Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wheat streak mosaic virus Infects Systemically despite Extensive Coat Protein Deletions: Identification of Virion Assembly and Cell-to-Cell Movement Determinants

ABSTRACT Viral coat proteins function in virion assembly and virus biology in a tightly coordinated manner with a role for virtually every amino acid. In this study, we demonstrated that the coat protein (CP) of Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV; genus Tritimovirus, family Potyviridae) is unusually tolerant of extensive deletions, with continued virion assembly and/or systemic infection found after extensive deletions are made. A series of deletion and point mutations was created in the CP cistron of wild-type and/or green fluorescent protein-tagged WSMV, and the effects of these mutations on cell-to-cell and systemic transport and virion assembly of WSMV were examined. Mutants with overlapping deletions comprising N-terminal amino acids 6 to 27, 36 to 84, 85 to 100, 48 to 100, and 36 to 100 or the C-terminal 14 or 17 amino acids systemically infected wheat with different efficiencies. However, mutation of conserved amino acids in the core domain, which may be involved in a salt bridge, abolished virion assembly and cell-to-cell movement. N-terminal amino acids 6 to 27 and 85 to 100 are required for efficient virion assembly and cell-to-cell movement, while the C-terminal 65 amino acids are dispensable for virion assembly but are required for cell-to-cell movement, suggesting that the C terminus of CP functions as a dedicated cell-to-cell movement determinant. In contrast, amino acids 36 to 84 are expendable, with their deletion causing no obvious effects on systemic infection or virion assembly. In total, 152 amino acids (amino acids 6 to 27 and 36 to 100 and the 65 amino acids at the C-terminal end) of 349 amino acids of CP are dispensable for systemic infection and/or virion assembly, which is rare for multifunctional viral CPs.
The Interaction of Explicit and Implicit Contracts: A Signaling Approach

We analyze the interaction of explicit and implicit contracts in a model with selfish and fair principals. Fair principals are willing to honor implicit agreements, selfish principals are not. We investigate a separating equilibrium in which principals reveal their type through the contract offer to the agent. Explicit and implicit contracts are shown to be substitutes. Since the agent learns the principal's type, a selfish principal must rely on explicit incentives. A fair principal, by contrast, can effectively induce implicit incentives and does not need to use explicit incentives. We also find a strategic complementarity between explicit and implicit incentives.
Isolation and Characterization of a Primary Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Model from Human Kidney by CD10/CD13 Double Labeling

Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells play a central role in renal physiology and are among the cell types most sensitive to ischemia and xenobiotic nephrotoxicity. In order to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of kidney injuries, a stable and well-characterized primary culture model of proximal tubular cells is required. An existing model of proximal tubular cells is hampered by the cellular heterogeneity of kidney; a method based on cell sorting for specific markers must therefore be developed. In this study, we present a primary culture model based on the mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of healthy tissue obtained from nephrectomy specimens. Renal epithelial cells were sorted using co-labeling for CD10 and CD13, two renal proximal tubular epithelial markers, by flow cytometry. Their purity, phenotypic stability and functional properties were evaluated over several passages. Our results demonstrate that CD10/CD13 double-positive cells constitute a pure, functional and stable proximal tubular epithelial cell population that displays proximal tubule markers and epithelial characteristics over the long term, whereas cells positive for either CD10 or CD13 alone appear to be heterogeneous. In conclusion, this study describes a method for establishing a robust renal proximal tubular epithelial cell model suitable for further experimentation.
Phase 2 trial of talampanel, a glutamate receptor inhibitor, for adults with recurrent malignant gliomas

Glioma cells secrete glutamate and also express α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5 methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) glutamate receptors, which contribute to the proliferation, migration, and neurotoxicity of malignant gliomas. Talampanel is an oral AMPA receptor inhibitor with excellent central nervous system penetration and good tolerability in clinical trials for epilepsy and other neurologic disorders.
Transitions in health and personal relationships for older partner caregivers : a mixed methods approach

Increasing numbers of older adults require help with personal or practical tasks because of disease, disability or age related health limitations. Commonly it is their partner who fulfils some, or all, of this caring role. Taking on this type of caring role is associated with poorer psychological health and changes in personal relationships. What remains unclear is the nature by which personal relationships with the care recipient, other family members, and friends change when older adults take on a caring role for their partner, and how this links to health. A mixed methods approach was used to explore changes in personal relationships and health for partner caregivers in later life. Seven older partner caregivers were interviewed about their experiences of caring for their partner, focusing on changes they experienced in their health and personal relationships when taking on the role. Waves 1 to 5 from ELSA were used to explore associations, both at one time point and changes over time, between health outcomes and personal relationship types, for older adults moving into the partner caregiver role. Synthesising the results suggest that connections between transitions in health and personal relationships, for older adults moving into a partner caregiver role, differ for different relationships. Relationships with partners and friends before becoming a partner caregiver were found to be most associated with change in health and quality of life when moving into this role. Relationships with children and family appeared to be more stable during the transitioning into the caregiver role, while partner relationships were more likely to suffer, and friendships seemed to experience most change. Positive associations found between different personal relationship types suggest a subset of particularly vulnerable partner caregivers who are in difficult partner relationships and have little support available to them from family or friends.
Violent behavior and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders: results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions.

OBJECTIVE To present nationally representative data on the lifetime prevalence and population estimates of violent behavior among individuals with DSM-IV psychiatric disorders. METHOD The data were derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Prevalences, population estimates, and associations of violent behavior occurring among individuals with pure, comorbid, and specific DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were examined. RESULTS After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and other comorbidity, it was found that the odds of violent behavior were significantly increased (p < .05) among individuals with substance use disorders; pathological gambling; major depressive disorder; bipolar disorders; panic disorder without agoraphobia; specific phobia; and paranoid, schizoid, histrionic, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Percentages of violent behavior among individuals with each comorbid disorder were, with few exceptions, significantly greater (p < .05-p < .001) than the corresponding percentages among those presenting with the pure form of each disorder. Alcohol and drug use disorders were the most significant contributors to the public health burden of violent behavior. CONCLUSION The majority of individuals with psychiatric disorders do not engage in violent behavior, and public perception associated with stereotypic violence among individuals with psychiatric disorders appears unwarranted. Elevated risks and burden of violent behavior were not equally shared across the spectrum of psychiatric disorders, with particular disorders, especially substance use disorders, contributing disproportionately to the burden. Future research should examine the circumstances under which violence among individuals with psychiatric disorders occurs with a view toward improving clinical prediction and developing more effective prevention strategies.
Risk factors for arson recidivism in adult offenders

This thesis explores risk factors for recidivistic arson in adult offenders. Chapter one provides an introduction to the characteristics of adult firesetters and theoretical approaches to understanding their behaviour. Chapter two provides a critique of the Fire Setting Scale (FSS) in terms of its psychometric properties and concludes that the FSS shows promise as a psychometric measure of fire interest and antisociality associated with firesetting in the general population. Chapter three contains a systematic review of the evidence base relating to risk factors for recidivistic arson in adult offenders. Standardised effect sizes are calculated and the data synthesised to identify risk factors with varying strengths of empirical support. The 15 studies reviewed varied in quality, contained few female subjects, and often studied psychiatric rather than wider criminal justice populations. The empirical research presented in Chapter four consists of a retrospective case-control study comparing a large sample of recidivist and first-time arsonists on a range of variables. Separate analyses for female and male subjects revealed differences in risk factors. Logistic regression was used to build predictive models of arson recidivism which were then operationalised into gender-specific risk prediction tools. Theoretical and clinical implications of the thesis are discussed in Chapter five, and a preliminary model of arson recidivism is proposed.
Tracing Mathematical Function of Age Specific Fertility Rate in Peninsular Malaysia

The size, structure, and composition of a population are affected by the fertility rates at any point of time. Many researchers took the opportunity to exploit the fertility rates in obtaining better fertility patterns for their country. The curve for the age specific fertility rate is consistent, and this feature allows the curve to be matched with a mathematical model. This paper aimed to identify the best mathematical model that fits the recent age specific fertility rate in Peninsular Malaysia. This study fitted the fertility data of Peninsular Malaysia from 1996 to 2014 to the four mathematical models, which were Hadwiger, Gamma, Beta, and Gompertz models. From the comparisons of the four models, it was found that the best fitted mathematical model is Hadwiger model. In relation to the data of early 21st century, there was an inclination for the best fitted mathematical model from Hadwiger model to Beta model. Hence, the best mathematical model for each year can be used to convert a fertility schedule classified in a five-year age group into a fertility schedule for a single-year of age in Peninsular Malaysia. This model also can be helpful for population projections by using limited and defective data.
The anticipation and outcome phases of reward and loss processing: A neuroimaging meta‐analysis of the monetary incentive delay task

The processing of rewards and losses are crucial to everyday functioning. Considerable interest has been attached to investigating the anticipation and outcome phases of reward and loss processing, but results to date have been inconsistent. It is unclear if anticipation and outcome of a reward or loss recruit similar or distinct brain regions. In particular, while the striatum has widely been found to be active when anticipating a reward, whether it activates in response to the anticipation of losses as well remains ambiguous. Furthermore, concerning the orbitofrontal/ventromedial prefrontal regions, activation is often observed during reward receipt. However, it is unclear if this area is active during reward anticipation as well. We ran an Activation Likelihood Estimation meta‐analysis of 50 fMRI studies, which used the Monetary Incentive Delay Task (MIDT), to identify which brain regions are implicated in the anticipation of rewards, anticipation of losses, and the receipt of reward. Anticipating rewards and losses recruits overlapping areas including the striatum, insula, amygdala and thalamus, suggesting that a generalised neural system initiates motivational processes independent of valence. The orbitofrontal/ventromedial prefrontal regions were recruited only during the reward outcome, likely representing the value of the reward received. Our findings help to clarify the neural substrates of the different phases of reward and loss processing, and advance neurobiological models of these processes.
Social determinants of cardiovascular health among black and white women residing in Stroke Belt and Buckle regions of the South.

OBJECTIVE To assess the associations of social determinants on cardiovascular health among White and Black residing in Stroke Belt (urban) and Stroke Buckle (rural) regions of the South. DESIGN A cross-sectional observational analysis based on a random digit-dial telephone survey of a representative sample of White and Black adults residing in urban and rural Georgia conducted from 2004-2005. Separate logistic regression analyses examined the effects of social determinants on cardiovascular health within and between White and Black women and within and between urban and rural residential location. The main outcome measure was poor cardiovascular health defined as > or = 2 self-reported clinical cardiovascular disease risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, overweight or obese). Social determinants were defined as socioeconomic status (SES), general daily stress, racial discrimination, and stress due to exposure to racial discrimination. Significance was established as a two-tailed P < . 05. RESULTS A total of 674 White and Black women aged 18-90 years were included in the sample. Results showed Black women with lower SES had worse cardiovascular health than White women in both rural and urban areas (rural odds ratio [OR] 2.68; confidence interval [CI] 1.44, 4.90; P = .001; urban OR = 2.92; CI = 1.62, 5.23; P = .0003). White women reporting high or very high exposure to general daily stress where more likely to have worse cardiovascular health than White women reporting very little to no daily stress (OR = 2.85; CI = 1.49, 5.44; P = .001). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the importance of social determinants associated with cardiovascular health. Tailored cardiovascular risk reduction intervention is needed among lower SES Black women in Stroke Belt and Buckle regions of the South, as well as stress-reduction intervention among White women in the South.
The new paradigm: retinal pigment epithelium cells generated from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells

Compared with neural crest‐derived melanocytes, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the back of the eye are pigment cells of a different kind. They are a part of the brain, form an epithelial monolayer, respond to distinct extracellular signals, and provide functions that far exceed those of a light‐absorbing screen. For instance, they control nutrient and metabolite flow to and from the retina, replenish 11‐cis‐retinal by re‐isomerizing all‐trans‐retinal generated during photoconversion, phagocytose daily a portion of the photoreceptors’ outer segments, and secrete cytokines that locally control the innate and adaptive immune systems. Not surprisingly, RPE cell damage is a major cause of human blindness worldwide, with age‐related macular degeneration a prevalent example. RPE replacement therapies using RPE cells generated from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells provide a novel approach to a rational treatment of such forms of blindness. In fact, RPE‐like cells can be obtained relatively easily when stem cells are subjected to a two‐step induction protocol, a first step that leads to a neuroectodermal fate and a second to RPE differentiation. Here, we discuss the characteristics of such cells, propose criteria they should fulfill in order to be considered authentic RPE cells, and point out the challenges one faces when using such cells in attempts to restore vision.
Lack of Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) Affects Cell Fate Refinement During Embryonic Cortical Development

During differentiation, neurons progressively restrict their fate repressing the expression of specific genes. Here we describe the involvement in such developmental steps of the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), an epigenetic factor that participates to chromatin folding and transcriptional regulation. We previously reported that, due to transcriptional impairments, the maturation of Mecp2 null neurons is delayed. To evaluate whether this could stem from altered progenitors proliferation and differentiation, we investigated whether lack of Mecp2 affects these features both in vitro and in vivo. We show that in Mecp2 null embryonic cortexes the expression of genes defining the identity of proliferating neuroprogenitors is enriched and that their permanence in the G1 phase is prolonged. Moreover, the number of cells transitioning from a stage of maturation to a more mature one is increased in Mecp2 null embryonic cortices, in line with the central role of G1 for cell identity refinement. We thus suggest that, possibly due to the lack of proper transcriptional control normally exerted by Mecp2, fate refinement is impaired in developing null cells. We propose that the maturation delay affecting the developing Mecp2 null cortex originates, at least in part, from deranged mechanisms of cell fate refinement.
The influence of high-stakes testing on teacher self-efficacy and job-related stress

Abstract In the United States, teachers’ job-related stress and self-efficacy levels across all grades are influenced in some manner by the demands of high-stakes testing. This sequential mixed-methods study aimed at examining the dynamics among assigned subject matter, teacher job-related stress, and teacher self-efficacy in a large south-eastern Texas school district. Quantitative data were collected via the High Stakes Testing on Self-Efficacy and Teacher Stress Survey from a convenience sample of 145 teachers, while qualitative data were gathered during focus-group sessions at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Findings indicated that assigned subject matter did not influence teacher self-efficacy, but did influence teachers’ job-related stress. Additionally, a relationship was found to exist between teacher job-related stress and teacher self-efficacy. Teachers reported lack of time, modifications to curriculum, and testing of special education populations as contributions to their job-related stress, and school leadership and educational triage as impacting their teacher self-efficacy.
Provided for Non-commercial Research and Educational Use Only. Not for Reproduction, Distribution or Commercial Use. Neuronal Foundations of Human Numerical Representations 1

author's institution, for non-commercial research and educational use including without limitation use in instruction at your institution, sending it to specific colleagues who know you, and providing a copy to your institution's administrator. All other uses, reproduction and distribution, including without limitation commercial reprints, selling or licensing copies or access, or posting on open internet sites, your personal or institution's website or repository, are prohibited. For exceptions, permission may be sought for such use through Elsevier's permissions site at: Abstract The human species has developed complex mathematical skills which likely emerge from a combination of multiple foundational abilities. One of them seems to be a preverbal capacity to extract and manipulate the numerosity of sets of objects which is shared with other species and in humans is thought to be integrated with symbolic knowledge to result in a more abstract representation of numerical concepts. For what concerns the functional neuroanatomy of this capacity, neuropsychology and functional imaging have localized key substrates of numerical processing in parietal and frontal cortex. However, traditional fMRI mapping relying on a simple subtraction approach to compare numerical and nonnumerical conditions is limited to tackle with sufficient precision and detail the issue of the underlying code for number, a question which more easily lends itself to investigation by methods with higher spatial resolution, such as neurophysiology. In recent years, progress has been made through the introduction of approaches sensitive to within-category discrimination in combination with fMRI (adaptation and multivariate pattern recognition), and the present review summarizes what these have revealed so far about the neural coding of individual numbers in the human brain, the format of these representations and parallels between human and monkey neuro-physiology findings.
Adequacy of early enteral nutrition in adult patients in the intensive care unit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the adequacy of energy and protein intake of patients in a Korean intensive care unit in the first four days after initiation of enteral feeding and to investigate the factors that had impact on adequate intake. BACKGROUND Underfeeding is a common problem for patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit and is associated with severe negative consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality. DESIGN A prospective, cohort study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit of a university hospital in Korea. METHODS A total of 34 adult patients who had a primary medical diagnosis and who had received bolus enteral nutrition for the first four days after initiation of enteral nutrition were enrolled in this study. The data on prescription and intake of energy and protein, feeding method and feeding interruption were recorded during the first four days after enteral feeding initiation. Underfeeding was defined as the intake <90% of required energy and protein. RESULTS Most patients (62%) received insufficient energy, although some (29%) received adequate energy. More than half of patients (56%) had insufficient protein intake during the first four days after enteral feeding was initiated. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with underfeeding of energy were early initiation of enteral nutrition, under-prescription of energy and prolonged interruption of prescribed enteral nutrition. CONCLUSION Underfeeding is frequent in Korean critically ill patients owing to early initiation, under-prescription and prolonged interruption of enteral feeding. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Interventions need to be developed and tested that address early initiation, under-prescription and prolonged interruption of enteral nutrition. Findings from this study are important as they form the foundation for the development of evidence-based care that is badly needed to eliminate underfeeding in this large vulnerable Korean intensive care unit population.