Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prion Formation and Polyglutamine Aggregation Are Controlled by Two Classes of Genes

Prions are self-perpetuating aggregated proteins that are not limited to mammalian systems but also exist in lower eukaryotes including yeast. While much work has focused around chaperones involved in prion maintenance, including Hsp104, little is known about factors involved in the appearance of prions. De novo appearance of the [PSI +] prion, which is the aggregated form of the Sup35 protein, is dramatically enhanced by transient overexpression of SUP35 in the presence of the prion form of the Rnq1 protein, [PIN +]. When fused to GFP and overexpressed in [ps−] [PIN +] cells, Sup35 forms fluorescent rings, and cells with these rings bud off [PSI +] daughters. We investigated the effects of over 400 gene deletions on this de novo induction of [PSI +]. Two classes of gene deletions were identified. Class I deletions (bug1Δ, bem1Δ, arf1Δ, and hog1Δ) reduced the efficiency of [PSI +] induction, but formed rings normally. Class II deletions (las17Δ, vps5Δ, and sac6Δ) inhibited both [PSI+] induction and ring formation. Furthermore, class II deletions reduced, while class I deletions enhanced, toxicity associated with the expanded glutamine repeats of the huntingtin protein exon 1 that causes Huntington's disease. This suggests that prion formation and polyglutamine aggregation involve a multi-phase process that can be inhibited at different steps.
Procedencia como herramienta para la subdivisión estratigráfica del Mesozoico temprano en el noreste de México

In northeastern Mexico, early Mesozoic red beds and volcanogenic rocks known as the Huizachal Group have been described as an Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic fluvial succession (La Boca Formation), overlain by alluvial and lacustrine deposits representing the base of the Jurassic marine transgression (La Joya Formation). We estimate inconvenient to group together different sedimentary successions deposited over such a long period, which results in a loss of resolution concerning the tectonic evolution and paleogeographic interpretation. Petrographic provenance studies and detrital zircon geochronology were used as a tool for stratigraphic subdivision: we separated a exclusively Triassic unit, recently defined as El Alamar Formation, from Lower Jurassic red beds of La Boca Formation, now considered Early Jurassic in age. While the Triassic unit usually displays recycled orogen and subordinate continental block provenances, the Lower Jurassic red beds interlayered with volcanic rocks and epiclastic deposits, indicate a more consistent provenance from magmatic arc settings. Moreover, their maximum depositional ages are Late Triassic (220 Ma) and Late Jurassic (160 Ma), respectively, with several Grenvillian, Pan-African and Permian-Triassic detrital-zircon populations included in El Alamar Formation and Grenvillian, Pan-African, Permian-Triassic and Early Jurassic clusters in La Boca Formation.
La flora dell'isola di Ischia (Golfo di Napoli)

Riassunto Gli AA. hanno studiato la flora dell'isola di Ischia, il maggiore corpo insulare del Golfo di Napoli per il quale i dati floristici più recenti disponibili risalgono alla metà del XIX secolo. Nel corso dell'indagine sono state raccolte od osservate 668 entità; di queste 150 non risultavano finora segnalate per il territorio studiato mentre, di quelle citate in precedenti studi, 333 non sono state rinvenute. Sopravvivono su Ischia specie di notevole interesse quali Limonium inarimense (Guss.) Pignatti, Woodwardta radicans (L.) Sm. e Cyperus polystachyos Rottb. , mentre Bassin saxicola (Guss.) A. J. Scott è scomparsa dal suo locus classicus. Tra le piante non più ritrovate prevalgono quelle degli ambienti sensibili quali le spiagge e le aree umide, zone che, da tempi remoti, sono state interessate in maggior misura da elevati livelli di antropizzazione. L'analisi degli spettri biologico e corologico mette in risalto i lineamenti di spiccata mediterraneità del popolamento floristico con il 42% di Terofite e il 44,3% di Mediterranee; la ridotta percentuale delle Endemiche (2,4%), l'elevata incidenza delle specie ad Ampia distribuzione (30,7%) e soprattutto l'incremento delle Avventizie rappresenta un ulteriore sintomo della pressione antropica. Il ridotto contingente di specie Eurasiatiche (15, 6%) conferma come questa categoria assuma sulle isole napoletane valori meno elevati rispetto a quelli raggiunti sulla prospiciente terraferma. Si perviene alla conclusione che l'attuale costituzione della flora di Ischia sia stata fortemente influenzata dalle varie forme di pressione antropica cui l'isola è sempre stata assoggettata in tempi storici e, in tempi più recenti, dalla variazione d'uso del territorio.
Lithospheric thickness and upper-mantle deformation beneath the NE Tibetan Plateau inferred from S receiver functions and SKS splitting measurements

SUMMARY We present S receiver functions and SKS splitting measurements from the China Seismograph Network located in the Qinghai and Gansu provinces. Teleseismic data are used to interpret the structure of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) and upper-mantle deformation beneath the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) in regions north of the east Kunlun Fault. Based on our observations, the LAB lies at a depth of 125–135 km beneath the northeastern Songpan–Ganzi block and the west Qinling orogen, between 145 and 175 km beneath the Kunlun and Qilian orogen, and deepens below the Qaidam Basin (175–190 km), Ordos Craton (170 km) and Alashan platform (200 km). The NETP is characterized by a nearly uniform fast NW–SE S-wave direction. These observations are different from those to the south of the Kunlun Fault where fast S directions are rotating clockwise from the inner plateau. The change in fast directions across the Kunlun Fault implies a sudden variation of upper-mantle deformation. Shear wave splitting delay times vary from 0.8 to 1.9 s. Data from beneath regions north of the Kunlun–Ayimaqin suture showed that delay time was positively correlated with lithospheric thickness with an increase of 0.7 s per 100 km. This indicates that the anisotropy may develop in the uppermost mantle, such as the lithosphere, beneath the NETP.
Paleomagnetic and geochronological identification of the Réunion subchron in Ethiopian Afar

This paper reports the paleomagnetic and geochronological analysis of a suite of samples from a basaltic fault-related scarp of Pliocene age in the central part of the Afar depression (Ethiopia). Paleomagnetic work uncovers a clear characteristic remanent magnetization carried by (titano-) magnetites, with high unblocking temperatures, close to the Curie temperature of pure magnetite. The characteristic direction, based on 27 non transitional flows, is D=8.1 o, I= 10.1 o (• 5=4.1 o). This is consistent with earlier determinations of the clockwise tectonic rotation, due to rift propagation and overlap, of the block to which the section belongs. Magnetic stratigraphy consists of a succession from bottom to top of 16 reversed, 7 normal, and 4 reversed flows. One flow at the upper normal to reverse transition demonstrates complex behavior upon thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetization, which is due to remagnetization by the overlying flow. K/Ar dating of five samples provides consistent determinations, averaging 2.07 + 0.05 Ma. All ages agree with this average, given their rather large individual uncertainties (from 0.04 to 0.08 Ma at the lc • level). Comparison with recent reference geomagnetic polarity timescales (GPTS) indicates that the normal subchron recorded in the Gamarri section must be linked with (one of) the R6union event(s). The normal subchron and an earlier episode of large secular variation could provide the best volcanic record of a double R6union event. Although uncertainties in ages are too large to allow unequivocal inferences, our age determination for the R6union event is in better agreement with earlier determinations of McDougall and Watkins [ 1973] than with a more recent value proposed by Baksi et al. [1993] and used in the GPTS.
Preview : Published ahead of advance online publication N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide urinary concentrations and retinopathy of prematurity

Christoph Bührer, Ömer Erdeve, Anton van Kaam, Angelika Berger, Evelyn Lechner, Benjamin Bar-Oz, Karel Allegaert, Tom Stiris, Istemi Han Çelik, Janet Berrington, on behalf of the REDEXAM study group, Sinan Abu-Leil, Benjamin Bausenhardt, Christoph Czernik, Uğur Dilmen, Nicholas Embleton, Zivanit Ergaz-Shaltiel, Lara Garabedian, Irene Lok, Tone Nordvik, Wes Onland, Øivind Ringen, Thomas Skeath, Oliver Wagner
Polar continental margins: Studies off East Greenland

The passive continental margin off east Greenland has been shaped by tectonic and sedimentary processes, and typical physiographic patterns have evolved over the past few million years under the influence of the late Cenozoic Northern Hemisphere glaciations. The Greenland ice shield has been particularly affected. GLORIA (Geological Long Range Inclined Asdic), the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences' (IOS) long-range, side-scan sonar, was used on a 1992 RV Livonia cruise to map large-scale changes in sedimentary patterns along the east Greenland continental margin. The overall objective of this research program was to determine the variety of large-scale seafloor processes to improve our understanding of the interaction between ice sheets, current regimes, and sedimentary processes. In cooperation with IOS and the RV Livonia, a high-quality set of seafloor data has been produced. GLORIA'S first survey of east Greenland's continental margin covered several 1000- × 50-km-wide swaths (Figure 1) and yielded an impressive sidescan sonar image of the complete Greenland Basin and margin (about 250,000 km2). A mosaic of the data was made at a scale of 1:375,000. The base map was prepared with a polar stereographic projection having a standard parallel of 71°.
Delayed administration may improve entacapone effects in parkinsonian patients non‐responding to the drug

Background: Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor used in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, as an adjunctive therapy to l‐dopa in order to prolong its bioavailability and thus its clinical effect. However, previous studies reported entacapone‐induced l‐dopa to have lower Cmax and delayed tmax values, coupled with a delayed onset of the clinical effect, possibly suggesting an interference between the two drugs. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a delayed entacapone administration in association with standard l‐dopa/carbidopa, may in some subjects improve the entacapone effects on l‐dopa AUC and thus on the clinical ‘on time’ duration.
Predictors of Hip Pain and Function in Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Prospective Cohort Analysis

Background: Validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of hip pain and function at the time of arthroscopy could be predictors of the final outcome. Little is known about how patient factors or pathologic intra-articular findings relate to hip pain or function at the time of surgery for those presenting with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Purpose: To evaluate all patient and operative factors that contribute to hip pain and dysfunction in patients with FAI. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were electronically enrolled between February 2015 and September 2016. Baseline PROMs were collected, including Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) for pain, HOOS–Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Score. Surgeons documented intra-articular operative findings and treatment. Multivariable linear regression models were created for continuous scores of HOOS pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 Physical Component Score as outcome measures. Risk factors included patient characteristics and intraoperative anatomic and pathologic findings. Results: During the study period, 396 patients underwent arthroscopic hip procedures, and 373 (94%) completed preoperative PROMs; 331 patients were undergoing arthroscopic surgery for FAI. The mean patient age was 32.91 ± 12.49 years, mean body mass index was 26.22 ± 4.92 kg/m2, and 71% were female. Multivariate analyses demonstrated female sex, lower education levels, smoking, lower mental health scores, and lower activity-level scores predicted HOOS pain preoperatively. According to multivariate analysis, patient factors associated with worse baseline HOOS-PS include smoking, additional years of education, lower mental health, and activity scores. Lower baseline VR-12 functional scores were predicted by female sex, elevated body mass index, smoking, and lower activity levels. For all baseline PROMs, there was no instance where an arthroscopic variable or pathologic finding proved statistically significant after the important patient covariates were controlled for. Conclusion: Patient factors, including mental health, activity level, sex, and smoking, are more predictive of baseline hip pain (as measured by HOOS) and function than are intra-articular findings (eg, status of the labrum or articular cartilage) during hip arthroscopy for FAI. Future studies evaluating patient outcomes after surgery for FAI should consider adjusting for these identified patient factors to accurately interpret the effect of treatment on patient-reported outcomes after surgery.
Survival and success of sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched and titanium plasma-sprayed implants: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this open, retrospective, nonrandomized study was to evaluate survival and success rates for sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) and titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants placed by a single practitioner. The secondary objectives included evaluation of crestal bone loss and adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS Implants were placed by a single practitioner between April 1994 and December 2005. All clinical data, including information about adverse events, were entered into an electronic database. Outcomes were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival and life table analyses. RESULTS Over the study period, 342 patients received a total of 836 implants, comprising 533 SLA and 303 TPS implants. Maximum and median follow-up times were 7.2 and 0.8 years, respectively, for patients with SLA implants and 9.7 and 4.6 years, respectively, for those with TPS implants. A greater proportion of SLA implants than TPS implants were placed in type IV bone. Overall, 807 (96.5%) of the implants met the survival criteria, and 795 (95.1%) were classified as successful. Failure rates were 2.6% (14/533) for SLA implants and 5.0% (15/303) for TPS implants. Early failure rates (less than 1 year after implantation) were 2.1% (11/533) for SLA implants and 3.0% (9/303) for TPS implants. Kaplan-Meier survival and life table analyses showed similar cumulative survival rates for the 2 types of implants at up to 5 years. Crestal bone loss was more common with TPS implants than with SLA implants, affecting 27 (8.9%) of the TPS implants and 14 (2.6%) of the SLA implants. Complication rates were 7.7% (41/533) for the SLA implants and 13.5% (41/303) for the TPS implants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS SLA and TPS implants had similarly good clinical outcomes in this retrospective study, but the frequency of crestal bone loss was lower among the SLA implants. Continued observation of SLA implants is required to confirm these findings over the long term.
Measurement of NOy during Campaign of Air Quality Research in Beijing 2006 (CAREBeijing‐2006): Implications for the ozone production efficiency of NOx

[1] Total reactive nitrogen oxides (NOy) are among the key components in the chemistry of ozone production. In order to improve the understanding of the formation mechanisms of high-ozone events in Beijing, China, an intensive experiment on the reactive nitrogen oxides was carried out at the observatory of Peking University during the Campaign of Air Quality Research in Beijing and surrounding areas in 2006 (CAREBeijing-2006) campaign. In this study, analysis focusing on the data of high O3 episodes was performed to examine the relationship between the concentration of total oxidant and the composition of NOy. High levels of NO and NOy were observed in the morning rush hours, indicating the influences of fresh emissions from local traffic. However, the ratio of [NO] to [NOy] was only 11–60% in the morning, implying that there was a substantial amount of aged air pollutants remained overnight in the stagnant air mass. Significant increases in the NOz mixing ratio (= [NOy]-[NOx]) were observed during the period from the morning toward early afternoon, consistent with the increasing oxidant level. Ozone production efficiency of NOx (OPEx), which was derived from the NOz-Ox regression, was found to range from 3.9 to 9.7 mol/mol in Beijing. Furthermore, it was revealed that the daily [NOz] maximum was proportional to the NOx peak level in the morning, and that OPEx decreased with the increases of [NOz] in a hyperbolic form. According to the results, abatement in NOx emission would not be effective toward reducing ozone concentrations in Beijing.
The pregeniculate nucleus of the monkey (Macaca mulatta). II. A study at the electron microscopic level

An electron microscope study of the ultrastructure of the pregeniculate nucleus of the monkey (Macaca mulatta) shows it to contain three neuronal types and four varieties of presynaptic terminals. Type I neurons are found only in the inner lamina, have small rounded profiles with few axosomatic synapses; the cytoplasm is poor in organelles and the nucleus is deeply infolded. Type II neurons were observed infrequently and only in the outer lamina; they have large oblong profiles, exhibiting many axosomatic contacts, and containing abudant cytoplasm rich in organelles, particularly arrays of granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. Type III neurons were the most frequently seen and are found in both laminae; their profiles are elliptical and exhibit only a few axosomatic synapses. The cytoplasm surrounding the infolded nucleus is moderately rich in organelles with agranular endoplasmic reticulum predominating. These three neuronal types were found to correlate well with types of neurons found in material stained with cresylecht violet or impregnated by the Golgi method.
Fragile X syndrome: Diagnostic and carrier testing

Disclaimer: This guideline is designed primarily as an educational resource for medical geneticists and other health care providers to help them provide quality medical genetic services. Adherence to this guideline does not necessarily assure a successful medical outcome. This guideline should not be considered inclusive of all proper procedures and tests or exclusive of other procedures and tests that are reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. In determining the propriety of any specific procedure or test, the geneticist should apply his or her own professional judgment to the specific clinical circumstances presented by the individual patient or specimen. It may be prudent, however, to document in the patient's record the rationale for any significant deviation from this guideline.
Specters of Mother India: The Global Restructuring of an Empire

Specters of Mother India tells the complex story of one episode that became the tipping point for an important historical transformation. The event at the center of the book is the massive international controversy that followed the 1927 publication of Mother India , an expose written by the American journalist Katherine Mayo. Mother India provided graphic details of a variety of social ills in India, especially those related to the status of women and to the particular plight of the country’s child wives. According to Mayo, the roots of the social problems she chronicled lay in an irredeemable Hindu culture that rendered India unfit for political self-government. Mother India was reprinted many times in the United States, Great Britain, and India; it was translated into more than a dozen languages; and it was reviewed in virtually every major publication on five continents. Sinha provides a rich historical narrative of the controversy surrounding Mother India , from the book’s publication through the passage in India of the Child Marriage Restraint Act in the closing months of 1929. She traces the unexpected trajectory of the controversy as critics acknowledged many of the book’s facts only to overturn its central premise. Where Mayo located blame for India’s social backwardness within the beliefs and practices of Hinduism, the critics laid it at the feet of the colonial state, which they charged with impeding necessary social reforms. As Sinha shows, the controversy became a catalyst for some far-reaching changes, including a reconfiguration of the relationship between the political and social spheres in colonial India and the coalescence of a collective identity for women.
Effects of antibiotic exposure and immune system challenge on the development of allergic asthma

Abstract. In previous studies, experimenters have found that the risk of atopic disease is increased due to less exposure to infection and increased antibiotic use during immune system development. The data have supported this finding in accordance with hay fever, eczema and atopy, but are inconclusive regarding asthma. This study aims to further research the effects of antibiotic use and immune system challenge early in life on the development of allergic asthma. This was done retrospectively by collecting data from labor and delivery records of mothers who delivered vaginally, pediatric records up until age two, and participant completed questionnaires concerning family medical history and home environment information. A total of 206 women and 277 children, of which 18.4% have asthma, were enrolled in the study. Children who were prescribed antibiotics anytime after birth until two years of age were statistically more often diagnosed with asthma than those who were not given antibiotics (OR 2.884, CI 1.093-7.637). Results also suggest that babies who were born pre-term (<37 weeks gestation) were statistically more likely to be asthmatic which may reflect insufficient lung development (OR 3.048, CI 1.191-7.801). Birth order and exposure to antibiotics administered to the mother during delivery, which can correspond to immune system challenge, were determined to have no statistical relationship with asthma diagnoses. This research supports that allergic asthma is dissimilar to other atopic diseases in relation to birth order. More data are currently being collected to further study these relationships.