Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The transcript elongation factor SPT4/SPT5 is involved in auxin-related gene expression in Arabidopsis

The heterodimeric complex SPT4/SPT5 is a transcript elongation factor (TEF) that directly interacts with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) to regulate messenger RNA synthesis in the chromatin context. We provide biochemical evidence that in Arabidopsis, SPT4 occurs in a complex with SPT5, demonstrating that the SPT4/SPT5 complex is conserved in plants. Each subunit is encoded by two genes SPT4-1/2 and SPT5-1/2. A mutant affected in the tissue-specifically expressed SPT5-1 is viable, whereas inactivation of the generally expressed SPT5-2 is homozygous lethal. RNAi-mediated downregulation of SPT4 decreases cell proliferation and causes growth reduction and developmental defects. These plants display especially auxin signalling phenotypes. Consistently, auxin-related genes, most strikingly AUX/IAA genes, are downregulated in SPT4–RNAi plants that exhibit an enhanced auxin response. In Arabidopsis nuclei, SPT5 clearly localizes to the transcriptionally active euchromatin, and essentially co-localizes with transcribing RNAPII. Typical for TEFs, SPT5 is found over the entire transcription unit of RNAPII-transcribed genes. In SPT4–RNAi plants, elevated levels of RNAPII and SPT5 are detected within transcribed regions (including those of downregulated genes), indicating transcript elongation defects in these plants. Therefore, SPT4/SPT5 acts as a TEF in Arabidopsis, regulating transcription during the elongation stage with particular impact on the expression of certain auxin-related genes.
Changes in pain perception after pelvis manipulation in women with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the immediate effect of a global pelvic manipulation (GPM) technique, bilaterally applied, on low back pelvic pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. SETTING Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry. University of Sevilla, Spain. METHODS The sample group included 40 women (30 ± 6.10 years) that were divided into an experimental group (EG) (N = 20) who underwent a bilateral GPM technique and a control group (CG) (N = 20) who underwent a sham (placebo) intervention. Evaluations were made of self-reported low back pelvic pain (visual analog scale), pressure pain threshold (PPT) in sacroiliac joints (SIJs), and the endogenous response of the organism to pain following catecholamines and serotonin release in blood levels. RESULTS The intragroup comparison showed a significant improvement in the EG in the self-perceived low back pelvic pain (P = 0.003) and in the mechanosensitivity in both SIJs (P = 0.001). In the between-group comparison, there was a decrease in pain perception (P = 0.004; F(1,38) = 9.62; R(2) = 0.20) and an increase in the PPT of both SIJs, in the right side (P = 0.001; F(1,38) = 21.29; R(2) = 0.35) and in the left side (P = 0.001; F(1,38) = 20.63; R(2) = 0.35). There were no intergroup differences for catecholamines plasma levels (adrenaline P = 0.123; noradrenaline P = 0.281; dopamine P = 0.173), but there were for serotonin levels (P = 0.045; F(1,38) = 4.296; R(2) = 0.10). CONCLUSION The bilateral GPM technique improves in a short term the self-perceived low back pelvic pain, the PPT in both SIJs, and the serotonin levels in women with PD. It shows no significant differences with a sham intervention in catecholamines plasma levels.
Overexpression of leptin receptor in human glioblastoma: Correlation with vasculogenic mimicry and poor prognosis

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) was an important tumor blood supply to complement the endothelial cell-dependent angiogenesis, while leptin and receptor (ObR) involved in angiogenesis in glioblastoma has been reported on previous study, but the relationship between ObR expression and VM formation in human glioblastoma tissues, as well as their prognostic significance still remains unclear. In our study, we found that VM recognized by CD31-/PAS+ immunohistochemical staining in glioblastoma tissues showed a positive correlation with leptin expression (r = 0.58, P < 0.01), as well as ObR expression in glioblastoma tissues (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). Association of glial to mesenchymal transition (GMT)-related molecular with ObR expression and VM formation in glioblastoma tissues indicated that ObR-positive glioblastoma cells with GMT phenotype might be more likely to constitute VM, and co-expression of ObR and CD133 or Nestin to constitute the channel impliated that ObR-positive glioblastoma cells displayed glioblastoma stem cells (GSC) properties. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier statistical analysis showed that patients with more VM or ObR expression displayed poorer prognosis for overall survival times than patients with less expression (VMhigh vs. VMlow: P = 0.033; ObRhigh vs. ObRlow: P = 0.009). And ObR+ glioblastoma cells with GSC characteristic were mostly involved in VM formation, whereas a little part of cells were also related to microvascular density (MVD), which suggested that ObR was an important target for anticancer therapy, so further related studies were needed to improve glioblastoma treatment.
Thymidine-Dependent Staphylococcus aureus Small-Colony Variants: Human Pathogens That Are Relevant Not Only in Cases of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

ABSTRACT We report the isolation of thymidine-dependent small-colony variants (TD-SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus from unusual infection sites of patients with chronic soft tissue infection, tympanitis, bronchitis, peritonitis, and septicemia. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the essential growth factor for TD-SCVs, i.e., thymidine, and its metabolite dTMP are present in various human specimens.
Estimation of Diffusion Properties in Crossing Fiber Bundles

There is an ongoing debate on how to model diffusivity in fiber crossings. We propose an optimization framework for the selection of a dual tensor model and the set of diffusion weighting parameters b, such that both the diffusion shape and orientation parameters can be precisely as well as accurately estimated. For that, we have adopted the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) on the variance of the model parameters, and performed Monte Carlo simulations. We have found that the axial diffusion λ|| needs to be constrained, while an isotropic fraction can be modeled by a single parameter fiso. Under these circumstances, the Fractional Anisotropy (FA) of both tensors can theoretically be independently estimated with a precision of 9% (at SNR=25 ). Levenberg-Marquardt optimization of the Maximum Likelihood function with a Rician noise model approached this precision while the bias was insignificant. A two-element b-vector b = [ 1.0 amp; 3.5 ] · 103 mm-2 s was found to be sufficient for estimating parameters of heterogeneous tissue with low error. This has allowed us to estimate consistent FA-profiles along crossing tracts. This work defines fundamental limits for comparative studies to correctly analyze crossing white matter structures.
Adapt or Die: Polynomial Lower Bounds for Non-Adaptive Dynamic Data Structures

In this paper, we study the role non-adaptivity plays in maintaining dynamic data structures. Roughly speaking, a data structure is non-adaptive if the memory locations it reads and/or writes when processing a query or update depend only on the query or update and not on the contents of previously read cells. We study such non-adaptive data structures in the cell probe model. The cell probe model is one of the least restrictive lower bound models and in particular, cell probe lower bounds apply to data structures developed in the popular word-RAM model. Unfortunately, this generality comes at a high cost: the highest lower bound proved for any data structure problem is only polylogarithmic (if allowed adaptivity). Our main result is to demonstrate that one can in fact obtain polynomial cell probe lower bounds for non-adaptive data structures. To shed more light on the seemingly inherent polylogarithmic lower bound barrier, we study several different notions of non-adaptivity and identify key properties that must be dealt with if we are to prove polynomial lower bounds without restrictions on the data structures. Finally, our results also unveil an interesting connection between data structures and depth-2 circuits. This allows us to translate conjectured hard data structure problems into good candidates for high circuit lower bounds; in particular, in the area of linear circuits for linear operators. Building on lower bound proofs for data structures in slightly more restrictive models, we also present a number of properties of linear operators which we believe are worth investigating in the realm of circuit lower bounds.
Spillover Effects of Exchange Rates: A Study of the Renminbi

This paper estimates how changes in China's exchange rates would affect exports from competitor countries in third-country markets -- in other words, the"spillover effect. "The authors use recent theory to develop an identification strategy, with a key role for the competition between China and its developing country competitors in specific products and export destinations. Using disaggregated trade data, they estimate the spillover effect by exploiting the variation across different exporters, importers, products, and time periods. They find a spillover effect that is statistically and quantitatively significant. Their estimates suggest that a 10-percent appreciation of China's real exchange rate boosts a developing country's exports of a typical four-digit Harmonized System product category to third markets by about 1.5 to 2 percent on average. The magnitude of the spillover effect varies systematically with the characteristics of products, such as the extent to which they are differentiated.
Gastric electrical stimulation treatment of type 2 diabetes: effects of implantation versus meal-mediated stimulation. A randomized blinded cross-over trial

Gastric electrical stimulation with the implanted DIAMOND device has been shown to improve glycemic control and decrease weight and systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with oral antidiabetic agents. The objective of this study was to determine if device implantation alone (placebo effect) contributes to the long‐term metabolic benefits of DIAMOND® meal‐mediated gastric electrical stimulation in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was a 48 week randomized, blinded, cross‐over trial in university centers comparing glycemic improvement of DIAMOND® implanted patients with type 2 diabetic with no activation of the electrical stimulation (placebo) versus meal‐mediated activation of the electrical signal. The endpoint was improvement in glycemic control (HbA1c) from baseline to 24 and 48 weeks. In period 1 (0–24 weeks), equal improvement in HbA1c occurred independent of whether the meal‐mediated electrical stimulation was turned on or left off (HbA1c −0.80% and −0.85% [−8.8 and −9.0 mmol/mol]). The device placebo improvement proved to be transient as it was lost in period 2 (25–48 weeks). With electrical stimulation turned off, HbA1c returned toward baseline values (8.06 compared to 8.32%; 64.2 to 67.4 mmol/mol, P = 0.465). In contrast, turning the electrical stimulation on in period 2 sustained the decrease in HbA1c from baseline (−0.93%, −10.1mmol/mol, P = 0.001) observed in period 1. The results indicate that implantation of the DIAMOND device causes a transient improvement in HbA1c which is not sustained beyond 24 weeks. Meal‐mediated electrical stimulation accounts for the significant improvement in HbA1c beyond 24 weeks.
PERSONALITY AND SCIENCE TRAINING AS PREDICTORS OF SCIENCE TEACHING EFFICACY BELIEFS

underlying potentials of the individual” (John & Srivastava, 1999, p. 42). Three American psychologists– Floyd Allport, Gordon Allport, and Raymond Cattell ignited distinct personality trait theories that have transcended into new trait theories based on the broadness and narrowness of their own trait theories (Wiseman & Bogner, 2003). American psychologist Floyd Allport was best known for his classification of personality traits as being inherently social bridging personality with social psychology (Allport & Allport, 1921). German psychologist, Hugo Münsterberg (1914), aligned his views with Floyd Allport in that “our personality is the individual with his whole social setting” (p. 219) and that if we study individual psychology, we are led from the simple states to those most complex formations, which constitute the personal individuality. The end point of individual psychology is therefore the observation of the individuals in their differences. But this is exactly the starting point for the social psychologist (p. 44). Unlike Floyd Allport and Hugo Münsterberg, American psychologist Gordon Allport contributed his trait theory of personality with a compilation of 4,500 individual traits themed as cardinal traits that develop an entire personality; central traits that support a personality; and secondary traits that are present at certain points to targeted pure individuality (Allport & Odbert,
Co-Orientation: Quantifying Simultaneous Co-Localization and Orientational Alignment of Filaments in Light Microscopy

Co-localization analysis is a widely used tool to seek evidence for functional interactions between molecules in different color channels in microscopic images. Here we extend the basic co-localization analysis by including the orientations of the structures on which the molecules reside. We refer to the combination of co-localization of molecules and orientational alignment of the structures on which they reside as co-orientation. Because the orientation varies with the length scale at which it is evaluated, we consider this scale as a separate informative dimension in the analysis. Additionally we introduce a data driven method for testing the statistical significance of the co-orientation and provide a method for visualizing the local co-orientation strength in images. We demonstrate our methods on simulated localization microscopy data of filamentous structures, as well as experimental images of similar structures acquired with localization microscopy in different color channels. We also show that in cultured primary HUVEC endothelial cells, filaments of the intermediate filament vimentin run close to and parallel with microtubuli. In contrast, no co-orientation was found between keratin and actin filaments. Co-orientation between vimentin and tubulin was also observed in an endothelial cell line, albeit to a lesser extent, but not in 3T3 fibroblasts. These data therefore suggest that microtubuli functionally interact with the vimentin network in a cell-type specific manner.
Effect of Heat on Antioxidant Activity of Some Tropical Leafy Vegetables

The present study examined the effect of different cooking times on total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid content and antioxidant properties of seven tropical leafy vegetables: Pterocarpus mildbraedii , Gongronema latifolium , Ocimum gratissimum , Solanecio biafrae , Piper guineense , Celosia argentea and Solanum melongena . The thermal treatments employed were both long simmer (20 minutes at 80 o C) and short simmer (5 minutes at 80 o C). The result show that both short and long simmer results to a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in the ascorbic acid content in all the vegetables. There was a significant increase in the total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH radical scavenging ability, reducing property, Fe 2+ chelating ability and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. In like manner, short simmer treatment enhances the total antioxidant activities of all the vegetables. These results suggest that although thermal treatments enhances the nutritional value of vegetables by increasing the bio-accessible phenolic content and total antioxidant activity, long simmer treatment results in the disruption of the phytochemicals constituents present. The study therefore concludes that short time simmer treatment may result to optimum yield of antioxidant activities in leafy vegetables. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Ascorbic acid, Leafy vegetables, Total flavonoids, Total phenolics
Ageand Sex‐related Differences in Lipoproteins Containing Apoprotein A‐I

We Investigated ageand sex-related differences In the structure and composition of two species of lipoproteins that contain apoprotein (apo) A-I (A-I Lp): lipoproteins containing apo A-I and apo A-II (Lp A-l/A-ll), and Iipoprotein containing apo A-I but no apo A-II (Lp A-I), which were isolated by immunoaffinlty chromatography. Sixty normollpidemlc volunteers were assigned to one of three groups based on their ages and sexual maturation (Group A, prepubertal; Group B, puberty; and Group C, postpuberty). In A-I Lp, the levels of total cholesterol, choiesteryi ester, phosphoiipid, and apo A-I were lower In males during puberty and then remained stable. In Lp A-I/ A-II, there were no ageor sex-related changes In llpids or In apo A-II. Levels of apo A-I in the females were lower with advance in age, although significant differences were observed only between preand postpubertal subjects. In Lp A-I, the levels of total cholesterol, choiesteryi ester, phosphoiipid, and apo A-I were lower In males during puberty and remained stable thereafter, as in the case of A-I Lp. Therefore, the ageand sex-related differences observed in A-I Lp appear to be primarily due to the differences In Lp A-I. When we take Into account the constancy of Lp A-l/A-ll levels In all groups, the physiological function of A-I Lp (high density Iipoprotein) In each Individual may be limited by the Lp A-I levels.
Immunohistochemical Classification of Primary and Secondary Glioblastomas

Background Glioblastomas may develop de novo (primary glioblastomas, P-GBLs) or through progression from lower-grade astrocytomas (secondary glioblastomas, S-GBLs). The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical classification of glioblastomas with clinically determined P-GBLs and S-GBLs to identify the best combination of antibodies for immunohistochemical classification. Methods We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p53, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1) in 150 glioblastoma cases. Results According to clinical history, the glioblastomas analyzed in this study consisted of 146 P-GBLs and 4 S-GBLs. Immunohistochemical expression of EGFR, p53, and IDH-1 was observed in 62.6%, 49.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. Immunohistochemical profiles of EGFR(+)/p53(-), IDH-1(-)/EGFR(+)/p53(-), and EGFR(-)/p53(+) were noted in 41.3%, 40.2%, and 28.7%, respectively. Expression of IDH-1 and EGFR(-)/p53(+) was positively correlated with young age. The typical immunohistochemical features of S-GBLs comprised IDH-1(+)/EGFR(-)/p53(+), and were noted in 3.6% of clinically P-GBLs. The combination of IDH-1(-) or EGFR(+) was the best set of immunohistochemical stains for identifying P-GBLs, whereas the combination of IDH-1(+) and EGFR(-) was best for identifying S-GBLs. Conclusions We recommend a combination of IDH-1 and EGFR for immunohistochemical classification of glioblastomas. We expect our results to be useful for determining treatment strategies for glioblastoma patients.
Broadband Few‐Layer MoS2 Saturable Absorbers

The bandgaps of monolayer and bulk molybdenum sulfide (MoS2 ) result in that they are far from suitable for application as a saturable absorption device. In this paper, the operation of a broadband MoS2 saturable absorber is demonstrated by the introduction of suitable defects. It is believed that the results provide some inspiration in the investigation of two-dimensional optoelectronic materials.
Self-Assembly of Aβ40, Aβ42 and Aβ43 Peptides in Aqueous Mixtures of Fluorinated Alcohols

Fluorinated alcohols such as hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and trifluoroethanol (TFE) have the ability to promote α-helix and β-hairpin structure in proteins and peptides. HFIP has been used extensively to dissolve various amyloidogenic proteins and peptides including Aβ, in order to ensure their monomeric status. In this paper, we have investigated the self-assembly of Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43 in aqueous mixtures of fluorinated alcohols from freshly dissolved stock solutions in HFIP. We have observed that formation of fibrillar and non-fibrillar structures are dependent on the solvent composition. Peptides form fibrils with ease when reconstituted in deionized water from freshly dissolved HFIP stocks. In aqueous mixtures of fluorinated alcohols, either predominant fibrillar structures or clustered aggregates were observed. Aqueous mixtures of 20% HFIP are more favourable for Aβ fibril formation as compared to 20% TFE. When Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43 stocks in HFIP are diluted in 50% aqueous mixtures in phosphate buffer or deionized water followed by slow evaporation of HFIP, Aβ peptides form fibrils in phosphate buffer and deionized water. The clustered structures could be off-pathway aggregates. Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43 showed significant α-helical content in freshly dissolved HFIP stocks. The α-helical conformational intermediate in Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43 could favour the formation of both fibrillar and non-fibrillar aggregates depending on solvent conditions and rate of α-helical to β-sheet transition.
Effects of conservative therapy applied before arthroscopic subacromial decompression on the clinical outcome in patients with stage 2 shoulder impingement syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIM To investigate the effects of conservative therapy applied before arthroscopic subacromial decompression on the clinical outcome in patients with stage 2 shoulder impingement syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-eight patients having stage 2 shoulder impingement syndrome and treated with arthroscopic subacromial decompression were included in the study. We divided these patients into 2 groups, whereby 32 (47%) patients received conservative therapy before arthroscopic subacromial decompression and 36 (53%) patients did not receive conservative therapy. We compared both groups in terms of the the Constant, UCLA, and VAS scores for shoulder pain before and after arthroscopic subacromial decompression. RESULTS Constant, UCLA, and VAS scores were statistically significantly improved in both groups after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (P <0.001). Constant, UCLA, and VAS scores before arthroscopic subacromial decompression were statistically better in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of Constant, UCLA, and VAS scores after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Conservative therapy applied in patients with stage 2 shoulder impingement syndrome before arthroscopic subacromial decompression does not have a positive contribution on the clinical outcome after arthroscopic subacromial decompression.