Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Activities of Corn Silk Extract of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is found in the normal flora of the skin, mouth, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and intestines in human. However, the stain is opportunistic pathogen, which is the causative agent of community acquired pneumonia. Corn silk has been known to be effective for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including K. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella spp. , Salmonella spp. , Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, et al. In this study we focused on the antimicrobial properties of con silk water extract of K. penumoniae. K. pneumoniae isolates K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 and broad-spectrum β-lactamase (BSBL), exteded-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase-producers. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the disk diffusion method. Searches for bla genes were performed by PCR amplication and direct sequencing. MacConkey agar plate medium was prepared using the corn silk extracts (50% or 100%) instead of distilled water for antimicrobial activity test. The microbial growth inhibitory potential of K. pneumoniae was determined by using the MacConkey agar plate spreading method, and the plate was incubated 18 hr at 37°C. Genes encoding β-lactamases including SHV-1 (n=8), SHV-2a (n=8), SHV-5 (n=2), SHV-11 (n=2), SHV-12 (n=18), TEM-1 (n=10), CTX-M-3 (n=2), CTX-M-14 (n=2), CTX-M-15 (n=1), GES-5 (n=5), KPC-2 (n=6), KPC-3 (n=4), and NDM-1 (n=2) were detected. The corn silk extract showed significantly antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, but BSBLs, ESBLs, and carbapenemase producers were not. Therefore, corn silk extract is thought to be able to assist in the prevention and rapid recovery of infectious disease caused by K. pneumoniae.
Novel function of coagulation factor Xa : conversion into a clot-dissolving cofactor

Plasmin-mediated conversion of FXa into a clot-dissolving cofactor Factor Xa (FXa) is an essential blood clotting enzyme. A previously identified FXa derivative, Xa33/13, is generated by two distinct cleavages by the clot-dissolving (fibrinolytic) enzyme, plasmin. FXa is first converted to FXaβ by excision of a small C-terminal peptide and then proteolyzed at Lys330 in the autolysis loop to yield Xa33/13, which cannot participate in clotting. Instead, these cleavages confer novel fibrinolytic function to Xa33/13 as a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) cofactor, thereby accelerating plasmin generation. To understand the importance of each cleavage and the role of individual residues in this functional conversion of FXa, five mutants were generated by mutation of basic residues to glutamine: Lys330 and four residues in the β-peptide region. Mutation at Lys330 prevented autolysis loop cleavage, and this mutant dissolved purified fibrin clots faster than plasma-derived FXa derivatives. Additionally, no basic residue within the β-peptide was uniquely targeted by plasmin and no single-point mutation in this region prevented subsequent autolysis loop cleavage. FX-deficient patient Factor X (FX) can be activated by two separate protein complexes, known as the initiating (extrinsic) and amplifying (intrinsic) tenases, which are assembled during coagulation. I describe a FX-deficient patient with a novel compound heterozygous mutation associated with differential clotting pathway function. Quantification of plasma FX antigen revealed 15 % of normal, which was consistent with extrinsic pathway activity. Intrinsic pathway activity was reduced to 5 % of normal, suggesting an activatable specific activity 3-fold lower than expected for this branch of the clotting pathway. DNA sequence analysis identified two heterozygous mutations: (1) a previously reported mutation that disrupts the splice site between exons I and II; (2) a novel
Protein traffic

Proteins destined for the cell surface or for the outside of the cell are translocated from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the ER, and then transported further via the secretory pathway in secretory vesicles. These vesicles are specific for each stage and fuse only with the right target membrane. The recognition of the target membrane is based on the formation of a specific docking complex. The yeast SECl gene encodes a cytoplasmic hydrophilic protein which is a member of the docking complex and plays an essential role at the terminal stage in exocytosis. We reported earlier the cloning of two genes, SSOl and SS02, which suppress the mutant phenotype of secl-l when overproduced (1). The Ssol and Ss02 proteins are yeast homologues of the mammalian syntaxins, membrane proteins that are thought to serve as receptors for the transport vesicles. We have now
Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity of Chloropicrin Vapor in Rats

Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to 0, 0. 37, 0. 67, 1. 58, or 2. 93 ppm chloropicrin (CP) vapor for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. These exposure levels were selected based on the results of a 2-week pilot study. No deaths were observed throughout the 13-week study. Mean body weights of the rats in the 2. 93 and 1. 58 ppm groups were significantly lower than the control values throughout the treatment period. At the end of the treatment period, red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration significantly increased in the rats of the 2. 93 ppm group. Lung weights significantly increased in the rats of the 2. 93 and 1. 58
Effect of Regular Exercise on Physiological, Immunological and Hemopoietic Factors in Adults

This study was designed to investigate the effects of regular exercise on the physiological, immunological and hemopoietic factors in adults (aged 30-60 years). The body weight, were significantly lower in the exercise (n=60) group than in the control group (n=60) (P<0.05). Serum high sensitivity C- reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (Inflammatory factors) and leukocyte apoptosis levels were lower, while erithropoietin (hemopoietic factor) concentration was significantly higher in the exercise group than in the control group (P<0.05). These results suggest that regular exercise promises prevention of metabolic syndrome, improved immunological function, and antiinflammatory effect.
Prey Size Selection by Larvae of the Damselfly, Ischnura elegans (Odonata)

(1) A method is described using faecal pellet analysis whereby the dry weights of individual prey items captured in the field can be determined. (2) Entomostracan prey were the most important numerically to Ischnura, though insect larvae, particularly chironomids, were relatively more important in biomass terms. (3) For those prey groups studied in detail, the minimum prey size consumed by a wide range of instars of Ischnura elegans (van der Linden) was very similar, while maximum prey size increased logarithmically with instar number. (4) When data from all prey groups were pooled, linear relationships were revealed between the logarithms of both mean and maximum prey sizes consumed and instar number. (5) Maximum prey sizes for instars 8 to 12 of Ischnura predicted from laboratory experiments with a single prey species, Daphnia magna Straus, were close to those actually found for a wide range of the natural prey of Ischnura in the field. (6) It is tentatively suggested that no prey size selection occurs by Ischnura larvae within the size range that they are physically capable of dealing with. This contention is supported by laboratory data from a single prey species experiment and a 'no selection' model.
Studies on the reproduction in the dog. V. On cleavage and transport of fertilized ova in the oviduct

卵が排卵され卵管に進入すれば精子と会合できる条件にするため,実験雌犬19頭を排卵前(雄犬許容36時間目)に1回のみ交配させた。 その後,排卵時期を開腹手術によって推定し,排卵後24時間から216時間までを24時間間隔に区分して,卵管,子宮角をそれぞれ3等分し受精卵を採取した。 1. 犬の排卵時の卵は第一卵母細胞で排卵後48~72時間の間に卵管内で成熟して第二卵細胞となって受精能を獲得する。 2. 受精卵の分割は排卵後72時間までは見られず,96時間で早いものは2細胞期,120時間で3~6細胞卵,144時間で8細胞卵,168時間で8または16細胞卵,192時間で16細胞卵,204~216時間で桑実胚となっていた。 3. 受精卵の卵管下降は,排卵後24,48時間では卵管中部,72時間で中間と下部,96~192時間で下部にそれぞれ達し,その後204~216時間では桑実胚となって子宮内に進入する。 4. 実験犬19頭中3頭(15.8%)において前回の発情に排卵されたと思われる卵が発見され,卵管下部に6ヵ月以上も残留していたとみられることがらが観察された。
Briefly Noted

data for 3716 chronic dialysis patients found that calcium channel blocker use was associated with a 21% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 26% reduction in cardiovascular/stroke-related mortality, after adjusting for numerous known risk factors (1). This reduction was substantially better than the statistically insignificant effects associated with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (10% reduction in cardiovascular/stroke mortality) and b-blockers (2% increase) in this population.
Characteristics of thermoregulatory and febrile responses in mice deficient in prostaglandin EP1 and EP3 receptors

Previous studies have disagreed about whether prostaglandin EP1 or EP3 receptors are critical for producing febrile responses. We therefore injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a variety doses (1 μg kg−1‐1 mg kg−1) intraperitoneally (I.P.) into wild‐type (WT) mice and mice lacking the EP1 or the EP3 receptors and measured changes in core temperature (Tc) by using telemetry. In WT mice, I.P. injection of LPS at 10 μg kg−1 increased Tc about 1 °C, peaking 2 h after injection. At 100 μg kg−1, LPS increased Tc, peaking 5‐8 h after injection. LPS at 1 mg kg−1 decreased Tc, reaching a nadir at 5‐8 h after injection. In EP1 receptor knockout (KO) mice injected with 10 μg kg−1 LPS, only the initial (< 40 min) increase in Tc was lacking; with 100 μg kg−1 LPS the mice showed no febrile response. In EP3 receptor KO mice, LPS decreased Tc in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, in EP3 receptor KO mice subcutaneous injection of turpentine did not induce fever. Both EP1 and EP3 receptor KO mice showed a normal circadian cycle of Tc and brief hyperthermia following psychological stress (cage‐exchange stress and buddy‐removal stress). The present study suggests that both the EP1 and the EP3 receptors play a role in fever induced by systemic inflammation but neither EP receptor is involved in the circadian rise in Tc or psychological stress‐induced hyperthermia in mice.
Molecular Genetics of the Fibrillinopathies

Fibrillins are major glycoprotein components of microfibrils in the extracellular matrix. They are polymerised in a complex beads-on-a-string appearance and form isolated aggregates or are closely associated with elastin in elastic fibres. Fibrillins are critical actors of the biomechanical function of connective tissue and regulators of the bioavailability of signalling molecules, especially TGF-β. Mutations in the FBN1 and FBN2 genes are associated with inherited diseases now termed fibrillinopathies. These diseases represent a wide spectrum of disorders including Marfan and neonatal Marfan syndrome, acromelic dysplasias, progeroid-marfanoid syndrome, the stiff skin syndrome and congenital contractural arachnodactyly. Clinical symptoms are varied, thus highlighting the importance of fibrillins in tissue development and integrity. The identification of over 3000 mutations in FBN1 and over 100 in FBN2 has provided only a few instances of genotype–phenotype correlations but have provided clues in the functional role of fibrillin domains. Key Concepts Fibrillin is a structural component of the extracellular matrix but is involved in cytokine signalling through its role of a niche for inactive procytokines. There are three fibrillin genes encoding fibrillins 1, 2 and 3 that all share a conserved modular domain organisation with various degrees of homology. Marfan syndrome is a highly variable and rare autosomal dominant disease with plurisystemic features and life-threatening vascular complications. Marfan syndrome is mostly associated with mutations in the FBN1 gene with no clear genotype/phenotype correlation, thus undescoring the existence of genetic modifiers that underlie clinical variability. Acromelic and geleophysic dysplasias, stiff skin syndrome and progeroid syndrome also display mutations in the FBN1 gene, constituting with Marfan syndrome the group of type 1 fibrillinopathies. Contrary to Marfan syndrome, all other type 1 fibrillinopathies are associated with mutations in specific domains of the protein. Mutations in the FBN2 gene are found in congenital contractural arachnodactyly. No disease-related mutation has been reported yet in the FBN3 gene. Eighteen spontaneous, radiation-induced or transgenic mice models with mutations in the FBN1 and FBN2 genes are available. Keywords: Marfan syndrome; acromelic dysplasias; stiff skin syndrome; progeroid syndrome; congenital contractural arachnodactyly; FBN1 ; FBN2 ; FBN3 ; TGF-β; mouse models
De‐novo expression of vascular ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase and down‐regulation of glomerular ecto‐ATPase in experimental chronic renal transplant failure

Abstract Ischemic injury plays an important role in chronic renal transplant failure (CRTF). Down‐regulation of ecto‐adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in combination with up‐regulation of ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase is a hallmark of ischemic injury. We studied the expression of renal ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase and ecto‐ATPase in experimental renal transplantation. Fisher 344‐to‐Lewis allografted rats were either treated with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or left untreated. Lewis‐to‐Lewis syngrafted rats served as controls. Untreated allografted rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and mild intimal hyperplasia. ACEi completely prevented focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) and proteinuria, but significantly enhanced intimal hyperplasia. Untreated allografted rats revealed marked vascular ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase activity, which increased with ACEi. Vascular ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase activity was absent in syngrafted animals. Ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase activity correlated well with intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto‐ATPase expression was significantly reduced in untreated allografted rats compared to syngrafted rats and correlated well with the extent of FGS. ACEi prevented reduction in glomerular ecto‐AT‐Pase. We found de‐novo expression of ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase at sites of renal intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto‐ATPase expression was markedly reduced in allografted rats and was prevented by ACEi. These enzyme expression patterns suggest local ischemic damage in experimental CRTF.
Spread of Anther-Smut Disease (Ustilago Violacea) and Character Correlations in a Genetically Variable Experimental Population of Silene Alba

1 The anther-smut fungus Ustilago violacea produces spores in diseased flowers of the dioecious plant Silene alba; spores are transferred to healthy plants by insect pollinators. 2 To study the ecological and genetic determinants of disease spread and its demographic consequences, an experimental population of S. alba was created that contained both anther-smut inoculated plants (as an inoculum source) and uninoculated plants which were the progeny of crosses between genotypes with high or low disease resistance. 3 Genetic analyses confirmed that variation in resistance is heritable. 4 Total disease incidence increased over the 3-year study, but rates of establishment of new infections decreased and estimates of the latent period increased each year. By the end of the study, the remaining healthy plants were more likely to be from resistant parents, suggesting that changes in genetic structure of the healthy plants may contribute to the decline in new infections over time. 5 Diseased plants were significantly more likely than healthy plants to die during the first winter of the study but there was no difference in the second year. A compilation of several data sets suggests that diseased plants have higher mortality than healthy plants only in winters with overall high plant survivorship. 6 Phenotypic correlations revealed that plants with early flowering dates and high rates of flower production are more likely to become diseased. 7 There was evidence for a genetic correlation between disease resistance and flowering date in males, such that early flowering families were more prone to infection. Such a relationship suggests that resistance could have a fitness cost, since earlier flowering plants are likely to have high fitness in the absence of disease.
Soil water and salinity in response to water deliveries and the relationship with plant growth at the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwestern China

The Heihe River is the second longest inland river in China.The eco-environmental problems of the oasis in the lower reaches of Heihe River have markedly deteriorated over the past several decades because of the comprehensive effects of a number of factors.These factors include the continuous decrease in the discharge water of the Heihe River,human and animal population growth,increase of socio-economic activities,and climate warming.Water deliveries have been conducted by the Heihe River Bureau since 2000 to address the existing eco-environmental problems.Several scientific and realistic issues concerning this significant artificial water delivery project include the response process and mechanism of the eco-environment involving vegetation restoration and reconstruction brought about by water deliveries in the lower reaches of Heihe River.The responses of soil water and salinity variation to water deliveries were presented based on the investigation of soil and plant plots in 2001 and 2010.This paper aimed to evaluate the variance in the soil moisture and soil-soluble salt content before and after water deliveries in the lower reaches of Heihe River.The relationship between soil moisture,as well as soil-soluble salt content,and vegetation growth variables was also determined. The results indicated that the soil moisture content(SMC) increased at different depths after water deliveries in Heihe River.The rate of increase varied with the different types of communities and could be arranged in the following order: Populus euphraticaTamarix chinensisHerbal.Moreover,the soil-soluble salt content(SSC) increased after water deliveries at different depths because of the strong evaporation effects.The rate of increase could be arranged in following the order: Sophora alopecuroidesT.chinensisHaloxylon ammodendronP.euphratica. In addition,it could be found in the conversion of soil salinity type from slightly saline soil dominated by HCO-3 and Na+ to medium and intense saline soil mainly dominated by SO2-4,Cl-and Ca2+. The average density and crown,with P.euphratica community as an example,increased with increasing SMC of less than 6%,in which these values ranged from 40 m2 to 70 m2 and 0.5 plants per 100 m2 to 5 plants per 100 m2 at an SMC of more than 6%,respectively.Similarly,the average density ranged from 0.5 plants per 100 m2 to 5 plants per 100 m2 with an SSC of more than 6%. However,the average crown did not decrease with an SSC of more than 6%. Therefore,we conclude that the "self thinning" process of the P.euphratica community,rather than the salt,caused stress to the plant growth.
Fate and Dissemination of Pathogens in Aquatic Wildlife and Their Ecosystems

Sediments and water from the slough arm of Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River, Texas, USA, as well as swabs from biofilms on carapace and from the cloacae of 18 common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus), 21 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), nine Texas river cooters (Pseudemys texana), one snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentine) and three Guadalupe spiny soft-shell turtles (Apalone spinifera guadalupensis) caught at the same site, were analyzed for Salmonella by culture and molecular techniques. Although enrichment cultures from sediment and water samples were negative for Salmonella in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analyses, this technique detected Salmonella in the enrichments from both carapace and cloacae of 11 musk turtles (61%), eight red-eared sliders (38%) and the snapping turtle. Salmonella could also be detected in enrichments from the carapace of two additional red-eared sliders and two Texas river cooters; the remaining samples were negative. Further characterization of isolates obtained from the enrichment cultures of seven 1 Authors: James P. Gaertner, Dittmar Hahn, Francis L. Rose, Michael R.J. Forstner. Publication: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 44(2): 519-526 (2008).
The morphology of group Ib afferent fibre collaterals in the spinal cord of the cat.

1. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into single Ib muscle afferent fibres in anaesthetized cats. Subsequently, histochemistry allowed the morphology of the axons and their collaterals in the lumbosacral spinal cord to be determined. 2. Eleven Ib axons were stained, seven from lateral gastrocneminus‐soleus, one from medial gastrocnemius and three from muscles innervated by the posterior tibial nerve. Ten of the axons were traced into the dorsal roots and all but one (from the posterior tibial nerve) bifurcated upon entering the cord. Between 5.1 and 9.9 mm of each axon was stained and the fibres gave off eighty‐four collaterals at intervals of 100‐2300 micron, at an average spacing of about 900 micron. The spacing between collaterals on the (finer) descending axon branches was generally less than the intervals between collaterals on ascending branches. 3. All Ib collaterals had a characteristic morphology. The collaterals coursed cranially on a direct path through the dorsal horn to lamina IV or V before branching. They arborized widely in the intermediate region, mainly in lamina VI and in the dorsal part of lamina VII. Occasionally, less extensive arborizations were seen more dorsally in lamina IV and V. The rostro‐caudal extent of individual collateral arborizations was limited to 200‐400 micron and there was no overlap between adjacent collaterals. Each terminal arborization gave rise to 56‐384 boutons, mainly of them ‘en passant’ type. 4. The results are discussed in relation to previous anatomical and electrophysiological studies.
Intravenous ganciclovir prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus in heart, heart‐lung, and lung transplant recipients

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease has had a significant clinical impact on the heart, heart‐lung and lung transplant recipients in our centre. CMV disease has been so severe with CMV antibody‐negative heart‐lung transplant patients receiving organs from CMV antibody‐positive donors (CMV‐mismatched patients) that in 1986 we adopted the policy of not transplanting CMV‐positive organs into CMV‐negative heart‐lung or lung recipients. In December 1992, we instituted a policy of providing intravenous ganciclovir (5 mg/kg twice a day for 28 days) during the immediate postoperative period for CMV‐mismatched heart recipients and CMV antibody‐positive heart‐lung and lung patients, who have been the patients at greatest risk of severe CMV disease in our centre. A placebo group was not employed because of ethical considerations, ganciclovir having been shown to be effective for the treatment of CMV infections among transplant patients. Compared with a historical control group of patients receiving no prophylaxis, prophylactic ganciclovir reduced the incidence of CMV infection (39 % vs 91 %, P = 0.0006) and CMV disease (17 % vs 74%, P = 0.0004) among CMV antibody‐positive heart‐lung recipients. Prophylactic ganciclovir did not significantly reduce the incidence of CMV infection or disease among heart or isolated lung recipients. Ganciclovir was well tolerated, with few adverse reactions. In the case of heart‐lung transplant patients, one month of intravenous prophylactic ganciclovir significantly reduced the incidence of both CMV infection and disease when compared with patients who received no prophylaxis. With the lung transplant and heart transplant patients, there were no significant differences between the prophylaxis and nonprophylaxis groups, although there was a consistent trend towards less infection and disease in the prophylaxis groups.