Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The α1β1 and αEβ7 Integrins Define a Subset of Dendritic Cells in Peripheral Lymph Nodes with Unique Adhesive and Antigen Uptake Properties 1

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous population of APCs with critical roles in T cell activation and immune regulation. We report in this study the identification and characterization of a novel subset of DCs resident in skin-draining peripheral lymph nodes of normal mice. This subset of CD11chighCD40highCD8αintermediate (int) DCs expresses the collagen-binding integrin, α1β1, and the E-cadherin-binding integrin, αEβ7. Although α1β1 and αEβ7 are also expressed on CD11chighCD40intCD8αhigh lymphoid DCs, CD11chighCD40highCD8αint DCs demonstrate preferential integrin-mediated adhesion to collagen and fibronectin. This DC subset most likely acquires expression of these integrins in peripheral lymph node, as this subset is not found in the spleen or mesenteric lymph node, and recent DC migrants from the skin lack expression of α1β1 and αEβ7 integrins. Resident CD40high DCs express α1β1 integrin and colocalize with collagen in lymph nodes. When compared with CD11chighCD40highCD8αint DCs lacking expression of these integrins, the α1β1+αEβ7+ DC subset exhibits more efficient formation of Ag-independent conjugates with T cells, and a decreased ability to acquire soluble Ag. Thus, the α1β1 and αEβ7 integrins define a unique population of peripheral lymph node-derived DCs with altered functional properties and adhesive potential that localizes these cells to sites in lymph nodes where Ag presentation to T cells occurs.
Fenoxycarb modulates ecdysone receptor B1 and programmed cell death of the anterior silk gland of silkworm Bombyx mori

Fenoxycarb, O‐ethyl N‐(2‐(4‐phenoxyphenoxy)‐ethyl) carbamate has been shown to be one of the most potent juvenile hormone analogues against a variety of insect species. In the present study, topical application of fenoxycarb to fifth‐instar larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) was performed immediately after the fourth ecdysis (on day 0), day 3 and day 6 of the instar and then its effects on the anterior silk glands (ASG) and ecdysone receptor B1 (EcR‐B1) protein were investigated during larval pupal development. Fenoxycarb application increased the instar length and prevented metamorphic events, depending on the application time. The ASGs of B. mori undergo programmed cell death during the larval–pupal metamorphosis and an insect steroid, 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E), triggers this cell death. The exact mechanism by which 20E and juvenile hormone regulates programmed cell death in insect tissues is poorly understood. To gain insights into how juvenile hormone regulates metamorphic events like programmed cell death in the anterior silk glands, we analyzed the progression of programmed cell death with morphological observations and biochemical experiments like acid phosphatase activity and DNA electrophoresis. Then we examined the EcR‐B1 protein levels and their relationships with programmed cell death. Our results indicated that fenoxycarb modulates programmed cell death of the anterior silk glands and EcR‐B1 protein level, depending on the application time. Fenoxycarb may exhibit its effects in at least two different ways: (i) acting on prothoracic gland secretory activity; and/or (ii) regulation of EcR‐B1 expression in the anterior silk glands for programmed cell death process.
Rubus leaf regeneration and micropropagation of virus infected raspberry

approved: . _ . Barbara M. Reed An in vitro regeneration system was developed for leaf explants of Rubus cultivars. Adventitious shoots were successfully produced on thirteen economically important cultivars with varying ploidy levels: Cherokee (4X), Chester (4X), Hull Thomless (4X), Kotata (7X), Marion (6X), Navaho (4X), Shawnee (4X), Thomless Evergreen (4X), and Waldo (6X) blackberries and Autumn Bliss (2X), Heritage (2X), Latham (2X), and Watson (RubyTM) (2X) raspberries. In-vitro cultured plantlets were pretreated with 1 ^M thidiazuron (TDZ) on NCGR-RUB medium for three weeks. The top four to six young leaves with petioles removed were placed on regeneration medium (RM) with indole-3butyric acid (IBA) and either N^-benzyladenine (BA) or TDZ for one week in the dark followed by 16-hour light. RM without IBA induced a significantly higher percentage of regeneration, more shoots per explant, and less callus compared to 0.5 pM IBA BA (10 MM) was more effective than TDZ for leaf regeneration in vitro from most Rubus cultivars. The addition of the iron chelate, sequestrene, to the second RM increased regeneration of heptaploid 'Kotata' and hexaploid 'Marion' by 60%. Agar, Gelrite, and agar-Gelrite combined had no significant effects on regeneration of 'Kotata', 'Marion', and 'Navaho' blackberries. Silver nitrate (AgNOs) did not influence shoot regeneration for four blackberry cultivars, but when included in the first RM significantly reduced callus formation. In vitro shoot regeneration ofRubus is highly genotype dependent, but berry type and ploidy level of 13 cultivars we screened did not influence the process. Virus infected plants are often symptomless and explant sources used for tissue culture research are rarely tested for viruses. Single and multiple virus infected greenhousegrown plants were graft-inoculated and maintained as virus stock cultures. Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), tomato ringspot virus (TomRS V), and tobacco streak virus (TSV) infected in vitro 'Mailing Landmark' raspberry cultures were tested for multiplication and growth. Virus status was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and bioassay, and reconfirmed before and after multiplication tests. No symptoms were observed on greenhouse stock plants except one with three-virus infection (RBDV + TomRSV + TSV) which was stunted and had yellow leaves. In vitro multiplication of plantlets with multi-virus infections (2and 3-virus combinations) was significantly reduced. No obvious differences were displayed for in vitro shoot height and morphology. We recommend using virus-free plantlets for in vitro experiments. ©Copyright by Chih-wei V. Tsao April 27, 1999 All Rights Reserved RUBUS LEAF REGENERATION AND MICROPROPAGATION OF VIRUS INFECTED RASPBERRY
Homocysteine potentiates β‐amyloid neurotoxicity: role of oxidative stress

The cause of neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has not been completely clarified, but has been variously attributed to increases in cytosolic calcium and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The β‐amyloid fragment (Aβ) of the amyloid precursor protein induces calcium influx, ROS and apoptosis. Homocysteine (HC), a neurotoxic amino acid that accumulates in neurological disorders including AD, also induces calcium influx and oxidative stress, which has been shown to enhance neuronal excitotoxicity, leading to apoptosis. We examined the possibility that HC may augment Aβ neurotoxicity. HC potentiated the Aβ‐induced increase in cytosolic calcium and apoptosis in differentiated SH‐SY‐5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The antioxidant vitamin E and the glutathione precursor N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine blocked apoptosis following cotreatment with HC and Aβ, indicating that apoptosis is associated with oxidative stress. These findings underscore that moderate accumulation of excitotoxins at concentrations that alone do not appear to initiate adverse events may enhance the effects of other factors known to cause neurodegeneration such as Aβ.
Distributed Computing Made Secure: A New Cycle Cover Theorem

In the area of distributed graph algorithms a number of network's entities with local views solve some computational task by exchanging messages with their neighbors. Quite unfortunately, an inherent property of most existing distributed algorithms is that throughout the course of their execution, the nodes get to learn not only their own output but rather learn quite a lot on the inputs or outputs of many other entities. While being quite an unfamiliar notion in the classical distributed setting, the notion of secure multi-party computation (MPC) is one of the main themes in the Cryptography community. Yet despite all extensive work in the area, no existing algorithm fits the framework of classical distributed models. In this paper, we introduce a new framework for \emph{secure distributed graph algorithms} and provide the first \emph{general compiler} that takes any "natural" non-secure distributed algorithm that runs in $r$ rounds, and turns it into a secure algorithm that runs in $\widetilde{O}(r \cdot D \cdot poly(\Delta))$ rounds where $\Delta$ is the maximum degree in the graph and $D$ is its diameter. We also show that this is nearly (existentially) optimal for any round-by-round compiler for bounded degree graphs. The main technical part of our compiler is based on a new cycle cover theorem: We show that the edges of every bridgeless graph $G$ of diameter $D$ can be covered by a collection of cycles such that each cycle is of length $\widetilde{O}(D)$ and each edge of the graph $G$ appears in $\widetilde{O}(1)$ many cycles. In fact, our construction can be made instance optimal with respect to each single edge. As a result, our compiler becomes instance optimal for bounded degree graphs.
Mode of action of maculosin, a host-specific phytotoxin, produced by Alternaria alternata on spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa L.)

Maculosin [diketopiperazine, cyclo (L-Pro-L-Tyr)] is a host-specific phytotoxin produced by Alternaria alternata on spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa L.). This study involves its putative receptor, cellular effects and its fate in the host plant. Initially, 14C-maculosin was synthesized by organic methods. The purity and structure were identified by HPLC, NMR and MS. Host leaves possessed maculosin-binding activity in the cytosolic and membrane fraction and most of the binding activity was recovered from the cytosolic fraction. The binding component was identified as a protein because of its heat-lability and sensitivity to proteases. A 16-fold purification of toxin-binding protein was carried out by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-200 column, and maculosin-affinity chromatography. The affinity column was prepared with epoxy activated Sepharose 6B to which the phenolic group of maculosin was attached. Furthermore, the &aplha;-amino group of tyrosine was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. However, the tyrosine affinity column did not bind any cytosolic proteins. The molecular weight of maculosin-binding protein was estimated as 604 kdaltons and the receptor contained more than one binding protein. One of the maculosin-binding proteins was identified as ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase. Metabolites of maculosin were analyzed 5 days after treatment of 14C-maculosin on detached leaves. Maculosin was converted to three polar compounds (M-l, M-2, and M-3). The major metabolite (M-2) was purified and identified as maculosin β-O-D-glucoside. M-3 metabolite was surmised as one of the dipeptides (L-Pro-L-Tyr-OH or L-Tyr-L-Pro-OH), the hydrolyzed products of diketopiperazine (maculosin). The conversion mechanism was enzymatically mediated. The formation of maculosin β-O-glucoside was identified as a biologically inactive intermediate compound which is converted to a methanol insoluble complex in the leaves of spotted knapweed. In oats (monocot), the metabolism of maculosin was the same as in spotted knapweed. MODE OF ACTION OF MACULOSIN, A HOST-SPECIFIC PHYTOTOXIN, PRODUCED BY ALTERNARIA ALTERNATA ON SPOTTED KNAPWEED CCENTAUREA MACULOSA L. )
Veterinary Clinical Parasitology

Preface Acknowledgments Authors Chapter 1 Fecal Examination In The Diagnosis Of Parasitism Collection of Fecal Samples Fecal Exam Procedures Use of the Microscope Techniques for Evaluation of Strongylid Nematodes in Grazing Animals Identification of Adult Worms Parasites of Domestic Animals Dogs and Cats Ruminants and Camelids Horses Swine Birds Rodents and Rabbits ReptilesChapter 2 Detection of Protozoan and Helminth Parasites in the Urinary,Reproductive and Integumentary Systems Techniques for Parasite Recovery Urinary System Parasites Reproductive System Parasites Integumentary SystemChapter 3 Detection of Parasites in the Blood Immunologic Detection of Blood Parasites Microscopic Examination of Blood for Protozoan Parasites Microscopic Examination of Blood for Nematode Parasites Blood Parasites of Domestic AnimalsChapter 4 Diagnosis of Arthropod Parasites Subclass Acari (Mites and Ticks) Mite Identification Tick Identification Class Insecta Lice (Orders Anoplura and Mallophaga) Fleas (Order Siphonaptera) Flies (Order Diptera) Other InsectsChapter 5 Parasites of FishSelected and Cited ReferencesIndex
EFFECT OF SURFACTANT, SOLVENT AND STIRRING RATE ON THE SYNTHESIS OF SILICA NANOPARTICLES ENTRAPPED RIFAMPICIN

In this study, silica nanoparticles entrapped with rifampicin has successfully been synthesized by using micelles entrapment approach. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of synthesis parameters; surfactant (Tween 80), solvent (water) and stirring rate on the particles size and distribution of silica nanoparticles entrapped rifampicin. The results showed that without surfactant, larger mean particles (176.4 nm to 207.70 nm) of silica nanoparticles were produced while uniform and smaller spherical particles sizes (42.37 nm -70.44 nm) were formed with the addition of surfactant. But, when the amount of surfactant increased from 3.0 g to 9.0 g, larger silica nanoparticles with uniform size and thinner walls were observed until critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactant equivalent to 11.0 g was reached. The effect of water content shows the particle size slightly increased from 55.92 nm to 56.99 nm when the water content was increased from 150 mL to 200 mL, and decreased rapidly from 56.99 nm to 18.55 nm as the amount of water was increased from 200 mL to 350 mL. Meanwhile, for the effect of stirring rate, the mean particles sizes were recorded in the range of 39.11 to 80.15 nm. The largest size was observed at the lowest stirring rate (120 rpm) and the smallest size was observed at the highest stirring rate (520 rpm). The significant effect of these synthesis parameters can be used in developing a rational basis in tuning the size of silica nanoparticles for drug delivery system.
An assessment of entrepreneurial orientation in selected municipalities in the North West Province

The study is based on the assessment of entrepreneurial orientation on selected municipalities in the North West province. The South African Constitution, 1996, brought into existence the local government as the centre of delivery for basic services to the people. The local government in South Africa is therefore entrusted with meeting the needs of communities. Local government is strategically place at local level to respond to the needs of local communities. The current state of local government in South Africa shows some improvements and at the same time some serious deficiencies. The local government is unable to fulfill its constitutional mandate of rendering services to the people. In order for the local government to deliver on the ever increasing demands, it will have to operate in an entrepreneurial way. Literature review was conducted to interrogate and make an assessment of entrepreneurial orientation on selected municipalities in the North West Province. The five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation were explored. The purpose was to establish the impact on entrepreneurial orientation on municipalities. The empirical study was done by using and adjusting the questionnaire that was developed by Nkhumishe (2016: 63), and Vander Merwe (2013: 15). The questionnaires were hand delivered to selected municipalities in the North West. A total of 75 questionnaires were returned but only 69 were deemed usable for the study. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to measure reliability. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn to determine possible actions and steps which will improve entrepreneurial orientation in municipalities based on the empirical data obtained.
Ação de bioestimulante no desempenho agronômico de milho e feijão = Biostimulant action on agronomic efficiency of corn and common beans

Os biorreguladores tem sido amplamente aplicados na producao agricola, e desempenham um papel importante, no crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas, principalmente em culturas de alto nivel tecnologico. Dessa forma, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o desempenho agronomico das plantas e o seu rendimento com uso de bioestimulante nas culturas do milho e do feijao. Foram realizados dois experimentos independentes, com a cultura do milho e do feijao, em que os tratamentos utilizados constituiram-se de diferentes doses e formas de aplicacao (tratamento de sementes, pulverizacao na fileira de semeadura e pulverizacao foliar). O produto utilizado e composto de 0,5 g L-1 acido indol butirico, 0,9 g L-1 de cinetina e 0,5 g L-1 de acido giberelico. Avaliaram-se as caracteristicas: numero medio de plantas por metro; diâmetro dos colmos; numero de fileiras de graos por espiga; numero de graos por fileira; numero de graos por espiga; massa de mil graos e producao de graos na cultura do milho e numero medio de plantas por metro; numero de vagens por planta; numero de graos por planta; massa de mil graos e producao de graos na cultura do feijao. Conclui-se que o uso de bioestimulante, em milho, proporciona aumento do diâmetro do colmo das plantas de milho, numero de graos por fileira e numero de graos por espiga, porem nao interfere o rendimento da cultura. Em feijao, o uso de bioestimulantes, nas diferentes doses e formas de aplicacao aumenta o numero de graos por planta e a producao de graos.
Identifying Genes Responsible for Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer

textabstractBreast cancer is one of the leading causes of death of women in western countries. It affects one out of eight females in the USA (1) and one out of nine females in The Netherlands (www.kankerregistratie.nl) during their lifetime. Many risk factors for breast cancer have been identified including gender, familial susceptibility, age, and exposure to hormones i.e. use of exogenous hormones, young age at menarge, and high age at menopause and first pregnancy (2). Familial breast cancer accounts for 5-10% of total breast cancer. The remaining 90-95% are called “sporadic”. Occasionally breast cancer also affects males (1% of the breast-cancer incidence in women). In The Netherlands there are approximately 12000 new cases and about 3300 deaths yearly as a result of the disease. Since 1994, the mortality has slightly decreased due to earlier detection, following the introduction of the national breast cancer-screening program, and better treatment strategies (http://www.rivm.nl). Breast cancer patients may be subjected to various treatments including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, or endocrine (hormonal) therapy. Often treatment strategies are combined. Surgery forms a part of nearly every patient’s treatment for breast cancer, resulting in partial removal (lumpectomy) or total removal of the breast (mastectomy). Radiation may be used before or after surgery, and may accompany chemotherapy. In molecular targeted therapy, compounds like monoclonal antibodies or small tyrosine kinase inhibitors inhibit a specific target molecule. In contrast to conventional chemotherapy, which acts on all dividing cells generating toxic effects and damage of normal tissues, targeted drugs allow to hit, in a more specific manner, subpopulations of cells directly involved in tumor progression. Endocrine therapy works by interfering with the estrogen pathway that enhances cell-proliferation. It is applied for prevention, adjuvant therapy, and for treatment of metastatic cancers in patients with hormone receptorpositive tumors (3, 4).
Importance of the CD3γ Ectodomain Terminal β-Strand and Membrane Proximal Stalk in Thymic Development and Receptor Assembly1

CD3εγ and CD3εδ are noncovalent heterodimers; each consists of Ig-like extracellular domains associated side-to-side via paired terminal β-strands that are linked to individual subunit membrane proximal stalk segments. CD3ε, CD3γ, and CD3δ stalks contain the RxCxxCxE motif. To investigate the functional importance of a CD3 stalk and terminal β-strand, we created a CD3γ double mutant CD3γC82S/C85S and a CD3γ β-strand triple mutant CD3γQ76S/Y78A/Y79A for use in retroviral transduction of lymphoid progenitors for comparison with CD3γwt. Although both mutant CD3γ molecules reduced association with CD3ε in CD3εγ heterodimers, CD3γQ76S/Y78A/Y79A abrogated surface TCR expression whereas CD3γC82S/C85S did not. Furthermore, CD3γC82S/C85S rescued thymic development in CD3γ−/− fetal thymic organ culture. However, the numbers of double-positive and single-positive thymocytes after CD3γC82S/C85S transduction were significantly reduced despite surface pre-TCR and TCR expression comparable to that of CD3γ−/− thymocytes transduced in fetal thymic organ culture with a retrovirus harboring CD3γwt cDNA. Furthermore, double-negative thymocyte development was perturbed with attenuated double-negative 3/double-negative 4 maturation and altered surface-expressed CD3εγ, as evidenced by the loss of reactivity with CD3γ N terminus-specific antisera. Single histidine substitution of either CD3γ stalk cysteine failed to restore CD3εγ association and conformation in transient COS-7 cell transfection studies. Thus, CD3γC82 and CD3γC85 residues likely are either reduced or form a tight intrachain disulfide loop rather than contribute to a metal coordination site in conjunction with CD3εC80 and CD3εC83. The implications of these results for CD3εγ and TCR structure and signaling function are discussed.
Mechanism of plant growth promotion elicited by Bacillus sp. LKE15 in oriental melon

Development of organic fertilizers using microbial extracts is an emerging method in organic farming. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the bioactive substances in a plant growth-promoting bacterial culture, intended to enhance the growth of oriental melons (Cucumis melo L.). LKE15 was isolated from oriental melon rhizosphere soil and identified as Bacillus sp. LKE15 through 16S rDNA sequencing of the bacterial genomic DNA and a subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Bacillus sp. LKE15 was found to enhance the shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, and chlorophyll content of both dwarf rice (gibberellins [GAs]-deficient mutant, waito-C) and normal rice (active GAs biosynthesis, Hwayoungbyeo) cultivars, as compared to their controls. The presence of bioactive metabolites such as GAs (GA4, GA9, and GA34), indole-3-acetic acid, and high concentrations of phosphate in the bacterial culture filtrate (CF) significantly promote host plant growth. The plant growth-stimulating effect of CF was confirmed by the increased shoot length, root length, and plant fresh weight of oriental melon as compared to the controls. Similarly, Bacillus sp. LKE15 inoculation also enhanced plant growth but at a lower rate than CF. The increased synthesis of chlorophyll and individual amino acids and their derivatives, including taurine, aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glycine, alanine, citrulline, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, β-alanine, γ-amino-n-butyric acid, ethanolamine, 1-methylhistidine, and hydroxyproline in CF-treated plants reflected a significant increase in the growth of treated plants, as compared to the control. However, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus contents were significantly enhanced in plants treated with CF. Results of this study suggest that the availability of bioactive metabolites in the CF of Bacillus sp. LKE15 stimulates plant growth, and that treatment with the CF of Bacillus sp. LKE15 would be a useful tool for the organic farming of crop plants.