Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ProQ/FinO‐domain proteins: another ubiquitous family of RNA matchmakers?

Small RNAs (sRNAs), particularly those that act by limited base pairing with mRNAs, are part of most regulatory networks in bacteria. In many cases, the base‐pairing interaction is facilitated by the RNA chaperone Hfq. However, not all bacteria encode Hfq and some base‐pairing sRNAs do not require Hfq raising the possibility of other RNA chaperones. Candidates are proteins with homology to FinO, a factor that promotes base pairing between the FinP antisense sRNA and the traJ mRNA to control F plasmid transfer. Recent papers have shown that the Salmonella enterica FinO‐domain protein ProQ binds a large suite of sRNAs, including the RaiZ sRNA, which represses translation of the hupA mRNA, and the Legionella pneumophila protein RocC binds the RocR sRNA, which blocks expression of competence genes. Here we discuss what is known about FinO‐domain structures, including the recently solved Escherichia coli ProQ structure, as well as the RNA binding properties of this family of proteins and evidence they act as chaperones. We compare these properties with those of Hfq. We further summarize what is known about the physiological roles of FinO‐domain proteins and enumerate outstanding questions whose answers will establish whether they constitute a second major class of RNA chaperones.
The Effects Of Implicit Vs. Explicit Instruction On Pragmatic Development: Teaching Polite Refusals In English

Bu calisma ilk olarak egitimin ikinci dile iliskin edimbilimsel gelisim uzerinde kolaylastirici etkisinin olup olmadigini, ikinci olarak ise, bir yabanci dil sinifinda kullanilan egitim yonteminin (dolayli ya da dogrudan) ogrencilerin edimbilimsel gelisimini anlamli bir sekilde etkileyip etkilemedigini incelemektedir. On, son ve geciktirilmis son test tasarimiyla gerceklestirilmis ve bir kontrol grup iceren bu calisma, bir grup Turk ilkogretim okulu sekizinci sinif ogrencisine Amerikan Ingilizcesi’ndeki kibar geri cevirme stratejilerini ogretmeyi amaclamaktadir. Nicel ve nitel analizlerden elde edilen sonuclar, dogrudan ve dolayli ogretimin her ikisinin de ogrencilerin Ingilizce’deki kibar geri cevirme stratejilerini ogrenmelerine yardimci oldugunu gostermekle beraber, dogrudan ogretimin dolayli ogretime nispeten daha olumlu bir etkisinin oldugu hipotezini desteklemektedir. Sonuclardan ayni zamanda egitimin tanimsal bilgiyi, uretken bilgiden daha cok gelistirdigi yargisina da ulasilabilir
On the effect of the missing Indonesian throughflow in the Fine Resolution Antarctic Model (FRAM)

[Abstract]: South of Tasmania, the Fine Resolution Antarctic Model (FRAM) shows a narrow band of westward flow in the surface layer. We argue that this is caused by the closure of the Indonesian passage in FRAM. This is supported by numerical experiments carried out by Hirst and Godfrey (1993) and by recent radiocarbon observations in the Great Australian Bight (Ribbe et al., 1996). The FRAM surface temperature and salinity distribution exhibits distinct anomalies in the southeast Indian Ocean, in good agreement with anomalies observed in the Hirst and Godfrey (1993) model. Indonesian Throughflow water advects heat into the Indian Ocean; its absence in FRAM results in a lack of thermal energy to warm the Indian Ocean in the model. The surface salinity anomaly is most likely caused by an over-estimated Ekman transport. The weakened heat and salinity transport in FRAM restricts surface convection in the mid-latitude region to approximately 350 m. The effect of the Indonesian Throughflow closure in FRAM is even more dramatic for the circulation around Australia and Tasmania. Hirst and Godfrey's (1993) results suggest that in the case of an open Indonesian passage, the flow in the surface layer is eastward, ie from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean. Preliminary analysis of radiocarbon observations from the Great Australian Bight supports this, showing a better correlation with Indian Ocean data than Pacific Ocean data. FRAM shows westward flow, inconsistent with these observations.
Chemical injury-induced corneal opacity and neovascularization reduced by rapamycin via TGF-β1/ERK pathways regulation.

PURPOSE To investigate the protective effect of rapamycin against alkali burn-induced corneal damage in mice. METHODS BALB/c mice were treated with 0.1 N NaOH to the cornea for 30 seconds. Corneal neovascularization and opacity were clinically evaluated at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after chemical burn injury. Rapamycin was delivered topically to right eyes (1 mg/mL) and injected intraperitoneally (0.2 mg/kg) once a day. Concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) in the cornea were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In vitro-cultured human corneal stromal cells were treated with 0 to 500 nM rapamycin for 3 days and then assessed by immunofluorescence staining of vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Western blotting assays for α-SMA, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ρ-ERK 1/2), and total ERK 1/2 were also performed. RESULTS Corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity scores measured 4 weeks after the chemical burn corneal injury were lower in the rapamycin group than in the control group. Two weeks after the chemical burn injury, a significant elevation in the corneal IL-6 levels of the positive control group was observed, compared to the levels in the negative control group or the rapamycin group (P < 0.05). Corneal TGF-β1 levels were lower in the rapamycin-treated group than in the control group at 4 weeks after chemical burn injury (P < 0.05). Moreover, rapamycin inhibited TGF-β1-induced α-SMA expression and augmented ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Rapamycin treatment reduced corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization in BALB/c mice. Rapamycin protected the cornea from chemical damage via reduction of IL-6 and TGF-β1 expression. Rapamycin reduced α-SMA expression through the ERK 1/2 pathway.
Salutary effects of ATP-MgCl2 on the depressed endothelium-dependent relaxation during hyperdynamic sepsis.

OBJECTIVES Studies have shown that endothelium-dependent relaxation (mediated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide) is depressed during the early, hyperdynamic stage of sepsis. Although it is known that ATP-MgCl2 produces beneficial effects following various adverse circulatory conditions, it remains unknown whether this agent attenuates the depressed endothelium-dependent relaxation during early sepsis. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine whether or not the administration of ATP-MgCl2 early after the onset of sepsis improves or maintains endothelium-dependent relaxation. DESIGN Prospective, controlled animals study. SETTING A university research laboratory. SUBJECTS Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to polymicrobial sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), followed by administration of 3 mL/100 g body weight normal saline to these and sham-operated rats. INTERVENTIONS At 1 hr after CLP, ATP-MgCl2 (50 micromol/kg body weight) or an equivalent volume of normal saline was infused intravenously over 90 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS At 5 hrs or 10 hrs after CLP (i.e., the early, hyperdynamic stage of sepsis), the thoracic aorta was isolated, cut into rings, and placed in organ chambers. Norepinephrine was used to preconstrict vessel rings. Dose responses for an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (ACh, via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide), and an endothelium-independent vasodilator, nitroglycerin, were determined. These results indicate that endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by ACh was significantly depressed at 5 and 10 hrs after CLP. Administration of ATP-MgCl2 after the onset of sepsis, however, maintained ACh-induced vascular relaxation. In contrast, no significant difference in nitroglycerin-induced vascular relaxation as well as norepinephrine-induced contraction was observed, irrespective of administration of ATP-MgCl2. CONCLUSION Since administration of ATP-MgCl2 prevents the impaired vascular relaxation to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator ACh, this agent may be a useful adjunct for maintaining endothelial cell function during the hyperdynamic stage of sepsis.
Immortalization of T Lymphocytes by Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Is Independent of the Tax-CBP/p300 Interaction

ABSTRACT The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein is a 40-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein which functions in the viral replication cycle as a transcriptional trans-activator of the viral long terminal repeat. Tax interacts with a variety of different transcription factors, including the CREB binding protein (CBP)/p300 family of transcriptional accessory proteins. We demonstrate that a Tax mutant defective for the CBP/p300 interaction retains the capacity to immortalize primary human T lymphocytes when it is expressed from a functional molecular clone of HTLV-1. Thus, immortalization of HTLV-1-infected cells appears to be independent of Tax-induced alterations in CBP/p300 function.
Modelling film flows down a fibre influenced by nozzle geometry

Abstract We study the effects of nozzle geometry on the dynamics of thin fluid films flowing down a vertical cylindrical fibre. Recent experiments show that varying the nozzle diameter can lead to different flow regimes and droplet characteristics in the film. Using a weighted residual modelling approach, we develop a system of coupled equations that account for inertia, surface tension effects, gravity and a film stabilization mechanism to describe both near-nozzle fluid structures and downstream bead dynamics. We report good agreement between the predicted droplet properties and the experimental data.
Monitoring Early Fusion Dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 at Single-Molecule Resolution

ABSTRACT The fusion of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to host cells is a dynamic process governed by the interaction between glycoproteins on the viral envelope and the major receptor, CD4, and coreceptor on the surface of the cell. How these receptors organize at the virion-cell interface to promote a fusion-competent site is not well understood. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we map the tensile strengths, lifetimes, and energy barriers of individual intermolecular bonds between CCR5-tropic HIV-1 gp120 and its receptors CD4 and CCR5 or CXCR4 as a function of the interaction time with the cell. According to the Bell model, at short times of contact between cell and virion, the gp120-CD4 bond is able to withstand forces up to 35 pN and has an initial lifetime of 0.27 s and an intermolecular length of interaction of 0.34 nm. The initial bond also has an energy barrier of 6.7 kBT (where kB is Boltzmann's constant and T is absolute temperature). However, within 0.3 s, individual gp120-CD4 bonds undergo rapid destabilization accompanied by a shortened lifetime and a lowered tensile strength. This destabilization is significantly enhanced by the coreceptor CCR5, not by CXCR4 or fusion inhibitors, which suggests that it is directly related to a conformational change in the gp120-CD4 bond. These measurements highlight the instability and low tensile strength of gp120-receptor bonds, uncover a synergistic role for CCR5 in the progression of the gp120-CD4 bond, and suggest that the cell-virus adhesion complex is functionally arranged about a long-lived gp120-coreceptor bond.
Mycoflora and mycotoxins in kolanuts during storage

The mycoflora, levels of afllatoxins and the presence of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in nuts of Cola acuminata and C. nitida were determined immediately after curing and after 3, 6 and 9 months of storage in leaf-lined baskets. Five field fungi and 11 storage fungi were isolated. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were the predominant genera. None of the target toxins was detected immediately after curing. Increasing quantities (5 to 160 ppb) of each of the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were recorded as from the 3rd month while zearalenone and ochratoxin A were detected only after the 6th and 9th month, respectively.
Serum prolactin and migraine

Prolactin is a polypeptide, consisting of 198 amino acids, secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin secretion is influenced by physiologic factors (sleep, pregnancy, stress, exercise, intercourse, nipple stimulation), pathologic factors (pituitary adenoma, primary hypothyroidism, renal failure, hypothalamic diseases), and drugs (phenothiazines, butyrophenones, morphine, estrogens, reserpine, methyldopa). Prolactin is unique because its secretion is controlled by a central inhibitory mechanism, mediated by dopamine.1,2 Migraine is a chronic, common disease that presents with mild to severe recurrent headaches, accompanied by autonomic and neurologic symptoms.1,4 There are several explanations for the pathophysiology of migraine headache attacks. Scutari explained the pathogenesis of migraine headache with the dopamine hypothesis in 1977.1 In this hypothesis, prodromal, clinical and postdromal signs and symptoms of migraine headache are attributed to increased activity of the dopaminergic system.3-11,12 Administration of dopaminergic drugs can intensify the symptoms during an acute attack. Decreased levels of prolactin after increased secretion of dopamine would confirm the accuracy of the above hypothesis. Considering this, we decided to measure the serum prolactin level during acute migraine attack in patients referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital and private neurologic clinic in 2002. On the base of the results, we demonstrate the role of increased dopaminergic activity as a major clue in migraine pathophysiology and we also can use the results for finding effective drugs for ameliorating the intensity of frequency of migraine attacks.
Improving preventive foot care for diabetic patients participating in group education.

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot care has yet to be enhanced in a universal health-care system in which specialized podiatric medical services are unavailable. This baseline assessment surveyed diabetic patients attending group education to improve current foot-care practices. METHODS Of 302 diabetic patients receiving usual outpatient care, 155 received group patient education on general diabetes-related information, which included foot care and an annual checkup by a diabetes association during the previous 2 years, and 147 did not. Patient foot-care behaviors, physician practice patterns, and patient self-perceived foot risk as cross-checked with the neurologic and vascular assessments were investigated by conducting retrospective medical record reviews and structured interviews. RESULTS More than half of the patients in both groups reported inappropriate self-care behaviors (eg, walking barefoot and heating or soaking their feet). The percentages of patients receiving documented examinations and referrals for foot problems were low in both groups and were not significantly different. Among at-risk patients, 56% of the diabetes association group but only 30% of the non-diabetes association group perceived themselves to be at risk for future foot problems (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS Many diabetic patients were not offered adequate foot-specific information during group lectures, even those with high-risk foot problems. To improve this, combining caregiver and patient education in foot-care practices is important, and systems of networked multidisciplinary professionals are believed to be needed, particularly in delivering customized interventions to at-risk patients based on the initial evaluation.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: new mutation with a mild phenotype.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, OMIM, 2001, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/ for SLOS, MIM 270400) is an autosomal recessive disorder of cholesterol biosynthesis caused by mutations of the 3beta-hydroxysterol Delta(7)-reductase gene, DHCR7. We report on a female infant with an exceptionally mild phenotype of SLOS, in whom molecular studies identified a new mutation in DHCR7. The proposita initially presented with feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, hypotonia, mild developmental delay, and oral tactile aversion. She had minor facial anomalies and 2-3 syndactyly of her toes in both feet. The plasma cholesterol was borderline low at 2.88 mmol/L (normal 2.97-4.40 mmol/L). Elevated plasma 7-dehydrocholesterol level of 200.0 micromol/L confirmed the clinical diagnosis of SLOS. Molecular analysis demonstrated compound heterozygosity for IVS8-1G -->C and Y280C, a new missense mutation in DHCR7. Since the other mutation in this patient is a known null mutation, this newly discovered mutation is presumably associated with significant residual enzyme activity and milder expression of clinical phenotype.
Trichuris trichiura infection is associated with the multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infections, in Thailand

In the last decade developments in molecular biology have enabled the extensive polymorphism and complexity of Plasmodium falciparum populations within their hosts to be revealed. Super-infections or the inoculation of several genotypes during a single mosquito bite can lead to multiple concomitant infections with different P. falciparum genotypes. Several factors can influence the multiplicity of infection (MOI). For example MOI tends to increase as transmission intensity and/or the diversity of the local P. falciparum populations increases (Paul et al. 1995; Babiker et al. 1997) whereas increasing age of the host and immunity tend to reduce MOI (Ntoumi et al. 1995; Smith et al. 1999). The results of recent studies indicate that in Thailand at least interactions in humans between helminths and malaria lead to some mutual benefits not only for the parasites but also for their hosts. Some helminths appear to influence the immune response during malaria protecting against severe malaria (Nacher et al. 2000 2001b 2002a) but they also seem to increase the incidence of malaria (Nacher et al. 2002b) and to favour mixed P. falciparum/P. vivax infections (Nacher et al. 2001a). The aim of the present case-series study was to determine whether helminth infections had any influence on the multiplicity of P. falciparum infection. (excerpt)
Prevalence of upper limb disorders and associated factors with psychosocial and awkward postureamong public university workers in Malaysia

Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb are a most important cause of ill-health, incapacity and health care expenditure. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of Upper Limb Disorders associated with awkward posture and psychosocial factors among Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) workers. Simple random sampling was used to draw 271 participants from six faculties of the university. The use of a structured question was employed for data collection. Results of the study showed thatprevalence of ULDs among UPM workers was 67.2% in different body regions. Results showed that there is a significant association between ULDs and age, awkward posture, control at work, psychological demand, social support, and job satisfaction) (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showedthat the workers who had medium and very high RULA risk level were 12.242 times more likely to complain about ULDs (OR=12.242, 95%CI: 3.617-41.435), compared to other workers who have low RULA risk level.In conclusion, it can be said from the result of the study that there is high prevalence of upper limb disorders among UPM workers which is significantly associated with age, awkward posture and all psychosocial factors. In order to minimize the prevalence rate of upper limb disorders, it is recommended that workers be educated on prevention strategies and an ergonomic program which emphasizes psycho-social risk factors and how to improve working conditions.
The Protein Encoded at the 3′ End of the Serine Protease Gene of Aeromonas sobria Functions as a Chaperone in the Production of the Protease

ABSTRACT For the successful production of Aeromonas sobria serine protease (ASP), open reading frame 2 (ORF2) protein, encoded at the 3′ end of the protease operon, is required. In this study, we examined the action of ORF2 protein. The results showed that the protein associated with ASP in the periplasm and helped ASP to form an active structure.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for mean square stabilization over MIMO SNR-constrained channels

This paper studies mean square stabilization of MIMO discrete-time linear time-invariant systems over a parallel MIMO additive white noise (AWN) channel. Such channel consists of multiple independent SISO AWN channels subject to independent input power constraints. We derive dynamic output feedback stabilization conditions subject to such constraints, for minimum phase plants that have relative degree one. Consequently, these conditions are also valid for general plants provided that state feedback is employed. Our results show that necessary and sufficient condition for stabilization can be determined by studying the feasibility of a constrained algebraic Riccati equation. These results are also extended to stabilization problems subject to channel capacity constraints.
Advocating for standardized nursing languages in electronic health records.

“For 40 years, people have been waiting for the breakthrough of EHR, Electronic Health Record, systems. The current combination of driving forces, standards developments, and technological progress has finally brought us to a point where substantial progress can be made on this road. ”1 Recent reports from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) demand that electronic records support patient care that is timely, efficient, equitable, and free of mistakes.2-4 Nurse executives, as central coordinators of patient care, have the capacity to meet this imperative through advocacy of, and contribution to, the use of stan-
Antibody Responses in Serum, Colostrum, and Milk of Swine After Infection or Vaccination with Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus

The antibody response of pregnant swine to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus was studied, with special reference to the titers and the immunoglobulin (Ig) class of TGE neutralizing antibodies in colostrum and milk. Animals vaccinated twice intramuscularly or intramammarily with live attenuated TGE virus developed high levels of antibodies in serum and colostrum, but the levels in milk declined markedly within a few days post-farrowing. In contrast, animals naturally or experimentally infected with virulent virus generally developed lower levels of antibodies in serum and colostrum but maintained higher levels in milk, as compared to the vaccinated animals. Gel filtration studies indicated that antibodies in milk from vaccinated animals were primarily of the IgG class, whereas those from the naturally or experimentally infected animals were primarily of the IgA class. The ability of sows to transmit a high degree of passive immunity to their suckling progeny was more closely associated with TGE antibodies of the IgA than the IgG class. Present evidence suggests that high levels of TGE antibodies of the IgA class occur in milk as a result of an infection of the intestinal tract. Probable reasons for this are discussed.