Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure and stability of phosphate-methylated DNA duplexes : model systems for specific DNA-protein interaction and conformational transmission

In this chapter it is shown that stable parallel thymine-thymine (T-T) base pairs can be formed in aqueous solution. lnitially. this observation was made with 3'. 5' -di0-acetylthymidine in water. which showed an imino resonance at 13.45 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum. Using the nucleoside diphosphate d(pTp). the formation of T-T base pairs could only be induced via methylation of the phosphate groups. This leads to the suggestion that intermolecular electrostatic phosphat&-phosphate repulsion predudes T-T base pairing for unmodified d(pTp). lt is shown that T-T pairing is also manifest on the dinudeotide level. provided that the phosphate groups are methylated. Using the dinudeoside phosphate d(TpT) which was separated in its diasteromeric forms. it was shown that the mini-duplex melts at T m """ 30"C. Furthermore. it was shown that the duplex of d(TpT) is parallel. From the detailed conformational analysis of the individual diastereomers it follows that the duplex has a right-handed h.elical sense. since the backbone bonds C4·-Cs· and C5·-05• are preferentially 'Y + and (3 1, and the furanoses reside primarily in the south conformation. With the hexamer d(TpîpTpTpTpT). it was shown that T-T pairing alsa occurs on the hexanudeotide level. after methylation of the phosphate groups. The resulting duplex has a T m value of approximately 65"( as was established with UV hyperchromicity and variable-temperature 500 MHz. 1H NMR. lt could be dearly established that the duplex is parallel. Molecular modelling studies on the duplex of phosphate-methylated d(TpîpTpTpTpT) yielded a remarkably slim. parallel structure with about eight residues per turn. The possible relevance of these alternative DNA-like duplexes is briefly ment ion ed. *L.H. Koole. M.H. P. van Genderen and H.M. Buck. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109. 3916 (1987).
Use of a new test for determining comparative antioxidative activity of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, alpha-and gamma-tocopherols and extracts from rosemary and sage

Afin de mesurer l'efficacite d'antioxygenes, un test d'autooxydation acceleree du linoleate de methyle a ete utilise, par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. L'efficacite de l'antioxygene est evaluee par l'accroissement du temps de 1/2 reaction par rapport a une oxydation temoin sans antioxygene. L'ensemble des resultats montre que ce test, d'une duree inferieure a 10 heures, permet de comparer le pouvoir antioxydant connu ou potentiel d'extraits vegetaux.
Administration of Nitrous Oxide to Pediatric Patients Provides Analgesia for Venous Cannulation

To determine whether administration of nitrous oxide, 50% and 70%, could provide analgesia and anxiolysis during venous cannulation in pediatric patients, 165 ASA Physical Status 1 patients scheduled for elective surgery were studied. Children, 3 weeks to 18 yr of age, were randomly assigned either
The Essentialty of Boron for Dryopteris dentata and Selaginella apoda

The essentiality of boron for angiosperms has been recognized for about 50 years, but, despite a diligent search of the literature, the authors are unaware of any investigation of a possible requirement of boron for Pteridophytes. In order to determine whether any of the Pteridophytes require boron, a true fern, Dryopteris dentata (Forsk.) C. Chr. , and a club moss, Selaginella apoda (L.) Fern. , were selected. For the former, very small sporophytes, with well-developed roots and a degenerating prothallus still present, were obtained in the University greenhouses. For the latter, terminal pieces of growth, approximately 5 cm. in length, were collected, taking care to use pieces whose aerial roots had not made contact with the soil. This precaution avoided the necessity of removing soil particles which might have contained boron. Both types of plants were raised on quartz sand in plastic containers. The sand had been treated with 10% sulfuric acid, and then thoroughly leached with demineralized water and, later, quartz-distilled water. Quartz-distilled water was also used in the nutrient solutions. The cultures were placed under a plastic-covered frame in the greenhouse to increase the humidity around the young plants and to prevent possible contamination of boron from dust or from the tap water spray applied to nearby plants. The four stock solutions contained 0.5M concentrations of
Effective Size and Effectiveness: Next Generation Sequencing and thePractice of Genomics in Africa

The tremendous and unprecedented insights provided by next generation sequencing into genome functions, variations and interactions promises an enormous shift in our attitude towards individual and population genetics, both in health and disease. Concepts and paradigms could be verified or nullified based on large complete sets of data rather than few genes or inference from large sets of comparison with substantial gaps like genome wide association studies (GWAS). Functional variant(s) may be associated with phenotypes at a “personalized” level. Rare variants underlying common diseases-and even underlying variations in health-are a frequent encounter in the genomic era. Simple inductive generalizations would hastily blur the lines between what is a true abnormality and what is not.
Distances to the Galaxies M 81 and NGC 2403 from CCD I-Band Photometry of Cepheids

M 81 and NGC 2403 are two of the closest northern hemisphere galaxies outside of the Local Group for which Cepheid variables have been detected and periods accurately determined. I-band CCD photometry has been obtained for the only two known Cepheids in M 81, and for eight of the known Cepheids in NGC 2403. For M 81, an apparent I-band distance modulus and formal fitting error of (m−M) I = 27.64 ± 0.09 mag are derived, while for NGC 2403 (m−M) I = 27.57 ± 0.14 mag. Taking a true distance modulus of 18.50 mag for the Large Magellanic Cloud (and E B−V ) = 0.07), a true modulus of 27.59 mag ± 0.31 is obtained for M 81, and 27.51 mag ± 0.24 for NGC 2403 (foreground reddenings of A I = 0.05 and 0.06 mag being adopted for M 81 and NGC 2403, respectively, from Burstein and Heiles 1984). These moduli correspond to distances of 3.3 ± 0.5 and 3.2 ± 0.4 Mpc, respectively, but they are still upper limits since we have not yet independently determined the reddening internal to the parent galaxies.
Cuticular penetration and desensitivity of GABA_A receptor in abamectin resistant Plutella xylostella L.

The dynamics of topically applied 3H-abamectin to the fourth instar larvae was compared between the ABM-S and ABM-R strains. The results showed that during the period of 5 to 360 minutes, the number of 3H-abamectin penetrated the cuticular of ABM-R strain was 1.5-fold reduction to that of ABM-S strain. Treatment after 24h, the extraneous 3H-abamectin still remained 45.9% in the ABM-R strain. While in the ABM-S strain, there was 98.4% of the 3H-abamectin penetrated the cuticular. Radioligand binding assay indicated that the change of GABA A receptor binding was also involved in abamectin resistance. Scatchard assay showed that there was no significant difference or receptor affinity between the ABM-S strain ( K d=10.9368±0.4374 nmol/L), and the ABM-R strain ( K d=9.8328±0.3933 nmol/L). However, the maximum number of GABA A receptor was decreased 63.6% in the ABM-R strain ( B max = 71.2842±4.9910 fmol/mg protein) compared with the ABM-S strain ( B max =112.0255±7.8418 fmol/mg protein). Therefore, the change of GABA A receptor binding was caused by the reduction of receptor number, not the change of its molecular structure.
reciprocal interactions between synaptic ampa receptors and action potential firing in cerebellar stellate cells

The cerebellum controls motor learning and is also implicated in higher cognitive functions including fear conditioning and emotional response. Inhibitory interneurons such as stellate cells are emerging as central players in cerebellar learning and function. These neurons receive their excitatory input through mostly GluR2-lacking, calcium permeable AMPA receptors. However, GluR2-lacking receptors can be replaced with GluR2-containing, calcium impermeable receptors by synaptic activity. GluR2 insertion at the Ca-permeable synapse typically increases the decay time of a synaptic current while reducing the amplitude. An increase in GluR2-lacking receptors occurs during both learning and pathological experience, in neurons that normally express GluR2-containing receptors. Despite the fact that this GluR2 subtype switch was observed in many brain regions, the functional implications of a such change are unknown. Here I investigated how GluR2 incorporation affected the ability of synaptic input to evoke an action potential (AP) in the stellate cells. Firstly, we find that fear exposure increases GluR2 gene transcription and synaptic GluR2 incorporation in stellate cells. Secondly, I show that a fear-induced increase in GluR2-containing receptors results in a significant enhancement of evoked AP probability, and a change in the firing pattern of the interneurons due to a change in post-synaptic facilitation. Changes in pre-synaptic activity are known to modify the composition of AMPA receptors. Here, we tested whether changes in post-synaptic APs alone can alter the synaptic AMPAR phenotype. First, we show that increasing the AP duration can facilitate the incorporation of synaptic GluR2-containing receptors in a transcription-dependent manner. Second, I observe that dendritic synapses are mostly GluR2-lacking close to the soma, but mainly GluR2-containing at the distal dendrites, which requires protein synthesis. Broadening the action potentials results in a decrease in GluR2-containing receptors along the dendrite. Therefore the APs can have antagonistic effects on synaptic GluR2 levels. In conclusion, I show in stellate cells, that the switch in AMPAR phenotype can change the probability of APs, and conversely, that changes in AP duration can alter the AMPAR phenotype. This reciprocal interaction between AMPAR remodeling and AP generation may result in a stable dendritic GluR2 gradient that may be altered by emotional experience.
Inhibition of cannabinoid CB1 receptor

27 28 Evidences have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is overactive in obesity, 29 resulting in enhanced endocannabinoid levels in both circulation and visceral adipose 30 tissue. The blockade of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) has been proposed for the 31 treatment of obesity. Besides loss of body weight, the CB1 antagonism improves insulin 32 sensitivity, in which the glucose transporter GLUT4 plays a key role. The aim of this 33 study was to investigate the modulation of GLUT4-encoded gene (Slc2a4 gene) 34 expression by CB1 receptor. For this, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated in the presence 35 of a highly selective CB1 receptor agonist (1 μM ACEA, 36 arachidonyl-2-chloroethanolamide) and/or a CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist (0.1, 37 0.5 or 1 μM AM251, 38 N-(Piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-ca 39 rboxamide). After acute (2 and 4 hours) and chronic (24 hours) treatment, cells were 40 harvested to evaluate: 1) Slc2a4, Cnr1 (CB1 receptor-encoded gene) and Srebp1a 41 mRNAs (Real Time PCR); 2) GLUT4 protein (Western blotting); and 3) binding activity 42 of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1 43 specifically in the promoter of Slc2a4 gene (Eletrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay). Results 44 revealed that both acute and chronic CB1 receptor antagonism greatly increased (~2.5 45 Page 3 of 46
Role of glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus type 1 in viral entry and cell fusion

Glycoprotein B (gB) of herpes simplex virus type 1 is an envelope protein that is essential for viral growth. We previously reported the isolation of two gB-null viruses, which form gB-free virions in nonpermissive cells. In the present study, these gB-free virions were shown to bind to the cell surface at the same rate as the wild-type virus. They failed, however, to form plaques and to synthesize virus-specific proteins upon infection. Their plating efficiency was significantly enhanced by treatment with polyethylene glycol, a membrane fusion agent. Therefore, gB is required in a stage after viral attachment but before the expression of the virus-specific proteins. A gB-null syncytial virus was isolated, which contained a gB defect and a syncytial mutation in another genetic locus. It caused complete fusion of gB-transformed cells but no fusion on untransformed cells, indicating the essential role of gB in virus-induced cell fusion. Mutations located at two independent sites in the cytoplasmic domain of gB were transferred to viral DNA and shown to confer a syncytial phenotype to the virus. A transient-expression assay was developed to determine the ability of a set of plasmids containing addition and nonsense mutations in the gB gene to complement the cell-fusion defect in the gB-null syncytial virus. Mutations in plasmids, including those located in the extracytoplasmic domain of gB, were identified that reduced the fusion activity of gB. Therefore, gB contains different functional regions responsible for fusion induction and its inhibition.
The Latitudinal Gradient in Recent Speciation and Extinction Rates of Birds and Mammals

sequences of evolutionary change has been apparent since Lande’s pioneering work (14). Our results are a useful step toward extending stochastic evolutionary demography toward a theoretical framework that describes population dynamics in terms of the quantitative traits on which selection operates. Such a theory would describe the feedback between ecological and evolutionary processes in a stochastic environment andwould illuminate themechanisms shaping additive genetic variation and phenotypic variation.
Design of retrovirus vectors for transfer and expression of the human beta-globin gene

Regulated expression of the human beta-globin gene has been demonstrated in cultured murine erythroleukemia cells and in mice after retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. However, the low titer of recombinant viruses described to date results in relatively inefficient gene transfer, which limits their usefulness for animal studies and for potential gene therapy in humans for diseases involving defective beta-globin genes. We found regions that interfered with virus production within intron 2 of the beta-globin gene and on both sides of the gene. The flanking regions could be removed, but intron 2 was required for beta-globin expression. Inclusion of beta-globin introns necessitates an antisense orientation of the gene within the retrovirus vector. However, we found no effect of the antisense beta-globin transcription on virus production. A region downstream of the beta-globin gene that stimulates expression of the gene in transgenic mice was included in the viruses without detrimental effects on virus titer. Virus titers of over 10(6) CFU/ml were obtained with the final vector design, which retained the ability to direct regulated expression of human beta-globin in murine erythroleukemia cells. The vector also allowed transfer and expression of the human beta-globin gene in hematopoietic cells (CFU-S cells) in mice.
Chip Level Modeling With Vhdl

VLSI circuits have made gate-level modeling of large-scale systems impractical. Chip-level modeling offers an alternative approach to model development that still represents timing accurately. The authors examine this approach to modeling and the use of hardware description languages (HDLs) to achieve the desired accuracy. The characteristics of chip-level models are reviewed and sample models are presented. HDL code for each model is given to illustrate its use. Fault modeling in a chip level is examined. >
Staphylococcus haemolyticus urinary tract infection in a male patient

Urinary tract infections caused by staphylococci are usually attributed to Staphylococcus epidermidis or S. saprophyticus. The case study reported here describes a persistent urinary tract infection caused by S. haemolyticus in a 38-year-old male whose infection was ultimately resolved through the use of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Differences in Aggressive Behavior Between Two Throat Color Morphs in a Lizard, Urosaurus ornatus

In a population of Urosaurus ornatus in New Mexico, males are polymorphic for throat color. Two relatively abundant morphs occur, one with a green central spot on the throat and a second with an orange throat. Tests in an outdoor enclosure indicated that green males are more likely to dominate similarly sized orange males than is expected by chance. Trials in which color was altered by painting indicated that this difference was related to the perception of an opponent's throat color. Experiments in which tethered males were introduced into the proximity of free males showed that orange residents are more likely to attack intruders than are green residents, perhaps because intruders display more often to orange residents than to green. Some tethered intruders even dominated orange residents. Orange males observed in natural encounters were more likely to be of above average size than were similarly observed green males.
The Effect of Chronic Feeding of Diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 Toxin, and Aflatoxin on Performance, Health, and Antibody Production in Chicks

Abstract The effects of feeding T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), or aflatoxin B1 at levels up to 1,000 ppb for 5 weeks on performance, health, and immune response of enterally and parenterally immunized chicks were examined. No decreases in growth or feed efficiency were observed when T-2, DAS, or a mixture of these mycotoxins were fed for 35 days. Aflatoxin at concentrations above 800 ppb resulted in decreased growth and feed efficiency after 4 weeks. Feeding T-2 and DAS resulted in oral lesions and mild intestinal inflammation, but no other pathological or histopathological lesions. Aflatoxin caused enlargement and discoloration of liver and kidneys and mild intestinal inflammation. No effects of T-2, DAS, or aflatoxin B1 were observed on antibody production to antigens administered by enteral or parenteral routes.
Immunolocalization of Basic Protein H4 During Spermatogenesis of Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Based on the extraordinary conservatism of basic protein H4 among different eucaryotic cells,the metastasis characteristics of basic protein H4 during spermatogenesis of Fenneropenaeus chinensis was studied using the improved technique of aurosol electron microscope immunolocalization.Result showed that H4 was synthesized within the cytoplasm of spermatogium and spermatocyte,and the basic protein H4 involved in the chromosomal construction;During the spermiogenesis,in the early stage of prophase,the basic protein synthesized in cytoplasm gathered in the proacrosomal vacuole.And in the late stage of prophase,H4 in the nucleus started to shift into the acrosomal vesicle.There was a lot of H4 that shifed from nucleus into the acrosomal vesicle in the metaphase,and it decreased in the anaphase.The diversion of H4 from nucleus to the acrosomal vesicle resulted in no basic protein H4 in the mature sperm nucleus,which is one of the causes of non-condensing sperm nucleus.
HLA allele polymorphism in northern Hans of China

Objective: To analyze the polymorphism of HLA-A,-B,and-DRB1 in northern Hans of China and obtain more comprehensive and accurate data about HLA molecular genetics.Methods: The methods of polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers and-sequence specific oligonucleotide probing(PCR-SSP and-SSOP) were used to determine the HLA-A,-B,and-DRB1 alleles in 8 924 unrelated healthy Han individuals in northern China.Results: Low resolution alleles 18 HLA-A,44HLA-B and 13 HLA-DRB1 including some rare HLA alleles that had not been reported in China before were discovered in this study.The most prevalent HLA types were A*02,B*13 and DRB1*15,with a gene frequency of 0.288 6,0.143 0 and 0.175 9 respectively.The most common A-B haplotype in this study was A*30-B*13 with a haplotype frequency of 0.0895. The most common HLA-A-B-DRB1 haplotype was A*30-B*13-DRB1*07 with a haplotype frequency of 0.074 2.Conclusion: HLA-A,-B,and-DRB1 alleles in the northern Hans of China are high polymorphic.Large scale DNA based on HLA genotyping contributes to the detection of low frequency alleles.
Sealant knowledge and use by pediatric dentists: 1987 Minnesota survey.

: Sealants are safe, cost-effective, and easy to apply. All of the pediatric dentists surveyed in this study reported using sealants. Only 46 percent, however, applied sealants more than ten times per week. Sealant use was most often for the six- to fourteen-year-old age-group.
The Relation between Chemical Structure and Toxicity in Rotenone Derivatives

The relationship between chemical structures of insecticides and their toxicities has been a subject of inquiry since development of synthetic insecticides such as DDT and parathion. Although some attempts have been made on this problem, no convincing conclusion was as yet obtained with any type of insecticide. Most of the attempts focused attention only to screening tests of insecticide derivatives for their insecticidal activities. However, since a number of processes are involved in the course of an insecticidal action, it seems likely that the insecticidal activity does not necessarily correlate with any particular radical or group in a molecule. In order to provide sufficient information concerning the relation between chemical structures and insecticidal activities, it is desirable to compare the effectiveness of derivatives at various steps in the course of an insecticidal action, e.g., penetration through the cuticle, detoxication in insect body, toxic effect at the site of action, and inhibition of enzymes. SCHRADER (1947) and METCALF & MARCH (1949) reported that insecticidal action of parathion and its derivatives closely correlated with the degree of cholinesterase inhibition. It has also been reported that DDT and its derivatives inhibit the cytochrome c oxidase activity (ANDERSON et al., 1954). In this case, however, since parallelism between insecticidal activities and the cytochrome c oxidase inhibition was not found, the inhibition of this enzyme could not be regarded as a primary action of DDT. Rotenone, which has a definite lethal action on insects and shows a low mammalian toxicity, has been demonstrated to inhibit L-glutamic dehydrogenase activity very effectively (FUKAMI, & TOMIZAWA, 1956). The inhibition of this enzyme was considered to be responsible for block of nerve function which is a major cause of paralysis of insect after treatment with rotenone (FUKAMI, 1956; FUKAMI & TOMIZAWA, 1956; YAMASAKI & NARAHASHI, 1957). It was further demonstrated with rotenone and its four derivatives that a close correlation exists between insecticidal action and the degree of Lglutamic dehydrogenase from insect muscle (FUKAMI & TOMIZAWA, 1958). For the purpose of providing sufficient information on the relation between chemical structures of rotenoides and insecticidal activities, rotenone and thirtyfour derivatives were compared in the present study. For the reasons mentioned above, the effectiveness of derivatives in depressing L-glutamic dehydrogenase activity, in blocking nerve conduction, and in killing insects was examined. The authors are indebted to Dr. H. ISHIKURA, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, for his ardent guidance, to Prof. T. YAMASAKI, University of Tokyo, and to Mr. C. TOMIZAWA, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, for their valuable suggestions and criticisms. Thanks are also due to Prof. M. MATSUI and Dr. M. MIYANO, University of Tokyo, who kindly provided the rotenoides used in this