Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular detection and sequence analysis of human caliciviruses from acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Hungary

Three viral gastroenteritis (VGE) outbreaks that occurred in 1998–1999, in Hungary were investigated for the presence of human caliciviruses (HuCVs). HuCVs in stool specimens were detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using primer pair 289/290, which was designed based on the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence. RT‐PCR results were confirmed by sequencing showing that all three outbreak strains belonged to genogroup II of “Norwalk‐like viruses” (NLVs). Two strains had high sequence identity with strains in known genetic clusters (Hawaii and Lordsdale clusters). The third strain (MOH) had distinct RdRp sequence, sharing 77/86% (nt/aa) identity with Snow Mountain virus (SMV), the closest genogroup II virus. To characterize MOH further, we cloned, sequenced, and expressed in baculovirus its capsid gene. It had 75/79% (nt/aa) identity with SMV, but 97/98% (nt/aa) identity with NLV/Hillingdon/90/UK, a recently identified genetic cluster of HuCVs. The recombinant MOH (rMOH) capsid protein self‐assembled into virus‐like particles (VLPs), which is antigenically distinct from other recombinant HuCV capsid antigens available in our laboratory. Further study of this VLP will have important applications in antigenic characterization and diagnosis of HuCVs. J. Med. Virol. 67:567–573, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factores de riesgo y protectores del bullying escolar en estudiantes con bajo rendimiento de cinco instituciones educativas de Santa Marta, Colombia

To characterize factors related to bullying in tenth grade students with low performance, taken as reference 5 from schools district No. 5 in Santa Marta. A cross-sectional study is conducted; 582 students and 186 students sampled, to whom a MESSY (Matson Evaluation of Social Skills in Youngsters de Matson Rotatori y Helsel 1983). Scale was applied, previous validity in school population for this research. Data was processed using SPSS 17.0v a highest percentages of 6 factors measured by Adequate Social Skills Scale in average level (59 %), inadequate assertiveness (77 %), impulsivity (75 %), overconfidence (49 %), jealousy/loneliness and others (83 %): As a conclusion, there is no bullying in this population, but two risk factors were found: impulsivity (19 %) and loneliness (16 %); and protective factor (adequate social skills 31 %). It is suggested to apply prevention programs focused on the last three factors.
Dephosphorylation of photosystem II core proteins is light‐regulated in vivo.

A number of photosystem II (PSII)‐associated proteins, including D1, D2, CP43 and LHCII, are phosphorylated post‐translationally by a membrane‐bound, redox‐regulated kinase activity. In vitro studies have demonstrated that these proteins can be dephosphorylated by membrane‐bound phosphatase activity, reportedly insensitive to light or redox control. We demonstrate here that the PSII core proteins, D1, D2 and CP43, undergo light‐stimulated, linear electron‐transport‐independent dephosphorylation in vivo. The in vivo dephosphorylation of D1 was characterized further and shown to depend upon light intensity, and to occur throughout the visible light spectrum with characteristics most consistent with light absorption by chlorophyll. PSII core protein dephosphorylation in vivo was stimulated by photosystem I (PSI)‐specific far‐red light, and inhibited by 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐methyl‐6‐isopropyl‐p‐benzoquinone, an inhibitor of plastoquinol oxidation by the cytochrome b6f complex. Based on these findings, we propose that PSI excitation is involved in regulating dephosphorylation of PSII core proteins in vivo.
An Investigation into the Spatial Variability of Near-Surface Air Temperatures in the Detroit, Michigan, Metropolitan Region

AbstractOn an annual basis, heat is the chief cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Therefore, understanding the temperature structure where people live is important for reducing the health burden imposed by hot weather. This study focused on the air temperatures in the Detroit, Michigan, metropolitan region during the summer of 2009. An observational network was established that included 1) monitors sited in the backyards of residential participants, 2) National Weather Service standard observations, and 3) a network of monitors operated by the State of Michigan. Daily high and low temperatures were analyzed for spatial pattern, magnitude of spatial variability, and relationships with weather conditions. The existence of spatial variability was confirmed specifically during weather that was considered to be dangerous to public health. The relationships between temperature observations and distance to water, distance to city center, and local percent of impervious surface were investigated.
Negative Regulation of Neuroblastoma Cell Growth by Carbohydrate-dependent Surface Binding of Galectin-1 and Functional Divergence from Galectin-3*

The cell density-dependent growth inhibition of human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells is initiated by increased ganglioside sialidase activity leading to elevated cell surface presentation of ganglioside GM1, a ligand of galectin-1. We herein show that the extent of the cell surface expression of the galectin coincides with marked increases of the sialidase activity. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis excludes a regulation at the transcriptional level. Exposure of cells to purified galectin-1 reveals its carbohydrate-dependent activity to reduce cell proliferation. Assays to detect DNA fragmentation biochemically and cytometrically and to block caspases render it unlikely that galectin-1 acts as a classical proapoptotic factor on these cells. Because the chimeric galectin-3 shares binding sites and binding parameters with galectin-1 for these cells, we tested whether this galectin will elicit the same response as the homodimeric cross-linking galectin-1. Evidently, galectin-3 fails to affect cell growth by itself but interferes with galectin-1 upon coincubation. Its proteolytically truncated variant, the C-terminal lectin domain with impaired capacity to form aggregates when surface bound, has only weak binding properties. Thus, the way in which the galectin-1 interacts topologically with an apparently common set of ligands relative to galectin-3 is crucial for eliciting post-binding events. We conclude that galectin-1 is a probable effector in the sialidase-dependent growth control in this system. Moreover, the experiments with galectin-3 reveal functional divergence, most probably based on different topologies of presentation of homologous carbohydrate-binding sites.
High-Resolution X-Ray Imaging of the Center of IC 342

We present the results of a high-resolution (θFWHM ∼ 0.5′′) 12 ks Chandra HRC-I observation of the starburst galaxy IC 342 taken on 2006 April 2. We identify 23 X-ray sources within the central 30′ × 30′ region of IC 342 and resolve the historical ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX), X3, near the nucleus into two sources, namely, C12 and C13. The brighter source C12, with L0.08–10 keV = (6.66 ± 0.45) × 1038 erg s−1, is spatially extended (≈82 pc × 127 pc ). From the astrometric registration of the X-ray image, C12 is at R.A. = 03h46m48.43s, decl. = +68°05′47.45′′, and is closer to the nucleus than C13. Thus, we conclude that source is not an ULX and must instead be associated with the nucleus. The fainter source C13, with L0.08–10 keV = (5.1 ± 1.4) × 1037 erg s−1, is consistent with a point source located at 6.51″ (position angle P.A. ≈ 240°) of C12. We also analyzed astrometrically corrected optical Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and radio Very Large Array images; a comparison with the X-ray image showed similarities in their morphologies. Regions of star formation within the central region of IC 342 are clearly visible in the HST Hα image, which contains three optical star clusters and our detected X-ray source C12. We find that the observed X-ray luminosity of C12 is very close to the predicted X-ray emission from a starburst, suggesting that the nuclear X-ray emission of IC 342 is dominated by a starburst. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of active galactic nucleus (AGN) emission in the nucleus of IC 342, which we can neither prove nor discard with our data.
Self-reported energy intake by FFQ compared with actual energy intake to maintain body weight in 516 adults

It is generally assumed that a FFQ is not suitable to estimate the absolute levels of individual energy intake. However, in epidemiological studies, reported nutrients by FFQ are often corrected for this intake. The objective of the present study was to assess how accurately participants report their energy intakes by FFQ. We compared reported energy intake with actual energy intake needed to maintain stable body weights during eleven controlled dietary trials. FFQ were developed to capture at least 90 % of energy intake. Participants, 342 women and 174 men, with a mean BMI of 22·8 (sd 3·1) kg/m2 filled out the FFQ just before the trials. Energy intakes during the trials were calculated from provided foods and reported free-food items, representing 90 and 10 % of energy intake, respectively. Mean reported energy intake was 97·5 (sd 12·7) % of actual energy intake during the trials; it was 98·9 (sd 15·2) % for women and 94·7 (sd 16·3) % for men (P = 0·004 for difference between sexes). Correlation coefficients between reported and actual energy intakes were 0·82 for all participants, 0·74 for women and 0·80 for men. Individual reported energy intake as a percentage of actual intake ranged from 56·3 to 159·6 % in women and from 43·8 to 151·0 % in men. In conclusion, the FFQ appeared to be accurate for estimating the mean level of energy intakes of these participants and for ranking them according to their intake. However, the large differences found on the individual level may affect the results of epidemiological studies in an unknown direction if nutrients are corrected for energy intakes reported by FFQ.
eacher pay and teacher aptitude

Can changes in teacher pay encourage more able individuals to enter the teaching profession? So far, studies of the impact of pay on the aptitude distribution of teachers have provided mixed evidence on the extent to which altering teacher salaries represents a feasible solution to the teacher quality problem. One possible reason is that these studies have been unable to separate labor supply effects from labor demand effects. To address this, I model the relationship between current salaries and the academic aptitude of future teachers (those entering teacher education courses). Using a unique dataset of test scores for every individual admitted into an Australian university between 1989 and 2003, I explore how interstate variation in average pay or pay dispersion affects the decision to enter
The “Dead-End Tract” and Its Role in Arrhythmogenesis

Idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) represent a significant proportion of all VAs. The mechanism is thought to be catecholamine-mediated delayed after depolarizations and triggered activity, although other etiologies should be considered. In the adult cardiac conduction system it has been demonstrated that sometimes an embryonic branch, the so-called “dead-end tract”, persists beyond the bifurcation of the right and left bundle branch (LBB). Several findings suggest an involvement of this tract in idiopathic VAs (IVAs). The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge and the possible clinical significance of this tract.
Too Young for ADHD: The Potential Role of Systems of Care

ABSTRACT. This article discusses a number of issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with specific implications for preschoolers. A brief review of diagnostic and treatment issues for young children is followed by a discussion of developmental issues that contextualize the preschool years and have an impact on cognitive and emotional development underlying self-regulation. The characteristics of the high numbers of children with ADHD receiving services within community-based systems of care and symptom outcomes are reported, as well as a description of the components of the systems of care approach. Recent federal initiatives that impact the care of children with ADHD within community settings are highlighted. It is concluded that the identification and management of preschool children with ADHD can be effective within the context of fully integrated service system approaches.
Management of Vascular Risk Factors in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST)

Background The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST) is a multicenter randomized trial of stenting versus endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease. This study assesses management of vascular risk factors. Methods and Results Management was provided by the patient's physician, with biannual monitoring results collected by the local site. Therapeutic targets were low‐density lipoprotein, cholesterol <100 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg, fasting blood glucose <126 mg/dL, and nonsmoking status. Optimal control was defined as achieving all 4 goals concurrently. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare risk factors at baseline with those observed in scheduled follow‐up visits for up to 48 months. In the analysis cohort of 2210, significant improvements in risk‐factor control were observed across risk factors for all follow‐up visits compared with baseline. At 48 months, achievement of the low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol goal improved from 59.1% to 73.6% (P<0.001), achievement of the systolic blood pressure goal improved from 51.6% to 65.1% (P<0.001), achievement of the glucose goal improved from 74.9% to 80.7% (P=0.0101), and nonsmoking improved from 74.4% to 80.9% (P<0.0001). The percentage with optimal risk‐factor control also improved significantly, from 16.7% to 36.2% (P<0.001), but nearly 2 of 3 study participants did not achieve optimal control during the study. Conclusions Site‐based risk‐factor control improved significantly in the first 6 months and over the long term in CREST but was often suboptimal. Intensive medical management should be considered for future trials of carotid revascularization. Clinical Trial Registration URL: ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
Investigative modeling of new pathways for secondary organic aerosol formation

Recent advances in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) research are reviewed and the status of current understanding is investigated using a box model of SOA formation. Benzene and isoprene are newly identified precursors that are included in this SOA model; these precursors form SOA via secondary products. The model is also extended to include some representation of aqueous partitioning and the formation of high molecular weight products via oligomerization. Experimental data and empirical relationships are used where possible, because a detailed representation of SOA formation is not supported by the current state of information. Sensitivity studies are conducted with the SOA model and SOA predictions are found to be very sensitive to the treatment of the interactions between particulate water and organic compounds. While uncertainties due to model formulation are significant, influential model parameters include the aerosol partitioning ratios for several small products of isoprene and the partitioning constants for unidentified products (currently, the partitioning constants are derived by fitting experimental data). The pH value used as the reference for the activation of oligomerization is also a critical parameter. Recommendations for future work needed to improve SOA models include the elucidation of the water-organic relationship, the extent of phase separation, and laboratory experiments conducted under conditions more relevant to ambient studies (e.g., lower concentrations, higher relative humidity).
White Entry into Black Neighborhoods

This article considers whites’ entry into black neighborhoods. The historical review in the first part of the article shows such entry to have been exceedingly rare during the twentieth century. Our analysis of trends in white entry into black neighborhoods for the period 1980–2010 documents a substantial increase in white entry for the 2000–10 decade. We speculate that the increase in white entry into black neighborhoods was due to declining racism among whites and dramatically declining crime rates in the 1990s. We also use multivariate regression to explain which black neighborhoods were most likely to experience an influx of whites. Factors associated with gentrification appear to offer the most promising explanations. We discuss the implications of these findings in the conclusion.
Recombinant Erythropoietin Is Neuroprotective in a Novel Mouse Oxidative Injury Model

To identify neuroprotective changes in gene expression, we developed a neonatal mouse model of moderate to severe oxidative brain injury and hypothesized that recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) would decrease the expression of proapoptotic and proinflammatory genes 24 and 48 h, respectively, after injury and increase the expression of neurogenic and angiogenic genes 168 h after injury. Postnatal day 10 BALB-c mice underwent sham surgery or right common carotid artery occlusion followed by alternating hypoxia and hyperoxia and were then treated with rEpo (5,000 U/kg s.c.) or saline (vehicle) daily for up to three doses. At death, gross brain injury was assessed, then hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus were isolated for RNA or protein extraction. Microarray analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Bio-Plex® suspension array system validation were performed. rEpo decreased both incidence and severity of brain injury (median injury score 3 vs. 0, p < 0.0001) and reduced the injury-induced increases in interleukin-1α and interleukin-6 gene expression (p < 0.001), with corresponding effects on protein translation. Similarly, the expression of caspase-1, caspase-4, and caspase-6 and of p53 was increased by brain injury at 24 h, but mitigated by rEpo (p < 0.01). The interleukin-10 expression was higher in the rEpo-treated animals. Apoptotic and proinflammatory gene expression persisted for 168 h. There was no increase in angiogenic gene expression at the time points studied.
Optimization of Solid State Fermentation Conditions and Characterization of Thermostable Alpha Amylase from Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633)

Alpha amylase production using microbial source and solid state fermentation has been conducted for past few years in search of thermostable enzyme. Owing to the prolific use of thermostable alpha amylase in various industries like paper, food, detergent, brewing and starch liquefaction process, the production of alpha amylase is still going on. In the present work, Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) has been utilized for generation of alpha amylase followed by optimization of the fermentation media. Change in fermentation conditions like fermentation hour, temperature, inoculums size, nitrogen and sugar sources have pivotal role to enhance alpha amylase yield. The thermal, pH and detergent stability of partially purified alpha amylase have been tested and compared with purified porcine pancreatic amylase. The result is encouraging with approximate 80% retention of alpha amylase activity comparable to purified porcine pancreatic amylase in presence of drastic condition of temperature (60°C), pH (6-11) and detergents. This makes it apt for use in various industries like detergent, food and paper industries.
Low Expression of CAPON in Glioma Contributes to Cell Proliferation via the Akt Signaling Pathway

CAPON is an adapter protein for nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1). CAPON has two isoforms in the human brain: CAPON-L (long form of CAPON) and CAPON-S (short form of CAPON). Recent studies have indicated the involvement of CAPON in tumorigenesis beyond its classical role in NOS1 activity regulation. In this study, we found that the protein levels of CAPON-S, but not than CAPON-L, were significantly decreased in glioma tissues. Therefore, we established lentivirus-mediated stable cell lines with CAPON-S overexpression or down-regulation, and investigated the role of CAPON-S in the proliferation of glioma cells by using CCK8, EdU, and flow cytometry assays. Overexpression of CAPON-S reduced the cell variability and the percentage of EdU-positive cells, and arrested the cells in the G1 phase in glioma cells. Silencing of CAPON by short-hairpin RNA showed the opposite effects. Furthermore, an intracellular signaling array revealed that overexpression of CAPON-S resulted in a remarkable reduction in the phosphorylation of Akt and S6 ribosomal protein in glioma cells, which was further confirmed by Western blot. These findings suggest that CAPON may function as a tumor suppressor in human brain glioma and that the inactivation of the Akt signaling pathway caused by CAPON-S overexpression may provide insight into the underlying mechanism of CAPON in glioma cell proliferation.
Hematological Parameters Improve Prediction of Mortality and Secondary Adverse Events in Coronary Angiography Patients

AbstractPrediction of primary cardiovascular events has been thoroughly investigated since the landmark Framingham risk score was introduced. However, prediction of secondary events after initial events of coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a new challenge.In a cohort of coronary angiography patients (n = 1760), we examined readily available hematological parameters from the UPOD (Utrecht Patient Oriented Database) and their addition to prediction of secondary cardiovascular events. Backward stepwise multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to test their ability to predict death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) measures were calculated for the hematological parameters on top of traditional risk factors to assess prediction improvement.Panels of 3 to 8 hematological parameters significantly improved prediction of death and adverse events. The IDIs ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 (all P < 0.001) among outcome measures and the cNRIs from 0.11 to 0.40 (P < 0.001 in 5 of 6 outcome measures). In the hematological panels red cell distribution width (RDW) appeared most often. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratio of RDW per 1 standard deviation (SD) increase for MACE was 1.19 [1.08–1.32], P < 0.001. Routinely measured hematological parameters significantly improved prediction of mortality and adverse events in coronary angiography patients. Accurately indicating high-risk patients is of paramount importance in clinical decision-making.
Metabolic Variation during Development in Culture of Leishmania donovani Promastigotes

The genome sequencing of several Leishmania species has provided immense amounts of data and allowed the prediction of the metabolic pathways potentially operating. Subsequent genetic and proteomic studies have identified stage-specific proteins and putative virulence factors but many aspects of the metabolic adaptations of Leishmania remain to be elucidated. In this study, we have used an untargeted metabolomics approach to analyze changes in the metabolite profile as promastigotes of L. donovani develop during in vitro cultures from logarithmic to stationary phase. The results show that the metabolomes of promastigotes on days 3–6 of culture differ significantly from each other, consistent with there being distinct developmental changes. Most notable were the structural changes in glycerophospholipids and increase in the abundance of sphingolipids and glycerolipids as cells progress from logarithmic to stationary phase.