Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of host cell signaling pathways and translation factors during poxvirus infection

Poxviruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses th at replicate exclusively in the cytoplasm of infected cells in distinct sites terme d viral factories, with Vaccinia Virus (VacV) acting as the laboratory prototype for those that infect humans. Despite encoding proteins responsible for DNA replication a nd mRNA transcription, like all viruses they remain dependent on the host-cell tran slational machinery to produce viral proteins. Although recent studies have shown that V acV stimulates mTOR activity and redistributes translation factors to viral factorie s, how this is accomplished and its importance to VacV replication remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that VacV activates the PI3 ki nase (PI3K) to stimulate its downstream substrate mTOR, thereby inactivating the translational repressor protein, 4E-BP1. This provides the first evidence that VacV activates PI3K signal pathway in a manner distinct from other poxviruses studied, such as myxoma virus, which directly stimulates Akt activity in a PI3K-independent mode. Using specific inhibitors we dissect the role of various components of PI3K/Akt pa hway and show that rapamycininsensitive mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity is responsib le for stimulating the formation of the translation initiation factor, eIF4F, which drives cap-dependent translation in infected and uninfected cells. We also show that eI F4F is important but not absolutely essential for viral protein synthesis. In addition, we demonstrate that inactivation of the PI3K by either LY294002 or wortmannin does not caus e apoptosis in human or monkey cell lines. In an attempt to understand how VacV causes the red ist ibution of host translation initiation factors to viral factories, we performed immunoprecipitation-based screens and identified the product of the VacV I3L gene, th e single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein, I3 as interacting with eIF4F. We d monstrate that I3 binds eIF4G directly in vivo and in vitro within the eIF4G C-terminal domain. PAA, a DNA polymerase inhibitor that blocks viral factory form ation and entry into late stages of infection, did not significantly affect the ability of I3 to interact with eIF4F, although it did block re-localization of these factors. Cloned I3 was able to mediate the binding of initiation factors to ssDNA in cell extracts, sugge sting that I3 sequesters host translation factors within viral factories as they form. Our at tempt to recover VacV ∆I3L mutants using the Vac-Bac/ λ system was unsuccessful, suggesting that the I3L g ene product (I3) is essential during VacV infection. Overall, our results provide new insights into how VacV manipulates host signaling and translation initiation factor function and their im portance in viral protein synthesis and replication, highlighting a novel approach by a DNA virus to manipulate the host-cell translation initiation machinery.
Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and their applications in omics-research

เทคโนโลยเอนจเอสหรอ Next generation sequencing มวตถประสงคหลก เพอหาลำดบเบสทงจโนมของสงมชวตดวยวธการหาลำดบเบสแบบขนานททำไดอยางรวดเรวและมประสทธภาพ ทำใหไดขอมลลำดบเบสจำนวนมหาศาล รวมถงตนทนคาใชจายทถกลงกวาการหาลำดบเบสดวยเทคโนโลยของแซงเกอร ปจจบน เครองมอของเทคโนโลยเอนจเอสมสามรปแบบหลกทนยมใชกนอยางกวางขวาง ไดแก 454/Roche, Illumina, และ SoliD/Life Technology (ABI) โดยเครองมอตางๆ เหลาน มหลกการหาลำดบเบส รปแบบของขอมล reads และจำนวนของขอมล reads ทออกมาแตกตางกนไป รวมถงประโยชนทสามารถนำไปประยกตใชในงานวจยทเกยวของกบโอมกสไดหลากหลาย เชน การทำ de-novo sequencing, target resequencing, RNA sequencing และ metagenomics เปนตน บทความน จงนำเสนอหลกการการหาลำดบเบสของเครองมอทงสามรปแบบ (454/Roche, Solexa/Illumina และ SoliD/ABI) , การประยกตใชในงานวจยตางๆ และตวอยางโปรแกรมทใชสำหรบจดเรยงลำดบเบสทไดจากเทคโนโลยเอนจเอส เพอใหทราบถงความหลากหลายของลำดบเบสทเกดขนและนำไปสการตอบโจทยในงานวจยตางๆตอไป
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study on liver of freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus.

This investigation was aimed to det. and investigate the bimol. compn. of the liver of freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus by using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The spectrum of liver tissue is quite complex and contains several bands arising from the contribution of different functional groups belonging to proteins, lipids and other biomols. The spectral anal. showed variations in compn. of bio mols. of the liver samples at a wave no. region of 400-400 cm-1. These are obsd. in different liver samples of O. mossambicus. The total protein content of the liver samples was found to lie between 12.42 I¼g/I¼L and 18.5 I¼g/I¼L. [on SciFinder(R)]
Behavioral consequences of calcium/calmodulin kinase II inhibition in rats

CaM kinase II (CaMKII) comprises 2% of hippocampal protein and plays an important role in learning and models of neural plasticity. Previous studies have employed a variety of techniques to inhibit CaMKII to investigate its role. This includes the use of chemical inhibition, genetic mutation and antisense; all have shown limitations. In the present study, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to inhibit CaMKII in the hippocampus of rats. The goal of this project was to determine if inhibition of hippocampal CaM kinase would result in behavioral deficits consistent with the role of this kinase. Three behavioral tasks were used to assess behavioral changes associated with a lack of CaMKII in the hippocampus; an open-field task, water maze and T-maze task. An adeno-associated viral vector was used to deliver α CaMKII specific hairpins into rat hippocampi and cDNA for green fluorescent protein (GFP; marker protein). Control animals received AAV that encodes only GFP. In the open-field task, it was hypothesized that experimental rats would show changes in behavior consistent with impaired habituation. This hypothesis was supported; behaviors such as escape attempts and direct versus disorganized movement were significantly different between groups. In the water maze, it was hypothesized that experimental rats would show longer latencies to find the platform in the test phase and spend less time in the target quadrant than control rats during the probe trial. Groups did not differ significantly on latencies to the platform during the test phase but were different during the probe trial. This suggests that experimental rats may be using a non-spatial strategy to locate the platform. In the T-maze, it was hypothesized that the experimental rats would make more errors than control rats due to working memory deficits. This hypothesis was not supported. Densities of α and β subunit CaMKII bands were quantified from digitized images using a computerized densitometry program and α CaMKII was significantly reduced. GFP expression was localized to the hippocampus and extended ± 2 mm from the injection site. Intense αCaMKII staining was observed in control tissue, while staining in was markedly reduced in the experimental condition.
Mauna Kea III: Metabolic Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate Supplementation During Exercise at 4100 M Altitude.

Abstract : Twenty-nine male soldiers were divided into 3 groups to study the effects of exercise and carbohydrate supplementation on physical performance and metabolism at high altitude. All groups were provided a standard military field ration (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) containing 45% carbohydrate (CHO) was consumed ad libitum during 4 consecutive days of residence at an altitude of 4100 M. Two groups (EX and EX + CHO) exercised while at high altitude by running and walking at about 75% maximum heart rate 2h/day. The third group (SED) remained sedentary while at high altitude. One exercise group One exercise group (EX + CHO) was permitted to consume carbohydrate sweetened beverages ad libitum as a supplement (250-350 g CHO/day) to the diet. The other two groups consumed similar beverages containing a non-caloric sweetener also on an ad libitum basis. Baseline measurements of food consumption, aerobic capacity, and blood and urine metabolites were recorded for all groups during 2 days of sedentary activity at sea level prior to rapid ascent to altitude (4100 M). Mean daily caloric intakes during the 4 days of exercise at altitude were 1513 kcal (SED), 1787 kcal (EX), and 2325 kcal (EX + CHO). The EC + CHO group consumed an average of 404 g CHO/ day compared to 187 and 159 g CHO/day for the EX and SED groups respectively. The EX + CHO groups displayed a higher exercising respiratory exchanged ratio (0.81 + or - 0.01 vs 0.77 + or - 0.01), lower blood and urine beta hydroxybutyric acid and averaged 12.5% greater voluntary miles run over the course of the 4 day study. The study results confirm and extend previous studies suggesting that carbohydrate supplementation is beneficial during strenuous exercise at high altitude.
Predatory diversity of finfish species inhabiting the same ecological niche

A total of 211 specimens of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) and 169 specimens of Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) were examined for different morphological traits and stomach contents. N. japonicus has a laterally compressed and deep body, small mouth opening and villiform teeth only on the jaws, soft gill rakers with bristles, small stomach and long intestine. These adaptations are suited for predation on small preys. S. tumbil has an elongated cylindrical body, with wide mouth opening, different types of sharp depressible teeth, small spine-like gill rakers, well developed stomach and short intestine, which are again the adaptations to feed on larger preys. Both the fishes are cannibalistic and asynchronous feeders. However, N. japonicus seems to be an opportunistic feeder, predating on crustaceans (80%), fishes, cephalopods, gastropods and polychaetes while S. tumbil is more like a selective feeder, predating on fishes (90%), crustaceans and cephalopods. The study reveals that though these predators inhabit the same ecological niche of demersal waters and have the opportunity to utilize similar food resources, they are entirely different in morphology which is attributed to the difference in their diet.
The influence of Fire Weather and land use on the Fire activity of the Lake Abitibi area, eastern Canada

The fire history of two adjacent regions of the boreal forest, one characterized by logging (Ontario-510,000 ha) and the other by small scale agricultural activities (Quebec-140,000 ha), was studied before and after these regions were opened up to settlement in 1916. From a review of provincial forest fire records and the assessment of the age of fire-initiated forest stands, it appears that large but rare fires occurred during the presettlement period on both sides of the border. After 1916, due to slash and burn activities, the agricultural region (Que) had proportionally about twice the burned areas and ten times more fires than the forestry region (Ont). Despite differences in population density, road network, and land use, fire size class occurrence did not differ between landscapes overtime. However, the occurrence of fires larger than 100 ha, considering three development phases (1916-1939; 1940-1969; 1970-1998), decreased in both regions from settlement to the present, particularly during the late phase (1970-1998) in the agricultural region. An analysis of fluctuations in the Canadian forest Fire Weather Index system (FWI), a rating of fire danger severity, showed major climatic stresses at the beginning of the century (1916-1924), followed by a decrease in the occurrence of extreme FWI values. Combined with the impact of climate, which affected the annual area burned and the number of large fires in both landscapes, the results suggest that the landscape fragmentation, the increase in the percentage of deciduous trees overtime and/or effective fire detection by residents led to a decrease in the number of fires larger than 100 ha on the agricultural side for the late phase (1970-1998).
EFFECTS OF AQUATIC THERAPY ON SLEEP QUALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Contextualization: Hypertension is a disease that essentially affects the balance of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor mechanisms, causing an increase in vessels blood pressure that may compromise tissue irrigation and cause damage to the organs. Cases may develop to a severe clinical presentation and affect sleep quality and quality of life of the patients. Objective: To evaluate whether aquatic therapy has a beneficial effect on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with hypertension. Method: All patients completed Berlin, Epworth, Minichal and Pittsburgh questionnaires, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and an open questionnaire. Patients participated in twice weekly sessions of aquatic therapy for 5 months. Results: The average age of the sample was 58 ± 8 years old. There was no significant improvement in sleep quality, evaluated by Pittsburgh questionnaire (p = 0.05), however, enhancements in daytime sleepiness (p = 0.0048) as well as in the number of hours of sleep at every 24 hours (p = 0.04), quality of life (p = 0.002) and level of anxiety (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Aquatic therapy is an effective alternative therapy for improving quality of life, decreasing anxiety, daytime sleepiness and reducing the chance of developing sleep apnea.
Disponibilite vraie des acides amines et impact des pertes azotees endogenes specifiques selon la source de proteines alimentaires chez le porc

La mesure de la digestibilite ileale des acides amines (aa) est necessaire a la formulation de regimes pour le porc. Suite au processus de digestion, des proteines alimentaires indigestibles sont melangees aux proteines endogenes provenant de l'animal. La prise en compte de la fraction endogene dans le calcul de digestibilite conduit a differentes expressions de la digestibilite : apparente, vraie et reelle. La digestibilite vraie derive de l'apparente par la soustraction des pertes endogenes ileales basales determinees a l'aide d'un regime proteiprive au flux ileal total. La valeur de digestibilite vraie depend de celle de l'endogene basale. Nous avons montre que le niveau alimentaire, le vieillissement de l'operation chirurgicale et des facteurs individuels influencent les pertes endogenes basales. Une mesure individuelle des pertes endogenes basales a chaque essai est donc recommandee. Pour pouvoir discriminer ces 2 fractions, la methode de la dilution isotopique a l'#1#5n a ete evaluee soit par marquage des porcs soit par marquage des aliments (pois, issues de ble). Cette methode necessite une mesure pour chaque acide amine. Le marquage de l'animal n'est pas suffisamment informatif car les aa strictement indispensables ne sont pas enrichis. La methode par marquage des aliments conduit a une sous estimation significative de la digestibilite reelle et des pertes endogenes a cause du recyclage rapide des aa alimentaires dans les secretions. Cependant, cette methode est actuellement la seule a repondre a l'imperatif d'une mesure pour chaque aa. Les pertes endogenes mesurees avec des aliments standards sont plus importantes que les pertes endogenes basales. Grace a des bilans d'azote, nous avons montre que les pertes endogenes ont un impact negatif sur la retention tissulaire proteique. Les pertes azotees entrainent une reduction de la valeur azotee des aliments et des effluents plus eleves que les pertes alimentaires. La consequence en terme de formulation est discutee.
The Effect of Ostomate-to-Ostomate Support on Psychosocial Adaptation to Stoma

Approximately one million people in North America are living with an ostomy, and an additional 100,000 will undergo ostomy surgery annually. Persons living with ostomies, often referred to as ostomates, require specialized care and management to sustain physical health and quality of life. Fecal diversion ostomates, when compared to the general population, are more likely to experience psychological disturbance and higher levels of depression. These ostomates have reported increased loneliness, lowered self-esteem, decreased or absent libido, irritability, suicidal ideation, poor self-image, and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia. Being an ostomate has been associated with a reduction in health-related quality of life, increased social isolation, and disruption to work and travel patterns. The aim of this project was to translate existing evidence on psychosocial support groups to the ostomy patient population and explore the effect of ostomate-to-ostomate support on stomal adaptation. Ten ostomy participants provided demographic data and completed a 34-item ostomy adjustment scale, preand post-intervention, to measure acceptance of the stoma 90 days postoperatively. A paired sample t-test evaluated the influence of the ostomy support group on the participants’ ostomy adjustment scores. Participants’ mean ostomy adjustment score increased significantly from preintervention (125.6 + 27.27) to post-intervention (176.2 + 15.44), t (9) = -9.59, p = . 000. The project findings suggest that use of the ostomy support group model improves psychosocial adaptation to stoma.
Hydrogen production from biomass by integrating thermochemical and biological processes

The purpose of this research was to contribute to the development of H\(_2\) production technologies from biomass. The study integrated thermochemical processes to achieve biomass hydrolysis with biological methods to then obtain H2 by the fermentation of these hydrolysates using E. coli. Different strains of E. coli were tested under controlled conditions in 3 L scale fermentations with the aim to find the most useful strain for the fermentation process in terms of H\(_2\) produced and the subsequent hydrogen production potential of the organic acid co-products in a downstream photofermentation. Among the strains tested FTD89, FTD67 and RL009 gave the best results, however ethanol was successfully abolished by strain RL009 making this strain more suitable for long term fermentations. Model polysaccharide compounds such as starch and cellulose, and representative food and lignocellulosic wastes were hydrolysed in hot compressed water in the presence of CO\(_2\) under pressure and various temperatures to produce hydrolysates with high sugar content suitable for fermentation for H\(_2\) production. Optimum hydrolysis conditions for maximum sugar yields for each compound were determined. Fermentation of the obtained hydrolysates yielded acceptable amounts of H\(_2\) after their ‘detoxification’ with activated carbon (AC), comparable to H\(_2\) yielded by the glucose controls in all cases. The maximum yield of glucose after HCW treatment was obtained from starch at 200 °C yielding 548 g C.kg C initial starch\(^{-1}\); maximum glucose yield from cellulose was 225 g C.Kg C initial cellulose\(^{-1}\) obtained from cellulose hydrolysis at 250 °C, and the glucose yield from food waste was 45.5 g.g food waste\(^{-1}\). The main degradation product (DP) from these hydrolysates was 5 Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), whereas the main DP obtained from the lignocellulosic wastes was Furfural. Both were successfully removed by AC treatment. The best hydrolysate obtained from wastes was evaluated for H\(_2\) production at 3 L scale. Despite obtaining low H\(_2\) yields improvements would be possible and are discussed. Fermentations for H\(_2\) production at pilot plant scale were also trialled, indicating key areas for future development for successful scale up.
Are cognitive deficits associated with tobacco abstinence mediated by nicotine withdrawal

In a systematic review of the literature we identified several cognitive tasks sensitive to a period of acute abstinence (Grabski et al., under review). We now wish to determine whether these effects are indeed mediated via nicotine withdrawal. We will do this by comparing task performance of abstinent smokers receiving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with abstinent smokers receiving placebo NRT. We expect that performance of abstinent smokers receiving NRT will be different (and more similar to performance of satiated smokers) than performance of abstinent smokers receiving placebo NRT.
Power Disequilibrium Suppression in Bipolar DC Distribution Grids by Using a Series-Parallel Power Flow Controller

The unbalanced power between positive and negative poles in a bipolar DC distribution network (DC-DN) generates an unbalanced current at the neutral line, which enlarges the power losses of the system and the voltage deviation of DC loads. An unbalanced power suppression strategy based on a series-parallel power flow controller (SP-PFC) is proposed in this paper. The SP-PFC is adopted as the interconnection between two different DC-DNs. The topology and operating modes of SP-PFC are analyzed. Subsequently, SP-PFC output voltage and line current expressions under constant power control are derived. The nonlinear relationship between the output voltage and line current is linearized at the operating point. On this basis, the influences of unbalanced load and receiving-end voltage on the SP-PFC are investigated. A small-signal model of bipolar DC-DN containing an SP-PFC is established, and the system stability is analyzed. A simulation model of the bipolar DC distribution network containing an SP-PFC is built up in MATLAB/Simulink, and the effectiveness of the SP-PFC in the suppression of unbalanced power is verified.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis: Autologous Rectus Fascial Sling Versus Retropubic Midurethral Sling for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Importance There are limited data on the economic comparison between retropubic midurethral sling and autologous fascial sling. Objective This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of autologous rectus fascial sling compared with retropubic midurethral sling from both hospital and health care perspectives. Study Design A decision tree model was developed with 1 year of follow-up. We included variables such as objective success rate, complications and subsequent treatments, and retreatment for incontinence. The model included the index procedure and 1 retreatment for stress urinary incontinence. Cost estimates were calculated from both hospital and health care perspectives. The outcomes were expressed in incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) or cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). An ICER <$50,000/QALY was considered cost-effective. Results From a hospital perspective, the overall cost of retropubic midurethral sling was higher than autologous rectus fascial sling ($2,348.94 vs $2,114.06), but was more effective (0.82 vs 0.80 QALYs). The ICER was $17,452/QALY. From a health care perspective, the overall cost of autologous rectus fascial sling was higher than retropubic midurethral sling ($4,656.63 vs $4,630.47) and was less effective. Retropubic midurethral sling was the dominant strategy, with ICER of −$1,943.32/QALY. If the success rate of autologous rectus fascial sling was ≥84.39%, or the cost of retropubic midurethral sling surgery was > $2,654.36, then autologous rectus fascial sling would become cost-effective. Conclusions Retropubic midurethral sling is the cost-effective treatment from the hospital perspective and the dominant treatment from the health care perspective. However, changes in the costs and success rates of surgical procedures can alter the cost-effectiveness results.