Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compilation of mRNA Polyadenylation Signals in Arabidopsis Revealed a New Signal Element and Potential Secondary Structures1[w]

Using a novel program, SignalSleuth, and a database containing authenticated polyadenylation [poly(A)] sites, we analyzed the composition of mRNA poly(A) signals in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and reevaluated previously described cis-elements within the 3′-untranslated (UTR) regions, including near upstream elements and far upstream elements. As predicted, there are absences of high-consensus signal patterns. The AAUAAA signal topped the near upstream elements patterns and was found within the predicted location to only approximately 10% of 3′-UTRs. More importantly, we identified a new set, named cleavage elements, of poly(A) signals flanking both sides of the cleavage site. These cis-elements were not previously revealed by conventional mutagenesis and are contemplated as a cluster of signals for cleavage site recognition. Moreover, a single-nucleotide profile scan on the 3′-UTR regions unveiled a distinct arrangement of alternate stretches of U and A nucleotides, which led to a prediction of the formation of secondary structures. Using an RNA secondary structure prediction program, mFold, we identified three main types of secondary structures on the sequences analyzed. Surprisingly, these observed secondary structures were all interrupted in previously constructed mutations in these regions. These results will enable us to revise the current model of plant poly(A) signals and to develop tools to predict 3′-ends for gene annotation.
Mutational analysis of the putative nucleic acid‐binding surface of the cold‐shock domain, CspB, revealed an essential role of aromatic and basic residues in binding of single‐stranded DNA containing the Y‐box motif

The major cold‐shock protein of Bacillus subtilis, CspB, is a member of a protein family widespread among prokaryotes and eukaryotes that share the highly conserved cold‐shock domain (CSD). The CSD domain is involved in transcriptional and translational regulation and was shown to bind the Y‐box motif, a cis‐element that contains the core sequence ATTGG, with high affinity. The three‐dimensional structure of CspB, a prototype of this protein family, revealed that this hydrophilic CSD domain creates a surface rich in aromatic and basic amino acids that may act as the nucleic acid‐binding site. We have analysed the potential role of conserved aromatic and basic residues in nucleic acid binding by site‐directed mutagenesis. In gel retardation and ultraviolet cross‐linking experiments, the ability of CspB mutants to bind single‐stranded oligonucleotides (ssDNA) that contain the Y‐box motif was investigated. Single substitutions of three highly conserved phenylalanine residues (Phe‐15, Phe‐17, Phe‐27) by alanine and substitution of one histidine (His‐29) by glutamine, all located within the putative RNA‐binding sites RNP‐1 and RNP‐2, abolished the nucleic acid‐binding activity of CspB. Conservative substitutions of Phe‐15 to tyrosine (F15Y) showed a small increase in binding affinity, whereas separate replacement of Phe‐17 and Phe‐27 by tyrosine caused a reduction in binding activity. These and other substitutions including the conserved basic residues Lys‐7, Lys‐13 and Arg‐56 as well as the aromatic residues Trp‐8 and Phe‐30 strongly suggest that CspB uses the sidechains of these amino acids for specific interaction with nucleic acids. Ultraviolet cross‐linking experiments for CspB mutants with ssDNA supported the idea of specific CspB/nucleic acid interaction and indicated an essential role for the aromatic and basic residues in this binding. In addition, two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance studies with F17A, K13Q, F15Y and F27Y revealed that the mutants have the same overall structure as the wild‐type CspB protein.
Assessment of therapy in gestational diabetes by substrate and hormone responses to a standardized test meal

Postprandial substrate and hormone responses to a standard mixed meal (400 kcal) was determined at two occasions, A and B, in 11 women with gestational diabetes (GDMs) and 11 normoglycaemic controls, matched for age, body mass index, and gestational age. Levels of circulating glucose, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glycerol, 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3‐HBA), individual amino acids, insulin, and C‐peptide were analysed. A was performed when GDMs were considered inadequately controlled with diet alone, B later during gestation following initiation of insulin therapy because of hyperglycaemia. Fasting glucose, glycerol, total and individual amino acids (alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine), insulin, and C‐peptide were not different from normal during A and B, neither were postprandial amino acid levels. During test A, GDMs had elevated fasting and postprandial 3‐HBA (p < 0.001), greater postprandial rise of glucose (p < 0.001), elevated NEFA (p < 0.05), but normal and parallel decreases of NEFA and glycerol. Insulin and C‐peptide responses were delayed and prolonged. During B, GDMs had higher glucose response (p < 0.005), higher fasting 3‐HBA (p < 0.02) but similar and parallel decreases of NEFA, glycerol, and 3‐HBA as controls. The C‐peptide response was not significantly different from normal; insulin response was higher (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the relative insulin deficiency characterizing GDMs, also when treated with insulin, is associated with selected defects in insulin action; mainly affecting glucoregulation, whereas suppression of lipolysis and proteolysis remain normal. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymorphisms in the DLG5 and OCTN cation transporter genes in Crohn’s disease

Background and aims: Recent data suggest identification of causal genetic variants for inflammatory bowel disease in the DLG5 gene and in the organic cation transporter (OCTN) cluster, both situated in previously described linkage regions. Patients and methods: The polymorphisms in DLG5 (113 G→A, 4136 C→A, and DLG5_e26), SLC22A4 (1672 C→T), and SLC22A5 (−207 G→C) were assessed in 625 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 363 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 1012 healthy controls. Association with disease susceptibility, clinical phenotypes, and possible genetic interactions of these polymorphisms with disease associated CARD15/NOD2 mutations was analysed. Results: No significant association of DLG5 polymorphisms with CD or UC was observed. Homozygosity for the OCTN-TC haplotype was associated with an increased CD risk (OR = 1.65), which was even greater in the presence of CARD15 mutations. Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed that this association was particularly strong in patients with colonic disease. The TC haplotype was associated with non-fistulising non-fibrostenotic disease, an earlier age of disease onset, and reduced need for surgery. Conclusion: Our observations argue against a role of DLG5 polymorphisms in the susceptibility for inflammatory bowel disease, whereas the OCTN polymorphisms are associated with CD. However, due to the comparable weak association observed herein, extended linkage disequilibrium analyses of these variants with the IBD5 haplotype tagged single nucleotide polymorphims might be advisable before definitive conclusions about their causative role in CD can be drawn.
Examining user perceptions of SwallowIT: A pilot study of a new telepractice application for delivering intensive swallowing therapy to head and neck cancer patients

Consumer feedback and end-user perceptions provide important information regarding the clinical acceptability of new telepractice systems. This pilot investigation aimed to evaluate end-user perceptions of a new asynchronous telepractice application, ‘SwallowIT’, designed to support patients to remotely complete intensive swallowing therapy during curative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). Insights were sought from 15 patients with oropharyngeal cancer who used SwallowIT to complete supported home swallowing therapy. Perceptions were evaluated via structured questionnaires, completed following initial orientation to SwallowIT and on completion of CRT. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted ≥3 months post-treatment. The majority of patients reported positive initial perceptions towards SwallowIT for comfort (87%), confidence (87%), motivation (73%) and support (87%). No statistically significant change in perceptions was observed from baseline to end of CRT (p > 0.05). Thematic analysis of interviews revealed four main themes: the ease of use of SwallowIT, motivating factors, circumstances which made therapy difficult, and personal preferences for service-delivery models. These preliminary findings demonstrate that SwallowIT was well-perceived by the current group of HNC consumers and suggest that SwallowIT may be well-accepted as an alternate service-delivery model for delivering intensive swallowing therapy during CRT.
Involvement of AMPA Receptors in Trigeminal Post‐synaptic Potentials Recorded in Rat Abducens Motoneurons In Vivo

The pharmacology of trigeminal excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by electrical stimulation of the vibrissal pad was investigated in vivo in rat abducens motoneurons using intracellular recordings combined with microionophoretic applications of excitatory amino acid agonists [α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA), NMDA, kainate] and a selective non‐NMDA receptor antagonist (GYKI‐52466). Intravenous applications of GYKI‐52466 were also performed during synaptic and amino acid excitations. GYKI‐52466, applied intravenously or microionophoretically, reversibly antagonized AMPA‐induced depolarizations and trigeminal EPSPs in rat abducens motoneurons without affecting NMDA and kainate responses. The inhibition of AMPA‐induced depolarizations was similar following i.v. and ionophoretic applications of GYKI‐52466. Intravenous applications of GYKI‐52466 (0.3–4 mg/kg) reversibly and dose‐dependently reduced trigeminal EPSPs, which could be totally suppressed at the highest doses of GYKI‐52466 (2–4 mg/kg). The antagonist effect, which developed very quickly, could last several minutes and recovered gradually. The effect of GYKI‐52466 on the EPSPs and AMPA responses were compared in the same motoneurons. The partial inhibition of trigeminal EPSPs during microionophoretic applications of GYKI‐52466 was probably due to the distribution of the synapses in the dendritic arborization of abducens motoneurons. Our results show that AMPA receptors are involved in the generation of trigeminal EPSPs in rat abducens motoneurons in vivo.
Going to great lengths: selection for long corolla tubes in an extremely specialized bat–flower mutualism

In a hypothesis that has remained controversial since its inception, Darwin suggested that long-tubed flowers and long-tongued pollinators evolved together in a coevolutionary race, with each selecting for increasing length in the other. Although the selective pressures that flowers impose on tongue length are relatively straightforward, in that longer tongues allow access to more nectar, selective pressures that pollinators impose on flower length are less clear. Here, we test for such selective pressures in the highly specialized mutualism between the nectar bat Anoura fistulata, which can extend its tongue twice as far as other nectar bats, and Centropogon nigricans, which has flowers of a similar length (8–9 cm). We used flight cage experiments to examine the effects of artificially manipulated flower lengths on (i) bat behaviour and (ii) pollen transfer. Increased length produced longer visits, but did not affect the force bats applied during visits. In the second experiment, flower length increased both the male and female components of flower function: long male flowers delivered more pollen grains and long female flowers received more pollen grains. However, pollen transfer was not correlated with visit duration, so the mechanism behind differences in pollen transfer remains unclear. By demonstrating that bats select for increasing flower length, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that A. fistulata evolved its remarkable tongue in a coevolutionary race with long-tubed flowers similar to that envisioned by Darwin.
Ablation of Tumor and Inflammatory Tissue with Absolute Ethanol

Absolute ethanol was used to ablate tumors, inflammatory lesions, and end-stage nephrosclerotic kidneys in 38 patients. Thirty patients had various types of renal tumors, and 3 had chronic end-stage renal failure with malignant hypertension. One patient had a fibrosarcoma of the right leg and one had a metastatis in the humerus from a renal carcinoma. A large adrenal carcinoma was treated with absolute ethanol in a patient who had liver metastases that were ablated one year after the first procedure. An additional patient had metastatic liver disease from a non-functioning adrenal carcinoma. The remaining patient had an extensive hypervascular inflammatory lesion (tuberculosis and aspergilloma) of the right upper pulmonary lobe. In addition to ethanol, coils were introduced in one patient and Gelfoam in another. The amount of ethanol used ranged from 5 to 50 ml. Twenty-two patients suffered from considerable transient pain during ethanol injection, but sedation was necessary in only 3 of them. Skin necrosis appeared in 2 patients requiring plastic reconstruction in one of them. Two patients died within 5 days of the procedure unrelated to the ablation. Two patients presented upper gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 days of the ethanol injection and one of these died in acute renal failure. One patient suffered from left colonic infarction after left renal tumor ablation, but survived for several months. Absolute ethanol was a useful and efficient sclerosing agent causing extensive tumor destruction and marked reduction of the vascularity in tumor and inflammatory lesions, but caused an 18 per cent complication rate.
Spirituality, Gender and Age Factors in Cybergossip Among Nigerian Adolescents

This study investigated the patterns of spirituality, gender, and age in cybergossip practices among Nigerian adolescents. The study utilized a descriptive survey method. Five hundred thirty adolescent students, randomly selected from four major cities in Nigeria, participated in the study. Their age range was 16 to 21. General Spirituality and Gossip Purpose scales were used to collect data from the participants. Data collected were subjected to t test statistics. Findings showed that there is no significant difference in the cybergossiping practices of adolescents based on their levels of spirituality. This reveals that spirituality is not an inhibiting factor in cybergossiping practices among the adolescents. However, there is significant difference between male and female youths in their cybergossiping practices. The results showed that females are more likely than males to be involved in cybergossiping activities. There is also significant difference between early and late adolescents' cybergossiping activities. The implication is that gossip and cybergossip is a natural tendency that involves communicative expression with a pleasure-seeking purpose. It is a habit that excludes no one despite spiritual, gender, or age factors. Therefore, this behavior should be positively directed away from abusive computing and communication. This work is unique because of the need for parents, guardians, and psychologists to design measures to identify and manage various moderating variables in children's computing practices for optimal positive outcomes.
Prognostic factors of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children: Report of the Japan Histiocytosis Study Group

Despite several advances in the treatment of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in recent years, patients with Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV‐HLH) do not always show satisfactory outcomes. We here conducted a nationwide survey in Japan to identify prognostic factors of EBV‐HLH in children with this disease in an effort to improve the management and the outcomes of these patients.
Evaluation of adenoidal obstruction in children: clinical symptoms compared with roentgenographic assessment

Abstract Background: Obstructive adenoid enlargement is commonly implicated as the major cause of chronic nasal obstruction in children. Although clinical assessment is considered essential, there is little consensus over its reliability. This study was conducted to determine the correlation between graded symptomatology assessment and roentgenographic assessment of adenoidal obstruction. Method: Symptoms assessed included snoring, mouth-breathing and obstructive breathing during sleep. Each symptom was rated on a four-point scale (absent = zero, mild = one, moderate = two and severe = three). We summed the ratings for each child to obtain the symptomatology score. We used an adenoidal–nasopharyngeal ratio parameter to classify roentgenographic assessment into minimal, moderate or marked obstruction. Results: Sixty-four children, 42 boys and 22 girls, aged one to 12 years were enrolled. The clinical symptomatology scores correlated significantly with the roentgenographic ratings of nasopharyngeal airway obstruction (r = 0.419; p = 0.001). The correlation was significant at roentgenographic ratings of minimal obstruction (p < 0.05) and gross obstruction (p < 0.001). Both the symptomatology score and the roentgenographic rating showed significant correlations with patient age (r = −0.657, p < 0.01 and r = −0.340, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Clinical rating of adenoidal symptoms in children provides a reasonably reliable assessment of the presence and severity of nasopharyngeal airway obstruction. This technique of assessment is easy to use and is particularly valid when obstruction is either minimal or gross.
Specificity of tyrosinase and HMB45 PCR in the detection of melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph node biopsies

Aims: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an increasingly established procedure in the primary staging of high‐risk melanoma patients. However, the laboratory evaluation of sentinel lymph node biopsies is a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to determine the specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for the evaluation of lymph nodes with regard to melanoma metastases in comparison with histology and immunohistology.
Object — Position Binding in Visual Short-Term Memory for Sequentially Presented Unfamiliar Stimuli

The effect of spatial position on visual short-term memory (VSTM) for sequentially presented objects has been investigated relatively little, despite the fact that vision in natural environments is characterised by frequent changes in object position and gaze location. We investigated the effect of reusing previously examined spatial positions on VSTM for object appearance. Observers performed a yes – no recognition task following a memory display comprising briefly presented 1/f noise discs (ie possessing spectral properties akin to natural images) shown sequentially at random coordinates. At test, single stimuli were presented either at original spatial positions, new positions, or at a fixed central position. Results, interpreted in terms of appearance and position preview effects, indicate that, where original spatial positions were reused at test, memory performance was elevated by more than 25%, despite that spatial position was task-irrelevant (in the sense that it could not be used to facilitate a correct response per se). This study generalises object – spatial-position binding theory to a sequential display scenario in which the influences of extrafoveal processing, spatial context cues, and long-term memory support were minimised, thereby eliminating the hypothesis that object priming is the principal cause of the ‘same-position advantage’ in VSTM.
INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION ALTERS NONLINEAR SELECTION ON OFFSPRING SIZE IN THE FIELD

Offspring size is one of the most important life‐history traits with consequences for both the ecology and evolution of most organisms. Surprisingly, formal estimates of selection on offspring size are rare, and the degree to which selection (particularly nonlinear selection) varies among environments remains poorly explored. We estimate linear and nonlinear selection on offspring size, module size, and senescence rate for a sessile marine invertebrate in the field under three different intensities of interspecific competition. The intensity of competition strongly modified the strength and form of selection acting on offspring size. We found evidence for differences in nonlinear selection across the three environments. Our results suggest that the fitness returns of a given offspring size depend simultaneously on their environmental context, and on the context of other offspring traits. Offspring size effects can be more pervasive with regards to their influence on the fitness returns of other traits than previously recognized, and we suggest that the evolution of offspring size cannot be understood in isolation from other traits. Overall, variability in the form and strength of selection on offspring size in nature may reduce the efficacy of selection on offspring size and maintain variation in this trait.
[Analysis of muscle strength and body composition of women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

PURPOSE To compare the metabolic parameters, body composition and muscle strength of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to those of women with ovulatory menstrual cycles. METHODS A case-control study was conducted on 27 women with PCOS and 28 control women with ovulatory cycles, aged 18 to 27 years with a body mass index of 18 to 39.9 kg/m², who did not practice regular physical activity. Serum testosterone, androstenedione, prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin and glycemia levels were determined. Free androgen index (FAI) and resistance to insulin (by HOMA) were calculated. The volunteers were submitted to evaluation of body composition based on skin folds and DEXA and to 1-RM maximum muscle strength tests in three exercises after familiarization procedures and handgrip isometric force was determined. RESULTS Testosterone levels were higher in the PCOS group than in the Control Group (68.07 ± 20.18 versus 58.20 ± 12.82 ng/dL; p=0.02), as also were the FAI (282.51 ± 223.86 versus 127.08 ± 77.19; p=0.01), insulin (8.41 ± 7.06 versus 4.05 ± 2.73 µIU/mL; p=0.01), and HOMA (2.3 ± 2.32 versus 1.06 ± 0.79; p=0.01), and SBHG levels were lower (52.51 ± 43.27 versus 65.45 ± 27.43 nmol/L; p=0.04). No significant differences in body composition were observed between groups using the proposed methods. The PCOS group showed greater muscle strength in the 1-RM test in the bench press (31.2 ± 4.75 versus 27.79 ± 3.63 kg; p=0.02), and leg extension exercises (27.9 ± 6.23 versus 23.47 ± 4.21 kg; p=0.02) as well as handgrip isometric force (5079.61 ± 1035.77 versus 4477.38 ± 69.66 kgf/m², p=0.04). PCOS was an independent predictor of increase muscle strength in bench press exercises (estimate (E)=2.7) (p=0.04) and leg extension (E=3.5) (p=0.04), and BMI in the exercise of isometric handgrip (E=72.2) (p<0.01), bench press (E=0.2) (p=0.02) and arm curl (E=0.3) (p<0.01). No association was found between HOMA-IR and muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS Women with POS showed greater muscle strength, with no difference in body composition, and IR was not associated with muscle strength performance. Muscle strength may be possibly related to high levels of androgens in these women.