Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Proteome-wide Approach Identifies Sumoylated Substrate Proteins in Yeast*

The ubiquitin-related protein SUMO-1 is covalently attached to proteins by SUMO-1 ligases. We have performed a proteome-wide analysis of sumoylated substrate proteins in yeast. Employing the powerful affinity purification of Protein A-Smt3 (Smt3 is the yeast homologue of SUMO-1) from yeast lysates in combination with tandem liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, we have isolated potential Smt3-carrying substrate proteins involved in DNA replication and repair, chromatin remodeling, transcription activation, Pol-I, Pol-II, and Pol-III transcription, 5′ pre-mRNA capping, 3′ pre-mRNA processing, proteasome function, and tubulin folding. Employing tandem affinity purifications or a rapid biochemical assay referred to as “SUMO fingerprint,” we showed that several subunits of RNA polymerases I, II, and III, members of the transcription repression and chromatin remodeling machineries previously not known to be sumoylated, are modified by SUMO-1. Thus, the identification of a broad range of SUMO-1 substrate proteins is expected to lead to further insight into the regulatory aspects of sumoylation.
A de novo DDX3X Variant Is Associated With Syndromic Intellectual Disability: Case Report and Literature Review

De novo DDX3X variants account for 1%–3% of intellectual disability (ID) in females and have been occasionally reported in males. Here, we report a female patient with severe ID and various other features, including epilepsy, movement disorders, behavior problems, sleep disturbance, precocious puberty, dysmorphic features, and hippocampus atrophy. With the use of family-based exome sequencing, we identified a de novo pathogenic variant (c.1745dupG/p.S583*) in the DDX3X gene. However, our patient did not present hypotonia, which is considered a frequent clinical manifestation associated with DDX3X variants. While hand stereotypies and sleep disturbance have been occasionally associated with the DDX3X spectrum, hippocampus atrophy has not been reported in patients with DDX3X-related ID. The investigation further expands the phenotype spectrum for DDX3X variants with syndromic intellectual disability, which might help to improve the understanding of DDX3X-related intellectual disability or developmental delay.
Micronucleus Assay in Urothelial Cells in Cancer Cervix.

INTRODUCTION Cancer ranks third among the ten leading global causes of death. To evaluate the genotoxic risks, observed as DNA damages, can be assessed by Micronucleus (MN) test. AIM To identify the occurrence of MN in normal and cancer cervix and find the correlation between MN and stage of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 60 females were included in the study and visual examination of the cervix was done. Based on the examination two groups were formed: A- Normal cervix (n-23) and B- Presence of erosion or growth or ulcer etc., in cervix (n-37). Midstream urine sample was collected and centrifuged from the cases after getting the informed consent. Slides were prepared from the pellet, were fixed in methanol, glacial acetic acid fixative and stained with Giemsa and May Grunwald stain. Statistical analysis was done by student's t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS A linear association was noted between the mean MN count and cancer cervix stage. Almost 18.2% of the Group A cases had significant MN count. Sensitivity and specificity of MN count in Group A was 83.8% and 82.6% respectively. The efficiency was 83.3%. CONCLUSION A statistically significant MN count was seen in the different stages of cancer cervix. There are cases who had normal findings on visual inspection of cervix but with significant MN count are prone for malignant transformation. MN assay is an easy, non-invasive, cost-effective method and can be used as a screening test for a large population.
The predictive value of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome receiving clomiphene citrate: a prospective observational study.

CONTEXT Elevated serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is known to lower sensitivity of ovarian follicles to circulating FSH. This effect may compromise the outcome of clomiphene citrate (CC) ovulation induction. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of high circulating AMH on the outcome of CC ovulation induction in women with PCOS. DESIGN This was a prospective cohort observational study. SETTING The study was conducted at the Fertility Unit, Derby, United Kingdom. PATIENTS Sixty anovulatory women with PCOS participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS Serum AMH concentrations were measured on cycle day 2 during 187 CC cycles. These concentrations were compared between responders and nonresponders. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the prognostic value of circulating AMH. The success rates of CC were compared between patients with high vs low AMH levels. The dose of CC required to achieve ovulation was correlated with serum AMH concentrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Ovulation and pregnancy rates were measured. RESULTS Serum AMH concentrations were significantly (P < .001) lower in responders (achieving ovulation) vs nonresponders (mean ± SEM, 2.5 ± 0.1 vs 5.8 ± 0.7 ng/mL, respectively). Similarly, serum AMH concentrations were significantly (P = .046) lower in pregnant (3.0 ± 0.4 ng/mL) vs nonpregnant patients (4.4 ± 0.5 ng/mL). There was a significant (P = .02) gradient increase of serum AMH levels with the increasing dose of CC required to achieve ovulation. The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed AMH to be a useful predictor of no ovulation (area under the curve, 0.809; P < .001) with a useful cutoff level of 3.4 ng/mL. Ovulation and pregnancy rates were significantly higher (97%, P < .001, and 46%, P = .034) in patients with low AMH (<3.4 ng/mL) vs women with AMH 3.4 ng/mL or greater (48% and 19%). CONCLUSION PCOS women with high circulating AMH (≥ 3.4 ng/mL) seem to be resistant to CC and may require a higher starting dose.
Voluntary Disclosures in Financial Reporting Among Listed Companies in Ghana: Does Corporate Governance Play a Part?

Corporate disclosure has been said to be very important as it increases the confidence of both shareholders and potential investors. This has led users of financial information to have intensified expectation for both statutory and voluntary disclosures to meet their needs. Since voluntary disclosures are based on the discretion of management, it is therefore necessary to examine whether corporate governance play a major role in voluntary disclosures. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and voluntary disclosure of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The study investigated 31 firms using dynamic panel data from 2005 to 2015. It was evident that current disclosure is influenced by past disclosure indicating a trend in voluntary disclosure overtime. The study revealed that board compensation, board gender diversity and ownership structure have a statistically significant positive relationship with the level of voluntary disclosure. However, board size tends to negatively influence voluntary disclosure while no correlation was found between non-executive directors, audit committee independence and voluntary disclosure. Keywords: Voluntary disclosure, corporate governance, board compensation, audit committee
Lymph flow dynamics in exercising human skeletal muscle as detected by scintography

1 The effects of dynamic and isometric muscle contractions on the lymph flow dynamics in human skeletal muscle were studied with a scintographic method. 2 Radioactively labelled human serum albumin (99mTc‐HSA) was injected bilaterally into the vastus lateralis muscles of eight men (n= 16), four of whom had had an endurance training background. The subjects performed 100 submaximal contractions in 10 min as (i) dynamic knee extensions (CONS), (ii) isometric contractions with the knees at full extension (IMExt), or (iii) isometric contractions with knees fixed at 90 deg angle flexion (IMFlex). The exercises were separated by 65 min periods in supine rest. The level of radioactivity at the injection site was monitored by a gamma‐camera, and the clearance rate of radioactivity (CR) was calculated as the fractional decrease during the periods of interest (CR unit =% min−). 3 The clearance rate was low during the rest periods (0.04 ± 0.05% min−1), though higher in the trained than in the sedentary subjects (0.06 ± 0.05 vs. 0.03 ± 0.03% min−1; P= 0.008). Exercise increased the clearance rate three‐ to sixfold, to 0.16 ± 0.16% min−1 during CONS, 0.20 ± 0.15% min− during IMExt and 0.09 ± 0.11 % min−1 during IMFlex. There were no differences between the subject subgroups. 4 The higher clearance rate during IMExt than during IMFlex (P= 0.02) demonstrates the importance of muscle deformations on lymph propulsion and experimentally confirms the current concepts of lymph formation and propulsion in voluntarily active skeletal muscle. It is suggested that lymph propulsion by working muscle is most efficient when the muscle is able to shorten close to its minimum length.
Gender Differences in Cardiovascular and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Responses to Psychological Stress in Healthy Older Adult Men and Women

Gender differences in the neuroendocrine and cardiovascular response to psychological stress may contribute to the gender differences in the prevalence of diseases associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and hypertension. We measured plasma ACTH, cortisol, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) responses in 8 men and 8 women (55-75 years) exposed to the Matt Stress Reactivity Protocol (MSRP), a psychological challenge. The MSRP elicited significant increases in HR, systolic-, and diastolic BP, ACTH and cortisol (all <formula><italic>p</italic><0.01</formula>). Men had significantly greater cortisol and diastolic BP responses compared to women <formula>(<italic>p</italic><0.05). </formula> Additionally, a positive correlation between the ACTH and cortisol responses was only found in the males (<formula><italic>r</italic>=0.71,</formula> <formula><italic>p</italic><0.05</formula>). There were no group differences in HR, systolic BP, or ACTH responses. We conclude, that among older adults, men respond to psychological stress with greater increases in cortisol, compared to women. This greater activation of the HPA axis could translate into an elevated risk for CVD, diabetes and hypertension and may be related to the higher prevalence of these diseases in males. Gender differences in brain structures and/or cognitive processes may be responsible for these sexually dimorphic stress responses.
Ventilatory effects of clonidine alone and in the presence of alfentanil, in human volunteers.

Clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, can potentiate opioid-induced analgesia. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study in human volunteers, we sought to determine whether clonidine also potentiates opioid-induced respiratory depression. Hypercapnic ventilatory responses (minute ventilation, mean inspiratory flow rate, and mouth occlusion pressure) were measured in five healthy male volunteers on two separate occasions (with or without clonidine, approximately 3.5 micrograms.kg-1 orally) under the following conditions: baseline, 2 h after clonidine/placebo (alfentanil concentration of 0), and during computer-controlled alfentanil infusions to approximate plasma concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 ng.ml-1. Plasma alfentanil concentrations were measured before and after each rebreathing test, and clonidine concentrations were measured after each rebreathing test. The end-tidal CO2 (PET(CO2)) was measured continuously. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. The PET(CO2) and measured concentrations of alfentanil were included as covariates, and a compound symmetry error analysis was assumed. Statistical significance was achieved when P less than 0.05. For minute ventilation, mean inspiratory flow rate, and mouth occlusion pressure there was a statistically significant relationship to the covariates of PET(CO2) and plasma alfentanil concentration. Clonidine, when compared to placebo, caused a small but significant depression of mean inspiratory flow rate. There was similarly a small, but statistically insignificant, depression of minute ventilation by clonidine. The mouth occlusion pressure was not affected by clonidine treatment. Clonidine treatment did not potentiate alfentanil-induced respiratory depression. Although the combination of an opioid and an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist may act synergistically for the analgesic response, there is no synergistic effect by this drug combination on respiratory depression.
Transitions Into, and Through, Higher Education: The Lived Experiences of Students Who Identify as LGBTQ+

This study explores the lived experiences of students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer (LGBTQ+) during their transitions into, and through, higher education. Existing literature presents tragic narratives of students with LGBTQ+ identities which position them as victims. This study conceptualizes transitions as complex, multiple, and multi-dimensional rather than linear. The objectives of the study were to explore: the lived experiences of students who identify as LGBTQ+ in higher education; the role that sexuality and/or gender identity play in their lives over the course of their studies and LGBTQ+ students' experiences of transitions into, and through, higher education. The study is longitudinal in design and draws on the experiences of five participants over the duration of a 3-years undergraduate course in a university in the UK. Methods used include semi-structured interviews, audio diaries and visual methods to explore participants' experiences of transitions. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. This study uniquely found that the participants experienced Multiple and Multi-dimensional Transitions during their time at university and that these transitions were largely positive in contrast to the mainly tragic narratives that are dominant within the previous literature. In addition, this is the first study to have explored the experiences of LGBTQ+ students using a longitudinal study design. As far as we are aware, no existing studies apply Multiple and Multi-dimensional Transitions Theory (MMT) to students in higher education who identify as LGBTQ+.
Vesicle Associated Membrane Protein 8 (VAMP8)-mediated Zymogen Granule Exocytosis Is Dependent on Endosomal Trafficking via the Constitutive-Like Secretory Pathway*

Background: Acinar cells contain two vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMP) 2 and 8 for secretion. Results: WT and VAMP8 knock-out acini expressing various regulatory protein constructs demonstrate VAMP2 regulates early and VAMP8 late phases of secretion. Conclusion: VAMP8- but not VAMP2-mediated secretion is dependent on anterograde endosomal trafficking. Significance: Results provide mechanistic insight into how different zymogen granule VAMPs shape secretion. Acinar cell zymogen granules (ZG) express 2 isoforms of the vesicle-associated membrane protein family (VAMP2 and -8) thought to regulate exocytosis. Expression of tetanus toxin to cleave VAMP2 in VAMP8 knock-out (−/−) acini confirmed that VAMP2 and -8 are the primary VAMPs for regulated exocytosis, each contributing ∼50% of the response. Analysis of VAMP8−/− acini indicated that although stimulated secretion was significantly reduced, a compensatory increase in constitutive secretion maintained total secretion equivalent to wild type (WT). Using a perifusion system to follow secretion over time revealed VAMP2 mediates an early rapid phase peaking and falling within 2–3 min, whereas VAMP8 controls a second prolonged phase that peaks at 4 min and slowly declines over 20 min to support the protracted secretory response. VAMP8−/− acini show increased expression of the endosomal proteins Ti-VAMP7 (2-fold) and Rab11a (4-fold) and their redistribution from endosomes to ZGs. Expression of GDP-trapped Rab11a-S25N inhibited secretion exclusively from the VAMP8 but not the VAMP2 pathway. VAMP8−/− acini also showed a >90% decrease in the early endosomal proteins Rab5/D52/EEA1, which control anterograde trafficking in the constitutive-like secretory pathway. In WT acini, short term (14–16 h) culture also results in a >90% decrease in Rab5/D52/EEA1 and a complete loss of the VAMP8 pathway, whereas VAMP2-secretion remains intact. Remarkably, rescue of Rab5/D52/EEA1 expression restored the VAMP8 pathway. Expressed D52 shows extensive colocalization with Rab11a and VAMP8 and partially copurifies with ZG fractions. These results indicate that robust trafficking within the constitutive-like secretory pathway is required for VAMP8- but not VAMP2-mediated ZG exocytosis.
Journal of Information , Communication and Ethics in Society Do higher education computing degree courses develop the level of moral judgement required from a profession ?

Purpose – Higher education (HE) in the past has been found to have a positive effect on the moral development of students from a variety of disciplines, decreasing conventional and increasing post-conventional moral reasoning progressively at each level of study. This research aims to explore to what extent changes in moral judgement could be detected in students on computing degree courses, at three different stages of study, in order to establish if HE in the twenty-first century has a similar effect and what level of moral awareness computing graduates/practitioners exhibit. Design/methodology/approach – The research takes the form of an exploratory case study which aimed to investigate the current situation in one institution. The defining issues test (DIT) questionnaire was used to gather data. Findings – Results showed little difference in the level of post-conventional thinking between undergraduate students about to enter HE, final year undergraduates and students undertaking postgraduate studies. Research limitations/implications – This research questions if IT students moral judgement skills are at a level that enables them to be considered professionals. Practical implications – Recommendations are made for different teaching approaches to be adopted which place greater emphasis on relating learning outcomes to professional codes of conduct, and for computing professional bodies to take a more active role in defining components of courses they accredit. Social implications – Given the ubiquitous nature of computers and society’s high level of dependence on them it is argued that post-conventional thinking skills are essential for people intending to work with computer technology. Originality/value – Although the DIT questionnaire is been used extensively, no other research has been found that has utilised it to analyse moral judgement levels of HE students within the same subject discipline, at different levels of study.
Distribution of ABO Blood Groups And Resus Factor ( RH ) in ALBIYDA / LIBYA

the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of different blood groups and Rh factors in a random population sample from ALBIYDA city /Libya . Blood group and Rh factor determination was carried out by the antigen-antibody agglutination test from July 2013 to January 2014, and included 1306 subjects. The percentages of various groups among male subjects, were recorded as 37.44% (for blood group O), 30.168%, 23.43% (for blood group A and B) respectively and 8.96% (for blood group AB). The Rh positive and negative distribution in the studied population was 83.92% and 16.08% respectively. The determination of the frequency of blood groups in the region would not only help in blood transfusion services, but also eliminate the risk of erythroblastosis foetalis in the neonates.
New evidence for a viral pathogenic mechanism for new variant inflammatory bowel disease and development disorder?

We are all aware of the public unease about a potential link between vaccination with the triple vaccine MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella) and autism or bowel inflammatory conditions, with some hundreds of parents of afflicted children undertaking legal action against the manufacturers. There is no space to go into detail of the controversy over the link here (search the web using keywords “measles, MMR, vaccination, autism”)—suffice it to say that reliable epidemiologists are content that there is no significant association between MMR and either autism or bowel inflammatory conditions. However, epidemiology is a pretty blunt tool and the studies done do not rule out the possibility that there may be “at risk” groups where a real link between MMR and autism/bowel inflammatory conditions exists. “Epidemiology is a pretty blunt tool and …
Evolving energy demand estimation models over macroeconomic indicators

Energy is essential for all countries, since it is in the core of social and economic development. Since the industrial revolution, the demand for energy has increased exponentially. It is expected that the energy consumption in the world increases by 50% by 2030 [17]. As such, managing the demand of energy is of the uttermost importance. The development of tools to model and accurately predict the demand of energy is very important to policy makers. In this paper we propose the use of the Structured Grammatical Evolution (SGE) algorithm to evolve models of energy demand, over macro-economic indicators. The proposed SGE is hybridised with a Differential Evolution approach in order to obtain the parameters of the models evolved which better fit the real energy demand. We have tested the performance of the proposed approach in a problem of total energy demand estimation in Spain, where we show that the SGE is able to generate extremely accurate and robust models for the energy prediction within one year time-horizon.
Analyzing the Impact of Firm’s Embeddedness in a Centralized Supply Network Structure on Relational Capital Outcomes

Abstract This research looks at the different effects of firms’ network structural positions in an upstream supply network upon the firms’ level of relational capital outcomes. Previous research largely focused on the context of decentralized network structure. However, the supply network is a centralized network because of the existence of the focal firm. The existence of the focal firm may influence the impact of relational capital outcomes. Hence, the objective of this research is to determine the type of network structural positions required to obtain a reasonable relational capital outcome in upstream supply network. This study found that network structural positions, i.e. degree centrality contributed to firms’ level of relational capital trust. Hence, a firm embedded in upstream supply network benefits differently in terms of relational capital through different degree of embeddedness. The firm resources should be re-aligned to match the benefits of the different network structural positions.
Changes in the twinning rate in Canada 1926-70.

James (1972) has reported rapid falls of 20-25% in dizygotic twinning rates in nine European countries, Australia, and New Zealand, starting abruptly between 1956 and 1964. He does not assess the effect of age and parity changes but quotes a survey in Aberdeen (MacGillivray, 1970) which shows that there the fall affected both primigravidae and multigravidae at all ages. James suggests that food additives might be involved.