Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress-Induced ClpP Serine Protease ofListeria monocytogenes Is Essential for Induction of Listeriolysin O-Dependent Protective Immunity

ABSTRACT The stress-induced protease ClpP is required for virulence of the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. We previously found that in the absence of ClpP, the virulence of this pathogen was strongly reduced, mainly due to the decreased production of functional listeriolysin O (LLO), a major immunodominant virulence factor promoting intracellular growth. In this work, a clpP deletion mutant of L. monocytogenes was used to study the generation of anti-Listeria protective immunity. We found that ClpP is required for the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes in resident macrophages in vivo. Mice infected with doses as high as 106clpP mutant bacteria were not protected against a lethal challenge of wild-type bacteria and did not develop any detectable LLO-specific cytolytic T cells or antibodies, suggesting that the amount of LLO produced in infected mice under these conditions was too low to induce a specific immune response. However, in contrast to the results obtained with a mutant with a disrupted hly gene, this lack of protection was overcome by inoculation of very high infecting doses ofclpP mutant bacteria (5 × 108), thus producing sufficient amounts of LLO to stimulate anti-Listeria immunity. The role of ClpP was confirmed by showing that anti-Listeria immunity was restored in mice infected with a clpP-complemented mutant. These results indicate that the stress-induced serine protease ClpP is a potential target for modulating the presentation of protective antigens such as LLO and thereby the immune response against L. monocytogenes.
Enamel defects in carriers of a novel LAMA3 mutation underlying epidermolysis bullosa.

© 2012 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1341 Journal Compilation © 2012 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Junctional epidermolysis bullosa, non-Herlitz (JEBnH) is an autosomal recessive EB subtype caused by mutations in the genes LAMA3, LAMB3, LAMC2 or COL17A1. The first three genes encode for laminin α3, laminin β3, and laminin γ2, respectively, which together form the heterotrimer laminin-332 (LM-332), whereas COL17A1 encodes for the homotrimer type XVII collagen (Col17) (1). LM-332 and Col17 are located in the lamina basale, and are important in epidermal–dermal adhesion. JEB-nH shows blistering after minor trauma, but also extracutaneous symptoms, such as dental abnormalities (1). Both LM-332 and Col17 are crucial in ameloblast differentiation and enamel formation (2, 3), resulting in enamel defects of the entire dentition in all patients with JEB-nH, consisting of hypoplasia, pitting, roughness, thinning or furrowing of enamel (4). In 1996, McGrath et al. (5) reported the first heterozygous carriers of a COL17A1 mutation with enamel defects. The carriers of the glycine substitution p.G627V had no signs of skin fragility, but did have extensive enamel hypoplasia and pitting, thought to be caused by the dominant-negative effect of the mutant Col17. In 2007, Murrell et al. (6) reported enamel defects in carriers of a COL17A1 null mutation, which was attributed to haploinsufficiency. Dental abnormalities have not been reported previously in carriers of mutations in the genes encoding LM-332. We report here the first enamel defects in carriers of a LAMA3 mutation.
The Determinants of Long-run Real Exchange Rate in South Africa: A Fundamental Equilibrium Approach

Abstract In this paper, we identify the fundamental determinants of the long-run exchange rate in South Africa. We then estimate the equilibrium real exchange rate for this country using a dataset covering the period 1975–2012. In order to account for possible short-run fluctuations in the real exchange rate, we conducted a cointegration test using the ARDL bounds testing procedure. First, we found terms of trade, trade openness, government consumption, net foreign assets and real commodity prices to be the long-run determinants of the real exchange rate in South Africa. Second, we found that nearly 68.06% of the real exchange-rate disequilibrium is corrected annually. Overall, the estimated equilibrium rate indicates that the Rand has been depreciating in real terms over the years. Tightening trade openness is not an option, given international agreements; on the other hand, terms of trade and real commodity prices are determined by the world market. The obvious policy alternative is for South Africa to increase government spending and moderately decrease her net foreign asset position.
Antibodies to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis among healthy adults vaccinated according to the French vaccination recommendations

In this sero-epidemiological study, we investigated humoral immunity to three vaccine-preventable diseases—tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis—among 331 adults (aged 18–60 years) attending vaccination centres for travellers and who had been vaccinated according to national recommendations in France. Serological results showed that the percentage of subjects with antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus decreases with age. Results also confirmed surveillance data on vaccination in France, with 7.6% of the study population (13.4% of those aged 18–29 years) having recently acquired a pertussis infection. These results confirm the importance of following French recommendations for regular boosters for tetanus and diphtheria among adults. They also indicate the need for better implementation of the current recommendations for pertussis-vaccine boosters in adults.
Effect of periodontal treatment on the C-reactive protein and proinflammatory cytokine levels in Japanese periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND Recent epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with periodontitis have a significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. In addition to conventional risk factors, chronic infection and subsequent production of systemic inflammatory markers may be associated with this increased risk. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine whether the presence of chronic periodontitis and subsequent periodontal treatment could influence the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in a Japanese population. METHODS Sera were obtained from 24 patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis at the baseline examination and at reassessment after completion of treatment. As a control, sera were also obtained from 21 subjects without periodontitis. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was measured using nephelometry with a latex particle-enhanced immunoassay and interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha were determined by sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The levels of hs-CRP and interleukin-6 in the sera of this Japanese population seemed to be much lower than those reported in other populations. TNF-alpha on the other hand, demonstrated similar levels between this Japanese and other populations. Periodontal status demonstrated a significant improvement in all patients following treatment. There was a trend toward higher hs-CRP levels in patients at baseline compared with control subjects. Hs-CRP level tended to decrease with improvement of the periodontal condition following treatment and approached that of control subjects, although this decline was not statistically significant. interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha levels did not change following periodontal treatment. Furthermore, there was no difference in the serum levels of these inflammatory cytokines between patients either at baseline or at reassessment and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, we were unable to show that periodontal disease significantly affects the serum levels of systemic inflammatory markers. However, this does not necessarily mean that periodontitis does not contribute to the total burden of inflammation as there was a tendency for hs-CRP to decrease following successful periodontal treatment. Large-scale studies are clearly needed to determine the impact of periodontal disease on systemic inflammation.
Antimicrobial Activity of N-Acylphenothiazines and Their Influence on Lipid Model Membranes and Erythrocyte Membranes

Summary The antibacterial activity and influence on lipid model membranes and erythrocyte membranes of 24 N-acylphenothiazines and trifluoperazine were studied. (1) Among 24 phenothiazines, the antimicrobial activity of amino maleates was the highest. (2) The influence of phenothiazines on model liposome and erythrocyte membranes was studied using N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN) as fluorescence probe. From the three types of phenothiazine substitution (H, Cl, CF3) at position 2, CF3-phenothiazines were the most ef-fective in the interaction with liposomal membranes. (3) As measured by the polarization degree of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) fluorescence, the alteration of membrane fluidity induced by CF3-phenothiazines was the biggest. Surprisingly, phenothiazines induced stomatocytic shape alterations (invaginations) in erythrocytes and at higher concentrations, also hemolysis of erythrocytes was observed. (4) The microcalorimetic measurements of influence of phenothiazines on thermal behaviour of synthetic lipid systems confirmed the previously obtained results. The main transition temperature and enthalpy of transition of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were significantly modified by CF3-phenothiazines, suggesting their penetration of the lipid bilayer. Above results show that phenothiazine maleates were generally more effective than other phenothiazines used in this study.
gamma-Aminobutyric acid gating of Cl- channels in recombinant GABAA receptors.

We studied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) gated whole-cell Cl- currents after rapid transmitter application (< 10 ms) to cells expressing structurally different recombinant GABAA receptors. A variety of recombinant receptors were transiently transfected in a human cell line with three cDNAs encoding for different molecular forms of alpha-, beta- and gamma-subunits of the GABAA receptors. The maximal current amplitude elicited by GABA on recombinant GABAA receptors was greater when the alpha-subunits were combined with beta 2 gamma 2-subunits than with beta 1 gamma 2-subunits, with the exception of receptors including the alpha 6-subunit. The maximal current amplitude elicited by GABA was greater when the beta-subunits were combined with gamma 2 alpha 1-subunits than with gamma 1 alpha 1 subunits, with the exception of receptors including the beta 3-subunit. Furthermore, receptors comprising the beta 3-subunit had a greater sensitivity to GABA than those including the beta 1-or beta 2-subunits. When the gamma-subunits were substituted in receptors including alpha- and beta-subunits, the greatest current amplitude elicited by GABA was obtained with the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 combination, whereas the GABA potency was greater with alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 1 and alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 3 than with the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 combination. In receptors including alpha 6 beta 2-subunits the rank order of GABA maximal current amplitude was gamma 1 > gamma 2 > delta subunits.
Reading Recovery and the failure of the New Zealand national literacy strategy

I n this LDA Bulletin article, we summarise arguments and evidence reported in a detailed paper (Tunmer, Chapman, Greaney, Prochnow & Arrow, 2013) showing that New Zealand’s national literacy strategy has failed and particularly the role of Reading Recovery in contributing to that failure. In response to growing concerns during the 1990s about New Zealand’s relatively “long tail” of literacy underachievement, the government established a Literacy Taskforce to provide recommendations aimed at raising the literacy achievement of all students but with particular attention given to “closing the gap between the lowest and highest students” (Ministry of Education, 1999, p.7). The recommendations of the Taskforce constituted the national literacy strategy for reducing the large disparity in reading achievement outcomes between good and poor readers. A decade later, concerns were still being expressed about the literacy achievement gap. In December 2011, the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s Briefing to the Incoming Minister following the New Zealand general election (Ministry of Education, 2011) stated that: “. the gap between our high performing and low performing students remains one of the widest in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). These low performing students are likely to be Mãori or Pasifika and/or from low socioeconomic communities. Disparities in education appear early and persist throughout learning” (p.8). Based on these findings, the Briefing concluded that, “The greatest challenge facing the schooling sector is producing equitable outcomes for students” (p.23). This conclusion can be taken as an admission that the national literacy strategy was failing to reduce the gap.
Research on application mode of large fixed-wing UAV system on overhead transmission line

The mileage of overhead transmission line is increasing each year. Many different operation and maintenance mode has been applied on the electric line. With the developing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology and lower cost usage, UAV is gradually applied in the powerline. The current application is mainly focused on small and medium-sized UAVs instead of large fixed-wing UAV applications. This paper uses the multi-dimensional method to analysis the large fixed-wing UAV system to demonstrate its application feasibility in different application scenarios of overhead transmission lines. The system configuration, flight mode and personnel arrangement in each scene are studied to form an effective application model. This provides a theoretical foundation for the follow-up inspection flight. According to the theoretical results, flight verification is set.
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor.

Part I: Building Blocks.The Rewards of Investing.The Risks of Investing.Mutual Funds.Part II: How to Select a Common Stock Mutual Fun.How to Select a Bond Mutual Fund.How to Select a Money Market Fund.How to Select a Balanced Mutual Fund.Where to Get Mutual Fund Information.Part III: New Perspectives on Three Key Issues.Index Funds.Mutual Fund Costs.Taxes and Mutual Funds.Part IV: Practical Application of Investment Principles.The Allocation of Investment Assets.Mutual Fund Model Portfolios.A Mandate for Fund Shareholders
An Improved Protein Structural Classes Prediction Method by Incorporating Both Sequence and Structure Information

Protein structural classes information is beneficial for secondary and tertiary structure prediction, protein folds prediction, and protein function analysis. Thus, predicting protein structural classes is of vital importance. In recent years, several computational methods have been developed for low-sequence-similarity (25%-40%) protein structural classes prediction. However, the reported prediction accuracies are actually not satisfactory. Aiming to further improve the prediction accuracies, we propose three different feature extraction methods and construct a comprehensive feature set that captures both sequence and structure information. By applying a random forest (RF) classifier to the feature set, we further develop a novel method for structural classes prediction. We test the proposed method on three benchmark datasets (25PDB, 640, and 1189) with low sequence similarity, and obtain the overall prediction accuracies of 93.5%, 92.6%, and 93.4%, respectively. Compared with six competing methods, the accuracies we achieved are 3.4%, 6.2%, and 8.7% higher than those achieved by the best-performing methods, showing the superiority of our method. Moreover, due to the limitation of the size of the three benchmark datasets, we further test the proposed method on three updated large-scale datasets with different sequence similarities (40%, 30%, and 25%). The proposed method achieves above 90% accuracies for all the three datasets, consistent with the accuracies on the above three benchmark datasets. Experimental results suggest our method as an effective and promising tool for structural classes prediction. Currently, a webserver that implements the proposed method is available on http://121.192. 180.204:8080/RF_PSCP/Index.html.
Ionic permeabilities of an Aplysia giant neuron.

In a giant neuron of Aplysia californica, permeabilities and conductances obtained by measuring net fluxes of Na+, K+ and Cl-minus with ion-specific microelectrodes were compared with those obtained by measuring transmembrane current and potential changes when the three ions were varied in the external solution. Net fluxes were measured with ion-specific microelectrodes, after blocking metabolic processes, thus allowing movement of ions down their electrochemical gradients. Premeabilities and conductances obtained from the "chemical" measurements (i.e., ion-specific electrodes) were generally comparable to the values obtained from "electrical" measurements (i.e., ion-specific electrodes) were generally comparable to the values obtained from "electrical" measurements. Where discrepancies occurred, they could be explained by showing that some of the assumptions necessary to use the "electrical" method were not quantitatively true in this system. The absolute magnitudes of the permeabilities are significantly less than those found in many axonal preparations. There is also a relatively high PNa/PK ratio. The selectivity of the membrane against ions such as Tris" and MeSO3-minus is not good, Tris+ being nearly as permeable as Na+ and MeSO3-minus about one-half as permeables as Cl-minus. These properties may be characteristic of somal membranes.
Coping Strategies in Migraine without Aura: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background In the context of a causal relationship between stress and migraine, coping strategies are aimed at managing stressful life events and reducing the distressing emotions connected to them. Methods Sixty-one consecutive patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) and sixty-one healthy controls (HCs) completed three self-report questionnaires assessing a broad range of coping (cognitive and behavioural) strategies: the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS), and the Proactive Coping Inventory (PCI). Moreover, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a scale measuring self-perception of stress, global cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, apathy, state, and trait anxiety, was administered to all participants. Results No significant difference was found on the scales and subscales of PCI and CISS as well as in the PSS between MwoA patients and HCs. However, the two groups showed different scores in the subscale “turning to religion” of COPE (22.08 ± 5.19 in migraineurs vs. 24.70 ± 4.44 in HCs, p = 0.003). A significant negative correlation of the turning to religion score with the HIT-6 score was found. Conclusions The present study revealed that MwoA patients show a significantly reduced use of the “turning to religion” approach, an emotion-focused coping strategy. Although migraine patients appeared to be less oriented to transcendent (that means a reduced utilization of an adaptive coping strategy), they did not perceive daily living as more stressful than HCs. Finally, the reduced utilization of the “turning to religion” coping strategy is associated with a great impact of migraine on ability to function on the job or at school, at home, and in social situations in migraine patients.
Effects of aspirin on serum C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular disease: a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover trial

Aim: Low‐grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherogenesis in type 2 diabetes. Next to its antithrombotic effects, several lines of evidence demonstrate anti‐inflammatory properties of aspirin. We determined the effects of aspirin on inflammation – represented by C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) – in type 2 diabetic subjects without cardiovascular disease and assessed differential effects of aspirin 300 mg compared with 100 mg.
Pro-poor Price Trends and Inequality - The Case of India

It is well known that people’s consumption patterns change with income. Relative price changes therefore affect rich and poor consumers differently. Yet, the standard price indices are not income-specific and hence, the use of these mask these differences in cost-of-living. In this paper, we study consumption inequality in India, while fully allowing for non-homotheticity. Our analysis shows that the changes in relative prices in a large part of the period from 1993 to 2012 were pro-poor, in the sense that they favored the poor relative to the rich. As a result, we also find that the standard measures significantly overestimate the rise in real inequality. Moreover, we show that the allowance for non-homotheticity is quantitatively much more im-portant in our application than the adjustment for substitution in consumption, despite the larger attention paid to the latter in the literature. We also illustrate how conventional measures exaggerate inter-temporal changes in inequality when there is segregation in consumption / production, by which we mean that people’s consumption patterns are skewed towards goods intensively produced by people of their own group.
Rare diseases and orphan medicinal products

This paper surrounds innovation as socially constructed and posits a model for innovation policy based on Mode 2 knowledge production (Gibbons et al 1984), where scientific peer review is replaced by merit review demanded by accountability to a wider social, economic and political sphere. The paper looks at scientific research into rare diseases and the strategies being adopted by biotechnology companies. The paper then introduces the EU Orphan Drug Regulation (2000) and raises concerns about the pharmaceutical industries' use of publicly funded research and patent protection. Other barriers to patients actually receiving new treatments, even if they get as far as production, are raised in the final section.
Analyzing sickness absence with statistical models for survival data.

OBJECTIVES Sickness absence is the outcome in many epidemiologic studies and is often based on summary measures such as the number of sickness absences per year. In this study the use of modern statistical methods was examined by making better use of the available information. Since sickness absence data deal with events occurring over time, the use of statistical models for survival data has been reviewed, and the use of frailty models has been proposed for the analysis of such data. METHODS Three methods for analyzing data on sickness absences were compared using a simulation study involving the following: (i) Poisson regression using a single outcome variable (number of sickness absences), (ii) analysis of time to first event using the Cox proportional hazards model, and (iii) frailty models, which are random effects proportional hazards models. Data from a study of the relation between the psychosocial work environment and sickness absence were used to illustrate the results. RESULTS Standard methods were found to underestimate true effect sizes by approximately one-tenth [method i] and one-third [method ii] and to have lower statistical power than frailty models. CONCLUSIONS An uncritical use of standard methods may underestimate the effect of work environment exposures or leave predictors of sickness absence undiscovered.