Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Chaperone-Like Protein HYPK Acts Together with NatA in Cotranslational N-Terminal Acetylation and Prevention of Huntingtin Aggregation

ABSTRACT The human NatA protein Nα-terminal-acetyltransferase complex is responsible for cotranslational N-terminal acetylation of proteins with Ser, Ala, Thr, Gly, and Val N termini. The NatA complex is composed of the catalytic subunit hNaa10p (hArd1) and the auxiliary subunit hNaa15p (hNat1/NATH). Using immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified endogenous HYPK, a Huntingtin (Htt)-interacting protein, as a novel stable interactor of NatA. HYPK has chaperone-like properties preventing Htt aggregation. HYPK, hNaa10p, and hNaa15p were associated with polysome fractions, indicating a function of HYPK associated with the NatA complex during protein translation. Knockdown of both hNAA10 and hNAA15 decreased HYPK protein levels, possibly indicating that NatA is required for the stability of HYPK. The biological importance of HYPK was evident from HYPK-knockdown HeLa cells displaying apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Knockdown of HYPK or hNAA10 resulted in increased aggregation of an Htt-enhanced green fluorescent protein (Htt-EGFP) fusion with expanded polyglutamine stretches, suggesting that both HYPK and NatA prevent Htt aggregation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HYPK is required for N-terminal acetylation of the known in vivo NatA substrate protein PCNP. Taken together, the data indicate that the physical interaction between HYPK and NatA seems to be of functional importance both for Htt aggregation and for N-terminal acetylation.
Maltrato y delincuencia

Maltreatment and delinquency.The objective of this work is to know, on the one hand, the relation of determined familiar variables with the manifestation of the conduct of bad treatments; and, on the other hand, the relation between the existence of maltreatment in the childhood and the later criminal conduct in a sample of prisoners of the Penitentiary Establishment of Villabona (Asturias). Familiar, school, labour variables and of health, penitentiary history and history of drug addiction were analysed; all collected in a life history that was applied to a sample of 87 people. The processing of the data was carried out by means of statistical package SPSS. The results indicate several questions. In the first place, the variable antecedent of addiction of the father (fundamentally alcohol addiction) is one of the analysed variables more significant before the variable criterion of familiar mistreat. Secondly, also the criminal records of the father have incidence in the existence of bad treatments in the familiar scope. Finally, the antecedents of addiction or penitentiaries of the mother with respect to the criterion variable is not significant. On the other hand, the relation between the existence of mistreat and familiar variables to penitentiary history (age to enter in prison, recidivism.)also have been significant.
Exploiting selection diversity and recovering spectrum loss in Wireless Sensor Networks with directional antennas

This paper proposes a distributed relay selection and successive relaying scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) with directional antennas. Since the working life of WSN is usually affected by the battery life of its nodes, the reduction of the nodes' working time without the sacrifice of communication quality is of significant interest. The proposed scheme makes explore the potential of the large number of nodes within WSNs via distributed relay selection and utilizes a successive relaying protocol to recover the 50% spectrum loss due to relaying. It can thus save energy and time for the source, relay and destination nodes for transmitting and receiving. The performances of the proposed scheme are evaluated by both theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. Results show that the proposed scheme can achieve high average data rate and diversity gain, and provides a feasible solution to enhance the communication ability of WSNs with directional antennas.
Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial: Safety, Tolerability, efficacy and quality of life Of a human recombinant alkaline Phosphatase in patients with sepsis-associated Acute Kidney Injury (STOP-AKI)

Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 55–60% of critically ill patients, and sepsis is the most common underlying cause. No pharmacological treatment options are licensed to treat sepsis-associated AKI (SA-AKI); only supportive renal replacement therapy (RRT) is available. One of the limited number of candidate compounds in clinical development to treat SA-AKI is alkaline phosphatase (AP). The renal protective effect of purified bovine intestinal AP has been demonstrated in critically ill sepsis patients. To build on these observations, a human recombinant AP (recAP) was developed, of which safety and efficacy in patients with SA-AKI will be investigated in this trial. Methods This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-arm, proof-of-concept, dose-finding adaptive phase IIa/IIb study, conducted in critically ill patients with SA-AKI. A minimum of 290 patients will be enrolled at ∼50 sites in the European Union and North America. The study involves 2 parts. Patients enrolled during Part 1 will be randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n=30) or 1 of 3 different doses of recAP (n=30 per group) once daily for 3 days (0.4, 0.8 or 1.6 mg/kg). In Part 2, patients will be randomly assigned to receive the most efficacious dose of recAP (n=85), selected during an interim analysis, or placebo (n=85). Treatment must be administered within 24 hours after SA-AKI is first diagnosed and within 96 hours from first diagnosis of sepsis. The primary end point is the area under the time-corrected endogenous creatinine clearance curve from days 1 to 7. The key secondary end point is RRT incidence during days 1–28. Ethics and dissemination This study is approved by the relevant institutional review boards/independent ethics committees and is conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, guidelines of Good Clinical Practice, Code of Federal Regulations and all other applicable regulations. Results of this study will reveal the efficacy of recAP for the improvement of renal function in critically ill patients with SA-AKI and will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Trial registration number NCT02182440; Pre-results.
Size Of Gene Specific Inverted Repeat - Dependent Gene Deletion In Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We describe here an approach for rapidly producing scar-free and precise gene deletions in S. cerevisiae with high efficiency. Preparation of the disruption gene cassette in this approach was simply performed by overlap extension-PCR of an invert repeat of a partial or complete sequence of the targeted gene with URA3. Integration of the prepared disruption gene cassette to the designated position of a target gene leads to the formation of a mutagenesis cassette within the yeast genome, which consists of a URA3 gene flanked by the targeted gene and its inverted repeat between two short identical direct repeats. The inherent instability of the inverted sequences in close proximity facilitates the self-excision of the entire mutagenesis cassette deposited in the genome and promotes homologous recombination resulting in a seamless deletion via a single transformation. This rapid assembly circumvents the difficulty during preparation of disruption gene cassettes composed of two inverted repeats of the URA3, which requires the engineering of unique restriction sites for subsequent digestion and T4 DNA ligation in vitro. We further identified that the excision of the entire mutagenesis cassette flanked by two DRs in the transformed S. cerevisiae is dependent on the length of the inverted repeat of which a minimum of 800 bp is required for effective gene deletion. The deletion efficiency improves with the increase of the inverted repeat till 1.2 kb. Finally, the use of gene-specific inverted repeats of target genes enables simultaneous gene deletions. The procedure has the potential for application on other yeast strains to achieve precise and efficient removal of gene sequences.
Attainment of developmental tasks in emotionally and behaviourally disturbed adolescents across regular vs. special schools: a four-group comparison

In Germany, adolescents with emotional and behavioural disturbances (EBD) are either schooled in special schools for students with EBD or in regular schools. The present study is the first to compare the perceived attainment of a broad range of developmental tasks of adolescents with and without EBD attending regular vs. special schools. While about 40% of German adolescents from schools for students with EBD did not fulfil the criteria of EBD according to the Youth Self-Report, almost 40% of the students from regular schools fulfilled these criteria. Using ordinal logistic regression analysis, main effects for school type and EBD status as well as interaction effects of school type and EBD status were observed. Adolescents attending special schools reported lower progress in the attainment of one out of 12 developmental tasks. Compared to students without EBD, students with EBD perceived lower attainment of seven developmental tasks, especially of those linked to taking responsibilities of adulthood. The results are discussed regarding how successful attainment of developmental tasks can be supported. Also, reasons for the large number of students without self-reported EBD attending a special school are considered.
Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus Species Infection in Obese and Non-Obese School Children in Accra, Ghana

Introduction Several bacteria colonize the oral cavity. Some are involved in oral diseases including dental caries. Dental caries is one of the commonest oral problems in children [1]. Acid producing oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species are the major bacteria associated with caries [2]. For a long time it was thought that the presence of these bacteria alone may lead to dental caries but later studies have demonstrated that there were cases where caries occurred even in the absence of these bacteria [3,4]. Some of these other bacteria include Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, Neisseria subflava. However, when Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species dominate the plaque caries occurs faster [2,3]. Colonization by some of the oral bacterial starts even before the eruption of teeth in the mouth of children [5]. These bacteria are thought to be transmitted from mother to child [6-9]. Background: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species are major bacteria associated with dental caries. In the presence of fermentable sugars and poor oral hygiene these bacteria increase risk of caries. Some studies have associated obesity with dental caries while others did not. High sugar snacks are risks for both obesity and dental caries. Citation: Ndanu TA, Aryeetey R, Sackeyfio J, Otoo G, Lartey A, et al. (2015) Streptococcus Mutans and Lactobacillus Species Infection in Obese and Non-Obese School Children in Accra, Ghana. J Obes Overweig 1(1): 101 Objectives: This study aimed at determining Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species infection and its relationship with dental caries among obese and non-obese children. Methods: Oral plaque was taken from 75 each of obese and non-obese children from private schools in Accra, Ghana. The plaque was pre-enriched in thioglycollate broth for 48 hours at 37 °C. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species were recovered after sub-culturing the broths onto Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin (MSB) and Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) selective plates, respectively, and incubation at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions. Bacteria isolates on the selective plates were identified using Gram morphology and catalase activity. Results: Streptococcus mutans was isolated in 51 (33.6%) of all 150 children. The prevalence of Streptococcus mutans was significantly higher in the obese children 31 (41.3%) than the non-obese 20 (26.0%), p=0.033. Recovery of Lactobacillus species was low 2 (1.3%). Caries prevalence was similar in the obese 14.9% and non-obese 15.1%. There was no significant association between Streptococcus mutans infection and the dental caries. Overall Silness and LOe Plaque Index of 1.1 ± 0.5 indicate good oral hygiene status for the children. Conclusion: Obese school children had higher oral Streptococcus mutans infections than non-obese children but this was not significantly associated with dental caries prevalence.
Preparing students for the global workplace: the impact of a semester abroad

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, employers are seeking ‘global-ready graduates,’ that is, individuals with an intercultural mindset, who can interact effectively and appropriately with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In response, tertiary institutions are creating more opportunities for international experience. This article centers on a mixed-method study that investigated the impact of a semester-long international exchange program on the global-readiness of Chinese university students. Whereas the experimental group experienced gains in intercultural competence, second language self-efficacy, and global-mindedness, the control group (students on the home campus prior to study abroad) regressed slightly. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed multifarious elements that led to these differing outcomes.
Phylogenetic isolation increases plant success despite increasing susceptibility to generalist herbivores

Aim Theory suggests that introduced species that are phylogenetically distant from their recipient communities should be more successful than closely related introduced species because they can exploit open niches and escape enemies in their new range, i.e. Darwin’s Naturalization Hypothesis. Alternatively, it has also been hypothesized that closely related invaders might be more successful than novel invaders because they are pre‐adapted to conditions in their new range; a paradox coined Darwin’s Naturalization Conundrum. To date, these hypotheses have been tested primarily at the regional scale, not within local plant communities where introduced species colonize, compete and encounter herbivores.
Towards a Hierarchical Testing and Evaluation Strategy for Web Services System

Web services can be combined in a collaborative way to create a new Web services system (WSS) to solve more complex problems. However, WSS testing is not a trivial task, features like distribution, loose-coupling, and collaboration bring great pressure to the latter testing activity. In the paper, a hierarchical testing and evaluation strategy is proposed from the perspective of the developers of Web services system. In service unit level, combinatorial testing method is used to ensure single service’s quality. In system level, BPEL specification is converted into state diagram firstly, and then state transition-based test cases generation algorithm is presented. Based on the testing records of the above two levels, a simple reliability evaluation method is addressed. Furthermore, the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach is validated by the preliminary study and case-based experiments.
Factors affecting survival in Alzheimer's disease

SYNOPSIS Factors affecting survival of 178 patients diagnosed using NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for Alzheimer's disease were studied. All patients were drawn from the Camberwell Health Authority Area and so were a representative sample of subjects from a clinical old age psychiatry service. The mortality rate of the sample was 3·5 times that expected after adjustment for age. Younger subjects had a higher standardized mortality ratio than older subjects. The cumulative three-year mortality of the sample was 47%. Factors shown to be associated with a reduced survival included: increasing age, longer duration of illness, male sex, presence of physical illness, poor cognitive function, observed depression and absence of misidentification syndromes. Apraxia was a stronger predictor of early death than aphasia or dysmnesia.
MpeR Regulates the mtr Efflux Locus in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Modulates Antimicrobial Resistance by an Iron-Responsive Mechanism

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that the MpeR transcriptional regulator produced by Neisseria gonorrhoeae represses the expression of mtrF, which encodes a putative inner membrane protein (MtrF). MtrF works as an accessory protein with the Mtr efflux pump, helping gonococci to resist high levels of diverse hydrophobic antimicrobials. Regulation of mpeR has been reported to occur by an iron-dependent mechanism involving Fur (ferric uptake regulator). Collectively, these observations suggest the presence of an interconnected regulatory system in gonococci that modulates the expression of efflux pump protein-encoding genes in an iron-responsive manner. Herein, we describe this connection and report that levels of gonococcal resistance to a substrate of the mtrCDE-encoded efflux pump can be modulated by MpeR and the availability of free iron. Using microarray analysis, we found that the mtrR gene, which encodes a direct repressor (MtrR) of mtrCDE, is an MpeR-repressed determinant in the late logarithmic phase of growth when free iron levels would be reduced due to bacterial consumption. This repression was enhanced under conditions of iron limitation and resulted in increased expression of the mtrCDE efflux pump operon. Furthermore, as judged by DNA-binding analysis, MpeR-mediated repression of mtrR was direct. Collectively, our results indicate that both genetic and physiologic parameters (e.g., iron availability) can influence the expression of the mtr efflux system and modulate levels of gonococcal susceptibility to efflux pump substrates.
Anatomical and Functional Deficits in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background Anatomical and functional deficits have been studied in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is unclear whether and how the anatomical deficits are related to the functional alterations. Present study aims to characterize the association between anatomical and functional deficits in MCI patients. Methods Seventeen amnestic MCI patients and 18 healthy aging controls were scanned using a T1 Weighted MPRAGE sequence and a gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequence. Clinical severity of MCI patients was evaluated by using Clinical Dementia Rating, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test, Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Activities of Daily Living. VBM with DARTEL was used to characterize the gray matter deficits in MCI. Regional amplitude of low-frequency (0.01–0.08 Hz) fluctuations (ALFF) was used to evaluate regional functional alteration in MCI and fractional ALFF(fALFF) in slow 4 (0.027–0.073 Hz) and slow 5 (0.01–0.027 Hz) were also calculated. Results Significantly decreased gray matter volume (GMV) was observed in amnestic MCI group mainly in bilateral prefrontal, left temporal and posterior cingulate cortex. Significant positive correlation was observed between the GMV in left inferior frontal gyrus and MMSE scores. Interestingly, decreased ALFF/fALFF was revealed in MCI group compared to controls mainly in prefrontal, left parietal regions and right fusiform gyrus, while the increased ALFF/fALFF was found in limbic and midbrain. Furthermore, the changes of fALFF in MCI in the slow-5 band were greater than those in the slow-4. No significant correlation was found between the morphometric and functional results. Conclusions Findings from the study document that wide spread brain volume reduction accompanied with decreased and increased regional function in MCI, while the anatomical and functional changes were independently. Therefore, the combination of structural and functional MRI methods would provide complementary information and together advance our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying the symptoms of MCI.
Music and consumer behaviour.

This chapter opens with a brief account of three meta-analyses of studies of the effects of background music, one of which looks specifically at its effects in retail settings. It next outlines the main theoretical explanations of these effects, namely the effects of music on physiological arousal, on the priming of certain thoughts and associations, and on its influence through its emotional effects. It also considers a fourth mechanism identified in some of the authors’ own recent research on the effects of the listener’s degree of dominance and control over the music. The remainder of the chapter is a brief review, largely based on the authors’ own work, of three main areas of research on music and consumer behavior, namely that on the perception of the commercial environment, on product choice and musical fit, and on the speed of activity and time perception.
Arterial stiffness modeling using variations of pulse transit time

In this paper, a finite elements (FE) modeling is used to model effects of the arterial stiffness on the different signal patterns of the pulse transit time (PTT). Four different breathing patterns of the same subject are measured with PTT signal and corresponding finite element model of the straight elastic artery is applied. The computational fluid structure model provides arterial elastic behavior and fitting procedure was applied in order to estimate stiffness of the artery. It was found that same elastic material characteristics were fitted for four different breathing patterns which validate this methodology for possible noninvasive determination of the arterial stiffness.
Listening to the Boys: English boys' views on the desirable characteristics of teachers of sex education

This paper explores the preferences of boys regarding the characteristics of teachers of sex education. Sex education in English schools is delivered as a compulsory part of National Curriculum Science and in most schools is further explored in time given over to personal, social and health education. Research was carried out in a variety of schools from both the state and private sectors, by the use of focus group interviews and questionnaires. Due to the existing law in England and Wales regarding parents' right of withdrawal from classes, only boys of 16 or over were used in this research. Boys want teachers to be empathetic, non-judgemental and able to create a 'safe environment' in order to facilitate the discussion of difficult subjects. Most boys believed that the age and sex of the teacher had little bearing on whether they could deliver the subject well; more important was their ability to generate trust, keep control of classes and use relaxed and informal methods of delivery. Unanimously the boys believed that history and English teachers were more able to fulfil these requirements whereas science and mathematics teachers were considered to be unable to adapt to the relaxed styles required. There was a general belief that teachers should be specially trained in this area of the curriculum. Disagreement was found in areas such as the use of outsiders to deliver sex education. The implications of this research for teacher educators, teachers in training and schools are considerable. Unless boys work with teachers they respect and trust they will continue to have little time for this area of the curriculum, to the detriment of their future relationships.