Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental Regulation of Expression and Activity of Multiple Forms of the Drosophila RAC Protein Kinase (*)

We have characterized the Drosophila homologue of the proto-oncogenic RAC protein kinase (DRAC-PK). The DRAC-PK gene gives rise to two transcripts with the same coding potential, generated by the use of two different polyadenylation signals. Each transcript encodes two polypeptides because of the presence of a weaker initiator ACG codon, upstream from the major AUG, such that the larger protein contains an N-terminal extension. Like the human isoforms, DRAC-PKs possess a novel signaling region, the pleckstrin homology domain. DRAC-PK proteins have a similar expression pattern, being regulated both maternally and zygotically, and are expressed throughout Drosophila development. Antisera specific for recombinant DRAC-PK and for its C terminus detected two polypeptides of 66 and 85 kDa in Drosophila extracts. The antirecombinant antisera also recognized a polypeptide of 120 kDa from Drosophila, which apparently shared an epitope related to DRAC-PK sequences. The role of p120 appears to be restricted compared with that of DRAC-PK, since it was not detected in larvae or adult flies. There was no spatial restriction of DRAC-PK expression during embryogenesis, suggesting that localized activation might be a regulatory mechanism for its function. DRAC-PK possesses an intrinsic kinase activity that is 8-fold higher in adult flies than in 0-3-h embryos undergoing rapid mitotic cycles.
Interstitial expression of heat shock protein 47 and alpha-smooth muscle actin in renal allograft failure.

BACKGROUND Tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis are the main pathological features of chronic renal allograft rejection, which is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix protein. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), known as a collagen-specific stress protein, is thought to be a molecular chaperone during the processing and/or secretion of procollagen. HSP47 is thought to be involved in the progression of fibrosis, but its expression in chronic renal allograft rejection is still unknown. METHODS We examined the expression of HSP47 together with that of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), a marker of myofibroblasts, and CD68, a marker of macrophages, by immunohistochemistry in allograft kidney tissues. Uninvolved portions of surgically removed kidneys with tumours served as control tissue. RESULTS Expression of HSP47 was detected in the interstitium of fibrotic regions of allograft kidneys. Cells positive for HSP47 were also stained for alpha-SMA and type I collagen, and the expression of HSP47 correlated with the degree of interstitial fibrosis. Furthermore, the expression of HSP47 correlated with the number of infiltrating macrophages. In contrast, HSP47 and alpha-SMA were not expressed in the control tissues, sections of 1 h post-transplantation biopsy specimens and acute allograft rejection without fibrosis. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that HSP47 may contribute to the progression of interstitial fibrosis in allograft renal tissues.
Results of Dynamic Interlock Nailing in Distal Tibial Fractures

A study was performed in adults to determine the efficacy of closed reduction and intramedullary nailing in dynamic mode on union, implant failure and incidence of malalignment in patients who sustained an extra-articular fracture of the distal tibia. Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2013, one hundred and twelve patients of distal tibia that involved the distal 6 cm of the tibia were treated at our hospital with reamed intramedullary nailing with use of two distal interlocking screws and one proximal screw in dynamic mode. The augmentation was done with poller screws whenever it was necessary. The nailing of fibular fractures was done in 27 cases. There were 85 males and 27 females with a mean age of 30.9 (range: 20 to 72). Eighty fractures were closed whereas 32 were grade 1 open fractures. Results: The average time to union of the closed fracture was 15.4 weeks (range: 12 – 28 weeks). The healing times for the primarily nailed compound Grade I averaged 17.8 (range: 15 - 34 weeks). After minimum follow-up of one year, rate of primary union was in 97.32%. One case of broken nail required revision surgery. There were three cases of delayed union and two cases of non union. In one case there was deep infection which required exchange nailing with antibiotic impregnated nail. There was breakage of interlocking screws in three cases but fracture had united. In twenty two cases acceptable malalignment of the tibia was observed after union. The outcome was determined at a minimum of one year in our study based on the criteria of Johner and Wruhs. Out of 112 patients, 79 patients had excellent results, 29 had good results and 4 had fair results. Conclusions: The dynamic osteosynthesis of distal tibia by interlocking nail and judicious use of poller screws is an effective alternative for the treatment of distal metaphyseal tibial fractures.
The use of molecular markers to determine wheat lines with chasmogamic type of flowering.

Summary Results of the genetic distance between two cultivars and seven lines of spring wheat are presented. Another objective of the presented paper was to fi nd an amplifi cation product that could be a marker of a faster growth stage and of the type of fl owering. Random amplifi ed polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used in the studies. Forty selected primers were tested. Fourteen primers were used to develop a dendrogram presenting similarities among the cultivars and lines. Numerical analysis showed two similarity groups. Th e fi rst group included KOH 5560, KOH 5637, KOH 5674, KOH 5884, KOH 5930 as well as ‚Nawara’ and ‚Zadra’. Th e second group consisted of: KOH 5561 and KOH 5718. Results showed the presence of some specifi c amplifi cation products: OPA 09f, OPF 13k, OPF 14j, OPC 11k in wheat lines KOH 5884 and partially in KOH 5561 which indicate a fast rate of growth and chasmogamic type of fl owering.
Unpacking the “Pleasures” and “Pains” of Heterosexual Casual Sex: Beyond Singular Understandings

Discussions of heterosexual casual sex are often imbued with (gendered) assumptions regarding the motives for, and drawbacks of, such a practice. The pulls of casual sex are often depicted as sexual gratification and the drawbacks relayed in terms of physical risk, for example, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Most of the research in this area has largely focused on undergraduate university students or “emerging adults” in North America, using primarily quantitative methodologies. We build on this work and a small but growing amount of qualitative research to unpack the complex psychoemotional and experiential dimensions of casual sex. We report on a critical thematic analysis of interviews with 30 ethnically diverse women and men (aged 18 to 46) in New Zealand about their experiences of heterosexual casual sex to achieve two things. First, we demonstrate the complexity with which women and men discussed their casual sex experiences, highlighting how the practice was varied, contradictory, and multifaceted, and played in a localized way during the conversation. Second, we illustrate how this talk was governed by contemporary Western discourses of intimate relationships and the shape of (gendered) heterosexuality. We conclude that casual sex research must always consider the broader sociocultural context, as well as the interpersonal context, within which any sexual relating is situated.
Dietary calcium, vitamin D, VDR genotypes and colorectal cancer

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) may importantly modulate risk of colorectal cancer either independently or in conjunction with calcium and vitamin D intake. We evaluate the association between calcium, vitamin D, dairy products, and VDR polymorphisms in 2 case‐control studies of colon and rectal cancer (n = 2,306 cases and 2,749 controls). Dietary intake was evaluated using a detailed diet history questionnaire. Two VDR polymorphisms were evaluated: an intron 8 Bsm 1 polymorphism and a 3′ untranslated region poly‐A length polymorphism (designated S for short and L for long). The SS genotype reduced risk of colorectal cancer for men (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55–0.92). High levels of calcium intake reduced risk of rectal cancer in women (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.24–0.64) but were not associated with rectal cancer in men (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.66–1.56). Similar reduced rectal cancer risk among women was observed at high levels of vitamin D (OR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.32–0.85) and low‐fat dairy products (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.39–0.94). High levels of sunshine exposure reduced risk of rectal cancer among those diagnosed when <60 years of age (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.42–0.93). Examination of calcium in conjunction with VDR genotype showed that a significant 40% reduction in risk of rectal cancer was observed for the SS or BB VDR genotypes when calcium intake was low (p interaction = 0.01 for calcium interaction). For colon cancer, high levels of dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D, and low‐fat dairy products reduced risk of cancer for the SS or BB VDR genotypes, although the p for interaction was not statistically significant. These data support previous observations that high levels of calcium and vitamin D reduce risk of rectal cancer and provide support for a weak protective effect for the SS and BB VDR genotypes. The risk associated with VDR genotype seems to depend upon the level of dietary calcium and vitamin D and tumor site. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA sequence is a major determinant of tetrasome dynamics

Eukaryotic genomes are hierarchically organized into protein-DNA assemblies for compaction into the nucleus. Nucleosomes, with the (H3-H4)2 tetrasome as a likely intermediate, are highly dynamic in nature by way of several different mechanisms. We have recently shown that tetrasomes spontaneously change the direction of their DNA wrapping between left- and right-handed conformations, which may prevent torque build-up in chromatin during active transcription or replication. DNA sequence has been shown to strongly affect nucleosome positioning throughout chromatin. It is not known, however, whether DNA sequence also impacts the dynamic properties of tetrasomes. To address this question, we examined tetrasomes assembled on a high-affinity DNA sequence using freely orbiting magnetic tweezers. In this context, we also studied the effects of mono- and divalent salts on the flipping dynamics. We found that neither DNA sequence nor altered buffer conditions affect overall tetrasome structure. In contrast, tetrasomes bound to high-affinity DNA sequences showed significantly altered flipping kinetics, predominantly via a reduction in the lifetime of the canonical state of left-handed wrapping. Increased mono- and divalent salt concentrations counteracted this behaviour. Thus, our study indicates that high-affinity DNA sequences impact not only the positioning of the nucleosome, but that they also endow the subnucleosomal tetrasome with enhanced conformational plasticity. This may provide a means to prevent histone loss upon exposure to torsional stress, thereby contributing to the integrity of chromatin at high-affinity sites. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Canonical (H3-H4)2 tetrasomes possess high conformational flexibility, as evidenced by their spontaneous flipping between states of left- and right-handed DNA wrapping. Here, we show that these conformational dynamics of tetrasomes cannot be described by a fixed set of rates over all conditions. Instead, an accurate description of their behavior must take into account details of their loading, in particular the underlying DNA sequence. In vivo, differences in tetrasome flexibility could be regulated by modifications of the histone core or the tetrasomal DNA, and as such constitute an intriguing, potentially adjustable mechanism for chromatin to accommodate the torsional stress generated by processes such as transcription and replication.
The Rhetoric of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 1 in the Niger Delta

Petroleum exists as the source of an unholy convergence of interests between the Nigeria state and oil corporations operating in the Niger Delta. However, the unholy alliance develops major cracks when social responsibility to the oil communities is brought to the fore; with both parties shifting responsibility to the other. The paper, in an interdisciplinary leaning to business ethics, examines the place of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Niger Delta, with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) as a case study. Donaldson’s Moral Minimums for Multinationals (MMM) provide the ethical basis in evaluating SPDC’s corporate social responsibility in the Niger Delta. The paper establishes that CSR undertaken by SPDC in oil host communities are inadequate and not making the desired impact. Though, in SPDC’s current community development model, the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), projects within the clusters where the GMoU is operational is community initiated, communities outside the GMoU influence are still topdown initiated and that is the problem. The paper concluded that the SPDC’s GMoU be made a Niger Delta wide development model for oil host communities, to become community driven and that CSR projects be made gender biased in favour of women as they bear the full brunt of environmental devastations and as child bearers and home keepers.
Influence of Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatment of Elbow Flexor Spasticity on Hemiparetic Gait

Esquenazi A, Mayer N, Garreta R: Influence of botulinum toxin type A treatment of elbow flexor spasticity on hemiparetic gait. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87:305–311. Objective:To assess whether walking velocity could be improved in patients with disorders related to upper–motor neuron syndrome (UMNS) by treating elbow flexor spasticity with botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA). Design:This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter, interventional evaluation. The study group of 15 patients (mean age, 51.3 yrs; ten men, five women) were independent ambulators with residual hemiparesis attributable to stroke or traumatic brain injury of at least 18-mo duration. Patients were injected with 120–200 units of BoNTA (BOTOX, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) to the affected biceps, brachialis, and/or brachioradialis. Modified Ashworth scores and gait velocity were assessed before and after BoNTA treatment. An untreated control group was employed to assess the potential impact of time on test–retest reliability of the selected temporal spatial gait parameters. Results:The BoNTA group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in walking velocity from 0.56 m/sec before treatment to 0.63 m/sec after treatment (P = 0.037). The mean modified Ashworth score was significantly reduced from 2.6 before BoNTA treatment to 1.4 after treatment (P = 0.00003). Conclusions:Treatment of upper-limb spasticity may be an important adjuvant treatment for patients with gait disturbance related to the UMNS.
Imperatives: Meaning and Illocutionary Force

Certain types of utterances, by virtue of being made, bring about obligations on their speakers or addressees. An utterance of a performatively used necessity modal brings about an obligation for the addressee (Kamp 1973). Explicitly performative utterances constituting promises or orders do the same for the speaker and addressee, respectively (Searle 1964; Alston 2000; Truckenbrodt 2009). It would seem that in the same fashion an utterance of an imperative creates an obligation for the addressee, a view explicitly espoused by Lewis (1969).
Geographic variation in epidural steroid injection use in medicare patients.

BACKGROUND The rates of epidural steroid injections have increased dramatically over time, with conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of epidural steroid injections for the treatment of various low-back pain disorders. Given the uncertainty about their role, we sought to evaluate the geographic variation in the use of epidural steroid injections for low back pain within the United States. We also sought to determine whether greater rates of epidural steroid injections are associated with lower rates of lumbar surgery. METHODS We used the 2001 Medicare Physician Part-B claims to examine the geographic variation in the use of epidural steroid injections. Current Procedural Technology codes were used to identify the number of procedures performed as well as the percentage of injections that were fluoroscopically guided. Procedure rates were analyzed with use of several geographic indicators, including state, United States Census Bureau regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West), and health referral regions as defined by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care. RESULTS In 2001, there was a 7.7-fold difference between the state with the lowest rate (Hawaii at 5.2 per 1000) and the state with the highest rate (Alabama at 39.9 per 1000). The variation among health referral regions, which are smaller in size, was even greater, with an 18.4-fold difference from 5.6 per 1000 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to 103.6 per 1000 in Palm Springs, California. Higher statewide rates of epidural steroid injections were associated with significantly higher rates of lumbar surgery (p = 0.001). In areas with high injection rates, a significantly higher percentage of patients who sought care for low back pain received injections (p < 0.001). In addition, in areas with high injection rates, a significantly higher percentage of patients who presented with low back pain received both injections and lumbar surgery within the same year (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There is substantial geographic variation in the rates of epidural steroid injections within the United States. Southern states tend to have the highest procedure rates, whereas northeastern states have the lowest. Injection rates are positively correlated with lumbar surgery rates; therefore, epidural steroid injections do not appear to be substituting for lumbar surgeries or reducing overall rates of lumbar surgery.
Integrated analysis of multiomic data reveals the role of the antioxidant network in the quality of sea buckthorn berry

Berries of sea buckthorn, known as the “king of vitamin C,” are abundant in antioxidants, have attractive colors, and are an excellent material with which to study the relationships between berry color, antioxidants, and berry quality. No study has yet determined the molecular basis of the relationship between sea buckhorn berries and their color and antioxidant levels. By using RNA‐seq, LC–MS/MS, and LC/GC‐MS technology and selecting red (darkest colored) and yellow (lightest colored) sea buckthorn berries at different development stages, this study showed that the red and yellow berry resulted from a higher ratio of lycopene to β‐carotene and of β‐carotene to lycopene content, respectively. The uronic acid pathway—a known animal pathway—in ascorbic acid synthesis was found in sea buckthorn berries, and the higher expression of UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase in red berries was consistent with the higher content of ascorbic acid. In summary, multiomic data showed that the color of sea buckthorn berries is mainly determined by β‐carotene and lycopene; red sea buckthorn berries were richer than yellow berries in antioxidants, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid; and the animal pathway might be operating in sea buckthorn. —He, C. , Zhang, G. , Zhang, J., Zeng, Y. , Liu, J. Integrated analysis of multiomic data reveals the role of the antioxidant network in the quality of sea buckthorn berry. FASEB J. 31, 1929–1938 (2017). www.fasebj. org
Clinical relevance of trace element measurement in patients on initiation of parenteral nutrition

Background and Aims Serum zinc, copper and selenium are measured in patients prior to commencing on parenteral nutrition; however, their interpretation can be difficult due to acute phase reactions. We assessed (i) the relationship of raised C-reactive protein with trace elements and albumin (ii) benefits of measuring trace elements when C-reactive protein is raised in patients requiring short-term parenteral nutrition. Methods Samples were collected for zinc, copper, selenium and albumin at baseline and then every two weeks and correlated with C-reactive protein results in patients on parenteral nutrition. Results were categorized into four groups based on the C-reactive protein concentrations: (i) <20 mg/L, (ii) 20–39 mg/L, (iii) 40–79 mg/L and (iv) ≥80 mg/L. Results In 166 patients, zinc, selenium and albumin correlated (Spearman’s) negatively with C-reactive protein; r = −0.26, P < 0.001 (95% CI −0.40 to −0.11), r = −0.44, P < 0.001 (−0.56 to −0.29) and r = −0.22 P = 0.005 (−0.36 to −0.07), respectively. Copper did not correlate with C-reactive protein (r = 0.09, P = 0.25 [−0.07 to 0.25]). Comparison of trace elements between the four groups showed no difference in zinc and copper (both P > 0.05), whereas selenium and albumin were lower in the group with C-reactive protein > 40 mg/L (P < 0.05). Conclusion In patients on short-term parenteral nutrition, measurement of C-reactive protein is essential when interpreting zinc and selenium but not copper results. Routine measurement of trace elements prior to commencing parenteral nutrition has to be considered on an individual basis in patients with inflammation.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in the United States, 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of disease, particularly in colonized persons. Although methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection has become increasingly reported, population-based S. aureus and MRSA colonization estimates are lacking. METHODS Nasal samples for S. aureus culture and sociodemographic data were obtained from 9622 persons > or = 1 year old as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2002. After screening for oxacillin susceptibility, MRSA and selected methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clonal type, toxin genes (e.g., for Panton-Valentine leukocidin [PVL]), and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type I-IV genes. RESULTS For 2001-2002, national S. aureus and MRSA colonization prevalence estimates were 32.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.7%-34.1%) and 0.8% (95% CI, 0.4%-1.4%), respectively, and population estimates were 89.4 million persons (95% CI, 84.8-94.1 million persons) and 2.3 million persons (95% CI, 1.2-3.8 million persons), respectively. S. aureus colonization prevalence was highest in participants 6-11 years old. MRSA colonization was associated with age > or = 60 years and being female but not with recent health-care exposure. In unweighted analyses, the SCCmec type IV gene was more frequent in isolates from participants of younger age and of non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity; the PVL gene was present in 9 (2.4%) of 372 of isolates tested. CONCLUSIONS Many persons in the United States are colonized with S. aureus; prevalence rates differ demographically. MRSA colonization prevalence, although low nationally in 2001-2002, may vary with demographic and organism characteristics.