Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitination as a Priming Process of PKC αand PKC ε Degradation in the αT3-1 Gonadotrope Cell Line

Background/Aim: Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of isoenzymes playing a key role in the regulation of gonadotrope cell functions. Specific PKC isoforms are activated and downregulated differentially by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the phorbol ester TPA. In the present study, focusing mainly on PKC ε, the mechanisms underlying the proteasome-dependent downregulation of GnRH-activated PKC ε and TPA-sensitive PKC α and ε isoenzymes were investigated in αT3-1 gonadotrope cells. Methods/Results: In pull-down assays involving the use of glutathione-agarose affinity beads conjugated with a GST-fusion protein containing ubiquitin-associated domains of Rad23 that bind very likely to K48-linked polyubiquitinated proteins, TPA induced rapid (within 15 min) and sustained (up to 4 h) PKC α and PKC ε polyubiquitination. However, GnRH selectively elicited receptor-dependent polyubiquitination of PKC ε, but not that of PKC α. The GnRH-evoked PKC ε polyubiquitination was a strong, fast process (taking place as early as 10 min) which decreased progressively with time (but was still detectable after 4 h of treatment). In addition, no apparent association between PKC ε and the lysosomal compartment was observed upon performing double-labeling immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, after either 10 min or 1 hour of stimulation by GnRH or the phorbol ester. Conclusion: In αT3-1 gonadotrope cells, polyubiquitination is therefore the event triggering GnRH-evoked PKC ε desensitization as well as TPA-induced PKC α and PKC ε downregulations; it precedes the respective isoenzyme’s degradation by the proteasome complex.
Survivin expression is a negative prognostic marker in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and is associated with p53 accumulation

Aims: To investigate survivin expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), its prognostic significance and relation to p53 status. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein that is overexpressed in cancer. It has been implicated in both prevention of apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. It has been suggested that wild‐type p53 represses survivin expression.
Peers’ Perceptions of Gender Nonconformity

The current study used reports from 318 early adolescents to examine the associations of peer-reported gender nonconformity with peer- and self-reported overt and relational victimization and aggression, and possible sex differences in these associations. Multiple-group structural equation modeling revealed that higher levels of peer-reported gender nonconformity were associated with higher self- and peer-reports of overt and relational victimization and aggression among males and females. The association between peer-reported gender nonconformity and peer-reported overt aggression was moderated by participant sex, such that the association was stronger for females compared to males. Results suggest that perceived gender nonconformity is associated with problematic peer relations, especially among females, in early adolescence and implications of these associations are discussed.
Evolution, literature, and film : a reader

Part I. Evolution and human nature: Evolutionary psychology: the new science of the mind (2008) / David M. Buss -- Recapitulation and conclusion, from On the origin of species (1859) / Charles Darwin -- The digital river (1995) / Richard Dawkins -- General summary and conclusion, from The descent of man (1871) / Charles Darwin -- Man: from sociobiology to sociology (1975) / Edward O. Wilson -- The universal people (1991) / Donald E. Brown -- Sociobiology at century's end (2000) / Edward O. Wilson -- Evolution and explanation (2005) / Steven Pinker -- Evolutionary social constructivism (2005) / David Sloan Wilson -- Part II. The riddle of art: Art and adaptation (1997) / Steven Pinker -- The arts and their interpretation (1998) / Edward O. Wilson -- Art and intimacy: how the arts began (2000) / Ellen Dissanayake -- Arts of seduction (2000) / Geoffrey Miller --^
Evidence for four classes of microtubules in individual cells.

Experiments were performed on crane-fly spermatids ( Nephrotoma suturalis Loew), ratsperm, and rat tracheal cilia to test whether all microtubules respond in the same way to different treatments. Crane-fly spermatids contain cytoplasmic microtubules, accessory tubules, and the 9 + 2 complex of tubules; rat sperm and rat tracheal cilia contain only the 9 + 2 tubules. Crane-fly spermatid tubules responded to the experimental treatments as follows. After colchicine treatment, or storage at 0 °C, the cytoplasmic microtubules disappeared, while the 9 + 2 tubules were normal. After storage at 50 °C the cytoplasmic microtubules disappeared, and then the 9 + 2 tubules were affected: first the central tubules and B-tubules were affected, and later the A-tubules. After brief pepsin treatment, the 9 doublet tubules disappeared, while the other tubules appeared normal; after prolonged pepsin treatment the accessory, central, and cytoplasmic tubules disappeared. After negative staining at pH 7, the cytoplasmic microtubules were never seen, the central tubules were only sometimes seen, the B-tubules were sometimes fragmented, and the A-tubules were intact. On the basis of these responses, it was concluded that there are 4 classes of tubules in crane-fly spermatids, namely cytoplasmic microtubules; accessory tubules and central tubules (of the 9 + 2 complex); B-tubules (of the 9 + 2 complex); and A-tubules (of the 9 + 2 complex). At least some of the different responses appeared to be due to intrinsic physical and/or chemical differences between the tubules themselves. Pepsin digestion and negative staining of rat sperm tails gave results similar to those with crane-fly spermatids. In addition, the 9 + 2 tubules responded differently to pepsin digestion at different points along their length. This gradient of sensitivity was attributed to synthesis of new tubules occurring at one end of the sperm tail. Pepsin digestion and negative staining of rat tracheal cilia gave results similar to those with crane-fly spermatids and rat sperm tails. All the tubules had a similar substructure, as revealed by negative-staining techniques. It was concluded that microtubules are proteinaceous, at least in part, and that microtubules are different in composition from membranes. It is suggested that the walls of the B-tubules are composed of two materials--(1) the portions adjacent to the A-tubules, and (2) the remaining portion.
Dexamethasone blocks increased leukotriene B4 production during endotoxin-induced lung injury.

We hypothesized that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) might be produced during endotoxemia in pigs and, if so, might play a role in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory failure. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h, followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3 h. Endotoxemic pigs were treated with dexamethasone (DEX, iv) 18 h (5 mg/kg) and 1 h (5 mg/kg) before onset of endotoxemia. During phases I (i.e., 0-2 h) and II (i.e., 2-4 h), endotoxin decreased cardiac index, caused granulocytopenia, and increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, alveolar-arterial O2 gradient, and hematocrit. During phase II, plasma LTB4 levels were increased (as determined by radioimmunoassay, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and ultraviolet spectroscopy). Endotoxin increased the levels of LTB4 and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). DEX blocked or greatly attenuated the endotoxin-induced hemodynamic abnormalities and blocked the increases in plasma and BALF LTB4 levels. We conclude that LTB4 is produced during porcine endotoxemia and could possibly play a role in the pathophysiology of endotoxin-induced lung injury in anesthetized pigs.
Variations in infant mortality rates among municipalities in the state of Ceará, Northeast Brazil: an ecological analysis.

BACKGROUND Infant mortality rates vary substantially among municipalities in the State of Ceará, from 14 to 193 per 1000 live births. Identification of the determinants of these differences can be of particular importance to infant health policy and programmes in Brazil where local governments play a pivotal role in providing primary health care. METHODS Ecological study across 140 municipalities in the State of Ceará, Brazil. RESULTS To determine the interrelationships between potential predictors of infant mortality, we classified 11 variables into proximate determinants (adequate weight gain and exclusively breastfeeding), health services variables (prenatal care up-to-date, participation in growth monitoring, immunization up-to-date, and decentralization of health services), and socioeconomic factors (female literacy rate, household income, adequate water supply, adequate sanitation, and per capita gross municipality product), and included the variables in each group simultaneously in linear regression models. In these analyses, only one of the proximate determinants (exclusively breastfeeding (inversely), R2 = 9.3) and one of the health services variables (prenatal care up-to-date (inversely), R2 = 22.8) remained significantly associated with infant mortality. In contrast, female literacy rate (inversely), household income (directly) and per capita GMP (inversely) were independently associated with the infant mortality rate (for the model including the three variables R2 = 25.2). Finally, we considered simultaneously the variables from each group, and selected a model that explained 41% of the variation in infant mortality rates between municipalities. The paradoxical direct association between household income and infant mortality was present only in models including female illiteracy rate, and suggests that among these municipalities, increases in income unaccompanied by improvements in female education may not substantially reduce infant mortality. The lack of independent associations between inadequate sanitation and infant mortality rates may be due to the uniformly poor level of this indicator across municipalities and provides no evidence against its critical role in child survival. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and increased prenatal care utilization, as well as investments in female education would have substantial positive effects in further reducing infant mortality rates in the State of Ceará.
Beyond Moore's Law: Internet Growth Trends

To keep pace with the Internet's growth, the maximum speed of core routers and switches must increase at the same rate. In a study conducted in 1969, the author analyzed 39 scientific computers released or planned for release from 1958 to 1972 to determine optimal computer replacement strategy (http://www.ziplink.net/lroberts/Forecast69.htm). This study looked at the trend of CPU throughput per dollar and predicted that computer performance would double every 18.6 months. Updating the study using data for 1999 PCs shows that the trend over 41 years is a doubling of computer performance every 21 months, a remarkably small correction. A similar study tracking the costs from the first ARPA packet switches in 1969 to the most modern routers and ATM switches in 1999 confirms that packet switches have followed the same trend as computers, with performance per dollar doubling every 21 months. Although the computer performance rate predicted in the updated 1969 study is similar to Moore's law, the trends are not identical. It would appear that both the performance per dollar for computers and the serial interface speed for communications are increasing at 94 percent of the yearly growth rate of semiconductor performance. We can use this information about performance and cost trends to predict the cost of computers and communications and to understand the Internet traffic growth. Keeping up with these trends will be a major engineering challenge.
Smoking, snus use and risk of right‐ and left‐sided colon, rectal and anal cancer: A 37‐year follow‐up study

Although some authorities consider smoking to be an established risk factor for colorectal cancer, the international literature is not entirely consistent. Further, only 1 study has addressed the association with smokeless tobacco and none with Scandinavian moist snuff (snus). This retrospective cohort study included 336,381 male Swedish construction workers with detailed information on tobacco use at cohort entry in 1971–1992. Complete follow‐up through 2007 was accomplished by means of linkage to population and health registers. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) derived from Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated relative risks, adjusted for age and body mass index. Subjects who were never‐users of any tobacco served as reference. After up to 37 years of follow‐up, pure smoking was associated with a marginally increased risk of colon cancer (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.99–1.19), a modestly elevated risk of rectal cancer (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.30) and a substantial excess risk of anal cancer (HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.06–5.48). Snus use was not significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal or anal cancer, although the point estimate for colon cancer was similar to that observed among smokers. Swedish data provide meager support for the association between tobacco use and colorectal cancer. A general tendency among Swedish men to quit smoking in recent decades might have attenuated true associations. A link between smoking and anal cancer was confirmed.
Ligand diffusion in the catalase from Proteus mirabilis: A molecular dynamics study

The role of the channels and cavities present in the catalase from Proteus mirabilis (PMC) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The reactant and products of the reaction, H2O2 →1/2 O2 + H2O, catalyzed by the enzyme were allowed to diffuse to and from the active site. Dynamic fluctuations in the structure are found necessary for the opening of the major channel, ideied in the X‐ray model, which allows access to the active site. This channel is the only pathway to the active site observed during the dynamics, and both the products and reactant use it. H2O and O2 are also detected in a cavity defined by the heme and Ser196, which could play an important role during the reaction. Free energy profiles of the ligands diffusing through the major channel indicate that the barriers to ligand diffusion are less than 20 kJ mol−1 for each of the species. It is not clear from our study that minor channels play a role for access to the protein active site or to the protein surface.
Adaptations to unilateral lower limb suspension in humans.

This study examined the effect of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) on neuromuscular function in humans. Eight subjects (31 +/- 4 years old) performed all ambulatory activity on crutches for 6 weeks while wearing a shoe with a 10-cm sole on the right foot to unweight the left lower limb. Knee extensor (KE) torque during eccentric, concentric, and isometric actions, and electromyography (EMG) of m. vastus lateralis (m. VL), m. gastrocnemius medialis (m. GM) and m. soleus (m. SL) during isometric actions were assessed pre-ULLS, post-ULLS, and after 4 d of recovery. Average muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the KE was measured pre- and post-ULLS and that of the ankle extensors (AE) post-ULLS using magnetic resonance imaging. Strength of the KE of the suspended left limb was reduced (p less than 0.05) 21 and 15%, respectively, after ULLS and 4 d later. Average muscle CSA of the left KE decreased (p less than 0.05) 16%. The KE of the non-suspended right limb showed no changes in muscle CSA. Thus, average muscle CSA of the KE of the suspended limb was 17% less (p less than 0.05) than that of the non-suspended limb. Average muscle CSA of the AE, likewise, was smaller (18%, p less than 0.05) in the left than right leg after ULLS. Maximal integrated EMG of VL and overall mean power frequency of GM and SL for submaximal isometric actions were both decreased (p less than 0.05) post-ULLS. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Color-Distortion Filtering for Remote Photoplethysmography

This paper introduces a powerful filtering method that exploits the physiological and optical properties of skin reflections to improve the performance of remote photoplethysmography (rPPG). Based on the fact that the pulsatile and nonpulsatile (e.g., intensity and specular changes) components have different reflection-spectra in a multi-wavelength camera, we propose to use their different characteristic color changes as a soft criterion to filter the RGB-signals in the frequency domain, such that the AC-components containing clear color distortions can be suppressed before the actual pulse extraction. This leads to a novel “Color-Distortion Filter” (CDF) that can be used as a common pre-processing step for arbitrary rPPG algorithms to increase their robustness. The benchmark in challenging fitness recordings shows that CDF brings significant and consistent improvements to all benchmarked rPPG algorithms, and drives all multi-channel approaches to a similar high quality-level.
Manifestações e prevalência de bullyng entre alunos com altas habilidades/superdotação

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o envolvimento de alunos com altas habilidades/superdotacao com a pratica de bullying, tendo como base os papeis assumidos por eles na condicao de vitima, agressor e/ou testemunha. Participaram da pesquisa 118 alunos oriundos de escolas publicas (107) e escolas particulares (11) que frequentavam um programa para estudantes com altas habilidades/superdotacao, oferecido pela Secretaria de Estado de Educacao do Distrito Federal. Para a coleta de dados, foi utilizado um questionario sobre bullying. Os resultados indicaram que os alunos com altas habilidades/superdotacao vivenciaram, nas escolas onde cursavam o ensino regular, situacoes de bullying, nas suas diferentes formas de manifestacao, tendo sido constatado o envolvimento desses alunos com bullying tanto na condicao de vitimas como de agressores e testemunhas. Dentre os comportamentos mais citados pelos participantes, na condicao de vitima, encontram-se os de "zoar"/humilhar, fofocar/fazer intrigas, atirar objetivos e excluir das brincadeiras. Na condicao de agressor, excluir das brincadeiras, apelidar, atirar objetos, "zoar"/humilhar e desprezar foram os mais apontados. A maioria desses comportamentos se manifestava de forma velada, o que dificulta a identificacao dessas acoes, exigindo um olhar mais atento do adulto. Espera-se que o presente estudo contribua para a compreensao mais ampla do fenomeno do bullying entre os superdotados, bem como possa servir de inspiracao e orientacao para que sejam adotadas medidas para o enfrentamento dessa realidade, tao danosa aos alunos envolvidos.
Treatment of Full-Thickness Chondral Defects of the Knee With Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been proven an effective method in treating large articular cartilage defects in short- or medium-term follow-up clinical studies. Hypothesis: First generation ACI of patients with large full-thickness chondral defects of the knee could yield reliable functional outcomes after a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between 1997 and 2005, 42 patients (45 knees) underwent first generation ACI for symptomatic chondral defects of the knee. All patients had moderate to large (mean, 5.33 cm2) full-thickness chondral defects. Patients were evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Knee Examination Form, the Tegner activity score, the Lysholm score, the Stanmore functional rating score, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Results: The mean follow-up was 96 months (range, 62-144 months). At the final follow-up, a significant increase in all scores was recorded. Compared with preoperative findings, the median Lysholm score significantly improved, increasing from 56.0 to 89.0 (P < .05). The IKDC and the Tegner activity score showed significant improvement postoperatively, increasing from 45 and 5.5 to 69 and 6.5, respectively (P < .05). The mean ICRS improved from grade 3.8 preoperatively to grade 2.8 postoperatively (P < .05). The Stanmore functional rating score and the VAS pain score were decreased from 3.06 and 7.33 to 0.94 and 2, respectively (P < .05). Reoperation was required in 5 patients. In 2 of them graft failure was recorded due to degeneration or partial detachment, respectively. Conclusion: The long-term outcomes of our series support the effectiveness of first generation ACI in both pain relief and functional rehabilitation of patients with large full-thickness osteochondral defects of the knee.
A linear algebra measure of cluster quality

One of the most common models in information retrieval (IR), the vector space model, represents a document set as a term‐document matrix where each row corresponds to a term and each column corresponds to a document. Because of the use of matrices in IR, it is possible to apply linear algebra to this IR model. This paper describes an application of linear algebra to text clustering, namely, a metric for measuring cluster quality. The metric is based on the theory that cluster quality is proportional to the number of terms that are disjoint across the clusters. The metric compares the singular values of the term‐document matrix to the singular values of the matrices for each of the clusters to determine the amount of overlap of the terms across clusters. Because the metric can be difficult to interpret, a standardization of the metric is defined, which specifies the number of standard deviations a clustering of a document set is from an average, random clustering of that document set. Empirical evidence shows that the standardized cluster metric correlates with clustered retrieval performance when comparing clustering algorithms or multiple parameters for the same clustering algorithm.
Telithromycin- and Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Taiwan with High Prevalence of Resistance to Macrolides and β-Lactams: SMART Program 2001 Data

ABSTRACT There is a high prevalence of β-lactam- and macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Taiwan. To understand the in vitro susceptibilities of recent isolates of S. pneumoniae to fluoroquinolones and telithromycin (which is not available in Taiwan), the MICs of 23 antimicrobial agents for 936 clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae isolated from different parts of Taiwan from 2000 to 2001 were determined by the agar dilution method. Overall, 72% of isolates were not susceptible to penicillin (with 61% being intermediate and 11% being resistant) and 92% were resistant to erythromycin. Telithromycin MICs were ≥1 μg/ml for 16% of the isolates, and for 99% of these isolates the MICs of all macrolides tested were ≥256 μg/ml; all of these isolates had the constitutive macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B phenotype. Eighty-eight percent of the isolates were resistant to three or more classes of drugs. The ciprofloxacin MICs were ≥4 μg/ml for six (0.6%) isolates from five patients collected in 2000 and 2001, and the levofloxacin MICs were ≥8 μg/ml for five of these isolates. Seven isolates for which ciprofloxacin MICs were ≥4 μg/ml, including one isolate recovered in 1999, belonged to three serotypes (serotype 19F, five isolates; serotype 23A, one isolate; and serotype 23B, one isolate). The isolates from the six patients for which ciprofloxacin MICs were ≥4 μg/ml had different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles and random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns, indicating that no clonal dissemination occurred over this time period. Despite the increased rate of fluoroquinolone use, the proportion of pneumococcal isolates for which ciprofloxacin MICs were elevated (≥4 μg/ml) remained low. However, the occurrence of telithromycin resistance is impressive and raises concerns for the future.