Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of a κB/Rel Binding Site in the Regulatory Region of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene (*)

Several observations support the hypothesis that pathogenetic mechanisms of β amyloid formation in Alzheimer's disease may involve alterations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene expression. In this regard, molecular dissection of the APP gene transcriptional regulation is of primary importance. We report evidence that members of the family of transcription factors NFκB/Rel can specifically recognize two identical sequences located in the 5′-regulatory region of APP. These sequences, which we refer to as APPκB sites, interact preferentially with p50-containing members of the family. In particular, p50 homodimers and p50/p65 and p50/c-Rel heterodimers act as transcriptional activators at the APPκB site. Finally, the nuclear complex specifically binding to the APPκB sites proves to be an integral part of neurons and lymphocytes.
STUDIES ON PHYTOCHEMICALS, ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXICITY EFFECT OF HYBANTHUS ENNEASPERMUS Original Article

Objectives: To determine the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical and evaluate radical scavenging, antioxidant and cytotoxicity effect of Hybanthus enneaspermus. Methods: The phytochemical of H.enneaspermus was screened qualitative and quantitative with HPTLC and FT-IR. Radical scavenging effect of different concentrations of hydroethanolic extract of H. enneaspermus (HEEHE) was evaluated by DPPH, nitric oxide, hydroxyl and reducing power. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using Ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods and cytotoxicity was determined in Hep2 cell lines. Results: Qualitative analysis of HEEHE showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, protein, phenol, steroid, tannin, glycosides and terpenoids. The results expressed higher amount of glycosides (45mg/g), tannins (42mg/g) and Iron (4.6mg/g) in HEEHE. 500µg/ml of HEEHE demonstrated significant radical scavenging and cytotoxicity effect. Lycopene exhibited significant amount (0.832g) among the different antioxidants. IR spectra specified the presence of asymmetric and aromatic compounds. HPTLC chromatogram showed the presence of flavonoid and glycosides in H.enneaspermus. Conclusion: This study concludes therapeutic potential of H.enneaspermus, will be used for clinical trials.
A Theoretical Investigation of a Parallel Genetic Algorithm

In the past few years the limitations of uniprocessor computing systems and the increasing availability of multiprocessors have led to investigations of parallel genetic algorithms. One algorithm in particular, called PGA, consists of a set of communicating sequential genetic algorithms. This paper includes an investigation of the theoretical allocation of trials to schemata by PGA's in general and by a particular PGA (which performs communication in a uniformly random manner) along with an experimental validation of an assumption made in the theoretical investigation. 17 refs., 4 figs.
IIR Variable Fractional Delay Digital Filter Design

In this paper, two methods for the design of IIR variable fractional delay (VFD) digital filters are presented. The two methods differ in the approaches to design an initial set of fixed IIR digital filters with different fractional delays. The first method formulates the design as a quadratic programming (QP) problem under the weighted least-squares (WLS) criterion. The stability constraints of IIR filters are based on argument principle. The second method utilizes the model reduction technique to design a set of fixed IIR filters. After fixed IIR digital filters are obtained, IIR filter coefficients are then approximated by polynomial functions. The main design steps of these two methods are described. Through two VFD digital filter examples, we present their design and comparison results with two recent methods
Structure‐function relationship and immunochemical mapping of external and intracellular antigenic sites on the lymphocyte activation inducer molecule, AIM/CD69

Human activation inducer molecule (AIM/CD69), a dimeric glycoprotein structure of 33 and 27 kDa, is the earliest inducible cell surface antigen expressed during lymphocyte activation and is implicated in the induction of T and B cell proliferative responses. Cross‐competition monoclonal antibodies (mAb) binding assays have allowed the definition of four antigenic epitopes. Three of them (antigenic sites El‐3) are extracellular while the fourth (site I) is a sequential epitope localized intracellularly and highly conserved interspecies. Site E1 is shown to be an immunodominant antigenic determinant closely related to a functional domain of AIM important for triggering of T cell proliferation. Studies of peptide fragmentation of the two isolated AIM subunits with different proteases have demonstrated that both AIM chains are differentially glycosylated forms of a single 24‐kDa core protein. Moreover, the two denatured and isolated AIM chains share common epitope(s) as demonstrated by their reactivity with an mAb by both Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation of the separated AIM subunits. Biosynthesis studies revealed the rapid appearance of two intermediate precursor forms of 29 and 26 kDa which arise from the 24‐kDa unglycosylated AIM polypeptide. This 24‐kDa unglycosylated form could be also precipitated from iodinated cells pretreated with tunicamycin, indicating that glycosylation of the protein was neither required for AIM cell surface expression nor for acquisition of external epitopes E1‐E3. Cell treatment with pronase resulted in the loss of the external epitopes E1‐3 and the generation of a proteolytic peptide of 16 kDa that could be precipitated by the anti‐AIM mAb specific for the internal site I. This proteolytic fragment retained the transmem‐brane and cytoplasmic regions of the molecule where both epitope I and phosphorylation sites reside. These results demonstrate that AIM is an integral membrane homodimeric glycoprotein with a large cytoplasmic domain probably involved in the activation signals transduced through this molecule to lymphocytes.
THREE NEW ECLIPSING WHITE-DWARF–M-DWARF BINARIES DISCOVERED IN A SEARCH FOR TRANSITING PLANETS AROUND M-DWARFS

We present three new eclipsing white-dwarf/M-dwarf binary systems discovered during a search for transiting planets around M-dwarfs. Unlike most known eclipsing systems of this type, the optical and infrared emission is dominated by the M-dwarf components, and the systems have optical colors and discovery light curves consistent with being Jupiter-radius transiting planets around early M-dwarfs. We detail the PTF/M-dwarf transiting planet survey, part of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF). We present a graphics processing unit (GPU)-based box-least-squares search for transits that runs approximately 8 × faster than similar algorithms implemented on general purpose systems. For the discovered systems, we decompose low-resolution spectra of the systems into white-dwarf and M-dwarf components, and use radial velocity measurements and cooling models to estimate masses and radii for the white dwarfs. The systems are compact, with periods between 0.35 and 0.45 days and semimajor axes of approximately 2 R☉ (0.01 AU). The M-dwarfs have masses of approximately 0.35 M☉, and the white dwarfs have hydrogen-rich atmospheres with temperatures of around 8000 K and have masses of approximately 0.5 M☉. We use the Robo-AO laser guide star adaptive optics system to tentatively identify one of the objects as a triple system. We also use high-cadence photometry to put an upper limit on the white-dwarf radius of 0.025 R☉ (95% confidence) in one of the systems. Accounting for our detection efficiency and geometric factors, we estimate that (90% confidence) of M-dwarfs are in these short-period, post-common-envelope white-dwarf/M-dwarf binaries where the optical light is dominated by the M-dwarf. The lack of detections at shorter periods, despite near-100% detection efficiency for such systems, suggests that binaries including these relatively low-temperature white dwarfs are preferentially found at relatively large orbital radii. Similar eclipsing binary systems can have arbitrarily small eclipse depths in red bands and generate plausible small-planet-transit light curves. As such, these systems are a source of false positives for M-dwarf transiting planet searches. We present several ways to rapidly distinguish these binaries from transiting planet systems.
Neonatal behavioral scoring of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): relation to physical condition and survival

A seven‐task behavioral test was performed on 86 common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) infants, 24–36 h following birth. This report describes the test outcome and its relation to physical condition and survival of the infants. The percentage of infants receiving a perfect score on a given task ranged from 30.6 (rooting) to 70.6% (grasping). Heavier infants were more likely to have perfect scores for crawling (F=4.20, P=0.044) and infants with a longer knee–heel length tended to be more likely to have a perfect grasping score (F=3.63, P=0.06). While the modal score was a perfect score for most individual tasks, the modal number of total perfect scores that a given infant received was 3–4 and only 4.7% of infants received perfect scores on all seven tasks. These results suggest that this group of behavioral tasks will produce a variable response within a population of neonates. While no individual behavioral score predicted survival during week 1, the number of perfect scores across all tasks was predictive of survival outcome; infants with a higher total number of perfect scores were more likely to survive (F=6.02, P=0.018). When all combinations of tests were compared, the best predictor of survival was outcome on four of the seven tests, all related to motor skills (F=7.46, P=0.009).
Assessing self-perception in patients with chronic low back pain: development of a back-specific body-perception questionnaire.

BACKGROUND There is considerable interest in the role that disturbance of body-perception may play in long standing pain problems such as chronic low back pain (CLBP), both as a contributor to the clinical condition and as a potential target for treatment. In some chronic pain conditions body-perception has been investigated using self-report questionnaires. There is currently no questionnaire for assessing body-perception in people with CLBP. OBJECTIVE To describe the development of a back-specific body-perception questionnaire and examine the psychometrics of this new scale. METHODS Based on available evidence a back-specific body-perception questionnaire was developed. Fifty-one people with CLBP and an equal number of healthy controls completed the questionnaire; a subset of the patient population completed the questionnaire again one-week later. Scale-consistency and test-retest reliability were investigated on the patient sample. Validity was investigated by comparing responses between patients and controls as well as exploring the relationship between the questionnaire and important clinical characteristics. RESULTS All but one of the patients endorsed items on the questionnaire, which suggests that distorted body-perception may exist in this population. The internal-consistency and test-retest reliability of the scale appear acceptable. The discriminative validity of the questionnaire is supported by the marked differences in the questionnaire responses between patients and healthy controls and the construct validity by the significant association between the questionnaire score and important clinical variables. CONCLUSION Symptoms of body-perception distortion were endorsed by most CLBP patients, while these symptoms are very infrequent amongst healthy controls. Our results suggest the questionnaire has reasonable psychometric properties.
Dental visiting history between ages 13 and 30 years and oral health-related impact.

BACKGROUND The aim was to assess the role of visit history factors between the age of 13 and 30 years on oral health-related impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 1988-89, n=7,673 South Australian school children aged 13 years were sampled with n=4,604 children (60.0%) and n=4,476 parents (58.3%) returning questionnaires. In 2005-06, n=632 baseline study participants responded (43.0% response of those traced and living in Adelaide). Oral health impact was measured at age 30 years using OHIP-14. RESULTS Multivariate regression showed that OHIP scores were significantly higher (P<0.05) for those with episodes of relief of pain visits once (β=1.487) or two or more times (β=2.883), and episodes of extraction once (β=1.301) or two or more times (β=3.172). Higher positive dental visit attitude scores were associated with lower OHIP scores (β=-1.265), as were being male (β=-0.637), having a job (β=-1.555) and being tertiary educated (β=-0.632). CONCLUSIONS History of adverse dental events between the age of 13 and 30 years such as episodes of relief of pain visits and episodes of extraction was associated with higher impact of oral health problems at age 30 suggesting a cumulative effect.
Cardiac sarcoidosis: applications of imaging in diagnosis and directing treatment

Sarcoidosis has been reported to have a particular predilection for adults under the age of 40 years.w1 The incidence of sarcoidosis varies greatly by ethnicity and region, occurring in 3 to 20 per 100 000 for whites and 35.5 to 80 per 100 000 for blacks.1 Scandinavian populations have been reported as having a higher prevalence than other Caucasian regions.w2 The incidence of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) also varies by the type of study performed, whether clinical or autopsy study, with clinical and autopsy reports ranging from 5–10% up to 27%, respectively.2 w3 Recently, Mehta et al observed almost 40% of patients with sarcoidosis had CS on advanced imaging (cardiac MRI or positron emission tomography (PET)). 3 The aetiology of sarcoidosis remains unclear. Genetic, environmental, infectious, and immune dysregulation aetiologies have all been postulated.w4 Data from ACCESS (A Case-Control Etiologic Study of Sarcoidosis)4 indicated a relative risk of 4.7 for parents and siblings of sarcoid patients. While several genes or polymorphisms have been suggested,w5–w7 it is unlikely that sarcoidosis is a purely genetic disease. Rather, it may be a final common pathway of granulomatous disease caused by a heterogeneous group of agents in a genetically susceptible patient. The American Thoracic Society, the European Respiratory Society, and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders5 define sarcoidosis as a multisystem disorder of unknown cause. The cardiovascular system is the third most frequently involved organ system in patients with sarcoidosis.w8 All parts of the heart can be affected, with the left ventricular free wall being the most common location (figure 1). 6 The cardiac conduction systemw9 is also commonly affected. The hallmark of sarcoidosis is the presence of non-caseating, non-necrotising, granulomas (figure 2). 7 w10 w11 Figure 1 Heart of a patient who underwent transplantation …
Acute Effects of Exposure to Hexanal Vapors in Humans

Objective: n-Hexanal is a major component in emissions from stored wood pellets. The production and use of wood pellets has increased dramatically. Our aim was to evaluate acute health effects of n-hexanal vapors. Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers were exposed to 0, 2, and 10 ppm n-hexanal for 2 hours at rest in a balanced order. Results: Ratings of discomfort in the eyes and nose, solvent smell, and headache increased significantly with the level of exposure. Frequency of blinking was significantly increased at 10 ppm. No effects on pulmonary function and nasal swelling were detected, except a not-significant tendency to increased nasal obstruction at 10 ppm. No clear effects on plasma inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) were observed. Conclusions: Two hours of exposure to n-hexanal results in mild irritation at 10 ppm, with no apparent adversity at 2 ppm.
Behavior and Sleep Problems in Children With a Family History of Autism

The present study explores behavioral and sleep outcomes in preschool‐age siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study focuses on behavior problems that are common in children with ASD, such as emotional reactivity, anxiety, inattention, aggression, and sleep problems. Infant siblings were recruited from families with at least one older child with ASD (high‐risk group, n = 104) or families with no history of ASD (low‐risk group, n = 76). As part of a longitudinal prospective study, children completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Social Communication Questionnaire at 36 months of age. This study focuses on developmental concerns outside of ASD; therefore, only siblings who did not develop an ASD were included in analyses. Negative binomial regression analyses revealed that children in the high‐risk group were more likely to have elevated behavior problems on the CBCL Anxious/Depressed and Aggression subscales. To explore sleep problems as a correlate of these behavior problems, a second series of models was specified. For both groups of children, sleep problems were associated with elevated behavior problems in each of the areas assessed (reactivity, anxiety, somatic complaints, withdrawal, attention, and aggression). These findings support close monitoring of children with a family history of ASD for both behavioral and sleep issues. Autism Res 2013, 6: 169–176. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rabbit intestinal fluid stimulation by an enterotoxigenic factor of Staphylococcus aureus

An exoprotein of Staphylococcus aureus 100 that elicited a positive ileal loop response in the rabbit model was investigated in this study. The protein, as it occurred in the culture supernatant fluid, could be detected initially in the late log phase of growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It was stable under acidic conditions to pH 2.0 after 24 h at 4 degrees C. Thirty-minute treatments at 80 degrees C destroyed the ileal loop activity whereas similar trials at 70 degrees C had no effect. Although preparations of staphylococcal enterotoxins purified by other investigators did not produce positive ileal loops, the enterotoxigenic activity of the S. aureus 100 supernatant fluid could be neutralized by antisera prepared against enterotoxins A and B. Throughout purification studies, the active moiety reacted serologically with antiserum A. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified protein produced migration patterns nearly identical to those of enterotoxin A.
Regulation of the Activity of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase by Akt in Cancer and Adenoviral Protein E1A-Mediated Sensitization to Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The adenoviral early region 1A (E1A) protein mediates sensitization to different stimulus-induced apoptosis, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, UV and gamma irradiation, and different categories of anticancer drugs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying E1A-mediated sensitization to apoptosis are still not completely defined. Here, we show that E1A-mediated sensitization to apoptosis by the inactivation of a key survival factor Akt and the activation of a pro-apoptotic factor p38. Also, inactivation of Akt by either a specific inhibitor or a genetic knockout of Akt1 results in p38 activation, possibly through the release of the activity of p38 upstream kinases, including ASK1 and MEKK3. In addition, we showed that p38 phosphorylation is downregulated and Akt phosphorylation is upregulated in multiple human tumor tissues, and this correlates with tumor stage in human breast cancer. A deletion mutation of a conserved domain of E1A, which is required for E1A-induced downregulation of Akt activity, disrupts E1A-mediated upregulation of p38 activity and also eliminates E1A-mediated chemosensitization. Thus, activation of p38 and inactivation of Akt may have general implications for tumor suppression and sensitization to apoptosis.
Quinacrine mustard fluorescence of human chromosomes: characterization of unusual translocations.

Of the human metaphase chromosomes, only four autosomal pairs (nos. 1, 2, 3, and 16) and frequently the Y can be identified individually by conventional staining techniques. Autoradiography with tritiated thymidine is useful mainly in differentiating among B-, D-, and E-group chromosomes and in detecting the late-replicating X in the C group and the Y in the G group [ 1, 2]. Individual chromosomes in the C and F groups cannot be recognized, with the exception of no. 9, which often reveals a secondary constriction on the long arms close to the centromere [3 ]. Thus, clinical syndromes associated with structural abnormalities of the remaining Cand F-group chromosomes have not yet been defined. However, after staining with intercalating fluorescent agents, especially quinacrine mustard (QM), each individual chromosome pair can be identified by its characteristic pattern of bright and dark bands visible in the fluorescence microscope [4, 5]. The differential binding of QM is presumably based upon the amount of DNA present in a certain chromosome region and upon its accessibility to the stain as determined by the presence of DNA-binding proteins [6]. Specific covalent binding of the mustard group to guanine residues of the DNA does not cause significant differences in fluorescence pattern compared with staining with quinacrine dihydrochloride, which lacks an alkylating group; but the bright bands are much more pronounced in QM-stained preparations [7]. Initial work with fluorochrome staining focused on identification of the intensely fluorescing area on the Y chromosome in interphase nuclei [8], metaphase spreads [9], and spermatocytes [10]. Application to metaphases containing chromosomal abnormalities established the following facts: (1) the extra chromosome in Down's syndrome, either as trisomy 21 or in 21/21 or D/21 translocations, was identified as the smaller and more intensely fluorescent chromosome in the G group [11]; (2) the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph') in chronic myelogenous leukemia was shown to be a deleted no. 22 [11, 12]; (3) correlation of specific band patterns of B-group chromosomes with
Increase in use of protective earplugs by Rock and Roll concert attendees when provided for free at concert venues

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing protection use among attendees of Rock and Roll concerts at baseline and in concerts where earplugs are provided for free at concert venue entrances. Design: Six concerts performed at two music venues in Toronto, Canada were evaluated. Study personnel observed and recorded the use of hearing protection at three concerts where no earplugs were distributed, and three concerts where earplugs were provided for free at the concert venue entrance. Study sample: A total of 955 individuals over the age of 18 were observed at six concerts. Six hundred and thirty-seven individuals (64% male) were observed at concerts where no earplugs were provided, and 318 individuals (68% male) were observed at concerts where free earplugs were provided. Results: Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a significant increase in hearing protection usage at concerts where earplugs were provided for free at the concert venue entrance, odds ratio 7.27 (95% CI: 3.24–16.30). Conclusion: The provision of free earplugs at concert venues may be a simple and inexpensive intervention that could be a component of a larger public health campaign to prevent non-occupational noise-induced hearing loss.