Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and Genetic Analyses Provide Insight Into the Structural and Mechanistic Properties of Actin Filament Disassembly by the Aip1p–Cofilin Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Explication of the Aip1p/cofilin/actin filament complex may lead to a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which Aip1p and cofilin collaborate to rapidly disassemble filaments. We further characterized the actin–Aip1p interface through a random mutagenic screen of ACT1, identifying a novel Aip1p interaction site on actin. This finding is consistent with our current ternary complex model and offers insights into how Aip1p may disturb intersubunit contacts within an actin filament. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis aimed at interfering with salt bridge interactions at the predicted Aip1p–cofilin interface revealed hyperactive alleles of cof1 and aip1 that support the ternary complex model and suggest that conformational changes in cofilin structure may be transmitted to actin filaments, causing increased destabilization. Furthermore, these data support an active role for Aip1p in promoting actin filament turnover.
Testing the Relationship between the Efficiency of Value Added Intellectual Coefficient and Corporate Performance at Commercial Banks in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE)

The principal purpose of the present paper is to investigate the association between the efficiency of value added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) by the major components of a banks resource base {physical capital (CEE), human capital (HCE) and structural capital (SCE)} and three traditional dimensions of banks financial performance. The three traditional dimensions of banks financial performance are (1) profitability, (2) productivity and (3) market valuation. The study Used 14 commercial banks data drawn from Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) reporting period 2002-2007. The paper used two models to testing, the first between the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) as the efficiency measure of three intellectual capital components and market valuation. The second model explores the relation between every intellectual capital variables as independent variables and banks financial performance dimensions include return on assets, return on equity and employee productivity.
Asexual Propagation and Regeneration in Colonial Ascidians

Regeneration is widely distributed among the metazoans. However, clear differences exist as to the degree of regenerative capacity: some phyla can only replace missing body parts, whereas others can generate entirely new individuals. Ascidians are animals that possess a remarkable regenerative plasticity and exhibit a great diversity of mechanisms for asexual propagation and survival. They are marine invertebrate members of the subphylum Tunicata and represent modern-day descendants of the chordate ancestor; in their tadpole stage they exhibit a chordate body plan that is resorbed during metamorphosis. Solitary species grow into an adult that can reach several centimeters in length, whereas colonial species grow by asexual propagation, creating a colony of genetically identical individuals. In this review, we present an overview of the biology of colonial ascidians as a paradigm for study in stem cell and regenerative biology. Focusing on botryllid ascidians, we introduce the potential roles played by multipotent epithelia and multipotent/pluripotent stem cells as source of asexual propagation and regenerative plasticity in the different budding mechanisms, and consider the putative mechanism of body repatterning in a non-embryonic scenario. We also discuss the involvement of intra-colony homeostatic processes in regulating budding potential, and the functional link between allorecognition, chimerism, and regenerative potential.
Tryptophan 512 Is Sensitive to Conformational Changes in the Rigid Relay Loop of Smooth Muscle Myosin during the MgATPase Cycle*

To examine the structural basis of the intrinsic fluorescence changes that occur during the MgATPase cycle of myosin, we generated three mutants of smooth muscle myosin motor domain essential light chain (MDE) containing a single conserved tryptophan residue located at Trp-441 (W441-MDE), Trp-512 (W512-MDE), or Trp-597 (W597-MDE). Although W441- and W597-MDE were insensitive to nucleotide binding, the fluorescence intensity of W512-MDE increased in the presence of MgADP-berellium fluoride (BeFX) (31%), MgADP-AlF4 − (31%), MgATP (36%), and MgADP (30%) compared with the nucleotide-free environment (rigor), which was similar to the results of wild type-MDE. Thus, Trp-512 may be the sole ATP-sensitive tryptophan residue in myosin. In addition, acrylamide quenching indicated that Trp-512 was more protected from solvent in the presence of MgATP or MgADP-AlF4 − than in the presence of MgADP-BeFX, MgADP, or in rigor. Furthermore, the degree of energy transfer from Trp-512 to 2′(3′)-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-labeled nucleotides was greater in the presence of MgADP-BeFX, MgATP, or MgADP-AlF4 − than MgADP. We conclude that the conformation of the rigid relay loop containing Trp-512 is altered upon MgATP hydrolysis and during the transition from weak to strong actin binding, establishing a communication pathway from the active site to the actin-binding and converter/lever arm regions of myosin during muscle contraction.
Imaging the lateral shift of a quantum point contact using scanning gate microscopy

We perform scanning-gate microscopy on a quantum-point contact. It is defined in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas of an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure, giving rise to a weak disorder potential. The lever arm of the scanning tip is significantly smaller than that of the split gates defining the conducting channel of the quantum-point contact. We are able to observe that the conducting channel is shifted in real space when asymmetric gate voltages are applied. The observed shifts are consistent with transport data and numerical estimations.
Characterization of poly ( 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate ) Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Physical properties of scaffolds intended for myocardial tissue regeneration were studied. Mechanical properties and degradation rates were evaluated for degradable scaffolds composed of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) crosslinked with polycaprolactone (PCL). pHEMA copolymerized with tetraethylene glycol as a crosslinker served as a control. Fibroblast cells were used for cytotoxicity tests of extract media from scaffolds. Statistical analysis of samples submersed in 0.1M NaOH concluded that as crosslinking density increases, rate of degradation decreases. We have shown that changing crosslinking densities of a pHEMA/PCL gel affects degradation in a predictable manner.
Mannose-dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-Golgi Intermediate Compartment-53-mediated ER to Golgi Trafficking of Coagulation Factors V and VIII*

The endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) is the site of segregation of secretory proteins for anterograde transport, via packaging into COPII-coated transport vesicles. ERGIC-53 is a homo-hexameric transmembrane lectin localized to the ERGIC that exhibits mannose-selective properties in vitro. Null mutations in ERGIC-53 were recently shown to be responsible for the autosomal recessive bleeding disorder, combined deficiency of coagulation factors V and VIII. We have studied the effect of defective ER to Golgi cycling by ERGIC-53 on the secretion of factors V and VIII. The secretion efficiency of factor V and factor VIII was studied in a tetracycline-inducible HeLa cell line overexpressing a wild-type ERGIC-53 or a cytosolic tail mutant of ERGIC-53 (KKAA) that is unable to exit the ER due to mutation of two COOH-terminal phenylalanine residues to alanines. The results show that efficient trafficking of factors V and VIII requires a functional ERGIC-53 cycling pathway and that this trafficking is dependent on post-translational modification of a specific cluster of asparagine (N)-linked oligosaccharides to a fully glucose-trimmed, mannose9 structure.
BMP growth factor signaling in a biomechanical context

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily of secreted polypeptide growth factors and are important regulators in a multitude of cellular processes. To ensure the precise and balanced propagation of their pleiotropic signaling responses, BMPs and their corresponding signaling pathways are subject to tight control. A large variety of regulatory mechanisms throughout different biological levels combines into a complex network and provides the basis for physiological BMP function. This regulatory network not only includes biochemical factors but also mechanical cues. Both BMP signaling and mechanotransduction pathways are tightly interconnected and represent an elaborate signaling network active during development but also during organ homeostasis. Moreover, its dysregulation is associated with a number of human pathologies. A more detailed understanding of this crosstalk in respect to molecular interactions will be indispensable in the future, in particular to understand BMP‐related diseases as well as with regard to an efficient clinical application of BMP ligands. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(2):171–187, 2014
Stochastic algorithms for studying coagulation dynamics and gelation phenomena

where t > 0 and χ = 1,2,. , describes the time evolution of the average concentration of particles of a given size in some physical System. Concentration of particles of size χ increases s a result of coagulation of particles of sizes χ — y and y. It decreases if particles of size χ merge with any other particles. The intensity of the process is governed by the coagulation kernel K. The phenomenon of coagulation occurs in a wide r nge of applications, e.g., in astrophysics, biology, chemistry and meteorology (see the survey paper [7]). Stochastic particle Systems play an important role in the study and numerical treatment of equation (1). The Standard Stochastic model related to the coagulation equation is a Markov jump process where two different clusters of size χ and y coagulate to a single cluster of size x + y with rate K(x,y). This model is called Marcus-Lushnikov process (cf. [23], [13], [22], [2]). The basic relationship between the Stochastic model and the deterministic equation is given by the law of large numbers. Also qualitative properties of the coagulation equation and its generalizations have been successfully studied using the Stochastic approach. We refer to [17], [15], [18], [24], [8], [25], [9] concerning recent results, and especially to [2] s an excellent review. Sufficiently fast increasing coagulation kernels lead to Solutions exhibiting gelation, i.e. a loss of mass in finite time
Axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for carcinoma of the breast

The timing and accuracy of axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients who are receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for breast cancer are controversial. To examine the accuracy of SLNB after NACT, the authors performed SLNB after chemotherapy on all of patients who received NACT at their institution starting in January 1997.
Early treatment failure in intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma: results from IRS-IV and D9803--a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical features of early treatment failure during induction chemotherapy before protocol radiation therapy for children with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with intermediate-risk RMS enrolled onto the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study-IV and the Children's Oncology Group D9803 study were reviewed for an early treatment failure. Early failure was defined as failure caused by progressive disease, death as a result of progressive disease, or death as a result of other causes occurring fewer than 120 days from study entry. Patients with parameningeal site RMS with high-risk features who received radiation therapy at week 1 were excluded from analysis. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Fisher's exact test was used to compare differences between groups. Cumulative incidence of progression was estimated. RESULTS Of 916 patients, 20 (2.2%) were found to have an early disease progression and did not receive planned protocol radiotherapy. Three additional early failures resulted from treatment-related death without progression. Median time to failure was 48 days (range, 7 to 106 days). Nineteen (95%) of the 20 patients experienced progression at their primary site. Five-year OS was 32% (95% CI, 12% to 54%) for patients experiencing an early progression. CONCLUSION A small proportion of patients with intermediate-risk RMS suffer an early failure as a result of early progression (2.2%) or treatment-related mortality (0.3%). The majority of patients with early progression had a local failure. Earlier radiotherapy could potentially improve outcome by preventing early local progression.
Which Is Better: Simultaneous or Sequential Choice?

The term "diversification bias" refers to the tendency for people to take more variety when choosing several items simultaneously than when choosing them sequentially. In this article, we investigate whether this really is a bias by measuring evaluations of sets chosen simultaneously or sequentially. In Experiment 1 participants made two choices between audio tracks for consecutive consumption. Participants liked low-variety sets most and were more likely to choose high-variety sets in simultaneous choice. In Experiment 2 participants chose between three gambles which varied in the probability of winning and their expected value. Again, simultaneous choices seemed worse than sequential ones: The simultaneous-choice groups took far more low expected value gambles than did sequential-choice subjects and rated their enjoyment as lower. We conclude that simultaneous choice often leads to outcomes that are worse than sequential choice and discuss the circumstances when this is likely to be true.
Thrombophilia in Pregnancy and its Role in Abortion

Inherited and acquired thrombophilia are the main cause of thrombosis in pregnant women. A growing number of reports over the last few years have suggested that these disorders are also associated with an increased incidence of vascular pathologies resulting in poor gestational outcome. This article discusses recent data concerning thrombophilia and vascular placental pathology, and discusses available therapeutic modalities to prevent placental vascular thrombosis and maximize successful gestational outcome.
Linear pharmacokinetics of haloperidol in the rat

Pharmacokinetics of haloperidol in the rat following intravenous bolus doses of 0·5, 1·0, and 2·5 mg kg−1, respectively, were investigated. It was found that haloperidol was a high extraction ratio drug with a total blood clearance averaging 83 ml min−1 kg−1. The volumes of distribution were large with a mean of 5·5 1 kg−1 (Vc), 11·11 kg−1 (Vβ), and 9·61 kg−1 (Vss), respectively. The terminal half‐life was 1·5h. The disposition kinetics of haloperidol was found to be linear over the dose range studied. After constant intravenous infusions of haloperidol by different infusion rates during 12h, steady‐state levels were reached in the blood. The measured steady‐state blood concentrations were consistent with those predicted by a biexponential infusion model based on the parameters obtained from the intravenous bolus study. The total blood clearance at steady‐state was concentration‐independent within the investigated range of 5 to 20 ng ml−1.
The Diabeo Software Enabling Individualized Insulin Dose Adjustments CombinedWith Telemedicine Support Improves HbA 1 c in Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetic Patients A 6-month , randomized , open-label , parallel-group , multicenter trial ( TeleDiab 1 Study )

RESEARCHDESIGNANDMETHODS—In a six-month open-label parallel-group,multicenter study, adult patients (n = 180) with type 1 diabetes (.1 year), on a basal-bolus insulin regimen (.6 months), with HbA1c $8%, were randomized to usual quarterly follow-up (G1), home use of a smartphone recommending insulin doses with quarterly visits (G2), or use of the smartphone with short teleconsultations every 2 weeks but no visit until point end (G3).
Sex‐Related Shape Dimorphism in the Human Radiocarpal and Midcarpal Joints

Previous research has revealed significant size differences between human male and female carpal bones but it is unknown if there are significant shape differences as well. This study investigated sex‐related shape variation and allometric patterns in five carpal bones that make up the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints in modern humans. We found that many aspects of carpal shape (76% of all variables quantified) were similar between males and females, despite variation in size. However, 10 of the shape ratios were significantly different between males and females, with at least one significant shape difference observed in each carpal bone. Within‐sex standard major axis regressions (SMA) of the numerator (i.e., the linear variables) on the denominator (i.e., the geometric mean) for each significantly different shape ratio indicated that most linear variables scaled with positive allometry in both males and females, and that for eight of the shape ratios, sex‐related shape variation is associated with statistically similar sex‐specific scaling relationships. Only the length of the scaphoid body and the height of the lunate triquetrum facet showed a significantly higher SMA slope in females compared with males. These findings indicate that the significant differences in the majority of the shape ratios are a function of subtle (i.e., not statistically significant) scaling differences between males and females. There are a number of potential developmental, functional, and evolutionary factors that may cause sex‐related shape differences in the human carpus. The results highlight the potential for subtle differences in scaling to result in functionally significant differences in shape. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transforming Desolation into Consolation: the meaning of being in situations of ethical difficulty in intensive care

The purpose of this phenomenological-hermeneutic study was to illuminate the meaning of being in ethically difficult care situations. The participants were 20 enrolled nurses employed in six intensive care units in Sweden. The results reveal a complex human process manifested in relation to one’s inner self and the other person, which transforms desolation into consolation through becoming present to the suffering other when perceiving fragility rather than tragedy. The main point of significance here is for all health professionals to create an ethical work environment and strive for praxis that fosters ‘athomeness’, which renders us free to transform desolation into consolation. Consolation is of significance in ethics because it makes us available and helps us to fulfil the demands of life, while desolation makes us unavailable to others.
Structural Neural Phenotype of Autism: Preliminary Evidence from a Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study Using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics

The search for an explanation of autism continues and this article supports the hypothesis that aberrations in neuronal connectivity are important defects in this disorder. Fifteen autistic and 8 control boys underwent DTI and fractional anisotropy was used as a measure of fiber tract integrity. FA for each fiber tract affected was correlated with scores of the Social Responsiveness Scale. Autistic patients showed bilateral FA reductions in numerous association, commissural, and projection tracts. Conclusion: DTI shows abnormalities in many long-range fiber tracts suggesting corticocortical connection defects. Because of the type of tracts affected, autism may have a specific neural phenotype. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is mounting evidence suggesting widespread aberrations in neural connectivity as the underlying neurobiology of autism. Using DTI to assess white matter abnormalities, this study implemented a voxelwise analysis and tract-labeling strategy to test for a structural neural phenotype in autism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects included 15 boys with autism and 8 controls, group-matched on age, cognitive functioning, sex, and handedness. DTI data were obtained by using a 3T scanner. FSL, including TBSS, was used to process and analyze DTI data where FA was chosen as the primary measure of fiber tract integrity. Affected voxels were labeled by using an integrated white matter tractography atlas. Post hoc correlation analyses were performed between FA of each affected fiber tract and scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale. RESULTS: The autism group exhibited bilateral reductions in FA involving numerous association, commissural, and projection tracts, with the most severely affected being the forceps minor. The most affected association tracts were the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus. There were no areas of increased FA in the autism group. All post hoc correlation analyses became nonsignificant after controlling for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence of reduced FA along many long-range fiber tracts in autism, suggesting aberrant long-range corticocortical connectivity. Although the spatial distribution of these findings suggests widespread abnormalities, there are major differences in the degree to which different tracts are affected, suggesting a more specific neural phenotype in autism.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elderly Normolipidaemic Acute Myocardial Infarct Patients

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and include coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), raised blood pressure (hypertension), peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure. According to the World Health Organization, CVD are the number one cause of death globally and claim 17 million lives each year. By 2030, almost 24 million people will die from CVD, mainly from heart disease and stroke. These are projected to remain the single leading causes of death (World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Available from: http://www.who. int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs 317/en/index.html). In the United States, CVD account for more than one-third (34.3%) of deaths annually, and responsible for nearly 3 million Americans reporting disability. The costs of CVD are also staggering. In 2010, the total cost including health care services, medications and lost productivity, is estimated to be over $503 billion in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. Addressing the nation’s leading killers: at a glance 2010. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/dhdsp.htm). Similarly, the National Heart Foundation of Australia reported that CVD are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia, killing one person nearly every 10 minutes (National Heart Foundation of Australia. Data and statistics. Available from: http:// www.heartfoundation.org.au/information-for-professionals/data-and-statistics). Despite improvements over the last few decades, CVD remain as the second largest disease burden to our society after cancers. As the population ages, the economic impact of CVD on the health care system will become even greater. Tobacco smoking, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and high alcohol consumption increase the risk of CVD. Indeed, behavioral and dietary risk factors are responsible for about 80% of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Available from: http://www.who. int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html).