Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Glucose-Dependent Gene Expression by the RNA Helicase Dbp2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cellular homeostasis requires a fine balance between energy uptake, utilization, and growth. Dbp2 is a member of the DEAD-box protein family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with characterized ATPase and helicase activity in vitro. DEAD-box RNA helicases are a class of enzymes that utilize ATP hydrolysis to remodel RNA and/or RNA–protein (RNP) composition. Dbp2 has been proposed to utilize its helicase activity in vivo to promote RNA–protein complex assembly of both messenger (m)RNAs and long noncoding (lnc)RNAs. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that loss of DBP2 enhances the lncRNA-dependent transcriptional induction of the GAL genes by abolishing glucose-dependent repression. Herein, we report that either a carbon source switch or glucose deprivation results in rapid export of Dbp2 to the cytoplasm. Genome-wide RNA sequencing identified a new class of antisense hexose transporter transcripts that are specifically upregulated upon loss of DBP2. Further investigation revealed that both sense and antisense hexose transporter (HXT) transcripts are aberrantly expressed in DBP2-deficient cells and that this expression pathway can be partially mimicked in wild-type cells by glucose depletion. We also find that Dbp2 promotes ribosome biogenesis and represses alternative ATP-producing pathways, as loss of DBP2 alters the transcript levels of ribosome biosynthesis (snoRNAs and associated proteins) and respiration gene products. This suggests that Dbp2 is a key integrator of nutritional status and gene expression programs required for energy homeostasis.
Reliability of the treponemal hemagglutination test for the serodiagnosis of syphilis.

The reliability of the treponemal hemagglutination (TPHA) test for the serodiagnosis of syphilis was evaluated by testing 306 sera with the TPHA and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-Abs) tests. Overall agreement between the two tests was obtained with 90.2% of the sera. Fifteen of the discrepant sera were FTA-Abs-positive and TPHA-negative, and fifteen were FTA-Absnegative and TPHA-positive. Careful evaluation of the patients' history and clinical findings indicated a false-positive rate of 8.8% for the TPHA, and a false-negative rate of at least 6.5% for this test. The number of false-positives and false-negatives makes us question the reliability of the TPHA, and it is recommended that the FTA-Abs be retained as the primary treponemal test.
The woodchuck hepatitis B virus infection model for the evaluation of HBV therapies and vaccine therapies

Studies focused on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in recovery or progression to chronicity of HBV may take advantage of natural and experimental models that mimic its properties. This is also of relevance for associated diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellulocarcinoma. The eastern woodchuck (Marmota monax) infected by the hepadnavirus woodchuck Hepatitis B virus (WHV) has been applied as a predictive model to support development of new HBV vaccines, antivirals, immunotherapies and combination therapies. This report summarizes studies carried out by our and other groups, with the application of this model in natural and experimental infections. Using standardized viral inocula in neonate and adult animals and newly established assays, the presence of the specific patterns of markers of acute, chronic and resolved infections and their relationships in the different virus–host interactions have been shown. B and T cell responses and TH1 cytokine expression have been shown to play a crucial role in the outcome of infection. The availability of the WHV/Marmota monax model and specific standardized assays may allow evaluation of new formulations of multimodal therapeutic strategies based on antiviral chemotherapy and immunomodulation. These may also include specifically targeted immunocomplexes. Such therapies could constitute new frontiers for the treatment of HBV chronic disease.
Metformin Synergizes With Conventional and Adjuvant Analgesic Drugs to Reduce Inflammatory Hyperalgesia in Rats

BACKGROUND: Metformin is a widely used and safe antidiabetic drug that has recently been shown to possess analgesic properties in models of inflammatory pain. Because various arthritic inflammatory disorders are highly prevalent in diabetic patients, we aimed to examine the type of interaction between metformin and several conventional and adjuvant analgesic drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, tramadol, and pregabalin) in a rat model of somatic inflammatory hyperalgesia. METHODS: Inflammation of the rat hind paw was induced by an intraplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 mL, 1%). The antihyperalgesic effects of metformin (intraperitoneally), analgesics (orally or intraperitoneally), and 2-drug metformin-analgesic combinations were assessed with an electronic Von Frey anesthesiometer, by measuring the change in paw withdrawal thresholds induced by carrageenan (n = 6 rats in drug/drug combination–treated groups). First, we determined the doses of individual drugs needed to produce an antihyperalgesic effect of 50% (ED50 values). In combination experiments, drugs were coadministered in fixed-dose fractions (1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2) of their individual ED50 values and the type of interaction between components was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Metformin (50–200 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia with a maximal antihyperalgesic effect (mean ± SEM) of 62 ± 6% (all P ⩽ .024). Ibuprofen (25–150 mg/kg), aspirin (100–400 mg/kg), tramadol (0.5–5 mg/kg), and pregabalin (2.5–20 mg/kg) also produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects (all P ⩽ .042) of similar magnitude to metformin (the maximal antihyperalgesic effects were 73 ± 4% for ibuprofen, 62 ± 4.2% for aspirin, 69 ± 5.9% for tramadol, and 56 ± 3.9% for pregabalin). In combination experiments, administration of 2-drug metformin-analgesic combinations led to a significant and dose-dependent reduction of carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia (all P ⩽ .027). The isobolographic analysis revealed that metformin interacted synergistically with the examined analgesics (experimental ED50 values of 2-drug combinations were significantly lower than theoretical additive ED50 values; all P < .05) and that there was a similar, approximately 5-fold, reduction of doses of both drugs in all tested combinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in patients who are already receiving metformin therapy, lower doses of ibuprofen/aspirin/tramadol/pregabalin might be sufficient for achieving satisfactory pain relief. Metformin-aspirin combination might be particularly useful because it may achieve multiple therapeutic goals (glucoregulation, pain relief, and cardioprotection).
The microcirculation: a motor for the systemic inflammatory response and large vessel disease induced by hypercholesterolaemia?

There is abundant evidence that links hypercholesterolaemia to both vascular inflammation and atherogenesis. While atherosclerosis is a large vessel disease that is characterized by leucocyte infiltration and lipid deposition in the wall of lesion‐prone arteries, the inflammatory response does not appear to be confined to these locations. There is evidence supporting a systemic inflammatory response that is characterized by endothelial cell activation in multiple vascular beds and the appearance of activated immune cells and a wide range of inflammatory mediators in blood. The mechanism(s) responsible for initiating this systemic response remain poorly defined, although several inciting factors have been proposed, including infectious agents and oxidative stress resulting from one or more of the cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension). While cells within lesion‐prone arteries are often inferred as the source of circulating inflammatory mediators during atherogenesis, the fact that endothelial cells throughout the vasculature are activated raises the possibility that the microvasculature (which encompasses a vast endothelial surface area) may contribute to creating the systemic inflammatory milieu that is linked to atherogenesis. This review addresses evidence that links the microvasculature to the inflammatory responses induced by hypercholesterolaemia and offers the hypothesis that inflammatory events initiated within the microcirculation may contribute to initiation and/or progression of large vessel disease.
The influences of electronic word‐of‐mouth message appeal and message source credibility on brand attitude

Purpose – Based on message source theory, the purpose of this paper is to use positive electronic word‐of‐mouth (eWOM) settings to examine the influence of message source credibility on brand attitude (brand trust, brand affection, and purchase intention). The current study also uses the elaboration likelihood model to examine the moderating effect of product involvement on the relationships between message appeals (rational vs emotional) and brand attitude, as well as between message source credibility and brand attitude.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected via internet questionnaires. Based on the internet investigation and pretest, this study chose the stimuli for research products, virtual brands, eWOM, and message source credibility. Via a 2 (notebooks vs shampoo) *2 (appeal: rational vs emotional) experimental design, 211 effective samples were collected to verify the hypotheses of this study.Findings – The results, for both notebooks and shampoo, are: the positive eWOM message with hig.
Expanded CD4+CD45RO+ phenotype and defective proliferative response in T lymphocytes from patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS An abnormal immune response may play a pathogenic role in Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the role of regulatory T cells in Crohn's disease. METHODS T-cell phenotype and function were studied in blood lymphocytes from patients with Crohn's disease and a control group consisting of healthy donors and patients with ulcerative colitis. RESULTS Flow cytometric studies showed a significant increase in the percentage of CD3+DR+ and CD4+CD45RO+ T cells in patients with Crohn's disease. T cells from patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis showed a defective proliferative response after stimulation with surface mitogenic ligands (phytohemagglutinin and anti-CD28 or anti-CD3 antibodies). Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha was augmented in the Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis groups. In the Crohn's disease group, impairment of T-lymphocyte proliferation was normalized by exogenous interleukin 2, although endogenous interleukin-2 production and interleukin-2 receptor alpha expression were normal. CONCLUSIONS An in vivo expansion of CD4+ T lymphocytes with memory phenotype and impaired T-cell proliferation that can be restored by pharmacological amounts of interleukin 2 was found in patients with Crohn's disease. There is a severe immunodisturbance in the T-cell compartment of patients with either clinically active or inactive Crohn's disease.
Are African flagship universities preparing students for citizenship

This article investigates the contribution of higher education to democratisation in Africaby studying the political attitudes of undergraduate students at four African flagshipuniversities in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. It analyses students’ attitudesagainst those of youths without higher education and mass publics in their respectivecountries. The study focuses on flagship universities because of their role as importantplayers in the development of the social, economic and political leadership of theirrespective countries. The surveys used stratified random samples of third-year studentsacross all faculties and years of enrolment, which resulted in a weighted sample of 400students from each of the participating institutions. Students’ attitudes are compared withthose of the same age percentiles of youths without higher education, and those of theentire population sample, from the nationwide public opinion surveys conducted byAfrobarometer. The analysis of the data uses the notions of commitment to democracy,critical citizenship and political engagement to show that students at the four flagshipinstitutions have significantly higher levels of political awareness and political participation,and higher levels of criticalness, than youths without higher education and the generalmass public. However, no consistently higher levels of commitment to democracy werefound among students. We therefore argue that the study provides evidence of the politicalhothouse conditions typical in many African universities. It also provides grounds for thecall that African higher education institutions should be more conscious of, and explicitin, the cultivation of the norms, values and practices conducive to democracy in orderfor higher education to contribute in enduring ways to citizenship development and thedeepening of democratisation in Africa.
Colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi of Sorghum Leads to Reduced Germination and Subsequent Attachment and Emergence of Striga hermonthica

Two sorghum cultivars: the Striga-tolerant S-35 and the Striga-sensitive CK60-B were grown with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and with or without phosphorus addition. At 24 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) of sorghum, root exudates were collected and tested for effects on germination of preconditioned Striga hermonthica seeds. Root exudates from AM sorghum plants induced lower germination of S. hermonthica seeds than exudates from non-mycorrhizal sorghum. The magnitude of this effect depended on the cultivar and harvest time. A significantly (88–97%) lower germination of S. hermonthica seeds upon exposure to root exudates from AM S-35 plants was observed at both harvest times whereas for AM inoculated CK60-B plants a significantly (41%) lower germination was observed only at 45 DAS. The number of S. hermonthica seedlings attached to and emerged on both sorghum cultivars were also lower in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal plants. Again, this reduction was more pronounced with S-35 than with CK60-B plants. There was no effect of phosphorus addition on Striga seed germination, attachment or emergence. We hypothesize that the negative effect of mycorrhizal colonization on Striga germination and on subsequent attachment and emergence is mediated through the production of signaling molecules (strigolactones) for AM fungi and parasitic plants.
Kinetic and kinematic changes with the use of valgus knee brace and lateral wedge insoles in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis

The effect of a valgus knee brace and a lateral wedged insole on knee and ankle kinematics and kinetics was evaluated in ten patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). The knee orthosis was tested in two valgus adjustments (4° and 8°), and the laterally wedged insole was fabricated with an inclination of 4°. A motion capture system and force platforms were used for data collection and joint moments were calculated using inverse dynamics. The valgus moment applied by the orthosis was also measured using a strain gauge implemented in the orthosis' rotational axis. For the second peak knee adduction moment, decreases of 18%, 21%, and 7% were observed between baseline and test conditions for the orthosis in 4° valgus, in 8° valgus, and insole, respectively. Similar decreases were observed for knee lever arm in the frontal plane. Knee adduction angular impulse decreased 14%, 18%, and 7% from baseline to conditions for the orthosis in 4° valgus, in 8° valgus, and insole, respectively. Knee angle in the frontal plane reached a more valgus position during gait using the valgus knee brace. The valgus moment applied by the orthosis with 8° valgus adjustment was 30% higher than with 4° valgus adjustment. The valgus knee orthosis was more effective than the laterally wedged insole in reducing knee adduction moment in patients with medial knee OA. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1125–1132, 2012
Comparison of psychotherapies for adult depression to pill placebo control groups: a meta-analysis

Background The effects of antidepressants for treating depressive disorders have been overestimated because of selective publication of positive trials. Reanalyses that include unpublished trials have yielded reduced effect sizes. This in turn has led to claims that antidepressants have clinically insignificant advantages over placebo and that psychotherapy is therefore a better alternative. To test this, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies comparing psychotherapy with pill placebo. Method Ten 10 studies comparing psychotherapies with pill placebo were identified. In total, 1240 patients were included in these studies. For each study, Hedges’ g was calculated. Characteristics of the studies were extracted for subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Results The effect of psychotherapy compared to pill placebo at post-test was g = 0.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14–0.36, I 2 = 0%, 95% CI 0–58]. This effect size corresponds to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 7.14 (95% CI 5.00–12.82). The psychotherapy conditions scored 2.66 points lower on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) than the placebo conditions, and 3.20 points lower on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Some indications for publication bias were found (two missing studies). We found no significant differences between subgroups of the studies and in meta-regression analyses we found no significant association between baseline severity and effect size. Conclusions Although there are differences between the role of placebo in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy research, psychotherapy has an effect size that is comparable to that of antidepressant medications. Whether these effects should be deemed clinically relevant remains open to debate.
Serum antibodies in Campylobacter enteritis

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay method for the measurement of total and class-specific serum antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni was developed. The test was found to be both sensitive and specific. Immunoglobulin M, G, and A antibodies were detected in about 90% of sera collected from patients recovering from Campylobacter enteritis, with the pattern of appearance and decline of these antibodies conforming to that usually seen in an acute infection. A poor antibody response was noted in patients with intermittent or prolonged enteritis. The clinical implications and diagnostic value of this test are discussed.
Gallbladder Carcinoma: Findings at MR Imaging With MR Cholangiopancreatography

Purpose To describe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings in gallbladder carcinoma, and to correlate these findings with available surgical and biopsy information. Methods Preoperative MR images (T1-weighted spin-echo, T2-weighted fast spin-echo, single shot fast spin-echo, and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced gradient echo) in 34 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed for appearance of the primary neoplasm and for demonstration of hepatic, peritoneal, duodenal, and nodal involvement. Imaging findings were then compared with surgical findings (n = 19 patients) and histologic findings (n = 15 patients). Results Gallbladder carcinoma manifested at MR imaging as focal gallbladder wall thickening with an eccentric mass in 76% (26/34) of cases. The most common types of regional spread demonstrated were direct liver invasion in 91% (31/34), lymphadenopathy in 76% (26/34), and biliary tract invasion in 62% (21/34). Sensitivity for direct hepatic invasion was 100%, and was 92% for lymph node metastasis. Conclusion MRI and MRCP can provide information relevant to preoperative staging of gallbladder carcinoma.
Factors influencing the success of an artificial insemination program in Florida goats

An artificial insemination (AI) program using cooled semen was evaluated over a 7-year period in Florida goats. The effect of the following variables on pregnancy rates was analysed: production system, year and season of AI, synchronisation treatment, bucks, AI technicians, semen deposition site, days in milk at AI, milk yield and parity. Animals were reared under field conditions on commercial farms in southern Spain. Semen was collected from nine bucks and cooled at 4oC until use. A total of 3941 goats were synchronised using intravaginal progesterone sponges and inseminated 46.0 ± 0.5 h. after sponge removal. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography 42-46 days after AI, obtaining an average pregnancy rate of 48.7%. Logistic regression showed that production system, AI year and season, bucks and semen deposition site had a significant effect ( p <0.05) on pregnancy rate, while the other variables analysed were removed from the model. The final statistical model accounted for 59.7% of the cases analysed, suggesting that other factors not studied here may influence pregnancy rates in Florida goats.
Yeasts and filamentous fungi in bottled mineral water and tap water from municipal supplies

The main objective of this study was to analyse the occurrence of yeasts and filamentous fungi in drinking water as well as to investigate their correlation with the indicator bacteria of faecal pollution. Yeasts were detected in 36.6% and 11.6% of the bottled mineral on water dispensers and tap water samples from municipal system, respectively. Twenty-one (35.0%) of bottled mineral water and two (3.3%) of tap water samples were positive for filamentous fungi. For bottled mineral water 12 (20.0%) of 60 samples were positive for total coliform, compared with 3(5.0%)out of 60 samples from tap water. The mineral water from dispensers was more contaminated than tap water. Strains belonging to the genera Candida identified to the species level were C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata and C. albicans. Thus, bottled mineral water from water dispensers and tap water could be considered a possible transmission route for filamentous fungi and yeasts, and could constitute a potential health hazard, mainly to immunocompromised indivuals.
Morphogenesis of the decapitated and decaudated sperm defect in two brothers.

The "decapitated sperm" defect, found in both of two sterile brothers, may be assumed to have a genetic origin. The present material suggests that the term "decapitated spermatozoa" is not exact, because detached heads and tails were found in the brothers' ejaculate that could be regarded as "decapitated tails" and "decaudated heads. " The present report describes frequent, more or less advanced stages of detachment. Both heads and tails showed a normal structure in which only the postnuclear region was deficient, lacking basal plate and implantation fossa. A break at a different level of the midpiece, and therefore three kinds of separation, were observed. The defect, according to the present research, must originate in the testicular region, whereas the detachment occurs in the epididymis.
Shape Homogeneity and Scale Heterogeneity of Downside Tail Risk

We analyze the cross-sectional differences in the tail risk of equity returns and identify the drivers of tail risk. We provide two statistical procedures to test the hypothesis of cross-sectional downside tail shape homogeneity. An empirical study of 230 US non-financial firms shows that between 2008 and 2011 the cross-sectional tail shape is homogeneous across equity returns. The heterogeneity in tail risk over this period can be entirely attributed to differences in scale. The differences in scales are driven by the following firm characteristics: market beta, size, book-to-market ratio, leverage and bid-ask spread.