Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis of female‐biased odorant binding protein 6 for volatile and nonvolatile host compounds in Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze)

The polyphagous mirid bug Adelphocoris lineolatus relies heavily on olfactory cues to track suitable host plants. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular basis of its olfactory detection could contribute to the development of effective pest management strategies. In the present study, we report the expression profile of the odorant binding protein gene A. lineolatus odorant binding protein 6 (AlinOBP6). Quantitative real‐time PCR experiments suggest that AlinOBP6 is female adult antennae‐biased. Cellular immunolocalization analyses show that AlinOBP6 is highly expressed in the lymph of both multiporous sensilla basiconica and uniporous sensilla chaetica. A ligand binding analysis showed that recombinant AlinOBP6 not only bound tightly to host plant volatile compounds but also to nonvolatile compounds. Homology modelling and molecular docking analyses confirmed these unusual ligand binding profiles and revealed that the amino acid residues involved in the recognition of volatile and nonvolatile compounds are distinct. The results of our study are the first to suggest that an antenna‐ and female‐biased OBP in an hemipteran insect is expressed in both olfactory and gustatory sensilla as a mechanism to respond to volatile and nonvolatile host compounds. These findings warrant further research into the molecular mechanisms of chemosensation for mirid bugs in responsive to host plant location.
Frequency and clinical significance of the expression of the multidrug resistance proteins MDR1/P-glycoprotein, MRP1, and LRP in acute myeloid leukemia: a Southwest Oncology Group Study.

Therapeutic resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Such resistance has been associated with rapid drug efflux mediated by the multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1; encoding P-glycoprotein) and more recently with expression of other novel proteins conferring multidrug resistance such as MRP1 (multidrug resistance-associated protein 1) and LRP (lung resistance protein). To determine the frequency and clinical significance of MDR1, MRP1, and LRP in younger AML patients, we developed multiparameter flow cytometric assays to quantify expression of these proteins in pretreatment leukemic blasts from 352 newly diagnosed AML patients (median age, 44 years) registered to a single clinical trial (SWOG 8600). Protein expression was further correlated with functional efflux by leukemic blasts [assessed using two substrates: Di(OC)(2) and Rhodamine 123] and with the ability of MDR-reversing agents to inhibit efflux in vitro. MDR1/P-glycoprotein expression, which was highly correlated with cyclosporine-inhibited efflux, was noted in only 35% of these younger AML patients, distinctly lower than the frequency of 71% we previously reported in AML in the elderly (Blood 89:3323, 1997). Interestingly, MDR1 expression and functional drug efflux increased with patient age, from a frequency of only 17% in patients less than 35 years old to 39% in patients aged 50 years (P =.010). In contrast, MRP1 was expressed in only 10% of cases and decreased with patient age (P =. 024). LRP was detected in 43% of cases and increased significantly with increasing white blood cell counts (P =.0015). LRP was also marginally associated with favorable cytogenetics (P =.012) and French-American-British (FAB) AML FAB subtypes (P =.013), being particularly frequent in M4/M5 cases. Only MDR1/P-glycoprotein expression and cyclosporine-inhibited efflux were significantly associated with complete remission (CR) rate (P(MDR1) =. 012; P(efflux) =. 039) and resistant disease (RD; P(MDR1) =. 0007; P(efflux) =. 0092). No such correlations were observed for MRP1 (P(CR) =. 93; P(RD) =. 55) or LRP (P(CR) =. 50; P(RD) =. 53). None of these parameters were associated with overall or relapse-free survival. Unexpectedly, a distinct and nonoverlapping phenotype was detected in 18% of these cases: cyclosporine-resistant efflux not associated with MDR1, MRP1, or LRP expression, implying the existence of other as yet undefined efflux mechanisms in AML. In summary, MDR1 is less frequent in younger AML patients, which may in part explain their better response to therapy. Neither MRP1 nor LRP are significant predictors of outcome in this patient group. Thus, inclusion of MDR1-modulators alone may benefit younger AML patients with MDR1(+) disease.
Towards automatic performance analysis

Most existing performance tools provide generic measurements and visual displays. It is then the responsibility of the users to analyze the performance of their programs using the displayed information. This can be a non-trivial task, because one needs to identify specific pieces of information needed for such analysis. A good performance analysis tool should be able to provide intelligent analysis, and not just feedback, about the performance of a parallel program. Such automatic performance analysis is feasible for programming paradigms that expose sufficient information about program behavior. Charm, a portable, object-based, and message-driven parallel programming language is one such paradigm. We describe the design and implementation of Projections:Expert, a framework for automatic performance analysis for Charm programs.
Oncolytic virotherapy for cancer with the adenovirus dl1520 (Onyx-015): results of Phase I and II trials

Replication-selective viral agents hold promise as a novel cancer treatment platform (virotherapy). dl1520 (Onyx-015, now CI-1042, Pfizer Corp., Groton, CT, USA), an E1B-55kD gene-deleted adenovirus, was the first such genetically engineered agent to be tested in humans. Over 250 cancer patients have now been treated on approximately ten clinical trials (phase I-III). The virus was generally well tolerated at doses of up to 2 x 1012 particles by intratumoural, intraperitoneal, hepatic arterial and iv. administration; no maximally-tolerated doses were identified following intra-vascular administration. Viral replication was tumour-selective and was documented after administration by all routes; however, viral replication was variable depending on tumour histology. Single agent efficacy has been relatively limited to date (0 - 14% local tumour regression rates). In combination with chemotherapy, however, encouraging antitumoural activity has been demonstrated. These clinical research results demonstrate the potential of this novel treatment platform, as well as the hurdles to be overcome. Novel replication-selective agents with improved potency are being developed.
Bacterial diversity in necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis in HIV-positive subjects.

BACKGROUND Necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP) is a painful and potentially debilitating affliction that affects about 2% to 6% of HIV-positive subjects. NUP may be caused by specific microorganisms that are presently unknown or by microbial species not usually thought to cause periodontal infections. The purpose of this study was to define the bacterial species associated with NUP in HIV-positive patients. METHODS 16S rRNA bacterial genes of DNA isolated from subgingival plaque of 8 HIV-positive subjects with NUP were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into Escherichia coli. The sequences of cloned inserts were used to determine species identity or closest relatives by comparison with known sequences. The microbial profiles in subgingival plaque of subjects with NUP, chronic periodontitis, and periodontal health were compared using a battery of over 200 oligonucleotide probes in a PCR-based, reverse-capture, checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization assay. RESULTS Sequence analysis of over 400 clones revealed 108 species; 65 were "uncultivable" phylotypes, of which 26 were novel to NUP subjects. Species or phylotypes most commonly detected were Bulleidia extructa, Dialister, Fusobacterium, Selenomonas, Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella, and the phylum TM7. Based on sequence analysis and checkerboard analysis, NUP did not possess the classical periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Otherwise, the microbial profiles of NUP and periodontitis had many similarities. The microbial profiles of subgingival plaque from periodontally healthy subjects were different and less complex in comparison to the profiles of both disease groups. CONCLUSIONS Certain species appear to be associated with health and periodontal diseases. The putative pathogens associated with periodontal disease in HIV-negative subjects are not associated with NUP in HIV-positive subjects.
A class of data traffic processes — covariance function characterization and related queuing results

While the “call” or “session” is the basic entity that is set up in many data traffic applications, the performance analysis of data network elements depends on the internal units of traffic into which calls are decomposed. In a packet-switching network, the packet represents the basic internal unit of traffic, and packets from different calls time-share facilities and contend for network resources, giving rise to queuing delays. In this paper, we consider the problem of characterizing the doubly stochastic packet process resulting from a superposition of call types, each type having a stochastically varying number of calls in progress. We obtain statistical properties of the process and use them to obtain an approximating process, based in part upon time constants associated with the packet-rate covariance function. We discuss existing queuing models dealing with this approximating class of inputs and present results showing the effect of call and packet traffic parameters on queuing performance.
Digital Library System Integration Model Construction Based on Semantic Web Service

At the basis of analyzing the basic structure and current application of the Semantic Web Service, we built digital library system integration model based on Semantic Web Service. Detailing the realization process of the entire model, the paper focuses on the two main modules: the main module of digital library system integration processing and the main module of digital library system function query. The model is the effective integration of digital library system resources to create a centralized, united digital library system, and to make the query up to semantic level. It enhances the overall operation and service performance of digital libraries.
Fabrication of sensitive fibre-optic gas sensors based on nano-assembled thin films

A layer-by-layer approach was used to deposit coatings of thickness of order 10 nm onto a multimode optical fibre from which the cladding had been removed, with the aim of demonstrating a fibre-optic ammonia sensor. The film was composed of alternate layers of tetrakis-(4-sulfophenyl) porphine (TSPP) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) deposited using the electrostatic self assembly process. Exposure of this material to ammonia induces a change in the absorption spectrum, which can be observed in the transmission spectrum of the coated optical fibre. The ammonia sensor shows a linear sensitivity in the concentration range of 0.1-50 ppm and the sensor response and recovery times were less than 30 seconds. The sensor was exposed to different chemical compounds (toluene, pyridine) in order to study the sensors selectivity.
Evaluation of resistors for transient high-voltage applications

Applications for transient, high-voltage pulsed power technologies are on the increase. High-voltage resistors are an essential component of such systems, especially in the proof-of-concept and prototype testing. The authors have recently procured and tested certain resistor samples, supplied by Kanthal Globar and HVR Advanced Power Components. Results of a detailed evaluation of the HVR resistors are presented in this paper. Two types of HVR high-powered resistors have been tested to determine hold-off voltage, frequency variation and resistance to high voltage. The resistors were tested in a coaxial geometry driven by a two stage Marx generator. The voltage and current were measured by calibrated sensors. The high-voltage pulse resistance of each resistor is then determined on a pulse by pulse basis by dividing the maximum voltage by the maximum current in the time-domain. The two samples (HVR-10, HVR-12; washer type) were nominally 10 and 12 ohms with resistivity of 28 and 80 ohm-cm respectively. The variations in the low-voltage to pulsed high-voltage resistance were 9% for the HVR-10 and 18% for the HVR-12. With an average applied field of 65 kV/inch or 25.6 kV/cm, the resistors flashed in air, but not in pure SF/sub 6/ and N/sub 2//SF/sub 6/ mix. These resistors were found to be satisfactory for transient applications.
Epidemiology, etiology, x-ray features, importance of co-infections and clinical features of viral pneumonia in developing countries

Pneumonia is still the number one killer of young children globally, accounting for 18% of mortality in children under 5 years of age. An estimated 120 million new cases of pneumonia occur globally each year. In developing countries, management and prevention efforts against pneumonia have traditionally focused on bacterial pathogens. More recently however, viral pathogens have gained attention as a result of improved diagnostic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction, outbreaks of severe disease caused by emerging pathogens, discovery of new respiratory viruses as well as the decrease in bacterial pneumonia as a consequence of the introduction of highly effective conjugate vaccines. Although the epidemiology, etiology and clinical characterization of viral infections are being studied extensively in the developed world, little data are available from low- and middle-income countries. In this paper, we review the epidemiology, etiology, clinical and radiological features of viral pneumonia in developing countries.
Varicella-Zoster Virus IE62 Protein Utilizes the Human Mediator Complex in Promoter Activation

ABSTRACT The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) major transactivator, IE62, is involved in the expression of all kinetic classes of VZV genes and can also activate cellular promoters, promoters from heterologous viruses, and artificial promoters containing only TATA elements. A key component of the mechanism of IE62 transactivation is an acidic activation domain comprising the N-terminal 86 amino acids of IE62. However, the cellular target of this N-terminal acidic activation is unknown. In the work presented here, we show that the IE62 activation domain targets the human Mediator complex via the Med25 (ARC92) subunit and that this interaction appears to be fundamental for transactivation by the IE62 activation domain. In contrast, the Med23 subunit (Sur2/TRAP150β/DRIP130/CRSP130) of the Mediator complex is not essential for IE62-mediated activation. Further, the IE62 activation domain appears to selectively interact with a form of the Mediator complex lacking CDK8. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that IE62 stimulates recruitment of Mediator to an IE62-responsive model promoter. Finally, immunofluorescence microscopy of VZV-infected cells demonstrated intranuclear translocation of the Mediator complex to viral replication compartments. These studies suggest that Mediator is an essential component for efficient VZV gene expression.
Current Status of Pharmacogenetics in Antithrombotic Drug Therapy

"Personalized medicine” represents a conceptual change in pharmacotherapeutics, where an individual's genetic profile will determine the appropriate drug and/or dose the patient should receive. Currently, medicine is addressing this challenge through the lens of genomic technologies. In the domain of anthithrombotic therapy, warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin are still the most relevant drugs for treatment of thromboembolic cardiovascular disorders and prevention of stroke. Incorporation of pharmacogenetic approaches, particularly in the antithrombotic drug therapy, may lead to better understanding of what stands behind the individual differences in drug efficacy and adverse drug effects, with the aim of increasing benefits and reducing risks on individual level. For now, two antithrombotics, warfarin and clopidogrel are emerging as the leading examples for pharmacogenetically-guided therapeutic optimization. Several recent randomized and controlled trials have demonstrated a number of improved clinical outcomes in warfarin-treated patients undertaking pharmacogenetic testing, particularly in patients with exceptionally low or high warfarin dose requirements (outliers). In addition, there were significant achievements in identification of genetic markers of reduced clopidogrel pharmacokinetics, which can partially explain inefficiency of clopidogrel response. The American Food and Drug Association (FDA) acted quickly on these developments in approving additional labeling for warfarin and clopidogrel package inserts to include relevant genetic testing, and called for further large-scale studies on the effectiveness of pharmacogenetic approaches to therapies using these drugs. However, there is still a considerable debate on the quality, quantity, and type of evidence that are needed to encourage such changes in clinical practice. There are also pertinent questions regarding which genetic markers should be used to ensure overall population benefits from genetic testing on a population level. It is also important to establish the relationship between genetic and non-genetic factors, particularly the effects of drug-drug interactions, and also the most appropriate pharmacogenetically-based dosing algorithm designed for clinical use. This review provides an update on the most significant pharmacogenetic studies on the commonly used oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, summarizing knowledge on the known genetic polymorphisms, their therapeutic effects
Cortical visual areas process intestinal information during slow‐wave sleep

Background Previously we have shown that, during sleep, electrical and magnetic stimulation of areas of the stomach and small intestine evoked neuronal and EEG responses in various cortical areas. In this study we wanted to correlate natural myoelectrical activity of the duodenum with cortical neuronal activity, and to investigate whether there is a causal link between them during periods of slow‐wave sleep.
Novel Fission Yeast Cdc7-Dbf4-Like Kinase Complex Required for the Initiation and Progression of Meiotic Second Division

ABSTRACT Cdc7, a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, controls initiation of DNA replication. A regulatory subunit, Dbf4, stimulates the kinase activity of Cdc7 and recruits it to the replication origins. Schizosaccharomyces pombe has a homologous kinase complex, composed of Hsk1 and Dfp1/Him1. Here, we report a novel protein kinase of S. pombe, Spo4, which shares common structural features with the Cdc7 kinases. In spite of the structural similarities, Spo4 is dispensable for mitotic growth and premeiotic DNA replication. Intriguingly, spo4 null mutants are defective in initiation and progression of the second meiotic division. Spindles for meiosis II are often fragmented. Spo4 kinase activity is markedly enhanced when the enzyme is associated with its regulatory subunit, Spo6, a Dbf4-like protein. Expression of Spo4 is specifically induced during meiosis. Spo4 is preferentially present in nuclei, but this nuclear localization does not require Spo6. These results suggest that Spo4 is a Cdc7 kinase whose primary role is in meiosis, not in DNA replication. This is the first report of an organism which has two Cdc7-related kinase complexes with different biological functions.
The clpP multigenic family in Streptomyces lividans: conditional expression of the clpP3 clpP4 operon is controlled by PopR, a novel transcriptional activator

The clpP genes are widespread among living organisms and encode the proteolytic subunit of the Clp ATP‐dependent protease. These genes are present in a single copy in most eubacteria. However, five clpP genes were identified in Streptomyces coelicolor. The clpP1 clpP2 operon was studied: mutations affected the growth cycle in various Streptomyces. Here, we report studies of the expression of the clpP3 clpP4 operon in Streptomyces lividans. The clpP3 operon was induced in a clpP1 mutant strain, and the regulation of expression was investigated in detail. The product of the putative regulator gene, downstream from clpP4, was purified. Gel migration shift assays and DNase I footprinting showed that this protein binds to the clpP3 promoter and recognizes a tandem 6 bp palindromic repeat (TCTGCC‐3N‐GGCAGA). In vivo, this DNA‐binding protein, named PopR, acts as an activator of the clpP3 operon. Studies of popR expression indicate that the regulator is probably controlled at the post‐transcriptional level.
Modeling Post-Fire Mortality in Pure and Mixed Forest Stands in Portugal—A Forest Planning-Oriented Model

Assessing impacts of management strategies may allow designing more resistant forests to wildfires. Planning-oriented models to predict the effect of stand structure and forest composition on mortality for supporting fire-smart management decisions, and allowing its inclusion in forest management optimization systems were developed. Post-fire mortality was modeled as a function of measurable forest inventory data and projections over time in 165 pure and 76 mixed forest stands in Portugal, collected by the 5th National Forest Inventory plots (NFI) plus other sample plots from ForFireS project, intercepted within 2006–2008 wildfire perimeters’ data. Presence and tree survival were obtained by examining 2450 trees from 16 species one year after the wildfire occurrence. A set of logistic regression models were developed under a three-stage modeling system: firstly multiple fixed-effects at stand-level that comprises a sub-model to predict mortality from wildfire; and another for the proportion of dead trees on stands killed by fire. At tree-level due to the nested structure of the data analyzed (trees within stands), a mixed-effect model was developed to estimate mortality among trees in a fire event. The results imply that the variation of tree mortality decreases when tree diameter at breast height increases. Moreover, the relative mortality increases with stand density, higher altitude and steeper slopes. In the same conditions, conifers are more prone to die than eucalyptus and broadleaves. Pure stands of broadleaves exhibit noticeably higher fire resistance than mixed stands of broadleaves and others species composition.
Distinct Hormone Regulation of Determinate and Indeterminate NoduleDevelopment in Legumes

Symbiotic legume nodules are classified as determinate or indeterminate depending on the persistence of nodule meristem. This review compares and contrasts the roles of different plant hormones during the development of these two types of nodules. Cytokinins promote the formation of both types of nodules while ethylene and abscisic acid inhibit them. Interestingly auxin, jasmonic acid, gibberellic acid and brassinolides appear to distinctly influence the two types of nodules.
A photonic-assisted transceiver with wavelength reuse for distributed UWB radar

A photonic-assisted transceiver with wavelength reuse for distributed ultra-wideband (UWB) radar is proposed and demonstrated. The transceiver converts an input optical phase modulated signal into an optical UWB pulse train based on phase modulation to intensity modulation conversion using a fiber Bragg grating, and performs wavelength reuse by re-modulating the phase modulated optical signal via an intensity modulator. The transceiver is applied in a UWB ranging radar. A centimeter level accuracy is achieved.