Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nsp1β Inhibits Interferon-Activated JAK/STAT Signal Transduction by Inducing Karyopherin-α1 Degradation

ABSTRACT Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) inhibits the interferon-mediated antiviral response. Type I interferons (IFNs) induce the expression of IFN-stimulated genes by activating phosphorylation of both signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2, which form heterotrimers (interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 [ISGF3]) with interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) and translocate to the nucleus. PRRSV Nsp1β blocks the nuclear translocation of the ISGF3 complex by an unknown mechanism. In this study, we discovered that Nsp1β induced the degradation of karyopherin-α1 (KPNA1, also called importin-α5), which is known to mediate the nuclear import of ISGF3. Overexpression of Nsp1β resulted in a reduction of KPNA1 levels in a dose-dependent manner, and treatment of the cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 restored KPNA1 levels. Furthermore, the presence of Nsp1β induced an elevation of KPNA1 ubiquitination and a shortening of its half-life. Our analysis of Nsp1β deletion constructs showed that the N-terminal domain of Nsp1β was involved in the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of KPNA1. A nucleotide substitution resulting in an amino acid change from valine to isoleucine at residue 19 of Nsp1β diminished its ability to induce KPNA1 degradation and to inhibit IFN-mediated signaling. Interestingly, infection of MARC-145 cells by PRRSV strains VR-2332 and VR-2385 also resulted in KPNA1 reduction, whereas infection by an avirulent strain, Ingelvac PRRS modified live virus (MLV), did not. MLV Nsp1β had no effect on KPNA1; however, a mutant with an amino acid change at residue 19 from isoleucine to valine induced KPNA1 degradation. These results indicate that Nsp1β blocks ISGF3 nuclear translocation by inducing KPNA1 degradation and that valine-19 in Nsp1β correlates with the inhibition.
Elevated serum nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase in euthymic bipolar patients: Impact of past episodes

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders. NO level was found high in acute manic inpatients. In this study, we aimed to assess NO level and activity of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), in euthymic bipolar patients. Twenty-seven patients with bipolar disorder (BD) in euthymic phase, and 20 healthy volunteers were included in this study. A semi-structured form was used to note social, demographic and clinical parameters of the patients. NO level and SOD activity were studied in the serum samples obtained from the patients and controls. The mean serum NO level in BD was significantly higher than in controls. Mean serum SOD activity was found to be elevated in patients with BD compared to controls. Total number of the manic episodes correlated with NO levels, but not with SOD activity. In conclusion, the number of manic episodes is positively associated with NO levels. NO and SOD appear to have a pathophysiological role in BD, especially in Type I euthymic phase, and may be considered an available trait marker for BD.
Health and health care among housestaff in four U.S. internal medicine residency programs

AbstractBACKGROUND: Although there have been many studies of the health care services that resident physicians provide, little is known about the health care services they receive. OBJECTIVE: To describe residents’ perceptions of the health care they receive. DESIGN: Anonymous mailed survey. SUBJECTS: All 389 residents in four U.S. categorical internal medicine training programs. MAIN RESULTS: Three hundred sixteen residents responded (83%). In aggregate, 116 (37%) reported having no primary care physician, and 36 (12%) reported that they are their own primary care physician. These figures varied substantially across the four programs. Most residents reported receiving basic screening and preventive services; however, their attitudes toward their health and health care differed across postgraduate level, gender, and program. Many residents reported that their long and unpredictable hours interfered with their ability to schedule clinician visits, that their health had declined because of residency, that programs and other residents were unsupportive of residents’ health care needs, and that residency raised special issues of privacy that limited access to health care. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high rates of receipt of preventive services, these internal medicine residents identified several barriers that limited their access to health care. Program directors should explore these barriers and, at the same time, reevaluate the messages being sent to resident physicians about maintaining their health and health care.
The CDS Market Reaction to Restatement Announcements

I investigate the credit market's reaction to restatement announcements through changes in credit default swap (CDS) spreads. I document an overall positive association between CDS returns and restatement announcements. Specifically, I find that more positive CDS returns are associated with restatements (1) involving fraud and (2) affecting more accounts. Moreover, these reactions are sensitive to the underlying entities’ credit ratings and the market-wide investor sentiment. Next, I compare CDS and stock market reactions and find that more negative stock returns are associated with restatements (1) involving fraud and (2) decreasing reported income.
Identification of SpyA, a novel ADP‐ribosyltransferase of Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes, the aetiological agent of both respiratory and skin infections, produces numerous exotoxins to establish infection. This report identifies a new exotoxin produced by this organism, termed SpyA, for S. pyogenesADP‐ribosylating toxin. SpyA, MW 24.9, has amino acid identity with the ADP‐riboslytransferases (ADPRTs) Staphylococcus aureus EDIN and Clostridium botulinum C3. Recombinant SpyA was able to hydrolyse β‐NAD+, and this activity was dependent on a glutamate at position 187. SpyA has a putative biglutamate active site, and similar to most biglutamate ADPRTs, was able to ADP‐ribosylate poly‐l‐arginine. SpyA modified numerous proteins in both CHO and HeLa cell lysates. Two‐dimesional gel analysis and MALDI‐TOF MS analysis of modified proteins indicated that vimentin, tropomyosin and actin, all cytoskeletal proteins, are targets. Expression of spyA in HeLa cells resulted in loss of actin microfilaments. We hypothesize that SpyA is produced by S. pyogenes to disrupt cytoskeletal structures and promote colonization of the host.
The Use of Influence Tactics in Politicized Organizations: A Look from Gender Perspective

The politics is one of the unavoidable constituent of organizational climate in all types of business organizations. Antecedents and consequences of organizational politics and use of influence strategies are very important to consider in an organizational setup when allocating resources and satisfying the interdependencies. However, little is known about the differences among males and females how they use these influence tactics. In this review, the authors have proposed a model which explicitly elaborates the view how the gender differences interact with perceptions of organizational politics when it impacts on job performance. The previous literature supports the fact that males and females differ significantly on perceptions of politics and work performance relationship. The proposed theoretical model for research in multiple dimensions, i.e. power and politics, influence tactics and political behavior may unveil the players’ behaviors in politicized organizations.
Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema from Pacemaker Placement

ESPIRITU, J.D. , et al.: Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema From Pacemaker Placement. Percutaneous insertion of permanent pacemaker leads through the subclavian vein is an alternative to the cephalic vein approach. A rare occurrence and successful conservative management of extensive pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema without concomitant pneumothorax resulting from permanent transvenous pacemaker insertion in an 80‐year‐old man with syncope and arrhythmia is reported.
Expression of the fusion protein of human respiratory syncytial virus from recombinant vaccinia virus vectors and protection of vaccinated mice

Vaccinia virus (VV) recombinants were constructed that contained full-length cDNA copies of the fusion (F) protein gene of human respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. The F protein gene was placed next to the strong early-late VV 7.5-kilodalton promoter and was located within the VV thymidine kinase (tk) gene. Full-length recombinant transcripts that initiated at both the tk and the 7.5-kilodalton promoters accumulated in cells early in infection, and one or more of these transcripts was translated to yield a glycoprotein which comigrated with Fo, the fusion protein precursor. This precursor was processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce the two disulfide-linked subunits F1 and F2, which were both glycosylated and of the same electrophoretic mobility as authentic F1 and F2. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that the mature F protein was transported to and expressed on the surface of recombinant VV-infected cells. Inoculation of rabbits with a recombinant vector expressing F resulted in the production of antiserum specific for the RS virus F protein. This antiserum neutralized virus infectivity and was capable of preventing fusion in RS virus-infected cells. Mice were vaccinated with recombinants expressing the F protein. At 3 weeks postinoculation, these animals had serum antibody against RS virus F protein. At 5 days after intranasal challenge with RS virus, the lungs of the mice previously vaccinated with recombinants expressing F protein were free of detectable RS virus, whereas the lungs of unvaccinated mice contained 10(4.2) PFU of virus per g.
Dissociable Roles of Cerebral &mgr;-Opioid and Type 2 Dopamine Receptors in Vicarious Pain: A Combined PET–fMRI Study

Neuroimaging studies have shown that seeing others in pain activates brain regions that are involved in first-hand pain, suggesting that shared neuromolecular pathways support processing of first-hand and vicarious pain. We tested whether the dopamine and opioid neurotransmitter systems involved in nociceptive processing also contribute to vicarious pain experience. We used in vivo positron emission tomography to quantify type 2 dopamine and μ-opioid receptor (D2R and MOR, respectively) availabilities in brains of 35 subjects. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, the subjects watched short movie clips depicting persons in painful and painless situations. Painful scenes activated pain-responsive brain regions including anterior insulae, thalamus and secondary somatosensory cortices, as well as posterior superior temporal sulci. MOR availability correlated negatively with the haemodynamic responses during painful scenes in anterior and posterior insulae, thalamus, secondary and primary somatosensory cortices, primary motor cortex, and superior temporal sulci. MOR availability correlated positively with orbitofrontal haemodynamic responses during painful scenes. D2R availability was not correlated with the haemodynamic responses in any brain region. These results suggest that the opioid system contributes to neural processing of vicarious pain, and that interindividual differences in opioidergic system could explain why some individuals react more strongly than others to seeing pain.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND SAVING PATTERN OF FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN JOS-SOUTH L.G.A. OF PLATEAU STATE

The study examined socio-economic characteristics and saving pattern of farmers` cooperative societies in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Primary data were obtained from 120 farmers (Co-operators) purposively selected from 30 cooperative societies using semi-structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistic and multiple regression techniques. Results showed that 73.33% of the cooperatives farmers were male. Also majority 91.66% have one form of education or the other and they had average age of 40.6 years. The average monthly disposable income and expenditure were N 58,908.33 and N 42,722.05 respectively. While the average monthly saving was found to be N 6,865.83. Similarly, the average loans borrowed from cooperative societies were N 48,866.80. Further the result revealed that education, household income and farm size were found to be positively significant variables that influenced the amount of money been saved by cooperative farmers, while household size was negative but had significant influenced. The study further disclosed that problems affecting the co-operators in the study area comprised loan default, low membership and inadequate fund among others. It is recommended that cooperative societies should advice farmers (co-operators) to avoid loan diversion and create awareness in the communities as well as assisting members to increase their capital base by sourcing funds through formal financing institutions.
Contextualization: An Experimental Model for EFL Writing Instruction in China

Chinese students learning English as a foreign language seem to get good marks in tests, but are poor or limited in their ability to write in English. This dilemma of China's EFL writing instruction seems to be related to the decontextualized EFL writing practices. This study aims to examine how Chinese EFL college students respond to changes in their writing instruction that pays attention to the context of EFL teaching and learning. In this study, context refers to three levels: linguistic context, situational context and cultural context. Using the mixed methods approach, I conducted the study by engaging 60 secondyear undergraduate students from a university in China and five Chinese students studying in a joint program in a university in the United States. The Write-to-learn Model based on my context-oriented framework was used in the study. The findings of the study show that following a 5-month training with the Write-tolearn Model, the experimental group improved significantly more than the control group with respect to English writing, indicating that adding context to EFL teaching and learning created positive writing outcomes for EFL students. In addition, the results of this study also demonstrate that the Chinglish phenomenon was related to decontextualized EFL writing practices and thought patterns resulting from culture. Adequate comprehensible input of authentic materials was found to be a good remedy to minimize EFL students' Chinglish expressions. This study found that the Write-to-learn Model was an effective approach in China's EFL writing classes.
Multivalent Binding of Formin-binding Protein 21 (FBP21)-Tandem-WW Domains Fosters Protein Recognition in the Pre-spliceosome*

Background: The role of long proline-rich segments, as they are abundantly present in the spliceosome, is elusive. Results: Cell biological and biophysical data show the significance of multiple motifs for tandem-WW domain recognition. Conclusion: The dynamic assembly of the pre-spliceosome is enabled by transient multivalent interactions. Significance: Our results have general implications for the recognition of proline-rich sequence hubs in modular protein assemblies. The high abundance of repetitive but nonidentical proline-rich sequences in spliceosomal proteins raises the question of how these known interaction motifs recruit their interacting protein domains. Whereas complex formation of these adaptors with individual motifs has been studied in great detail, little is known about the binding mode of domains arranged in tandem repeats and long proline-rich sequences including multiple motifs. Here we studied the interaction of the two adjacent WW domains of spliceosomal protein FBP21 with several ligands of different lengths and composition to elucidate the hallmarks of multivalent binding for this class of recognition domains. First, we show that many of the proteins that define the cellular proteome interacting with FBP21-WW1-WW2 contain multiple proline-rich motifs. Among these is the newly identified binding partner SF3B4. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis reveals the tandem-WW domains of FBP21 to interact with splicing factor 3B4 (SF3B4) in nuclear speckles where splicing takes place. Isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR shows that the tandem arrangement of WW domains and the multivalency of the proline-rich ligands both contribute to affinity enhancement. However, ligand exchange remains fast compared with the NMR time scale. Surprisingly, a N-terminal spin label attached to a bivalent ligand induces NMR line broadening of signals corresponding to both WW domains of the FBP21-WW1-WW2 protein. This suggests that distinct orientations of the ligand contribute to a delocalized and semispecific binding mode that should facilitate search processes within the spliceosome.
First results of the assimilation of AIRS data in Météo-France Numerical Weather Prediction model

A subset of channels from AIRS (Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder) aboard AQUA satellite is provided operationally by NOAA/NESDIS to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) centers. Studies have been carried out to assimilate this data in the Météo-France NWP suite. They require performance monitoring and bias correction of the observations. The impact of the early assimilation of AIRS on numerical weather forecast is presented. Infrared radiances are contaminated by clouds in most cases. Therefore, there is a need for a cloud detection scheme. This study focuses on the NESDIS method (Goldberg et al., 2003) that has been validated in a comparison study by Lavanant et al. (2003). In order to take more advantage of the available data, the assimilation of cloudy radiances is investigated, using a radiative transfer model in cloudy conditions (RTTOVCLD). Results from monitoring and 1DVar assimilation experiments are shown.
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the gallbladder: a clinicopathological correlation.

OBJECTIVE Lymph follicles are frequently found on histological examination of a surgically removed gallbladder. The significance of these lymph follicles is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the clinicopathological correlation between the lymph follicles in the gallbladder morphologically and the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the gut. METHODS The gallbladders were fixed and cut serially. The tissue slices were processed in the routine manner for a histological examination. The histological criteria for MALT in this study was defined as the presence of lymph follicles with germinal centers in the lamina propria mucosae in approximately equal numbers in all portions of the gallbladders from the neck to the fundus. Biliary bile obtained at surgery was cultured for a bacteriological examination in the hospital laboratory. The types of gallstones were classified according to the Classification of Gallstones by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. RESULTS Of the 1341 patients, 158 (11.8%) patients fulfilled the histological criteria, including 64 men and 94 women with an average age of 64.2 years. Gallstones were present in 89.2% of the patients, and 74.5% of these were calcium bilirubinate gallstones. Cultures of the bile were positive in 95.4% of the patients. A variety of bacterial species were thus found, most commonly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Grossly, the gallbladders usually showed a granular appearance of the mucosa. CONCLUSION The MALT in the gallbladder is not a rare condition and is frequently encountered in clinical practice. This lymphoid tissue may represent a mucosal and morphological immune phenomenon for infection rather than a substrate for the development of low-grade B-cell lymphoma.
Nature beats nurture: a case study of the physiological fitness of free-living and laboratory-reared male Anopheles gambiae s.l.

SUMMARY Laboratory experimentation forms the basis for most of our knowledge of the biology of many organisms, in particular insects. However, the accuracy with which laboratory-derived estimates of insect life history and behaviour can predict their fitness and population dynamics in the wild is rarely validated. Such comparison is especially important in cases where laboratory-derived information is used to formulate and implement strategies for the genetic control of insects in nature. We have conducted a comparative study of the reproductive potential and life history of male Anopheles gambiae Gilies sensu lato mosquitoes from both standardized laboratory conditions and from natural field settings. We measured three indirect indicators of male mosquito fitness: energetic reserves, body size and survival, in a bid to determine whether the demographics and energetic limitations of wild males can be correctly predicted from their laboratory counterparts. Crucially, the body size and lipid reserves of wild males were substantially greater than those reared under standard laboratory conditions. We caution that the energetic limitations of insects as identified in the laboratory may underestimate their resilience in the wild, and discuss the implications of this phenomenon with respect to vector-borne disease control programmes based on genetic control of mosquitoes.
Change of Land Use/Cover in Tianjin City Based on the Markov and Cellular Automata Models

In recent years, urban areas have been expanding rapidly in the world, especially in developing countries. With this rapid urban growth, several environmental and social problems have appeared. Better understanding of land use and land cover (LULC) change will facilitate urban planning and constrain these potential problems. As one of the four municipalities in China, Tianjin has experienced rapid urbanization and such trend is expected to continue. Relying on remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) tools, this study investigates LULC change in Tianjin city. First, we used RS to generate classification maps for 1995, 2005, and 2015. Then, simulation models were applied to evaluate the LULC changes. Analysis of the 1995, 2005, and 2015 LULC maps shows that more than 10% of the cropland areas were transformed into built-up areas. Finally, by employing the Markov model and cellular automata (CA) model, the LULC in 2025 and 2035 were simulated and forecasted. Our analysis contributes to the understanding of the development process in the Tianjin area, which will facilitate future planning, as well as constraining the potential negative consequences brought by future LULC changes.
Lumbar Mobility and Low Back Pain During Adolescence

In this 3-year longitudinal study, we studied lumbar mobility and the occurrence of low back pain among 98 adolescents who were free of previous severe low back pain: 33 nonathletes (16 boys, 17 girls), 34 boy athletes (ice hockey and soccer players) and 31 girl athletes (figure skaters and gymnasts). During the fol lowup, low back pain lasting longer than 1 week was reported by 29 athletes (15 boys and 14 girls) and by 6 nonathletes (3 boys and 3 girls). In multivariate analy ses, participation in sports and low maximal lumbar flexion at the baseline predicted low back pain during the followup among boys; however, these factors ac counted for only 16% of the variability between the groups with and without low back pain. Among girls, decreased range of motion in the lower lumbar seg ments, low maximal lumbar extension, and high body weight at the baseline were predictive of low back pain during the followup, accounting for 31 % of the variabil ity between the groups. The girls in the lowest tertile of maximal lumbar extension at baseline had a relative risk of 3.4 to have future low back pain compared with those in the highest tertile. We conclude that the low individual physiologic maximum of lower segment lum bar extension mobility may cause overloading of the low back among athletes involved in sports with fre quent maximal lumbar extension and that it predicts future low back pain.