously becomes inactive (silent) during storage, which is accompanied by concurrent changes in some biological properties such as colony morphology, growth rate, carbon fermentation and ornithine decarboxylase activity. Northern blot analysis revealed that the level of mRNA for yst was repressed. To investigate the regulatory region, we transformed a yst‐silent strain with a chromosomal gene library of Y‐ST producing an isogenic counterpart. Out of 3604 clones, one clone resumed the Y‐ST production and concurrently other biological properties. An open reading frame in this clone was designated as yrp, yersinia regulator for pleiotropic phenotype. Deduced from the nucleotide sequence, Yrp was a small protein of 101 amino acids with no similarity with any regulatory factor described, but showed high homology with an Escherichia coli host factor 1 required for Qβ‐replicase, and with an Azorhizobium caulinodans NrfA required for the expression of nifA. The yrp gene mutation caused decreased negative supercoiling of plasmids, as did hfq. The yrp gene could similarly complement Y‐ST production in two other silent strains of Y. enterocolitica. In all three silent strains examined, we found various mutations in the yrp region.
Evaluation of a Speech Enhancement Strategy with Normal‐Hearing and Hearing‐Impaired Listeners

An adaptive digital signal processing procedure was applied to various speech signals in three noise backgrounds. The procedure uses a modified approach to Wiener filtering to estimate a noise suppression filter which reduces the signal at frequencies most likely to be corrupted by noise. Speech intelligibility was compared with and without processing, for speech presented in three types of background noise: multitalker babble, wide-band noise, and narrow-band noise. The speech signals used were six spondaic words spoken by a male talker; 20 consonants, in an intervocalic environment, spoken by a female talker; and a passage of continuous discourse read by a female talker. Adaptive speech reception threshold (ASRT) testing was used to estimate the minimum SNR at which the spondaic words could be identified 70.7% of the time. With this test, signal processing improved performance by 11 dB in narrow-band noise for normal-hearing listeners; no statistically significant improvement was observed when listening in a background of wide-band or speech babble noise. Five of the six hearing-impaired listeners also had improved performance when listening in narrow-band noise, but minimal changes in wide-band or speech babble noise. With the consonant targets, a closed-set nonsense syllable testing procedure demonstrated that processing did not change or slightly reduced performance for all listeners. With continuous discourse all listeners demonstrated a strong preference for processed signals under most listening conditions. The results indicate that a digital adaptive filter implemented within a preconditioning circuit in a hearing aid may provide benefit for hearing-impaired listeners and that it is likely to be preferred over unprocessed input in many listening conditions.
Remote sensing measurements of aerosol optical properties during the 2015 Indonesian biomass burning

Over the last two decades and due to rapid economic growth, the South-East Asia region experiences mild to severe smoke episodes generated from annual biomass burning events, usually occurring during the regions's dry season that can last several months (June to October). Such a events poses a hazard to the region itself and specially to Singapore due to close proximity to the land masses of Sumatra and Borneo. In-situ aerosol measurements are now performed by our AERONET link photometer (Singapore and Kuching) sites. Such measurements readily provide optical characterization of atmospheric aerosols when biomass burning events occur. In this work, we present an analysis of three months of AERONET level 1.5 data recorded during August-October 2015 period. Besides the classical aerosol optical depth and Angstrom exponent number classifications, a special emphasis is paid to separate the fine/coarse mode part of the particle size distribution and by applying strict constrains to avoid cloud contamination and other artifacts.
Fructose transporters GLUT5 and GLUT2 expression in adult patients with fructose intolerance

Background Gastrointestinal symptoms and malabsorption following fructose ingestion (fructose intolerance) are common in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The underlying mechanism is unclear, but is hypothesized to be related an abnormality of intestinal fructose transporter proteins. Objective To assess the expression of the main intestinal fructose transporter proteins, glucose transport protein 5 (GLUT5) and 2 (GLUT2), in FGID. Methods The expression of GLUT5 and GLUT2 protein and mRNA in small intestinal biopsy tissue was investigated using real-time reverse-transcription PCR and Western immunoblotting in 11 adults with FGID and fructose intolerance ascertained by breath testing and in 15 controls. Results Median expression levels of GLUT5 mRNA normalized to beta-actin were 0.18 (interquartile range, IQR, 0.13–0.21) in patients and 0.17 (IQR 0.12–0.19) in controls (p > 0.05). Respective levels of GLUT2 mRNA were 0.26 (IQR 0.20–0.31) and 0.26 (IQR 0.19–0.31) (p > 0.05). Median expression levels of GLUT5 protein normalized to alpha-tubulin were 0.95 (IQR 0.52–1.68) in patients and 0.95 (IQR 0.59–1.15) in controls (p > 0.05). Respective protein expression levels for GLUT2 were 1.56 (IQR 1.06–2.14) and 1.35 (IQR 0.96–1.79) (p > 0.05). Conclusions Human fructose intolerance may not be associated with marked changes in GLUT5 and GLUT2 expression. Replication of these results in a larger subject group, including measures of transporter activation and membrane and subcellular localization, is warranted.
Nonpharmacological Management of Headaches During Pregnancy

Concerns about the effects of maternal medications on the growing baby limit the use of medication treatment for benign conditions, such as recurring headaches, during pregnancy and lactation.Nonpharmacological therapies hold particular promise for pregnant women due to the limited medication options. No controlled studies, however, have reported on the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments for pregnant women. The first study evaluated the effectiveness of a combined nonpharmacological treatment (CT) consisting of relaxation, skin-warming biofeedback, and physical therapy for pregnant women with chronic headaches. In a second study, the CT protocol was compared with an attention control (AC) that received headache education and skin-cooling biofeedback. The first study resulted in significant symptom improvement in 79% of subjects, with an overall 72.9% reduction in headaches. In the second study, both groups improved with treatment; however the CT group was more likely to experience significant headache relief (72.7%) than the AC group (28.6%,2 (1) = 4.97, p <. 03). Significant improvement was maintained at a 6-month follow-up for over 50% of patients. It is concluded that the combined nonpharmacological treatment was more effective than an attention control in reducing headaches during pregnancy. This treatment was effective regardless of predisposing variables.
Fear, Coping, and Information

Abstract The importance of fear and maladaptive health behavior responses within the ordered protection motivation threat persuasion framework is investigated. By observing the initial creation of maladaptive responses, the results indicate that without adaptive coping response information, high threat information and fear cause avoidance and other maladaptive responses. These influences, in turn, reduce intentions to adopt the recommended adaptive protection behavior. When adaptive coping response information is provided after a threatening fear appeal, maladaptive responses' negative effects are reduced, and adaptive protection behavior intentions are increased. The results of this study have important implications for health and social marketing campaigns (e.g., prevention of AIDS, drug abuse), where maladaptive responses may be responsible for a significant number of program failures.
β(1,2)-Xylose and α(1,3)-Fucose Residues Have a Strong Contribution in IgE Binding to Plant Glycoallergens*

Primary structures of the N-glycans of two major pollen allergens (Lol p 11 and Ole e 1) and a major peanut allergen (Ara h 1) were determined. Ole e 1 and Ara h 1 carried high mannose and complex N-glycans, whereas Lol p 11 carried only the complex. The complex structures all had a β(1,2)-xylose linked to the core mannose. Substitution of the proximalN-acetylglucosamine with an α(1,3)-fucose was observed on Lol p 11 and a minor fraction of Ole e 1 but not on Ara h 1. To elucidate the structural basis for IgE recognition of plantN-glycans, radioallergosorbent test analysis with protease digests of the three allergens and a panel of glycoproteins with knownN-glycan structures was performed. It was demonstrated that both α(1,3)-fucose and β(1,2)-xylose are involved in IgE binding. Surprisingly, xylose-specific IgE antibodies that bound to Lol p 11 and bromelain did not recognize closely related xylose-containing structures on horseradish peroxidase, phytohemeagglutinin, Ole e 1, and Ara h 1. On Lol p 11 and bromelain, the core β-mannose is substituted with just an α(1,6)-mannose. On the other xylose-containingN-glycans, an additional α(1,3)-mannose is present. These observations indicate that IgE binding to xylose is sterically hampered by the presence of an α(1,3)-antenna.
Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts

The antimicrobial activity of plant oils and extracts has been recognized for many years. However, few investigations have compared large numbers of oils and extracts using methods that are directly comparable. In the present study, 52 plant oils and extracts were investigated for activity against Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus, using an agar dilution method. Lemongrass, oregano and bay inhibited all organisms at concentrations of ≤2·0% (v/v). Six oils did not inhibit any organisms at the highest concentration, which was 2·0% (v/v) oil for apricot kernel, evening primrose, macadamia, pumpkin, sage and sweet almond. Variable activity was recorded for the remaining oils. Twenty of the plant oils and extracts were investigated, using a broth microdilution method, for activity against C. albicans, Staph. aureus and E. coli. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations were 0·03% (v/v) thyme oil against C. albicans and E. coli and 0·008% (v/v) vetiver oil against Staph. aureus. These results support the notion that plant essential oils and extracts may have a role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.
Effects of GDNF on 6‐OHDA‐induced death in a dopaminergic cell line: Modulation by inhibitors of PI3 kinase and MEK

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the selective death of dopaminergic neurons. Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) can protect dopaminergic neurons in several parkinsonian models. We used the dopaminergic cell line MN9D to explore the mechanisms underlying GDNF‐mediated protection against the neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA). MN9D cell viability was decreased 24 hr after a 15‐min exposure to 6‐OHDA (50–1,000 μM) as revealed by staining with Hoechst reagent and Trypan blue. The addition of GDNF (10 ng/ml) before, during, and after exposure to 6‐OHDA significantly increased the number of viable cells as assessed by Hoechst staining. In contrast, 6‐OHDA‐induced cell membrane damage was unaffected as measured by Trypan blue exclusion. The PI3K specific inhibitor LY294002 (10–50 μM) blocked GDNF‐mediated protection against nuclear condensation, as did the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 (5– 20 μM). These studies suggest that GDNF can protect dopaminergic cells against some but not all aspects of 6‐OHDA‐induced toxicity by acting through both PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.