Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NITROGEN STRESS RESPONSE OF PROCHLOROCOCCUS STRAIN PCC 9511 (OXYPHOTOBACTERIA) INVOLVES CONTRASTING REGULATION OF ntcA AND amt1 1

The ntcA and amt1 genes (encoding a transcriptional activator of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism and a high affinity ammonium transporter respectively) from the axenic Prochlorococcus strain PCC 9511 were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Cultures of this strain were exposed to nitrogen deprivation, and the expression of ntcA and amt1 was monitored along with cell density, photochemical quantum yield (as determined from Fv/Fm measurements), and cellular C:N ratios. Nitrogen deprivation led to arrested cell growth, reduced photochemical quantum yields, and increased cellular C:N ratios. Surprisingly, transcript accumulation patterns of ntcA and amt1 were not correlated. High levels of amt1 transcript were observed in both nitrogen‐replete and ‐deplete conditions. Expression of amt1 declined under severe deprivation of either phosphorus or nitrogen and showed a positive correlation with photochemical quantum yield. In contrast, ntcA expression was specifically enhanced in the absence of ammonium. High ntcA transcript levels were maintained over time and did not decline with low Fv/Fm values under severe N deprivation. Although ntcA transcript levels correlated somewhat with cellular C:N ratios, at the onset of nitrogen deprivation increases in ntcA mRNA levels occurred before increases in cellular C:N ratios. Constitutively high ammonium transporter expression together with low cellular ammonium requirements are likely to have important implications for the success of Prochlorococcus in the nitrogen‐poor oligotrophic waters where they are most abundant. The function of NtcA in Prochlorococcus strain PCC 9511 remains unclear.
Genome‐wide association study for feed efficiency in collective cage‐raised rabbits under full and restricted feeding

Summary Feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most economically and environmentally relevant traits in the animal production sector. The objective of this study was to gain knowledge about the genetic control of FE in rabbits. To this end, GWASs were conducted for individual growth under two feeding regimes (full feeding and restricted) and FE traits collected from cage groups, using 114 604 autosome SNPs segregating in 438 rabbits. Two different models were implemented: (1) an animal model with a linear regression on each SNP allele for growth trait; and (2) a two‐trait animal model, jointly fitting the performance trait and each SNP allele content, for FE traits. This last modeling strategy is a new tool applied to GWAS and allows information to be considered from non‐genotyped individuals whose contribution is relevant in the group average traits. A total of 189 SNPs in 17 chromosomal regions were declared to be significantly associated with any of the five analyzed traits at a chromosome‐wide level. In 12 of these regions, 20 candidate genes were proposed to explain the variation of the analyzed traits, including genes such as FTO, NDUFAF6 and CEBPA previously associated with growth and FE traits in monogastric species. Candidate genes associated with behavioral patterns were also identified. Overall, our results can be considered as the foundation for future functional research to unravel the actual causal mutations regulating growth and FE in rabbits.
Response of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence to drought stress in two maize cultivars

This study investigated the changes of leaf photosynthetic characteristic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameter responding to drought stress (DS) in two species of maize at elongating stage. The results of net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and light intensity response curve indicated that Pn reduced with enhanced light intensity. Photoinhibition in varying degrees appeared in different genotype varieties, and DS intensified the extent of photoinhibition. Results showed that for DS at elongating stage, Pn of the cultivar JD28 was insensitive to highlight. Pmax and Rd decreased, and physiological activity reduced obviously. Compared with JD28, JD261 decreased more. Moreover, DS resulted in decreased light compensation point (LCP) and light saturation point (LSP). And it caused highlight utilization ratio reduced but weak light use efficiency increased. JD28 had higher light use efficiency. Diurnal variation curve of Fv/Fm changed greatly in DS and there was no significant difference between the two species. DS treatments decreased photochemical quenching (qP), PhiPS2 and Fv’/Fm’, while it increased nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). The reduction of PhiPS2 was caused by the decrease of qP and Fv’/Fm’. DS treatments weakened maize leaves’ capability of assimilation, transformation and light energy utilization. JD28 could use more light than JD261 in photosynthesis. While JD261’s light use efficiency was lower, the less light used for photosynthesis and the excessive photon flux energy was dissipated in form of heat.
Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in the Morbidly Obese: The Role of Tidal Volume and Type of Abdominal Surgery

BACKGROUND: The patient who is morbidly obese is not adequately represented in the evidence recommending intraoperative low tidal volume (VT) ventilation. We aimed to explore the association between VT adjusted for ideal body weight (IBW) and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications in subjects who were morbidly obese and undergoing abdominal surgery, as well as its implications on intraoperative ventilatory variables. METHODS: We included 734 subjects with a body mass index of at least 40 kg/m2, undergoing open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery that lasted for at least 120 min. Clinical variables were obtained to estimate the preoperative pulmonary risk as well as intraoperative ventilator data to perform associations. Outcomes were defined by medical billing code diagnoses and oxygen use. All data were collected electronically by using Structured Query Language. RESULTS: The subjects received a mean VT/IBW of 9.41 mL/kg IBW, and postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 7.5% of the subjects. The occurrence of complications was correlated with the presence of several preoperative risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications. VT/IBW was not associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. This finding remained present after separating different levels of VT/IBW. In a multivariate analysis, only laparoscopic surgery was an independent protective factor against postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio 0.07, 95% CI 0.01–0.55). CONCLUSIONS: VT/IBW was not associated with the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications in subjects who were morbidly obese and undergoing prolonged abdominal surgery. Future prospective studies are indicated to guide the optimum ventilation strategy for patients who are morbidly obese.
Activation of biosynthetic gene clusters by the global transcriptional regulator TRI6 in Fusarium graminearum

In F. graminearum, the transcription factor TRI6 positively regulates the trichothecene biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) leading to the production of the secondary metabolite 15‐acetyl deoxynivalenol. Secondary metabolites are not essential for survival, instead, they enable the pathogen to successfully infect its host. F. graminearum has the potential to produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites (SMs). However, given high functional specificity and energetic cost, most of these clusters remain silent, unless the organism is subjected to an environment conducive to SM production. Alternatively, secondary metabolite gene clusters (SMCs) can be activated by genetically manipulating their activators or repressors. In this study, a combination of transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses with a deletion and overexpressor mutants of TRI6 was used to establish the role of TRI6 in the regulation of several BGCs in F. graminearum. Evidence for direct and indirect regulation of BGCs by TRI6 was obtained by chromatin immunoprecipitation and yeast two‐hybrid experiments. The results showed that the trichothecene genes are under direct control, while the gramillin gene cluster is indirectly controlled by TRI6 through its interaction with the pathway‐specific transcription factor GRA2.
Teleophthalmology: an essential tool in the era of the novel coronavirus 2019.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this article is to assess the current state of teleophthalmology given the sudden surge in telemedicine demand in response to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). RECENT FINDINGS Recommendations and policies from government and national health organizations, combined with social distancing, have led to exponential increases in telemedicine use. Teleophthalmology can be integrated into ophthalmic care delivery. In the emergency room, teleophthalmology can be utilized to triage patients and diagnose common ophthalmic eye diseases. Ophthalmology practices can utilize real-time medicine to conduct many parts of an in-person exam. In cases where more complex diagnostic tools are warranted, a model incorporating telemedicine and focused in-person visits may still be beneficial. Innovative technologies emerging in the market allow for increased remote monitoring, screening, and management of adult and pediatric patients for common eye diseases. SUMMARY COVID-19 created a demand for healthcare delivery that limits in-person examination and potential viral exposure. Teleophthalmology allows ophthalmologists to continue caring for patients while keeping physicians and patients safe. Although challenges still exist, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of teleophthalmology. As a result, teleophthalmology will play an integral role in providing high-quality efficient care in the near future.
Pattern of climate connectivity and equivalent niche of Triatominae species of the Phyllosoma complex

The Phyllosoma complex is a Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) group of medical importance involved in Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) transmission. Most of the members of this group are endemic and sympatric species with distribution in Mexico and the southern U.S.A. We employed MaxEnt to construct ecological niche models of nine species of Triatominae to test three hypothesis: (a) whether species with a broad climatic niche breadth occupy a broader geographical range than species with a narrow climatic breadth, (b) whether species with broad distribution present high degree of climatic fragmentation/isolation, which was tested through landscape metrics; and (c) whether the species share the same climatic niche space (niche conservatism) considered through an equivalence test implemented in ENMtools. Overall, our results suggest that the geographical distribution of this complex is influenced mainly by temperature seasonality where all suitable areas are places of current and potential transmission of T. cruzi. Niche breadth in the Phyllosoma complex is associated with the geographical distribution range, and the geographical range affects the climatic connectivity. We found no strong evidence of niche climatic divergence in members of this complex. We discuss the epidemiological implications of these results.
Low-dose spectral CT reconstruction based on image-gradient L0-norm and adaptive spectral PICCS

The photon-counting detector based spectral computed tomography (CT) is promising for lesion detection, tissue characterization, and material decomposition. However, the lower signal-to-noise ratio within multi-energy projection dataset can result in poorly reconstructed image quality. Recently, as prior information, a high-quality spectral mean image was introduced into the prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) framework to suppress noise, leading to spectral PICCS (SPICCS). In the original SPICCS model, the image gradient L1-norm is employed, and it can cause blurred edge structures in the reconstructed images. Encouraged by the advantages in edge preservation and finer structure recovering, the image gradient L0-norm was incorporated into the PICCS model. Furthermore, due to the difference of energy spectrum in different channels, a weighting factor is introduced and adaptively adjusted for different channel-wise images, leading to an L0-norm based adaptive SPICCS (L0-ASPICCS) algorithm for low-dose spectral CT reconstruction. The split-Bregman method is employed to minimize the objective function. Extensive numerical simulations and physical phantom experiments are performed to evaluate the proposed method. By comparing with the state-of-the-art algorithms, such as the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique, total variation minimization, and SPICCS, the advantages of our proposed method are demonstrated in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation results.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new pyrazoloquinazoline derivatives as dual COX‐2/5‐LOX inhibitors

A new series of pyrazoloquinazoline derivatives equipped with different chalcones was designed, synthesized, and identified through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and infrared spectroscopic techniques. Our design strategy of the quinazolinone‐privileged scaffold as a new scaffold was based on merging pharmacophores previously reported to exhibit cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2)/5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LOX) inhibitory activity. All the newly synthesized derivatives were biologically evaluated for COX and 5‐LOX inhibitory activity and COX‐2 selectivity, using celecoxib and zileuton as reference drugs, as they exhibited promising anti‐inflammatory activity. Compound 3j was found to be the most promising derivative, with IC50 values of 667 and 47 nM against COX‐1 and COX‐2, respectively, which are superior to that of celecoxib (IC50 value against COX‐2 = 95 nM), showing an SI of 14.2 that was much better than celecoxib. Compounds 3f and 3h exhibited COX‐1 inhibition, with IC50 values of 1,485 and 684 nM, respectively. The synthesized compounds showed a significant inhibitory activity against 5‐LOX, with IC50 values ranging from 0.6 to 4.3 µM, where compounds 3f and 3h were found to be the most potent derivatives, with IC50 values of 0.6 and 1.0 µM, respectively, in comparison with that of zileuton (IC50 = 0.8 µM). These promising derivatives, 3f, 3h, and 3j, were further investigated in vivo for anti‐inflammatory, gastric ulcerogenic effects, and prostaglandin production (PGE2) in rat serum. The molecular docking studies concerning the binding sites of COX‐2 and 5‐LOX revealed similar orientation, compared with reported inhibitors, which encouraged us to design new leads targeting COX‐2 and 5‐LOX as dual inhibitors, as a new avenue in anti‐inflammatory therapy.
Deep-sea wood-boring bivalves of Xylophaga (Myoida: Pholadidae) on the Continental Shelf: a new species described

Deep-sea organisms are generally considered to be restricted to the great ocean depths, unable to enter shallower habitats except perhaps at the isothermic polar latitudes, due to physiological constraints, or more intense biotic interactions. Wood-boring bivalves of Xylophaga, however, are here shown to be exceptional. A clade, formally recognized by Turner in 2002, united by the derived characters of a complex mesoplax and a truncated excurrent siphon, papillose incurrent siphon with a longitudinal dorsal trough bordered by lappets, and often carrying white or glass-like granules, occurs at significantly shallower and warmer depths than do other species of the genus. Here, description of the new species X. multichela from 106 m depth off the Pacific coast of Guatemala illustrates the characters that unite the clade. Because wood-boring bivalves face intense competition and high levels of predation at depths of 2200 to 3250 m, they may not perceive biotic interactions at shallower depths to be dramatically more intense. In addition, members of this group are hypothesized to tolerate reduced oxygen availability, a requisite if animals are to occur in warm waters.
Disentangling the Happiness Effects of Natural Disasters: The Mitigating Effects of Charitable Donations

In happiness economics the negative effect of natural disasters on subjective well-being (SWB) tends to be underestimated by ignoring the fact that disasters also induce charitable donations which are positively related to SWB. Using data from recent Japa-nese Government Surveys on the triple disaster of March 11 (3-11) our analysis con-firms this. We find that as much as one third of the negative effects of 3-11 on SWB are mitigated by the positive effects of charitable donations. A spatial analysis further reveals that the mitigating effects of charitable donations are especially prominent in medium to close distance to the disaster area.
A genetically engineered influenza A virus with ras-dependent oncolytic properties.

The NS1 protein of influenza virus is a virulence factor that counteracts the PKR-mediated antiviral response by the host. As a consequence, influenza NS1 gene knockout virus delNS1 (an influenza A virus lacking the NS1 open reading frame) fails to replicate in normal cells but produces infectious particles in PKR-deficient cells. Because it is known that oncogenic ras induces an inhibitor of PKR, we addressed the question of whether the delNS1 virus selectively replicates in cells expressing oncogenic ras. We show that upon transfection and expression of oncogenic N-ras, cells become permissive for productive delNS1 virus replication, suggesting that the delNS1 virus has specific oncolytic properties. Viral growth in the oncogenic ras-transfected cells is associated with a reduction of PKR activation during infection. Moreover, treatment of s.c. established N-ras-expressing melanomas in severe combined immunodeficiency mice with the delNS1 virus revealed that this virus has tumor-ablative potentials. The delNS1 virus does not replicate in nonmalignant cell lines such as melanocytes, keratinocytes, or endothelial cells. The apathogenic nature of the delNS1 virus combined with the selective replication properties of this virus in oncogenic ras-expressing cells renders this virus an attractive candidate for the therapy of tumors with an activated ras-signaling pathway.
Research and Application of Mining Algorithm Based on Association Rules in Colleges Management System

This paper aims at the insufficient of Apriori association rule mining algorithm. To avoid the blind search in the process of mining and enhance the search efficiency in the collection of frequent item, we investigate the improvement of Apriori algorithm. Then, we use the algorithm for mining on data collection of the students' scores of the college of computer in a high school, and achieve good performance. The results show the associations of the scores between courses, and the impact of the sequence of courses on scores. These results can be used for reference and instruction for better works including training schemes and educational reform.
Chemical composition as a criterion in the classification of aerobic actinomycetes

ABSTRACT The information concerning the main components found in cell wall preparations and whole-cell hydrolysates of some 600 strains of aerobic actinomy-cetes is reviewed. The results show that whole-cell sugar patterns can usually be used to predict cell wall composition and that the combination of both criteria permit separation of aerobic actinomycetes into 10 taxonomically useful groups.
Good Platelets Gone Bad: The Effects of Trauma Patient Plasma on Healthy Platelet Aggregation.

BACKGROUND Altered post-injury platelet behavior is recognized in the pathophysiology of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), but the mechanisms remain largely undefined. Studies suggest that soluble factors released by injury may inhibit signaling pathways and induce structural changes in circulating platelets. Given this, we sought to examine the impact of treating healthy platelets with plasma from injured patients. We hypothesized that healthy platelets treated ex-vivo with plasma from injured patients with shock would impair platelet aggregation, while treatment with plasma from injured patients with significant injury burden, but without shock, would enhance platelet aggregation. METHODS Plasma samples were isolated from injured patients (pre-transfusion) and healthy donors at a Level I trauma center and stored at -80°C. Plasma samples from four separate patients in each of the following stratified clinical groups were used: mild injury/no shock (injury severity score [ISS] 2-15, base excess [BE]>-6), mild injury/with shock (ISS 2-15, BE≤-6), severe injury/no shock (ISS>25, BE>-6), severe injury/with shock (ISS>25, BE≤-6), minimal injury (ISS 0/1, BE>-6), and healthy. Platelets were isolated from three healthy adult males and were treated with plasma for 30 min. Aggregation was stimulated with a thrombin receptor agonist and measured via multiple-electrode platelet aggregometry. Data were normalized to HEPES Tyrode's (HT) buffer-only treated platelets. Associations of plasma treatment groups with platelet aggregation measures were tested with Mann-Whitney U Tests. RESULTS Platelets treated with plasma from patients with shock (regardless of degree of injury) had significantly impaired thrombin stimulated aggregation compared to platelets treated with plasma from patients without shock (p = 0.002). Conversely, platelets treated with plasma from patients with severe injury, but without shock, had amplified thrombin stimulated aggregation (p = 0.030). CONCLUSION Shock mediated soluble factors impair platelet aggregation, and tissue injury mediated soluble factors amplify platelet aggregation. Future characterization of these soluble factors will support development of novel treatments of TIC.
Prognostic Value of Leg Muscle Strength in Acute Heart Failure Syndrome

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Introduction Leg muscle strength (LMS) may be useful as a frailty index in patients with heart failure. However, LMS, until recently, has been indirectly estimated, and its prognostic value in acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic value of direct LMS assessment and its relationship with proinflammatory mediators in patients with AHFS. Methods We directly measured LMS at predischarge using a dynamometer in 110 prospectively and consecutively enrolled patients with AHFS (75 male; 60 ± 14 yr; mean ejection fraction, 29.9% ± 14.6%). The primary end point was cardiovascular (CV) events, defined as CV mortality, cardiac transplantation, or rehospitalization due to heart failure aggravation. Patients were divided into impaired and preserved LMS groups according to Contal and O’Quigley’s method. Results CV events occurred in 28 patients (25.5%) (including 5 CV deaths and 6 cardiac transplantations) during follow-up (median, 246 d; range = 11–888 d). Impaired LMS was associated with significantly higher levels of serum monokine induced by gamma interferon and poor clinical outcomes (P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis (controlling for age, sex, body mass index, heart failure type, hemoglobin level, N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide level, and beta-blocker use) revealed LMS as an independent predictor of CV events (P = 0.017). Conclusion Impaired LMS, which might be used as a marker of frailty, is associated with increased levels of a proinflammatory chemokine and independently predicts clinical outcomes in patients with AHFS. The direct measurement of LMS is simple and feasible and might have important implications for the risk stratification of patients with AHFS.