Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sterol-regulated transport of SREBPs from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi: Oxysterols block transport by binding to Insig

Cholesterol synthesis in animals is controlled by the regulated transport of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, where the transcription factors are processed proteolytically to release active fragments. Transport is inhibited by either cholesterol or oxysterols, blocking cholesterol synthesis. Cholesterol acts by binding to the SREBP-escort protein Scap, thereby causing Scap to bind to anchor proteins called Insigs. Here, we show that oxysterols act by binding to Insigs, causing Insigs to bind to Scap. Mutational analysis of the six transmembrane helices of Insigs reveals that the third and fourth are important for Insig's binding to oxysterols and to Scap. These studies define Insigs as oxysterol-binding proteins, explaining the long-known ability of oxysterols to inhibit cholesterol synthesis in animal cells.
Altered postnatal maturation of electrical properties in spinal motoneurons in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Non‐technical summary Our focus was on whether amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) might be precipitated by early developmental changes in large spinal motoneurons, which are vulnerable to early die‐off in ALS. It has been shown that some electrical properties in motoneurons are profoundly altered soon after birth in mutant superoxide dismutase‐1 (SOD1) mice, a standard animal model of ALS. These same properties undergo rapid developmental changes in normal mice during this time period. Our goal was to compare the development of motoneuron electrical properties in normal and SOD1 mice. Properties were measured from birth to 12 days of age, when the mouse is considered juvenile, but long before symptom onset. Most electrical properties in the SOD1 motoneurons showed an accelerated pace of maturation during this early developmental period compared with the normal motoneurons. If this trend persists, it could, along with other disease factors, hasten the onset of normal motoneuron degeneration due to ageing and result in the development of ALS.
Endoscopic hemoclip placement and epinephrine injection for Mallory-Weiss syndrome with active bleeding.

BACKGROUND Mallory-Weiss syndrome with active bleeding requires effective hemostasis. This is an investigation of the respective efficacy and safety of endoscopic hemoclip placement and endoscopic epinephrine injection in Mallory-Weiss syndrome. METHODS Thirty-five patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome with spurting vessels or oozing in a university hospital were enrolled prospectively and randomly assigned to endoscopic hemoclip placement (18 patients) or endoscopic epinephrine injection (17 patients) performed by 4 endoscopists with similar clinical experiences. Demographic characteristics, endoscopic variables, and outcome parameters as well as rates of hemostasis and recurrent bleeding were analyzed. RESULTS The mean (SD) number of hemoclips applied was 2.5 (1.2) and the mean volume of injection was 7.9 (4.3) mL. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all 35 patients. In each group there was 1 case of recurrent bleeding. Secondary hemostasis was achieved by repeating the same procedures as at randomization in both cases. There were no significant differences in age, gender, prior ingestion of alcohol, presenting symptoms, hemoglobin level, shock, comorbid diseases, bleeding stigmata, tear location, blood transfusion, or hospitalization between the groups. There were no procedure-related complications in either group; surgery was not required in any patient. For both groups, there were no second episodes of recurrent bleeding, procedure-related complication, or need of operation. CONCLUSION Endoscopic hemoclip placement and endoscopic epinephrine injection are equally effective and safe for the management of active bleeding in Mallory-Weiss syndrome, even in patients with shock or comorbid diseases.
Prophylactic oral antibiotics in prevention of recurrent cholangitis after the Kasai portoenterostomy.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) and neomycin as the prophylactic agents against the recurrence of cholangitis in children with biliary atresia (BA) after a Kasai portoenterostomy. METHODS Nineteen BA patients aged 0 to 2 years, who had one episode of cholangitis after a Kasai portoenterostomy, were recruited in this study. Patients were assigned randomly into 2 groups: one (9 cases) with TMP/SMZ (TMP 4 mg/kg/d and SMZ 20 mg/kg/d, divided in 2 doses) and the other (10 cases) with neomycin (25 mg/kg/d, qid, 4 days a week). Another 18 BA patients aged 0 to 2 years, with cholangitis but not put on long-term prophylaxis, served as the historical control group. RESULTS The mean prophylactic periods were 14.6 months and 14.7 months in the TMP/SMZ and neomycin groups. Patients who received prophylaxis with either TMP/SMZ or neomycin had lower recurrence rates of cholangitis than those in the control group (P =.042 and.011). There was no difference in the recurrence rates of cholangitis between the TMP/SMZ and neomycin groups (P =.641). The survival rates were higher in the TMP/SMZ and neomycin groups than in the control group (P =.09 and.018). CONCLUSIONS Use of TMP/SMZ or neomycin is effective as a prophylactic agent against the recurrence of cholangitis after the Kasai portoenterostomy, but there is no difference in efficacy between these 2 regimens.
Animal Rights in a Diverse Society

Michael Weber, Advisor This dissertation defends the following thesis: the legal status of non-human animals as property is politically illegitimate. Instead, I argue that humans should be legally understood as guardians over those animals under their tenure. This guardianship relation involves limits on what humans may do to animals, limits which do not currently exist in our society. Most notably, guardians are required to act in the interest of their wards, and so guardians cannot kill or transfer the animals under their tenure unless doing so would be best (or at least good) for the animal. My position broadly fits with, but importantly differs from, much of the recent political philosophy literature focused on animals. I agree that ownership is inappropriate, but argue that considerations of political legitimacy lead us to the guardianship relation rather than full legal personhood. This position falls out of taking seriously the public reason challenge to justice for animals, which appeals to public reason liberalism to argue that the pursuit of justice for animals would be illegitimate. Thus, I examine important debates in public reason liberalism to develop an attractive model of that theory of legitimacy and then apply it to the question of the legal status of animals.
On the Use of Firm Fixed Effects as a Productivity Measure for Analyzing Labor Market Matching

The present note evaluates the performance of firm fixed effects as a productivity measure when identified from wage regressions with two‐way fixed effects in matched employer‐employee data. This setting is frequently applied to study the matching between workers and firms. Exploiting wage and production data from a large administrative German data set, I find that the correlation between firm fixed effects (FFE) and total factor productivity is close to zero. Once TFP is used, the matching pattern is positive assortative, whereas the two‐way fixed effect technique yields the opposite result.
Existence and severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) with different partners

Summary Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is a widespread condition which may impact on the quality of life. Our objective was to understand the role of the placenta, which is mostly made up of fetal cells, in NVP. We examined the relationship between NVP and different partners in the same women. If a paternal contribution to placental function affects NVP, this could shed light on the genetics of the most common condition in pregnancy. We assessed nausea and vomiting in two groups of 100 women counselled by the Motherisk Program in Toronto, using a score from 1 (none) to 5 (severe with hyperemesis). The first group had ≥2 pregnancies with the same partner; the second had ≥2 pregnancies with ≥2 partners. Scores were averaged across pregnancies, partners and overall. Regression was used to separate numbers of pregnancies and partners. The 100 women having one partner reported an average score of 3.1 in their 261 pregnancies, which was similar to the score of 3.0 in 319 multi-partner pregnancies (p = 0.508). There was a positive (but weak) correlation between gravidity and NVP score (Spearman's rho = 0.21, p < 0.001) but not between partner and score. There was a linear increase in scores from 2.7 in the first pregnancy, to 4.0 in the tenth (rho = 0.948, p < 0.01). After controlling for number of pregnancies, number of partners was not associated with NVP scores (p = 0.302). NVP severity tends to increase with each successive pregnancy. Different partners have no impact on NVP severity.
Acute Effects of Dynamic versus Static Stretching on Explosive Agility of Young Football Players

Aim: To determine acute effects of dynamic versus stati c stretching on explosive agility of young football players. Material and Method: The study was conducted on 30 male academy footbal l players between 14-16 years. Thermometer and stop w atch was used to determine the body temperature and timings of testing respectively. Ag ility scores using Illinois agility test were taken between three groups of 10 each i.e. control, dynam ic stretching, and Static stretching groups. Results: The mean time in control, dynamic and static group is 16.049,13.075 and 14.632 respectively. And p value in control versus dynamic group is 0.0001, in control versus static group is 0.05 and in dynamic versus static group is 0.007 . “t” score in control versus dynamic group is 4.783, in control versus static group is 2.108 and i n dynamic versus static group is 3.061. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in acute agilit y scores after static versus dynamic stretching with warm up. Kulbir Singh Rana Ph.D. Student Department of Sports Science Punjabi University, Patiala(Punjab) India E mail: kbsrana@gmail.com Anuradha Lehri Assistant Professor Department of Sports Science Punjabi University, Patiala(Punjab) India Swapnil Ramteke Assistant Professor Institute of Allies health Sciences Integral University Lucknow Utter Pradesh, India
Precarity and identity in the ivory tower: exploring the effects of performative pressures in UK and French business schools

Recent marketization trends in Higher Education trigger concerns about growing precarity of the academic profession. Global pressures from reputational mechanisms such as international rankings and accreditations underpin the risk of institutional isomorphism and a possible convergence of academic career paths. This thesis draws from a comparative empirical study of academic careers in UK and French Business Schools and focuses on two areas of inquiry. The first study demonstrates how context-bound career scripts, their validation mechanisms, and the margins they allow for individual agency variously shape permeable and impermeable career boundaries and mechanisms for precarity, and condition the agentic behaviour of academics. I argue that the particular ways in which performance incentives and punishments are balanced in each country under supranational competitive pressures produce different results in terms of segregation and casualization of academics. The second study explores identity responses of female faculty to performative pressures in the two countries and the strategies they adopt to reconcile compliance with managerialist requirements and their own need for recognition and meaningful work in what is traditionally seen as a gendered professional environment. My contributions deepen the understanding of contextual responses to international challenges and highlight the implications for academics and institutions.
Effectiveness of Fipronil as a Systemic Control Agent Against Xenopsylla cheopis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in Madagascar

Abstract Fipronil was evaluated as a systemic control agent for the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), the main vector of Yersinia pestis (Yersin), the causative agent of plague, in Madagascar. The effectiveness of fipronil as a systemic control agent against X. cheopis was assessed by determining the toxicity values of the “Lethal Dose 50″ (LD50). Two techniques were used to evaluate the systemic action of the insecticide on the vector: 1) an artificial feeding device filled with blood–fipronil mixture from which X. cheopis was fed and 2) rodent hosts, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) and Rattus rattus (L.), which fed on fipronil-treated bait. As a standardized control method, the susceptibility of X. cheopis to fipronil was evaluated by exposure to impregnated paper within World Health Organization (WHO) insecticide test protocol to compare its effect to the systemic activity of the studied insecticide. Results showed that when administered in a systemic way, fipronil appears to be more effective: the toxicity level was evaluated to be ninefold higher compared with the WHO test. Compared with other methods, which require indiscriminate dusting of rodent burrows and human dwellings, fipronil applied in a systemic way enables the direct targeting of the plague vector. Thus, this method appears to be a superior alternative to fipronil-dusting for the control of the main plague vector in Madagascar. However, subsequent tests in the field are necessary to confirm the suitability of fipronil administration in a systemic way on large scales.
The Varying Patterns of Neurotrophin Changes in the Perinatal Period

Abstract: Neurotrophins (NTs), nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT‐3, and NT‐4 are of major importance in prenatal and postnatal brain development, due to their neuroprotective action. Developmental changes alter the neuronal responsiveness to certain NTs, which subsequently are variously expressed, to properly balance their action. The following study aimed at examining the pattern of perinatal changes of the four NTs—NGF, BDNF, NT‐3, and NT‐4 in 30 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) full‐term fetuses and neonates by determining their circulating levels at characteristic time points. This study show a gradual decrease of circulating levels of the NTs, NT‐3 and NT‐4 from umbilical cord (UC) to neonates day 4 (N4), while circulating levels of NGF and BDNF present the opposite pattern: an increase from UC to N4. These patterns of perinatal changes differ according to their impact on the process of neuronal development and their reaction to perinatal stress. NT3 and NT4 have been documented to act at early stages of neuronal development and to decrease after hypoxia‐ischemia, while NGF and BDNF to increase. Further studies should investigate these patterns in premature or full‐term infants, presenting various pathological conditions in the perinatal period.
The Study on the Sustainable Patterns of Grassroots Innovations in the Clusters of Micro-Enterprises

The purpose of this study is to find out different patterns of grassroots innovation under the circumstances of clustering and sustainable development of Micro-enterprises (MIEs). The research object is the clustering of MIEs in Taiwan. This study collects data through interviews, secondary data, observation and expert meeting etc. This study found four patterns promote the sustainable development of grassroots innovation. 1. Pattern I is ability high and trigger high, is defined as “Sustainable Development”. 2. Pattern II is ability high and trigger low, is defined as “Ability-oriented”. 3. Pattern III is ability low and trigger low, is defined as “Newborn”. 4. Pattern IV is ability low and trigger high, is defined as “Leader-oriented”. Moreover, the study identifies practical implications and proposes suggestions for future research. This study also provides clear guidance on government policies, clustering companies, counseling consultants, and the four patterns to promote sustainability. Keywords: Grassroots Innovations, Micro-Enterprises’ Cluster, Sustainability
Fundamental Analysis Conditioned on the Direction of Sales Change

We add to previous research on fundamental analysis by investigating why and how specific signals provide value-relevant information under different conditions. Our analysis provides empirical support for predictions about the value-relevance of various signals based on either providing information about future sales growth or about the efficiency of the business in using or consuming resources to generate sales. We demonstrate how specific signals are differentially informative in sales-increase versus sales-decrease periods.
Co-creating value with customers: a study of mobile hotel bookings in China

Purpose This study aimed to develop a framework to explain the reciprocity of the value co-creation process in mobile hotel booking context, and to clarify values for customer and supplier. Design/methodology/approach A research framework was developed based on the previous literature to derive insights on value co-creation process. Online surveys were conducted among mobile hotel bookers in China. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the proposed framework. Findings The findings suggested that suppliers should improve the values for customers (Functionality, Usability, and Perceived Value) to achieve values for themselves [Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Customer Knowledge Value（CKV）, Customer Referral Value (CRV), and Customer Influencer Value (CIV)]. The relation between satisfaction and CLV was moderated by the CIV from other customers. Practical implications Suppliers should enhance customer value from the aspects of functionality, usability, and perceived va.
Practices in diagnosis, disclosure and pharmacotherapeutic management of dementia by general practitioners – a national survey

Objectives: To explore the practice patterns of general practitioners (GPs) for the diagnosis, disclosure and pharmacological management of individuals with dementia. We also investigated whether the number of years working in general practice is a determinant factor associated with the responses obtained. Method: A national survey was sent to all registered GPs in the Maltese islands. The return rate was 54.2% with the majority of respondents having 15 years or more working experience in general practice. Chi-square analysis of variance was used to determine any relationship effects. Results: Although the majority of GPs indicated lack of competence in diagnosing dementia, only a small percentage showed a preference towards specialist referral. Lack of training was mostly envisaged by physicians with the least number of years in general practice. Significant differences in pharmacotherapeutic prescribing were noted depending on the stage of disease progression and the number of years working as a GP. Disease disclosure was not routinely carried out even though GPs were aware of the fact that disclosure may help individuals with dementia and their caregivers or relatives with future planning. Conclusion: The findings show notable shortcomings in various aspects of dementia management by GPs. This highlights the need of providing continued educational support and training opportunities to enhance not only GPs’ clinical competence, but also their role as key players in providing quality support to individuals with dementia in the primary care setting.
Importin-mediated Nuclear Translocation of Galectin-3*

Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of a β-galactoside-binding protein family, is involved in RNA processing and cell cycle regulation through activation of transcription factors when translocated to the nucleus. We have previously shown that Gal-3 can import into the nucleus through at least two pathways; via passive diffusion and/or active transport (Nakahara, S., Oka, N., Wang, Y., Hogan, V., Inohara, H, and Raz, A. (2006) Cancer Res. 66, 9995-10006). Here, we investigated the process mediated by the active nuclear transport of Gal-3 and have identified a nuclear localization signal (NLS)-like motif in its protein sequence, 223HRVKKL228, that resembles p53 and c-Myc NLSs (378SRHKKL383, 322AKRVKL327), respectively. Moreover, trimers of enhanced green fluorescence protein (3×GFP) fused with this NLS-like sequence, which is too large to passively diffuse through the nuclear pores, accumulated in the cell nuclei. To gain insights into this newly identified nuclear import mechanism, the interaction between Gal-3 and importins (importins α and β) that carry the NLS harboring nuclear proteins into the nucleus, was investigated. Pull-down assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis revealed that wild-type Gal-3, but not mutant Gal-3 (R224A), binds to importin-α. Down-regulation of importin-β by RNA interference (RNAi) efficiently abrogates its nuclear accumulation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that impaired nuclear translocation of mutant Gal-3 protein (R224A) results in accelerated degradation compared with the wild-type protein. Thus, these results suggest that Gal-3 is translocated to the nucleus, in part, via the importin-α/β route and that Arg224 amino acid residue of human Gal-3 is essential for its active nuclear translocation and its molecular stability.
Portuguese winemaking residues as a potential source of natural anti-adenoviral agents

Abstract To date there are no licensed systemic or topical treatments in Europe or the USA for adenovirus infections. In the present paper, we evaluate the effect of a polyphenol-based grape extract (NE) obtained from Portuguese white-winemaking by-products, and Resveratrol in pure form, on adenovirus type 5 infection. For this purpose, recombinant adenovirus vectors (Ad-5) and a human-derived cell line (293) were used as models. The NE and Resveratrol at the used concentrations do not induce cell cytotoxicity or direct virucidal activity; however, they reduce 4.5 and 6.5 log (TCID50/ml) on total infectious Ad-5 production, respectively. The capacity of Ad-5 replication upon removal of NE and Resveratrol after 24 h post infection was also evaluated. In contrast to Resveratrol, the highest evaluated NE concentration inhibits irreversibly the Ad-5 replication. These results provide useful information for the use of NE and Resveratrol as potential sources of promising natural antiviral agents on Ad-5 infection.
The Bacillus subtilis sin gene, a regulator of alternate developmental processes, codes for a DNA-binding protein

The sin gene of Bacillus subtilis encodes a dual-function regulatory protein, Sin, which is a negative as well as a positive regulator of alternate developmental processes that are induced at the end of vegetative growth in response to nutrient depletion. Sin has been purified to homogeneity by using a simple two-step procedure. It was found to bind to the developmentally regulated aprE (alkaline protease) gene at two sites in vitro. The stronger Sin-binding site (SBS-1) is located more than 200 bp upstream from the transcription start site. It is required for Sin repression of aprE expression in vivo, as strains bearing SBS-1 deletions were not affected by the sin gene. The second, weaker Sin-binding site lies on a DNA fragment that contains the aprE promoter. Results of DNase I, exonuclease III, and dimethyl sulfate footprinting analysis of SBS-1 suggested that Sin binding involves two adjacent binding sites which appear to contain two different partial dyad symmetries. An analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of Sin revealed a potential leucine zipper protein dimerization motif which is flanked by two helix-turn-helix motifs that could be involved in recognizing two different dyad symmetries.