Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HOY1, a homeo gene required for hyphal formation in Yarrowia lipolytica

The dimorphic fungus Yarrowia lipolytica grows to form hyphae either in rich media or in media with GlcNAc as a carbon source. A visual screening, called FIL (filamentation minus), for Y. lipolytica yeast growth mutants has been developed. The FIL screen was used to identify three Y. lipolytica genes that abolish hypha formation in all media assayed. Y. lipolytica HOY1, a gene whose deletion prevents the yeast-hypha transition both in liquid and solid media, was characterized. HOY1 is predicted to encode a 509-amino-acid protein with a homeodomain homologous to that found in the chicken Hox4.8 gene. Analysis of the protein predicts a nuclear location. These observations suggest that Hoy1p may function as a transcriptional regulatory protein. In disrupted strains, reintroduction of HOY1 restored the capacity for hypha formation. Northern blot hybridization revealed the HOY1 transcript to be approximately 1.6 kb. Expression of this gene was detected when Y. lipolytica grew as a budding yeast, but an increase in its expression was observed by 1 h after cells had been induced to form hyphae. The possible functions of HOY1 in hyphal growth and the uses of the FIL screen to identify morphogenetic regulatory genes from heterologous organisms are discussed.
Cytokine profile in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

To elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism of renal parenchymal injury in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients, typically characterized by renal cystic changes paralleled by interstitial inflammation and gradual fibrotic changes, the role of selected inflammatory mediators was evaluated in a group of ADPKD patients with normal glomerular filtration rate. The plasma concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐8, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 (which may reflect systemic response to inflammation/infection) were increased in the ADPKD patient group. Coupled with decreased urinary excretion of the IL‐1 receptor antagonist (which exerts an anti‐inflammatory role), these results suggest that even in overt infection free status, the proinflammatory system is more activated and anti‐inflammatory defence system weakened in ADPKD subjects. Our data support the current view that cytokines are candidate contributors to pathogenesis of ADPKD.
Understanding the Income and Efficiency Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean

The countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region like other emerging economies, have benefited from a decade of remarkable growth and some income per capita convergence toward the United States and other high-income countries. Yet, despite this recent progress, LAC still faces a significant per capita income gap with the developed world. To narrow this income gap, it is critical that the region reduce its efficiency gap. To that end, the studies in this volume seek to identify the main candidates to explain the differences in efficiency between LAC and the United States, as well as to look for factors that drive convergence at all levels of the economy. Theory suggests two main channels through which the efficiency gap can be affected: technology adoption or innovation and resource allocation. The analysis in this volume shows that technology adoption explains about one-fifth of the efficiency gap, leaving the rest to be explained by misallocation of resources. Drawing on the findings of the studies in this volume, several broad policy directions emerge: (i) increasing focus on closing the efficiency gap - beyond mere factor accumulation - is critical to reduce the income gap and improve LAC’s convergence prospects; (ii) eliminating distortions that cause misallocation of resources will also improve the incentives to innovate; and (iii) reducing macroeconomic volatility will alleviate the negative impact of the poverty gap on growth.
Neurocognitive status is associated with all-cause mortality among psychiatric, high-risk liver transplant candidates and recipients

Objective Judicious selection of potential liver transplant candidates and close monitoring of progress are essential to successful outcomes. Pretransplant psychosocial evaluations are the norm, but the relationship between psychosocial (and neurocognitive status) and longer term medical outcomes is understudied. This exploratory study sought to examine the relationship between objective measures of pretransplant psychosocial and neurocognitive status and service utilization, transplant status, and all-cause mortality. Methods This retrospective chart review examined outcomes among 108 psychiatric, high-risk liver transplant candidates up to four years following initial evaluation. Predictor variables of outcomes included demographic, medical, neurocognitive, psychological, and mental health treatment variables. Results Transplant status and neurocognitive functioning were independently associated with all-cause mortality. None of the other variables were associated with outcomes. Conclusions Better neurocognitive functioning in high-risk liver transplant candidates may allow for greater involvement in medical care and/or compliance with treatment recommendations. More aggressive assessment and management of neurocognitive dysfunction may improve outcomes. Objective measures identified significant psychopathology typical of liver transplant candidates but were not associated with outcomes; engagement in specialized mental health care may have attenuated this relationship. Further study is needed to better understand the relationship between psychosocial functioning and outcomes.
Does Media Coverage Drive Public Support for UKIP or Does Public Support for UKIP Drive Media Coverage?

Abstract Previous research suggests media attention may increase support for populist right-wing parties, but extant evidence is mostly limited to proportional representation systems in which such an effect would be most likely. At the same time, in the United Kingdom’s first-past-the-post system, an ongoing political and regulatory debate revolves around whether the media give disproportionate coverage to the populist right-wing UK Independence Party (UKIP). This study uses a mixed-methods research design to investigate the causal dynamics of UKIP support and media coverage as an especially valuable case. Vector autoregression, using monthly, aggregate time-series data from January 2004 to April 2017, provides new evidence consistent with a model in which media coverage drives party support, but not vice versa. The article identifies key periods in which stagnating or declining support for UKIP is followed by increases in media coverage and subsequent increases in public support. The findings show that media coverage may drive public support for right-wing populist parties in a substantively non-trivial fashion that is irreducible to previous levels of public support, even in a national institutional environment least supportive of such an effect. The findings have implications for political debates in the UK and potentially other liberal democracies.
Phenolic Compounds Contained in Little-known Wild Fruits as Antiadhesive Agents Against the Beverage-Spoiling Bacteria Asaia spp.

The aim of the study was to evaluate antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of juice from three different types of fruits: elderberry (Sambucus nigra), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), and their action against adhesion of bacterial strains of Asaia lannensis and Asaia bogorensis isolated from spoiled soft drinks. The antioxidant profiles were determined by total antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Additionally, total polyphenol content (TPC) was investigated. Chemical compositions of juices were tested using the chromatographic techniques: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Adhesion properties of Asaia spp. cells to various abiotic materials were evaluated by luminometry, plate count and fluorescence microscopy. Antioxidant activity of fruit juices expressed as inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranged from 0.042 ± 0.001 (cornelian cherry) to 0.021 ± 0.001 g/mL (elderberry). TPC ranged from 8.02 ± 0.027 (elderberry) to 2.33 ± 0.013 mg/mL (cornelian cherry). Cyanidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-sambubioside were detected as the major anthocyanins and caffeic, cinnamic, gallic, protocatechuic, and p-coumaric acids as the major phenolic acids. A significant linear correlation was noted between TPC and antioxidant capacity. In the presence of fruit juices a significant decrease of bacterial adhesion from 74% (elderberry) to 67% (lingonberry) was observed. The high phenolic content indicated that these compounds may contribute to the reduction of Asaia spp. adhesion.
Xylitol Gum and Maternal Transmission of Mutans Streptococci

An important caries prevention strategy for children includes measures to interfere with transmission of mutans streptococci (MS). This study confirmed the effectiveness of maternal early exposure to xylitol chewing gum on mother-child transmission of MS. After screening, 107 pregnant women with high salivary MS were randomized into two groups: xylitol gum (Xylitol; n = 56) and no gum (Control; n = 51) groups. Maternal chewing started at the sixth month of pregnancy and terminated 13 months later in the Xylitol group. Outcome measures were the presence of MS in saliva or plaque of the children until age 24 months. The Xylitol-group children were significantly less likely to show MS colonization than Control-group children aged 9–24 months. The Control-group children acquired MS 8.8 months earlier than those in the Xylitol group, suggesting that maternal xylitol gum chewing in Japan shows beneficial effects similar to those demonstrated in Nordic countries.
Lack of Immune Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis DosR Regulon Proteins following Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccination

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium bovis BCG is widely used as a vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), despite its variable protective efficacy. Relatively little is known about the immune response profiles following BCG vaccination in relation to protection against TB. Here we tested whether BCG vaccination results in immune responses to DosR (Rv3133c) regulon-encoded proteins. These so-called TB latency antigens are targeted by the immune system during persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and have been associated with immunity against latent M. tuberculosis infection. In silico analysis of the DosR regulon in BCG and M. tuberculosis showed at least 97% amino acid sequence homology, with 41 out of 48 genes being identical. Transcriptional profiling of 14 different BCG strains, under hypoxia and nitric oxide exposure in vitro, revealed a functional DosR regulon similar to that observed in M. tuberculosis. Next, we assessed human immune responses to a series of immunodominant TB latency antigens and found that BCG vaccination fails to induce significant responses to latency antigens. Similar results were obtained with BCG-vaccinated BALB/c mice. In contrast, responses to latency antigens were observed in individuals with suspected exposure to TB (as indicated by positive gamma interferon responses to TB-specific antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10) and in mice vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding selected latency antigens. Since immune responses to TB latency antigens have been associated with control of latent M. tuberculosis infection, our findings support the development of vaccination strategies incorporating DosR regulon antigens to complement and improve the current BCG vaccine.
Nurses' Experience with HIV Stigma in Five African Countries

Author(s): Phillips, Raymond Eugene | Advisor(s): Holzemer, William L | Abstract: Background: While HIV-related stigma has become better understood since the beginning of he HIV/AIDS pandemic, it nevertheless remains a pervasive problem in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS in Africa. Nurses are at the forefront of HIV service delivery, and in many African countries nurses constitute the majority of the health care workers. There is a need to consider the implications of HIV stigma for nurses, but there is a dearth of evidence on nurses' experience with HIV stigma. The objective of this study was to explore the contributions of personal characteristics, job characteristics, and HIV/AIDS stigma on nurses' quality of life. Methods: The study was conducted on site at clinical facilities in five southern African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania). Using secondary analysis of time 1 data, 1,388 nurses were surveyed using a brief demographic survey, the Quality of Work Life survey, the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36, and the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument (HASI-N). Factor analysis was used in the parent study in the development of the HASI-N to explore concepts, build theory, and/or confirm and test hypotheses about nurses stigmatizing patients and nurses being stigmatized. Multiple regression correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between the predictor variables and criterion variable. ANOVA was used to compare and evaluate the differences amongst the demographic variables.Results: There is a significant negative correlation between stigma and job satisfaction, and there is significant correlation between years of nursing experience and stigma specifically for nurses stigmatizing patients. More stigma is reported if the nurse has a family member or relative who is HIV+. Nurses residing in peri-urban areas reported more stigma than those in urban or rural areas. Overall, the results show that both job satisfaction and nurses being stigmatized affect their physical health and mental health.Conclusions: This study added new information demonstrating that HIV stigma experienced by nurses affects their mental health and slightly their physical health, and this may contribute to the nursing shortage in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Orthopaedic Implications of Diphosphonate Therapy

&NA; Diphosphonates are among the many commonly prescribed drugs for osteoporosis management. These synthetic analogues of physiologically occurring inorganic pyrophosphate bind to the hydroxyapatite crystals of bone. Diphosphonates act by decreasing the amount of osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption by inducing apoptosis and disrupting the mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Prospective clinical trials have shown that diphosphonates increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fracture. Diphosphonates are generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of side effects. They may be administered orally or intravenously; infusions are the most potent. Few studies have directly studied the effect of diphosphonates on the rate of fracture or time to union. Concern exists regarding the long‐term safety of diphosphonates, particularly in patients with osteoporosis. New evidence suggests that long‐term therapy may increase the risk of fracture of the femoral shaft, with possible morphologic and prodromal warning signs. Further prospective research into the consequences of diphosphonate‐mediated suppressed bone turnover is needed to elucidate a safe duration of treatment.
Vitamin D3 therapy corrects the tissue sensitivity to angiotensin ii akin to the action of a converting enzyme inhibitor in obese hypertensives: an interventional study.

CONTEXT Vitamin D deficiency and obesity are associated with increased tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate whether vitamin D(3) therapy in obesity reduces tissue-RAS activity, as indicated by an increase in tissue sensitivity to angiotensin II (AngII). PARTICIPANTS Participants included obese subjects with hypertension and 25-hydroxyvitamin D less than 25 ng/ml. DESIGN Subjects were studied before and after 1 month of vitamin D(3) 15,000 IU/d, while in dietary sodium balance, and off all interfering medications. Fourteen subjects successfully completed all study procedures. SETTING The study was conducted at a clinical research center. OUTCOME MEASURES At each study visit, tissue sensitivity to AngII was assessed by measuring renal plasma flow (RPF), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and adrenal secretion of aldosterone during an infusion of AngII. Subjects were then given captopril, and a second AngII infusion to evaluate the effect of captopril on tissue-RAS activity. RESULTS Vitamin D(3) therapy increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D (18 to 52 ng/ml) and basal RPF (+5%) and lowered supine MAP (-3%) (all P < 0.01). There was a greater decline in RPF and higher stimulation of aldosterone with AngII infusion after vitamin D(3) therapy (both P < 0.05). As anticipated, captopril increased the renal-vascular, MAP, and adrenal sensitivity to AngII, but this effect was much smaller after vitamin D(3) therapy, indicating that vitamin D(3) therapy corrected the tissue sensitivity to AngII akin to captopril. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D(3) therapy in obese hypertensives modified RPF, MAP, and tissue sensitivity to AngII similar to converting enzyme inhibition. Whether chronic vitamin D(3) therapy abrogates the development of diseases associated with excess RAS activity warrants investigation.
Pharmacokinetics and bactericidal rates of daptomycin and vancomycin in intravenous drug abusers being treated for gram-positive endocarditis and bacteremia

The pharmacokinetics and bactericidal killing rates (BR) of daptomycin (D) and vancomycin (V) in 12 intravenous drug abusers (6 treated with daptomycin and 6 treated with vancomycin) were evaluated. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from multiple serum samples drawn at steady state over a 12-h dosing interval after intravenous infusions of 3 mg of D per kg of body weight and 1,000 mg of V. The BRs were determined from the 1- and 6-h serum samples by using four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (three methicillin susceptible and one methicillin resistant) obtained from the patients enrolled in the study. Peak serum daptomycin concentrations were lower and volumes of distribution were higher than reported in healthy volunteers. Although not statistically different, D clearance was 22% higher than reported in healthy volunteers. V pharmacokinetics were similar to those reported in previous studies. Daptomycin's BRs, although comparable to those of V in patients' serum, were significantly decreased compared with those found in broth. This may be related to the high degree of protein binding of D (93% versus 50% for V). Conversely, the BRs of V in serum were significantly greater than those in broth. The BRs of D and V in broth were greater when killing curves were performed with test strains in logarithmic versus stationary-phase growth. The ability to kill organisms in stationary phase may be an important factor in determining the performance of an antibiotic in deep-seated infections such as endocarditis.3+
Tracking context‐specific transcription factors regulating hox activity

Background: Hox proteins are key developmental regulators involved in almost every embryonic tissue for specifying cell fates along longitudinal axes or during organ formation. It is thought that the panoply of Hox activities relies on interactions with tissue‐, stage‐, and/or cell‐specific transcription factors. High‐throughput approaches in yeast or cell culture systems have shown that Hox proteins bind to various types of nuclear and cytoplasmic components, illustrating their remarkable potential to influence many different cell regulatory processes. However, these approaches failed to identify a relevant number of context‐specific transcriptional partners, suggesting that these interactions are hard to uncover in non‐physiological conditions. Here we discuss this problematic. Results: In this review, we present intrinsic Hox molecular signatures that are probably involved in multiple (yet specific) interactions with transcriptional partners. We also recapitulate the current knowledge on Hox cofactors, highlighting the difficulty to tracking context‐specific cofactors through traditional large‐scale approaches. Conclusion: We propose experimental approaches that will allow a better characterisation of interaction networks underlying Hox contextual activities in the next future. Developmental Dynamics 243:16–23, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endothelial protein C receptor polymorphisms and risk of sepsis in a Chinese population

Objective To examine the potential relationship of EPCR polymorphisms and the risk of sepsis in a Chinese population. Methods Snapshot SNP genotyping assays and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect polymorphisms of the EPCR gene, rs2069948C/T (2532C/T) and rs867186A/G (6936A/G), in 64 patients with sepsis and in 113 controls. Soluble EPCR (sEPCR) was measured by ELISA. Results There were significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of EPCR gene rs2069948C/T and allele frequencies of rs867186A/G between male and female patients and controls. Females carrying rs2069948 C/T genotype or T allele and males carrying rs867186 A allele were associated with a significantly increased risk of sepsis. Plasma sEPCR levels of sepsis patients were higher than controls and showed no correlation with EPCR gene polymorphisms. Conclusions EPCR polymorphisms may be associated with increased risk of sepsis, but this has no effect on the release of sEPCR in patients with sepsis.
Genre-specific Features of Translationese? Linguistic Differences between Translated and Non-translated Finnish Children's Literature

Large-scale corpus-based research within translation studies is just taking its first steps. The paper begins by discussing some fundamental ideas and concepts underlying descriptive, corpus-based translation studies. These include translationese, translation-specific language, which refers to linguistic features that are either specific to translations or occur with a significantly higher or lower frequency in translations than in target-language originals, and universals of translation, i.e. features which are hypothesized to be common to all translated texts regardless of text type and language pair. The paper reports some research findings based on the children's literature subcorpus of the larger Corpus of Translated Finnish compiled at the Savonlinna School of Translation Studies, University of Joensuu. The aim of the research was to find potential features of translationese in Finnish translations of children's books. The features discussed include complex nonfinite constructions, clause connectives, and keywords. It was discovered that high frequencies of nonfinite constructions, lack of colloquial words, and specific uses of certain conjunctions are qualities which distinguish Finnish translations from non-translations and can hence be considered features of translationese in Finnish children's literature. The findings are also looked at from the perspective of translation universals, which are both supported and contradicted. Finally, the paper touches upon the difficulties caused to computer analysis by Finnish, a synthetic language, and the problems of creating a balanced corpus.