Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) induces shape change in rat C6 glioma cells through the S1P2 receptor: development of an agonist for S1P receptors

Treatment with isoprenaline led to a change in the cell morphology of rat C6 glioma cells. This morphological change was reverted by the addition of sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P). Using this morphological change as a response marker we determined that DS‐SG‐44 ((2S,3R)‐2‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐(4‐octylphenyl)butyl phosphoric acid) was an agonist of S1P receptors. The DS‐SG‐44‐induced morphological reversion was not observed with such structurally related molecules as DS‐SG‐45 ((2S,3R)‐2‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐octylphenyl)butyl phosphoric acid) and DS‐SG‐12 ((2S,3R)‐2‐amino‐4‐(4‐octylphenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol). The S1P‐ and DS‐SG‐44‐induced shape changes were nseither reproduced with the S1P1/S1P3 receptor agonist VPC24191 nor inhibited by the S1P1/S1P3 receptor antagonist, VPC23019. Transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) for the S1P2 receptor greatly inhibited the DS‐SG‐44‐induced shape change, and in part an S1P‐induced response. In the presence of VPC23019, siRNA transfection for the S1P2 receptor almost completely blocked the S1P‐ and DS‐SG‐44‐induced shape changes. Our results suggested that DS‐SG‐44, a newly‐synthesized S1P analogue, acted as an S1P receptor agonist and that the S1P‐induced shape change in rat C6 glioma cells was mediated mainly through the S1P2 receptor, and cooperatively through the S1P1/S1P3 receptors.
The Effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7, Parathyroid Hormone, and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor on the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Osteoporotic Bone

Introduction: It has been previously shown that in patients with osteoporosis, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) growth rate and osteogenic potential is decreased contributing to inferior fracture consolidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), BMP-7, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from patients with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Trabecular bone was obtained from 10 patients (four males, mean age 76 years) with lower extremity osteoporotic fractures. MSCs were isolated by enzymatic digestion. Functional assays of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were performed under the influence of a wide range of concentrations of BMP-2, BMP-7, PTH, and PDGF-BB. Proliferation was assessed using CFU-F and XTT assays. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity and total calcium production. Results: MSC proliferation was found to be stimulated by supplementation with BMP-7 and PDGF-BB, whereas BMP-2 and PTH had little effect. The largest increase in proliferation rate was observed after administration 100 ng/mL of BMP-7. All four molecules induced alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium production in growing osteoblasts with a dose-dependent effect noted. BMP-2 and BMP-7 at their highest studied concentration (100 ng/mL) produced a threefold increase in the osteogenic potential of MSCs. Conclusion: BMP-7, BMP-2, PTH, and PDGF-BB were observed to have a positive effect on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. BMP-7 and PDGF-BB (in high doses) could be considered most potentially advantageous because they enhance both proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from elderly osteoporotic bone.
Application of the theory of adaptive polymorphism to the ecology and epidemiology of pathogenic yeasts

The theory of adaptive polymorphism predicts that species occupying broad ecological niches will be phenotypically and genotypically more varied than those occupying narrow niches. It is suggested that this theory has direct relevance to the epidemiology of microbial pathogens in that environmental pathogens inhabit a broader niche and should be expected to exhibit greater variation than pathogens that are obligate commensals. This proved to be the case when one obligate commensal, the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, was compared with other Candida spp. and an environmental pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Further evidence of this relationship is derived from the literature. This observation adds further support to the theory of adaptive polymorphism, although the mechanisms of maintenance of polymorphism is asexually reproducing populations must be different from those in sexually reproducing populations. This observation may give important clues to the epidemiology of those infections for which it is not already known.
The nucleotide sequence of pACYC177

pACYC177 is a commonly used multicopy cloning vector (1), however, its complete nudeotide sequence has never been reported. The plasmid was constructed by ligating restriction fragments from three different sources: Tn903, Tn3, and pl5A each of which has been sequenced (2,3,4). The sequence was completed by using oligonucleotide primers designed to span the junctions between each of the previously sequenced regions. pACYC177 is 3940 bp in length with nucleotide 1 corresponding to the HincII site in the original map (1). The Tn3 region extends from bases 3026 to 756 with the beta-lactamase gene encoded by bases 3698 (ATG) to 615. Part of the Tn3 repressor extends from bases 3025 to 3515, but the promoter region and part of the coding region have been deleted. In addition, one inverted repeat from Tn3 extends from bases 728 to 765. The Tn903 region, bases 1595 to 3025, contains the kanamycin resistance determinant which extends from bases 1922 (ATG) to 2734 flanked by 226 bp inverted repeats. The pl5A origin of replication extends from bases 766 to 1595. The underlined sequence was determined while the rest of the sequence was taken from the published sequences of Tn9O3 (2), Tn3 (3), and pl5A (4).
Expansion and dissemination of a standardized accuracy and precision assessment technique

The advent and development of new imaging techniques and image-guidance have had a major impact on surgical practice. These techniques attempt to allow the clinician to not only visualize what is currently visible, but also what is beneath the surface, or function. These systems are often based on tracking systems coupled with registration and visualization technologies. The accuracy and precision of the tracking systems, thus is critical in the overall accuracy and precision of the image-guidance system. In this work the accuracy and precision of an Aurora tracking system is assessed, using the technique specified in " novel technique for analysis of accuracy of magnetic tracking systems used in image guided surgery. " This analysis yielded a demonstration that accuracy is dependent on distance from the tracker's field generator, and had an RMS value of 1.48 mm. The error has the similar characteristics and values as the previous work, thus validating this method for tracker analysis.
Business schools’ competitive strategies: whose goals, which aims?

Purpose This study reviews the literature on business-school (b-school) competition and competitiveness to extend our understanding of b-schools’ competitive strategies. Design/methodology/approach Both content and network analysis were used in the examination of the scholarly discourse. Findings The analyses distinguish three literature streams. The first concentrates on resources, capabilities and competencies; the second focuses on measures of competitiveness; and the third includes competitive dynamics and strategy discourse. The analysis shows that the conceptions of competitiveness are quite coherent concerning resources, capabilities and competencies. However, in the “measures of competitiveness” and “industry dynamics and strategy,” discourses were more diverse, indicating greater ambiguity in how the core competencies, capabilities and resources are portrayed as competitiveness outside the institutions. The literature suggests that the measures and indicators of competitiveness are ambiguous to external stakeholders and, furthermore, reflect institutional goal ambiguity. Originality/value The question of how, and to what extent, increasing competition in management education and research catalyzes unwelcome changes in the industry has been of great concern to management educators and scholars. This has given rise to a considerable body of literature referring to b-school competition. Despite its topicality, this discourse has remained theoretically fragmented and separate from the mainstream strategy literature. Therefore, this study provides a review and critical discussion of the current state of research on b-school competition, as well as proposes avenues for future research and tools for strategic management of b-schools.
Open Facilities for Training in European Neurology (OFTEN): a European Board of Neurology initiative

The European Board of Neurology has established Open Facilities for Training in European Neurology (OFTEN) by creating a databank of excellent or good neurological departments from 14 European countries willing to receive trainees from abroad (http://www.uems.be/neuro.htm). Further expansion of this databank with an increased number of participating departments and countries is planned. The databank should make it easier both to find a relevant department for training abroad and to obtain funding from various sources. No financial support is available in the program itself. The ultimate aim of this cross‐European training is to improve neurological skill, knowledge and attitude. It will also promote European co‐operation and harmonization in quality of care.
Imaging mass spectrometry: A new tool for pathology in a molecular age

Mass spectrometry (MS) provides unique advantages for the analysis of clinical specimens, and these capabilities have been critical to the advancement of diagnostic medicine. To date, LC‐MS is the MS platform most commonly used for diagnostics; however, LC‐MS based proteomics is very labor intensive and costly to implement for high volume assays. Furthermore, when analyzing tissue samples, additional laborious sample preparation steps must be employed (e.g. extraction methods or laser microdissection). The direct analysis of cells and tissues by MALDI imaging MS has developed significant momentum for applications that have diagnostic potential. MALDI imaging MS provides molecular information from specific cell types within tissue sections; however, this laser‐based approach significantly reduces the analysis time for each location sampled. This Viewpoint discusses the technologies for direct analysis of tissues, the potential for diagnostic applications using MALDI imaging MS, and the challenges faced in the transfer of the technology to the clinical laboratory.
Identification of actin in boar epididymal spermatozoa.

Nonmusche actin has been identified in boar spermatozoa utilizing deoxyribonuchease (DNAse) and indirect immunofluorescence. The specificity of the labeling technique was verified by labeling of fibroblasts, by dependence on DNAse and by cmpetition with muscle actin. Actin was local ized in two places in boar spermatozoa: the postacrosomal region and the cytoplasmic droplet. The postacrosomal actin was not in filament bundles and did not meaningfully change location during transit from the testis to seminal plasma. Actin in the cytoplasmic droplet also was not in filament bundles nor could a contractile ring be identified in droplets pinching off cauda epi didymal spermatozoa. Spermatids with caps and vestments of Sertohi cells labeled very brightly, indicating a role for actin in spermiogenesis. A role for sperm actin in capacitation and fertilization is discussed.
Light reductions drive macroinvertebrate changes in Amphibolis griffithii seagrass habitat

Numerous anthropogenic activities can significantly reduce the amount of light reach- ing seagrass habitats. Typically these result in morphological and physiological changes to the plant and associated algal epiphytes. However, the flow-on effects to seagrass-dependent fauna induced by these disturbances has yet to be examined. This study investigated the effects of different light reduction intensity (high: ~92% reduction; moderate: ~84% reduction), duration (3, 6 and 9 mo) and timing (post-winter and post-summer) on the density and biomass of macroinvertebrate epifauna within an Amphibolis griffithii seagrass ecosystem (Western Australia). There were generally lower epifauna densities and biomass within shaded seagrass plots. When moderate intensity shading was imposed at the end of winter, total density in unshaded controls was 31% lower at 3 mo, and 78% lower at 9 mo. When high intensity shading was imposed, total density was 38% lower than in con- trols at 3 mo, and 89% lower by 9 mo. Although densities varied, similar magnitudes of decline occurred in post-summer shaded treatments. Taxa-specific responses were variable in terms of time, rapidity and magnitude of response. Amphipod, isopod and gastropod densities generally declined in response to shading. Bivalve densities declined with shading post-summer, but not post-winter. Ostracod densities had an inconsistent response to moderate shading. Changes in epifaunal density were largely associated with declines in algal biomass, leaf variables and stem biomass, indicating food and habitat limitations. It is likely that the significant declines in epifauna observed in this experiment would have flow-on consequences to higher trophic levels.
Pharmacological manipulation of Ins ( 1 , 4 , 5 ) P 3 signaling mimics preconditioning in rabbit heart

ANNE GYSEMBERGH,1 STÉPHANIE LEMAIRE,2 CHRISTOPHE PIOT,2 CATHERINE SPORTOUCH,2 SYLVAIN RICHARD,2 ROBERT A. KLONER,1 AND KARIN PRZYKLENK1 1Heart Institute, Good Samaritan Hospital and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90017-2395; and 2Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPR 1142, Montpellier, France Gysembergh, Anne, Stéphanie Lemaire, Christophe Piot, Catherine Sportouch, Sylvain Richard, Robert A. Kloner, and Karin Przyklenk. Pharmacological manipulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 signaling mimics preconditioning in rabbit heart. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 46): H2458– H2469, 1999. —Recent evidence revealed biphasic alterations in myocardial concentrations of the second messenger inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] with ischemic preconditioning (PC), i.e., increase during brief PC ischemia and decrease early during sustained test occlusion. Our aim was to determine whether an agonist and an antagonist of Ins(1,4,5)P3 signaling 5D-myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate hexasodium salt [D-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3] and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB), respectively6, given such that they mimic this biphasic profile, would mimic infarct size reduction with PC. To test this concept, isolated, buffer-perfused rabbit hearts received no intervention (control), ischemic PC, D-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3, D-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3 1 PC, 2-APB, or 2-APB 1 PC. All hearts then underwent 30-min coronary occlusion and 2 h reflow, and infarct size was delineated by tetrazolium staining. In addition, the effects of D-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3 and 2-APB on Ins(1,4,5)P3 signaling were evaluated in isolated fura 2-loaded rat cardiomyocytes. Mean infarct size was reduced with PC and in all D-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3and 2-APB-treated groups versus control (59 and 42–55%, respectively, vs. 80% of myocardium at risk, P , 0.05). Thus pharmacological manipulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 signaling mimics the cardioprotection achieved with ischemic PC in rabbit heart.
Reinstatement of the corticioid genus Leifia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) with a new species L.brevispora from Hubei, Central China

Abstract The monotypic genus Leifia was previously considered to be a later synonym of Odonticium. With the morphological and phylogenetic evidence provided by an additional four East Asian specimens, we propose to reinstate Leifia as an independent genus in Hymenochaetales. Leifia morphologically differs from Odonticium by its grandinioid hymenophore with hyphal strands, numerous thick-walled cystidia with an invaginated apical end and narrowly and thick-walled basidia. The phylogeny generated from the current data set of ITS and 28S regions indicates that Leifia forms a sister clade to Odonticium. Besides the generic type Leifiaflabelliradiata in the Leifia clade, two specimens, collected from Hubei, Central China, are newly introduced as Leifiabrevispora. This new species is the second species of Leifia and differs from the generic type by its shorter basidiospores and distribution in warm-temperate to subtropical areas in East Asia. The additional two specimens, collected from Da Lat, Viet Nam, differ morphologically, both from each other and from known species of Leifia, but more samples need to be examined before further taxonomic decisions can be made.
Charting the landscape of enterprise architecture management

Todays enterprises are faced with the challenge of an ever changing environment, which they continuously have to adapt to. A commonly accepted means to support an enterprise in the transformation process and furthermore enhance the alignment between business and IT is enterprise architecture (EA) management, which provides a holistic perspective on the enterprise. In order to support an enterprise in the transformation process, EA management creates architectural descriptions of current, planned, and future states of the enterprise. Reflecting the aforementioned importance of EA management a plurality of approaches for establishing an EA management function in an enterprise have been proposed by researchers, practitioners, and standardization bodies. The approaches vary widely in respect to the proposed methods, models, and languages. The objective of this article is to analyze the state-of-theart in EA and EA management respectively. Therefore, an extensive literature survey on publications in the area is performed. Criteria for the analysis are inter alia the distribu10 International Conference on Wirtschaftsinformatik, 16 − 18 February 2011, Zurich, Switzerland tion of papers over time, their regional distribution, type of publication, number of references of an article, and the involved authors groups. Thereby the article seeks to give an overview on the current research occupation in the field of EA management.
Analysis of Protein Stability and Ligand Interactions by Thermal Shift Assay

Purification of recombinant proteins for biochemical assays and structural studies is time‐consuming and presents inherent difficulties that depend on the optimization of protein stability. The use of dyes to monitor thermal denaturation of proteins with sensitive fluorescence detection enables rapid and inexpensive determination of protein stability using real‐time PCR instruments. By screening a wide range of solution conditions and additives in a 96‐well format, the thermal shift assay easily identifies conditions that significantly enhance the stability of recombinant proteins. The same approach can be used as an initial low‐cost screen to discover new protein‐ligand interactions by capitalizing on increases in protein stability that typically occur upon ligand binding. This unit presents a methodological workflow for small‐scale, high‐throughput thermal denaturation of recombinant proteins in the presence of SYPRO Orange dye. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bagremycin Antibiotics and Ferroverdin iron-chelators are synthetized by the Same Gene Cluster

Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are organized groups of genes involved in the production of specialized metabolites. Typically, one BGC is responsible for the production of one or several similar compounds with bioactivities that usually only vary in terms of strength and/or specificity. Here we show that the previously described ferroverdins and bagremycins, which are families of metabolites with different bioactivities, are produced from the same BGC, whereby the fate of the biosynthetic pathway depends on iron availability. Under conditions of iron depletion, the monomeric bagremycins are formed, which are amino-aromatic antibiotics resulting from the condensation of 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid with p-vinylphenol. Conversely, when iron is abundantly available, the biosynthetic pathway additionally produces a molecule based on p-vinylphenyl-3-nitroso-4-hydroxybenzoate, which complexes iron to form the trimeric ferroverdins that have anticholesterol activity. Thus our work challenges the concept that BGCs should produce a single family of molecules with one type of bioactivity, the occurrence of the different metabolites being triggered by the environmental conditions.
In-silico simulation towards anti-HIV drug discovery : A tool in the hour of need

Copyright © 2011 Green Earth Research Foundation In-silico simulation towards anti-HIV drug discovery: A tool in the hour of need Ananda Kumar Konreddy,1# Tuniki Balaraju,1# Nivedita Jena,2 Naresh Chandra Bal,2 Chandralata Bal1* and Ashoke Sharon1* 1Department of Applied Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Jharkhand, India. 2College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. 3Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
The effects of seasonality on host–bat fly ecological networks in a temperate mountain cave

SUMMARY Changes in the specialization of parasite–host interactions will be influenced by variations in host species composition. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing the composition of bats and bat flies within a roost cave over one annual. Five bat and five bat fly species occupied the cave over the course of the study. Bat species composition was 40% different in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons. Despite the incorporation of three new bat species into the cave during the rainy season, bat fly species composition was not affected by seasonality, since the bats that arrived in the rainy season only contributed one new bat fly species at a low prevalence. Bat–bat fly ecological networks were less specialized in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons because of the increase of host overlap among bat fly species during this season. This study suggests that seasonality promote: (1) differences in host species composition, and (2) a reduction in the specialization of host–parasite ecological networks.
Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of purulent nasopharyngitis in children

Cultures of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were obtained from the inferior nasal meatus of 25 children with purulent nasopharyngitis and from 25 controls. Microorganisms were isolated from all specimens. A total of 98 isolates (3.9 per patient), 45 aerobes (1.8 per patient) and 53 anaerobes (2.1 per patient), were isolated in patients with purulent nasopharyngitis. Seventy-three isolates (2.9 per patient), 47 aerobes (1.9 per patient) and 26 anaerobes (1.0 per patient) were found in the controls. The organisms recovered in statistically significantly higher numbers in patients with nasopharyngitis were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus sp. , Peptostreptococcus spp. , Fusobacterium spp. , and Bacteroides spp. The organisms recovered in significantly higher numbers in controls were Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes. beta-Lactamase activity was detected in 19 isolates recovered from 15 individuals (9 patients and 6 controls). These findings demonstrate the aerobic-anaerobic polymicrobial flora associated with purulent nasopharyngitis. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the pathogenic role of these organisms in this condition.