Characterization of a Novel ArsR-Like Regulator Encoded by Rv2034 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, encodes a large number of putative transcriptional regulators. However, the identity and target genes of only a few of them have been clearly identified to date. In a recent study, the ArsR family regulator Rv2034 was characterized as a novel positive regulator of phoP. In the current study, we characterized the auto-repressive capabilities of Rv2034 and identified several residues in the protein critical for its DNA binding activities. We also provide evidence that Rv2034 forms dimers in vitro. Furthermore, by using DNaseI footprinting assays, a palindromic sequence was identified as its binding site. Notably, we found that the dosR promoter region contains the binding motif for Rv2034, and that Rv2034 positively regulates the expression of the dosR gene. The potential roles of Rv2034 in the regulation of lipid metabolism and hypoxic adaptation are discussed

Correlation between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies

AbstractPurposeThis study examined the correlation between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies.MethodsEighty-six eligible patients with permanent colostomies were recruited from a Class A tertiary hospital from July to December 2012. A self-designed demographic questionnaire, the Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS), and the Herth Hope Index (HHI) were administered to all patients.ResultsThe total social relationship quality and hope scores were 49.42 ± 4.98 and 38.52 ± 4.64, respectively. The total scale score and composing subscale scores for social relationship quality and hope showed a statistically significant positive correlation with each other (r = 0.324–0.680; p < 0.01).ConclusionsA positive correlation exists between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies. This finding suggests that such patients should be given hope and that their families should be encouraged to provide more support for better acceptance and adjustment

Content-Aware Quantization Index Modulation:Leveraging Data Statistics for Enhanced Image Watermarking

Image watermarking techniques have continuously evolved to address new challenges and incorporate advanced features. The advent of data-driven approaches has enabled the processing and analysis of large volumes of data, extracting valuable insights and patterns. In this paper, we propose two content-aware quantization index modulation (QIM) algorithms: Content-Aware QIM (CA-QIM) and Content-Aware Minimum Distortion QIM (CAMD-QIM). These algorithms aim to improve the embedding distortion of QIM-based watermarking schemes by considering the statistics of the cover signal vectors and messages. CA-QIM introduces a canonical labeling approach, where the closest coset to each cover vector is determined during the embedding process. An adjacency matrix is constructed to capture the relationships between the cover vectors and messages. CAMD-QIM extends the concept of minimum distortion (MD) principle to content-aware QIM. Instead of quantizing the carriers to lattice points, CAMD-QIM quantizes them to close points in the correct decoding region. Canonical labeling is also employed in CAMD-QIM to enhance its performance. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of CA-QIM and CAMD-QIM in reducing embedding distortion compared to traditional QIM. The combination of canonical labeling and the minimum distortion principle proves to be powerful, minimizing the need for changes to most cover vectors/carriers. These content-aware QIM algorithms provide improved performance and robustness for watermarking applications.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Nonlinear Floquet dynamics of spinor condensates in an optical cavity: Cavity-amplified parametric resonance

We investigate Floquet dynamics of a cavity-spinor Bose-Einstein condensate coupling system via periodic modulation of the cavity pump laser. Parametric resonances are predicted and we show that due to cavity feedback-induced nonlinearity the spin oscillation can be amplified to all orders of resonance, thus facilitating its detection. Real-time observation on Floquet dynamics via cavity output is also discussed

The small GTPase HRas shapes local PI3K signals through positive feedback and regulates persistent membrane extension in migrating fibroblasts

Self-amplification of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling is believed to regulate asymmetric membrane extension and cell migration, but the molecular organization of the underlying feedback circuit is elusive. Here we use an inducible approach to synthetically activate PI3K and interrogate the feedback circuitry governing self-enhancement of 3'-phosphoinositide (3-PI) signals in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Synthetic activation of PI3K initially leads to uniform production of 3-PIs at the plasma membrane, followed by the appearance of asymmetric and highly amplified 3-PI signals. A detailed spatiotemporal analysis shows that local self-amplifying 3-PI signals drive rapid membrane extension with remarkable directional persistence and initiate a robust migratory response. This positive feedback loop is critically dependent on the small GTPase HRas. Silencing of HRas abrogates local amplification of 3-PI signals upon synthetic PI3K activation and results in short-lived protrusion events that do not support cell migration. Finally, our data indicate that this feedback circuit is likely to operate during platelet-derived growth factor-induced random cell migration. We conclude that positive feedback between PI3K and HRas is essential for fibroblasts to spontaneously self-organize and generate a productive migratory response in the absence of spatial cues

Arresting rampant dental caries with silver diamine fluoride in a young teenager suffering from chronic oral graft versus host disease post-bone marrow transplantation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Rampant caries is an advanced and severe dental disease that affects multiple teeth. This case describes the management of rampant caries in a young teenager suffering from chronic oral graft versus host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old Chinese boy suffering from β–thalassemia major was referred to the dental clinic for the management of rampant dental caries. An oral examination revealed pale conjunctiva, bruising of lips, and depapillation of tongue indicating an underlying condition of anemia. The poor oral condition due to topical and systemic immunosuppressants was seriously aggravated, and rampant caries developed rapidly, affecting all newly erupted, permanent teeth. The teeth were hypersensitive and halitosis was apparent. Strategies for oral health education and diet modification were given to the patient. Xylitol chewing gum was used to stimulate saliva flow to promote remineralization of teeth. Silver diamine fluoride was topically applied to arrest rampant caries and to relieve pain from hypersensitivity. Carious teeth with pulpal involvement were endodontically treated. Stainless steel crowns were provided on molars to restore chewing function, and polycarbonate crowns were placed on premolars, upper canines and incisors. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates success in treating a young teenager with severe rampant dental decay by contemporary caries control and preventive strategy

Effect of mild moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and NLRP6 inflammasome signaling in rats with post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND: About one-third of refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cases are caused by gastrointestinal (GI) infection/inflammation, known as post-infectious/post-inflammatory IBS (PI-IBS). Although it is known that intestinal microbiota and host NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) inflammsome signaling are closely related to PI-IBS and moxibustion has a therapeutic effect on PI-IBS, whether moxibustion regulates the intestinal flora and host NLRP6 events in PI-IBS remains unclear. AIM: To examine the regulatory effect of moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and host NLRP6 inflammatory signaling in PI-IBS. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group, a model control group, a mild moxibustion group, and a sham mild moxibustion group. PI-IBS rats in the mild moxibustion group were treated with moxibusiton at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST36) for 7 consecutive days for 10 min each time. The sham group rats were given the same treatment as the mild moxibustion group except the moxa stick was not ignited. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score was measured to assess the visceral sensitivity, and colon histopathology and ultrastructure, colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured to evaluate low-grade colonic inflammation in rats. The relative abundance of selected intestinal bacteria in rat feces was detected by 16S rDNA PCR and the NLRP6 inflammsome signaling in the colon was detected by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. RESULTS: The AWR score was significantly decreased and the low-grade intestinal inflammation reflected by serum CRP and colonic MPO levels was inhibited in the mild moxibustion group compared with the sham group. Mild moxibustion remarkably increased the relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii but decreased that of Escherichia coli in the gut of PI-IBS rats. Additionally, mild moxibustion induced mRNA and protein expression of intestine lectin 1 but inhibited the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and resistance-like molecule β by promoting the NLRP6 and reducing the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC) and cysteinyl-aspartate-specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1). The relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Escherichia coli in each group were correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP6, ASC, and Caspase-1 in the colon. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that mild moxibustion can relieve low-grade GI inflammation and alleviate visceral hypersensitivity in PI-IBS by regulating intestinal microbes and controlling NLRP6 inflammasome signaling

(2,9-Dieth­oxy-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)bis­(thio­cyanato-κN)cobalt(II)

In the title complex, [Co(NCS)2(C16H16N2O2)], the CoII ion is coordinated by two N atoms from one 2,9-dieth­oxy-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and two N atoms from two different thio­cyanate ligands in a distorted tetra­hedral environment. The Co—N bonds involving the thio­cyanate ligands are significantly shorter than the other two Co—N bonds. The atoms of one of the eth­oxy groups are essentially coplanar with the phenanthroline ring [N=C—O—C = 178.8 (4)°], while the other eth­oxy group is slightly twisted from the phenanthroline ring plane [N=C—O—C = 167.2 (4)°]. In the crystal structure, there is a weak π–π stacking inter­action between two symmetry-related phenanthroline rings with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.706 (4) Å

Fully Homomorphic Encryption from Ring-LWE：Identity-Based，Arbitrary Cyclotomic，Tighter Parameters

Fully homomorphic is an encryption scheme that allows for data to be stored and processed in an encrypted format, which gives the cloud provider a solution to host and process data without even knowing what the message is. In previous identity-based homomorphic encryption scheme, computing efficiency is complicated and expensive. In this work, based on Regev’s work, we propose a sampling trapdoor one-way function in arbitrary cyclotomic rings . Then construct a leveled identity-based homomorphic encryption scheme from ring learning with errors, which has advantage in computational efficiency and key management, by using user’s identity as the unique public key. This scheme is proved IND-CPA secure in the random oracle model, relied to hardness of decision ring learning with errors problem