Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Derivative of plant phenolic compound inhibits the type III secretion system of Dickeya dadantii via HrpX/HrpY two-component signal transduction and Rsm systems.

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a major virulence factor in many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and represents a particularly appealing target for antimicrobial agents. Previous studies have shown that the plant phenolic compound p-coumaric acid (PCA) plays a role in the inhibition of T3SS expression of the phytopathogen Dickeya dadantii 3937. This study screened a series of derivatives of plant phenolic compounds and identified that trans-4-hydroxycinnamohydroxamic acid (TS103) has an eight-fold higher inhibitory potency than PCA on the T3SS of D. dadantii. The effect of TS103 on regulatory components of the T3SS was further elucidated. Our results suggest that TS103 inhibits HrpY phosphorylation and leads to reduced levels of hrpS and hrpL transcripts. In addition, through a reduction in the RNA levels of the regulatory small RNA RsmB, TS103 also inhibits hrpL at the post-transcriptional level via the rsmB-RsmA regulatory pathway. Finally, TS103 inhibits hrpL transcription and mRNA stability, which leads to reduced expression of HrpL regulon genes, such as hrpA and hrpN. To our knowledge, this is the first inhibitor to affect the T3SS through both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways in the soft-rot phytopathogen D. dadantii 3937.
Purification and properties of phosphoglycerate phosphomutase from spores and cells of Bacillus megaterium

Phosphoglycerate phosphomutase has been purified to homogeneity from vegetative cells and germinated spores of Bacillus megaterium, and the spore and cell enzymes appear identical. The enzyme is a monomer of molecular weight 61,000. The compound 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid is not required for activity, but the enzyme has an absolute and specific requirement for Mn2+. The enzyme is inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetate and sulfhydryl reagents, has a pH optimum of about 8.0, and has Km values for 3-phosphoglyceric acid and Mn2+ of 5 x 10(-4) and 4 x 10(-5) M, respectively.
A Role for the Septation Initiation Network in Septum Assembly Revealed by Genetic Analysis of sid2-250 Suppressors

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe the septation initiation network (SIN) is required for stabilization of the actomyosin ring in late mitosis as well as for ring constriction and septum deposition. In a genetic screen for suppressors of the SIN mutant sid2-250, we isolated a mutation, ace2-35, in the transcription factor Ace2p. Both ace2Δ and ace2-35 show defects in cell separation, and both can rescue the growth defects of some SIN mutants at low restrictive temperatures, where the SIN single mutants lyse at the time of cytokinesis. By detailed analysis of the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring and septum in the sid2-250 mutant at low restrictive temperatures, we show that the lysis phenotype of the sid2-250 mutant is likely due to a weak cell wall and septum combined with enzymatic activity of septum-degrading enzymes. Consistent with the recent findings that Ace2p controls transcription of genes involved in cell separation, we show that disruption of some of these genes can also rescue sid2-250 mutants. Consistent with SIN mutants having defects in septum formation, many SIN mutants can be rescued at the low restrictive temperature by the osmotic stabilizer sorbitol. The small GTPase Rho1 is known to promote cell wall formation, and we find that Rho1p expressed from a multi-copy plasmid can also rescue sid2-250 at the low restrictive temperature. Together these results suggest that the SIN has a role in promoting proper cell wall formation at the division septa.
Repetition of Self-Poisoning and Subsequent Death in Adolescents who take Overdoses

Summary Hospital Activity Analysis data and record linkage were used to investigate repetition of self-poisoning, and deaths, among 2,492 people, aged 12 to 20 years, who took overdoses between 1974 and 1978. Repetition occurred most frequently during the first few months after an initial admission; 9.5% of patients repeated within the study period (mean follow-up of 2.8 years). Ten of the 2,492 subjects died during the study period, and the average annual death rate in the cohort was approximately four times higher than the national average annual death rate in this age-group as a whole. Six of the deaths were probably suicides. Repetition and suicide rates were highest among males aged 16 to 20 years.
The Bali STD/AIDS Study: human papillomavirus infection among female sex workers

Female sex workers in low priced brothel areas in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia participated in an intervention study designed to promote condom use and sexually transmitted disease (STD)/AIDS prevention. The intervention provided educational sessions for sex workers, STD treatment for sex workers, condom distribution, and media for clients. The brothel areas were divided into high and low areas for programme effort. The high effort areas received a more intensive behavioural intervention than the low effort areas. A clinic was available for STD treatment in both areas. Behavioural surveys and STD testing were used to evaluate the programmes. About 600 were evaluated for several STDs and completed personal interviews at enrolment and at six-month intervals during the 18-month study. About 50% of women were new to the study at each round. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing of cervical swabbed specimens, using polymerase chain reaction methodology, was performed at the beginning of the study and 18 months later. Human papillomavirus infection was initially high in these women (38.3%) and declined to 29.7% after 18 months (P <0.01). The prevalence of HPV infection declined with age (P <0.01). HPV infection was associated with a number of STD symptoms that were reported in personal interviews. These associations were stronger in the first time period. Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae was associated with HPV infection at baseline (P =0.03). HPV infection declined in the study area with the more intensive educational programme (P <0.01). The prevalence of HPV infection declined over time and was associated with study area and age of woman.
Gene-Environment Interplay on Oviposition Site Selection in Drosophila melanogaster

The underlying mechanisms of decision-making behaviour are poorly understood. Oviposition site selection (OSS) in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly provides a useful system for studying simple decision-making. OSS is influenced by both genetic and environmental variation. Variation of the foraging gene (for) is known to affect OSS. Given a choice of highand low-nutrient oviposition sites, groups of rovers (for) lay significantly more of their eggs on low-nutrient sites than sitters (for) and sitter mutants (for). I examined the roles of choice, female density, and for expression in gustatory neural circuitry in rover/sitter differences in OSS. I found a role of choice and female density in rover/sitter differences, and a role of for in response to glycerol, an indicator of yeast. However, driving for-mRNA expression in gustatory neurons using the GAL4/UAS system did not alter OSS. These findings suggest a central role of for in decision-making
Neurosensory Perception of Environmental Cues Modulates Sperm Motility Critical for Fertilization

Scents and Sperm Once sperm enter the female reproductive tract, they have an arduous task to find an egg at a distant, often concealed, location. McKnight et al. (p. 754) show that Caenorhabditis elegans make this task more or less difficult, depending on pheromones in the external environment. Pheromones perceived by female sensory neurons modulate the synthesis of ovarian prostaglandins, which provide sperm positional information. Thus, environmental cues can indirectly impact sperm function even when the sperm themselves are not directly exposed. Nematode pheromones modulate a neuroendocrine pathway that converts dietary fats into sperm-attracting prostaglandins. Environmental exposures affect gamete function and fertility, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that pheromones sensed by ciliated neurons in the Caenorhabditis elegans nose alter the lipid microenvironment within the oviduct, thereby affecting sperm motility. In favorable environments, pheromone-responsive sensory neurons secrete a transforming growth factor–β ligand called DAF-7, which acts as a neuroendocrine factor that stimulates prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase [cyclooxygenase (Cox)]–independent prostaglandin synthesis in the ovary. Oocytes secrete F-class prostaglandins that guide sperm toward them. These prostaglandins are also synthesized in Cox knockout mice, raising the possibility that similar mechanisms exist in other animals. Our data indicate that environmental cues perceived by the female nervous system affect sperm function.
The prolongation of local anaesthetic action with dextran

Field blocks of the inguinal region were performed in two groups of patients, in one group using a mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200 000 adrenaline and dextran 110 and in the second group using a mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200 000 adrenaline and dextran 150; the study being performed in a double‐blind fashion. The dextran 150 mixture produced a highly significant increase (p < 0.01) in the duration of the block when compared with the dextran 110 mixture. The authors conclude that the use of dextran of increasing molecular weight increases the duration of action of local anaesthetics correspondingly.
On the hunt for helminths: innate immune cells in the recognition and response to helminth parasites

The generation of protective immunity to helminth parasites is critically dependent upon the development of a CD4+ T helper type 2 cytokine response. However, the host–parasite interactions responsible for initiating this response are poorly understood. This review will discuss recent advances in our understanding of how helminth‐derived products are recognized by innate immune cells. Specifically, interactions between helminth excretory/secretory products and host Toll‐like receptors and lectins will be discussed as well as the putative functions of helminth proteases and chitin in activating and recruiting innate immune cells. In addition, the functional significance of pattern recognition by epithelial cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages including expression of alarmins, thymic stromal lymphopoetin, interleukin (IL)‐25, IL‐33 and Notch ligands in the development of adaptive anti‐parasite Th2 cytokine responses will be examined.
Development of night-vision system

A night-vision system has been developed to help reduce vehicle-pedestrian accidents occurring at night. High-temperature objects assumed to be pedestrians are detected by processing the images from infrared stereo cameras mounted on the. vehicle, and the possibility of a collision is judged by calculating the position and relative moving vectors of the pedestrian. In addition, voice guidance is provided and a highlighted infrared image of the pedestrian is displayed at the bottom of the front windshield using a head-up display (HUD). It was determined that the system could judge the possibility of collisions with pedestrians on the road or crossing the road.
On the Influence of Walking on Hazard Detection for Prospective User-Centered Design of an Assistance System for Older Pedestrians

Abstract As older pedestrians are at high risk of being involved in car crashes, an assistance system is currently under development. One of it’s aims is to encourage them to stop walking before looking for traffic. The approach was evaluated in two studies. Age group -young vs. old- and motoric condition -walking vs. standing- served as independent variables in both experiments. Experiment one was conducted in a pedestrian traffic simulation with a traffic related visual hazard detection task with simulated walking. Analysis revealed no age-specific dual-task costs for accuracy and response time. This unexpected result was ascribed to the insufficient operationalization of the walking task, which lacked important aspects of real walking such as requirements of keeping the balance. Therefore, experiment two, comprised real walking but a simple visual task. In the second experiment older participants missed more targets than younger. More important, number of errors increased as a function of motor load only for older participants. Response times were enhanced for older participants and faster for both groups while standing compared to walking. Results are discussed with regard to the development of an assistance systems for older pedestrians and theoretical implications for prospective user-centered experimental design.
Absorption of hydrocortisone from the skin reservoir in atopic dermatitis

Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone was measured in four children and three adults with atopic dermatitis after the application of 1% hydrocortisone cream and again 12 h alter the application of a moisturizer containing 80% water and 5% propylene glycol to the same areas. A significant increase in the level of the plasma cortisol was observed after both applications and these levels were still elevated at 24 h. Topically applied hydrocortisone. Stored in eczematous skin, could be released from this reservoir by a moisturizer containing propylene glycol.
Bioanalysis in structured microfluidic systems

Microfluidic and lab‐on‐a‐chip devices have attracted widespread interest in separation sciences and bioanalysis. Recent designs in microfluidic devices extend common separation concepts by exploiting new phenomena for molecular dynamics on a length scale of 10 μm and below, giving rise to novel manipulation tools and nonintuitive phenomena for microseparations. Here, we focus on three very recent developments for bioseparations based on tailored microfluidic systems: Single cell navigation, trapping and steering with subsequent on‐chip lysis, protein separation and LIF detection (Section 3.1), then we report dielectrophoretic trapping and separation of large DNA fragments in structured microfluidic devices (Section 3.2). Finally, a paradoxial migration phenomenon based on thermal fluctuations, periodically arranged microchannels and a biased alternating current electric field is presented in Section 3.3.
Inhibition of N-nitrosodiethylamine- and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced tumorigenesis in A/J mice by green tea and black tea.

The effect of p.o. administration of tea on nitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis was investigated. Female A/J mice were given N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) (10 mg/kg) p.o. once a week for 8 weeks and were killed 16 weeks after the last dose. More than 90% of the mice had forestomach and lung tumors. The animals had an average of 8.3 forestomach and 2.5 lung tumors/mouse. With 0.63 or 1.25% green tea infusion (12.5 g green tea leaves brewed with 1 liter of boiling water) as the sole source of drinking water for the entire experimental period, the pulmonary tumor incidence was decreased by 18 or 44%, and the tumor multiplicity was reduced by 36 or 60%, respectively. The treatments also decreased the forestomach tumor incidence by 18 or 26% and tumor multiplicity by 59 or 63%, respectively. Administration of 0.63 or 1.25% green tea infusion, either during the NDEA treatment period only or starting 1 week after the completion of NDEA treatment, also decreased the pulmonary tumor incidence and multiplicity and the forestomach tumor multiplicity. The inhibitory effects of green tea infusion were also observed in a similar experiment using a higher dosage of NDEA (20 mg/kg). Treatment of female A/J mice with a single dose (103 mg/kg) of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) resulted in the formation of pulmonary adenomas in almost all of the animals with an average of 9.3 tumors/mouse after 16 weeks. When 0.6% decaffeinated green tea or black tea extract was given during the NNK-treatment period, tumor multiplicity was reduced by 67 or 65%, respectively. When the tea extract was given after the NNK-treatment period until the end of the experiment, 0.6% green tea extract decreased the tumor incidence and multiplicity by 30 and 85%, respectively. In this protocol, 0.6% black tea extract reduced tumor multiplicity by about 63% but did not significantly affect the tumor incidence. The results clearly demonstrated an inhibitory action of green tea and black tea on nitrosamine-induced tumorigenesis.
Changes in Cytokinins and Gibberellin-Like Substances in Pinus radiata Buds during Lateral Shoot Initiation and the Characterization of Ribosyl Zeatin and a Novel Ribosyl Zeatin Glycoside.

Based on detection and quantitation by bioassay, endogenous gibberellin-like substances (GAs) and cytokinins (CKs) in Pinus radiata D. Don buds during sequential shoot initiation shift from less polar to more polar forms (GAs) and from conjugated to free forms (CKs). As the terminal bud moves from the production of "short shoots" (needle fascicles) to "long shoots" (lateral branches or female conebuds), a more polar GA appears while a glucoside-conjugate of zeatin riboside is reduced, and zeatin riboside levels increase markedly.Permethyl derivatives of the two highly active CK fractions were examined by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after separation by C(18) reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The mass spectra indicated the presence of: 9-beta-d-ribofuranosyl-6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enylamino)purine (zeatin riboside) and 9-[hexosyl(probably glucosyl)-beta-d-ribofuranosyl]-6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2- enylamino)purine (a glycoside of zeatin riboside in which the glycosyl moiety is attached directly to the ribosyl moiety at an unknown position).
Review of interoperability approaches in application layer of Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses numerous old and new technologies under its umbrella; which means there is a huge diversity in types of devices, protocols and mechanisms that are to be supported. Things by themselves need to inter-network and collaborate to provide the necessary level of service expected out of them, working in isolation does not help in many cases. Interoperability issues have been attempted to be solved in broadly five different ways — publishing standards, reference architectures and frameworks, defining protocols and media-type standards and by using abstract interface definition languages and semantic ontologies. An interoperable environment requires a well-established data-model to provide properties, behavior and message formats and a framework to support selecting the right protocol along with an ontology indicating what the data means based on the context. Application layer is the primary interface for interacting with the systems and services; hence it makes it important to provide an interoperable environment at this layer enabling dynamic composition and rapid development of new services. IoT requires a common construct that is adaptive, expressive and dynamic in nature abstracting out the communications, behavior and models that allows diverse set of device stacks to interoperate. Such constructs enables device vendors to publish changes systematically and incrementally without affecting the advances in the rapid development of applications.
Antenatal corticosteroid therapy: benefits and risks

Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy remains one the most striking successes in perinatal management of complicated pregnancies leading to premature birth. All women at risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks gestation should be treated, given the anti‐inflammatory and maturative properties of fluorocorticoids. Betamethasone is preferred to dexamethasone and no more than two courses, two weeks apart, should be given, until the evidence from further controlled trials on repeated doses becomes available.
Elevated expressions of p53, CDKNA1, and Bax in placental villi from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the relationship between the p53-dependent apoptosis and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty women with recurring miscarriages were enrolled as experimental group, and 30 women with normal reproduction served as control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate expression of p53 in villous tissue specimens. Further, expressions of CDKN1A and Bax mRNAs were evaluated by qPCR. TUNEL assay was utilized to document cell apoptosis. RESULTS Expression of p53 was significantly increased in chorionic villi of patients in experimental group (p < 0.05 vs. control group). Further, CDKN1A and Bax mRNA levels were elevated in experimental group (p < 0.05 vs. control group), and the cell apoptosis index was increased as well. CONCLUSIONS The p53-CDKN1A and p53-Bax signaling pathways appear to be activated in RSA. Thus, the apoptosis pathways controlled by p.
Daptomycin: pharmacology and clinical use

Importance of the field: Infections caused by Gram-positive organisms have increased in frequency and severity. Daptomycin offers a therapeutic option in an era of increasing resistance. Areas covered in this review: Literature from 1986 to present was reviewed for pharmacological, preclinical and clinical studies on daptomycin. What the reader will gain: The pharmacological properties, resistance mechanisms and clinical applications of daptomycin are discussed. Recommendations are offered on the use of this agent for the treatment of resistant Gram-positive infections. Take home message: Daptomycin is a reliable agent for the treatment of Gram-positive infections. It has been shown to be effective in bacteremia and endocarditis, as well as in soft-tissue infections caused by Gram-positive organisms. Its role in the treatment of bone and joint infections is not well-defined. Resistance is currently uncommon in clinical isolates. However, emergence of resistance during therapy is a concern. This may be prevented by use of higher doses.
SVD-Softmax: Fast Softmax Approximation on Large Vocabulary Neural Networks

We propose a fast approximation method of a softmax function with a very large vocabulary using singular value decomposition (SVD). SVD-softmax targets fast and accurate probability estimation of the topmost probable words during inference of neural network language models. The proposed method transforms the weight matrix used in the calculation of the output vector by using SVD. The approximate probability of each word can be estimated with only a small part of the weight matrix by using a few large singular values and the corresponding elements for most of the words. We applied the technique to language modeling and neural machine translation and present a guideline for good approximation. The algorithm requires only approximately 20\% of arithmetic operations for an 800K vocabulary case and shows more than a three-fold speedup on a GPU.