Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Characterization of Three Novel Tissue-specific Anion Exchangers SLC26A7, -A8, and -A9*

A second distinct family of anion exchangers, SLC26, in addition to the classical SLC4 (or anion exchanger) family, has recently been delineated. Particular interest in this gene family is stimulated by the fact that the SLC26A2, SLC26A3,and SLC26A4 genes have been recognized as the disease genes mutated in diastrophic dysplasia, congenital chloride diarrhea, and Pendred syndrome, respectively. We report the expansion of theSLC26 gene family by characterizing three novel tissue-specific members, named SLC26A7, SLC26A8, andSLC26A9, on chromosomes 8, 6, and 1, respectively. The SLC26A7–A9 proteins are structurally very similar at the amino acid level to the previous family members and show tissue-specific expression in kidney, testis, and lung, respectively. More detailed characterization by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization localized SLC26A7 to distal segments of nephrons, SLC26A8 to developing spermatocytes, and SLC26A9 to the lumenal side of the bronchiolar and alveolar epithelium of lung. Expression of SLC26A7–A9 proteins inXenopus oocytes demonstrated chloride, sulfate, and oxalate transport activity, suggesting that they encode functional anion exchangers. The functional characterization of the novel tissue-specific members may provide new insights to anion transport physiology in different parts of body.
DISRUPTIVE SELECTION ON HABITAT PREFERENCE AND THE EVOLUTION OF REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION: AN EXPLORATORY EXPERIMENT

A. pair of replicate experiments was carried out to examine the role of habitat specialization in the process of sympatric speciation. The rationale of the experimental design was that disruptive selection for habitat preference can facilitate the process of sympatric speciation by reducing an antagonistic interaction between the processes of recombination and selection.
Effects of reduced temperature on the components of human lymphocyte transformation responses to antigens

The present studies were designed to determine the site at which reduced temperature, such as that found at the skin surface, affects the lymphocyte transformation response to an antigenic stimulus. Extracts of Candida albicans and Pityrosporum orbiculare were used as antigens since most normal subjects demonstrate positive lymphocyte responses to both. Total lymphocyte transformation responses to both antigens were reduced and delayed at 34.5 as compared with 37 degrees C. The former temperature did not significantly affect the numbers of antigen-responsive cells, as estimated by limiting dilution analysis. However, the response of first-generation lymphocytes to both antigens was significantly reduced at the lower temperature. There did not seem to be any significant differences between the two antigens with respect to the effects of the reduced temperature on the resulting lymphocyte transformation response or its components. Therefore, the present data suggest that reduced temperature suppresses antigen-stimulated lymphocyte transformation by affecting the later stages of this response.
A new monoclonal antibody, mAb 204-11, that influences the binding of platelet GPVI to fibrous collagen

Summary The newly identified platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI binds to fibrous collagen, inducing platelet activation. Several antibodies against GPVI have been reported, including a patient’s auto-antibodies, that activates platelets through their ability to crosslink this glycoprotein. We have developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against GPVI using the recombinant extracellular domain of GPVI as an antigen. This antibody, mAb 204-11, induced platelet aggregation and tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins similar to those induced by GPVI-reactive proteins, collagen and convulxin. Its interaction with GPVI was analyzed by measuring the effect of the antibody on GPVI binding to collagen using a dimeric form of recombinant GPVI, GPVI-Fc2. MAb 204-11 inhibited the binding of GPVI-Fc2 to fibrous collagen particles, but enhanced the GPVI binding to immobilized collagen, suggesting that the antibody binds to a region near the collagen binding site of GPVI. MAb 204-11 also inhibited the GPVI binding to convulxin at a low concentration, but not completely. Since mAb 204-11 reacts specifically with GPVI and is applicable for immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, this antibody would be useful for studies on GPVI.
In Vivo Efficacy of Anidulafungin and Caspofungin against Candida glabrata and Association with In Vitro Potency in the Presence of Sera

ABSTRACT In vitro studies have demonstrated that anidulafungin has greater potency than caspofungin against Candida glabrata. However, data from in vivo studies demonstrating that it has superior efficacy are lacking. The objective of this study was to compare the activities of anidulafungin and caspofungin against C. glabrata in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Two clinical C. glabrata isolates were used, including one with reduced caspofungin susceptibility. MICs were determined by broth microdilution in the presence and absence of sera. For the animal studies, mice were immunosuppressed with 5-fluorouracil one day prior to intravenous inoculation. Treatment with anidulafungin and caspofungin (0, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg of body weight per day) was begun 24 h later and was continued through day 7 postinoculation. The CFU were enumerated from kidney tissue. According to the standard microdilution methodology, anidulafungin had superior in vitro activity. However, this enhanced potency was attenuated by the addition of mouse and human sera. Caspofungin reduced the kidney fungal burden at lower doses compared to that achieved with anidulafungin in mice infected with the isolate with the lower MIC. Against the strain with the elevated caspofungin MIC, both anidulafungin and caspofungin were effective in reducing the kidney fungal burden at the higher doses studied. Despite the greater in vitro activity of anidulafungin in the absence of sera, both echinocandins were similarly effective in reducing the fungal burden in kidney tissue. The superior in vitro activity of anidulafungin did not confer enhanced in vivo efficacy against C. glabrata.
OFDM for payload communications of UAS: channel estimation and ICI mitigation

For real-time transmission of high-bandwidth sensor data from an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) to the ground station (GS) in an unmanned aircraft system, a high-speed payload communication system is essential. While orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is very effective for terrestrial wideband systems, possible higher speed of UAVs or higher carrier frequencies can increase the Doppler shift, and therefore increase the inter-carrier interference (ICI) in OFDM systems. In these scenarios, the complete frequency-domain channel matrix should be estimated and used for ICI mitigation and data recovery. In this study, a time-domain pilot-based channel estimation scheme is described to estimate the entire frequency-domain channel matrix for moderate-to-high Doppler OFDM systems. Simulation results indicate that the new scheme provides better performance compared with channel estimation schemes designed for low Doppler scenarios that partially estimate the frequency-domain channel matrix. The comparison is also presented with the other full channel estimation scheme, named autoregressive scheme, showing a comparable performance with much lower complexity for the new scheme.
The Arabidopsis COBRA protein facilitates cellulose crystallization at the plasma membrane.

Background: The COBRA gene is highly coexpressed with cellulose synthase genes, but its function remains unclear. Results: COBRAlocalizesattheplasmamembraneandbindsglucanchains.NMRstudiesindicatestructuraldefectsincellulose in the mutant despite normal polymerization rate. Conclusion: COBRA functions downstream of cellulose biosynthesis. Significance: This work suggests that alignment of glucan chains into cellulose fibrils is facilitated by one or more proteins. Mutations in the Arabidopsis COBRA gene lead to defects in we present that COBRA localizes to discrete particles in the plasma membrane and is sensitive to inhibitors of cellulose synthesis, suggesting that COBRA and the cellulose synthase in close proximity on the plasma membrane.
Mutations of ZFPM2/FOG2 gene in sporadic cases of tetralogy of Fallot

Two out of 47 patients with sporadic tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the most common cyanotic conotruncal heart defect (CTD), showed heterozygous missense mutations of the ZFPM2/FOG2 gene. Knockout mice carrying mutations in the ZFPM2/FOG2 gene have similarly been found to exhibit TOF. While both mutant ZFPM2/FOG2 proteins, E30G (c.88A>G) and S657G (c.1968A>G), retain the ability to bind the partner protein GATA4 and repress GATA4 mediated gene activation, the S657G, but not the E30G, mutation is subtly impaired in this function. ZFPM2/FOG2 gene mutations may contribute to some sporadic cases of TOF. Hum Mutat 22:372–377, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A dynamic analysis of relevant variables in the Spanish economy using decomposition data series with Daubechies wavelets

We illustrate some aspects of the economic situation in Spain following the dynamic of data series of six relevant economic and financial variables: A financial index (IBEX35), a row material (Crude Oil Price in euros, COP), a foreign exchange index (EUR/USD), a bonus (Spain 10-Years, S10YB), the total state debt (Spain State Debt, SSD) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) variables (from es.investing.com, indexmundi.com, www.bde.es and www.ine.es). We analyse the decomposition of non? stationary rates monthly series in the period 2000M1-2014M12 using Daubechies wavelets db8 to visualized high frequency variance, seasonality and trend. We present several figures illustrating the decomposition in both time and frequency domains and tables containing the relevant frequency indices for the different detail series obtained.
Update on 13 Syndromes Affecting Craniofacial and Dental Structures

Care of individuals with syndromes affecting craniofacial and dental structures are mostly treated by an interdisciplinary team from early childhood on. In addition to medical and dental specialists that have a vivid interest in these syndromes and for whom these syndromes are of evident interest, experts of scientific background—like molecular and developmental geneticists, but also computational biologists and bioinformaticians—, become more frequently involved in the refined diagnostic and etiological processes of these patients. Early diagnosis is often crucial for the effective treatment of functional and developmental aspects. However, not all syndromes can be clinically identified early, especially in cases of absence of known family history. Moreover, the treatment of these patients is often complicated because of insufficient medical knowledge, and because of the dental and craniofacial developmental variations. The role of the team is crucial for the prevention, proper function, and craniofacial development which is often combined with orthognathic surgery. Although the existing literature does not provide considerable insight into this topic, this descriptive review aims to provide tools for the interdisciplinary team by giving an update on the genetics and general features, and the oral and craniofacial manifestations for early diagnosis. Clinical phenotyping together with genetic data and pathway information will ultimately pave the way for preventive strategies and therapeutic options in the future. This will improve the prognosis for better functional and aesthetic outcome for these patients and lead to a better quality of life, not only for the patients themselves but also for their families. The aim of this review is to promote interdisciplinary interaction and mutual understanding among all specialists involved in the diagnosis and therapeutic guidance of patients with these syndromal conditions in order to provide optimal personalized care in an integrated approach.
Injury severity and disability in the selection of next level of care following acute medical treatment for traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: To evaluate the association of demographic factors, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and a standardized measure of ability limitations with clinical decisions for Next Level of Care following acute hospital treatment for moderate–severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research design: A TBI Clinical Nurse specialist recorded PTA for 212 individuals and rated 159 on the Ability and Adjustment Indices of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) for comparison with clinical decisions. Main outcomes and results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that independent ratings on the MPAI-4 Ability Index and PTA were associated with the clinical decision to admit to Inpatient Rehabilitation vs discharge to Home in 92.7% of the sample; ratings on the Ability Index alone were associated with this decision in 92.2% of cases. Age over 65 was the only variable associated with discharge to a Skilled Nursing Facility, correctly predicting this decision in 64% of cases. Conclusions: Use of a standardized measure of ability limitations appears feasible to provide supportive documentation and potentially improve the consistency of decision-making in recommending Inpatient Rehabilitation vs discharge to Home. Although age is a significant factor in the decision to discharge to a Skilled Nursing Facility, this decision appears complex and merits further study.
15-DEOXY-Δ12,14-PROSTAGLANDIN J2 (15D-PGJ2), A PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR ACTIVATED RECEPTOR γ LIGAND, REDUCES TISSUE LEUKOSEQUESTRATION AND MORTALITY IN ENDOTOXIC SHOCK

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that requires ligand activation for transcription. Experimental studies have shown that 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) is a natural PPARγ ligand which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to examine the effect and the molecular mechanisms of 15d-PGJ2 on tissue neutrophil infiltration and survival in endotoxic shock. Male Swiss albino mice were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 25 mg/kg). Three hours after LPS mice received vehicle or 15d-PGJ2 (1 mg/kg) and continued treatment every 12 hours. Survival was monitored for 72 hours. In a separate experiment, mice were sacrificed 6 hours after LPS and tissue examined. In vehicle-treated mice, LPS injection resulted in a survival rate of 9%. Marked lung injury was characterized by hemorrhage, infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduction of alveolar space. Elevated levels of myeloperoxidase activity in lung and small intestine were indicative of infiltration of neutrophils. Increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were observed in the lung and small intestine. These inflammatory events were associated with reduced expression of PPARγ and with activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung. Treatment with 15d-PGJ2 improved survival rate to 55%, downregulated expression of adhesion molecules and reduced neutrophil infiltration in tissues. These beneficial effects were associated with reduced activation of NF-κB DNA binding, whereas expression and DNA binding of PPARγ and expression of the cytoprotective heat shock protein (HSP) 70 were increased in the lung. Our data demonstrate that 15d-PGJ2 ameliorates endotoxic shock most likely through repressing the proinflammatory pathway of NF-κB and enhancement of the cytoprotective heat shock response.
Everyone Happy: Living Standards in Germany 25 Years after Reunification

It is now a quarter of a century since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the gap in living standards between eastern and western Germany is still not fully closed. Admittedly, this could not realistically have been expected. Despite the increase in life satisfaction in eastern Germany, the east-west divide prevails. Evidence of this can be found in the latest data from the long-term Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study gathered by DIW Berlin in cooperation with the fieldwork organization TNS Infratest Sozialforschung. According to the SOEP data, in 2013, eastern Germans were far less happy than western Germans, although the level of life satisfaction in the east was higher than at any other point in the history of the survey, which was conducted for the first time in eastern Germany in 1990—shortly before economic, currency, and social union. Other subjective indicators reveal differences in satisfaction with household income, health, and childcare. In contrast, job satisfaction, as well as satisfaction with housing, housework, and leisure time have converged. Eastern Germans worry more about crime levels and their own financial circumstances, whereas concerns about xenophobia and employment have diminished throughout Germany. The SOEP surveys show that, according to population, living standards in Germany are now largely aligned. Despite a number of specific problems which, in the coming years, will include the development of new pensions in eastern Germany in particular, German reunification has proven to be an extraordinary success story.
Dehiscence or thinning of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal in a temporal bone survey.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and etiology of dehiscences of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal in a temporal bone archive. DESIGN A microscopic study was performed of 1000 temporal bones from 596 adults in a university hospital registry. Specimens were sectioned vertically in the plane of the superior semicircular canal. Measurements of minimum bone thickness over the superior canal were made in a subset of 108 randomly chosen specimens. All bones were examined for thinning or dehiscence relative to these norms. Clinical histories, when available, were reviewed. RESULTS Complete dehiscence of the superior canal was identified in 5 specimens (0.5%), at the middle fossa floor (n = 1) and where the superior petrosal sinus was in contact with the canal (n = 4). In 14 other specimens (1.4%), the bone at the middle fossa floor (n = 8) or superior petrosal sinus (n = 6) was no thicker than 0.1 mm, significantly less than values measured in the control specimens (P<.001). Abnormalities were typically bilateral. Specimens from infants demonstrated uniformly thin bone over the superior canal in the middle fossa at birth, with gradual thickening until 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Dehiscence of bone overlying the superior canal occurred in approximately 0.5% of temporal bone specimens (0.7% of individuals). In an additional 1.4% of specimens (1.3% of individuals), the bone was markedly thin (< or =0.1 mm), such that it might appear dehiscent even on ultra-high-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone. Sites affected were in the middle fossa floor or a deep groove for the superior petrosal sinus, often bilaterally. These abnormalities may arise from failure of postnatal bone development. Thin areas of bone over the superior canal may be predisposed to disruption by trauma.
Targeting Integrins and Adhesion Molecules to Combat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract:The etiologies of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the 2 major forms of inflammatory bowel disease in humans, remain unknown, but experimental studies suggest that inflammatory bowel disease results from interaction between environmental and genetic factors, which promotes an exaggerated and inappropriately controlled inflammatory response that is directed against normal components of the gut flora. There is also evidence that tissue damage is due to a dynamic interplay between immune and nonimmune cells, and recruitment of lymphocytes from the blood stream to the gut wall is crucial for amplifying and sustaining the ongoing mucosal inflammation. These advances have led to the development of several compounds blocking gut homing of effector lymphocytes, which have recently been used or are now ready to move into clinical practice. This article summarizes the recent data on the use of integrin-targeting and adhesion molecule–targeting therapeutics to attenuate the detrimental inflammatory response in inflammatory bowel disease.
Diabetes Mellitus After GDM

The impact of factors that influence diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) incidence rates among former gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients undermine attempts at interstudy comparisons. The recommended diagnostic standards for GDM by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are the O'Sullivan and Mahan criteria and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for IGT, which result in prevalence rates of 2.5 and 7.2%, respectively, when applied to 752 unselected pregnant women. In applying the O'Sullivan and Mahan criteria, the current open-ended definition of GDM without rules either to exclude overt diabetes uncovered by pregnancy or to require a return to a normal OGTT after pregnancy is shown to be a major source of differences in subsequent incidence rates of diabetes. For subsequent nonpregnant diagnoses, the differences between WHO and National Diabetes Data Group criteria and the allowable modifications within each of the diagnostic standards all result in different incidence rates of diabetes. Review of 12 worldwide studies of diabetes among former GDM patients indicated a wide range of incidence rates, from 19 to 87% for combined DM and IGT and 6 to 62% for DM. In applying WHO DM criteria to GDM patients and control subjects, the excess risk of diabetes among GDM patients was 18% in Copenhagen and 30.9% in Boston, MA. The potential impact of varying observation periods within studies was seen when the application of an actuarial method added a further 50% to the Boston incidence rates of both GDM patients and control subjects. Although the variability in diabetes incidence rates is wide, there is broad general agreement on the predictive nature of gestational blood glucose levels.
The Role of Oxytocin in Bovine Satellite Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Steroid hormones are reported to increase oxytocin (OXT) expression in skeletal muscle. It is possible that OXT may play essential roles in satellite cell (SC) proliferation and differentiation, which further contribute to skeletal muscle development and growth. In this dissertation, we tested this hypothesis with in-vivo and in-vitro studies in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) sheep, caloric restricted (CR) calves, tamoxifen (TAM) treated heifers, and bovine satellite cells (BSCs), respectively. In the in-vivo studies, we collected (1) longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) from IUGR sheep; (2) infraspinatus muscle (INF), LM, and semitendinosus muscle (ST) from CR calves; (3) LM muscle from TAM heifers. In all samples, mRNA abundance of targeted genes, such as OXT, were measured. Muscle fiber size and BSC number were also determined in skeletal muscle from TAM treated heifers. For the in-vitro studies, different treatments including 17β-estradiol (E2), trenbolone (TBA), TAM, OXT, and atosiban were applied to wild-type BSC and OXT knockout BSC (CRISPR-OXT) separately to investigate OXT’s functions on BSC activity. For in-vivo studies, OXT expression significantly decreased (P<0.05) in IUGR LM muscle. Caloric restriction decreased OXT expression (P<0.05) in INF, LD, and ST muscle. Expression of OXT in LM from TAM animals decreased 50% (P<0.05). Moreover, TAM caused a small statistical reduction (P<0.05) in cross-sectional area (CSA). In in-vitro studies, OXT alone increased (P<0.05) fusion index but not proliferation in the wild-type BSC, whereas both proliferation and differentiation were stimulated (P<0.05) by OXT treatment in the CRISPR-OXT cell. By contrast, E2 and TBA