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Streptomyces saraceticus strain 31 (SS31) exhibits antagonistic activities against a variety of phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi and nematodes. In our effort to integrate SS31 into an effective pest management programme for controlling plant pathogens, we assessed the toxicities of 74 pesticides commonly employed in agricultural production on SS31 using paper disc assays. Most of the test insecticides, acaricides, nematicides and plant growth regulators showed no antagonistic effects towards SS31. However, all six tested herbicides, glyphosate, paraquat, glufosinate‐ammonium, quizalofop‐ethyl, pendimthalin and butralin exerted strong inhibitory effects on SS31. Among the 42 tested fungicides, half of them, including acid amides, strobilurins, carbamates, antibiotics and morphine displayed no detrimental effects on SS31. Notably, copper‐based fungicides demonstrated high toxicity to SS31. Although chlorothalonil and thiophanate methyl + streptomycin displayed inhibitory effects on SS31, applying these pesticides with SS31 in pot tests resulted in a lower Meloidogyne incognita galling index compared with the mock control under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, applying SS31 with carbofuran or ethoprop effectively controlled M. incognita. These findings can provide strategies to refine application timing and enhance the beneficial effects of SS31. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging diseases caused by both native and exotic pathogens represent a main threat to forest ecosystems worldwide. The two invasive soilborne pathogens Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora × cambivora are the causal agents of ink disease, which has been threatening Castanea sativa in Europe for several centuries and seems to be re‐emerging in recent years. Here, we investigated the distribution, causal agents, and infection dynamics of ink disease in southern Switzerland. A total of 25 outbreaks were identified, 19 with only P. cinnamomi, 5 with only P. × cambivora, and 1 with both species. Dendrochronological analyses showed that the disease emerged in the last 20–30 years. Infected trees either died rapidly within 5–15 years post‐infection or showed a prolonged state of general decline until death. Based on a generalized linear model, the local risk of occurrence of ink disease was increased by an S‐SE aspect of the chestnut stand, the presence of a pure chestnut stand, management activities, the proximity of roads and buildings, and increasing annual mean temperature and precipitation. The genetic structure of the local P. cinnamomi population suggests independent introductions and local spread of the pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although social species as diverse as humans and ants are among the most abundant organisms on Earth, animals cooperate and form groups for many reasons. How these different reasons for grouping affect a species' ecological dominance remains unknown. Here we use a theoretical model to demonstrate that the different fitness benefits that animals receive by forming groups depend on the quality of their environment, which in turn impacts their ecological dominance and resilience to global change. We then test the model's key predictions using phylogenetic comparative analysis of >6500 bird species. As predicted, we find that cooperative breeders occurring in harsh and fluctuating environments have larger ranges and greater abundances than non‐cooperative breeders, but cooperative breeders occurring in benign and stable environments do not. Using our model, we further show that social species living in harsh and fluctuating environments will be less vulnerable to climate change than non‐social species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies resampling data envelopment analyses (DEA) and includes two estimation models: Triangular and Past–Present Models, to explore the operating efficiency of 37 commercial banks in Taiwan from 2014 to 2016. The empirical results are as follows: 1. No matter which models were used, the most inefficient banks from 2014 to 2016 were Bank of PANHSIN. 2. Resample model can more accurately estimate the relative efficiency of the banks than the slacks‐based measure (SBM) model. 3. Based on the Resample model, the empirical results of the SBM model show that the overestimation of the efficiency ranking is more serious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality in pregnant women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) after cervical cerclage.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with cervical insufficiency was conducted at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan from May 1, 2000 to July 31, 2017. Patients with PPROM after cerclage and delivered between 20 0/7 days and 36 6/7 days were recruited. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate various risk factors.Results: Overall, 109 women were included. Mothers with a higher white blood cell count, a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level, a lower amniotic fluid index, and chorioamnionitis were significantly associated with neonatal morbidity. Neonatal mortality was related to oligohydramnios (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-8.01) and chorioamnionitis (aOR 3.17, 95% CI 1.03-9.69). An elevated CRP level was associated with a shorter PPROM to delivery latency (adjusted B -16.64, 95% CI -29.88 to -3.41), but cerclage retention more than 12 hours after PPROM was associated with a prolonged latency (adjusted B 17.21, 95% CI 3.25-31.18).Conclusion: Oligohydramnios and chorioamnionitis are associated with neonatal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C‐met is a receptor normally expressed on epithelial cells and dysregulated in human breast cancers. Mammary tumours are the most common tumour in female dogs. The aims of this study were to detect the expression of c‐met in canine mammary tumours (CMTs) and evaluate the correlations between c‐met expression and clinicopathological features. A total of 240 specimens of canine mammary tissues composed of 30 normal glands, 30 hyperplastic ones, 90 benign tumours and 90 carcinomas obtained from 127 bitches were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Positive c‐met immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of mammary epithelial cells at variable levels, and in malignant CMTs, higher c‐met expression was found in carcinomas whose grade, stage and mitotic index were low, and metastasis was absent. The median survival time was shorter in dogs with malignant CMTs with a maximum diameter ≥5 cm, regional lymph node or distant metastasis, and a high histologic grade. However, the 2‐year survival rate was higher in dogs with malignant CMTs of higher c‐met expression than those of low c‐met expression (80.1% vs 57%). C‐met expression could be used as a valuable positive prognostic factor for the clinical outcomes of dogs with malignant CMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid growth in synthetic methods for the preparation of diverse organic molecules using N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles is of great interest in organic synthesis. Transition metals are generally used to activate the α-imino diazo intermediates. Metal-free methods have not been studied in detail, but can be a good complement to transition metal catalysis in the mild reaction conditions. We herein report a novel method for the preparation of 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4-imine and chroman-4-imine analogs from their corresponding N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles in the absence of metal catalysts. To achieve intramolecular annulation, the introduction of an electron-donating group is required at the meta position of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole methyl anilines. The inclusion of tailored substituents on the aniline moieties and nitrogen atoms enhances the nucleophilicity of the phenyl π-electrons, thus allowing them to undergo a Friedel-Crafts-type reaction with the highly electrophilic ketenimines. This metal-free method was carefully optimized to generate a variety of dihydroquinolin-4-imines and chroman-4-imines in moderate-to-good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Programmed Cell Death 5 ( PDCD5) is a protein that accelerates apoptosis in different types of cells in response to various stimuli and is down-regulated in many cancer tissues. We hypothesized in this study that down-regulating PDCD5 can protect the brain from ischemic damage by inhibiting PDCD5-induced apoptotic pathway. Methods One hundred and sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Sham surgery (n = 25), MCAO (n = 45), MCAO+rh PDCD5 (Rh PDCD5) (n = 30), MCAO+control si RNA (n = 30), and MCAO+ PDCD5 si RNA (n = 30). At 24 h following MCAO, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed. Results PDCD5 si RNA reduced the infarct volume, improved neurological deficits, improved cerebral blood flow ( CBF), and reduced Evans blue extravasation. Meanwhile, over-expression of PDCD5 protein with recombinant human PDCD5 (rh PDCD5) had an opposite effect. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot demonstrated PDCD5 si RNA decreased the expressions of key proapoptotic proteins such as p53, Bax/Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 in the penumbra areas, whereas rh PDCD5 increased cell apoptosis. Double fluorescence labeling showed the positive immunoreactive materials of PDCD5 were partly colocalized with MAP2, GFAP, CD34, p53, and caspase-3 in the penumbra areas in brain. Conclusions PDCD5-induced apoptosis and over-expression of PDCD5 are harmful to the ischemic neurons in vivo. Meanwhile, the inhibition of PDCD5 may be protective via reducing the apoptotic-related protein such as p53, Bax, and caspase-3. This observation may have potential for the treatment of ischemic cerebral stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factor GATA-1 and its cofactor FOG-1 coordinate erythroid cell maturation by activating erythroid-specific genes and repressing genes associated with the undifferentiated state. Here we show that FOG-1 binds to the NuRD corepressor complex in vitro and in vivo. The interaction is mediated by a small conserved domain at the extreme N-terminus of FOG-1 that is necessary and sufficient for NuRD binding. This domain defines a novel repression module found in diverse transcriptional repressors. NuRD is present at GATA-1/FOG-1-repressed genes in erythroid cells in vivo. Point mutations near the N-terminus of FOG-1 that abrogate NuRD binding block gene repression by FOG-1. Finally, the ability of GATA-1 to repress transcription was impaired in erythroid cells expressing mutant forms of FOG-1 that are defective for NuRD binding. Together, these studies show that FOG-1 and likely other FOG-like proteins are corepressors that link GATA factors to histone deacetylation and nucleosome remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the existence of a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies directed against nuclear intact structures, such as nucleosomes and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Autoantibodies against snRNPs are of special interest because they are detectable in the majority of SLE patients. Although the B-cell antigenic determinants have been well characterized, very limited data have been reported in regard to the T-cell epitopes of snRNPs. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that determination of the auto-T-cell epitopes recognized by freshly isolated T cells is difficult from unprimed lupus mice when self-antigen-pulsed B cells or macrophages are used as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in vitro. In the present study, we showed a novel approach for determining the auto-T-cell epitopes, using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) pulsed with the murine U1A protein – an immunodominant antigen of the U1 snRNPs – which is capable of activating freshly isolated T cells from unprimed (NZB × NZW) F1 (BWF1) mice in vitro. The T-cell epitope area was found to be located at the C-terminus of U1A, overlapping the T-cell epitope of human U1A that has been reported in human SLE. Identification of the autoreactive T-cell epitope(s) in snRNPs will help to elucidate how reciprocal T–B determinant spreading of snRNPs emerges in lupus. The results presented here also indicate that it is feasible to use this approach to further explore strategies to design immunotherapy for patients with lupus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various aniline and phenol derivatives bearing an N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazole side chain are investigated with a view to preparing the title heterocycles under metal-free conditions at an elevated temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the reaction temperature either the 3-methylene-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans or the 3-methylbenzofurans are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents chemical equations related to the article Cu(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidin-4-ones Toward the Preparation of γ- and γ³-Amino Acid Analogues." by B. Rajagopal and others, published in the 2014 issue of "Journal of Organic Chemistry. "