Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of the individual domains of translation termination factor eRF1 in GTP binding to eRF3

Eukaryotic translational termination is triggered by polypeptide release factors eRF1, eRF3, and one of the three stop codons at the ribosomal A‐site. Isothermal titration calorimetry shows that (i) the separated MC, M, and C domains of human eRF1 bind to eRF3; (ii) GTP binding to eRF3 requires complex formation with either the MC or M + C domains; (iii) the M domain interacts with the N and C domains; (iv) the MC domain and Mg2+ induce GTPase activity of eRF3 in the ribosome. We suggest that GDP binding site of eRF3 acquires an ability to bind γ‐phosphate of GTP if altered by cooperative action of the M and C domains of eRF1. Thus, the stop‐codon decoding is associated with the N domain of eRF1 while the GTPase activity of eRF3 is controlled by the MC domain of eRF1 demonstrating a substantial structural uncoupling of these two activities though functionally they are interrelated. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcomes of contemporary management of gangrenous and non-gangrenous acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND Gangrenous cholecystitis (GC) is considered a more severe form of acute cholecystitis. The risk factors associated with this condition and its impact on morbidity and mortality compared with those of non-gangrenous acute cholecystitis (NGAC) are poorly defined and based largely on findings from older studies. METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed acute cholecystitis treated in specialized units in a tertiary hospital between 2005 and 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data were reviewed retrospectively and patients with GC were compared with those with NGAC. RESULTS A total of 184 patients with NGAC and 106 with GC were identified. The risk factors associated with GC included older age (69 years vs. 57 years; P= 0.001), diabetes (19% vs. 10%; P= 0.049), temperature of >38 °C (36% vs. 16%; P < 0.001), tachycardia (31% vs. 15%; P= 0.002), detection of muscle rigidity on examination (27% vs. 12%; P= 0.01) and greater elevations in white cell count (WCC) (13.4 × 10⁹/l vs. 10.7 × 10⁹/l; P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (94 mg/l vs. 17 mg/l; P= 0.001), bilirubin (19 µmol/l vs. 17 µmol/l; P= 0.029), urea (5.3 mmol/l vs. 4.7 mmol/l; P= 0.016) and creatinine (82 µmol/l vs. 74 µmol/l; P= 0.001). The time from admission to operation in days was greater in the GC group (median = 1 day, range: 0-14 days vs. median = 1 day, range: 0-10 days; P= 0.029). There was no overall difference in complication rates between the GC and NGAC groups (22% vs. 14%; P= 0.102). There was a lower incidence of common bile duct stones in the GC group (5% vs. 13%; P= 0.017). Gangrenous cholecystitis was associated with increased mortality (4% vs. 0%; P= 0.017), but this was not an independent risk factor on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Gangrenous cholecystitis has certain clinical features and associated laboratory findings that may help to differentiate it from NGAC. It is not associated with an overall increase in complications when treated in a specialized unit.
UWB elliptically-tapered antipodal Vivaldi antenna for microwave imaging applications

An elliptically-tapered antipodal Vivaldi antenna with operating frequency range from 1.65 GHz - 18 GHz designed for microwave imaging applications is presented. It includes comb-shaped slits and opening elliptical rate of top and bottom radiators to lower frequency band limitation of conventional antipodal Vivaldi antenna. It is shown that the antenna gain has been increased by comb-shaped slits at lower frequencies up to 9.5 dBi at 2 GHz and at higher frequencies up to 14.2 dBi at 18 GHz. Feasibility of the proposed antenna for the use in microwave imaging technique is also demonstrated.
The Bench vs. The Blackboard: Learning to Teach During Graduate School

Many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate students travel through the academic career pipeline without ever learning how to teach effectively, an oversight that negatively affects the quality of undergraduate science education and cheats trainees of valuable professional development. This article argues that all STEM graduate students and postdoctoral fellows should undergo training in teaching to strengthen their resumes, polish their oral presentation skills, and improve STEM teaching at the undergraduate level. Though this may seem like a large undertaking, the author outlines a three-step process that allows busy scientists to fit pedagogical training into their research schedules in order to make a significant investment both in their academic career and in the continuing improvement of science education.
Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Hyperacute Stroke Care Guidelines, Update 2015

The 2015 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations Hyperacute Stroke Care guideline highlights key elements involved in the initial assessment, stabilization, and treatment of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and acute venous sinus thrombosis. The most notable change in this 5th edition is the addition of new recommendations for the use of endovascular therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke and proximal intracranial arterial occlusion. This includes an overview of the infrastructure and resources required for stroke centers that will provide endovascular therapy as well as regional structures needed to ensure that all patients with acute ischemic stroke that are eligible for endovascular therapy will be able to access this newly approved therapy; recommendations for hyperacute brain and enhanced vascular imaging using computed tomography angiography and computed tomography perfusion; patient selection criteria based on the five trials of endovascular therapy published in early 2015, and performance metric targets for important time-points involved in endovascular therapy, including computed tomography-to-groin puncture and computed tomography-to-reperfusion times. Other updates in this guideline include recommendations for improved time efficiencies for all aspects of hyperacute stroke care with a movement toward a new median target door-to-needle time of 30 min, with the 90th percentile being 60 min. A stronger emphasis is placed on increasing public awareness of stroke with the recent launch of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada FAST signs of stroke campaign; reinforcing the public need to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911; further engagement of paramedics in the prehospital phase with prehospital notification to the receiving emergency department, as well as the stroke team, including neuroradiology; updates to the triage and same-day assessment of patients with transient ischemic attack; updates to blood pressure recommendations for the hyperacute phase of care for ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The goal of these recommendations and supporting materials is to improve efficiencies and minimize the absolute time lapse between stroke symptom onset and reperfusion therapy, which in turn leads to better outcomes and potentially shorter recovery times.
In vitro transdifferentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into GABAergic-like neurons.

BACKGROUND Cell therapy of many neurodegenerative diseases using bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) requires the differentiation of BMSC into neuronal subtype. However, the transdifferentiation of BMSC into GABAergic phenotype requires more investigation. METHODS In this study, BMSC of adult female rats were pre-induced into neuroblast-like cells using 1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol (betaME) and 10 microM retinoic acid (RA), followed by 40 mM potassium chloride as inducer. The BMSC were evaluated by fibronectin as well as Oct-4. The percentage of nestin, neurofilaments (NF 68, NF 160, and NF 200) and GABA immuno-reactive cells was used to evaluate the GABAergic differentiation at the pre-induction and induction stages. The statistical analysis was carried out using unpaired student's t-test and ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparison. RESULTS The BMSC in the fourth passage expressed fibronectin up to 91.24 +/- 0.82%. The pre-induced cells after 2 days of RA exposure showed the expression of neuroblastic markers of nestin and NF68 (81.56 +/- 2.64% and 82.12 +/- 2.65%, respectively). The yield of GABAergic neurons with beta-ME for 1 h and RA as pre-inducer for 2 days followed by potassium chloride as inducer (40 mM for 3 days) was 60.64% +/- 1.97%. In addition, NF160 and NF200 were detected in the transdifferentiated cells. RT-PCR showed no expression of Oct-4 after the induction and pre-induction stages. CONCLUSION GABAergic-like neurons obtained from BMSC can be potentially used in cell transplanting for some neurodegenerative disorders.
The Predicted Impact of Ipilimumab Usage on Survival in Previously Treated Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma in the UK

Background Evaluating long-term prognosis is important for physicians, patients and payers. This study reports the results of a model developed to predict long-term survival for UK patients receiving second-line ipilimumab. Methods MDX010-20 trial data were used to predict survival for ipilimumab versus UK best supportive care. Two aspects of this analysis required novel approaches: 1) The overall survival Kaplan–Meier data shape is unusual: an initial steep decline is observed before a ‘plateau’. 2) The need to extrapolate beyond the trial end (4.6 years). Based upon UK clinician advice, a three-part curve fit was used: from 0–1.5 years, Kaplan–Meier data from the trial; from 1.5–5 years, standard parametric curve fits; after 5 years, long-term data from the American Joint Committee on Cancer registry. Results This approach provided good internal validity: low mean absolute error and good match to median and mean trial data. Lifetime predicted means were 2.77 years for ipilimumab and 1.07 for best supportive care, driven by increased long-term survival with ipilimumab. Conclusion To understand the full benefit of treatment and to meet reimbursement requirements, accurate estimation of treatment benefit is key. Models, such as the one presented, can be used to extrapolate beyond trials.
Epidemiology of Injuries in Hong Kong Elite Badminton Athletes

This study retrospectively reviewed the injury epidemiology on 44 Hong Kong elite badminton players in 2003. Team training records were reviewed to retrieve the training and competition hours, while the medical records from the physiotherapy department were reviewed to obtain information regarding injuries. A total of 253 injuries (128 recurrent and 125 new injuries) were recorded, which accounted for an overall incidence rate of 5.04 per 1,000 player hours. Elite senior athletes had a higher incidence rate of recurrent injuries, while elite junior and potential athletes had a higher incidence rate of new injuries. A total of 1,219 visits (4.82 per athlete) to the physiotherapy department were recorded, which cost HK$487,600 (HK$1,928 per injury). Most new injuries were strain (80 injuries), and the most frequently injured body sites were the back (17 injuries), the shoulder (15 injuries), the thigh (15 injuries), and the knee (15 injuries). One-sided exact test showed that a previous injury experience significantly associated with the occurrence of new injury.
Surfactant Spreading on Thin Viscous Films: Nonnegative Solutions of A Coupled Degenerate System

We consider the Navier--Stokes system for an incompressible fluid coupled with a convection-diffusion equation for surfactant molecules on the free surface. The lubrication approximation leads to a coupled system of parabolic equations, consisting of a degenerate fourth-order equation for the film height and a second-order equation for the surfactant concentration. A proof based on energy estimates shows the existence of global weak solutions which in addition fulfill an integral inequality (entropy condition) which ensures positivity properties for the solution.
Bottom-up generalization: a data mining solution to privacy protection

The well-known privacy-preserved data mining modifies existing data mining techniques to randomized data. In this paper, we investigate data mining as a technique for masking data, therefore, termed data mining based privacy protection. This approach incorporates partially the requirement of a targeted data mining task into the process of masking data so that essential structure is preserved in the masked data. The idea is simple but novel: we explore the data generalization concept from data mining as a way to hide detailed information, rather than discover trends and patterns. Once the data is masked, standard data mining techniques can be applied without modification. Our work demonstrated another positive use of data mining technology: not only can it discover useful patterns, but also mask private information. We consider the following privacy problem: a data holder wants to release a version of data for building classification models, but wants to protect against linking the released data to an external source for inferring sensitive information. We adapt an iterative bottom-up generalization from data mining to generalize the data. The generalized data remains useful to classification but becomes difficult to link to other sources. The generalization space is specified by a hierarchical structure of generalizations. A key is identifying the best generalization to climb up the hierarchy at each iteration. Enumerating all candidate generalizations is impractical. We present a scalable solution that examines at most one generalization in each iteration for each attribute involved in the linking.
Reexamining the Sarcopenia Hypothesis: Muscle Mass versus Muscle Strength

Abstract: The association of muscle mass and muscle strength with lower‐extremity performance, as measured by timed repeated chair stands, was investigated using preliminary data from 3,075 Black and White participants (70–79 years old) in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. Leg muscle mass (LM) was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500). The maximal isokinetic torque of the leg extensors (LS) was measured at 60°/s using a Kin‐Com isokinetic dynamometer. Men were stronger, had greater LM, and better performance than women. As expected, low LS was associated with poorer performance after adjusting for race, study site, and body fat. Low LM was associated with poorer performance in men and women, with a potential threshold effect in women only. When LS and LM were modeled simultaneously, only LS remained independently associated with performance. In conclusion, muscle strength, but not muscle mass, is independently associated with lower‐extremity performance.
Anti-Melanogenic Activities of Heracleum moellendorffii via ERK1/2-Mediated MITF Downregulation

In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of Heracleum moellendorffii Hance extract (HmHe) and the mechanisms through which it inhibits melanogenesis in melan-a cells were investigated. Mushroom tyrosinase (TYR) activity and melanin content as well as cellular tyrosinase activity were measured in the cells. mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), TYR-related protein-1 (TYRP-1) and -2 were also examined. The results demonstrate that treatment with HmHe significantly inhibits mushroom tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, HmHe also markedly inhibits melanin production and intracellular tyrosinase activity. By suppressing the expression of TYR, TYRP-1, TYRP-2, and MITF, HmHe treatment antagonized melanin production in melan-a cells. Additionally, HmHe interfered with the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, with reversal of HmHe-induced melanogenesis inhibition after treatment with specific inhibitor U0126. In summary, HmHe can be said to stimulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of MITF, resulting in suppression of melanogenic enzymes and melanin production, possibly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds.
Investigating English Language Needs : Medical Undergraduates Perspective in a Saudi Context

ESP learners’ reasons for learning a language are specific that have to be identified through a standard needs analysis (NA) process so that appropriate ESP teaching materials are selected, modified or developed. The present study is an attempt to investigate ESP needs of medical undergraduates studying in the medical colleges of the KSA. A 27-item Likert-scale structured questionnaire was developed by the researcher to identify the participants’ perceived English language proficiency and to record their perceived responses regarding English language skills/tasks which are important to effectively carry out their medical studies because much research has offered valuable insights into the fact that insiders' feedback is extremely important in a standard NA process. The questionnaires were administered to 506 participants from seven medical colleges of the KSA. The findings of the study have confirmed the previous research that suitable and appropriate in-house teaching materials are inevitable to address ESP learners’ specific academic needs. It is further revealed that speaking and reading skills are the most important for their medical studies. Furthermore, important tasks related to various English language skills have also been identified.
Advances in the genetics of cerebrovascular disease and stroke

Article abstract— MEDLINE searches identified epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical studies on the genetics of cerebrovascular disease and stroke, including the following topics: genetic epidemiology of stroke; genetics of systemic disorders that cause ischemic stroke, including coagulation disorders, connective tissue disorders, vasculopathies, metabolic disorders, and disorders of unknown etiology; and genetics of systemic disorders that cause hemorrhagic stroke. Recent discoveries in stroke genetics involve the genetic basis of monogenic disorders such as cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy and sickle cell disease. Reproducing similar advances in other forms of cerebrovascular disease and stroke will be more difficult because their inheritance is complex, multigenic, and heterogeneous. However, the future is promising with the application of molecular genetic approaches such as linkage analysis, allele-sharing methods, association studies, and polygenic analysis of experimental crosses as well as the transmission/disequilibrium test—a statistical method for detection of linkage between a marker and a disease-susceptibility locus.
A Social Network Analysis of a Coalition Initiative to Prevent Underage Drinking in Los Angeles County

In 2011, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health began a prevention services initiative to address problems dealing with alcohol and other drugs across the County. A major component of the strategy included the formation of eight coalitions. Defined by geographic borders, each coalition consisted of multiple service provider organizations, and were mandated to implement customized plans that would focus on preventing underage drinking by addressing availability and accessibility of alcohol. In this study, we collect survey data and observe coalition meetings to study the interactions within and between coalitions. We are informed by network tie strength theories to supplement our view of how organizations communicate. We apply social network analysis to learn how the multi-coalition network is functioning, and identify important unrealized connections. Our findings suggest there are many potential connections between coalitions that are not being leveraged.
The lack of variability of the iron line in MCG–6‐30‐15: general relativistic effects

ABSTRACT The spectrum and variability of the Seyfert galaxy MCG–6-30-15 can be decomposedinto two apparently disconnected components: a highly variable power law and analmost constant component which contains a broad and strong iron line. We explorea possible explanation of the puzzling lack of variability of the iron line, by assumingthat the variations of the power law component are due to changes in the height ofthe primary source in the near vicinity of a rotating black hole. Due to the bendingof light in the strong ﬁeld of the central black hole, the apparent brightness of thepower-law component can vary by about a factor 4 according to its position, while thetotal iron line ﬂux variability is less than 20 per cent. This behaviour is obtained ifthe primary source is located within 3–4 gravitational radii (r g ) from the rotation axiswith a variable height of between ∼ 3 and 8 r g . These results revive the possibility thatfuture X–ray observations of MCG–6-30-15 can map out the strong gravity regime ofaccreting black holes.Key words: accretion discs — black hole physics — line: proﬁles — X-rays: general
Self-organizing Fuzzy Logic Controller for the Multivariable Anesthesia System

In this paper, a Self-Organizing Fuzzy Logic Controller (SOFLC) has been proposed for estimating the depth of anesthesia. The SOFLC is a fuzzy system in which the inference rules are continuously updated by a self-learning procedure. Common drugs such as Isoflurane and Atracurium that apply in modern surgery have been used for controlling blood pressure and muscle relaxation, respectively. The MIMO system includes four inputs and two outputs that consist of errors and change of errors of drugs for inputs plus electromyogram (EMG) signal and blood pressure have been chosen as outputs. The set points of outputs were set at 0.8 normalized scale for muscle relaxation and 110 mmHg for blood pressure. A new method for reducing the computing time and simplifying calculation has been used. The result of this Simulation study showed that excellent regulation of blood pressure and muscle relaxation around set-point targets can be achieved.
Ferritin Binding in the Developing Mouse Brain Follows a Pattern Similar to Myelination and Is Unaffected by the Jimpy Mutation

We have previously provided evidence that ferritin binds selectively to white matter tracts in adult mouse and human brains. In cell culture experiments, ferritin binding is specifically localized to oligodendrocytes. The goal of the present study is to test the hypothesis that the developmental pattern for ferritin binding will coincide with the onset and progression of myelination. The first evidence of ferritin binding in the mouse brain is at 12 days of age and occurs within the brainstem. Ferritin binding persisted in the brainstem and expanded to the corpus callosum by 15–16 days of age. By 23–24 days of age ferritin binding had further extended to the striatal white matter. By adulthood, ferritin binding was strongly and selectively expressed throughout all white matter tracts. To begin to identify which factors may be involved in the induction of ferritin-binding proteins on oligodendrocytes, brains from the myelin mutant jimpy mice and unaffected littermates were examined at postnatal days 16–18. Jimpy mice were chosen because their oligodendrocytes fail to produce myelin or accumulate iron. Thus, using jimpy mice would elucidate whether these factors are necessary for ferritin-binding protein expression. Both the jimpy mutants and their controls exhibited saturable ferritin binding with similar binding densities and dissociation constants. Dissociation constants for ferritin binding in the unaffected littermates and jimpy mutant mice were 0.38 ± 0.04 and 0.32 ± 0.06 nM, respectively and binding densities were similar (1.1 ± 0.09 and 0.96 ± 0.12 fmol/mg, respectively). Our results demonstrate that expression of ferritin binding is dependent on the age of the oligodendrocytes and not dependent upon iron accumulation by oligodendrocytes or myelin production. We propose that iron delivery to oligodendrocytes is predominantly via ferritin and this method of iron uptake is unique to oligodendrocytes in the brain.