Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmental context effects on temporal realization of Estonian quantity

The Estonian three-way quantity system is usually described by a robust foot-level compensatory mechanism of the stressed and the unstressed syllable durations. Beneath the three-way foot-level contrast, the quantity oppositions can be realized by seven different segmental combinations of the initial vowel and the following intervocalic consonant length. In this work we investigated the effects of context dependency on durational patterns marking this 7-way contrast. We observed a strong influence of the word initial consonant and vocalic quality context on the durations of individual segment in different quantity combinations. The results show a complex relation between the intrinsic phonemic properties and suprasegmental features. Finally, we argue that the effects of segmental context and natural variation of phonetic realization might in some cases combine to be greater than average differences between quantity degrees.
Expression of Transglutaminase Substrate Activity on Candida albicans Germ Tubes through a Coiled, Disulfide-bonded N-terminal Domain of Hwp1 Requires C-terminal Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Modification*

By serving as a microbial substrate for epithelial cell transglutaminase, Hwp1 (Hyphal wall protein 1) of Candida albicans participates in cross-links with proteins on the mammalian mucosa. Biophysical properties of the transglutaminase substrate domain were explored using a recombinant protein representative of the N-terminal domain of Hwp1 and were similar to other transglutaminase substrates, the small proline-rich proteins of cornified envelopes found in stratified squamous epithelia. Recombinant Hwp1 lacks α and β structures by circular dichroism and likely exists as a disulfide-cross-linked coiled-coil. The transglutaminase substrate property prompted a unique approach for investigating the features of surface Hwp1 on germ tubes. A lysine analog, 5-(biotinamido)pentylamine, was cross-linked to germ tubes catalyzed by transglutaminase 2 prior to cell fractionation, immunoprecipitation, and detection with streptavidin conjugates. The majority of the transglutaminase-modifiable Hwp1 was covalently attached to the β-glucan of hyphae by the C terminus of Hwp1 via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol remnant anchor. A putative precursor of cell wall forms of Hwp1 was identified in the cell extract and in the culture medium. Hwp1 was modified by relatively short N-linked glycans, and the molecular size of the protein was reduced by hypomannosylation when expressed in O-glycosylation mutant strains. Hwp1 combines features of mammalian transglutaminase substrate proteins with characteristics of fungal cell wall proteins to form an unconventional adhesin at the hyphal wall of C. albicans.
The Impact of Labor-Saving Technology on First Birth Intervals in Rural Ethiopia

Across the developing world labor-saving technologies introduce considerable savings in the time and energy that women allocate to work. Hormonal studies on natural fertility populations indicate that such a reduction in energetic expenditure (rather than improved nutritional status alone) can lead to increased ovarian function. Other qualitative studies have highlighted a link between labor-saving technology and behavioral changes affecting subsequent age at marriage, which may affect fertility. This bio-demographic study was designed to investigate whether these physiological and behavioral changes affect fertility at a population level by focusing on a recent water development scheme in Southern Ethiopia. The demographic consequences of a reduction in women's workload following the installation of water points, specifically the variation in length of first birth interval (time lapsed between marriage and first birth), are investigated. First birth interval length is closely associated with lifetime fertility in populations that do not practice contraception, longer intervals being associated with lower fertility. Using life tables and multivariate hazard modeling techniques a number of significant predictors of first birth interval length are identified. Covariates such as age at marriage, season of marriage, village ecology, and access to improved water supply have significant effects on variation in first birth intervals. When entered into models as a time-varying covariate, access to a water tap stand is associated with an immediate reduction in length of first birth intervals.
Single-Cell Gene Expression Profiling

A key goal of biology is to relate the expression of specific genes to a particular cellular phenotype. However, current assays for gene expression destroy the structural context. By combining advances in computational fluorescence microscopy with multiplex probe design, we devised technology in which the expression of many genes can be visualized simultaneously inside single cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. Analysis of 11 genes in serum-stimulated cultured cells revealed unique patterns of gene expression within individual cells. Using the nucleus as the substrate for parallel gene analysis, we provide a platform for the fusion of genomics and cell biology: “cellular genomics. ”
Identification of Genetic Defects Underlying FXII Deficiency in Four Unrelated Chinese Patients

Congenital factor XII (FXII) deﬁciency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by a great variability in its clinical manifestations. In this study, we screened for mutations in the F12 gene of 4 unrelated patients with FXII coagulant activity <10% of that of normal human plasma. To investigate the molecular defects in these FXII-deficient patients, we performed FXII mutation screening. By sequencing all coding exons as well as flanking intronic regions of the F12 gene, 6 different mutations, including 3 missense mutations (Gly341Arg, Glu502Lys and Gly542 Ser), 1 insertion (7142insertC) and 2 deletions (5741-5742 delCA and 6753-6755delACA), were identiﬁed on the F12 gene. Three of them (Gly341Arg, 5741-5742delCA and 6753-6755delACA) are reported here for the first time. Computer-based algorithms predicted these missense mutations to be deleterious. This study has increased our knowledge of the mutational spectrum underlying FXII deficiency.
Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity of Virazole: 1-f8- D-Ribofuranosyl- 1,2,4-triazole- 3-carboxamide

Virazole is a synthetic nucleoside active in tissue culture against at least 16 DNA and RNA viruses. Applied topically, it inhibits herpetic keratitis in rabbits and tail lesions induced by herpes, vaccinia, and vesicular stomatitis viruses in mice. Injected intraperitoneally into mice, it inhibits splenomegaly and hepatomegaly induced by Friend leukemia virus and respiratory infections caused by influenza AO, A2, and B viruses and parainfluenza 1 virus. infections is also effective.
Discovery and Characterization of Endometrial Epithelial Messenger Ribonucleic Acids Using the Ovine Uterine Gland Knockout Model1.

Prolonged exposure of the developing neonatal ovine uterus to a progestin from birth prevents uterine gland development and creates an adult endometrial phenotype characterized by the absence of glandular epithelium, the uterine gland knockout (UGKO) phenotype. This study used endometrium from normal and UGKO sheep to identify messenger RNAs (mRNAs) expressed differentially in the endometrial epithelium using the molecular techniques of mRNA differential display PCR (DD-PCR) and suppression subtractive complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridization (SSH). Sequence analyses of DD- and SSH-identified and cloned cDNAs indicated similarity of some to known mRNAs, including β-lactoglobulin, alkaline phosphatase, type B and D endogenous sheep retroviruses, gp330/megalin, matrix Gla protein, and others. Other cDNAs were not similar to any known sequences and are considered novel, although some of these match human expressed sequence tags. In situ hybridization analyses of uteri from cyclic and pregnant ewes indicated th.
Liver visfatin expression in morbidly obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease undergoing bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND Visfatin has been identified as a new adipokine with proinflammatory and immunomodulating properties. It seems to interfere with immune and fibrogenic process in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim was to assess visfatin expression in the liver tissue and its association with biochemical parameters and morphological features in NAFLD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 40 severely obese patients with NAFLD who underwent intraoperative wedge liver biopsy during a bariatric operation. Immunohistochemical assay was carried out with the use of a visfatin mice monoclonal antibody. RESULTS Visfatin expression in the liver was observed in all patients. The expression was significantly higher in patients with fibrosis (p = 0.036) and was positively correlated with the fibrosis stage (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). There was no difference between patient with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and simple steatosis (p = 0.54). Inflammatory activity and NAS (NAFLD Activity Score) score were not associated with visfatin expression. There was a tendency of more evident visfatin liver expression in morbidly obese patients with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION Our study showed a positive association between visfatin and the fibrosis stage in NAFLD. This observation suggests a potential role of this adipokine in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Visfatin expression does not seem to be associated with liver steatosis and inflammation.
The Mediating Effects of Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Between Secure Attachment and Disclosure Outcomes Among Gay Men

ABSTRACT Past research has found that a stronger secure attachment style, developed in childhood, enhances one's ability to acknowledge negative feelings, cope with negative life events, and develop satisfying social relationships. Because an integral part of the “coming out” process for gay men is the ability to seek support from the gay community in order to reevaluate negative beliefs toward homosexuality, a gay man's attachment style may strongly impact this critical stage of his life. Results demonstrated that men who more strongly endorsed a secure attachment style reported more positive attitudes toward their own homosexuality, and that these more positive attitudes could mediate the relation between more secure attachment style, greater levels of self-disclosure regarding their homosexuality, and greater self-esteem. Implications of these data for internalized homophobia, the coming-out process, and effective social functioning are discussed.
Contribution of permeability and sensitivity to inhibition of DNA synthesis in determining susceptibilities of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Alcaligenes faecalis to ciprofloxacin

To examine the correlation between bacterial cell susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and the magnitude of uptake and cell target sensitivity, the relative contribution of ciprofloxacin accumulation in intact cells and its ability to inhibit DNA synthesis were investigated among strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Alcaligenes faecalis. Uptake studies of [14C]ciprofloxacin demonstrated diffusion kinetics for P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Ciprofloxacin was more readily removed from E. coli J53 and A. faecalis ATCC 19018 by washing than from P. aeruginosa PAO503. These results indicate that the process of cell accumulation is different for P. aeruginosa in that the drug is firmly bound at an extracellular site. Whatever the washing conditions, A. faecalis accumulated less drug than either of the other two bacteria. Magnesium chloride (10 mM) caused a substantial decrease of ciprofloxacin accumulated and an increase in the MIC, depending upon the nature of the medium. The addition of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone caused a variable increase in drug accumulated, depending on the medium and the bacterial strain. The concentration of ciprofloxacin required to obtain 50% inhibition (ID50) of DNA synthesis for P. aeruginosa PAO503 and A. faecalis ATCC 19018 did not correlate with their corresponding MICs but did for E. coli J53. Treatment with EDTA decreased the ID50 of ciprofloxacin for P. aeruginosa PAO503 and its gyrA derivative by 5- and 2-fold, respectively, and decreased the ID50 for E. coli JB5R, a strain with a known decrease in OmpF, by 1.4-fold but did not decrease the ID50 for the normally susceptible E. coli J53. The ID(50) for P. aeruginosa obtained after EDTA treatment or in ether-permeabilized cells was higher than that obtained for the other two strains. The protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone prevented killing by low ciprofloxacin concentrtaions, but sodium azide did not. The latter compound did not enhance killing in association with inhibition of a previously described energy-dependent efflux of ciprofloxacin susceptibility being the susceptibility to inhibition of DNA synthesis in E. coli, poor premeability associated with the small pore size of A. faecalis, and a combination of low permeability and reduced susceptibility of DNA synthesis to inhibition for P. aeruginosa.
BLOOD FACTORS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA.

In the past few years several controversial papers concerning the presence of a blood "factor" in schizophrenia have been published. 1-4 Since mental health is one of the foremost problems of our time, these reports have received a great deal of attention, not only from the scientific community, but from the general public as well. Attempts to confirm some of these observations by independent laboratories have not met with success, 5,6 and the significance of a blood "factor" to the schizophrenic process is still questionable, if not doubtful. Among the papers which have suggested a relationship between a serum "factor" and schizophrenia are several from the laboratory of Frohman, Gottlieb et al. 2,7,8 This group reported that serum from schizophrenic individuals has a protein "`factor" which alters the glycolysis of glucose by chicken erythrocytes. Serum from schizophrenic individuals caused increased lactate production
Effect of Nitric Oxide Inhibition on Blood Pressure and Renal Sodium Handling: A Dose–Response Study in Healthy Man

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous vasodilator and an important regulator of renal sodium excretion. To further investigate the role of NO in renal sodium handling, we studied the effects of the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), in a crossover dose–response study. During NO inhibition mean arterial pressure increased dose-dependently and reached a plateau after 20 minutes of infusion. On the contrary, the fractional excretion of sodium was reduced equally in all three L-NMMA doses. This indicates that sodium excretion is highly sensitive to even small changes in renal NO bioavailability in healthy human.
p Value fetishism and use of the Bonferroni adjustment

The p value guides us in judgements of statistical significance, accepting or rejecting the “null hypothesis”, but can exert excessive influence over judgements of clinical significance. Karl Marx wrote of the “fetishism of commodities” in criticising the undue influence of property on capitalism’s social processes. In much the same way, evidence-based medicine has created a “fetishism of p values”. Where used to make an appraisal of the significance of difference between two groups, the p value is termed the “significance level”. The convention of relying on p<0.05 to indicate clinical significance is now deeply embedded in our critical appraisal of research papers, to such an extent that we can sometimes forget its true meaning. A p value less than 0.05 indicates that the differences between, say, two treatment groups will result from “chance” one time in 20, as a Type I error (signified α). This is conventionally interpreted as indicating clinical significance, useful as an aide memoire but sometimes given unwarranted influence when conceptually detached from the clinical situation in which the test has been conducted. p values must be interpreted in light of …
When Kiosk Retailing Intimidates Shoppers

ABSTRACT This study addresses kiosk-based shopping behavior among female consumers. The authors sought to build upon existing promotional retail research that showed and explained gender differences in experiential shopping environments. Upon confirming extant literature findings of gender differences as they apply to perceptions of shopping risk in kiosk environments, the current study manipulates levels of anticipated regret for males and females when shopping in kiosks versus traditional department stores in a between-subjects experimental design incorporating a diverse non-student sample. The robust gender difference indicates that targeted promotions for kiosks are critical to the reduction of possible regret and risk perceptions, especially for females.
An E box mediates activation and repression of the acetylcholine receptor delta-subunit gene during myogenesis

The genes encoding the skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) are induced during muscle development and are regulated subsequently by innervation. Because both the initiation and the subsequent regulation of AChR expression are controlled by transcriptional mechanisms, an understanding of the steps that regulate AChR expression following innervation is likely to require knowledge of the pathway that activates AChR genes during myogenesis. Thus, we sought to identify the cis-acting sequences that regulate expression of the AChR delta-subunit gene during muscle differentiation. We transfected muscle and nonmuscle cell lines with gene fusions between 5'-flanking DNA from the AChR delta-subunit gene and the human growth hormone gene, and we show here that 148 bp of 5'-flanking DNA from the AChR delta-subunit gene contains two regulatory elements that control muscle-specific gene expression. One element is an E box, which is important both for activation of the delta-subunit gene in myotubes and for its repression in myoblasts and nonmuscle cells. Mutation of this E box, which prevents binding of MyoD-E2A and myogenin-E2A heterodimers, decreases expression in myotubes and increases expression in myoblasts and nonmuscle cells. An E-box binding activity, which does not contain MyoD, myogenin, or E2A proteins, is present in muscle and nonmuscle cells and may be responsible for repressing the delta-subunit gene in myoblasts and nonmuscle cells. An enhancer, which lacks E boxes, is also required for expression of the delta-subunit gene but does not confer muscle-specific expression.
Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Exercise

The associations of personality and self-report emotional intelligence (EI) with attitudes to exercise and self-reported exercise behaviour were investigated in a sample of 497 Canadian undergraduates. A positive attitude to exercise was negatively associated with Neuroticism and uncorrelated with other personality traits and EI. Exercise behaviour was positively associated with Extraversion and EI and negatively associated with Neuroticism. Structural equation modelling indicated that EI mediated the relationship between personality and exercise behaviour. The interpretation of this result in terms of EI having some properties of a coping style is discussed.
Reproducibility of chewing rhythm and of mandibular displacements during chewing.

Summary In a small group of individuals the chewing behaviour was recorded through light-emitting diodes in the Selspot system repeatedly over a 7-month period. The test food was crispbread of a standard size. It was shown that a characteristic chewing pattern can be recognized in each test person, and that the pattern was stable during the test period with only insignificant variations in chewing rhythm and magnitude of mandibular displacement.
Phyllanthus amarus down‐regulates hepatitis B virus mRNA transcription and replication

The Phyllanthus amarus plant shows potential for treating hepatitis B virus. To define the mechanism of action of P. amarus, we used HepG2 2.2. 15 cells, which support hepatitis B virus replication. P. amarus inhibited hepatitis B virus polymerase activity, decreased episomal hepatitis B virus DNA content and suppressed virus release into culture medium. To examine transcriptional control mechanisms, we used G26 hepatitis B virus transgenic mice, which produce serum HBsAg but neither HBcAg nor virion particles. When P. amarus was administered to transgenic mice, hepatic HBsAg mRNA levels decreased, indicating transcriptional or post‐transcriptional down‐regulation of the transgene. Increase in hepatitis B virus mRNA expression after stimulation of the glucocorticoid responsive element was also suppressed by P. amarus, suggesting involvement of the hepatitis B virus enhancer in this response. Disruption by P. amarus of hepatitis B virus polymerase activity, mRNA transcription and replication supports its role as an antiviral agent.
Teen Dating Violence Victimization, Perpetration, and Sexual Health Correlates Among Urban, Low-Income, Ethnic, and Racial Minority Youth

This study explores the associations between teen dating violence (TDV) perpetration, victimization, sexual risk behaviors, and pregnancy among a sample of low-income, urban, and predominately African–American and Latino youth age 15 to 21 years (N = 513). Findings suggest that youth who experienced TDV victimization were more likely to report inconsistent condom use in the past 12 months (OR = 1.6) and pregnancy (OR = 2.2) compared with nonvictimized youth. Youth who reported perpetrating dating violence were more likely to be female (OR = 3.8) and to report multiple sex partners (OR = 2.0), inconsistent condom use (OR = 2.6), and prostitution in the past 12 months (OR = 6.7). TDV perpetration and victimization were highly associated (χ2 = 127.00, p < .001); that is, 30% of the sample reported both victimization and perpetration in their previous or current romantic relationships. Findings from this study highlight the need to integrate culturally informed TDV prevention and intervention strategies into existing adolescent sexual and reproductive health education programs.
Implication of Glutamate in the Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase After Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation in Rat Forebrain Slices

Abstract: Nitric oxide synthesis by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been postulated to contribute to ischemia‐reperfusion neurotoxicity. The expression of this enzyme has been demonstrated in cells present in the postischemic brain. The mechanisms of iNOS expression after cerebral ischemia are a subject of current research. We therefore decided to investigate whether glutamate, which is released in ischemia and is implicated in neurotoxicity, might be involved in the mechanisms by which oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) leads to the expression of iNOS in rat forebrain slices. In this model, we have shown previously that 20 min of OGD causes the expression of iNOS. We have now found that the NMDA receptor antagonist MK‐801 blocks the expression of iNOS, suggesting that the activation of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor is implicated in the mechanisms that lead to the expression of this isoform. Moreover, we have found that glutamate alone could trigger the induction process, as shown by the appearance of a Ca2+‐independent NOS activity and by the detection of iNOS mRNA and protein in slices exposed to glutamate. Glutamate‐dependent iNOS expression was concentration‐dependent and was blocked by EGTA and by the inhibitors of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) activation pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and MG132. In addition, glutamate induced NF‐κB translocation to the nucleus, an effect that was inhibited by MG132. Taken together, our data suggest that activation of NMDA receptors by glutamate released in ischemia is involved in the expression of iNOS in rat forebrain slices via a Ca2+‐dependent activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing an implication of excitatory amino acids in the expression of iNOS caused by ischemia.