Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
and denatured protein substrates

An understanding of the binding specfficity of leukocyte integrins is important to determine the range of ligands that interact with these receptors during inflammatory processes. In this study we show that the a4131integrin can interact with casein and denatured albumin and promote leukocyte adhesion through these interactions. This was demonstrated with the use of blocking antibodies directed to a4�3j and peptide adhesion competitors containing the a43i binding tripeptide, Leu-Asp-Val (LDV). Consistent with this data, the adhesion is completely divalent cation- dependent and is stimulated by known activators of leukocyte integrin function, namely phorbol ester and theintegrm activating antibody, 8A2. It is inter- esting to note that neither bovine a-casein or human albumin contain an LDV site (present in the CS-i site of alternatively spliced fibronectin) or an IDS site (pres- ent in VCAM-1) yet they promote adhesion through
Phycobiliproteins and Complementary Chromatic Adaptation

369 PROPERTIES OF PHYCOBILIPROTEINS . 371 Absorption and Fluorescence of Phycobiliproteins . 371 Polypeptide Subunits . 372 The Bile Pigment Chromophores of Phycohiliproteins . 375 Chromophore-Polypeptide Linkages . 378 Spectrally Distinguishable Chromophores in Some Single Phycobiliproteins . 380 Immunochemical Relations among Phycobiliproteins . 380 Functional Sites and Forms of Phycobiliproteins . 382 Biosynthesis of Bile Pigments 385 THE REGULATION OF PHYCOBILIPROTEIN SYNTHESIS . 388 Cyanidium caldarium . 388 Tolypothrix tenuis . 392 Fremyella diplosiphon . 394 Adaptochromes . 395
Isotopic composition of nitrate in the central Arabian Sea and eastern tropical North Pacific: A tracer for mixing and nitrogen cycles

The δ15N composition of nitrate and N2 gas was measured in the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) and central Arabian Sea (AS) suboxic regions. The δ15N of nitrate increased from 6‰ at 2,500 m to 15‰ at 250–350 m in both regions, while the δ15N of N2 concurrently decreased from 0.6‰ to 0.25‰. The denitrification isotopic fractionation factor (εdenit) for each region was estimated using both advection‐reaction and diffusion‐reaction models. Values for εdenit in the ETNP ranged from 25 ± 2 (advection‐reaction) to 30 ± 3 (diffusion‐reaction). Values for εdenit in the central AS varied from 22 ± 3 (advection‐diffusion) to 25 ± 4 (reaction‐diffusion) using a starting nitrate isotopic composition of 6‰ but were indistinguishable from calculated values from the ETNP when an initial value of 5‰ was employed. Based upon the model results, an average global εdenit of 27 ± 3 is proposed for marine suboxic water columns. Isotopic enrichment of nitrate in oxic waters beneath the active denitrification regions was observed and indicates the presence of significant cross‐isopycnal ventilation at depth. The isotopic composition of nitrate decreased above 250 m to −80 m, and this pattern is hypothesized to be caused by the input of isotopically light nitrogen from nitrogen fixation in the euphotic zone. A simple isotopic mass balance indicates that a significant percentage of primary productivity in the central AS may be fueled by nitrogen fixation.
Waltham International Symposium: Pet Nutrition Coming of Age Apparent Ileal and Fecal Digestibility of Dietary Protein Is Different in Dogs 1

Ingredients used to manufacture pet foods vary in their ability to deliver nutrients to the animal. The digestible content of nutrients in the final pet food is important to ensure that an animal can absorb sufficient nutrients from the diet to meet its requirements. To determine the digestible content of a nutrient, an estimate of the digestibility of that nutrient needs to be obtained. Traditionally with cats and dogs, digestibility measurements are made over the entire gastrointestinal tract, something that may not be accurate because of microbial fermentation in the large intestine. In other animals such as rats, chickens, pigs and humans it has been shown that there is significant metabolism of dietary nutrients in the large intestine (1‐3) and subsequently the apparent fecal digestibility method has been labeled as an inaccurate method for the measurement especially of protein and amino acid digestibility. In cats and dogs, however, it can be argued that large intestinal metabolism may not be significant, given that these two carnivores have a relatively small and “underdeveloped” large intestine with a relatively low capacity and a low coefficient of differentiation (4,5). The aim of the present study was to compare protein and amino acid digestibility at the distal ileum and over the entire digestive tract of adult dogs.
REVISION OF THE NEARCTIC ENDEMIC FORMICA PALLIDEFULVA GROUP

We revise the Nearctic endemic Formica pallidefulva group based on study of types and other museum specimens and material in J. Trager’s collection. The latter material originates from 30 years of accumulated samples, both from free-living colonies of F. pallidefulva group species, and from “slave” populations in colonies of Polyergus lucidus s. l. , which have single-species host populations. Among the currently available names for the group, the four valid taxa are F. archboldi, F. dolosa, F. incerta and F. pallidefulva. There is a fifth common, but previously unrecognized new species, described here as Formica biophilica Trager, n. sp. Earlier taxonomies of this group were constrained by typological thinking and inadequate treatment of metric characters. For this study, well preserved individuals, nest series and types of all but one taxon were studied (no types seen for F. pallidefulva). Analysis focused on form, length, abundance and distribution of macrochaetae (pilosity); length and density of microchaetae (pubescence); standard measurements and indices; distinct habitat preferences of the various species; and host selection by Polyergus lucidus, s. l. Our results leave little doubt that F. incerta n. stat., rev. stat. and F. biophilica n. sp. deserve recognition as species, that F. nitidiventris is a synonym of F. pallidefulva and that F. schaufussi is a synonym of F. pallidefulva. Thus, the current concept of schaufussi (incorrect in reference to the lectotype) must give way to the next available name for the same population, dolosa n. stat. In this paper, we provide diagnoses, qualitative morphological characteristics, tabulated quantitative characters, natural history notes for all species and a key to the workers. As occurs in other groups of closely related ant species (e.g. Umphrey, 1996; Steiner et al., 2006), morphology is variable and partially overlapping, and species determinations will be more certain when based on nest series consisting of three or more workers in prime condition.
Migration Chronology of Waterfowl in the Southern High Plains of Texas

Abstract Migration chronology was quantified for 15 waterfowl species on 58 playa wetlands in the Southern High Plains of Texas from February 2004 through April 2006. Abundance of each species was estimated on playas once every two weeks during the nonbreeding season (16 August to 30 April); presence of ice was also recorded. Dabbling ducks were most common (N = 250,668) and most tended to exhibit either a bimodal migration pattern (lower abundance in winter than during fall and spring passage) or a unimodal pattern (one defined peak). Abundance of the most common dabbling ducks was skewed toward late winter and spring. Most species of diving ducks (N = 15,128) tended to exhibit irregular migration patterns. Canada Geese (both Branta canadensis and B. hutchinsii, N = 15,347) had an abundance pattern that gradually increased, peaking in midwinter, and then decreased, which is typical for a terminal wintering area. Ice was most common on playas during the first half of December, which coincided with the lowest winter abundance in dabbling ducks. Data from this study will support management efforts focused on playa wetlands, including the development of population goals and habitat objectives that span the entire non-breeding season.
Cytochrome b Sequence Variation in the Crystal Darter Crystallaria asprella (Actinopterygii: Percidae)

Abstract Crystallaria asprella, sole member of the genus Crystallaria, was distributed throughout much of the eastern United States but today persists only in isolated populations. We quantified genetic variation among remaining populations of C. asprella by sequencing the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b (cyt b) gene in 24 individuals from five sample localities. Phylogenetic analysis of these samples and individuals from eight other darter species, Perca, Gymnocephalus, Stizostedion, and Zingel, resulted in 80 equally most-parsimonious trees. Four of the five populations of C. asprella were monophyletic in all trees. Monophyly of the population from the Cahaba River was supported in 60 of 80 most-parsimonious trees. In the remaining 20 trees, one individual from the Cahaba River was included in a trichotomy with a clade of the other individuals from the Cahaba River and a clade of individuals from the Pearl River. The overall pattern of relationships among populations of C. asprella was (Elk River, WV (Saline River, AR (Zumbro River, MN (Cahaba River, AL, Pearl River, LA)))). The most divergent population of C. asprella is from the Elk River in West Virginia. In spite of considerable collecting effort, only five individuals have been collected from the Elk River since 1987. Crystallaria asprella from the Elk River differ from other populations by 11.2–11.8% sequence divergence. Their continued existence is currently threatened by logging, coal mining, and natural gas exploration. Our data document a distinct evolutionarily significant unit in the Elk River that likely is in great peril and should be protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
The European sturgeon Acipenser sturio is a suitable host for the glochidia of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera auricularia

The giant freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera auricularia(Spengler, 1793), is a large bivalve with a thick and sturdyshell reaching 18 cm in length and 0.6 kg in weight. It mayattain an extreme old age, well in excess of a century (Altaba,Lo´pez & Montserrat, 2001). This naiad ranged originallythroughoutthelargeriversofWesternEuropeandnorthwesternAfrica (Altaba, 1990; Araujo & Ramos, 2000), and it was listedby the IUCN as critically endangered in 1996 (IUCN, 2004). After its ﬁrst ﬁnding in the Ebro River in 1916 by Haas(1917) no further occurrences were reported during severaldecades, until its rediscovery in 1985 in the same river(Altaba, 1990). Several authors consider this river as one ofthe last known strongholds of this species (Altaba, 1990;Araujo & Ramos, 2000). This is the largest of the Iberianrivers ﬂowing into the Western Mediterranean (nearly400 m
Stent thrombosis in acute coronary syndromes: Patient-related factors and operator-related factors

Objective: Stent thrombosis (ST) is a common phenomenon in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) when compared to stable coronary artery disease. This study analyzed the patient- and operator-related risk factors of ST in ACS. Methods: Coronary angiograms of 1738 consecutive ACS patients admitted in a large tertiary center between year 2014 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively for the presence of ST. The paired angiograms [ST in ACS during and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)] of the patients were analyzed by two independent observers, with focus on lesion characteristics and procedure techniques. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Results: Stent thrombosis was found in 29 (1.6%) ACS patients, with a combination of at least one clinical/laboratory risk factor and one lesion/operator risk factor identified in 28 (96%) out of the 29 ACS patients with ST. The following risk factors for ST were found: Renal insufficiency (OR=4.14, p<0.001, 95% CI=1.73-9.88), type 2 diabetes (OR=2.21, p=0.034, 95% CI=1.06-4.61), excessive alcohol consumption (OR=3.12, p=0.023, 95% CI=1.17-8.33), stent implantation for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (OR=2.28, p=0.029, 95% CI=1.08-4.81), left main (LM) or left anterior descending artery (LAD) as culprit lesion (OR=2.80, p=0.010, CI 95%=1.27-5.95), and absence of antiplatelet therapy prior to ST (OR=3.58, p=0.002, 95% CI=1.60-7.96). The following lesion/operator possible risk factors were identified: Bifurcation lesion (n=7; 24%), heavy coronary calcifications (n=13; 44%), in-stent restenosis with secondary plate rupture (n=6, 20%), inappropriate stent size selection (n=6, 20%), and errors in periprocedural drug administration (n=4, 14%). Conclusion: ST occurred in 1/62 ACS patients after PCI. A combination of clinical/laboratory and lesion/operator risk factors were present in almost all ACS patients with ST. This finding may support the search for strictly individualized strategies for the treatment of ACS patients with ST after PCI.
Synchronous Chorusing and Human Origins

Evenly paced time marking in measured music allows us to predict where the next beat is going to fall. This makes musical pulse a cardinal device for coordinating the behavior of several individuals in a joint, coherent, synchronized performance. Such behavioral synchrony to a regular beat on the part of many individuals is rare among higher animals and raises the question of its origination in anthropogenesis. The fit between one of the evolutionary models proposed to explain synchronous chorusing in insects and basic aspects of our earliest hominid ancestors’ social structure suggests that synchronous chorusing may have played a fundamental and hitherto unsuspected role in the process of hominid divergence from our common ancestor with the chimpanzee. The possible elaboration of such an adaptation through female choice (acting both between and within groups of cooperatively chorusing males) and vocal learning (in both its receptive and productive modalities) is discussed with reference to hominoid behavior, the fossil record of hominid brain expansion, and its bearing on the relationship between the origins of language and of music.
Effects of angelica polysaccharide on hepatocytes apoptosis induced by exhaustive exercise

The study aims at assessing the effects of angelica polysaccharide (APS) on hepatocytes apoptosis in rats induced by exhaustive exercise. The exhaustive-exercise rat model was established by dividing 32 male wistar rats into four groups randomly. The groups were the normal control group (NC), exhausting exercises control group (EC), low dose APS group (LA) and high dose APS group (HA). The immunohistochemistry staining was used to test the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in liver tissue in rats. Then the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and hepatocytes apoptosis in each group was analyzed. The result showed that the expression of Bax in rats' liver tissue was decreased, Bcl-2 was increased and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was decreased when exposed to exhaustive exercise after being force-fed with angelica polysaccharide by gastrogavage. Angelica polysaccharide could counteract the hepatocytes apoptosis in exhaustive-exercised rats' liver tissue with better results gotten at high-dose (600 mg/kg·bw).
Family Lasiosynidae n. fam., new palaeoendemic Mesozoic family from the infraorder Elateriformia (Coleoptera: Polyphaga)

Abstract Lasiosynidae n. fam. is proposed for the genera Lasiosyne Tan, Ren & Chih 2007 (transferred from Archostemata to Polyphaga), Anacapitis Yan 2009 Tarsomegamerus Zhang 2005 (proposed in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea) and Bupredactyla n. gen. The new family is regarded in composition of the infraorder Elateriformia without a more detailed attribution, because it demonstrates a mixture of characters of different families and superfamilies, i.e. somehow an intermediate position between the superfamilies Dascilloidea, Elateroidea, Buprestoidea and Byrrhoidea with most resemblance to Dascillidae, Schizopodidae, Eulichadidae, Ptilodactylidae and Callirrhipidae and probable more close relationship to the last three families. Four new fossil species of the genus Lasiosyne: L. daohugouensis n. sp. , L. fedorenkoi n. sp. , L. gratiosa n. sp. , L. quadricollis n. sp. , and also Bupredactyla magna n. sp. are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of eastern Inner Mongolia, China. A probable generic composition of the new family is considered. The synonymy of generic names Anacapitis Yan 2009 and Brachysyne Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. as well as synonymy of species names Lasiosyne euglyphea Tan, Ren & Chih 2007, Pappisyne eucallus Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. and Pappisyne spathulata Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. are proposed.
Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Superantigens: Basic Biology of Conserved Protein Toxins

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are gram-positive bacteria that possess great pathogenic potential in humans, causing numerous maladies such as arthritis, cutaneous infections, endocarditis, enterocolitis, food poisoning, pharyngitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, surgical site infections, and toxic shock. These prevalent pathogens produce various virulence factors that include the staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs). Minute (picomolar) amounts of these structurally-similar "superantigens" (SAgs) elicit high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that can induce fever, hypotension, and lethal shock. In vitro and in vivo models have provided important tools for studying the biological effects of, and potential vaccines plus therapeutics against, these related protein toxins. This review will delve into the known physical and biological properties of the SEs, TSST-1, and SPEs. The reader will hopefully derive a general appreciation of these wonderfully-complex, structurally-similar toxins produced by S. aureus and S. pyogenes.
Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1a: Posttranscriptional regulation and conformational change by recruitment of the Arnt transcription factor

Inresponsetohypoxiathehypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) mediates transcriptional activation of a network of genes encoding erythropoietin, vascular endothe- lial growth factor, and several glycolytic enzymes. HIF-1 consists of a heterodimer of two basic helix-loop-helix PAS (PeryArntySim)proteins,HIF-1aandArnt.HIF-1aandArnt mRNAsareconstitutivelyexpressedandwerenotalteredupon exposure of HeLa or HepG2 cells to hypoxia, suggesting that the activity of the HIF-1a-Arnt complex may be regulated by some as yet unknown posttranscriptional mechanism. In support of this model, we demonstrate here that Arnt protein levels were not increased under conditions that induce an hypoxic response in HeLa and HepG2 cells. However, under identical conditions, HIF-1a protein levels were rapidly and dramatically up-regulated, as assessed by immunoblot anal- ysis.Inaddition,HIF-1aacquiredanewconformationalstate upon dimerization with Arnt, rendering HIF-1a more resis- tanttoproteolyticdigestioninvitro.Dimerizationassuchwas not sufficient to elicit the conformational change in HIF-1a, since truncated forms of Arnt that are capable of dimerizing with HIF-1a did not induce this effect. Moreover, the high affinity DNA binding form of the HIF-1a-Arnt complex was only generated by forms of Arnt capable of eliciting the allosteric change in conformation. In conclusion, the combi- nation of enhanced protein levels and allosteric change by dimerization defines a novel mechanism for modulation of transcription factor activity.
Mahele: Sustaining Communities through Small-Scale Inshore Fishery Catch and Sharing Networks1

Abstract: Throughout the Pacific, “subsistence” fishing feeds not only individual fishers and their families but a much broader network of people through the noncommercial distribution, or sharing, of fish. This study evaluated the current importance of this sharing, through tracking subsistence fish catch and distributions (mahele) in one small Hawai'i fishery over an 18-month period. We found that the traditional and customary system of sharing fish, like subsistence activities in other mixed-economy settings, provides benefits beyond provisioning of food. These benefits include perpetuation of traditional and customary skills and practices, social status, social networks, reciprocal exchange, and collective insurance. Taken together these benefits enhance resilience of community-level social and ecological systems.
MORPHOLOGY OF THE FIRST AND SECOND INSTARS LARVAE OF PECKIA (PECKIA) CHRYSOSTOMA (WIEDEMANN, 1830) (DIPTERA, SARCOPHAGIDAE)

Buenaventura, E. 2013. Morphology of the first and second instars larvae of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae). Acta Zoologica Mexicana (n. s.), 29(1): 96-104. ABSTRACT. The morphology of larval stages of Diptera (Insecta) is little known, especially in the case of Sarcophagidae family larvae. Interest in sarcophagid larvae studies has increased with the step forward of forensic entomology, where they are considered potential indicators of the time of death. Forensic studies show Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma as one of the most important species in the Neo- tropical region. However, taxonomic identification of larvae is difficult due to the lack of knowledge of its morphology and useful taxonomic characters for identify them. Sealed microscope slides of first and second instar larvae were performed. The pseudocephalon, cephalopharyngeal skeleton, spinules, spiracular atrium and the posterior spiracles were studied. Morphological characteristics of larval instars I and II were described and illustrated.
Studies on the Mode of Action of Insulin: Properties and Biological Activity of an Insulin-Dextran Complex

The present study was on the mode of action of insulin using a synthetic insulindextran complex which is water-soluble but does not readily pass through the cell membrane. Crystalline bovine insulin was covalently coupled at pH 9 to dextran (av mol wt, 40,000 or 70,000) which had been activated with cyanogen bromide. After coupling, the insulin-dextran formed was precipitated with acetone and purified by gel filtration on a column of Sephadex G-7S. Bound insulin in the insulin-dextran complex was determined by a micromethod using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The shape of the radioimmunoassay curve of insulin-dextran indicated that the immunochemical effectiveness of the complex is less than that of unmodified insulin. When insulindextran was injected iv into alloxan-diabetic rats, at a dose of as little as 0.4 U/kg bw the blood glucose level rapidly decreased. The hypoglycemic action of the complex was greater and more prolonged than that of unmodified insulin. Moreover, the insulin-dextran complex.