Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure of the β‐glucosidase gene bglA of Clostridium thermocellum

The nucleotide sequence of the Clostridium thermocellum gene bglA, coding for the thermostable β-glucosidase A, has been determined. The coding region of 1344 bp was identified by comparison with the N-terminal amino acid squence of recombinant β-glucosidase A purified from Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponds to a protein of 51482 Da. The coding region is flanked by putative promoter and transcription terminator sequences. The protein is unrelated to β-glucosidase B of C. thermocellum, but has a high level of similarity with other bacterial β-glucosidases and phospho-β-glucosidases. Similarity is also observed with the β-galactosidase of the archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus. Unexpectedly, it was found that human lactasephlorizin hydrolase contains three copies of a sequence closely related to C. thermocellumβ-glucosidase A (up to 40% sequence identity). These diverse β-glucosidases can therefore be grouped into an enzyme family (BGA) of common structural design. Sequence comparison by hydrophobic cluster analysis revealed that all BGA enzymes share a well conserved region which is homologous to the catalytic domain of the widely distributed cellulase family A. A distinctive feature of this domain is the sequence motif His – Ans-Glu-Pro in which the catalytic residues His and Glu are separated by 35–55 amino acid residues. The cellulase family A and the β-glucosidase family BGA might thus be considered as members of a protein super-family comprising β-glucanases and β-glycosidases from all three primary kingdoms of living organisms.
Identification and analysis of Rab8 mutants: genetic enhancers of a Drosophila model of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with preferential atrophic degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It is the second most prevalent early onset dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease, displaying an average age of onset between 45 and 65 years. FTD has a strong genetic association, with a positive familial history in approximately 50% of cases and autosomal dominance in up to 20%. One gene associated with the disease is Chromatin Modifying Protein 2B (CHMP2B). CHMP2B encodes a key component of Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport III (ESCRT-III), which in turn is involved in the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies at the late endosome. Here we demonstrate Rab8 mutants dominantly enhance toxicity of the FTD CHMP2B mutation CHMP2BIntron5, when expressed in the Drosophila eye. Characterisation of neuronal morphology, at the larval neuromuscular junction, reveals Rab8 mutants display significant synaptic overgrowth, coupled with a reduction in synaptic bouton size. This abnormal morphology can be rescued by overexpressing wildtype Rab8 pre-synaptically, demonstrating a neuronal complement of Rab8 to be essential for normal synaptic growth. We also demonstrate that TGF-β signalling and JNK signalling, known regulators of synaptic assembly and function, are necessary for the unrestricted synaptic growth seen. Furthermore we identify the endosomal JNK scaffold POSH and the JNKKK TAK1 as a novel regulators of synaptic growth. Taken together these findings implicate Rab8 as a novel enhancer of CHMP2BIntron5 toxicity in a Drosophila model of FTD and as a potent regulator of synaptic growth. In addition they suggest a potential role for innate immune responses in the regulation of synaptic development.
The Geometry of Evolution: Adaptive Landscapes and Theoretical Morphospaces

Preface 1. The concept of the adaptive landscape 2. Modelling natural selection in adaptive landscapes 3. Modelling evolutionary phenomena in adaptive landscapes 4. The concept of the theoretical morphospace 5. Analysing the role of adaptive evolution in theoretical morphospaces 6. Analysing evolutionary phenomena in theoretical morphospaces 7. Evolutionary constraint in theoretical morphospace 8. Evolutionary development in theoretical morphospace 9. There is much to be done . References Index.
The assessment of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants based on the animal health economics perspective.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic and zoonotic disease, with a high prevalence in human and animals around the world. Small ruminants are an important source of toxoplasmosis causing serious health problems in human. The disease brings about important financial losses including production losses and disease control expenditure in small ruminants, together with the losses of labour force, care and treatment cost in human. Considering the declarations of financial losses related to toxoplasmosis, it was observed that the methodology used and data sources were not expressed in a precise and understandable way, the estimations were performed not for the infected cases each but, instead, at sectoral and national level, and these estimations were found to be quite different from each other. In order to obtain reliable results from the analyses of disease, an updated the scientific methodology and reliable data sources are needed to be utilized. In this article, the financial importance of toxoplasmosis on small ruminants and human was emphasized and the disease in small ruminants was considered on the basis of the animal health economics perspective.
Multiple Roles of Brd4 in the Human Papillomavirus Life Cycle

ABSTRACT MULTIPLE ROLES OF BRD4 IN THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS LIFE CYCLE Christine M. Helfer Jianxin You While human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines protect against acquiring new infections, there is currently no antiviral treatment for eradicating persistent HPV infections. In this study, I demonstrated that the cellular chromatin binding protein, Brd4, in association with HPV E2 protein, is important for multiple HPV functions including replication, maintenance of viral genomes, and regulation of viral gene transcription. These studies suggest that the E2–Brd4 complex could be an effective target to disrupt the HPV life cycle. Using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we demonstrate that E2 from high–risk HPV16 interacts with Brd4 on cellular chromosomes throughout mitosis while the BET bromodomain inhibitor, JQ1(&plus;), dissociates Brd4–E2 complexes from mitotic chromosomes. These results suggest that Brd4 is important for tethering HPV16 E2 to mitotic chromosomes for stable viral genome maintenance and that abrogating Brd4's chromatin association might disrupt stable HPV genome maintenance. I also found that JQ1(&plus;) treatment of cells stably maintaining papillomavirus genomes reduces viral mRNA levels, demonstrating that HPV association with cellular chromatin through Brd4 is essential for HPV transcription and further supporting the importance of Brd4 for the HPV life cycle. My work also identified a novel role of Brd4 in HPV16 DNA replication. Immunofluorescence analyses show Brd4 is recruited to nuclear foci actively replicating HPV16 genomes. Replication assays further confirm that Brd4 is essential for HPV16 genome replication. Interestingly, JQ1(&plus;) treatment stimulates viral genome replication. Since HPV genome amplification is normally limited to upper epithelial layers, we predict premature stimulation of viral DNA amplification induced by JQ1(&plus;) in basal epithelial cells might activate host immune responses to clear HPV infection. Finally, this work identified a specific function of Brd4 in papillomavirus transcription activation. Using ChIP analysis and an E2–responsive luciferase assay, we show Brd4 actively recruits P–TEFb to papillomavirus genomes to support E2 transactivation function. Together, this study uncovers two novel functions of Brd4 in the HPV life cycle, improving our understanding of this complex virus–host relationship. Furthermore, we identify the E2–Brd4 complex as a promising antiviral target for eliminating HPV persistent infection. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/1310 First Advisor Jianxin You
The Effects of International Entrepreneurship Characteristics on Export Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Thailand

The purpose of this research was to study the effects of international entrepreneurship characteristics on export performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand. This study was based on the literature review and related theories: international entrepreneurship and competitive advantage in order to describe the characteristics of international entrepreneurship in two aspects as entrepreneurial orientation and innovativeness. Therefore, this led to three research questions: 1) How do entrepreneurial orientation and innovativeness have causal relationship to export performance of Thai SMEs? 2) How do entrepreneurial orientation and innovativeness have causal relationship to export performance of Thai SMEs through reconfiguration capability? 3) How do entrepreneurial orientation and innovativeness have causal relationship to export performance of Thai SMEs increase with favorable competitive environment? This dissertation was quantitative research. The population in this study were Small and Medium Enterprises who engaged in export business and registered with the Ministry of Commerce and the samples were 238 SMEs who were respondents to the questionnaire collected by mail and locations. The research instrument was questionnaire and the statistics used to analyze data was descriptive and structural Model Analysis. The results of the research were as follows: research question 1 in model 1 entrepreneurial orientation (β = 0.274, p<0.01) and innovativeness (β = 0.449, p<0.001) had direct effect between the variance of the export performance. This was different from the results in model 2, model 3, model 4a and model 4b showed that
Probiotics and virus infections : The effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on respiratory and gastrointestinal virus infections

8 Viral respiratory and gastrointestinal infections are a major health problem, in particular among children. A large range of etiologic agents and increasing antiviral and antibiotic resistance, challenge the development of efficient therapies. Accumulating evidence suggests that specific probiotic bacteria are able to decrease the risk and symptoms of these infections. This thesis investigated the effects of specific probiotics, in particular Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, on respiratory and gastrointestinal virus infections in a cell model in vitro, in a rat model in vivo, and in children. A particular focus was on questions, whether viability of a probiotic is an important factor in probiotic-virus interaction, and whether a combination of probiotics is more effective than single strains. A novel colorimetric neutralization assay was developed for measuring influenza virus antibodies in human sera. The method was applied to measure antibody response after the administration of a seasonal, inactivated, trivalent influenza vaccine. The results were compared with those obtained with a traditional hemagglutinin inhibition test. The results obtained with both assays correlated well. Moreover, neutralization test proved to be more sensitive and specific than the hemagglutinin inhibition test. Thus, the method is valid for influenza virus research, and it could be applied for studying immune adjuvant effects of probiotics on serum influenza antibody titers in the future. Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics were screened in human macrophage model in vitro. After 24 hours of bacterial stimulation, probiotic combination of L. rhamnosus GG and L. rhamnosus Lc705 was not able to significantly induce higher macrophage cytokine and chemokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12, MCP-1, IP-10) over individual L. rhamnosus strains. However, cytokine responses induced by this combination were stronger than responses induced by traditional starter culture bacterium Lactococcus lactis ARH74, highlighting that immunomodulatory effects of probiotics are strain specific. The effects of live and unviable L. rhamnosus GG in rotavirus infection were investigated in a neonatal rat model. Consistency of feces, animal weight, colon weight and the rotavirus colonization of plasma and intestinal tissues were considered as indexes of infection severity. Nonviable L. rhamnosus GG had beneficial effects in rotavirus infection in terms of reducing rotavirus induced body weight reduction and colon weight increase. However, live L. ABSTRACT
Incorporating the natural landscape within an assessment of community attachment : Sense of place

An ecosystem approach to managing public natural areas requires that land planners and managers thoroughly understand the stakeholders who live within these ecosystems and are emotionally connected to the lands. Building on previous research conducted on community attachment, place attachment, and sense of place, this article explores how local stakeholders in two areas of Florida identifywith and account for the natural landscape within their sense of community. To better capture the physical-natural landscape element currently unaccounted for in community attachment research, researchers explored how stakeholders identified with their communities and examined their attitudes and behaviors regarding local public natural areas. Results show the physical-natural landscape is an important part of how stakeholders identify with their community. Stakeholders who frequently visit surrounding public natural areas and identify these areas as an important part of why they live in the area are likely to identify more with the physical-natural landscape of their community than the social-cultural elements oftheircommunity. Determining how stakeholders identify with their community (natural landscape or social elements), offers public land managers a better understanding of the role the areas they manage play in local stakeholders' daily lives, and how to best communicate with those stakeholders. FOR. Sci. 49(6):867-876.
Defense enzymes induced in cucumber roots by treatment with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Pythium aphanidermatum.

Abstract Root and crown rot of cucumber caused by Pythium aphanidermatum can be suppressed by various rhizobacteria or PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria). When cucumber roots were treated with Pseudomonas corrugata 13 or Pseudomonas aureofaciens 63–28, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity was stimulated in root tissues in 2 days and this activated accumulation lasted for 16 days after bacterization. Peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were increased in roots 2–5 days after bacterization with P. corrugata strain 13. After bacterized cucumber roots were challenged with P. aphanidermatum, the enzyme activities of PAL, PO and PPO increased as the disease developed on the roots. These accumulations peaked 4–6 days after pathogen inoculation. A split root system demonstrated that the three enzymes could be systemically induced by the Pseudomonas strains 63–28 and 13, as well as P. aphanidermatum. Furthermore, isoperoxidase native PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) analysis indicated that the peroxidase isomer forms in cucumber roots induced by rhizobacteria were different from that in roots infected with P. aphanidermatum. These results suggest that the plant defense enzymes could be stimulated in cucumber roots which have been colonized by non-pathogenic rhizobacteria or in a compatible interaction between cucumber and P. aphanidermatum. The mechanisms of PO activation by the rhizobacteria may be different from those of pathogen infection.
El uso de los recursos faunísticos entre los cazadores-recolectores de Patagonia: tendencias espacio/temporales de las estrategias durante el Holoceno

En Argentina, el problema de la intensificación de recursos ha sido tratado más profundamente en los últimos años, sólo en algunas regiones. En este trabajo se analiza el problema por Fajas latitudinales, con el resultado final que en el único sector de Patagonia que podríamos referir los casos arqueológicos a un modelo de intensificación es en Patagonia norcentral y en Tierra del Fuego, mientras que en Patagonia meridional, otros modelos responden mejor (extensificación, diversificación). La búsqueda de variables y procesos nos permite sugerir que la historia de la intensificación/extensificación varía notablemente en las diferentes zonas específicas hacia el Holoceno tardío, lo cual implica que no podemos utilizar un único modelo para comprender el registro arqueológico.
Distribution of births within a day in Anatolian Merino Sheep

This research was conducted to investigate the relevance of lamb sex, birth type and birth rate on birth distribution within the 24 h daily cycle in Anatolian Merino sheep. The aim is to find solutions to problems that could arise in this subject. Birth records from 981 ewes and their 1,175 lambs from 2010–2011 were used for the study. The twin birth rate was 19.78% and the females were 54.54% and males 45.46%. The percentage of lambs born between 22: 01 and 04: 00, 04: 01 and 10:00, 10: 01 and 16: 00, and 16: 01 and 22: 00 was 25.99%, 29.36%, 25.57% and 20.08% respectively. For sheep giving birth for the first time, the highest birth rate (27.18%) was between 04: 01 and 10: 00, while for sheep giving birth for the second, third or fourth time the percentages were 28.88, 31.78 and 29.26%, respectively, and the births occurred at the same time. In the study, 53.93% of births took place during daylight hours while 46.07% of births took place at night. The percentage of births between 22: 00 and 04: 00 was 25.99%.
Occurrences of Lophelia pertusa on the Atlantic margin.

While corals are most abundant and species-rich in shallow-water tropical seas, it has been known for many years that scleractinian corals are also found in temperate regions where there can be large structures of coral in deep continental shelf edge waters. These accumulations, variously referred to as patches, coral banks, bioherms and reefs, are composed of several coral species but the most abundant is Lophelia pertusa (L.) (Fig 1). This coral’s growth form provides a habitat for a diverse associated fauna. L. pertusa does not contain symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and so unlike tropical coral species is not restricted to well-lit surface waters. Since individual polyps divide and grow to form colonies, but adult polyps are no longer joined by a tissue connection they are correctly termed pseudo-colonial azooxanthellate corals. There is growing concern over the environmental sensitivity of deep-water coral communities to both hydrocarbon exploration and deep-water trawling (Roberts, 1997; Rogers, 1999).
Comparison of Selected Micronutrient Intakes Between Vegans and Omnivores Using Dietary Reference Intakes

Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009‐2010 data for 32 participants 25‐60 years of age, the aim of this study was to compare vitamin (B12, D) and mineral (calcium, iron, zinc) intakes of vegans (n=16) to intakes of omnivores (n=16), as well as to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), and vegetarian‐specific recommendations. The vegan sample was defined using NHANES dietary data and randomly matched to a sample of omnivores. Results showed vegans had significantly lower mean intakes of B12 (p=.020), D (p=.012), and zinc (p=.032) compared to omnivores. Neither groups' mean intake of B12 was lower than the Recommend Dietary Allowance (RDA). Both groups had mean D intakes significantly (p<.001) lower than the RDA. Neither groups' mean intake of zinc differed significantly from the RDA; however, female vegans had a mean zinc intake significantly (p<.001) lower than the vegetarian‐specific recommendation. Mean calcium intakes for females (age<51 years) in both groups were significantly (vegan, p=.006; omnivore, p=.045) lower than the RDA. Female vegans (age 蠅51 years) had a mean calcium intake significantly (p=.019) lower than the RDA. While females (age<51 years) in both groups had mean iron intakes lower than the RDA, only omnivores had a significantly (p=.024) lower mean intake. Female (age<51 years) vegans had a significantly (p=.001) lower mean intake than the vegetarian‐specific recommendation for iron. Results suggest females may benefit from dietary efforts to increase consumption of calcium and iron, while female vegans may benefit from increased dietary consumption of zinc. Vitamin D consumption should be encouraged across all groups.
BEHAVIOURAL PARAMETERS OF TOOTH BRUSHING IN POORVANCHAL POPULATION

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the oral hygiene awareness and practices among thegeneral population living in the northern part of India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried outamongst the patients visiting the health camp organized by Institute of medical sciences, Banaras HinduUniversity, Varanasi, India with non dental complains (with no active foci). This proposed study wasreviewed by the Institutional ethical committee and their clearance was obtained. A total of 250 patientswere selected using a convenient sampling technique and a self-administered questionnaire was presentedto them. Responses from the patients were evaluated in terms of numbers and percentages. Results: Theresults of the study show a lack of oral hygiene maintenance awareness and limi ted knowledge of oralhygiene practices specifically brushing frequency, duration and toothpaste selection. Conclusion: There isan urgent need for comprehensive educational programs to promote good oral hygiene and imparteducation about correct oral hygiene practices.