Cultivation in long-term simulated microgravity is detrimental to pyocyanin production and subsequent biofilm formation ability of .

Unlabelled: forms aggregates known as biofilms. Previous studies have shown that when is cultivated in space, thicker and structurally different biofilms are formed than from those grown on Earth. We investigated how microgravity, simulated in a laboratory setting, influenced the growth, colonization, and virulence potentials of a PA14 wild-type strain, as well as two surface attachment-defective () mutants altered at crucial biofilm-forming steps: and .

Impaired upper respiratory tract barrier function during postnatal development predisposes to invasive pneumococcal disease.

Infants are highly susceptible to invasive respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. To elucidate the age-dependent mechanism(s) that drive bacterial spread from the mucosa, we developed an infant mouse model using the prevalent pediatric respiratory pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). Despite similar upper respiratory tract (URT) colonization levels, the survival rate of Spn-infected infant mice was significantly decreased compared to adults and corresponded with Spn dissemination to the bloodstream.

Dimensions of Service Quality in Health-Fitness Clubs in China.

The purpose of this study was to explore the dimensions of service quality in fitness clubs in China and examine their impact on customer satisfaction. In Phase I of the study, we collected qualitative data from online comments related to service quality in 30 Tera Wellness clubs in Shanghai (k = 6252). Conducting content analysis, we synthesized the information and identified preliminary themes and formulated measurement statements.

Potassium Channel-Associated Bioelectricity of the Dermomyotome Determines Fin Patterning in Zebrafish.

The roles of bioelectric signaling in developmental patterning remain largely unknown, although recent work has implicated bioelectric signals in cellular processes such as proliferation and migration. Here, we report a mutation in the inwardly rectifying potassium channel () gene, , that causes elongation of the fins in the zebrafish insertional mutant Dhi2059. A viral DNA insertion into the noncoding region of results in transient activation and ectopic expression of in the somite and dermomyotome, from which the fin ray progenitors originate.

One-Pot Synthesis of 1-Hydroxyacridones from -Quinols and -Methoxycarbonylaryl Isocyanates.

A variety of substituted acridones were synthesized via a one-pot, metal-free cascade reaction. In this event, the DBU-mediated addition between quinols and -methoxycarbonylaryl isocyanates formed a bicyclic oxazolidinone, followed by a sequence of intramolecular condensation, tautomerization, and decarboxylation, which led to the formation of acridones. The acridones showed mild activity against the human cytomegalovirus.

Patient-Specific Pose Estimation in Clinical Environments.

Reliable posture labels in hospital environments can augment research studies on neural correlates to natural behaviors and clinical applications that monitor patient activity. However, many existing pose estimation frameworks are not calibrated for these unpredictable settings. In this paper, we propose a semi-automated approach for improving upper-body pose estimation in noisy clinical environments, whereby we adapt and build around an existing joint tracking framework to improve its robustness to environmental uncertainties.

XBP1s activation can globally remodel N-glycan structure distribution patterns.

Classically, the unfolded protein response (UPR) safeguards secretory pathway proteostasis. The most ancient arm of the UPR, the IRE1-activated spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s)-mediated response, has roles in secretory pathway maturation beyond resolving proteostatic stress. Understanding the consequences of XBP1s activation for cellular processes is critical for elucidating mechanistic connections between XBP1s and development, immunity, and disease.

Destabilized adaptive influenza variants critical for innate immune system escape are potentiated by host chaperones.

The threat of viral pandemics demands a comprehensive understanding of evolution at the host-pathogen interface. Here, we show that the accessibility of adaptive mutations in influenza nucleoprotein at fever-like temperatures is mediated by host chaperones. Particularly noteworthy, we observe that the Pro283 nucleoprotein variant, which (1) is conserved across human influenza strains, (2) confers resistance to the Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) restriction factor, and (3) critically contributed to adaptation to humans in the 1918 pandemic influenza strain, is rendered unfit by heat shock factor 1 inhibition-mediated host chaperone depletion at febrile temperatures.

Characterization of an A-Site Selective Protein Disulfide Isomerase A1 Inhibitor.

Protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDIA1) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that is an important folding catalyst for secretory pathway proteins. PDIA1 contains two active-site domains (a and a'), each containing a Cys-Gly-His-Cys (CGHC) active-site motif. The two active-site domains share 37% sequence identity and function independently to perform disulfide-bond reduction, oxidation, and isomerization.

Adapting Secretory Proteostasis and Function Through the Unfolded Protein Response.

Cells address challenges to protein folding in the secretory pathway by engaging endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protective mechanisms that are collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). By the action of the transmembrane signal transducers IRE1, PERK, and ATF6, the UPR induces networks of genes whose products alleviate the burden of protein misfolding. The UPR also plays instructive roles in cell differentiation and development, aids in the response to pathogens, and coordinates the output of professional secretory cells.

Three-dimensional integral imaging and object detection using long-wave infrared imaging.

We propose a passive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique based on integral imaging using a long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera. 3D imaging can improve visualization and detection of objects in adverse environments, such as low light levels and the presence of partial occlusions, along with depth estimation by reconstructing the scene at the plane of the object. This is achieved by capturing multiple two-dimensional images, known as elemental images (EI), of a scene with each image having a unique perspective of the 3D objects.

Mechanisms of Groucho-mediated repression revealed by genome-wide analysis of Groucho binding and activity.

Background: The transcriptional corepressor Groucho (Gro) is required for the function of many developmentally regulated DNA binding repressors, thus helping to define the gene expression profile of each cell during development. The ability of Gro to repress transcription at a distance together with its ability to oligomerize and bind to histones has led to the suggestion that Gro may spread along chromatin. However, much is unknown about the mechanism of Gro-mediated repression and about the dynamics of Gro targeting.

Formulation of hydrophobic therapeutics with self-assembling peptide and amino acid: A new platform for intravenous drug delivery.

Clinical application of hydrophobic therapeutics is restricted by lack of an efficient vehicle which permits their solubility in aqueous environments. We have previously developed a novel formulation strategy to deliver a hydrophobic Src inhibitor, PP2, involving combinations of one self-assembling peptide (SAP) and one of 4 selected amino acids (AAs). The present study aims to develop a generalized drug delivery platform for intravenous application of hydrophobic drugs by combining self-assembling peptide, amino acid and low concentration of co-solvent.

The epigenetic modifier JMJD6 is amplified in mammary tumors and cooperates with c-Myc to enhance cellular transformation, tumor progression, and metastasis.

Background: Oncogene overexpression in primary cells often triggers the induction of a cellular safeguard response promoting senescence or apoptosis. Secondary cooperating genetic events are generally required for oncogene-induced tumorigenesis to overcome these biologic obstacles. We employed comparative genomic hybridization for eight genetically engineered mouse models of mammary cancer to identify loci that might harbor genes that enhance oncogene-induced tumorigenesis.

Effect of passive repetitive isokinetic training on cytokines and hormonal changes.

It is well known that muscle strength and power are important factors in exercise. Plyometrics is designed to gain muscle strength and power in a shock method. The passive repetitive isokinetic (PRI) machine is developed for plyometrics.

Effects of arginine supplementation on post-exercise metabolic responses.

This study investigated the effects of arginine supplementation on acute metabolic responses during recovery after a single bout of endurance exercise in trained athletes. Twelve healthy male judo athletes were randomly divided into two groups and performed a single bout of exercise at a speed estimated to correspond to 75%VO2max for 60 min, and then took either a placebo or arginine at 0.1 g/kg-wt.