Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational analysis of PTEN-targeting microRNAs

Computational tools are indispensable in the genetic engineering today. This research employs computational analysis on microRNAs which are targeting at the PTEN gene. This study aims to analyze the implication of microRNAs in the expression of PTEN which is leading to tumorigenesis. The analysis of microRNAs sheds light on the regulatory mechanism of PTEN in cancer development.
SSX2 is a novel DNA-binding protein that antagonizes polycomb group body formation and gene repression

Polycomb group (PcG) complexes regulate cellular identity through epigenetic programming of chromatin. Here, we show that SSX2, a germline-specific protein ectopically expressed in melanoma and other types of human cancers, is a chromatin-associated protein that antagonizes BMI1 and EZH2 PcG body formation and derepresses PcG target genes. SSX2 further negatively regulates the level of the PcG-associated histone mark H3K27me3 in melanoma cells, and there is a clear inverse correlation between SSX2/3 expression and H3K27me3 in spermatogenesis. However, SSX2 does not affect the overall composition and stability of PcG complexes, and there is no direct concordance between SSX2 and BMI1/H3K27me3 presence at regulated genes. This suggests that SSX2 antagonizes PcG function through an indirect mechanism, such as modulation of chromatin structure. SSX2 binds double-stranded DNA in a sequence non-specific manner in agreement with the observed widespread association with chromatin. Our results implicate SSX2 in regulation of chromatin structure and function.
Oral health and liver function in children and adolescents with cirrhosis of the liver

Introduction People with cirrhosis of the liver are predisposed to developing oral lesions. The occurrence and type of lesion depend on the degree of liver function impairment and its type, and on the severity and duration of systemic diseases. In children, the age at which the early symptoms of liver disease are experienced is also of great importance. Aim To assess the prevalence of oral pathological lesions in children and adolescents with cirrhosis of the liver, and their correlation with the degree of liver function impairment. Material and methods Clinical and laboratory results of liver function tests (Model of End-Stage Liver Disease/Score of Paediatric End-Stage Liver Disease, Child-Pugh score) were assessed in 35 patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The average age of the patients was 10.7 ±4.74 years. All patients also had their oral cavities examined (mucosa, gingiva – GI, hygiene – PLI, teeth – dmft/dmfs and DMFt/DMFs, DDE Index and Candida spp. presence) and this was then correlated to the degree of liver function impairment. Results According to the Child-Pugh scale, 16 patients were class A and 19 were class B/C. Jaundice during the first 3 years of life occurred in 9 patients. Mucosal lesions were found in 26 out of 35 patients (74%), including 10 out of 16 (63%) in Child-Pugh group A, and 16 out of 19 (84%) in group B/C (NS – non significant). Oral candidiasis occurred more often in class B/C than in class A (47.4% vs. 12.5%; p < 0.05). The GI index (Gingival Index) and PLI index (Dental Plaque Index) did not differ between the groups (A vs. B/C) but correlated in the whole group (R = 0.58) as well as in subgroups A (R = 0.65) and B/C (R = 0.59). Dmft/dmfs and DMFt/DMFs indexes did not differ between groups A and B/C, and neither did the DMFt/DMFs in patients with/without enamel defects. Conclusions Oral mucosal lesions are commonly found in children with cirrhosis of the liver. Advanced liver disease promotes oral candidiasis. Severity of gingivitis correlates with the presence of dental plaque.
Increased RANKL/OPG Ratio and Sclerostin in Patients with Septic Shock

We report an increased RANKL/OPG ratio and increased sclerostin levels in patients with septic shock one day after admission compared to healthy subjects, indicating an increased risk for bone loss in survivors of septic shock. No increase in RANKL/OPG ratio was observed in patients treated with hydrocortisone during septic shock. Correspondence to: Maria Bergquist, Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, E-mail: maria.bergquist@gu.se
Understanding Latina and Latino College Choice

Through interviews and focus groups with 106 high school juniors and seniors, this research examined the college choice process for Latina and Latino students in the greater Los Angeles basin. Using chain migration theory within a social capital framework, the results indicated that as primarily first-generation college students, the students in this sample relied heavily on siblings, peers, relatives, and high school contacts for purposes of postsecondary planning and for creating a college consideration and application set. Esta investigación examinó el proceso de selección de universidad para estudiantes latinas y latinos en el área de Los Ángeles a través de entrevistas y grupos de enfoque con 106 estudiantes de preparatoria. Usando la teoría de cadena de inmigración con un marco de capital social, los resultados indicaron que como estudiantes universitarios de primera generación, los participantes en esta muestra dependían fuertemente de hermanos, compañeros, parientes y contactos en preparatoria para planear sus metas universitarias, y considerar diferentes solicitudes.
Optimal timing for antihypertensive dosing: focus on valsartan

Some specific features of the 24 h blood pressure (BP) pattern are linked to the progressive injury of target tissues and the triggering of cardiac and cerebrovascular events. In particular, many studies show the extent of the nocturnal BP decline relative to the diurnal BP mean (the diurnal/nocturnal ratio, an index of BP dipping) is deterministic of cardiovascular injury and risk. Normalization of the circadian BP pattern is considered to be an important clinical goal of pharmacotherapy because it may slow the advance of renal injury and avert end-stage renal failure. The chronotherapy of hypertension takes into account the epidemiology of the BP pattern, plus potential administration-time determinants of the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of antihypertensive medications, as a means of enhancing beneficial outcomes and/or attenuating or averting adverse effects. Thus, bedtime dosing with nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) is more effective than morning dosing, while also reducing significantly secondary effects. The dose-response curve, therapeutic coverage, and efficacy of doxazosin GITS are all markedly dependent on the circadian time of drug administration. Moreover, valsartan administration at bedtime as opposed to upon wakening results in improved diurnal/nocturnal ratio, a significant increase in the percentage of patients with controlled BP after treatment, and significant reductions in urinary albumin excretion and plasma fibrinogen. Chronotherapy provides a means of individualizing treatment of hypertension according to the circadian BP profile of each patient, and constitutes a new option to optimize BP control and reduce risk.
THE ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN DIATOM ADHESION IN RELATION TO SUBSTRATUM PROPERTIES 1

Adhesion of raphid diatoms to surfaces, mediated by the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), is an important strategy for growth and survival. Diatom biofilms are also important in the context of biofouling. Diatoms exhibit selectivity in adhering to surfaces, but little is understood about how they perceive the properties of a substratum and translate that perception into altered adhesion properties. In this study, we demonstrate that Seminavis robusta Danielidis et D. G. Mann, like many other pennate diatoms, adheres more strongly to hydrophobic surfaces (such as silicone elastomer foul‐release coatings) than to hydrophilic surfaces. To explore the cellular mechanisms that may underlie this selectivity, we tested the hypothesis that diatoms may perceive a hydrophilic surface as unconducive to adhesion through a form of stress response involving nitric oxide (NO) production. Single‐cell imaging with the fluorescent indicator DAF‐FM DA (4‐amino‐5‐methylamino‐2′,7′‐difluorofluorescein diacetate), revealed NO levels that were 4‐fold higher in cells adhered to a hydrophilic surface (acid‐washed glass) compared with a hydrophobic surface (polydimethylsiloxane elastomer, PDMSE). Elevated levels of NO caused by the addition of the NO donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) did not affect growth, but cells showed reduced adhesion strength to both glass and PDMSE. Addition of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (NMMA) caused a small but significant increase in adhesion strength. Overall, the results suggest that NO acts as a signal of the wettability properties of substrata for Seminavis.
A Comparative Analysis of Economics Graduates' Learning Styles and Critical Thinking Skills

We report on the results of a two-phase survey aiming to explore the learning preferences and critical thinking skills of graduates in economics, compare the findings with graduates of other disciplines, and identify the determinant dimensions of their developed learning and thinking skills. Kolb' LSIv3, Honey and Mumford's LSQ-80-item, and CCTST Form B have been utilized and results show significant differences: in some dimensions of learning styles; in some scales of critical thinking skills; processing and transforming of information and experience to be the most common determinant dimension in student learning; the use of student active-learning modes to be the determinant of critical thinking skills development; the use of teaching methods to have an impact on learning but their impact on critical thinking is not documented, albeit a further exploration yields indications that need further research.
Comparative mortality levels among selected species of captive animals

We present life tables by single year of age and sex for groups of animals and for 42 individual mostly mammalian species. Data are derived from the International Species Information System. The survivorship of most of these species has never been mapped systematically. We demonstrate that, in most of the groups, female survivorship significantly exceeds that of males above age five. Wild-born animals do not have mortality that differs significantly from captive-born animals. While most species have mortality that rises with age above the juvenile stage, there are several groups for which the age pattern of mortality is nearly level.
Comparative Analyses of the YLS/CMI, SAVRY, and PCL:YV in Adolescent Offenders: A 10-year Follow-Up Into Adulthood

A growing body of research has been dedicated to developing adolescent risk assessment instruments, but much of this research has been limited to short-term tests of predictive validity. The current study examined the predictive and incremental validity of the Youth Level of Service/ Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) in adolescent offenders over a mean 10-year follow-up period. Each instrument predicted general recidivism with moderate- (YLS/CMI area under the curve [AUC] = .66) -to-large effect sizes (SAVRY AUC = .74; PCL:YV AUC = .79). However, there was variation in predictive validity across types of recidivism, and all three instruments were better at predicting recidivism in males than females. SAVRY total also demonstrated incremental validity over its structured professional judgment of risk. Clinical implications and future directions for youth risk assessment are discussed.
Mechanism of Suppression of Chromosomal Instability by DNA Polymerase POLQ

Although a defect in the DNA polymerase POLQ leads to ionizing radiation sensitivity in mammalian cells, the relevant enzymatic pathway has not been identified. Here we define the specific mechanism by which POLQ restricts harmful DNA instability. Our experiments show that Polq-null murine cells are selectively hypersensitive to DNA strand breaking agents, and that damage resistance requires the DNA polymerase activity of POLQ. Using a DNA break end joining assay in cells, we monitored repair of DNA ends with long 3′ single-stranded overhangs. End joining events retaining much of the overhang were dependent on POLQ, and independent of Ku70. To analyze the repair function in more detail, we examined immunoglobulin class switch joining between DNA segments in antibody genes. POLQ participates in end joining of a DNA break during immunoglobulin class-switching, producing insertions of base pairs at the joins with homology to IgH switch-region sequences. Biochemical experiments with purified human POLQ protein revealed the mechanism generating the insertions during DNA end joining, relying on the unique ability of POLQ to extend DNA from minimally paired primers. DNA breaks at the IgH locus can sometimes join with breaks in Myc, creating a chromosome translocation. We found a marked increase in Myc/IgH translocations in Polq-defective mice, showing that POLQ suppresses genomic instability and genome rearrangements originating at DNA double-strand breaks. This work clearly defines a role and mechanism for mammalian POLQ in an alternative end joining pathway that suppresses the formation of chromosomal translocations. Our findings depart from the prevailing view that alternative end joining processes are generically translocation-prone.
High-frequency lamb wave device composed of MEMS structure using LiNbO3 thin film and air gap

High-frequency devices operating at 3 GHz or higher are required, for instance, for future 4th generation mobile phone systems in Japan. Using a substrate with a high acoustic velocity is one method to realize a high-frequency acoustic or elastic device. A Lamb wave has a high velocity when the substrate thickness is thin. To realize a high-frequency device operating at 3 GHz or higher using a Lamb wave, a very thin (less than 0.5 μm thick) single-crystal plate must be used. It is difficult to fabricate such a very thin single crystal plate. The authors have attempted to use a c-axis orientated epitaxial LiNbO3 thin film deposited by a chemical vapor deposition system (CVD) instead of using a thin LiNbO3 single crystal plate. Lamb wave resonators composed of a interdigital transducer (IDT)/the LiNbO3 film/air gap/base substrate structure like micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) transducers were fabricated. These resonators have shown a high frequency of 4.5 and 6.3 GHz, which correspond to very high acoustic velocities of 14 000 and 12 500 m/s, respectively, have excellent characteristics such as a ratio of resonant and antiresonant impedance of 52 and 38 dB and a wide band of 7.2% and 3.7%, respectively, and do not have spurious responses caused by the 0th modes of shear horizontal (SH0) and symmetric (S0) modes.
Investigating spatial vision and dynamic attentional selection using a gaze-contingent multiresolutional display.

This study examined spatial vision and attentional selection using a gaze-contingent multiresolutional display, with a dynamic, gaze-centered, high-resolution window and lower resolution periphery. Visual search times and eye movements from 15 participants in a 3 x 3 design (Window Radius x Peripheral Resolution) suggest that contrast sensitivity as a function of retinal eccentricity affects attentional selection and visual processing. Smaller windows led to longer search times and shorter saccades; lower peripheral resolution also shortened saccades (all ps < .05) as a result of avoiding fixating degraded areas. Fixation durations, although longer for smaller windows (p < .05), were unaffected by whether the next saccade went within or outside the window. These results are explained through (a) competition among potential saccade targets where above-threshold filtering reduces an object's relative salience and (b) generally disrupted visual processing.
Peer reviews in software: a practical guide

Few programmers dispute the premise that having fellow programmers rigorously examine your code is one of the best ways to find defects. However, it is also potentially more dangerous than the traditional testing techniques. Recent revelations in the area of open source software have pointed out a dangerous flaw in the “many eyeballs” strategy of creating programs. The main argument that open source advocates have made is that with so many people examining the code, the likelihood of errors being overlooked is substantially reduced. That argument has been proven false, recent examinations of open source software versus commercial equivalents have shown more errors in the open source product than in the commercial.
The rebound release of growth hormone (GH) following somatostatin infusion in rats involves hypothalamic GH-releasing factor release.

We have studied the rebound secretion of GH following short-term somatostatin (SS) infusions in conscious rats, using an automatic sampling system for withdrawing frequent microsamples of blood. Intravenous infusions of SS (5-50 micrograms/h per rat) inhibited spontaneous GH secretion, but when SS was withdrawn there was a large burst of rebound GH secretion. A sub-anaesthetic dose of urethane reduced such rebound bursts of GH, suggesting a hypothalamic involvement in rebound GH secretion. Passive immunization with an antibody against rat GH-releasing factor (GRF) attenuated the rebound GH secretory response to the withdrawal of an SS infusion (GH concentration during rebound secretion was 26 +/- 21 micrograms/l vs 475 +/- 127 micrograms/l (mean +/- S.E.M.), after 0.5 ml anti-GRF serum or non-immune serum respectively). The inhibition of GH rebound secretion was related to the dose of anti-GRF serum administered. Intravenous infusions of human GH (20-100 micrograms/h per rat) also reduced the size of the rebound GH secretion following SS withdrawal, in both male and female rats. We suggest that the rebound GH secretion that follows SS withdrawal in vivo is caused mainly by a hypothalamic release of GRF. Exogenous GH inhibits SS-induced rebound GH secretion in the conscious rat, possibly by inhibiting hypothalamic GRF release.
Relationships of the Practice of Hijab, Workplace Discrimination, Social Class, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction among Muslim American Women

Religious discrimination in the workplace has received little attention in the research. The present study is an exploratory study that investigated the impact of workplace discrimination on a self-selected sample of diverse Muslim women living across the United States (N = 129). The results of this study revealed that workplace discrimination, job stress, social class, and religiosity were related to lower levels of job satisfaction. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of clinical intervention strategies.
‘Lift as you rise’: Union women’s leadership talk

There is now an abundant and rich literature on gender and leadership in the corporate context, where concepts of masculine and feminine leadership are widely debated. This article provides a bridge between this literature and the women and unions literature, where women’s leadership is under-researched but where feminist strategies are widely discussed. The article uses the relatively novel lens of masculine, feminine and feminist leadership for interpreting the leadership talk of an ethnically diverse group of American and British union women. We argue that when women lead in heavily masculinized settings, their leadership discourses and orientations are almost bound to reflect the dominant culture. The study reveals that while there is a discursive space within unions for alternative (feminine and feminist) visions of leadership, in practice women union leaders also engage in different combinations (often simultaneously) of (masculine) status quo and (feminine and feminist) transformative leadership talk.
Measurement and memory in transitivity: A Reply to grieve and nesdale

Abstract Grieve and Nesdale's criticisms of Halford and Galloway's study showing that children who fail to make transitive inferences can remember the relevant comparisons are rebutted on several grounds. Firstly, their argument that the transitivity assessment procedure used permitted false positives involves unwarranted extrapolation from the literature, and is in any case irrelevant to Halford and Galloway's conclusions which rest on negative cases. Grieve and Nesdale's case for false negatives in Halford and Galloway's data is found to be potentially relevant, but is unsupported by any evidence. The general problem of measuring transitivity is assessed, and it is shown that polemics of this kind are inherently unresolvable unless there is consensus in advance as to the operational definition of the relevant concepts. A test procedure which might achieve this consensus is suggested.
Application of a Continuous Bipolar Mode Electrocoagulation (CBME) system for polishing distillery wastewater

A continuous bipolar mode electrocoagulation (CBME) unit was used in this study for polishing a biologically treated distillery wastewater at laboratory scale. This study focuses on optimizing the process for removal of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) from an anaerobically-treated distillery wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the process. The study was conducted by varying three operating parameters: Initial pH (2-10), reaction time (0.5-15 min), and current density (13-40 A/sqm). High R-square values, above 0.9, were obtained with ANOVA. Optimal point was observed to be at pH-6.04, Reaction time-11.63 min, current density-39.2 A/sqm. Experimental values of TOC removal at optimal point were found to be 73% against maximum predicted value of 79%. Color removal efficiency was observed to be 85% at the optimal points. It can be concluded that CBME system can be a suitable alternative for removal of recalcitrant carbon and color post-biological treatment in distillery wastewaters.
PLASMA GLUCAGON, THYROTROPIN, GROWTH HORMONE AND INSULIN RESPONSE TO COLD EXPOSURE IN THE HUMAN NEWBORN

Cold exposure in the human newborn is associated with an increase in metabolic rate and oxygen consumption (3, 17, 20). Lipolysis in brown and white fat, stimulated in part by catecholamines is probably an important source of substrate for the increased metabolism associated with cold exposure, but the question of whether the metabolic changes due to cold should be ascribed solely to the release of lipid from brown fat by catecholamines remains unanswered. Hull (13) observed that the thermogenic response of the newborn rabbit was not blocked by pronethalol. The role of other hormones with a known lipolytic activity in neonatal thermogenesis, such as glucagon, growth hormone (GH) or thyrotropin (TSH) and of insulin which is antilipolytic, has not hitherto been studied. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether changes in the plasma concentrations of such hormones did occur in the human newborn when exposed to cold. Plasma concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), lactate and a-amino nitrogen were measured in addition to the hormones to determine what interrelationships, if any, existed between hormone and metabolite under the conditions of the investigation. Three clinically defined groups of infants were studied: full-term, normal; full-term, small for dates; and preterm. The design of the study made it possible to compare also the levels of metabolites and hormones in the different clinical groups under well defined control conditions.