Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ebolavirus Proteins Suppress the Effects of Small Interfering RNA by Direct Interaction with the Mammalian RNA Interference Pathway

ABSTRACT Cellular RNA interference (RNAi) provides a natural response against viral infection, but some viruses have evolved mechanisms to antagonize this form of antiviral immunity. To determine whether Ebolavirus (EBOV) counters RNAi by encoding suppressors of RNA silencing (SRSs), we screened all EBOV proteins using an RNAi assay initiated by exogenously delivered small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against either an EBOV or a reporter gene. In addition to viral protein 35 (VP35), we found that VP30 and VP40 independently act as SRSs. Here, we present the molecular mechanisms of VP30 and VP35. VP30 interacts with Dicer independently of siRNA and with one Dicer partner, TRBP, only in the presence of siRNA. VP35 directly interacts with Dicer partners TRBP and PACT in an siRNA-independent fashion and in the absence of effects on interferon (IFN). Taken together, our findings elucidate a new mechanism of RNAi suppression that extends beyond the role of SRSs in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding and IFN antagonism. The presence of three suppressors highlights the relevance of host RNAi-dependent antiviral immunity in EBOV infection and illustrates the importance of RNAi in shaping the evolution of RNA viruses.
The Effect of Leverage on the Value of Real Estate

Using data of offices in Seoul, Korea, this study examines the effect of leverage on the value of real estate. Considering the practice of lease agree- ment in Korea, which adopts a large amount of security deposit compared to monthly rent, we calculate the leverage ratio by the sum of mortgage loan and security deposit divided by appraised value. The empirical result from hedonic pricing model shows no significant relationship between leverage and value. Thus, there is no optimal capital structure for value maximization in the office market in Seoul, Korea.
Use of Mixed Stated and Revealed Preference Data for Crowding Valuation on Public Transport in Santiago, Chile

The valuation of comfort on public transport is presented with mixed stated preference and revealed preference data. In this case, comfort is measured mainly as the level of crowding in the vehicles (bus or train) with the use of in-vehicle passenger density (in number of passengers per square meter). The data used to value comfort include a stated preference survey in which crowding levels are presented as illustrations and revealed preference data on route choice on the subway network of Santiago, Chile. The survey data are used to estimate discrete choice models and obtain a subjective valuation of passenger density through the parameters of the utility function. Disutility for traveling in crowding conditions is assumed to be proportional to the travel time; therefore, the longer the trip, the higher the utility loss. Results indicate that passenger density has a significant effect on the utility of public transportation modes. In fact, marginal disutility of travel time in a crowded vehicle (6 passengers/m2) is twice the marginal disutility in a vehicle with a low level of crowding (1 passenger/m2).
Comparative Pulmonary Toxicities and Carcinogenicities of Chronically Inhaled Diesel Exhaust and Carban Black in F344 Rats

Abstract Diesel exhaust (DE) is a known pulmonary carcinogen in rats, and the carcinogenic response is known to require the presence of soot. Many estimates of human lung cancer risk from inhaled DE have been developed from rat bioassay data or from the comparative mutagenic potencies of DE soot extract and known human chemical carcinogens. To explore the importance of the DE soot-associated organic compounds in the lung tumor response of rats, male and female F344 rats were exposed chroni cally to diluted whole DE or aerosolized carbon black (CB) 16 hr/day, 5 days/week at target particle concentrations of 2.5 mg/m3 (LDE, LCB) or 6.5 mg/m3 (HDE, HCB) or to filtered air. The CB served as a surrogate for the elemental carbon matrix of DE soot. Considering both the mass fraction of solvent-extractable matter and its mutagenicity in the Ames Salmonella assay, the mutagenicity in revertants per unit particle mass of the CB was three orders of magnitude less than that of the DE soot. Both DE soot and CB particles accumulated progressively in the lungs of exposed rats, but the rate of accumulation was higher for DE soot. In general, DE and CB caused similar, dose-related, nonneoplastic lesions. CB and DE caused significant, exposure concentration-related increases, of similar magnitudes, in the incidences and prevalences of the same types of malignant and benign lung neoplasms in female rats. The incidences of neoplasms were much lower in males than females, and the mci dences were slightly higher among DE- than CB-exposed males. Survival was shortened in the CB-exposed males, and the short ened survival may have suppressed the expression of carcinoge nicity as measured by crude incidence. Logistic regression mod eling did not demonstrate significant differences between the carcinogenic potencies of CB and DE in either gender. The re sults suggest that the organic fraction of DE may not play an important role in the carcinogenicity of DE in rats.
Determination of proliferation index with MIB-1 in advanced ovarian cancer using quantitative image analysis.

A new monoclonal antibody, MIB-1, reacts with the same epitope recognized by Ki-67. The authors investigated the feasibility of using image analysis to quantitate the MIB-1 staining (proliferation index [PI]) of epithelial ovarian cancers. The PI was determined in 50 advanced-stage primary ovarian cancers. Paraffin sections were immunostained with the MIB-1 monoclonal antibody, and the PI was calculated using a CAS 200 image analyzer. Among 36 stage III ovarian carcinomas, the median PI was 15.1%, compared with 18.9% in 14 stage IV cancers (P = .47). Based on exploratory methods, a cutoff point of 7% best dichotomized these patients into two prognostic groups. Of 39 patients whose cancers had a high MIB-1 expression (> or = 7%), the median survival was 16.5 months, which differed significantly (P = .01) from the median survival of 33.2 months observed in the 11 patients whose tumors demonstrated low MIB-1 expression (< 7%). Using MIB-1 as a binary variable, a strong correlation was found between overexpression of c-erbB-2 (2+ and 3+) and MIB-1 > or = 7% (P = .001). No relationship was found between PI and histologic grade. Further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between MIB-1, PI expression, and other known clinicopathologic and genetic features of early- and late-stage ovarian cancer.
Comparison of histopathologic and clinical evaluations of pathergy test in Behçet’s disease

Background The pathergy test, an important test in the diagnosis of Behçet’s disease, is currently applied with disposable/sharp needles and evaluated only clinically (no histopathologic evaluation). In this study, the usefulness of the pathergy test conducted intradermally and intravenously with disposable/sharp needles in the diagnosis and determination of the activation of the disease is studied in comparison with the test conducted with nondisposable/blunt needles. In addition, histopathologic evaluation of the pathergy test is compared with the clinical evaluation.
Zip1-induced changes in synaptonemal complex structure and polycomplex assembly

The yeast Zip1 protein is a component of the synaptonemal complex (SC), which is an elaborate macromolecular structure found along the lengths of chromosomes during meiosis. Mutations that increase the length of the predicted coiled coil region of the Zip1 protein show that Zip1 influences the width of the SC. Overexpression of the ZIP1 gene results in the formation of two distinct types of higher order structures that are found in the nucleus, but not associated with chromatin. One of these structures resembles the polycomplexes that have been observed in many organisms and are thought to be aggregates of SC components. The second type of structure, which we have termed "networks," does not resemble any previously identified SC-related structure. Assembly of both polycomplexes and networks can occur independently of the Hop1 or Red1 protein, which are thought to be SC components. Our results demonstrate that Zip1 is a structural component of the central region of the SC. More specifically, we speculate that Zip1 is a component of the transverse filaments that lie perpendicular to the long axis of the complex.
Cohabitation Premiums in Denmark: Income Effects in Immigrant–Native Partnerships

Intermarriage with natives has the potential to enhance immigrant integration, as intermarried immigrants gain access to resources such as language skills, information about institutions and customs, and native networks. Due to these spillover effects, immigrants in intermarriages are more likely to be successful in the labour market. However, a positive relationship between intermarriage and economic integration can also be caused by selection based on unobserved characteristics. In previous studies, spillover effects have only been studied from the time of marriage but could occur in a period of cohabitation before marriage. Using unique register data from Denmark, we are able to identify cohabiting couples to analyse both intermarriage and exogamous cohabitation premiums. We study these effects and address selection in a panel data framework, obtaining a time profile of income in relation to the start of cohabitation. Results show comparatively high premiums for male and female immigrants from countries with lower levels of overall economic development and these income increases are directly related to relationship formation. (Less)
Religious Attendance, Spirituality, and Major Depression in Canada: A 14-Year Follow-up Study

Objective: Although there have been numerous studies on the relation of religion or spirituality and major depression, few used a longitudinal, nationally representative sample. Our study sought to examine the effect of religious attendance, self-declared importance of spiritual values, and self-identification as a spiritual person on major depression. Method: Data coming from 8 waves (1994 to 2008) of the longitudinal Canadian National Population Health Survey were used. People (n = 12 583) who were not depressed at baseline (1994) were followed during 14 years. Depression at each cycle was assessed using the Composite International Interview—Short Form for Major Depression. Weibull proportional hazards regression was used to model longitudinal risk of depression, with religious attendance or spirituality as a predictor. Results: At baseline, monthly religious attenders tended to be older, female, and married, compared with occasional and nonattenders. The Weibull regression model revealed a 22% lower risk of depression for monthly attenders (hazard ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.95), compared with nonattenders, after controlling for age, household income, family and personal history of depression, marital status, education, and perceived social support. Neither self-reported importance of spiritual values nor identification as a spiritual person was related to major depressive episodes. Conclusion: Attending religious services at least monthly has a protective effect against major depression.
Effect of thyroid hormone excess on action, secretion, and metabolism of insulin in humans.

To determine the effect of thyroid hormone excess on insulin secretion, metabolism and action in humans, we examined intravenous glucose tolerance, glucose-induced insulin secretion, insulin clearance, monocyte insulin receptor binding, and the dose-response characteristics for the effects of insulin on glucose production, uptake, oxidation, and nonoxidative disposal in 10 normal volunteers for 14 days before and after oral administration of triiodothyronine (T3) in doses that increased plasma T3 to levels observed in spontaneous thyrotoxicosis (P less than 0.001). After T3 postabsorptive plasma glucose (P less than 0.05) and insulin (P less than 0.05) both increased; intravenous glucose tolerance was unaffected, but plasma insulin responses were increased (P less than 0.01); basal glucose production, uptake, and oxidation all increased (all P less than 0.05), whereas nonoxidative glucose disposal was unaffected (P = NS); monocyte insulin receptor binding increased (P less than 0.01) due to increased receptor affinity (P less than 0.05); and receptor number was not significantly altered (P = NS). Insulin clearance was increased. Insulin-induced suppression of glucose production was impaired (Km 22 +/- 3 vs. 37 +/- 7 microU/ml, P less than 0.02); maximal insulin-induced glucose uptake (10.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 13.0 +/- 0.9 mg X kg-1 X min-1, P less than 0.001) and oxidation (3.41 +/- 0.30 vs. 5.34 +/- 0.59 mg X kg-1 X min-1, P less than 0.001) were increased without a significant change in Km. However, submaximal rates of nonoxidative glucose disposal and glucose uptake were inappropriately low for the increased insulin receptor binding. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Allograft Use in the Treatment of the Multiple Ligament Injured Knee

The multiple ligament injured knee is a complex problem in orthopedic surgery. These injuries may or may not present as acute knee dislocations, and careful assessment of the extremity vascular status is essential because of the possibility of arterial and/or venous compromise. These complex injuries require a systematic approach to evaluation and treatment. Physical examination and imaging studies enable the surgeon to make a correct diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. Multiple ligament injured knee reconstruction using allograft tissue is a reproducible procedure. Knee stability is improved postoperatively when evaluated with knee ligament rating scales, arthrometer testing, and stress radiographic analysis. Surgical timing depends upon the injured ligaments, vascular status of the extremity, reduction stability, and the overall health of the patient. The use of allograft tissue is preferred because of the strength of these large grafts, and the absence of donar site morbidity.
Investigation on congestion-based optimal energy price for competitive electricity market

Market operators are required to effectively manage transmission line, particularly as congestion occurs where energy prices are different at all nodes in the network. Locational marginal prices (LMP) have been extensively recognized as an appropriate solution in managing transmission congestion. This paper investigates formulation of LMP schemes using different approaches; DC optimal power flow and shift factor-based optimal power flow. Two LMP schemes are developed to observe the effectiveness of the method on a 24 bus IEEE RTS. Finding of this work is to support developing standard market design which promotes economic efficiency, maintains power system reliability, and mitigates exercising market power.
Decision making in humans: the effect of manipulating the central noradrenergic system

Objectives: Damasio has proposed an influential model of human decision making—the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH), where he argues that somatic feedback to the brain influences decision making in humans. It is proposed that when choosing between options that differ in relative risk, a somatic marker (for example, a “gut feeling”) feeds back to the brain and influences cognitive appraisal. This study tested the hypothesis that the noradrenergic system may play a part in this afferent feedback process. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to receive placebo, 4 mg, or 8 mg reboxetine (a new selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor that acts to increase central noradrenergic activity). It is hypothesised that enhancement of central noradrenergic activity may amplify the effect of afferent feedback, and lead to altered decision making. All subjects completed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a computerised card playing game where the player is instructed to try and win as much money as possible over 100 selections from one of four decks. Results: There were no significant differences between the three groups in gambling task performance. Conclusion: This result suggests that central noradrenergic activity may not be critically involved in the afferent feedback mechanism that is central to the somatic marker hypothesis.
Desire to have other children in families with a chronically disabled child and its effect on the relationship of the parents.

AIM The aim of this study was to examine the desire of the parents who had a chronically disabled child to have other children and to investigate the effect of having a disabled child on the relationship of the parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS The families of 145 chronically disabled children were included in the study. After the sociodemographic information belonging to the child and family were obtained, the prepared questionnaire form was used to interrogate if the parents lived together, the number of children in the family, if they wished to have other children and the relation of the disabled child with the household. Ethics committee approval was obtained from Dokuz Eylül University (date: 18.10.2012, decision number, 2012/34-13). The data obtained in the study were expressed as figures and percentages. RESULTS While 91.7% of the parents continued their relationship, 2.8% were divorced and 1.4% were left by their spouses. The rate of the parents who did not wish to have (or did not have) other children after a disabled child was found to be 65.2%. The major reason for the families not to wish to have other children was found to be the fact that they thought they could not spare enough time for their disabled child. While 35.1% of the parents stated that clemped together more tightly, 35.2% stated that their concerns about the future increased further. Fifty eight percent of the parents stated that social relations and community involvements were not affected, whereas others stated that they were affected in different ways. CONCLUSIONS Although the relationship between the parents was not affected to a great extent in families who had chronically disabled children, it was found that parents intensively experienced concern for the future. It was found that this also affected the desire of the parents who had a chronically disabled child to have other children with the concern that the child will be disabled.
Increased vascular endothelial growth factor production in fibroblasts isolated from strictures in patients with Crohn's disease

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor that is implicated in early wound healing and fibrosis. Fibroblasts may initiate stricture formation in Crohn's disease through overexpression of VEGF. The aim of this study was to examine VEGF expression and regulation in fibroblasts isolated from patients with Crohn's disease.
Event-related brain potentials to human faces in infants.

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in response to tachistoscopically presented photographs of 2 human faces were recorded for 4--7-month-old infants. For each infant 1 face was chosen to be presented frequently (p = .88, a low-information event) and the other infrequently (p = .12, a high-information event). Both types of events elicited in our infants a long-latency negative ERP wave (ca. 700 msec), termed Nc, and a long-latency positive wave (ca. 1,360 msec), termed Pc. We found that the discrepant, infrequently presented face elicited Nc waves which were higher in amplitude and longer in latency than those elicited by the frequent face. These differences suggest that our infants were able to remember the frequently presented face from trial to trial and to discriminate it from the discrepant face. The discrepant event elicited Pc waves which were insignificantly higher in amplitude than those elicited by frequent events. In adults and children, discrepant events have been found by numerous researchers to elicit positive P3 waves (latency ca. 300--800 msec). In our study, however, such waves could not be discerned. So, of all of the ERP waves which have been related to cognitive processes, the wave which is maturationally the earliest to appear is the Nc wave, which has been related to the perception of attention-getting events or events of interest to the subject. Our findings suggest that ERP responses could provide a sensitive means for investigating infant cognitive development since they do not depend upon an integrated motor-response system.
Evaluation of a serological test system for the diagnosis of natural Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs using E. granulosus protoscolex and oncosphere antigens.

Serum antibody responses in feral or domesticated dogs naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus or/and other common helminths were examined in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antigens prepared from E. granulosus protoscoleces or oncospheres. The ELISA using the protoscolex antigen was optimised with serums from experimental dogs monospecifically infected with E. granulosus or other helminth parasites, and helminth-free dogs. Anti-protoscolex antibody was detected in 16 of 22 (72.7%) serums from feral dogs with E. granulosus burdens ranging from 300 to 302,600 worms per dog. Seven serums from feral dogs which did not harbour E. granulosus at autopsy but which originated from an endemic hydatid region were tested using protoscolex antigen, and 1 serum gave a positive reaction. One hundred and two serums from dogs known never to have been infected with E. granulosus all gave negative reactions to protoscolex antigen. The sensitivity of the ELISA test proved to be superior to that which has been achieved by arecoline purging as a method of diagnosis for E. granulosus infection in dogs. For use of the assay in hydatid control or eradication campaigns, its sensitivity can be increased by choosing a lower absorbance discrimination value above which serums are regarded as having positive reactions. However, this does introduce positive reactions of some serums from dogs infected with helminths other than E. granulosus. In further development of the assay, use of defined recombinant antigens may improve both sensitivity and specificity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)