Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Set of Genes Encoding a Second Toluene Efflux System in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E Is Linked to the tod Genes for Toluene Metabolism

ABSTRACT Sequence analysis in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E revealed a second toluene efflux system for toluene metabolism encoded by the ttgDEF genes, which are adjacent to thetod genes. The ttgDEF genes were expressed in response to the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and styrene in the culture medium. To characterize the contribution of the TtgDEF system to toluene tolerance in P. putida, site-directed mutagenesis was used to knock out the gene in the wild-type DOT-T1E strain and in a mutant derivative, DOT-T1E-18. This mutant carried a Tn5 insertion in the ttgABCgene cluster, which encodes a toluene efflux pump that is synthesized constitutively. For site-directed mutagenesis, a cassette to knock out the ttgD gene and encoding resistance to tellurite was constructed in vitro and transferred to the corresponding host chromosome via the suicide plasmid pKNG101. Successful replacement of the wild-type sequences with the mutant cassette was confirmed by Southern hybridization. A single ttgD mutant, DOT-T1E-1, and a double mutant with knock outs in the ttgD andttgA genes, DOT-T1E-82, were obtained and characterized for toluene tolerance. This was assayed by the sudden addition of toluene (0.3% [vol/vol]) to the liquid culture medium of cells growing on Luria-Bertani (LB) medium (noninduced) or on LB medium with toluene supplied via the gas phase (induced). Induced cells of the singlettgD mutant were more sensitive to sudden toluene shock than were the wild-type cells; however, noninduced wild-type andttgD mutant cells were equally tolerant to toluene shock. Noninduced cells of the double DOT-T1E-82 mutant did not survive upon sudden toluene shock; however, they still remained viable upon sudden toluene shock if they had been previously induced. These results are discussed in the context of the use of multiple efflux pumps involved in solvent tolerance in P. putida DOT-T1E.
Regional innovation clusters and firm innovation performance: an interactionist approach

ABSTRACT How is firm innovation affected by location in an innovation cluster? How does the interplay of firm and cluster characteristics matter? We examine these questions by conducting an empirical analysis of firm innovation performance in regional innovation clusters. Our theoretical framework is based on a synthesis of the literature on industrial clustering, regional agglomeration economies and social networks. We test the framework empirically through the analysis of data on patent citations from 578 firms located in 26 European regional clusters in the information technology industry over 10 years. We find that location in these clusters offers benefits and at the same time poses certain constraints. One of the central findings is that connectedness to highly performing firms (in horizontal relationships), research institutions and universities located in a cluster moderates the onset of diminishing returns between firm innovation performance and research and development effort, and helps firms cope with the negative effects of locating in clusters.
THE INFLUENCE OF CASH TRANSFERS INSTIGATED ASSET ACCUMULATION AND RETENTION ON POVERTY REDUCTION IN TURKANA WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Poverty remains a global challenge to the development of many countries. Despite the fact that Kenya is making considerable progress in economic development, approximately 45.9% of the Country’s population still survives on less than US$ 1.25 per day. Cash transfers have been proven albeit with mixed results to be effecting in poverty reduction efforts world over. This study looks at the influence of cash transfer on addressing poverty reduction. It accomplishes two broad objectives: (1) demonstrates the relative influence of cash transfers on household’s productive asset accumulation for poverty reduction; and (2) it contributes to a growing body of evidence on the influence of state-sponsored cash transfer programmes in Kenya on household’s poverty. It embraced a mixed methods approach embedded with an explanatory research design for concurrent triangulation. The study interviewed a total of 296 respondents through HH questionnaires, KII Tool and FGD Guide. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework approach while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential (correlations) statistics on SPSS. Results suggest that even with minimal investment in both productive and non-productive assets (M=2.47 and SD=0.99) from cash transfers, there is significant negative effect (r=0.146 and P=0.05) between asset accumulation and poverty reduction among targeted households. This implies that cash transfers correlate strongly with poverty reduction. Article visualizations:
Antiepileptic drugs for bipolar disorder and the risk of suicidal behavior: a 30-year observational study.

OBJECTIVE In 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding suicidality and antiepileptic drugs based on meta-analyses of 199 randomized trials (over 43,000 subjects with different illnesses) of 11 antiepileptics. The present study examines the hypothesis that the three antiepileptics approved for bipolar disorder (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproate) are associated with an elevated risk of suicide attempts and suicides. METHOD A prospective observational study was conducted at five U.S. academic medical centers from 1978 to 2009. Analyses included 199 participants with bipolar disorder for whom 1,077 time intervals were classified as either exposed to an antiepileptic (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or valproate) or not exposed to an antiepileptic, an antidepressant, or lithium during 30 years of follow-up. RESULTS Participants who had more severe manic symptoms were more likely to receive antiepileptic drugs. Mixed-effects grouped-time survival models revealed no elevation in risk of suicide attempt or suicide during periods when participants were receiving antiepileptics relative to periods when they were not (hazard ratio=0.93, 95% CI=0.45-1.92), controlling for demographic and clinical variables through propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS In this longitudinal observational study, the risk of suicide attempts or suicides was not associated with the antiepileptics approved for bipolar disorder.
Signal Peptide and Propeptide Optimization for Heterologous Protein Secretion in Lactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT Lactic acid bacteria are food-grade microorganisms that are potentially good candidates for production of heterologous proteins of therapeutical or technological interest. We developed a model for heterologous protein secretion in Lactococcus lactis using the staphylococcal nuclease (Nuc). The effects on protein secretion of alterations in either (i) signal peptide or (ii) propeptide sequences were examined. (i) Replacement of the native Nuc signal peptide (SPNuc) by that of L. lactis protein Usp45 (SPUsp) resulted in greatly improved secretion efficiency (SE). Pulse-chase experiments showed that Nuc secretion kinetics was better when directed by SPUsp than when directed by SPNuc. This SPUsp effect on Nuc secretion is not due to a better antifolding activity, since SPUsp:Nuc precursor proteins display enzymatic activity in vitro, while SPNuc:Nuc precursor proteins do not. (ii) Deletion of the native Nuc propeptide dramatically reduces Nuc SE, regardless of which SP is used. We previously reported that a synthetic propeptide, LEISSTCDA, could efficiently replace the native Nuc propeptide to promote heterologous protein secretion in L. lactis (Y. Le Loir, A. Gruss, S. D. Ehrlich, and P. Langella, J. Bacteriol. 180:1895–1903, 1998). To determine whether the LEISSTCDA effect is due to its acidic residues, specific substitutions were introduced, resulting in neutral or basic propeptides. Effects of these two new propeptides and of a different acidic synthetic propeptide were tested. Acidic and neutral propeptides were equally effective in enhancing Nuc SE and also increased Nuc yields. In contrast, the basic propeptide strongly reduced both SE and the quantity of secreted Nuc. We have shown that the combination of the native SPUsp and a neutral or acidic synthetic propeptide leads to a significant improvement in SE and in the quantity of synthesized Nuc. These observations will be valuable in the production of heterologous proteins in L. lactis.
Molecular genetic maps of the group 6 chromosomes of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.).

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) maps of chromosomes 6A, 6B, and 6D of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) have been produced. They were constructed using a population of F7-8 recombinant inbred lines derived from a synthetic wheat x bread wheat cross. The maps consist of 74 markers assigned to map positions at a LOD >= 3 (29 markers assigned to 6A, 24 to 6B, and 21 to 6D) and 2 markers assigned to 6D ordered at a LOD of 2.7. Another 78 markers were assigned to intervals on the maps. The maps of 6A, 6B, and 6D span 178, 132, and 206 cM, respectively. Twenty-one clones detected orthologous loci in two homoeologues and 3 detected an orthologous locus in each chromosome. Orthologous loci are located at intervals of from 1.5 to 26 cM throughout 70% of the length of the linkage maps. Within this portion of the maps, colinearity (homosequentiality) among the three homoeologues is strongly indicated. The remainder of the linkage maps consists of three segments ranging in length from 47 to 60 cM. Colinearity among these chromosomes and other Triticeae homoeologous group 6 chromosomes is indicated and a consensus RFLP map derived from maps of the homoeologous group 6 chromosomes of hexaploid wheat, tetraploid wheat, Triticum tauschii, and barley is presented. Key words : RFLP, wheat, linkage maps, molecular markers.
Observatory: A Tool for Recording, Annotating and Reviewing Emotion-Related Data

Emotion is an important field of study shared by many disciplines such as psychology, language and computer science. Most studies in emotion require the collection and annotation of data, but many issues arise from this process. This research focused on the following issues: collecting data from multiple sources, providing flexibility in emotion labels for annotation, providing additional contextual information during annotation, and annotating non-observable emotion-related data. The Observatory software is introduced as a solution that addresses these issues. Using this single software, researchers can record, annotate and review emotion-related data.
Sympathetic, parasympathetic and non‐autonomic contributions to cardiovascular spectral powers in unanesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To determine whether spectral powers of blood pressure and pulse interval can specifically reflect sympathetic and parasympathetic effects in unanesthetized, free-moving spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Design Spectral powers were observed before and after various autonomic interventions in chronically instrumented rats. Materials and methods Chemical sympathectomy was produced in 12-week-old SHR by repeated injections of 6-hydroxydopamine, while control rats were given vehicle alone. Chronic arterial and venous catheters were inserted in the femoral artery and vein. Blood pressure was recorded beat-to-beat for 90 min in free-moving rats; further recording sessions were obtained under additional α-receptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine at 1 mg/kg and/or additional cholinergic blockade with atropine at 0.8 mg/kg. Off-line computer analysis (fast Fourier transform) provided estimates of low- (0.025–0.1 Hz), mid- (0.1–0.6 Hz) and high-frequency (0.8–3.0 Hz) powers for blood pressure and pulse interval over consecutive periods of 100s. Results The most noticeable findings were that sympathectomy produced a striking increase in the low-frequency power of blood pressure and a tendency (borderline statistical significance) to reduce the mid-frequency power of blood pressure. Additional α-receptor blockade had no effect on any spectral power whereas additional cholinergic blockade caused a further increase in the low-frequency blood pressure power and a drastic reduction in all pulse interval powers. Conclusions In the unanesthetized SHR, sympathetic activity opposes low-frequency and marginally promotes mid-frequency blood pressure fluctuations; the pulse interval spectral expression of vagal effects is spread throughout the range of frequencies explored and is not confined to the high-frequency band. These data indicate that in SHR no spectral power can specifically reflect the effects of either autonomic limb.
Brief Report: Role of Thymic Reconstitution in the Outcome of AIDS-Related PML

Abstract:Implications of thymopoiesis in AIDS-related opportunistic infections remain unexplored. We used progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by JC virus (JCV), as an opportunistic infection model, and we simultaneously investigated thymic output and T-cell responses against JCV in 22 patients with PML treated with combined antiretroviral therapy. Thymic output was significantly associated with JCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses and improved survival. Our data suggest that patients with AIDS-related PML and impaired thymopoiesis are less likely to develop a robust JCV-specific cellular immune response and consequently are at an increased risk for a poor clinical outcome.
Effects of dose, donor-recipient interaction time and ratio on fipronil transmission among the formosan subterranean termite nestmates (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Transfer offipronil's lethal effect was studied against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Donor workers were topically dosed with 2 different doses and placed together with recipient workers at 3 different donor-recipient ratios to observe recipient mortality at designated intervals for 20 days. Recipients exposed to donors treated at 10 ng a.i./donor yielded full expression of 90-100% mortality within 4 and 12 days at ratio of 1:1 and ≤ 2:8, respectively. Recipients exposed to donors treated at 2 ng a.i./donor only showed < 48, 21, and 15.6% mortality at ratio of 1:1, 1:4, and 1:9, respectively, and the full expression of mortality appeared within 16 days. These results support the hypothesis that the time required for a full expression of transferable lethal effects of fipronil in untreated termites increases as the dose on treated termites decreases at given donor-recipient ratios. Recipients exposed to donors treated with a high dose and at high donor-recipient ratio show greater mortality compared to those exposed to donors treated with a low dose and at low donor-recipient ratio. Recipient mortality increases as the donor-recipient interaction time increases until full expression of transferred lethal effect. Donors had greater mortality than recipients at a given observation date before both donors and recipients reached 100% mortality.
Demand management: an audit of chemical pathology test rejections by an electronic gate-keeping system at an academic hospital in Cape Town

Background Demand management is an area of laboratory activity, which is becoming increasingly important. Within the health-care system, demand management can be defined as the use of health resources to maximise its utility. Tygerberg Hospital has introduced an electronic gate-keeping system. Chemistry tests which generate the highest cost are subjected to this system and may be automatically rejected according to a set of rules. This study aimed: (1) to identify the number of chemistry tests rejected by the eGK; (2) to identify which of these rejected tests were subsequently restored and (3) to assess the impact of rejections on clinical outcome and cost-saving. Methods A retrospective audit was conducted to determine the number of chemistry tests rejected and subsequently restored over a 6-month period. The case-notes of patients for whom requested tests previously rejected had been restored were randomly selected and investigated to assess clinical impact. Any cost-saving was calculated. Results A total of 68,480 tests were subjected to gate-keeping, and 4605 tests (6.7%) were rejected while 679 (14.7%) of these were restored by the requestor phoning the laboratory after obtaining authorisation. After examining a subset of clinical notes it was found that in most cases (80%), patient care was unaffected. The total cost saved was £25,387. Conclusions The majority of the rejected tests were unnecessary and following rejection, real savings were made. Electronic gate-keeping is a simple, effective and sustainable method of demand management.
North-South Uneven Development and Income Distribution under the Balance of Payments Constraint

This study builds a North-South trade and uneven development model, and investigates the effects of changes in income distribution (the profit share) on economic growth rates of both countries. How a change in the profit share affects both countries' growth rates differs for the short-run equilibirum and the long-run equilibrium. For example, in the short-run equilibirum, an increase in the profit share of the North deteriorates the terms of trade of the South, and then, decreases the growth rate of the South. On the other hand, in the long-run equilibrium, an increase in the profit share of the North either increases or decreases the growth rate of the South through Thirlwall's law.
Hemin Exerts Multiple Protective Mechanisms and Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium–induced Colitis

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by recurrent and severe gastrointestinal inflammation. Activation of inflammatory cells, such as TH17 lymphocytes, and/or deficiency of regulatory T cells (Treg) are responsible for the pathogenesis of IBD. As an acute phase reactant, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to play an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role in many disease processes. In this study, we used a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced murine colitis model to investigate the effect of upregulating HO-1 by hemin on the development of colonic inflammation. Materials and Methods: The mice were enterically challenged with 4% DSS. In addition, some mice were intraperitoneally administered with hemin or Sn-protoporphyrin (SnPP) on days 0, 1, and 6 after DSS treatment. The severity of colitis was evaluated by daily monitoring of weight change and diarrhea. At the end of the experiment, the colon, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes were harvested for histology and various immunological assays. Results: Compared to control groups, DSS challenge markedly induced HO-1 expression in the colon epithelium. Upregulation of HO-1 by hemin was further correlated with attenuation of DSS-induced colitis. In contrast, inhibition of endogenous HO-1 by SnPP aggravated the colitis. To further assess the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, we examined whether hemin enhanced the proliferation of Treg cells and suppressed the production of interleukin (IL)-17. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that hemin markedly expanded the CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3+ Treg population. Moreover, hemin attenuated IL-17 and TH17-related cytokines. This inhibition coincided with the attenuation of DSS-induced colitis. Finally, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay showed that hemin treatment markedly reduced programmed cell death of colonic epithelium, indicating that hemin exerts a modulatory effect on the induction of Treg, IL-17, and apoptosis. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that upregulation of HO-1 by hemin ameliorated experimental colitis. Moreover, our study suggests a broader protective mechanism of hemin.
Active Trachoma Is Associated with Increased Conjunctival Expression of IL17A and Profibrotic Cytokines

ABSTRACT The immunological basis of scarring trachoma is not well understood. It is unclear whether it is driven primarily through cell-mediated adaptive or epithelial-cell-derived innate responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of the inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators which may be involved. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of children living in an untreated trachoma-endemic community in Tanzania. The children were examined for signs of trachoma, and swabs were collected for bacteriological culture and RNA and DNA isolation. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected by the Amplicor PCR test. The expression of the following genes was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR): S100A7, IL1B, IL17A, IL23A, CXCL5, CCL18, TLR2, NLRP3, KLRD1, CTGF, and MMP9. Four hundred seventy children under the age of 10 years were included. Follicular trachoma (TF) was detected in 65 children (14%), C. trachomatis was detected in 25 (5%), and bacterial pathogens were cultured in 161 (34%). TF was associated with significantly increased expression of S100A7, IL17A, CCL18, CXCL5, and CTGF. Expression was increased further in the presence of papillary inflammation. Nonchlamydial bacterial infection was associated with increased expression of IL17A, CXCL5, CCL18, and KLRD1. IL17A expression was associated with increased expression of S100A7, CXCL5, CCL18, KLRD1, and CTGF. These data are consistent with a role for IL-17A in orchestrating the proinflammatory response in trachoma. Its activity may be promoted either as part of the cell-mediated response or through innate pathways. It may drive a range of proinflammatory factors leading to excessive tissue damage and repair involving fibrosis.
The impact of United States monetary policy uncertainty on the Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets

Most of the GCC countries currencies are pegged to the US dollar, which make the economy those countries susceptible to the US monetary policy change. This paper used the non-structural VAR tests to examine the spillovers impact of the two recently developed US monetary policy uncertainty indices (the BBD MPU and the HRS MPU) shocks on GCC stock markets from 2003: M01 to 2017: M07. The result revealed that during the period under review, the two MPU have slight significant impact on some GCC markets. But the HRS MPU has more impact than the BBD MPU. Besides this, unidirectional causality running from HRS MPU to Bahraini and Kuwaiti Stock market was detected within the period. Hence, policymakers should realize the heterogeneity impacts from US MPU to stock markets in GCC countries. The findings also help investors and portfolio managers to better understand the effects of US monetary policy uncertainty on the stock markets.