Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The amino acid sequence of the aspartate aminotransferase from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

1. The single (cytosolic) aspartate aminotransferase was purified in high yield from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). 2. Amino-acid-sequence analysis was carried out by digestion of the protein with trypsin and with CNBr; some of the peptides produced were further subdigested with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase or with pepsin. Peptides were sequenced by the dansyl-Edman method and/or by automated gas-phase methods. The amino acid sequence obtained was complete except for a probable gap of two residues as indicated by comparison with the structures of counterpart proteins in other species. 3. The N-terminus of the enzyme is blocked. Fast-atom-bombardment m.s. was used to identify the blocking group as an acetyl one. 4. Alignment of the sequence of the enzyme with those of vertebrate cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases and with the enzyme from Escherichia coli showed that about 25% of residues are conserved between these distantly related forms. 5. Experimental details and confirmatory data for the results presented here are given in a Supplementary Publication (SUP 50164, 25 pages) that has been deposited at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa. Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7 BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1991) 273, 5.
Acute, chronic and terminal toxicity to 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin thenylidene glucoside (VM26) in mice.

The development of toxicity to 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin-9-(4,6,-O-thenylidene-beta-glucopyranoside) an epipodophyllotoxin with oncolytic activity, was characterized in mice treated three times at 3-day intervals with 10 mg of drug i.p. per kg of body weight. Changes in organ function and general metabolism were determined by measuring 18 constituents of blood for up to 10 weeks after drug administration. The results indicate three distinct phases of toxicity to 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-(4,6-O-2-thenylidene-beta-glucopyranoside). Acute toxicity developed within the first 10 days and was expressed by a depressed hematocrit and elevated plasma levels of glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, amylase, lipase, and uric acid. By 4 weeks, levels ahd returned to normal. The acute phase was followed by a chronic phase, which was characterized by progressive decreases in plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, albumin, and total protein. Finally, about 7 weeks after treatment, a terminal phase indicated by correlated increases in glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and blood urea nitrogen became apparent. Plasma levels of creatine phosphokinase, calcium, inorganic phosphate, total bilirubin, ketones, and alkaline phosphatase did not change. Although the pancreas liver and marrow were all affected during acute toxicity, boserved changes in blood components during the chronic and terminal phases correlate best with continued hepatotoxicity. The present evidence on delayed toxicity to 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-(4,6-o-2-thenylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside) is most compatible with irreversible hepatotoxocity which leads to metabolic deficiencies and terminates in death of mice.
Truncated aggregate homotopy method for nonconvex nonlinear programming

In this paper, an efficient implementation of aggregate homotopy method for nonconvex nonlinear programming problems is proposed. Adopting truncated aggregate technique, only a small subset of the constraints is aggregated at each iteration, hence the number of gradient and Hessian calculations is reduced dramatically. The subset is adaptively updated with some cheaply implementable truncating criterions, to guarantee the locally quadratic convergence of the correction process with as few computation cost as possible. Numerical tests with comparison to some other methods show that the new method is very efficient, especially for the problems with large amount of constraints and {computationally expensive} gradients or Hessians.
Persistence of graded EphA/Ephrin‐A expression in the adult frog visual system

Many studies have demonstrated the involvement of the EphA family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, ephrin‐A2 and ‐A5, in the development of the temporonasal axis of the retinotectal/collicular map, but the role of these molecules in optic nerve regeneration has not been well studied. Noting that the characteristic gradients of the EphA/ephrin‐A family that are expressed topographically in the retina and tectum of embryonic chicks and mice tend to disappear after birth, we took as our starting point an analysis of EphA and ephrin‐A expression in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens and utricularia), species capable of regenerating the retinotectal map as adults. For the EphA family to be involved in the regeneration, one would expect these topographic gradients to persist in the adult or, if downregulated after metamorphosis, to be reexpressed after optic nerve injury. Using EphA3 receptor and ephrin‐A5 ligand alkaline phosphatase in situ affinity probes (RAP and LAP, respectively) in whole‐mount applications, we report that reciprocally complementary gradients of RAP and LAP binding persist in the optic tract and optic tectum of postmetamorphic frogs, including mature adults. EphA expression in temporal retinal axons in the optic tract was significantly reduced after nerve section but returned during regeneration. However, ephrin‐A expression in the tectal parenchyma was not significantly elevated by either eye removal, with degeneration of optic axons, or during regeneration of the retinotectal projection. Thus, the present study has demonstrated a persisting expression of EphA/ephrin‐A family members in the retinal axons and tectal parenchyma that may help guide regenerating fibers, but we can offer no evidence for an upregulation of ephrin‐A expression in conjunction with optic nerve injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 467:549–565, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Has Growth in Supply of Educated Persons Been Important for the Composition of Employment

In the Norwegian fabricated metal industry there has been a shift in demand from unskilled to skilled workers during the period 1972 to 1990, and relative demand for white collar employees has also increased. The paper analyses the factors behind the shift in the composition of these three kinds of labour. A translog cost function approach is applied, using an error-correction representation of the development in cost shares. The results indicate substitutability between unskilled and both skilled and white collar workers. Increased supplies of skilled workers and engineers seem to have been the most important factors for the change in the composition of employment, indicating lack of persons with these kinds of education. In addition, unskilled workers have been rationalized away as a result of technical progress.
What are the functional consequences of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia?

OBJECTIVE It has been well established that schizophrenic patients have neurocognitive deficits, but it is not known how these deficits influence the daily lives of patients. The goal of this review was to determine which, if any, neurocognitive deficits restrict the functioning of schizophrenic patients in the outside world. METHOD The author reviewed studies that have evaluated neurocognitive measures as predictors and correlates of functional outcome for schizophrenic patients. The review included 1) studies that have prospectively evaluated specific aspects of neurocognition and community (e.g., social and vocational) functioning (six studies), 2) all known studies of neurocognitive correlates of social problem solving (five studies), and 3) all known studies of neurocognitive correlates and predictors of psychosocial skill acquisition (six studies). RESULTS Despite wide variation among studies in the selection of neurocognitive measures, some consistencies emerged. The most consistent finding was that verbal memory was associated with all types of functional outcome. Vigilance was related to social problem solving and skill acquisition. Card sorting predicted community functioning but not social problem solving. Negative symptoms were associated with social problem solving but not skill acquisition. Notably, psychotic symptoms were not significantly associated with outcome measures in any of the studies reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Verbal memory and vigilance appear to be necessary for adequate functional outcome. Deficiencies in these areas may prevent patients from attaining optimal adaptation and hence act as "neurocognitive rate-limiting factors. " On the basis of this review of the literature, a series of hypotheses are offered for follow-up studies.
High molecular diversity in the true service tree (Sorbus domestica) despite rareness: data from Europe with special reference to the Austrian occurrence.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) is one of the rarest deciduous tree species in Europe and is characterized by a scattered distribution. To date, no large-scale geographic studies on population genetics have been carried out. Therefore, the aims of this study were to infer levels of molecular diversity across the major part of the European distribution of S. domestica and to determine its population differentiation and structure. In addition, spatial genetic structure was examined together with the patterns of historic and recent gene flow between two adjacent populations. METHODS Leaf or cambium samples were collected from 17 populations covering major parts of the European native range from north-west France to south-east Bulgaria. Seven nuclear microsatellites and one chloroplast minisatellite were examined and analysed using a variety of methods. KEY RESULTS Allelic richness was unexpectedly high for both markers within populations (mean per locus: 3·868 for nSSR and 1·647 for chloroplast minisatellite). Moreover, there was no evidence of inbreeding (mean Fis = -0·047). The Italian Peninsula was characterized as a geographic region with comparatively high genetic diversity for both genomes. Overall population differentiation was moderate (FST = 0·138) and it was clear that populations formed three groups in Europe, namely France, Mediterranean/Balkan and Austria. Historic gene flow between two local Austrian populations was high and asymmetric, while recent gene flow seemed to be disrupted. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that molecular mechanisms such as self-incompatibility and high gene flow distances are responsible for the observed level of allelic richness as well as for population differentiation. However, human influence could have contributed to the present genetic pattern, especially in the Mediterranean region. Comparison of historic and recent gene flow may mirror the progress of habitat fragmentation in eastern Austria.
Resveratrol inhibits collagen I synthesis by suppressing IGF-1R activation in intestinal fibroblasts.

AIM To investigate whether resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) inhibits collagen I synthesis induced by insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in intestinal fibroblasts, and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis group. After 21 d of TNBS administration, the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in colon was measured by HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Western blotting was used to examine collagen I, IGF-1 and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) protein expression in colitis tissues. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to characterize collagen I protein and col1a2 mRNA expression in mouse intestinal fibroblasts and CCD-(18)Co cells treated with IGF-1. A MEK inhibitor (U0126) was used to determine whether IGF-1-induced collagen I expression was mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-dependent mechanism. Effects of resveratrol on collagen I protein level, insulin growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels were also examined after IGF-1 treatment in fibroblasts. To evaluate whether SIRT1 was necessary for the anti-fibrosis effect of resveratrol, cells were transfected with SIRT1-specific small interfering RNAs, wild-type SIRT1, and deacetylase-inactive mutant SIRT1. RESULTS Collagen I and IGF-1 expression was increased, and SIRT1 expression was decreased (0.67 ± 0.04 vs 1.05 ± 0.07, P < 0.001) in TNBS-induced colitis compared with the control group. In vitro, IGF-1 could induce collagen I expression, mainly through the ERK 1/2 signal pathway. Resveratrol reduced basal and IGF-1-induced collagen I gene and protein expression in intestinal fibroblasts. Overexpression of wild-type SIRT1, not deacetylase-inactive mutant SIRT1, decreased expression of collagen I induced by IGF-1. Moreover, silencing SIRT1 restored collagen I expression in fibroblasts challenged with resveratrol. However, disruption of SIRT1 did not influence the anti-fibrotic effects of resveratrol and IGF-1-induced collagen I expression. Further analysis revealed that resveratrol significantly decreased phosphorylation of IGF-1R and its downstream signaling molecules by inhibiting IGF-1 binding to its receptor. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that resveratrol effectively inhibits collagen I synthesis in IGF-1-stimulated fibroblasts, partly by inhibiting IGF-1R activation, and SIRT1 is also responsible for the process.
Immunomarking Reveals Food Flow and Feeding Relationships in the Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar)

Abstract Trophallaxis and feeding relationships in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), were examined using a novel marking technique, rabbit IgG protein coupled with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the marker. Transfer experiments in small dishes evaluated the trophallactic transfer of the marker from donor workers fed IgG-treated paper to recipient workers or larvae. Worker donors rapidly acquired the marker, and 100% of donors tested positive within 24 h. Trophallactic transfer from donors to recipients was relatively inefficient, and 51 ± 2% of recipient workers and 31 ± 2% of recipient larvae tested positive at 72 h. Based on the mean optical density counts, ≈27% of marker ingested by the donors was passed on to the recipient workers in the first 24 h, 14% to recipient larvae, and 26% to recipient soldiers. The ability of soldiers to feed independently of workers was examined in dish assays. Soldiers showed no significant uptake of the marker when isolated from the workers, and uptake increased significantly when workers were present. The distribution of the marker was further studied in larger colony fragments composed of workers, soldiers, nymphs, and larvae. Marker acquisition by the different castes/developmental stages was highly variable, with workers and nymphs acquiring the marker at a faster rate than soldiers and larvae. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the foraging ecology and social behavior in R. flavipes. In addition, they may help design improved control programs for subterranean termites based on baits.
MAP kinase p38 and its relation to T cell anergy and suppressor function of regulatory T cells

Diverse regulatory T cell populations (Treg) are important for the control of self tolerance and immune homeostasis. These include naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ Treg (nTreg) and induced Treg (iTreg). Tolerogenic dendritic cells, modulated by IL-10, are able to convert peripheral T cells into iTreg. These are anergic and characterized by a G1 cell cycle arrest, dependent on elevated levels of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1. Novel data revealed a distinct pattern of MAP kinase activation in iTreg different from clonal T cell anergy, with enhanced activation of the p38-MAPKAP-K2/3 pathway. p38 is involved in cell cycle control and its activity is a prerequisite for the induction and maintenance of the anergic state in iTreg. Inhibition of p38 leads to down regulation of p27Kip1, cell cycle progress and loss of regulatory T cell function. Here, we discuss these data in light of the role of p38 and p27Kip1 in T cell activation, anergy induction and cell cycle control.
Are There Votes in Higher Taxes

With the view of causing an increase to take place in the mass of national wealth, or with a view to increase of the means either of subsistence or enjoyment, without some special reason, the general rule is, that nothing ought to be done or attempted by government. The motto, or watchword of government, on these occasions, ought to be ⎯ Be quiet.Whatever measures, therefore, cannot be justified as exceptions to that rule, may be considered as non-agenda on the part of government. ⎯ Jeremy Bentham (c.1801)
Comparative Study for the Presence of Enterococcal Virulence Factors Gelatinase, Hemolysin and Biofilm Among Clinical and Commensal Isolates of Enterococcus Faecalis

Background: Biofilm production, gelatinase and hemolysin are the potential virulence factors of Enterococci. Gelatinase and hemolysin producing strains of Enterococcus Faecalis have been shown to cause severe infections in animal models. Biofilm production has been shown to enhance the persistence of E. faecalis in urinary bladder and other medical indwelling devices infections. Aims: To compare the presence of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm formation among clinical and commensal isolates and to study the co-relation between virulence factors with respect to different clinical specimens. Settings and Design: During the study period of 2 years from July 2004 to July 2006, 200 clinical isolates from nosocomial infections and 100 commensal isolates of E. faecalis were taken for the study. Materials and Methods: The clinical and commensal isolates were tested for the presence of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm and compared. The presence of these virulence factors among different clinical isolates was also studied. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square and likelihood ratio analysis were carried out using SSPS version 5.1 software. Results: The clinical isolates produced 39, 16.5 and 32.5% of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm, respectively, as compared to 31, 19 and 16% produced by the commensal isolates, respectively. Endotracheal tube infection, urinary tract infection, umbilical catheter tip infected isolates produced 60.8, 86.6 and 100% biofilm, respectively. Conclusion: Significant difference in the production of biofilm (P<0.001) was noted between clinical and commensal isolates. Organism isolated from medically indwelling devices produced high amount of biofilm, confirming its role in colonization and causing nosocomial infections.
THE ROLE OF GROUNDWATER‐DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEMS IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

Ecosystems provide a wide range of services essential for a proper environmental, economic, and social performance. While the estimated global value of ecosystem services in 2014 is very significant, the annual loss of ecosystem services value is alarming. Our paper focuses on groundwater‐dependent ecosystems (GDEs), some very important to society, which are under threat due to groundwater overexploitation. Considering the ecosystem health/status function is essential for sound groundwater regulation policy. The paper assesses the conjunctive management of groundwater and GDEs both in theory and in a relevant case study, using a certain type of an ecosystem health function. The theoretical results demonstrate how the change in the slope values of a general ecosystem health function affects the optimal groundwater management policy. The analysis also suggests a change in groundwater management strategies as a function of the value of the ecosystem. The theoretical findings are corroborated with data from an aquifer in Spain and its associated GDE—the Tablas de Daimiel Wetland. The paper highlights theoretically and empirically the necessity for a better understanding of GDEs behavior. It calls for groundwater regulation to protect these resources.
Stabilization of α-synuclein oligomers using formaldehyde

The group of neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) all exhibit inclusions containing amyloid-type α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates within degenerating brain cells. α-syn also exists as soluble oligomeric species that are hypothesized to represent intermediates between its native and aggregated states. These oligomers are present in brain extracts from patients suffering from synucleinopathies and hold great potential as biomarkers. Although easily prepared in vitro, oligomers are metastable and dissociate over time, thereby complicating α-syn oligomer research. Using the small amine-reactive cross-linker, formaldehyde (FA), we successfully stabilized α-syn oligomers without affecting their size, overall structure or antigenicity towards aggregate-conformation specific α-syn antibodies FILA and MJFR-14-6-4-2. Further, cross-linked α-syn oligomers show resistance towards denaturant like urea and SDS treatment and remain fully functional as internal standard in an aggregation-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) despite prior incubation with urea. We propose that FA cross-linked α-syn oligomers could serve as important calibrators to facilitate comparative and standardized α-syn biomarker studies going forward.
Mindfulness Meditation for Oncology Patients: A Discussion and Critical Review

The purpose of this article is to (1) provide a comprehensive over view and discussion of mindfulness meditation and its clinical applicability in oncology and (2) report and critically evaluate the existing and emerging research on mindfulness meditation as an intervention for cancer patients. Using relevant keywords, a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Ovid was completed along with a review of published abstracts from the annual conferences sponsored by the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Each article and abstract was critiqued and systematically assessed for purpose statement or research questions, study design, sample size, characteristics of subjects, characteristics of mindfulness intervention, outcomes, and results. The search produced 9 research articles published in the past 5 years and 5 conference abstracts published in 2004. Most studies were conducted with breast and prostate cancer patients, and the mindfulness intervention was done in a clinic-based group setting. Consistent benefits—improved psychological functioning, reduction of stress symptoms, enhanced coping and well-being in cancer outpatients—were found. More research in this area is warranted: using randomized, controlled designs, rigorous methods, and different cancer diagnoses and treatment settings; expanding outcomes to include quality of life, physiological, health care use, and health-related outcomes; exploring mediating factors; and discerning dose effects and optimal frequency and length of home practice. Mindfulness meditation has clinically relevant implications to alleviate psychological and physical suffering of persons living with cancer. Use of this behavioral intervention for oncology patients is an area of burgeoning interest to clinicians and researchers.