Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Catabolite Control Protein A Controls Hydrogen Peroxide Production and Cell Death in Streptococcus sanguinis

ABSTRACT Streptococcus sanguinis is a commensal oral bacterium producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is dependent on pyruvate oxidase (Spx) activity. In addition to its well-known role in bacterial antagonism during interspecies competition, H2O2 causes cell death in about 10% of the S. sanguinis population. As a consequence of H2O2-induced cell death, largely intact chromosomal DNA is released into the environment. This extracellular DNA (eDNA) contributes to the self-aggregation phenotype under aerobic conditions. To further investigate the regulation of spx gene expression, we assessed the role of catabolite control protein A (CcpA) in spx expression control. We report here that CcpA represses spx expression. An isogenic ΔccpA mutant showed elevated spx expression, increased Spx abundance, and H2O2 production, whereas the wild type did not respond with altered spx expression in the presence of glucose and other carbohydrates. Since H2O2 is directly involved in the release of eDNA and bacterial cell death, the presented data suggest that CcpA is a central control element in this important developmental process in S. sanguinis.
Superior Achilles Tendon Microcirculation in Tendinopathy among Symptomatic Female versus Male Patients

Background Higher estrogen levels in women seem to play a role regarding an increased ligament and tendon injury rate among women. However, gender differences of tendon microcirculation have not yet been reported. Hypothesis Female patients suffering Achilles tendinopathy have worse tendon and paratendon microcirculation than symptomatic male patients. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods A total of 139 Achilles tendinopathy patients (58 women, 81 men) were analyzed according to their gender for tendon and paratendon microcirculation by mapping at 12 positions (4 tendons, 8 paratendons) in each limb. Tendon and paratendon capillary blood flow, oxygen saturation, and postcapillary venous filling pressures were measured at 2-mm and 8-mm tissue depths. Results Symptomatic women had similarly elevated tendon capillary blood flow as men at 4 Achilles tendon positions. However, distal medial (83 ± 40 vs 105 ± 74, P < .05) and lateral (98 ± 49 vs 121 ± 74) paratendon capillary blood flow were significantly lower among men. Symptomatic female patients had superior tendon and paratendon oxygen saturation at 11 of 12 positions (P < .05) as well as reduced postcapillary venous filling pressures at the proximal midportion tendon (55 ± 17 vs 63 ± 20, P < .05) and paratendon (69 ± 19 vs 77 ± 26) location. Pain level was not different between female (5.3 ± 2.2) and male patients (5.4 ± 2, P = .864). Female patients had significantly higher Foot and Ankle Outcome Sports Scores (71 ± 22 vs 64 ± 23 in the men, P = .041), while 4 out of 5 other Foot and Ankle Outcome Score items were not different. Conclusion Symptomatic female patients have similarly elevated tendon capillary blood flow compared with symptomatic male patients suffering Achilles tendinopathy, but superior tendon and paratendon oxygen saturations and reduced postcapillary venous filling pressures indicate better tendon and paratendon Achilles tendon microcirculation in women.
Investigations of cooling solutions for three-dimensional (3D) chip stacks

Three-dimensional (3D) chip stacks are receiving more attention for system performance enhancements. However, because of the higher circuit density, the cooling of 3D chip stacks gets more challenging. In conventional cooling methods, a heat sink or a micro-channel cooler is located at the top of the chip to dissipate the generated heat in a chip. In this paper, possible cooling methods from the bottom of a silicon interposer and cooling from the peripheral of a silicon interposer were proposed and evaluated. Based on the experimentally obtained thermal resistance of lead-free (SnAg) interconnections, the cooling performances of the above two cooling solutions were investigated by modeling and the requirements were clarified.
Fertility and female employment: problems of causal direction.

Seemingly contradictory results have been reported recently on the causal relationship between fertility and female employment. Data from a panel study of income dynamics are used to investigate 4 possible explanations of the contradictions: 1) Multicollinearity in nonrecursive models. 2) Discrepancies between attitudes of intention and behavior. 3) Misspecification of models. 4) Differences between static and dynamic models. All 4 explanations are pertinent to the controversy. It is found that the dominant effects are from fertility to employment in the short run and from employment to fertility in the long run. Multicollinearity often is a serious problem in nonrecursive models. Dynamic models are much more informative than static models. Plans generally seem to be consequences more than determinants of behavior. Results (sometimes) depend upon how variables are measured, upon what time intervals are used, and upon aggregate trends and cycles and historical circumstances. Other substantive findings and general methodological issures are discussed briefly.
Novel Allosteric Modulators of G Protein-coupled Receptors*

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are allosteric proteins, because their signal transduction relies on interactions between topographically distinct, yet conformationally linked, domains. Much of the focus on GPCR allostery in the new millennium, however, has been on modes of targeting GPCR allosteric sites with chemical probes due to the potential for novel therapeutics. It is now apparent that some GPCRs possess more than one targetable allosteric site, in addition to a growing list of putative endogenous modulators. Advances in structural biology are also shedding new insights into mechanisms of allostery, although the complexities of candidate allosteric drugs necessitate rigorous biological characterization.
Valeur nutritionnelle de Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze, tubercule non conventionnel

Les causes des carences alimentaires dans les pays en developpement sont multiples et frequentes. Le present travail a ete mene dans le but d’evaluer quelques proprietes chimiques et nutritionnelles du tubercule de T. leontopetaloides consomme en periode de disette. Des tubercules de T. leontopetaloides recoltes a Guemire-Mindaore dans la region de Fianga au Tchad ont ete etudies. Les teneurs en eau, cendres, lipides, proteines et glucides totaux du tubercule frais sont respectivement de 61.6 ± 0.3 %; 0.8 %; 0.9 ± 0.1 %; 1.1 % et 34.7 ± 0.8 %. Les teneurs en mineraux doses ont ete exprimees en mg/100 g de tubercules frais comme suit : Ca (32.1 ± 0.9), K (121.8 ± 1.3), Mg (21.8 ± 0.2), Na (4.4 ± 0.2) et P (31.1 ± 0.2). Cependant, la teneur en glucides totaux a varie de 90.31 % a 92.66 % MS. Et 81.27 % a 86.10 % de ces glucides ont ete digestibles. La teneur en mineraux de la fecule de la matiere seche a ete le triple de celle de la fecule de la matiere fraiche. Par ailleurs, la teneur en facteurs antinutritionnels a ete faible dans les fecules.
Obstetric and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal hypothyroid disease

Objective: We sought to determine whether women with treated hypothyroid disease were more likely than women without thyroid disease to suffer adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes or to deliver a child with a congenital anomaly. Methods: Using an institutional database, we identified women with treated hypothyroid disease (n = 482) who delivered a baby at our institution during a 33-month period. We compared the occurrence of adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes among these women to the occurrence among women without thyroid disease (n = 19,487). Results: Women with treated hypothyroid disease were not at increased risk for delivering a baby with low birth- weight, fetal demise, or congenital anomaly compared to the control group. Women with treated hypothyroid disease were more likely to have chronic hypertension (2.3% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.03) and had an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (4.3% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.03) compared to women without thyroid disease. Conclusion: Women with treated hypothyroid disease are not at higher risk than the general population for adverse neonatal outcomes, but may be at increased risk for pre-eclampsia.
The Role of Family Atmosphere in the Relapse Behavior of Iranian Opiate Users: a Qualitative Study.

UNLABELLED Introduction Many Iranian opiate users live with family members and family atmosphere can be influential on reducing such social behaviors of opiate users as substance use and relapses. This paper reports the impact of family atmosphere on relapse behavior as a part of the findings of a larger study that explored the relapse process among Iranian opiate users. METHODS In this qualitative research, we selected 17 participants (5 women and 12 men). The questions were been asked through semi-structured interviews. The researchers analyzed the verbatim transcripts using content analysis method. RESULTS "Family atmosphere" with three sub-themes (family and tribes' interaction, family challenges and family structure) was been found as determinants of relapse behavior. The quality of the family atmosphere could be in harmony with or against the willingness or motivation of the opiate user towards the relapse. Conclusion Health care providers should reinforce involvement of the family members in the treatment and rehabilitation of opiate users. The opiate user's family and even relatives may benefit from learning how to manage their own feelings and attitude towards the client and being supportive during interactions.
“Lengthening” is a better vowel dimension than “rounding”

The impressionistic phonetic specification of vowel quality is usually given in terms of the quasi-articulatory dimensions "height," "backness" and "rounding," relative to the quality of the cardinal vowels placed in a stylized vowel quadrilateral. For some purposes, an acoustic approach to vowel dimensions may be preferable. A system of reference vowels created by a scaling discretisation of formant space (SDF) is used in this study to derive new acoustic dimensions closely aligned to the traditional dimensions mentioned above. Some implications of the new acoustic dimensions for vowel classification are investigated, using a well-known vowel dataset. Based on this analysis, it is argued that "lengthening" is a more appropriate vowel dimension than "rounding. "
Investigational new drugs for allergic rhinitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a multifactorial disease characterized by paroxysmal symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal drip and nasal congestion. For over a century, subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) has been recognized as the most effective therapy to date that may modify the underlying disease course and provide long-term benefits for individuals refractory to pharmacotherapy. However, over the past 25 years, there has been substantial growth in developing alternative therapies to traditional SCIT. Areas covered: This article will review the most current literature focusing on advancements of AR therapies. Novel AR therapies that are currently under investigation include: the addition of omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody (mAb), to SCIT; altering the method of delivery of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) including sublingual (SLIT), epicutaneous (EIT), intralymphatic (ILIT), intranasal (INIT) and oral mucosal immunotherapy (OMIT); use of capsaicin spray; novel H3 and H4 antihistamines; activation of the innate immune system through Toll-like receptor agonists; and the use of chemically altered allergens, allergoids, recombinant allergens and relevant T-cell epitope peptides to improve the efficacy and safety of AIT. Expert opinion: These promising novel therapies may offer more effective and/or safer treatment options for AR patients, and in some instances, induce immunologic tolerance.
Generalized precoder design for MIMO interference channel based on interference alignment

Recent research shows that K user time-varying interference channel is capable of achieving K/2 degrees of freedom based on the idea of interference alignment. In multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) interference channels, appropriate transmit precoder design plays a pivotal role in efficiently suppressing the co-channel interference. In this paper, we propose a generalized precoder design forMIMO interference channels with the aid of interference alignment. Specifically, we consider the precoder design for both symmetric systemwhere each of the transmit and receive nodes is equipped with the same number of antennas, and asymmetric system where the number of antennas at transmit node exceeds its counterpart at receive node. As demonstrated by the simulation results, our proposed precoder design is capable of significantly improving the system sum capacity.
[Effects of renal sympathetic denervation on inducibility of atrial fibrillation during rapid atrial pacing].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of renal sympathetic denervation on inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) during rapid atrial pacing. METHODS Thirteen dogs were selected and divided into control group (n=7) and renal artery ablation group (RAA) (n=6). In the control group, the animals were subjected to atrial pacing at 800 beats/min for 7 hours. And atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and induced AF were measured hourly during non-pacing. In the RAA group, after each renal artery ablation, the procedures of pacing and electrophysiological measurement were nearly the same as those in the control group. Blood was collected before and after pacing to measure the levels of rennin, angiotensin AngII (AngII) and aldosterone. RESULTS There was a persistent decrease in AERP in both groups. However, after a 7-hour pacing, induced number of times and duration of AF were higher in the control group than those in the RAA group. The plasma concentrations of rennin and aldosterone increased significantly after 7-hour rapid pacing in the control group (rennin: (120±31) to (185±104) pg/ml, P<0.01, aldosterone: (288±43) to (370±110) pg/ml, P=0.01). No significant difference existed in the levels of AngII at pre- and post-pacing in the control group ((160±48) to (189±164) pg/ml, P=0.23). The levels of rennin and aldosterone showed a decreasing trend in the RAA group. But there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Episodes of AF during short-time rapid atrial pacing may be decreased by renal sympathetic denervation. This effect is probably related with the decreased activity of RAAS.
CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors Promote Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation via mTORC1 Signaling*

Background: CB2 cannabinoid receptors promote neural progenitor cell proliferation. Results: CB2 receptors induce neural progenitor cell proliferation and neurogenesis via activation of mTORC1 signaling. Conclusion: CB2 receptor/mTORC1-induced neural progenitor proliferation is relevant under physiological and pathological conditions such as cortical development and excitotoxicity-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Significance: Nonpsychotomimetic CB2 receptor-selective ligands are promising molecules to manipulate neurogenesis. The endocannabinoid system is known to regulate neural progenitor (NP) cell proliferation and neurogenesis. In particular, CB2 cannabinoid receptors have been shown to promote NP proliferation. As CB2 receptors are not expressed in differentiated neurons, CB2-selective agonists are promising candidates to manipulate NP proliferation and indirectly neurogenesis by overcoming the undesired psychoactive effects of neuronal CB1 cannabinoid receptor activation. Here, by using NP cells, brain organotypic cultures, and in vivo animal models, we investigated the signal transduction mechanism involved in CB2 receptor-induced NP cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Exposure of hippocampal HiB5 NP cells to the CB2 receptor-selective agonist HU-308 led to the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, which, by inhibiting its downstream target p27Kip1, induced NP proliferation. Experiments conducted with the CB2 receptor-selective antagonist SR144528, inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 axis, and CB2 receptor transient-transfection vector further supported that CB2 receptors control NP cell proliferation via activation of mTORC1 signaling. Likewise, CB2 receptor engagement induced cell proliferation in an mTORC1-dependent manner both in embryonic cortical slices and in adult hippocampal NPs. Thus, HU-308 increased ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation in wild-type but not CB2 receptor-deficient NPs of the mouse subgranular zone. Moreover, adult hippocampal NP proliferation induced by HU-308 and excitotoxicity was blocked by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Altogether, these findings provide a mechanism of action and a rationale for the use of nonpsychotomimetic CB2 receptor-selective ligands as a novel strategy for the control of NP cell proliferation and neurogenesis.
Anatomical and morphological aspects of papillae, epithelium, muscles, and glands of rats’ tongue: Light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopic study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the research results of the morphological structure of white laboratory rats’ tongue at the macro-, micro-, and ultrastructural levels by scanning, light, and transmission electron microscopy. Results Our results show that the tongue of these rats has a number of unique morphological features that are different from the tongue of other rodents consequently to allow identifying their species-specific features. Conclusions Our findings have shown the features of the tongue structure of white laboratory rats at micro-, macro-, and ultrascopic levels. The data analysis revealed that mucous membrane of the tongue contains a large number of papillae, such as fungiform, filiform, foliate, vallate, and multifilamentary papillae. Each has a different shape, size, and location. The tongue’s morphological feature consists of three types of filiform papillae, well-developed foliate and multifilamentary papillae, as well as one large and similar smaller circumvallate papillae. The muscle of the tongue contains a large number of mitochondria of different shapes and sizes. However, we have received data for a complete picture of structure of this organ that will be useful in further experimental and morphological studies of the white laboratory rats.
Comparison of two methods of dental age estimation in 7-15-year-old Malays.

BACKGROUND Numerous methods of age estimation have been proposed. The Demirjian method is the most frequently used, which was first applied in a French Canadian population in 1973. The Willems method is a modification of the above and was applied in a Belgian population in 2002. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to test the applicability of the two methods, namely Demirjian and Willems, for age estimation in a Malay population, and to find the correlation between body mass index and the difference between the dental age and the chronological age. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 214 boys and 214 girls, selected by a simple stratified random sampling method was carried out. The orthopantomograph was used to score the seven left mandibular teeth, and the calculated maturity score was used to obtain the Demirjian dental age. Willems dental age was estimated using the tables proposed in the Willems method. Results. The Demirjian method overestimated the age by 0.75 and 0.61 years, while the Willems method overestimated the age by 0.55 and 0.41 years among boys and girls, respectively. In boys, the body mass index was significantly correlated to the difference in age using the Willems method. CONCLUSION Further modification of either method is indicated for dental age estimation among the Malay population.
Quantitative analysis of propionibacterial DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage cells from patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK The causes of sarcoidosis are still unknown. Propionibacterial subspieces are thought to be one of the most likely sources of antigens. Here we attempted to measure the amount of propionibacterial DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell samples from patients with sarcoidosis and other pulmonary diseases. METHODS We examined BAL cells from 42 patients with sarcoidosis and 30 controls. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 16S rRNA of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Propionibacterium granulosum (P. granulosum), we measured the amount of propionibacterial DNA in 500 ng of total DNA extracted from BAL cells from patients with sarcoidosis or other lung diseases. The correlation between clinical findings and the results of quantitative PCR were analyzed. RESULTS The mean level of P. acnes DNA from patients with sarcoidosis was 59.9 genomes per 500 ng of total DNA, which was significantly higher than that in controls (20.7 genomes, p<0.000l). The mean level of P. granulosum DNA from patients with sarcoidosis was 1.2 genomes, which was similar to that in controls (1.0 +/-1.6 genomes, p=0.52). The number of genomes of P. acnes in BAL cells was correlated with the serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level and the percentage of macrophages in BAL fluid from patients with sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS The amount of P. acnes DNA in BAL cells from patients with sarcoidosis was significantly higher than that in BAL cells from patients with other pulmonary diseases. P. acnes may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.
Structure and mechanism of proton transport through the transmembrane tetrameric M2 protein bundle of the influenza A virus

The M2 proton channel from influenza A virus is an essential protein that mediates transport of protons across the viral envelope. This protein has a single transmembrane helix, which tetramerizes into the active channel. At the heart of the conduction mechanism is the exchange of protons between the His37 imidazole moieties of M2 and waters confined to the M2 bundle interior. Protons are conducted as the total charge of the four His37 side chains passes through 2+ and 3+ with a pKa near 6. A 1.65 Å resolution X-ray structure of the transmembrane protein (residues 25–46), crystallized at pH 6.5, reveals a pore that is lined by alternating layers of sidechains and well-ordered water clusters, which offer a pathway for proton conduction. The His37 residues form a box-like structure, bounded on either side by water clusters with well-ordered oxygen atoms at close distance. The conformation of the protein, which is intermediate between structures previously solved at higher and lower pH, suggests a mechanism by which conformational changes might facilitate asymmetric diffusion through the channel in the presence of a proton gradient. Moreover, protons diffusing through the channel need not be localized to a single His37 imidazole, but instead may be delocalized over the entire His-box and associated water clusters. Thus, the new crystal structure provides a possible unification of the discrete site versus continuum conduction models.