Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ATG conjugation systems are important for degradation of the inner autophagosomal membrane

Open sesame! The autophagosome is a double-membraned intracellular structure involved in the disposal of damaged or defunct organelles. Autophagosome formation requires a number of autophagy-related (ATG) proteins. Among them, the key conjugation systems ATG8 and ATG12 are widely exploited in the detection of autophagy in many organisms. However, their precise function in autophagy remains unknown. Tsuboyama et al. identified an unexpected role of ATG3, an important enzyme in the ATG conjugation systems, in efficient degradation and opening of the inner autophagosomal membrane after fusion with lysosomes (see the Perspective by Levine). Their live-imaging system revealed the entire life of an autophagosome in mammalian cells. Science, this issue p. 1036; see also p. 968 The requirements for autophagosome maturation and efficient autophagy within mammalian cells are dissected. In macroautophagy, cytoplasmic contents are sequestered into the double-membrane autophagosome, which fuses with the lysosome to become the autolysosome. It has been thought that the autophagy-related (ATG) conjugation systems are required for autophagosome formation. Here, we found that autophagosomal soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) syntaxin 17–positive autophagosome-like structures could be generated even in the absence of the ATG conjugation systems, although at a reduced rate. These syntaxin 17–positive structures could further fuse with lysosomes, but degradation of the inner autophagosomal membrane was significantly delayed. Accordingly, autophagic activity in ATG conjugation–deficient cells was strongly suppressed. We suggest that the ATG conjugation systems, which are likely required for the closure (i.e., fission) of the autophagosomal edge, are not absolutely essential for autolysosome formation but are important for efficient degradation of the inner autophagosomal membrane.
Ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the cream hamster

The typical thyroid epithelium of the cream variant of the Syrian hamster differs from that of other common mammalian species. One obvious difference noted by light microscopy is that the cells contain numerous PAS‐positive granules apical to the nucleus. By electron microscopy these granules are dense granules resembling lysosomes. The cells have exceptionally long microvill and numerous junctions and interdigitations of lateral plasma membranes with those of their neighbors. Many organelles in the cells are stratified rather than arranged at random. In addition to the dense granules and centrioles, the Golgi apparatus is usually located at the level of the apical end of the nucleus. The granular reticulum is primarily in the basal half of the cell, although some is apical. Microtubules are especially abundant and are located ainly close to the lateral surfaces and around the nucleus, although some are near apical or basal plasma membranes. The microtubules frequently appear to be in contact with mitochondria and dense granules, but their role in the positioning or stratification of organelles is uncertain.
Reliable, Responsive Pacemaking and Pattern Generation With Minimal Cell Numbers: the Crustacean Cardiac Ganglion

Investigations of the electrophysiology of crustacean cardiac ganglia over the last half-century are reviewed for their contributions to elucidating the cellular mechanisms and interactions by which a small (as few as nine cells) neuronal network accomplishes extremely reliable, rhythmical, patterned activation of muscular activity—in this case, beating of the neurogenic heart. This ganglion is thus a model for pacemaking and central pattern generation. Favorable anatomy has permitted voltage- and space-clamp analyses of voltage-dependent ionic currents that endow each neuron with the intrinsic ability to respond with rhythmical, patterned impulse activity to nonpatterned stimulation. The crustacean soma and initial axon segment do not support impulse generation but integrate input from stretch-sensitive dendrites and electrotonic and chemically mediated synapses on axonal processes in neuropils. The soma and initial axon produce a depolarization-activated, calcium-mediated, sustained potential, the “driver potential,” so-called because it drives a train of impulses at the “trigger zone” of the axon. Extreme reliability results from redundancy and the electrotonic coupling and synaptic interaction among all the neurons. Complex modulation by central nervous system inputs and by neurohormones to adjust heart pumping to physiological demands has long been demonstrated, but much remains to be learned about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. The continuing relevance of the crustacean cardiac ganglion as a relatively simple model for pacemaking and central pattern generation is confirmed by the rapidly widening documentation of intrinsic potentials such as plateau potentials in neurons of all major animal groups. The suite of ionic currents (a slowly inactivating calcium current and various potassium currents, with variations) observed for the crustacean cardiac ganglion have been implicated in or proven to underlie a majority of the intrinsic potentials of neurons involved in pattern generation.
New insights into the observed age-specific resistance to reinfection with Schistosoma japonicum.

Received 28 February 2006; accepted 1 March 2006; electronically published 12 May 2006. Reprints or correspondence: Dr. G. Richard Olds, Dept. of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226 (grolds@mcw.edu). Clinical Infectious Diseases 2006; 42:1699–701 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. 1058-4838/2006/4212-0007$15.00 In this issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Kurtis and colleagues [1] present a longitudinal study of a population in the Philippines chronically exposed to Schistosoma japonicum. Past studies of such field populations have demonstrated that resistance to reinfection with this parasite can be observed after 14 years of age and that resistance continues into adulthood [2, 3]. A Kaplan-Meier analysis of the time to reinfection following curative chemotherapy is shown in figure 1, originally published in Journal of Infectious Diseases 110 years ago, showing the same communities in which this current study [1] was performed. Prior exposure to schistosomes induced no resistance to reinfection in younger individuals, but individuals aged 14–35 who were infected and then cured had a modest prolongation in their time to reinfection, compared with uninfected control subjects. Statistically, this benefit from past infection could no longer be demonstrated after 2–3 years and was presumed to be relatively short lived [2] (figure 1). It has long been assumed that this phe-
In vivo strain in cranial sutures: The zygomatic arch

Although cranial sutures presumably play a role in absorbing and/or transmitting loads applied to the skull, loading patterns on facial sutures are poorly understood. The zygomatic arch provides a comparatively isolated mechanical part of the skull containing a single suture, the zygomatico‐squamosal. In pigs the zygomatico‐squamosal suture has a short vertical segment located within the postorbital process and a longer horizontal segment which extends posteriorly. In anesthetized pigs single‐element high‐elongation strain gages were bonded over both segments of the suture. Strain was recorded during stimulation of the masseter muscles and while the lightly anesthetized animals masticated food pellets. The predominant strain patterns differed in the two segments of the suture. During mastication compressive strains predominated in the vertical segment, but tensile strains predominated in the horizontal segment. The same patterns were also produced by stimulation of the ipsilateral masseter muscle. Contraction of the contralateral masseter reversed the strain pattern, but strain levels were low and during mastication such reversals occurred only transiently. The two segments of the suture have contrasting morphologies. The vertical segment has broad, interdigitating contacts with fibers arranged in a compression‐resisting orientation. The horizontal segment has a simple tongue and groove structure with fibers arranged to resist tension. Thus, the structure of the suture reflects the predominant strain pattern.
A systematic review of conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective : To assess the effectiveness of conservative therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome. Data sources : A computer-aided search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 1985 to May 2006. Review methods : RCTs were included if: (1) the patients, with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome, had not previously undergone surgical release, (2) the efficacy of one or more conservative treatment options was evaluated, (3) the study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and performed data extraction using a standardized form. In order to assess the methodological quality, the criteria list of the Cochrane Back Review Group for systematic reviews was applied. The different treatment methods were grouped (local injections, oral therapies, physical therapies, therapeutic exercises and splints). Results : Thirty-three RCTs were included in the review. The studies were analysed to determine the strength of the available evidence for the efficacy of the treatment. Our review shows that: (1) locally injected steroids produce a significant but temporary improvement, (2) vitamin B6 is ineffective, (3) steroids are better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diuretics, but they can produce side-effects, (4) ultrasound is effective while laser therapy shows variable results, (5) exercise therapy is not effective, (6) splints are effective, especially if used full-time. Conclusion : There is: (1) strong evidence (level 1) on efficacy of local and oral steroids; (2) moderate evidence (level 2) that vitamin B6 is ineffective and splints are effective and (3) limited or conflicting evidence (level 3) that NSAIDs, diuretics, yoga, laser and ultrasound are effective whereas exercise therapy and botulinum toxin B injection are ineffective.
Validity of the Worth 4 Dot Test in Patients with Red-Green Color Vision Defect.

PURPOSE The Worth four dot test uses red and green glasses for binocular dissociation, and although it has been believed that patients with red-green color vision defects cannot accurately perform the Worth four dot test, this has not been validated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the validity of the Worth four dot test in patients with congenital red-green color vision defects who have normal or abnormal binocular vision. METHODS A retrospective review of medical records was performed on 30 consecutive congenital red-green color vision defect patients who underwent the Worth four dot test. The type of color vision anomaly was determined by the Hardy Rand and Rittler (HRR) pseudoisochromatic plate test, Ishihara color test, anomaloscope, and/or the 100 hue test. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. Binocular sensory status was evaluated with the Worth four dot test and Randot stereotest. The results were interpreted according to the presence of strabismus or amblyopia. RESULTS Among the 30 patients, 24 had normal visual acuity without strabismus nor amblyopia and 6 patients had strabismus and/or amblyopia. The 24 patients without strabismus nor amblyopia all showed binocular fusional responses by seeing four dots of the Worth four dot test. Meanwhile, the six patients with strabismus or amblyopia showed various results of fusion, suppression, and diplopia. CONCLUSIONS Congenital red-green color vision defect patients of different types and variable degree of binocularity could successfully perform the Worth four dot test. They showed reliable results that were in accordance with their estimated binocular sensory status.
STORING UP TROUBLE: DOES ACCUMULATION OF INTRAMYOCELLULAR TRIGLYCERIDE PROTECT SKELETAL MUSCLE FROM INSULIN RESISTANCE?

1 Insulin resistance occurs when normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin response from cells. This is important in the context of whole‐body glucose homeostasis because skeletal muscle is the main tissue for insulin‐stimulated glucose disposal. 2 In obesity, lipid deposition in peripheral tissues, such as skeletal muscle, is linked to the activation of stress kinases and the development of insulin resistance. Accumulation of intramyocellular triglyceride (IMTG) is positively associated with insulin resistance; however, it is unknown whether IMTG causes insulin resistance or protects cells from insulin resistance by preventing the accrual of bioactive lipid metabolites. 3 The role of IMTG in the development of insulin resistance is not resolved. Stable overexpression of the triglyceride lipase adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) reduced IMTG content in myotubes, but resulted in a concomitant increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) and ceramide and caused insulin resistance. Increasing TG content by muscle‐specific overexpression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 1 protected mice from insulin resistance. Conversely, overexpression of DGAT2 in glycolytic muscle resulted in accumulation of TG and ceramide and insulin resistance in these tissues. This was sufficient to induce whole‐body insulin and glucose insensitivity. 4 It is unlikely that IMTG causes cause insulin resistance directly. Instead, it appears as though TG accumulates in skeletal muscle to sequester fatty acids and to protect from the deleterious actions of lipids, such as ceramide and DAG. Whether lipase inhibitors are viable therapeutics to prevent obesity induced insulin resistance is unknown, but future studies examining tissue‐specific ATGL/hormone‐sensitive lipase knockouts will hopefully resolve this question.
Iconography in Bradshaw b rock art: breaking the circularity

Background: Interpreting the symbols found in the rock art of an extinct culture is hampered by the fact that such symbols are culturally determined. How does one break the circularity inherent in the fact that the knowledge of both the symbols and the culture comes from the same source? In this study, the circularity is broken for the Bradshaw rock art of the Kimberley by seeking anchors from outside the culture.
Geographical pattern analysis of income migration in the United States.

"How one conceptualises the impacts of migration depends on whether one takes the viewpoint of aggregate area-level income change, of per capita change, or of longer-term (future earnings) change. Several empirical analytical measures are proposed in order to conceptualise the various income impacts of migration. [A] decomposition procedure is developed for examining how the changes in per capita income of states reflect three different income differentials: those between (a) in-migrants and 'stayers', (b) out-migrants and 'stayers', and (c) in-migrants and out-migrants. Examination of these measures, and of typologies based on them, highlights how income migration significantly and differentially impacts upon U.S. states. The methods are illustrated here in the context of an important new American data source: the 1993-94 migrant income data released by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. "
Early Life Adversity and Children’s Competence Development: Evidence from the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk

Summary This paper investigates the role of early life adversity and home resources in terms of competence formation and school achievement based on data from an epidemiological cohort study following 364 children from birth to adolescence. Results indicate that organic and psychosocial risks present in early life as well as the socio-emotional home environment are significant predictors for the formation of competencies. Competencies acquired at preschool age predict achievement at school age. A counterfactual analysis is performed to assess trade-offs in the timing of interventions in the early life cycle.
Hypothalamic neuron involvement in integration of reward, aversion, and cue signals.

The lateral hypothalamus (LHA) is involved in integrative functions related to emotion, reward, aversion, and learning. It is, however, unclear whether the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) forms a substrate common to the anterior and posterior hypothalamic areas or whether information regarding rewarding and aversive stimuli converges on and is integrated by the same hypothalamic neuron. In the present study, unit activity in the LHA and lateral preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area (lPOA-AHA) of the rat was recorded during discrimination learning of cue tone stimuli (CTS) that predicted glucose or intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) as rewarding stimuli, or electric shock or tail pinch as aversive stimuli, using identical behavior, licking. We examined functional differences between the LHA and lPOA-AHA. In positive reinforcement experiments a rat was rewarded by glucose or ICSS only when it licked a spout presented in front of its mouth. The threshold current for ICSS was used. In negative reinforcement experiments an aversive stimulus, either electric shock or tail pinch was applied if the rat did not lick the spout. The strengths of electric shock and tail pinch were selected to produce an avoidance ratio less than 20-30%, averaged in all trials. The activity of 507 LHA and 249 lPOA-AHA neurons was analyzed during both glucose and ICSS trials. The effects of both glucose and ICSS on the same LHA or lPOA-AHA neuron were usually in the same direction, i.e., either both excitatory or both inhibitory. Of 143 LHA and 44 lPOA-AHA neurons that responded to both rewards, the responses of 117 (81.8%) LHA and 35 (79.5%) lPOA-AHA neurons to both stimuli were similar. The activity of 131 LHA and 153 lPOA-AHA neurons was analyzed in both electric shock and tail pinch trials. The effects of both electric shock and tail pinch on the same LHA or lPOA-AHA neuron were usually in the same direction. Of 29 LHA and 27 lPOA-AHA neurons that responded to both aversive stimuli, the responses of 28 (96.6%) LHA and 25 (92.6%) lPOA-AHA neurons to both were similar. The activity of 170 LHA and 195 lPOA-AHA neurons in response to both rewarding glucose and/or ICSS stimulation and aversive electric shock and/or tail pinch was analyzed. About one-third of the neurons in each area were reward specific (57/170 in LHA; 63/195 in lPOA-AHA), whereas relatively few were aversion specific in each area (21/170 in LHA; 15/195 in lPOA-AHA). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Characterization of Edgeless CdTe Detectors for use in Hard X-Ray Imaging Applications

Segmentation of the anode-side of a <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">${\rm M}\mathchar"702D \pi \mathchar"702D {\rm n}$</tex></formula> CdTe diode produces detectors with excellent spatial and energy resolution while maintaining an active area that extends to the detector edge. The CdTe pixel detectors reported have 250 ìm pitch, a detector thicknesses of 1 mm and are bonded to a spectroscopic readout ASIC. The results from an edgeless <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">${\rm M}\mathchar"702D \pi \mathchar"702D {\rm n}$</tex></formula> CdTe detector with indium-diffused anodes, produced via diamond blade segmentation, are compared to those of a CdTe Schottky pixel detector with aluminium anodes and guard band produced using standard photolithographic techniques. The energy resolution at 59.54 keV was measured to be 1.4% and 1.3% for the standard and edgeless detector respectively. The spectroscopic performance of pixels located at the detector edges are discussed with reference to TCAD simulations and X-ray micro-beam measurements.
[Working conditions and health problems among call-centre operators: a study on self-reported data in the Piedmont Region (Italy)].

BACKGROUND Currently, about 250,000 workers are employed in the call-centre sector in Italy. The nature and the organization of the work exposes workers to a variety of psychosocial and ergonomic hazards, with a potential impact on physical and psychological health. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate working conditions and health status among call-centre operators, in order to estimate the prevalence of exposure to psychosocial and ergonomic risk factors, and of potentially work-related health problems. METHODS Workers from seven call-centres operating in the Torino area were invited to participate in the survey. During the period 2005-2006, 775 subjects working in telecommunications (70%), telemarketing (14%) and finance (16%) completed a standardized questionnaire on socio-demographics and lifestyle, working conditions, symptoms and diseases. RESULTS Poor microclimatic conditions, elevated noise, high levels of exposure to psychosocial factors and a high prevalence of unfavourable ergonomic working conditions were observed With regard to health conditions, the mental health index was lower than that expected for the Italian population. Overall, 60%, of the subjects reported headache, 57% musculoskeletal symptoms and 46% voice disorders, for which they consulted a physician and/or took medication. CONCLUSION A high proportion of call-centre operators were exposed to organizational and psychosocial risk factors, while the self-reported prevalence of potentially work-related health conditions was also high, as has been reported by other authors. Although further epidemiological studies are needed to meaningfully evaluate these associations, it also appears necessary to implement interventions on the most frequently encountered hazards in this sector.
Considering plant phenology for improving the accuracy of urban impervious surface mapping in a subtropical climate regions

We explored the effect of plant phenology on the accuracy of urban impervious surface mapping in a subtropical climate. To compare mapping accuracies, we estimated impervious surface at the subpixel level using six Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images of Austin, TX, USA, obtained in different seasons. In the study area, winter images produced more accurate impervious surface maps than the images taken in other seasons. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) were 16.2% and 16.3% for February and March images, respectively. Growing season images had intermittent level accuracies in impervious surface estimation. RMSEs were 16.2%, 16.8% and 17.0% for March, June and September, respectively. An autumn image had the lowest estimation accuracy (RMSE of 17.8% for the November image). This finding is contrary to the previous studies conducted in temperate climates. We identified two major factors that improve the accuracy of impervious surface maps generated from winter images in a subtropical climate. First, many evergreen plants maintain spectral contrast between impervious surface and vegetated cover during winter in a subtropical climate. Because healthy vegetation has a distinct spectral profile, the presence of green leaves helps separate impervious surface from vegetated cover. Second, impervious surface underneath a deciduous tree canopy is more easily detectable in winter when the trees drop leaves. Based on these findings, we recommend that a winter remote-sensing image should be considered for impervious surface mapping in a subtropical climate.
Life Satisfaction and Death Anxiety in Aged Women

The life satisfaction and death anxiety of elderly women were investigated as a function of demographic, life history, and stress variables. Through multiple regression, life satisfaction was predicted by number of friends, good health, and, surprisingly, by having fewer offspring living in the same city. Health problems, change in living conditions, and relatively high educational level were predictors of death anxiety. It was concluded that life satisfaction and death anxiety are a function of past and present life experiences and conditions.