Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclin E Associates with BAF155 and BRG1, Components of the Mammalian SWI-SNF Complex, and Alters the Ability of BRG1 To Induce Growth Arrest

ABSTRACT SWI-SNF complexes have been implicated in transcriptional regulation by chromatin remodeling. We have identified an interaction between two components of the mammalian SWI-SNF complex and cyclin E, an essential cell cycle regulatory protein required for G1/S transition. BRG1 and BAF155, mammalian homologs of yeast SWI2 and SWI3, respectively, are found in cyclin E complexes and are phosphorylated by cyclin E-associated kinase activity. In this report, we show that overexpression of BRG1 causes growth arrest and induction of senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, which can be overcome by cyclin E. Our results suggest that cyclin E may modulate the activity of the SWI-SNF apparatus to maintain the chromatin in a transcriptionally permissive state.
Responses in ovulation rate, embryonal survival, and litter traits in swine to 14 generations of selection to increase litter size.

Eleven generations of selection for increased index of ovulation rate and embryonal survival rate, followed by three generations of selection for litter size, were practiced. Laparotomy was used to count corpora lutea and fetuses at 50 d of gestation. High-indexing gilts, approximately 30%, were farrowed. Sons of dams in the upper 10% of the distribution were selected. Selection from Generations 12 to 14 was for increased number of fully formed pigs; replacements were from the largest 25% of the litters. A randomly selected control line was maintained. Responses at Generation 11 were approximately 7.4 ova and 3.8 fetuses at 50 d of gestation (P < .01) and 2.3 fully formed pigs (P < .01) and 1.1 live pigs at birth (P < .05). Responses at Generation 14 were three fully formed pigs (P < .01) and 1.4 live pigs (P < .05) per litter. Number of pigs weaned declined (P < .05) in the index line. Total litter weight weaned did not change significantly. Ovulation rate and number of fetuses had positive genetic correlations with number of stillborn pigs per litter. Significantly greater rate of inbreeding and increased litter size at 50 d of gestation in the select line may have contributed to greater fetal losses in late gestation, greater number of stillborn pigs, and lighter pigs at birth, leading to lower preweaning viability. Heritabilities of traits were between 8 and 25%. Genetic improvement programs should emphasize live-born pigs and perhaps weight of live-born pigs because of undesirable genetic relationships of ovulation rate and number of fetuses with numbers of stillborn and mummified pigs and because birth weight decreased as litter size increased.
Parent-Reported BIS/BAS Scales for Children: Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance Across Age and Gender

The present study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scales parent-report in children and adolescents (N = 1,444, 58% girls) across age (Group 1, 2-5 years; Group 2, 6-9 years; Group 3, 10-13 years; Group 4, 14-18 years old) and gender. The results consistently underscored a four-factor structure, resembling the original factor structure, with one BIS-factor and three BAS-factors. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed full measurement invariance across gender as well as across Group 1 and 2, and Group 2 and 3. Strong measurement invariance was found across Group 3 and 4, Group 1 and 3, and Group 2 and 4. Configural and metric invariance was found across Group 1 and 4. Hence, mean-level BIS/BAS scores can be compared across gender and age although comparison between preschool children (Group 1) and late secondary school children (Group 4) should be done with caution.
Three-Dimensional Mapping of Dislocation Avalanches: Clustering and Space/Time Coupling

There is growing evidence for the complex, intermittent, and heterogeneous character of plastic flow. Here we report a three-dimensional mapping of dislocation avalanches during creep deformation of an ice crystal, from a multiple-transducers acoustic emission analysis. Correlation analysis shows that dislocation avalanches are spatially clustered according to a fractal pattern and that the closer in time two avalanches are, the larger the probability is that they will be closer in space. Such a space/time coupling may contribute to the self-organization of the avalanches into a clustered pattern.
Neonatal and adult megakaryopoiesis

Purpose of reviewIt has become increasingly clear that there are substantial biological differences between fetal/neonatal and adult megakaryopoiesis. Over the last 18 months, studies challenged the paradigm that neonatal megakaryocytes are immature and revealed a developmentally unique uncoupling of proliferation, polyploidization, and cytoplasmic maturation. Several studies also described substantial molecular differences between fetal/neonatal and adult megakaryocytes involving transcription factors, signaling pathways, cytokine receptors, and microRNAs. Recent findingsThis review will summarize our current knowledge on the developmental differences between fetal/neonatal and adult megakaryocytes, and recent advances in the underlying molecular mechanisms, including differences in transcription factors, in the response to thrombopoietin (Tpo), and newly described developmentally regulated signaling pathways. We will also discuss the implications of these findings on the way megakaryocytes interact with the environment, the response of neonates to thrombocytopenia, and the pathogenesis of Down syndrome-transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) and Down syndrome-acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (DS-AMKL). SummaryA better characterization of the molecular differences between fetal/neonatal and adult megakaryocytes is critical to elucidating the pathogenesis of a group of disorders that selectively affect fetal/neonatal megakaryocyte progenitors, including the thrombocytopenia-absent radius (TAR) syndrome, Down syndrome-TMD or Down syndrome-AMKL, and the delayed platelet engraftment following cord blood transplantation.
Counting insects

When counting-like abilities were first described in the honeybee in the mid-1990s, many scholars were sceptical, but such capacities have since been confirmed in a number of paradigms and also in other insect species. Counter to the intuitive notion that counting is a cognitively advanced ability, neural network analyses indicate that it can be mediated by very small neural circuits, and we should therefore perhaps not be surprised that insects and other small-brained animals such as some small fish exhibit such abilities. One outstanding question is how bees actually acquire numerical information. For perception of small numerosities, working-memory capacity may limit the number of items that can be enumerated, but within these limits, numerosity can be evaluated accurately and (at least in primates) in parallel. However, presentation of visual stimuli in parallel does not automatically ensure parallel processing. Recent work on the question of whether bees can see ‘at a glance’ indicates that bees must acquire spatial detail by sequential scanning rather than parallel processing. We explore how this might be tested for a numerosity task in bees and other animals. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.
Early expressed genes showing a dichotomous developing pattern in the lancelet embryo

Lancelets (amphioxus), although showing the most similar anatomical features to vertebrates, never develop a vertebrate‐like head but rather several structures specific to this animal. The lancelet anatomical specificity seems to be traceable to early developmental stages, such as the vertebrate dorsal and anterior‐posterior determinations. The BMP and Wnt proteins play important roles in establishing the early basis of the dorsal structures and the head in vertebrates. The early behavior of BMP and Wnt may be also related to the specific body structures of lancelets. The expression patterns of a dpp‐related gene, Bbbmp2/4, and two wnt‐related genes, Bbwnt7 and Bbwnt8, have been studied in comparison with those of brachyury and Hnf‐3β class genes. The temporal expression patterns of these genes are similar to those of vertebrates; Bbbmp2/4 and Bbwnt8 are first expressed in the invaginating primitive gut and the equatorial region, respectively, at the initial gastrula stage. However, spatial expression pattern of Bbbmp2/4 differs significantly from the vertebrate cognates. It is expressed in the mid‐dorsal inner layer of gastrulae and widely in the anterior region, in which vertebrates block BMP signaling. The present study suggests that the lancelet embryo may have two distinct developmental domains from the gastrula stage, the domains of which coincide later with the lateral diverticular and the somitocoelomic regions. The embryonic origin of the anterior‐specific structures in lancelets corresponds to the anterior domain where Bbbmp2/4 is continuously expressed.
Determinants in the rpsT mRNAs recognized by the 5′‐sensor domain of RNase E

RNase E plays a central role in processing virtually all classes of cellular RNA in many bacterial species. A characteristic feature of RNase E and its paralogue RNase G, as well as several other unrelated ribonucleases, is their preference for 5′‐monophosphorylated substrates. The basis for this property has been explored in vitro. At limiting substrate, cleavage of the rpsT mRNA by RNase E (residues 1–529) is inefficient, requiring excess enzyme. The rpsT mRNA is cleaved sequentially in a 5′ to 3′ direction, with the initial cleavage(s) at positions 116/117 or 190/191 being largely driven by direct entry, independent of the 5′‐terminus or the 5′‐sensor domain of RNase E. Generation of the 147 nt 3′‐limit product requires sequential cleavages that generate 5′‐monophosphorylated termini on intermediates, and the 5′‐sensor domain of RNase E. These requirements can be bypassed with limiting enzyme by deleting a stem‐loop structure adjacent to the site of the major, most distal cleavage. Alternatively, this specific cleavage can be activated substantially by a 5′‐phosphorylated oligonucleotide annealed 5′ to the cleavage site. This finding suggests that monophosphorylated small RNAs may destabilize their mRNA targets by recruiting the 5‐sensor domain of RNase E ‘in trans’.
Relative performance of three formulas to assess renal function at predicting in-hospital hemorrhagic complications in an acute coronary syndrome population. What does the new CKD-EPI formula provide?

Aims: Assessment of renal function is important for bleeding risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There are three formulas routinely used to assess renal function: the Cockroft-Gault (C-G) formula, the MDRD-4 formula and the new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Our aim was to compare the ability of these formulas to predict the risk of in-hospital bleeding in patients with ACS. Methods: The study included 3270 patients with ACS. The performance of each formula with respect to in-hospital TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) major or TIMI minor bleeding were assessed using continuous data and by dividing patients into four subgroups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): ≥90, 89–60, 30–59 and <30 ml/min/1.73m2. Results: Bleeding predictive ability was significantly higher for the C-G formula than for MDRD-4 and CKD-EPI formulas, as evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC); continuous eGFR AUCs: 0.73, 0.69 and 0.71, respectively; categorical eGFR AUCs: 0.71, 0.66 and 0.68, respectively. Net reclassification improvement based on the eGFR categories was significantly positively favored C-G: 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8–17.2%) and 19.1% (95% CI 11.3–26.9%) compared with CKD-EPI and MDRD-4, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, the C-G formula predicted in-hospital bleeding better than MDRD-4 formula (severe renal dysfunction vs. normal renal function: odds ratio 7.98, 95% CI 2.61–24.38 with C-G; odds ratio 3.76, 95% CI 1.63–8.69 with MDRD-4; and odds ratio 5.77, 95% CI 2.18–15.24 with CKD-EPI. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the C-G eGFR may improve risk prediction of in-hospital bleeding more than the MDRD-4 equation and the new CKD-EPI equation in patients with ACS.
Multiple-Host Sharing, Long-Term Persistence, and Virulence of Escherichia coli Clones from Human and Animal Household Members

ABSTRACT During a 3-year surveillance, six household members (five humans and the family dog) yielded 14 Escherichia coli clones. Virulence genes, group B2, and having caused cystitis (in the mother or dog) corresponded to colonization endpoints (number of samples, colonies, hosts, and dates). The dog's cystitis clone was the most extensively recovered clone.
Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in People with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

To assess the roles of pancreatic beta‐cell (β‐cell) dysfunction and insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, we used euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic and hyperglycaemic clamps to compare insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in Caucasian individuals of European ancestry with either normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Both groups were carefully matched for age, gender, obesity and body fat distribution. During the hyperglycaemic clamps, IGT had significantly lower first phase (650 ± 60 vs 992 ± 92 pmol l1, p = 0.001) and second phase (231 ± 24 vs 326 ± 21 pmol l−1, p < 0.001) plasma insulin responses while their insulin sensitivity index (0.126 ± 0.012 μmol kg−1 pM−1) was not significantly different from that of NGT (0.144 ± 0.012 μmol kg−1 min−1 pM−1), p = 0.69). Similarly, during the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamps, the insulin sensitivity index of the IGT (0.076 ± 0.005 μmol kg−1 min−1 pM−1) was not significantly different from that of the NGT (0.086 ± 0.007 μmol kg−1 min−1 pM−1), p = 0.28. We conclude that since β‐cell dysfunction is already evident in people with impaired glucose tolerance but insulin resistance is not, impaired insulin secretion is most likely the primary genetic factor predisposing to the development of non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Caucasians of European ancestry.
Intraoperative Measurement of Lumbar Spine Motion Segment Stiffness

Study Design. Prospective trial. Objectives. To test an intraoperative diagnostic tool to determine if it provided the surgeon with a safe, reproducible, accurate, quantitative measure of lumbar spine motion segment stability. Summary of Background Data. Several devices have been developed to measure motion segment stiffness, however, few have been tested intraoperatively on humans, and none, to the best of the authors’ knowledge have been tested as extensively as the device described in this study. Objective criteria, such as those provided by an intraoperative gauge, can be helpful in determining when and what type of fusion of a degenerated spinal motion segment unit should be performed following decompressive surgery. Methods. The spinal stiffness gauge, placed between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae, applies a controlled, constant loading rate along the spine’s longitudinal axis, producing a load-displacement curve from which stiffness, range of motion, and hysteresis can be computed. Measurements from this tool were then used to investigate differences in stiffness of the motion segment before and after decompressive surgery, between spine levels, and between male and female subjects. Results. The spinal stiffness gauge stiffness measurements correlated with the surgeon’s subjective stiffness measurements on the same motion segments. The stiffness measurements had excellent repeatability. Stiffness was dependent on the spine level, gender, and degree of disc degeneration. Conclusions. This study demonstrated the efficacy of the spinal stiffness gauge for providing an objective, quantitative, intraoperative stiffness (stability) measurement of the lumbar spine motion segment.
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: assessment of the likelihood of invasiveness with multisection CT.

PURPOSE To evaluate the capabilities of multisection computed tomography (CT) in determining the likelihood of invasiveness of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review board approved this research and waived informed consent from the patients. Two radiologists blinded to the pathologic assessment of malignancy or parenchymal invasion of IPMN retrospectively evaluated CT images of 61 consecutive surgically resected tumors (26 adenomas, 15 noninvasive carcinomas, and 20 invasive carcinomas) in patients who underwent multiphase contrast material-enhanced CT with 0.5- or 1-mm collimation. The findings were statistically analyzed by using univariate and multivariate analyses, with the optimal cutoff levels of each continuous parameter determined by generating receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS The following findings showed significant differences among the three groups: maximum diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), size (length of major axis) of the largest mural nodule in the MPD or in any associated cystic lesion, abnormal attenuating area in the surrounding parenchyma, calcification in the lesion, protrusion of the MPD into the ampulla of Vater, and bile duct dilatation. An MPD diameter of 6 mm or larger, a mural nodule of 3 mm or larger, and an abnormal attenuating area were independently predictive of malignancy. A mural nodule of 6.3 mm or larger in the MPD and an abnormal attenuating area were independently predictive of parenchymal invasion. According to these criteria, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for identifying malignancy were 83%, 81%, and 82% and for identifying parenchymal invasion were 90%, 88%, and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION Multisection CT is useful for distinguishing among adenoma, noninvasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma in patients with IPMN.
Developmental plasticity of mouse visual acuity

Monocular deprivation in mice between postnatal days 19 and 32 has been reported to significantly shift ocular dominance within the binocular region of primary visual cortex; however, it is not known whether visual deprivation in mice during this physiologically defined critical period also results in amblyopia, as it does in other mammals. We addressed this uncertainty by psychophysically assessing in adulthood (postnatal day 70 or older) the grating acuity of normal and monocularly deprived mice, using the Visual Water Task. The visual acuity of mice tested with their nondeprived eyes was equivalent to that of normal mice (≈ 0.5 cycles/degree); however, acuity measured with eyes monocularly deprived of vision transiently between postnatal days 19 and 32 was reduced by over 30% (≈ 0.31 cycles/degree). Identical binocular deprivation produced a significant, but smaller, decrease in acuity (≈ 0.38 cycles/degree). The effects of monocular and binocular deprivation were long lasting and occurred only if visual deprivation occurred between postnatal days 19 and 32. These data indicate that the deleterious effects of early visual deprivation on visual acuity in mice are similar to those reported in other mammals, and together with electrophysiological evidence of ocular dominance plasticity, suggest that the mechanisms of mouse visual plasticity are fundamentally the same as that in other mammals. Therefore, the mouse is probably a good model for investigating the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying visual developmental plasticity and amblyopia.
HIV/AIDS and maternity care in Kenya: how fears of stigma and discrimination affect uptake and provision of labor and delivery services

Abstract Although policies and programs exist to promote safe motherhood in sub-Saharan Africa, maternal health has not improved and may be deteriorating in some countries. Part of the explanation may be the adverse effects of HIV/AIDS on maternity care. We conducted a study in Kisumu, Kenya to explore how fears related to HIV/AIDS affect women's uptake and health workers’ provision of labor and delivery services. In-depth qualitative interviews with 17 maternity workers, 14 pregnant or postpartum women, four male partners and two traditional birth attendants; as well as structured observations of 22 births; were conducted at four health facilities. Participants reported that fears of HIV testing; fears of involuntary disclosure of HIV status to others, including spouses; and HIV/AIDS stigma are among the reasons that women avoid delivering in health facilities. Maternity workers now have to take into account the HIV status of the women they serve (as well as their own fears of becoming infected and stigmatized) but do not seem to be adequately prepared to handle issues related to consent, confidentiality and disclosure. Importantly, it appeared that women of unknown HIV status during labor and delivery were likely to be targets of stigma and discriminatory practices and that these women were not receiving needed counseling services. The findings suggest that increasing infection control precautions will not be enough to address the challenges faced by maternity care providers in caring for women in high-HIV-prevalence settings. Maternity workers need enhanced culturally sensitive training regarding consent, confidentiality and disclosure. Furthermore, this study points to the necessity of paying more attention to the care of women of unknown HIV-serostatus during labor and delivery. Such interventions may improve the quality of maternity care, increase utilization and contribute to overall improvements in maternal health, while also enhancing prevention of mother-to-child-transmission and HIV care.
Intensive cardiac management in patients with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18

Intensive cardiac management such as pharmacological intervention for ductal patency (indomethacin and/or mefenamic acid for closure and prostaglandin E1 for maintenance) and palliative or corrective surgery is a standard treatment for congenital heart defects. However, whether it would be a treatment option for children with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 syndrome is controversial because the efficacy on survival in patients with these trisomies has not been evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed 31 consecutive neonates with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 admitted to our neonatal ward within 6 hr of birth between 2000 and 2005. The institutional management policies differed during three distinct periods. In the first period, both pharmacological ductal intervention and cardiac surgery were withheld. In the second, pharmacological ductal intervention was offered as an option, but cardiac surgery was withheld. Both strategies were available during the third period. The median survival times of 13, 9, and 9 neonates from the first, second, and third periods were 7, 24, and 243 days, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that the patients in the third period survived significantly longer than the others. Intensive cardiac management consisting of pharmacological intervention for ductal patency and cardiac surgery was demonstrated to improve survival in patients with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 in this series. Therefore, we suggest that this approach is a treatment option for cardiac lesions associated with these trisomies. These data are helpful for clinicians and families to consider in the optimal treatment of patients with these trisomies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.