Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clathrin Regulates the Association of PIPKIγ661 with the AP-2 Adaptor β2 Appendage*

The AP-2 clathrin adaptor differs fundamentally from the related AP-1, AP-3, and AP-4 sorting complexes because membrane deposition does not depend directly on an Arf family GTPase. Instead phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) appears to act as the principal compartmental cue for AP-2 placement at the plasma membrane as well as for the docking of numerous other important clathrin coat components at the nascent bud site. This PtdIns(4,5)P2 dependence makes type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIPKIs) lynchpin enzymes in the assembly of clathrin-coated structures at the cell surface. PIPKIγ is the chief 5-kinase at nerve terminals, and here we show that the 26-amino acid, alternatively spliced C terminus of PIPKIγ661 is an intrinsically unstructured polypeptide that binds directly to the sandwich subdomain of the AP-2 β2 subunit appendage. An aromatic side chain-based, extended interaction motif that also includes the two bulky C-terminal residues of the short PIPKIγ635 variant is necessary for β2 appendage engagement. The clathrin heavy chain accesses the same contact surface on the AP-2 β2 appendage, but because of additional clathrin binding sites located within the unstructured hinge segment of the β2 subunit, clathrin binds the β2 chain with a higher apparent affinity than PIPKIγ661. A clathrin-regulated interaction with AP-2 could allow PIPKIγ661 to be strategically positioned for regional PtdIns(4,5)P2 generation during clathrin-coated vesicle assembly at the synapse.
Fascia closure after midline laparotomy: Results of a randomized trial

Four techniques to close the fascia after midline laparotomy were compared in a prospective randomized multicentre trial. The four techniques were: interrupted closure with polyglactin; continuous closure with polyglactin; continuous closure with polydioxanone‐s, and continuous closure with nylon. The early postoperative results in 1491 patients revealed an incidence of wound infection of 8·6 per cent and of wound dehiscence of 2·3 per cent with no statistically significant differences between the four techniques. We reviewed 1156 patients after 1 year. Wound pain was present in 9·7 per cent of the patients, statistically significantly more in the group closed with nylon (16·7 per cent). Suture sinuses developed in 3·5 per cent of the patients, statistically significantly more frequently in the nylon group (7·7 per cent). The total number of incisional hernias detected 1 year postoperatively was high (15·2 per cent) (interrupted polyglactin 16·9 per cent, continuous polyglactin 20·6 per cent, continuous polydioxanone 13·2 per cent and continuous nylon 10·3 per cent). The difference between nylon and continuous polyglactin is statistically significant. The results of this trial indicate that although nylon has the lowest incidence of incisional hernia it also is associated with more wound pain and suture sinuses.
The party politics of the Euro crisis in the German Bundestag: frames, positions and salience

Abstract The Euro crisis has a strong impact on European Union (EU) politics and the EU polity. Crisis-related issues were debated across Europe and governments and EU institutions introduced several institutional instruments which are meant to make EU economic governance more effective. This paper investigates the scope, timing and divisiveness of political contestation, i.e. politicisation, in the German Bundestag and the frames on which political parties relied in their debates on crisis-induced institutional innovations in the German Bundestag. To account for these patterns, the paper relies on institutional theories and theories of party competition. Empirically, it draws on written protocols of debates and parliamentary questions in the Bundestag. A case study of Germany and the Bundestag does not lend itself to broad generalisations. Yet, as argued in the article, it is an unlikely case for politicisation and a politically important case.
Modeling of the exploding foil initiator and related circuitry for the variable mode of operation

Analytical and numerical models, validated against published data, were developed to calculate the velocity and time of arrival duration (ToAD) of the flyer-plasma material at the top of the barrel of an exploding foil initiator (EFI), as commonly used in explosive devices. Such tools will aid system designers in the optimization of capacitor discharge circuit (CDC) or EFI bridge material properties. The analytical elements of the approach developed support the requirement for the consideration of mass ejection variation with respect to initial capacitor voltage. The numerical elements of the approach developed demonstrate that EFI design alteration to increase flyer mass is less effective in reducing ToAD than supply voltage modulation via the CDC. This finding is of particular relevance for in situ control of functional performance characteristics. This work goes on to demonstrate that such control is impracticable when using hexanitrostilbene, since the initial capacitor voltages necessary to yield appropriate ToAD for deflagration deliver insufficient energy to instigate a response from the EFI.
Inequality in Education

This paper provides original empirical evidence on the evolution of education inequality for the Latin American countries over the decades of 1990 and 2000. The analysis covers a wide range of issues on the differences in educational outcomes and opportunities across the population, including inequality in years of education, gaps in school enrolment, wage skill differentials and public social expenditure. The evidence indicates a significant difference between the 1990s and the 2000s in terms of both the assessment of the equity of the education expansion and its impact on the income distribution. In particular, changes in the 2000s seem to have had an equalizing impact on earnings, given the more pro-poor pattern of the education upgrading and a more stable or even increasing relative demand for low-skill labour.
Postharvest behavior of tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.) treated with CaCl2 under different storage temperatures

The tamarillo, or tree tomato, produced in Colombia, has great potential for commercialization in the global market for tropical exotic fruits, but suffers quality losses during the postharvest phase due to the use of inappropriate technologies. In order to extend the postharvest life of these fruits, the effect of calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and different storage temperatures was evaluated. A completely randomized design was used, where the block criterion was the temperature with three treatments (control and calcium chloride doses of 570 and 862 mM) and three blocks (6, 9°C and ambient temperature [20°C]), for a total of nine experimental treatments monitored every five days for 20 days. The CaCl 2 treatments delayed softening over time, as compared to the control but did not affect the other quality attributes. Generally, the fruits stored at low temperatures lost less fresh weight and had a lower respiration rate as compared with the fruits stored at the ambient temperature. During the postharvest, it was observed that the fruits had a pH between 3.84 and 4.36, total acidity between 0.57 and 1.6% and 9.79°Brix on average. The physicochemical properties of the tamarillo were more affected by the ambient temperature than by the application of CaCl 2 . The temperature of 9°C is recommended for maintaining the quality of this fruit for 20 days.
Pathogenesis of pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2 by WNK1 mutations

Purpose of reviewPseudohypoaldosteronism type 2 (PHA2) is a rare autosomal dominant form of human arterial hypertension, associated with hyperkalemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. WNK1 and WNK4 are two of the genes mutated in PHA2 patients. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which deletions of the first intron of WNK1 found in PHA2 patients trigger the disease. Recent findingsThe WNK1 gene gives rise to a ubiquitous kinase (L-WNK1) and to a shorter kinase-defective isoform, KS-WNK1 (for kidney-specific WNK1), expressed only in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and connecting tubule. WNK1 first intron deletion leads to overexpression of L-WNK1 in the DCT and ubiquitous ectopic expression of KS-WNK1. The increased expression of L-WNK1 in the DCT results in increased activity of the Na–Cl cotransporter (NCC) and thus hypervolemia and hypertension. Contrarily, the mechanisms underlying the hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis remain unclear. SummaryAs particularly small doses of thiazide diuretics, inhibitors of NCC activity, correct both the blood pressure and metabolic disorders in PHA2 patients, it was believed that increased NCC was directly responsible for all PHA2 features. Studies performed in mouse models of KS-WNK1 inactivation or WNK4-related PHA2, however, have revealed that the situation is much more complex.
Coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in a population based prospective cohort of Swedish women

BACKGROUND The presumed protective effect of coffee consumption on colorectal cancer, which is supported by case control studies, has not been confirmed in prospective cohort studies. Cohort studies are few in number however and often suffer from a small number of cases, limited attention to confounding variables, and a low percentage of heavy coffee drinkers. METHODS We examined data from a large population based cohort of Swedish women who were free from cancer at the start of follow up, with a wide range of coffee consumption, information on many potentially confounding variables, and a larger number of cases than any previous cohort study of coffee consumption and colorectal cancer. RESULTS During an average of 9.6 years of follow up of 61 463 women aged 40–74 years, we observed 460 incident cases of colorectal cancer (291 with colon cancer, 159 with rectal cancer, 10 with cancer at both sites). We found no association between coffee consumption and colorectal cancer risk. The risk ratio for drinking four or more cups per day compared with none was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.63—1.69; p for trend 0.84). The findings were similar for cancers of the distal and proximal colon and rectum. CONCLUSIONS The recently published affirmative conclusions regarding the protective effect of coffee consumption may be premature. For patients seeking advice about coffee consumption, the evidence suggests that moderate or even high consumption will probably not influence the risk of colorectal cancer.
Radiographic Analysis of Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis With an Intramedullary Fusion Device for Lesser Toe Deformities

Background: Lesser toe deformities are frequent and bothersome conditions. Many options exist for the treatment of hammertoes and clawtoes. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the use of an intramedullary fusion device. Materials and Methods: An IRB approved retrospective review was performed to identify 38 toes in 27 patients treated with the StayFuse™ (Nexa Orthopaedics) device with a mean followup of 31 months. The indications for surgery were primary deformity in 12 toes and recurrent deformities in 26 toes. Results: Union occurred in 23 of 38 (60.5%). The union rate was nine of 12 for primary procedures and 53.8% (14/26) for revisions. Coronal PIP alignment demonstrated no change in 33 of 38 cases (86.8%) and changed in five of 38 (13.2%). Sagittal PIP alignment demonstrated no change in 36 of 38 cases (94.7%), and changed in 2/38 (5.3%). Including nonunion, the overall complication rate was 55.3% (21/38) (15 nonunions; three hardware failures (two (bent) not requiring intervention and one (broke) leading to a rotational deformity requiring revision), one intraoperative fracture (without sequelae), one requiring MP surgery, and one requiring a larger implant. The index surgery for all three of the patients that required a second surgery was for a recurrent deformity. All three patients requiring a second surgery occurred in the nonunion group. Conclusion: The StayFuse™ intramedullary fusion device was efficacious in maintaining PIP alignment in the treatment of lesser toe deformities with a relatively low reoperation rate at mid-term followup. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
Neural complications and physical disabilities in leprosy in a capital of northeastern Brazil with high endemicity.

INTRODUCTION Leprosy is an infectious disease whose etiologic agent is Mycobacterium leprae, manifested by dermatological and neurological signs and symptoms. OBJECTIVE To investigate neural changes and the degree of physical disability in the eyes, hands and feet before and after treatment, as well as sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients affected by leprosy. METHOD A longitudinal epidemiological study comprising 155 patients with leprosy, from a spontaneous demand, diagnosed between March 2010 and February 2011, and treated with multidrug therapy (MDT) between March 2010 and July 2012 in a program for leprosy eradication in São Luis (MA), Brazil. RESULTS Before treatment, 46.5% of patients were considered as borderline, 51.6% had some alteration in the eyes and 52.3% in the feet, and the radial nerve (18.7%) was the most affected. There was a statistically significant difference between the changes in the radial nerve at the beginning of and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The analysis points to late diagnosis, as some patients have had abnormal neural and physical disabilities before treatment.
Role of Mediterranean diet in prevention and management of type 2 diabetes

Objective To summarize the importance of Mediterranean diet in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. Data sources We searched electronic database on PubMed up to 14 April 2014, we identified these articles with following key words: “Mediterranean diet” and “diabetes”. The initial search resulted in 451 entries. The search strategy had no language and publication date restrictions. The relevance of the studies was assessed based only on the title and abstract. The studies included in our review had to match the following inclusion criteria: (1) randomized clinical trials and meta‐analysis or systematic review, and (2) provided strong evidence for the diet as a way to prevent type 2 diabetes, and improve glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients. We reviewed 49 manuscripts and only 22 met our inclusion criteria. Study selection Relevant literatures including randomized control trials, meta‐analysis or systematic review. Results Based on several studies, Mediterranean diet is inversely related to type 2 diabetes and plays important roles in the management of type 2 diabetes. Based on the evidence gathered and evaluated from various studies, we concluded combination and interaction of Mediterranean diet components, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fish and moderate intakes of red wine, which contain essential nutrients and health promoting properties, including high fibers, high magnesium, high anti‐oxidant and high monounsaturatal fatty acids (MUFA). Interaction and combination of these essential nutrients and health promoting properties found to lower body weight, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), low density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidative‐stress and improve high density lipoprotein (HDL) level; which are beneficial for prevention and prognosis improvement of type 2 diabetes. Conclusions In the modern society, poor dietary habits accompanied by inadequate physical activity are associated with the risk of having obesity and type 2 diabetes. Promoting healthy lifestyle and diet are not only beneficial in the prevention and treatment of various diseases but also important in maintaining the overall health. Switching from unhealthy diet to health‐friendly diet such as Mediterranean diet represents healthy lifestyle choice.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite alleles of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 genes and the risk of advanced chronic alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND Only a minority of ethanol abusers develop advanced chronic alcoholic liver disease (CALD). In CALD there is a imbalance between TNF alpha and IL-10, which may be modulated by several polymorphisms at both genetic loci. Our aim has been to elucidate the possible relation between these polymorphisms and the risk of CALD. PATIENTS AND METHODS 147 patients with advanced CALD and 355 healthy controls (all white Spaniards) were included. TNF alpha biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at positions -238, -308, and -376 and IL-10 biallelic SNP at positions -597, - 824, and - 1087 were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and dot blot hybridization. Moreover, polymorphic microsatellites TNFa, TNFb, IL-10.R and IL-10.G were investigated in a multiplex PCR and alleles were estimated in an automatic sequencer. RESULTS No differences were found in the distribution of any of the studied polymorphisms, except by an excess of the haplotype formed by the allele 11 of the microsatellite IL-10.G and the GCC arrangement of the SNPs at the promoter of IL-10 gene in patients (15.7 vs. 8.24%, odds ratio: 2.08, 95% C.I. = 1.31-3.31). CONCLUSIONS The studied polymorphisms at TNF alpha and IL-10 genetic loci are not clearly related to the risk of CALD. The excess of G11-GCC haplotype found in CALD patients needs independent confirmation.
The heritable basis and cost of colour plasticity in coastrange sculpins

Both genetic and plastic traits contribute to adaptation in novel environments. Phenotypic plasticity can facilitate adaptation by allowing for existence in a wider range of conditions and a faster response to environmental change than gene‐based selection. Coastrange sculpins (Cottus aleuticus) colonize new and variable streams arising in the wake of receding glaciers in south‐east Alaska, and substrate‐matching plasticity may enhance colonization success by reducing detection by visual predators. As part of a long‐term study of the fitness consequences of colour plasticity and its capacity to respond to both positive and negative selection, we investigated whether it is heritable and costly. We raised full‐sib broods of sculpins in the laboratory: one half of each brood was raised in white containers, the other half in black. After 4 months, we digitally analysed their colour and found significant but weak heritability in both baseline colour and colour plasticity. To investigate the cost of colour plasticity, we compared the growth and mortality rates of juvenile sculpins reared under constant substrate colours to those reared on substrates that changed colour frequently, and compared growth rates among sculpin that differed in their colour change ability. We found evidence of small costs of plasticity, consistent with other studies of natural populations. Evidence of heritable genetic variation for plasticity and small costs to its maintenance and expression contributes to explanations of how plasticity is variable and persistent among wild populations and underscores its ability to respond both positively and negatively to selection in variable habitats.
Harnessing the potentials of Nigeria's oil and gas for economic development.

It may be instructive at the outset to state that Nigeria's oil and gas potentials are not too great by any standard of measure on per capita basis, for example, our crude oil reserves is one of the smallest within the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) see Chart. Saudi Arabia with crude oil reserves of some 260 billion barrels has a population of only 14.5 million. Iraq, with a population of 17 . 8 million reports a level of 100 billion barrels. By contrast, Nigeria's reserves currently estimated at 21 billion barrels is controlled by a population of close to 100 million people, and apart from the deep offshore, prospect for a major oil find is remote. Similar pattern is found in gas where Iran dominates the world reserve base with a relatively small population. Nigeria's reserves are put at 164 trillion standard cubic feet with a large and growing population. Because economic development is centred on people, frequently measured as income per capita, it is immediately very clear that Nigeria's economic development potential from petroleum is limited. This limitation is exacerbated by the nature of petroleum itself being a wasting asset in the sense that once it is produced it is not replaceable in situ, and unless it is converted to an income creating asset. it may be lost for ever. Consequently, the growing over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange earnings, government revenue and energy is the direct result of failures in investing for economic diversification. Nevertheless, some remarkable achievements have been made notably, the development of social and economic infrastructure which are now crumbling because of poor maintenance. It is important also to note that Nigeria has been able to establish a stable co-operation framework with multinational oil companies which ensures continuing oil production in the first place. More policy efforts, including strategic initiatives are however, urgent, and it is my intention in this presentation to identify the main thrusts, looking at the Upstream and Downstream of the Petroleum Sector.
The Development of Parliamentary Parties in Russia

Cross-national studies suggest that electoral law, the arrangement of political institutions, political cleavages in the electorate, and political stability influence the number of parliamentary parties and their policy-making role. These factors do not yield unambiguous expectations for the parties in Russia's new parliament. Nevertheless, the Duma, the lower and more powerful chamber of the new Russian Federal Assembly, has developed a strongly party-oriented decision-making process. In this paper, we detail the role of parties in the Duma and conclude that the particular sequence of events in late 1993 and early 1994 crucially influenced the emergence of such a strongly party-oriented process.