Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The bromodomain-containing protein tBRD-1 is specifically expressed in spermatocytes and is essential for male fertility

Summary By a conserved cellular differentiation process, spermatogenesis leads to formation of haploid sperm for successful reproduction. In Drosophila and in mammals, post-meiotic spermatid differentiation depends on several translationally repressed and stored mRNAs that are often expressed exclusively in the testis through a cell type specific transcriptional program. In Drosophila, the mRNAs of proteins required for post-meiotic chromatin reorganisation, like ProtB and Mst77F, are transcribed in meiotic spermatocytes and subjected to translational repression for days. Transcription of many of these translationally repressed mRNAs depends on testis-specific homologs of TATA box binding protein-associated factors (tTAFs). Here, we identified the testis-specific bromodomain protein, tBRD-1, that is only expressed in primary spermatocytes. Bromodomain proteins are able to recognise and bind acetylated histones and non-histone proteins. We generated tbrd-1 mutant flies and observed that function of tBRD-1 is required for male fertility. tBRD-1 partially colocalised with tTAFs, TAF1 and Polycomb to a Fibrillarin-deficient region within the spermatocyte nucleolus. The nucleolar localisation of tBRD-1 depended on tTAF function but not the other way round. Further, we could show that ectopically expressed tBRD-1-eGFP is able to bind to the interbands of polytene chromosomes. By inhibitor treatment of cultured testis we observed that sub-cellular localisation of tBRD-1 may depend on the acetylation status of primary spermatocytes.
Sensitive detection of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer with 11C-choline PET.

UNLABELLED 11C-choline and FDG are PET tracers used to visualize various malignancies. In this study, we compared their capabilities in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastasis originating from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Twenty-nine patients with biopsy-proven NSCLC were studied with PET. 11C-choline PET and FDG PET were performed from 5 and 40 min, respectively, after injection of 370 MBq tracer. PET data were analyzed in terms of the standardized uptake value (SUV). After the PET study, the patients underwent lung resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. The resected specimens were examined pathologically, and the PET data were analyzed in reference to the pathologic data. RESULTS With 11C-choline, the SUV in metastasis was similar to the SUV in the primary tumor, where the similarity of the SUV was 100% allowing for a 40% difference. With FDG, small metastases were invisible on the PET image. The SUV of FDG in metastasis was much smaller than that in the primary tumor, and the similarity of the SUV was only 19% allowing for a 40% difference. When pathologic findings were used as standards, the sensitivities of 11C-choline PET and FDG PET in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastasis were 100% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION 11C-choline PET was very effective in detecting lymph node metastases in the mediastinum originating from NSCLC, with a sensitivity of 100%. 11C-choline PET promises to be useful not only before surgery but also after surgery.
Transcutaneous Immunization with Cytotoxic T-Cell Peptide Epitopes Provides Effective Antitumor Immunity in Mice

Much attention has been focused on transcutaneous immunization strategies to stimulate systemic cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses leading to anti-tumor or anti-microbial immunity. Here we report that topical application of vaccines consisting of synthetic peptides formulated with imiquimod, a Toll-like receptor agonist that functions as a potent adjuvant generates strong T cell responses that exhibit effective anti-tumor effects in a murine melanoma model system. These results support the use of peptide-based transcutaneous vaccines as a noninvasive and effective strategy for anti-tumor immunotherapy.
False negatives in thyroid cytology: Impact of large nodule size and follicular variant of papillary carcinoma

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is well established in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. However, false‐negative rates for malignancy of 3% to 10% are reported. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of nodule size and follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (FVPTC) on false‐negative FNA rates in thyroid nodules and on malignancy rates in nodules with indeterminate cytology.
The Existence of Implicit and Explicit Stereotypes about Unfemininity in STEM and the Effect of Feminine Role Models

This research examines whether college women hold implicit and explicit stereotypes that women in STEM fields are more unfeminine than feminine. Because negative stereotypes reduce women’s interest in STEM, it will then look into the extent that feminine STEM role models help improve women’s science aspirations. Finally, it asks if feminine STEM role models help women who (a) have stronger unfeminine-STEM stereotypes or (b) perceive the role models as positive, similar to themselves, and attainably successful. Through regression analyses, we found that women with stronger implicit (but not explicit) stereotypes were more motivated to pursue science by a feminine STEM role model than a feminine humanities role model. However, a better overall rating of the role model did not mediate the relationship between the role model condition by stereotype interaction and STEM aspirations. Nevertheless, strong stereotypes were negatively associated with aspirations in natural science. In the future this stereotype may need to be weakened in order to promote future STEM aspirations.
Evaluation of a neurotherapy program for a child with ADHD with Benign Partial Epilepsy with Rolandic Spikes (BPERS) using event-related potentials

Summary Background We hypothesized that there would be a good response to relative beta training, applied to regulate the dynamics of brain function in a patient with benign partial epilepsy with Rolandic Spikes (BPERS), associated with neuropsychiatric deficits resembling the symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Case Report The patient, E.Z. , age 9.3, was suffering from neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, especially attention deficits, and behavioral changes, rendering him unable to function independently in school and in many situations of everyday life. He was treated for epilepsy, but only slight progress was made. The patient took part in 20 sessions of relative beta training combined with behavioral training. We used standardized neuropsychological testing, as well as ERPs before the experiment and after the completion of the neurotherapy program. Neuropsychological testing at baseline showed multiple cognitive deficits. Over the course of neurotherapy, E.Z. ’s verbal and non-verbal IQ increased significantly. His cognitive functions also improved, including immediate and delayed logical and visual recall on the WMS-III, maintaining attention on the WMS-III, and executive functions, but remained below norms. Physiologically, the patient showed substantial changes after neurotherapy, including fewer spikes and an increased P300 NOGO component. Conclusions The cognitive deficits characteristic for ADHD in a child with BPERS may be unresponsive to antiepileptic treatment, but are reversible after a carefully selected neurotherapy program, combined with antiepileptic treatment. Event Related Potentials (ERPs) in the GO/NOGO task can be used to assess functional brain changes induced by neurotherapeutical programs.
Understanding Digital Games

PART ONE: HISTORY AND PRODUCTION A History of Digital Games - John Kirriemuir The Business of Making Digital Games - Aphra Kerr The Economics of Digital Games - Alberto Alvisi A Player-centred Approach to Digital Game Design - Jon Sykes PART TWO: THEORIES AND APPROACHES Literary Theory and Digital Games - Julian K Cklich Film Studies and Digital Games - Geoff King and Tanya Krzywinska Digital Games as New Media - Seth Giddings and Helen Kennedy Cultural Studies and Digital Games - Garry Crawford and Jason Rutter Community, Identity and Digital Games - Martin Hand and Karenza Moore PART THREE: KEY DEBATES Digital Games and Gender - Jo Bryce and Jason Rutter Digital Games and the Violence Debate - Jo Bryce and Jason Rutter Digital Games and Education - Timothy Dumbleton and John Kirriemuir
PRKCB is associated with calcineurin inhibitor-induced renal dysfunction in heart transplant recipients

Objectives Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 gene (TGFB1) have been inconsistently associated with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-induced renal dysfunction following cardiac transplantation. The impact of genetic variants related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and natriuretic peptides, which are implicated in CNI nephrotoxicity, is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to validate the association between two common variants in TGFB1 (rs1800470, rs1800471) and postcardiac transplant renal function. The secondary objective was to investigate the effect of candidate genes related to the RAAS, natriuretic peptides, and other elements involved in the intracellular signaling of these pathways. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 158 heart transplant recipients treated with CNIs, and evaluated the association between select SNPs and the estimated glomerular filtration rate as calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease simplified formula. A total of 273 SNPs distributed in 44 genes were tested. Results No association was observed between TGFB1 variants and renal function. One polymorphism in the protein kinase C-&bgr; gene (PRKCB; rs11074606), which is implicated in the RAAS intracellular signaling, was significantly associated with post-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate after adjusting for possible confounders (P=0.00049). This marker is in linkage disequilibrium with two variants located in putative regulatory regions of the gene (rs2283541, rs1013316). Conclusion Our results suggest that PRKCB may be a potential predictor of CNI-induced nephrotoxicity in heart transplant recipients, and could therefore be a promising candidate to identify patients who are most susceptible to this adverse drug reaction.
Tuber yield and quality characteristics of potatoes for off-season crops in a Mediterranean environment.

BACKGROUND There is little research on evaluating the compatibility of potatoes for double cropping in southern Italy. The aim of this investigation was to assess tuber yield and some qualitative traits of tubers such as skin colour, tuber dry matter content and tuber nitrate content, both in winter-spring and in summer-autumn crops, as influenced by genotype and harvest time. RESULTS Yield, skin colour and dry matter content of tubers were higher in the winter-spring crop than in the summer-autumn crop, attributable to the advantageous lag time in spring between solar radiation and temperatures and the disadvantageous lag in autumn. Spunta and Arinda performed well within each crop season, whereas Ninfa showed an important yield loss in autumn. In both off-season crops, delaying tuber harvest until leaf senescence increased yield and improved quality attributes such as tuber dry matter content and skin colour, whereas nitrate contents significantly decreased in the winter-spring crop and increased in the summer-autumn crop. Ninfa showed less tendency than Arinda and Spunta to accumulate nitrate in tubers in both off-season crops. CONCLUSION It might be advantageous to examine in further research which mechanisms sustain compatibility to the autumn and assess other quality characteristics for the fresh market in the contrasting climatic conditions of the two off-season crops.
Determining the Minimally Important Difference in the Clinical Disease Activity Index for Improvement and Worsening in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Simplified measures to quantify rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity are increasingly used. The minimum clinically important differences (MCID) for some measures, such as the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), have not been well‐defined in real‐world clinic settings, especially for early RA patients with low/moderate disease activity.
Bilateral Keratoconus Associated with Hashimoto's Disease, Alopecia Areata and Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

Keratoconus is a progressive non-inflammatory corneal ectasia. Alopecia areata is complete loss of hair patches on the hairy areas of the body in association with some ocular manifestations such as cataract, or disorders of the conjunctiva, iris, lens, choroid and retina pigment epithelium. A ten-year-old patient with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconus and alopecia areata is presented. This patient has also been receving treatment for Hashimoto thyroiditis (chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) for more than three years. The possible association of keratoconus with multisystem autoimmune disease is discussed.
Is the Wisconsin card sorting test a useful neurocognitive endophenotype?

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) has been utilized extensively as a measure of executive function and working memory and as a neurocognitive probe of prefrontal brain function. In studies of psychiatric illness—particularly schizophrenia—it has also been considered to be a cognitive vulnerability marker or endophenotype. Heritability is an important criterion for an endophenotype, but the very few studies of the heritability of the WCST have yielded inconsistent results. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence WCST performance in a large adult twin sample. A computerized WCST was administered to 660 middle‐aged male twins (170 monozygotic pairs and 160 dizygotic pairs). Polychoric intrapair correlations for six WCST scores were compared between MZ and DZ twins in order to assess heritability. Correlations were relatively low and there were no significant MZ–DZ differences. To our knowledge, this is the largest twin study of the WCST to date. There was no evidence for heritability of the WCST in this midlife adult sample. The WCST remains a valuable research tool, and we do not think that one should conclude from these results that genetic influences on frontal‐executive function are unimportant. Rather, we believe that our results suggest that some properties of this particular test make it undesirable for use as an endophenotype. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
WILD BIRD MORTALITY AND WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE: BIASES ASSOCIATED WITH DETECTION, REPORTING, AND CARCASS PERSISTENCE

Surveillance targeting dead wild birds, in particular American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), plays a critical role in West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance in the United States. Using crow decoy surrogates, detection and reporting of crow carcasses within urban and rural environments of DeKalb County, Georgia were assessed for potential biases that might occur in the county's WNV surveillance program. In each of two replicated trials, during July and September 2003, 400 decoys were labeled with reporting instructions and distributed along randomly chosen routes throughout designated urban and rural areas within DeKalb County. Information-theoretic methods were used to compare alternative models incorporating the effects of area and trial on probabilities of detection and reporting. The model with the best empirical support included the effects of area on both detection and reporting of decoys. The proportion of decoys detected in the urban area (0.605, SE=0.024) was approximately twice that of the rural area (0.293, SE=0.023), and the proportion of decoys reported in the urban area (0.273, SE=0.023) was approximately three times that of the rural area (0.103, SE=0.028). These results suggest that human density and associated factors can substantially influence dead crow detection and reporting and, thus, the perceived distribution of WNV. In a second and separate study, the persistence and fate of American crow and house sparrow (Passer domesticus) carcasses were assessed in urban and rural environments in Athens-Clarke, Madison, and Oconee counties, Georgia. Two replicated trials using 96 carcasses of each species were conducted during July and September 2004. For a portion of the carcasses, motion sensitive cameras were used to monitor scavenging species visits. Most carcasses (82%) disappeared or were decayed by the end of the 6-day study. Carcass persistence averaged 1.6 days in rural areas and 2.1 days in urban areas. We analyzed carcass persistence rates using a known-fate model framework in program MARK. Model selection based on Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC) indicated that the best model explaining carcass persistence rates included species and number of days of exposure; however, the model including area and number of days of exposure received approximately equal support. Model-averaged carcass persistence rates were higher for urban areas and for crow carcasses. Six mammalian and one avian species were documented scavenging upon carcasses. Dead wild birds could represent potential sources of oral WNV exposure to these scavenging species. Species composition of the scavenger assemblage was similar in urban and rural areas but “scavenging pressure” was greater in rural areas.
Bovicin HJ 50 , a novel lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus bovis HJ 50

Received 23 April 2003 Revised 13 October 2003 Accepted 13 October 2003 A bacteriocin-producing strain was isolated from raw milk and named Streptococcus bovis HJ50. Like most bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria, bovicin HJ50 showed a narrow range of inhibiting activity. It was sensitive to trypsin, subtilisin and proteinase K. Bovicin HJ50 was extracted by n-propanol and purified by SP Sepharose Fast Flow, followed by Phenyl Superose and Sephadex G-50. Treatment of Micrococcus flavus NCIB8166 with bovicin HJ50 revealed potassium efflux from inside the cell in a concentration-dependent manner. The molecular mass of bovicin HJ50 was determined to be 3428? 3 Da. MS analysis of DTT-treated bovicin HJ50 suggested that bovicin HJ50 contains a disulfide bridge. The structural gene of bovicin HJ50 was cloned by nested PCR based on its N-terminal amino acid sequence. Sequence analysis showed that it encodes a 58 aa prepeptide consisting of an N-terminal leader sequence of 25 aa and a C-terminal propeptide domain of 33 aa. Bovicin HJ50 shows similarity to type AII lantibiotics. Chemical modification using an ethanethiol-containing reaction mixture showed that two Thr residues are modified.
Ankle−brachial index and health-related quality of life

Background: Data from population studies using ankle⊟brachial index (ABI) measurement to screen patients for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) demonstrate that most patients with PAD have no symptoms or atypical symptoms besides classical intermittent claudication. We aimed at comparing health-related quality of life and ABI in a cohort of cardiovascular risk persons in a general population. Methods: SF-36 questionnaire was completed and ABI measured from 915 individuals aged 45−70 years with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, newly detected diabetes, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, or a 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease death of 5% or more according to the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) system. None of the subjects had symptoms of intermittent claudication. Results: The prevalence of PAD (defined as ABI ≤0.90) and borderline PAD (defined as ABI 0.91−1.00) were 5% (95% CI 4−7%) and 20% (95% CI 18⊟23%), respectively. Patients with PAD had significantly lower quality of life dimension scores for physical functioning, role-physical, general health, and vitality than subjects with normal ABI. Among those with borderline PAD, quality of life was reduced on the general health perception compared to subjects with normal ABI. Conclusion: Health-related quality of life of individuals with asymptomatic or atypical PAD or borderline PAD is worse than that of individuals with normal ABI. The level of ABI is independently related to physical functioning.
Cultural Competence in Pharmacy Practice

PROLOGUE Cultural issues are recognized as important components of the provision of effective health care. This lecture and corresponding discussion provides students with the opportunity to explore their own cultural heritage, begin to examine how culture affects health care choices and outcomes, and develop strategies to overcome cultural barriers. The learning takes place during spring quarter of the first year pharmacy practice lab. A nonprescription product topic, such as cold and allergy treatments, is easily integrated into the discussion. Although this is written as a lecture, it is important to engage participants in discussion. This paper will focus on developing cultural competence in a pharmaceutical care practice.
Management of suspected stones in the common bile duct

Gallstone disease is responsible for about 1.8 million ambulatory care visits and more than 700 000 cholecystectomies yearly in the United States. [1][1],[2][2] In Canada, the adjusted annual rate of elective cholecystectomy was 260.8 per 100 000 population during the period 1992–2000. [3][3]
Visualization of two transfer RNAs trapped in transit during elongation factor G-mediated translocation

Significance One of the most critical and complex steps of the protein synthesis elongation cycle is the coupled translocation of messenger (m)RNA and the A- and P-site transfer (t)RNAs through the ribosome, catalyzed by the elongation factor EF-G. This step involves large-scale molecular movements in the ribosome, including rotational movements of the body and head of the 30S subunit. Previously, structures have been obtained for trapped intermediates containing a single tRNA. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of an intermediate trapped with both tRNAs. This structure represents a previously missing link in understanding the mechanism of translocation, revealing that the ribosome uses two distinct molecular ratchets, involving both intra- and intersubunit rotational movements, to drive the synchronous movement of tRNAs and mRNA. During protein synthesis, coupled translocation of messenger RNAs (mRNA) and transfer RNAs (tRNA) through the ribosome takes place following formation of each peptide bond. The reaction is facilitated by large-scale conformational changes within the ribosomal complex and catalyzed by elongtion factor G (EF-G). Previous structural analysis of the interaction of EF-G with the ribosome used either model complexes containing no tRNA or only a single tRNA, or complexes where EF-G was directly bound to ribosomes in the posttranslocational state. Here, we present a multiparticle cryo-EM reconstruction of a translocation intermediate containing two tRNAs trapped in transit, bound in chimeric intrasubunit ap/P and pe/E hybrid states. The downstream ap/P-tRNA is contacted by domain IV of EF-G and P-site elements within the 30S subunit body, whereas the upstream pe/E-tRNA maintains tight interactions with P-site elements of the swiveled 30S head. Remarkably, a tight compaction of the tRNA pair can be seen in this state. The translocational intermediate presented here represents a previously missing link in understanding the mechanism of translocation, revealing that the ribosome uses two distinct molecular ratchets, involving both intra- and intersubunit rotational movements, to drive the synchronous movement of tRNAs and mRNA.