Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myc Recruits P-TEFb to Mediate the Final Step in the Transcriptional Activation of the cad Promoter*

The c-Myc protein is up-regulated in many different types of cancer, suggesting that a detailed understanding of Myc function is an important goal. Our previous studies have focused on determining the mechanism by which Myc activates transcription using the target gene cad as an experimental model. Previously, we found that Myc activates cad transcription at a post-RNA polymerase II recruitment step and that the Myc transactivation domain interacts with a number of cdk-cyclin complexes. We now extend these studies to determine the role of these cyclin-cdk complexes in Myc-mediated transactivation. We have found that cyclin T1 binding to Myc localizes to the highly conserved Myc Box I, whereas cdk8 binding localizes to the amino-terminal 41 amino acids of the Myc transactivation domain. We showed that recruitment of cdk8 is sufficient for activation of a synthetic promoter construct. In contrast, the ability of Myc to activate transcription of thecad promoter correlates with binding of cyclin T1. Furthermore, recruitment of cyclin T1 to the cad promoter via a Gal4 fusion protein or through protein-protein interaction with the HIV-1 Tat protein can also activate cad transcription. These results suggest that Myc activates transcription by stimulating elongation and that P-TEFb is a key mediator of this process.
Sheffield at SemEval-2017 Task 9: Transition-based language generation from AMR.

This paper describes the submission by the University of Sheffield to the SemEval 2017 Abstract Meaning Representation Parsing and Generation task (SemEval 2017 Task 9, Subtask 2). We cast language generation from AMR as a sequence of actions (e.g., insert/remove/rename edges and nodes) that progressively transform the AMR graph into a dependency parse tree. This transition-based approach relies on the fact that an AMR graph can be considered structurally similar to a dependency tree, with a focus on content rather than function words. An added benefit to this approach is the greater amount of data we can take advantage of to train the parse-to-text linearizer. Our submitted run on the test data achieved a BLEU score of 3.32 and a Trueskill score of -22.04 on automatic and human evaluation respectively.
THE SIZE AND ORIGIN OF METAL-ENRICHED REGIONS IN THE INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM FROM SPECTRA OF BINARY QUASARS

We present tomography of the circum-galactic metal distribution at redshift 1.7–4.5 derived from echellete spectroscopy of binary quasars. We find C iv systems at similar redshifts in paired sightlines more often than expected for sightline-independent redshifts. As the separation of the sightlines increases from 36 kpc to 907 kpc, the amplitude of this clustering decreases. At the largest separations, the C iv systems cluster similar to the Lyman-break galaxies studied by Adelberger et al. in 2005. The C iv systems are significantly less correlated than these galaxies, however, at separations less than R1 ≃ 0.42 ± 0.15 h−1 comoving Mpc. Measured in real space, i.e., transverse to the sightlines, this length scale is significantly smaller than the break scale estimated previously from the line-of-sight correlation function in redshift space by Scannapieco et al. in 2006. Using a simple model, we interpret the new real-space measurement as an indication of the typical physical size of enriched regions. We adopt this size for enriched regions and fit the redshift-space distortion in the line-of-sight correlation function. The fitted velocity kick is consistent with the peculiar velocity of galaxies as determined by the underlying mass distribution and places an upper limit on the average outflow (or inflow) speed of metals. The implied timescale for dispersing metals is larger than the typical stellar ages of Lyman-break galaxies, and we argue that enrichment by galaxies at z ⩾ 4.3 played a greater role in dispersing metals. To further constrain the growth of enriched regions, we discuss empirical constraints on the evolution of the C iv correlation function with cosmic time. This study demonstrates the potential of tomography for measuring the metal enrichment history of the circum-galactic medium.
Effects of treatment with somatostatin analogues on QT interval duration in acromegalic patients

Objective Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to the increased mortality of acromegalic patients. Prolongation of the QT interval is considered an established risk factor for potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias, an event frequently observed in acromegaly. Changes in ventricular repolarization have been observed with the use of octreotide, one of the somatostatin analogues (SSA) currently used for the medical treatment of this disease. Furthermore, octreotide is listed among the drugs able to prolong the QT interval. Thus, we elected to study the effects of long‐term SSA administration on QT duration and left ventricular mass (LVM) in a group of acromegalic patients.
Influence of preoperative feeding on the healing of colonic anastomoses in malnourished rats.

BACKGROUND Malnutrition influences healing of gastrointestinal anastomoses. The authors hypothesize that colonic anastomotic healing is decreased by malnutrition and might be improved by preoperative feeding. METHODS Eighty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) control rats 1 (C1), fed regular chow ad libitum for 21 days; (2) malnourished pair-fed rats (M), fed 50% of the food ingested by the control rats for 21 days; (3) preoperative nutrition rats (PRE), fed 50% of the average of the controls for 21 days and then fed preoperative nutrition with regular chow ad libitum for 1 week before the operation; and (4) control rats 2 (C2), fed regular chow ad libitum for 28 days. On days 21 (C1 and M) and 28 (PRE and C2), rats underwent 2 colonic transections and, subsequently, 2 end-to-end anastomoses. Rats were killed on postoperative day 5. The anastomoses were resected for tensile strength and histological analysis. RESULTS PRE rats showed increased maximal tensile strength vs the M group (0.09+/-0.01 vs 0.15+/-0.01; P<.05) and similar values of maximal tensile strength as the controls (0.15+/-0.01 vs 0.15+/-0.02; P=.91). Collagen type I was higher in controls vs the PRE group (6.13+/-0.39 vs 4.90+/-1.53; P<.05); nevertheless, the PRE group showed higher collagen type I than M rats (4.90+/-0.36 vs 3.83+/-0.35; P<.05). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative feeding for 7 days increases the maximal tensile strength, as well as the percentage area of mature collagen, approaching similar values as the control group.
Immunogenicity of a Prime-Boost Vaccine Containing the Circumsporozoite Proteins of Plasmodium vivax in Rodents

ABSTRACT Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread and the second most prevalent malaria-causing species in the world. Current measures used to control the transmission of this disease would benefit from the development of an efficacious vaccine. In the case of the deadly parasite P. falciparum, the recombinant RTS,S vaccine containing the circumsporozoite antigen (CSP) consistently protects 30 to 50% of human volunteers against infection and is undergoing phase III clinical trials in Africa with similar efficacy. These findings encouraged us to develop a P. vivax vaccine containing the three circulating allelic forms of P. vivax CSP. Toward this goal, we generated three recombinant bacterial proteins representing the CSP alleles, as well as a hybrid polypeptide called PvCSP-All-CSP-epitopes. This hybrid contains the conserved N and C termini of P. vivax CSP and the three variant repeat domains in tandem. We also generated simian and human recombinant replication-defective adenovirus vectors expressing PvCSP-All-CSP-epitopes. Mice immunized with the mixture of recombinant proteins in a formulation containing the adjuvant poly(I·C) developed high and long-lasting serum IgG titers comparable to those elicited by proteins emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Antibody titers were similar in mice immunized with homologous (protein-protein) and heterologous (adenovirus-protein) vaccine regimens. The antibodies recognized the three allelic forms of CSP, reacted to the repeated and nonrepeated regions of CSP, and recognized sporozoites expressing the alleles VK210 and VK247. The vaccine formulations described in this work should be useful for the further development of an anti-P. vivax vaccine.
LONG TERM MEASUREMENTS OF INDOOR RADON EQUILIBRIUM FACTOR

Abstract To provide detailed information for bronchial dose estimates, aerosol particle size distributions, and radon gas concentration, measurements were made in six residential homes and three laboratory rooms in different office buildings in the city of Ottawa. In the literature, most particle size distribution measurements are taken with samplers operating for a few days at most. In this study, the particle size samplers collected the samples from 77 to 162 d. The equilibrium factor determined from the long-term measurements ranged from 0.6 to almost 1 with an average of 0.75. Even though radon concentrations were quite different between residential setting and office buildings, the average equilibrium factor was similar in the two different indoor environments. The results suggest that at least in some basements, if they were occupied, the radon dose would be about twice as high as normally estimated from the conventional Feq value of 0.4.
Colorectal cancer pulmonary oligometastases: pooled analysis and construction of a clinical lung metastasectomy prognostic model.

BACKGROUND Although resecting colorectal cancer (CRC) pulmonary metastasis is associated with long-term survival, identification of prognostic groups is needed for future randomized trials, and construction of a lung metastasectomy prognostic model (LMPM) is warranted. PATIENTS AND METHODS We searched the PubMed database for retrospective studies evaluating prognostic factors following resecting CRC lung metastasis. Individual patient data were analyzed. Independent prognostic factors were used to construct an LMPM. RESULTS Between 1983 and 2008, 1112 metastasectomies were carried out on 927 patients included in eight studies. Five-year survival rate was 54.3% following the first lung resection. Multivariate analysis identified three independently poor prognostic factors: pre-thoracotomy carcinoembryonic antigen ≥5 ng/ml, disease-free interval <36 months, and more than one metastatic lesion. Patients with good-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups according to the LMPM had a 5-year survival of 68.2%, 46.4%, and 26.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). Perioperative chemotherapy and previously resected liver metastasis had no influence on survival. CONCLUSIONS The low- and intermediate-risk groups have a good chance of long-term survival following metastasectomy. However, more studies are needed to investigate whether surgery offers any advantage over systemic therapy for the poor-risk group.
CELLULAR RESPONSE IN THE DERMIS OF COMMON WOMBATS (VOMBATUS URSINUS) INFECTED WITH SARCOPTES SCABIEI VAR. WOMBATI

The cellular response in the dermis of common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) with sarcoptic mange exhibited some typical aspects of an immune response to Sarcoptes scabiei. There was an induction phase for wombats experimentally infected with S. scabiei represented by absence of a dermal inflammatory infiltrate for at least 12 days after infection. T lymphocytes, plasma cells, mast cells, and neutrophils then entered the dermis, consistent with a type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity response. In free-living wombats with severe parakeratotic sarcoptic mange eosinophils were also present in the dermis suggesting that a type I (immediate) hypersensitivity response may develop after a type IV hypersensitivity response. Absence of plasma cells and B lymphocytes in free-living wombats with severe parakeratotic sarcoptic mange compared with their presence in wombats experimentally infected with S. scabiei suggested that some immune tolerance may develop with severe infections. A large proportion of cells in the dermal response were not identified but were possibly cells of connective tissue. The thickness of the epidermis increased within 4 days in response to S. scabiei infection. Some antibodies raised against human leucocyte antigens CD3, CD5, HLA-DP, DQ, DR, and CD79b cross-reacted with leucocyte antigens of common wombats and were used to identify cell types in inflammatory infiltrates using immunohistochemistry.
Estrogen Receptor in the Rabbit Corpus Luteum

The rabbit corpus luteum contains a cytoplasmic estrogen receptor substance in concentrations comparable to those found in the uterus. Receptor in corpora lutea of nonpregnant rabbits was highest at midluteal phase and decreased before physical regression of corpora was evident. These results support the view that the corpus luteum in this species is an estrogen-responsive tissue.
Dietary selenium and arsenic additions and their effects on tissue and egg selenium.

Abstract A study involving 0.2, 2 and 8 p.p.m. selenium and 8 or 15 p.p.m. arsenic additions to corn-soy, glucose-isolated soy and glucose-Torula yeast diets for laying type chickens was conducted to 62 weeks of age. Hens from the corn-soy diet were force molted and continued on treatment to 104 weeks of age. Addition of 2 p.p.m. selenium to the corn-soy diet significantly (P Egg size was decreased when 8 p.p.m. selenium were added to any of the three diet types and in some cases with 2 p.p.m. No significant effects due to selenium supplementation were noted on shell thickness, Haugh units or egg fertility. Percent hatch of fertile eggs was significantly (P Selenium supplements up to 2 p.p.m. to the purified-type diets containing 0.02 to 0.07 p.p.m. selenium resulted in tissue selenium contents of 0.5–0.9 p.p.m. These were comparable to those found in hens fed the unsupplemented corn-soy diet which contained 0.4 p.p.m. selenium. With the unsupplemented purified-type diets, tissue selenium levels were in the range of 0.06–0.4 p.p.m. Selenium deposition in eggs followed the same patterns as tissue selenium and did not increase with length of time the hens were fed the supplements. Within two weeks after supplementation was terminated, egg selenium levels were similar irrespective of previous dietary treatment.
Genetic Predisposition Favors the Acquisition of Stable Artemisinin Resistance in Malaria Parasites

ABSTRACT The emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria jeopardizes efforts to control this infectious disease. To identify factors contributing to reduced artemisinin susceptibility, we have employed a classical genetic approach by analyzing artemisinin responses in the F1 progeny of a genetic cross. Our data show that reduced artemisinin susceptibility is a multifactorial trait, with pfmdr1 and two additional loci (on chromosomes 12 and 13) contributing to it. We further show that the different artemisinin susceptibilities of the progeny strains affect their responses to selection with increasing concentrations of artemisinin. Stable, high-level in vitro artemisinin resistance rapidly arose in those parasites that were the least artemisinin susceptible among the F1 progeny, whereas progeny that were highly artemisinin susceptible did not acquire stable artemisinin resistance. These data suggest that genetic predisposition favors the acquisition of high-level artemisinin resistance. In vitro-induced artemisinin resistance did not result in cross-resistance to artesunate or artemether, suggesting that resistance to one derivative does not necessarily render the entire drug class ineffective.
An open-label trial of combination therapy with interferon β-1a and oral methotrexate in MS

An open-label study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with weekly oral methotrexate (20 mg) and interferon β-1a (IFNβ-1a) in 15 patients with MS who had experienced exacerbations while receiving IFNβ monotherapy. Nausea was the only major side effect. A 44% reduction in the number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions seen on MRI scan was observed during combination therapy (p = 0.02). There was a trend toward fewer exacerbations. This combination therapy appears to be safe and well tolerated, and should be studied in a controlled trial.
Positive force feedback in human walking

The objective of this study was to determine if load receptors contribute to the afferent‐mediated enhancement of ankle extensor muscle activity during the late stance phase of the step cycle. Plantar flexion perturbations were presented in late stance while able‐bodied human subjects walked on a treadmill that was declined by 4%, inclined by 4% or held level. The plantar flexion perturbation produced a transient, but marked, presumably spinally mediated decrease in soleus EMG that varied directly with the treadmill inclination. Similarly, the magnitude of the control step soleus EMG and Achilles' tendon force also varied directly with the treadmill inclination. In contrast, the ankle angular displacement and velocity were inversely related to the treadmill inclination. These results suggest that Golgi tendon organ feedback, via the group Ib pathway, is reduced when the muscle–tendon complex is unloaded by a rapid plantar flexion perturbation in late stance phase. The changes in the unload response with treadmill inclination suggest that the late stance phase soleus activity may be enhanced by force feedback.
An infective factor controlling sex compatibility in Bacterium coli.

SUMMARY: Incompatibility may occur in Bacterium coli strains which were previously considered homothallic. A cross between two incompatible strains is completely sterile. Such strains are termed F -. Strains which are self-compatible are termed F + and are productive when crossed either with other F + strains or with F - strains. The F + state is transmissible by infection due to a virus-like agent (F) which is not readily separable from the cells. Thus, both in vegetative and sexual reproduction, infection must be mediated by cell to cell contact. No changes other than those of compatibility have been correlated with the F + state. F is independent of λ, the latent phage of the K-12 strain of Bact. coli. A small proportion of other strains of Bact. coli are fertile when mated with K-12 and, among these, F + and F - strains are found with about equal frequency. In K-12, extreme variations in fertility are found which are only partly associated with F and partly depend on the residual genotype. The cross between two F + strains is usually less fertile than F + x F - and in such a cross one of the two strains behaves predominantly as F -, the other as F +. The F + state has a definite effect on segregation in the sense that the genetical contribution of the F + parent to the zygote, or at least to the resulting recombinants, is less than that of the F - parent.
Healthcare ethics committees and managed care.

OBJECTIVES Healthcare ethics committees (HECs) play an important role in medical decision making in US hospitals, but no study has determined whether HECs deal with managed care, in any form. This pilot study was performed to evaluate the activities and perceptions of HECs about managed care. STUDY DESIGN Forty-five hospitals in the Philadelphia area were selected at random, and comprised 36.6% of area institutions and 47% of area inpatient beds. Surveys were administered to ethics committee representatives by the authors in 1998. PATIENTS AND METHODS Survey responses were coded, and both tabulated responses and analyzed data are presented. Correlations were analyzed with the unpaired 2-tailed t test. RESULTS HECs devoted 7.6% of committee time to managed care issues, and the remainder to education, policy development, and case consultation. Time spent on managed care issues depended on the size of the institution (small hospitals spent twice the time on managed care as did large institutions); composition of the committee (presence of clergy and retirees on HECs correlated with the likelihood that HECs would address managed care issues); and whether the HEC was requested to help with managed care issues. Of the HECs surveyed, 18% had formal but disparging discussions of ethical concerns in managed care. The impact of changing insurance programs on the hospital and HECs was a concern. CONCLUSIONS HECs arbitrate ethical conflicts in managed care when asked. As the presence of managed care increases, ethics committees will increasingly be called on to resolve the resulting ethical dilemmas. To be effective in this role, HECs must become knowledgeable about managed care principles and policies.
Serosurvey of hantavirus infection in humans in the border region between Brazil and Argentina.

INTRODUCTION According to reports by the Ministry of Health, in the far western region of the State of Santa Catarina, there have been no reports of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a zoonotic disease transmitted by feces of infected rodents. A seroepidemiological study of residents of this region, was conducted, with the aim of determining the presence of hantavirus infections. A total of 340 volunteers of both genus, from the towns of Belmonte and Paraíso, were studied. METHODS The serum of these patients was collected and used to detect IgG antibodies against recombinant N protein of Araraquara hantavirus, by ELISA assay. The positive samples were then titrated and confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS This study demonstrated the presence of IgG antibodies against hantavirus N protein in 3.5% of the population. The most frequent occupation was farm worker, 81% had direct and indirect contact with rodents, 91.7% of positive cases were farm workers, indicating that the probable cause of infection occurred during barn cleaning. These antibodies are noteworthy, given that the levels of antibodies were verified in individuals whose contact with hantavirus may have occurred many years ago. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the circulation of hantavirus in the region, a fact that until now, had not reported. All the serum reagents had contact with the pathogen, but did not develop pulmonary and cardiovascular syndrome. It is important to remain alert, because hantavirus is a serious and emerging disease of some relevance.
Plant regeneration of Anthurium andreanum cv Rubrun

To establish an efficient regeneration system for Anthurium andreanum cv Rubrun, seeds from plant spadixes were germinated on a medium supplemented with 2.2 mM BA. After 2 weeks, 74% of the seeds germinated and four weeks later, micro-cuttings from these plantlets were subcultured on a medium containing 4.4 mM BA and 0.05 mM NAA. On average, 3.6 shoots per explant were obtained. Four weeks old in vitro plants from germinated seeds and the plantlets obtained from micro-cuttings, showed callus proliferation at the stem base. These tissues were subcultured on a medium supplemented with 8.9 mM BA and 2.7 mM NAA. After 6 weeks of culture, about 43.8 plantlets per square cm of callus were obtained. Anatomical studies showed the organogenic nature of these calli. Anthurium andreanum plants regenerated by organogenesis were transferred to pots and a rate of 80% of plant acclimatization was obtained.
Innovative clusters: drivers of national innovation systems

The growth potential of countries increasingly depends on the effectiveness of their innovation systems in creating, diffusing and using knowledge. A large share of market-based or informal knowledge flows occur within industrial clusters that can be seen as reduced-form innovation systems. Policies to stimulate innovation at national and local levels must both build on and contribute to the dynamics of innovative clusters. This book presents a series of papers written by policy makers and academic experts in the field, that demonstrate why and how this can be done in different national contexts