Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
General and specific host responses to bacterial infection in Peyer's patches: a role for stromelysin‐1 (matrix metalloproteinase‐3) during Salmonella enterica infection

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) and Yersinia enterocolitica are enteric pathogens capable of colonizing and inducing inflammatory responses in Peyer's patches (PPs) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Although the tissue colonization pattern is similar between these two pathogens, their pathogenic lifestyles are quite different. For example, while S. typhimurium is primarily an intracellular pathogen, Y. enterocolitica survives primarily extracellularly. We determined and compared the transcriptional changes occurring in response to S. typhimurium and Y. enterocolitica colonization of PP using Affymetrix GeneChip technology. Both pathogens elicited a general inflammatory response indicated by the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines. However, specific differences were also observed, most notably in the transcriptional regulation of gamma interferon (IFN‐γ) and IFN‐γ‐regulated genes in response to S. typhimurium but not Y. enterocolitica. Of particular note, a group of genes encoding matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) had increased transcript numbers in the PPs following infection with both pathogens. The experiments described here compare oral S. typhimurium or Y. enterocolitica infection in stromelysin‐1 (MMP‐3)‐deficient mice (mmp‐3–/–) with mice possessing functional MMP‐3 (mmp‐3+/+). There was little difference in the survival of MMP‐3‐deficient mice infected with Y. enterocolitica when compared with littermate controls. Surprisingly though, mmp‐3–/– mice were markedly more resistant to S. typhimurium infection than the control mice. S. typhimurium was able to colonize mmp‐3–/– mice, albeit in a delayed fashion, to equivalent levels as mmp‐3+/+ mice. Nevertheless, significantly lower levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected in tissues and serum in the mmp‐3–/– mice in comparison with mmp‐3+/+ mice. We hypothesize that MMP‐3 is involved in initiating an early and lethal cytokine response to S. typhimurium colonization.
A hybrid observer for a distributed linear system with a changing neighbor graph

A hybrid observer is described for estimating the state of an m > 0 channel, n-dimensional, continuous-time, linear system of the form x = Ax, y<inf>i</inf> = C<inf>ix</inf>, i ∊ {1, 2,…, m}. The system's state x is simultaneously estimated by m agents assuming each agent i senses yi and receives appropriately defined data from each of its current neighbors. Neighbor relations are characterized by a time-varying directed graph N(t) whose vertices correspond to agents and whose arcs depict neighbor relations. Agent i updates its estimate x<inf>i</inf> of x at “event times” t<inf>i</inf>, t<inf>2</inf>,… using a local continuous-time linear observer and a local parameter estimator which for each j ≥ 1, iterates q times during the time interval [tj<inf>−1</inf>, tj) to obtain an estimate of x(tj). Subject to the assumptions that none of the C<inf>i</inf> are zero, the neighbor graph N(t) is strongly connected for all time, and the system whose state is to be estimated is jointly observable, it is shown that for any number λ > 0 it is possible to choose q and the local observer gains so that each estimate x<inf>i</inf> converges to x as fast as e<sup>−λt</sup> converges to zero.
Role of estradiol in inducing an ovulatory-like surge of luteinizing hormone in sheep.

Two experiments were performed to examine the effect of estradiol on secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and on the number of receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) after down regulation of GnRH receptors in ovariectomized ewes. In the first experiment, ovariectomized ewes were administered one of four treatments: Group 1) infusion of GnRH i.v. for 40 h; Group 2) injection of 100 micrograms estradiol i.m. ; Group 3) infusion of GnRH i.v. for 16 h followed immediately by an injection of 100 micrograms estradiol i.m. ; and Group 4) infusion of GnRH i.v. for 40 h plus injection of 100 micrograms estradiol i.m. after the 16th h of infusion. Ewes in Groups 1, 3 and 4 responded to the infusion of GnRH with an immediate increase in serum concentrations of LH, with maximum values occurring between 2 and 4 h after the start of infusion; serum concentrations of LH then began to decline and were approaching the pretreatment baseline within 16 h. Administration of estradiol resulted in a surge of LH regardless of whether the pituitary had been desensitized by infusion of GnRH or not. In all cases the magnitude of the surge was similar to that induced by the initial infusion of GnRH. In Groups 2 and 3 the surge of LH began at 12.3 +/- 0.1 and 11.9 +/- 0.1 h after administration of estradiol. In contrast, the ewes in Group 4 had a surge of LH beginning 3.7 +/- 0.1 h after administration of estradiol. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The andropin gene and its product, a male‐specific antibacterial peptide in Drosophila melanogaster.

In our study of the cecropin locus in Drosophila we have found a gene for a new peptide, andropin, with antibacterial properties. Transcripts from this gene, Anp, could be detected in newly eclosed males and reached steady‐state levels after 1 day. Transcription was strongly induced in response to mating and is strictly confined to the ejaculatory duct of adult males. The deduced peptide sequence reveals a hydrophobic amino terminus with striking similarity to the signal peptide of the cecropins. The sequence of the predicted mature andropin shows no direct homology with the cecropins, but the two peptides may have similar secondary structures. We have synthesized the predicted gene product and shown it to be antibacterial. Crude extracts from male genital tracts show a potent bactericidal activity, and electrophoretic separation revealed at least three antibacterial components, one with the same mobility as the synthetic peptide. It appears that insects have evolved a mechanism for the protection of the seminal fluid and the male reproductive tract against microbial infections.
Seed priming with chitosan improves maize germination and seedling growth in relation to physiological changes under low temperature stress

Low temperature stress during germination and early seedling growth is an important constraint of global production of maize. The effects of seed priming with 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% (w/v) chitosan solutions at 15 °C on the growth and physiological changes were investigated using two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines, HuangC (chilling-tolerant) and Mo17 (chilling-sensitive). While seed priming with chitosan had no significant effect on germination percentage under low temperature stress, it enhanced germination index, reduced the mean germination time (MGT), and increased shoot height, root length, and shoot and root dry weights in both maize lines. The decline of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative permeability of the plasma membrane and the increase of the concentrations of soluble sugars and proline, peroxidase (POD) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity were detected both in the chilling-sensitive and chilling-tolerant maize seedlings after priming with the three concentrations of chitosan. HuangC was less sensitive to responding to different concentrations of chitosan. Priming with 0.50% chitosan for about 60∼64 h seemed to have the best effects. Thus, it suggests that seed priming with chitosan may improve the speed of germination of maize seed and benefit for seedling growth under low temperature stress.
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonists: where should they be applied?

Introduction: Angiotensin II, the active endproduct of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), exerts its effects via angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 (AT1, AT2) receptors. AT1 receptors mediate all well-known effects of angiotensin II, ranging from vasoconstriction to tissue remodeling. Thus, to treat cardiovascular disease, RAS blockade aims at preventing angiotensin II–AT1 receptor interaction. Yet RAS blockade is often accompanied by rises in angiotensin II, which may exert beneficial effects via AT2 receptors. Areas covered: This review summarizes our current knowledge on AT2 receptors, describing their location, function(s), endogenous agonist(s) and intracellular signaling cascades. It discusses the beneficial effects obtained with C21, a recently developed AT2 receptor agonist. Important questions that are addressed are do these receptors truly antagonize AT1 receptor-mediated effects? What about their role in the diseased state and their heterodimerization with other receptors? Expert opinion: The general view that AT2 receptors exclusively exert beneficial effects has been challenged, and in pathological models, their function sometimes mimics that of AT1 receptors, for example, inducing vasoconstriction and cardiac hypertrophy. Yet given its upregulation in various pathological conditions, the AT2 receptor remains a promising target for treatment, allowing effects beyond blood pressure-lowering, for example, in stroke, aneurysm formation, inflammation and myocardial fibrosis.
In situ synthesis of alkenyl tetrazines for highly fluorogenic bioorthogonal live-cell imaging probes.

In spite of the wide application potential of 1,2,4,5-tetrazines, particularly in live-cell and in vivo imaging, a major limitation has been the lack of practical synthetic methods. Here we report the in situ synthesis of (E)-3-substituted 6-alkenyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine derivatives through an elimination-Heck cascade reaction. By using this strategy, we provide 24 examples of π-conjugated tetrazine derivatives that can be conveniently prepared from tetrazine building blocks and related halides. These include tetrazine analogs of biological small molecules, highly conjugated buta-1,3-diene-substituted tetrazines, and a diverse array of fluorescent probes suitable for live-cell imaging. These highly conjugated probes show very strong fluorescence turn-on (up to 400-fold) when reacted with dienophiles such as cyclopropenes and trans-cyclooctenes, and we demonstrate their application for live-cell imaging. This work provides an efficient and practical synthetic methodology for tetrazine derivatives and will facilitate the application of conjugated tetrazines, particularly as fluorogenic probes for live-cell imaging.
Nonmuscle myosin II exerts tension but does not translocate actin in vertebrate cytokinesis

During vertebrate cytokinesis it is thought that contractile ring constriction is driven by nonmuscle myosin II (NM II) translocation of antiparallel actin filaments. Here we report in situ, in vitro, and in vivo observations that challenge this hypothesis. Graded knockdown of NM II in cultured COS-7 cells reveals that the amount of NM II limits ring constriction. Restoration of the constriction rate with motor-impaired NM II mutants shows that the ability of NM II to translocate actin is not required for cytokinesis. Blebbistatin inhibition of cytokinesis indicates the importance of myosin strongly binding to actin and exerting tension during cytokinesis. This role is substantiated by transient kinetic experiments showing that the load-dependent mechanochemical properties of mutant NM II support efficient tension maintenance despite the inability to translocate actin. Under loaded conditions, mutant NM II exhibits a prolonged actin attachment in which a single mechanoenzymatic cycle spans most of the time of cytokinesis. This prolonged attachment promotes simultaneous binding of NM II heads to actin, thereby increasing tension and resisting expansion of the ring. The detachment of mutant NM II heads from actin is enhanced by assisting loads, which prevent mutant NM II from hampering furrow ingression during cytokinesis. In the 3D context of mouse hearts, mutant NM II-B R709C that cannot translocate actin filaments can rescue multinucleation in NM II-B ablated cardiomyocytes. We propose that the major roles of NM II in vertebrate cell cytokinesis are to bind and cross-link actin filaments and to exert tension on actin during contractile ring constriction.
Schoolchildren have similar predicted prevalences of inadequate intakes as toddlers in village populations in Egypt, Kenya, and Mexico.

OBJECTIVES To examine the probability of inadequacy of schoolchild nutrient intakes; to compare the predicted adequacy of schoolchild diets to previously published data for toddler diets and to examine the relative adequacy of the diets of sibling pairs. DESIGN Food consumption data were measured 2 days per month across approximately one year. Mean nutrient intakes were calculated and compared to international standards using a probability approach. SETTING Villages in Egypt, Kenya, and Mexico. SUBJECTS 285 school-age children (7-9 years of age) and 255 toddlers (18-30 months of age) including 94 sibling pairs. RESULTS Within a country, there was a striking similarity between the nutrients predicted to be inadequate in schoolchild and toddler diets across all nutrients except vitamin B12, which was more likely to be inadequate among schoolchildren. Nutrients of concern for both ages in one or more countries included iron, zinc, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamins B12, D, E, and A. For 94 toddler-schoolchild pairs, siblings at high risk of nutrient inadequacy could be identified from an indicator child with a sensitivity of 43-100% and a specificity of 59-100%. CONCLUSIONS Nutrient adequacy tends to be a household characteristic for these two ages of children. Nutritional interventions that target the household have a high probability of benefitting multiple age groups of children.
Glucose deficiency reduces collagen synthesis in breast cancer MCF7 cells

We decided to study the effect of glucose deprivation on collagen metabolism in MCF7 cells. The incorporation of [3H]‐proline into collagenase‐sensitive and hydroxyproline‐containing proteins was used as an index of collagen synthesis, whereas pulse—chase technique was employed to evaluate the degradation of newly synthesized proteins. The MCF7 cells incubated in high glucose medium synthesized detectable amounts of collagenous proteins. Most of them were found in the cell layer. The shortage of glucose resulted in about 30% reduction in collagen synthesis. The pulse—chase experiments demonstrated that proportionally less collagen was degraded in cultures incubated in low‐glucose than in high‐glucose media.
Mitomycin C in higher risk trabeculectomy: a prospective comparison of 0.2- to 0.4-mg/cc doses.

PURPOSE This randomized, masked, prospective study was conducted to compare the outcome of filtering surgery using doses of 0.2 mg/cc or 0.4 mg/cc of mitomycin C (MMC) in eyes that were at higher risk from previous conjunctival incisional surgery. METHODS Eyes of 50 consecutive patients with primary open-angle, pseudoexfoliation, or pigmentary glaucoma requiring trabeculectomy who had previously undergone either limbal cataract surgery or trabeculectomy were enrolled. Patients received an intraoperative dose of either 0.2 or 0.4 mg/cc MMC for 2 minutes (n = 25 in each study group). Intraocular pressure (IOP), logMAR visual acuity, and complications were monitored at regular intervals for 1 year. Unpaired student t tests were used to compare percent decrease in IOP in both study groups at each interval. RESULTS The percent decrease in IOP was not significantly different between groups at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year after surgery. LogMAR visual acuity was not significantly different between groups at 1 month, 6 months, or 1 year. Treatment failure occurred in seven patients in the 0.2 mg/cc group (28%) and seven patients in the 0.4 mg/cc group (29.2%). Postoperative hypotony, choroidal effusions and hemorrhages, and wound leaks occurred in both groups, but occurred more often in the group receiving 0.4 mg/cc MMC. CONCLUSION Filtering surgery performed on higher risk eyes was as effective using a lower dose (0.2 mg/cc) of MMC as that using a higher dose (0.4 mg/cc). Incidence of complications and treatment failures was slightly higher in the group receiving high-dose MMC.
The Consequences of Predicting Scientific Impact in Psychology Using Journal Impact Factors

An academic journal’s impact factor (hereafter JIF) is an average measure of the citation count of individual articles published in that journal. JIF is used to assess merit, predict impact, and allocate resources, but the actual number of citations to individual articles is only modestly correlated with the JIFs of the journals in which they are published. We counted PsycInfo citations to 1,133 articles published in nine leading psychology journals (1996–2005). Both article length (r =.31) and reference list length (r = .41) predicted log-transformed citation counts better than JIF (r = .27). Articles with fewer graphs and more structural equation models were more frequently cited. Citation count was better predicted by a model based on article length and citation count rather than JIF. When JIF was used to predict citation count, the impact of women authors and social science research was underestimated. These findings distinguish impact in science, as measured by JIF, from actual impact in psychology, and they show the unintended consequences of using a measure of the former to predict the latter.
Induction of oxidative stress by oxidized LDL via meprinα-activated epidermal growth factor receptor in macrophages.

AIMS The aim of this study was to explore meprinα-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in macrophages. METHODS AND RESULTS Accelerated atherosclerotic lesions were established by administration of a high-fat diet in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Lentiviral overexpression of meprinα in the thoracic aortic artery during plaque formation enhanced intra-plaque macrophage induction of ROS as well as formation of atherosclerotic plaques, whereas AG1478 (specific inhibitor of the EGFR) treatment exerted the opposite effect. A meprinα inhibitor abrogated EGFR activation in mice. In cultured J774a.1 macrophages, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) increased ROS formation and EGFR activation through a ligand [heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF)]-dependent pathway. However, a meprinα inhibitor or specific siRNA inhibited ROS production and EGFR activation. Recombinant mouse meprinα enhanced OxLDL-stimulated production of ROS and induced HB-EGF. Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by SB203580 decreased OxLDL-stimulated production of ROS. Conversely, inhibition of meprinα or PI3K-Rac1 inhibitors also decreased p38 activity in OxLDL-stimulated macrophages. In addition, inhibition of meprinα reversed OxLDL-stimulated activation of PI3K. CONCLUSION Meprinα promotes OxLDL-induced plaque formation and ROS release by transactivation of the EGFR, followed by activation of the PI3K/Rac1/p38 pathway.
J.D. Hooker, George Bentham, Asa Gray and Ferdinand Mueller on Species Limits in Theory and Practice: A Mid-Nineteenth-Century Debate and Its Repercussions.

The most active centres of [systematic] work at the moment are, however, to be found in our own country, in the United States, and in Russia. And the reason is, in each case, no doubt the same. The enormous area of the earth's surface over which each country holds sway brings to them a vast amount of material which peremptorily demands discussion (Thistleton-Dyer). I have no doubt of the full and entire correctness of the principles you work on; and the Kew Floras and the Gen. Plantarum will more than anything else, determine the public botanical opinion and mode of working for the next generation (Asa Gray to J. D. Hooker).
Joint Consistency of Fuzzy Theories

This paper is a contribution to the development of fuzzy logic in narrow sense with evaluated syntax and connectives interpreted in Łukasiewicz algebra. The main results concern model theory of fuzzy logic (various kinds of submodels, chains of models) and generalization of the Craig-Robinson's theorem on joint consistency of fuzzy theories as well as Craig's interpolation theorem.
Social network as a determinant of pathway to mental health service utilization among psychotic patients in a Nigerian hospital.

OBJECTIVE The main objectives of the study were to determine the relationship between social network and pathway to service utilization among psychotic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive study was carried out in a psychiatric unit in a general hospital in South West Nigeria. Using structured questionnaires, primary data were collected from 652 psychotic patients on their social network, health behaviors and pathway to current service use. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of social network on patients' use of services, controlling for sociodemographics, health and functional status. RESULTS Mean age of the respondents was 29.0 ± 7.5 years, range 14-58 years, males constituted 52.6%. Regarding pathway to services, alternative sources of care such as priests, spiritualists, natural therapists, herbalists, was the first port of call for 78.9% of respondents. Family dominated the social network in 51.1% of patients. The presence of some social network and social support structures were significantly associated with the use of general medical and specialty psychiatric services for patients with schizophrenia (P = 0.03), schizoaffective disorder (P = 0.02), bipolar I disorder (P = 0.01), but not with major depression and symptoms of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that social support and social network enhanced utilization of mental health services for psychiatric patients except for those with psychotic depression or those with symptoms of psychological distress. In addition, alternative sources of care are still relevant in mental health service delivery in South West Nigeria.
Noise and Health in the Urban Environment

Noise, including noise from transport, industry, and neighbors, is a prominent feature of the urban environment. This paper reviews the effects of environmental noise on the non-auditory aspects of health in urban settings. Exposure to transport noise disturbs sleep in the laboratory, but generally not in field studies, where adaptation occurs. Noise interferes with complex task performance, modifies social behavior, and causes annoyance. Studies of occupational noise exposure suggest an association with hypertension, whereas community studies show only weak relations between noise and cardiovascular disease. Aircraft and road-traffic noise exposure are associated with psychological symptoms and with the use of psychotropic medication, but not with the onset of clinically defined psychiatric disorders. In carefully controlled studies, noise exposure does not seem to be related to low birth weight or to congenital birth defects. In both industrial studies and community studies, noise exposure is related to increased catecholamine secretion. In children, chronic aircraft noise exposure impairs reading comprehension and long-term memory and may be associated with increased blood pressure. Noise from neighbors causes annoyance and sleep and activity interference health effects have been little studied. Further research is needed for examining coping strategies and the possible health consequences of adaptation to noise.