Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Antisense Transcription by NuA4 Histone Acetyltransferase and Other Chromatin Regulatory Factors

ABSTRACT NuA4 histone lysine (K) acetyltransferase (KAT) promotes transcriptional initiation of TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor (TAF)-dependent ribosomal protein genes. TAFs have also been recently found to enhance antisense transcription from the 3′ end of the GAL10 coding sequence. However, it remains unknown whether, like sense transcription of the ribosomal protein genes, TAF-dependent antisense transcription of GAL10 also requires NuA4 KAT. Here, we show that NuA4 KAT associates with the GAL10 antisense transcription initiation site at the 3′ end of the coding sequence. Such association of NuA4 KAT depends on the Reb1p-binding site that recruits Reb1p activator to the GAL10 antisense transcription initiation site. Targeted recruitment of NuA4 KAT to the GAL10 antisense transcription initiation site promotes GAL10 antisense transcription. Like NuA4 KAT, histone H3 K4/36 methyltransferases and histone H2B ubiquitin conjugase facilitate GAL10 antisense transcription, while the Swi/Snf and SAGA chromatin remodeling/modification factors are dispensable for antisense, but not sense, transcription of GAL10. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time the roles of NuA4 KAT and other chromatin regulatory factors in controlling antisense transcription, thus illuminating chromatin regulation of antisense transcription.
ARTERIOVENOUS COMMUNICATIONS IN THE HUMAN BRAIN

The existence of arteriovenous communications in human central nervous tissues is a logical inference drawn from studies on fibrocartilage emboli. Such communications were demonstrated in the human brain at autopsy by injecting particles into the internal carotid artery and identifying them in the effluence from the internal jugular vein; these measured up to 70μ in diameter and were found in every instance of the 12 cases in which the procedure was technically successful. In 3 additional cases studied after brain removal, emboli passed from the middle cerebral artery to the superior sagittal sinus. The arteriovenous communications are thought to be normally present in the human brain and spinal cord, and are likely to play a role in cerebrovascular circulation in normal and pathological states.
The analysis and comparison between glia maturation factor beta and gamma mRNA and protein expression in rat brain and cells

Glia maturation factor, a 17-kDa protein made up of 142 amino acid residues, mainly includes glia maturation factor-β (GMFB) and glia maturation factor-γ (GMFG). GMFB plays an important role in the growth and differentiation in neuron as well as glia. GMFG, a novel member of the glia maturation factor gene family, locates in the blood and immune system retaining proliferative and differentiated potential. But to date, the distribution of expression and overall function of GMFG in brain remains elusive. For the first time, we proved the existence of GMFG in the central nervous system in the level of gene, protein and cell by Real-time PCR, Western blotting and Immunofluorescence. In astrocytes, GMFB expressed in all cells and mainly located in cell nucleus, while GMFG only expressed in a part of astrocytes and located in cell nucleus and cytoplasm presenting stellated. In neuron, GMFB located in the whole cell and it is very obviously in axon and dendritic, but the expression of GMFG in neurons is weak and couldn’t be detected in axon and dendritic. In addition, we found their tissue region-response distribution and age-response expression in rat brain. In conclusion, we provided a comprehensive analysis that GMFG was expressed in brain and compared the cell/tissue distribution and expression of GMEB and GMFG.
Effects of Polymer Concentration and Cationic Surfactant on the Morphology of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibres

PAN nanofibres were prepared via an electrospinning process. The effect of polymer concentration on the fibre morphology was studied. At a very dilute solution, no fibres were obtained in the electrospinning process. As the concentration increased, the fibre morphology evolved from a beads-on-string structure to a uniform fibre structure with increasing fibre diameters. However, when the same electrospinning process was conducted with the addition of a cationic surfactant, the formation of disconnected beads was prevented, and the number of beads-on-string structures reduced significantly. In addition, the presence of cationic surfactant reduced the average diameter of the electrospun PAN nanofibres.
High levels of activin A detected in preeclamptic placenta induce trophoblast cell apoptosis by promoting nodal signaling.

CONTEXT The pregnancy-specific disorder preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Activin A has been suggested as a potential biomarker of the disease, but whether it plays a role in the pathology of preeclampsia or is just a manifestation of the disease is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the roles of Activin A on placental trophoblast cells under pathological conditions of preeclampsia. DESIGN Placental and plasma productions of Activin A in healthy pregnant women and preeclamptic patients were compared by using clinical samples obtained from Peking University First Hospital during November 2005 to November 2007. The role of Activin A at pathological doses was investigated in human trophoblast cells. RESULTS Plasma and placental productions of Activin A were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients when compared with normal pregnant subjects in a Chinese Han population. Treatment of trophoblast cells with high doses of Activin A resulted in a significant increase in cell apoptosis. This effect was blocked not only by silencing Activin A's receptor activin receptor-like kinase 4 but also by knockdown of Nodal's receptor ALK7. Important to note was that Activin A could significantly increase Nodal expression in trophoblast cells, and knockdown of Nodal resulted in evident blockage on Activin A-induced trophoblast cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION High levels of Activin A observed in preeclamptic placenta may play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by inducing excessive apoptosis in placenta indirectly through enhancing Nodal expression.
The Limits of Planned Obsolescence for Conspicuous Durable Goods

An extensive body of literature argues for the benefits of planned obsolescence, the strategy of designing products with low durability to induce repeat purchases from the consumers and allow the firm to sell a larger volume. Yet, several firms avoid planned obsolescence and instead offer products with high durability. In this paper, we offer a demand-side rationale for a high-durability product design strategy: the exclusivity-seeking consumer behavior associated with conspicuous consumption. In the presence of consumers who value exclusivity, we find that firms benefit from designing products with higher durability in conjunction with a high-price, low-volume introduction strategy. A higher durability in such a context leads to greater resale value, allowing the firm to charge a higher price and lower the sales volume to achieve the product exclusivity valued by the consumers. This contrasts with the planned obsolescence strategy that capitalizes on the high sales volume achieved by setting a low new product price. We also show that offering higher durability and charging a higher price are complementary levers to respond to consumers who value exclusivity. Our analysis unearths insights regarding the effect of exclusivity-seeking behavior on a firm’s demand and pricing. We show that firms’ durability choice may explain the joint increase in price and demand for conspicuous goods.
Validation of the Chinese general self-efficacy scale among individuals with schizophrenia in Hong Kong

The concept of self-efficacy has recently produced considerable interest among mental illness researchers. Self-efficacy was found to be associated with the number of hospitalizations, social adjustment, rehabilitation outcome, and levels of positive symptoms among individuals with schizophrenia. Given its escalating importance in psychiatric rehabilition, a scale to assess self-efficacy with established psychometric properties is urgently needed. Validated scales that measure self-efficacy of Chinese with severe mental illness are however extremely limited. The Chinese General Self-efficacy Scale (CGSS) was generic in design and had not been validated for use with people with mental illness. The purpose of this study is to examine psychometric properties of CGSS for use among persons with schizophrenia in Chinese societies. The content validity of items was endorsed by a panel of 8 rehabilitation professionals with 75% to 100% of agreement. The scale was tested in sample of 78 individuals with schizophrenia and found to have excellent internal consistency (0.92–0.93) and very good to excellent test re-test reliability (0.75–0.94). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution explaining 69.0% of variance which was different from overseas studies which showed the scale to be unidimensional. The scale was concluded to be reliable and valid to assess self-efficacy of Chinese with schizophrenia. Potential uses of this scale were suggested.
Trends of Breastfeeding Rate in Korea (1994-2012): Comparison with OECD and Other Countries

Breastfeeding has numerous benefits both for infants and mothers. WHO, UNICEF, and OECD report the breastfeeding rate (BR) and exclusive breastfeeding rate (EBR) at 3, 4, and 6 months of age for the international comparison. This article investigates the nationwide changes in BR and EBR in Korea from 1994 to 2012. EBR declined from 1994 to 2000, however progressively increased untill 2012. The latest data in 2012 revealed EBRs at 3, 4, and 6 months were 50.0%, 40.5%, and 11.4% respectively. The exclusive formula feeding rate (EFR) was highest in 2000 and gradually declined thereafter. In 2012, the EFRs at 3, 4 and 6 months were 21.7%, 26.5%, and 10.1%. In 2009, the EBRs at 3 and 6 months in the United States were 36.0% and 16.3% compared to 50.0% and 11.4% in Korea. In England, the EBRs were 17% and 12% in 2010. Amongst OECD countries, Hungary ranked highest EBRwith 95%, and Iceland, Norway, Slovak Republic, Australia, New Zealand followed. In conclusion, BRs were lowest in 2000, and there have been remarkable increases in BRs over the past 10 yr in Korea. Although BRs have been increasing, further efforts to increase BRs should be made continuously.
Stroke as a late treatment effect of Hodgkin's Disease: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

PURPOSE The objectives of this report are to examine the incidence of and risk factors for stroke among childhood Hodgkin's disease (HD) survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study is a multi-institutional cohort study of more than 5-year cancer survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 and a sibling comparison group. Incidence rates of stroke among HD survivors (n = 1,926) and siblings (n = 3,846) were calculated and compared. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios, reported as relative risks (RR), of developing stroke between HD survivors and siblings. RESULTS Nine siblings reported a stroke, for an incidence of 8.00 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 3.85 to 14.43 per 100,000 person-years). Twenty-four HD survivors reported a stroke. The incidence of late-occurring stroke among HD survivors was 83.6 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 54.5 to 121.7 per 100,000 person-years). The RR of stroke among HD survivors was 4.32 (95% CI, 2.01 to 9.29; P = .0002). All 24 survivors received mantle radiation exposure (median dose, 40 Gy). The incidence of late-occurring stroke among HD survivors treated with mantle radiation was 109.8 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 70.8 to 161.1 per 100,000 person-years). The RR of late-occurring stroke among HD survivors treated with mantle radiation was 5.62 (95% CI, 2.59 to 12.25; P < .0001). CONCLUSION Survivors of childhood HD are at increased risk of stroke. Mantle radiation exposure is strongly associated with subsequent stroke. Potential mechanisms may include carotid artery disease or cardiac valvular disease.
Insights into Nuclear Organization in Plants as Revealed by the Dynamic Distribution of Arabidopsis SR Splicing Factors[W]

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are splicing regulators that share a modular structure consisting of one or two N-terminal RNA recognition motif domains and a C-terminal RS-rich domain. We investigated the dynamic localization of the Arabidopsis thaliana SR protein RSZp22, which, as we showed previously, distributes in predominant speckle-like structures and in the nucleolus. To determine the role of RSZp22 diverse domains in its nucleolar distribution, we investigated the subnuclear localization of domain-deleted mutant proteins. Our results suggest that the nucleolar localization of RSZp22 does not depend on a single targeting signal but likely involves different domains/motifs. Photobleaching experiments demonstrated the unrestricted dynamics of RSZp22 between nuclear compartments. Selective inhibitor experiments of ongoing cellular phosphorylation influenced the rates of exchange of RSZp22 between the different nuclear territories, indicating that SR protein mobility is dependent on the phosphorylation state of the cell. Furthermore, based on a leptomycin B– and fluorescence loss in photobleaching–based sensitive assay, we suggest that RSZp22 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein. Finally, with electron microscopy, we confirmed that RSp31, a plant-specific SR protein, is dynamically distributed in nucleolar cap-like structures upon phosphorylation inhibition. Our findings emphasize the high mobility of Arabidopsis SR splicing factors and provide insights into the dynamic relationships between the different nuclear compartments.
Two Pathways for Cyclooxygenase-2 Protein Degradation in Vivo*

COX-2, formally known as prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-2 (PGHS-2), catalyzes the committed step in prostaglandin biosynthesis. COX-2 is induced during inflammation and is overexpressed in colon cancer. In vitro, an 18-amino acid segment, residues 595–612, immediately upstream of the C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum targeting sequence is required for N-glycosylation of Asn594, which permits COX-2 protein to enter the endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation system. To determine the importance of this COX-2 degradation pathway in vivo, we engineered a del595–612 PGHS-2 (Δ18 COX-2) knock-in mouse lacking this 18-amino acid segment. Δ18 COX-2 knock-in mice do not exhibit the renal or reproductive abnormalities of COX-2 null mice. Δ18 COX-2 mice do have elevated urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite levels and display a more pronounced and prolonged bacterial endotoxin-induced febrile response than wild type (WT) mice. Normal brain tissue, cultured resident peritoneal macrophages, and cultured skin fibroblasts from Δ18 COX-2 mice overexpress Δ18 COX-2 relative to WT COX-2 expression in control mice. These results indicate that COX-2 can be degraded via the endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation pathway in vivo. Treatment of cultured cells from WT or Δ18 COX-2 mice with flurbiprofen, which blocks substrate-dependent degradation, attenuates COX-2 degradation, and treatment of normal mice with ibuprofen increases the levels of COX-2 in brain tissue. Thus, substrate turnover-dependent COX-2 degradation appears to contribute to COX-2 degradation in vivo. Curiously, WT and Δ18 COX-2 protein levels are similar in kidneys and spleens from WT and Δ18 COX-2 mice. There must be compensatory mechanisms to maintain constant COX-2 levels in these tissues.
Augmentation Strategies for Treatment‐Resistant Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder*

&NA; This review discusses augmentation strategies for patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder who fail to respond to treatment. A patient's failure to respond to treatment may be due to any of a number of factors, such as noncompliance with a behavioral program, concurrent severe depression or personality disorder, certain ritualistic behaviors, inaccurate diagnosis, and inadequate treatment. It is particularly important that comorbid psychiatric disorders be diagnosed and treated. A review of the literature and my experience with the use of augmenting agents such as lithium, buspirone, clonidine, fenfluramine, antidepressants, anxiolytic agents, and neuroleptics in treatment‐resistant obsessive‐compulsive disorder are presented. Existing evidence suggests that some of these approaches are useful for some patients. However, many questions remain, and much research remains to be done on this topic.
Pretreatment leukaemia cell drug resistance is correlated to clinical outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia

Abstract: In 85 adult patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and treated at the same institution during a 5‐yr period, the clinical significance of in vitro cellular drug resistance to the anthracyclines aclarubicin (Acla) and daunorubicin (Dau) as well as the nucleoside analogue cytarabine (Ara‐C) was investigated using a 4‐d MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. In 59 patients of whom 40 were treated by the combination of Acla and Ara‐C we found that leukaemia cell drug resistance towards Acla was higher (by a factor 2.80) in patients who failed to enter complete remission (CR) after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy as compared to patients who entered complete remission. The relationship was significant in univariate as well as multivariate analysis (p=0.02 and 0.03, respectively). By contrast, no in vitro single drug resistance values were consistently correlated to other parameters of clinical outcome (overall CR rate, overall survival (OS), or continuous complete remission (CCR)), whereas the combined Acla and Ara‐C drug resistance profile (Acla/Ara‐C DRP) was of prognostic significance to overall survival of all 85 patients (p=0.004) as well as to the CCR of 39 complete responders (p=0.04). These findings remained statistically significant in multivariate analyses correcting for other variables influencing clinical outcome including patient age, leukocyte count, karyotype, FAB‐subtype, and presence/absence of secondary AML. We conclude that the in vitro drug resistance of leukaemia cells at time of disease presentation appears to be independent of prognostic significance to short‐ and long‐term clinical outcome in AML.
A LITERATURE REVIEW OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This paper traces the evolution of emotional intelligence as a theory and goes on to give a literature review of the same. It discusses the different concepts and beliefs pertaining to emotion and cognition and how it culminated in the theory of emotional intelligence. It also discusses the three major models of emotional intelligence, their contribution to the theory and finally closes with a brief discussion on future improvement of the theory.
Turbulence during the reflection of internal gravity waves at critical and near-critical slopes

Abstract Direct numerical simulation is performed with a focus on the characterization of nonlinear dynamics during reflection of a plane internal wave at a sloping bottom. The effect of incoming wave amplitude is assessed by varying the incoming Froude number, $Fr$ , and the effect of off-criticality is assessed by varying the slope angle in a range of near-critical values. At low $\mathit{Fr}$ , the numerical results agree well with linear inviscid theory of near-critical internal wave reflection. With increasing $\mathit{Fr}$ , the reflection process becomes nonlinear with the formation of higher harmonics and the initiation of fine-scale turbulence during the evolution of the reflected wave. Later in time, the wave response becomes quasi-steady with a systematic dependence of turbulence on the temporal and spatial phase. Convective instabilities are found to play a crucial role in the formation of turbulence during each cycle. The cycle evolution of flow statistics is studied in detail and qualitative differences between off-critical and critical reflection are identified. The parametric dependence of turbulence levels on Froude number and slope angle is calculated. Interestingly, at a given value of $\mathit{Fr}$ , the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) can be higher for somewhat off-critical reflection compared to exactly critical reflection. For a fixed slope angle, as the Froude number increases in the simulated cases, the fraction of the input wave energy converted into the turbulent kinetic energy and the fraction of the input wave power dissipated by turbulence also increase.
Correlation between Release of Cholecystokinin and Contraction of the Gallbladder in Patients with Gallstones

The role of endogenously released cholecystokinin (CCK) in mediating gallblader (GB) contraction was evaluated in 12 normal volunteers and 24 patients with gallstones (11 additional gallstone patients were excluded because of failure of adequate ultrasonographic visualization). CCK concentrations before and after oral administration of fat (Lipomul®) were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. CCK release was correlated with changes in GB volume determined simultaneously by ultrasonography. On the basis of gallbladder contraction and operative findings, gallstone patients were divided into “contractors” (14), “noncontractors” (6), and “hydrops” (4). Lipomul caused prompt release of CCK in normal volunteers and all groups of gallstone patients. The changes (basal to peak) in plasma CCK (pg/ml) for the different groups were as follows: normal volunteers (108 ± 9 to 200 ± 16), contractors (77 ± 10 to 128 ± 13), noncontractors (59 ± 7 to 159 ± 38), and hydrops (43 ± 5 to 113 ± 47). The total integrated output of CCK (0–60 min) was greater in normal volunteers (3975 ± 762 pg-min/ml) than in contractors (1530 ± 567 pg-min/ml). Lipomul caused similar GB contraction in normal volunteers and contractors (from basal volumes to maximal contraction); these changes were from 19.5 ± 2.3 ml to 5.6 ± 1.0 ml in normal volunteers, and from 19.6 ± 3.2 to 5.2 ± 1.0 in contractors. Plasma concentrations of CCK and GB volume were highly correlated in the 12 normal volunteers (r = −0.89, p < 0.01) and in the 14 contractors (r = −0.99, p < 0.01)), but the GB was significantly (p < 0.01) more sensitive to changes in plasma CCK in the gallstone contractors than in the normal volunteers. The authors suggest that there may be two groups of gallstone patients, noncontractors and contractors. Stasis may be important in the pathogenesis of gallstones in the noncontractors, whereas in contractors, the authors speculate that an abnormality in the CCK-gallbladder relationship (characterized by diminished CCK release and increased GB sensitivity to CCK) may be involved in the evolution of the disease.