Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tyrosine Phosphorylation Mediates Both Activation and Downmodulation of the Biological Activity of Vav

ABSTRACT Vav works as a GDP/GTP exchange factor for Rac GTPases, thereby facilitating the transition of these proteins from the inactive (GDP-bound) into the active (GTP-bound) state. The stimulation of Vav exchange activity during cell signaling is mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation. To understand the roles of phosphorylation in the regulation of Vav activity, we have initiated the characterization of the residues of Vav that are phosphorylated during signal transduction. Here we show that a Y-to-F mutation in one of these residues, Y174, leads to the oncogenic activation of Vav and to the enhancement of other Vav-mediated signals such as those for cytoskeletal reorganization, JNK activation, and stimulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells. The effect induced by the Y174F mutation is further accentuated by mutations in residue Y142 or Y160. The Y174F mutation has no effect on the exchange activity of Vav in vitro but results in higher levels of phosphorylation in vivo. Using a phosphospecific antibody, we found that Y174 is phosphorylated following stimulation of mitogenic and antigenic receptors. This phosphorylation event is conserved in Vav-2 and Vav-3, the other two members of the Vav family. These results identify a previously unknown mechanism for the oncogenic activation of Vav and suggest that the activity of this exchange factor is modulated by two antagonistic phosphorylation events, one involved in Vav activation and a second one implicated in Vav inactivation.
The Impact of Government Debt on the Convenience Yield of Default-Risk-Free Debt

A growing empirical literature documents that the quantity of privately held U.S. government debt affects the spreads on a wide range of fixed-income securities through determining the convenience premium placed on assets with varying degree of safety and liquidity. Shocks to the convenience premium, therefore, constitute an important source of disturbance to banks' relative cost of funds across insured and non-insured deposits. To the extent that one questions the validity of the aggregate correlations found in the literature, the liability side of FDIC insured commercial banks provides a unique laboratory for testing the impact of the public supply of safe and liquid assets on determining asset prices and allocations. Using a proprietary micro-level dataset of prices and quantities of insured and non-insured liabilities of the U.S. commercial banks, I document the heterogeneous response of banks with different capital structure in the pricing and funding choices across the two types of debt to changes in the level and maturity of government debt. The latter have larger impact on banks that have higher share of insured sources of funding. Overall, an increase in the level of government debt and shortening of its maturity have a contractionary effect on the banks' balance sheets pointing to a strong crowding out effect of government debt on the banking system capacity to attract cheap sources of funding in the form of deposits and hence its ability to extend loans.
Phonological and Cognitive Reading Related Skills as Predictors of Word Reading and Reading Comprehension among Arabic Dyslexic Children

The present study sought to identify cognitive reading-related skills (i.e. visual attention, rapid automatized naming and working memory) that might distinguish dyslexic Arabic children from skilled ones in 4th and 5th grades, and to examine the potential contribution of these factors to word reading and reading comprehension. Two experiments were conducted for this purpose. In Experiment 1, normal readers (N = 108) and dyslexics (23) were given a set of literacy tasks, visual attention, and rapid automatized naming. The results indicated that dyslexic children exhibited lower reading-related skills than controls. Visual attention and phonological processing were able to predict word reading. Experiment 2 was carried out on 36 dyslexic children compared to chronological-age controls. This experiment was designed to assess the relation between phonological awareness and working memory with word recognition and reading comprehension. Results showed significant differences between groups in literacy scores. In addition, inter-correlations indicated a strong relation between word recognition and reading comprehension on one hand and phonological awareness and verbal working memory on the other. Regression analyses showed that rapid naming, visual attention, and verbal working memory were significantly associated with literacy. The findings underscored the importance of cognitive skills in the acquisition of Arabic literacy and emphasized persistent difficulties in dyslexic children from multiple causes.
Responsiveness of G protein-coupled odorant receptors is partially attributed to the activation mechanism

Significance Mammalian odorant receptors (ORs) comprise the largest family of G protein-coupled receptors, which are frequent drug targets. While many ORs respond specifically to select odorants, recent studies have identified a small number of ORs that respond to a large set of diverse odorants. Up to date, little is known about the molecular and structural features that shape the OR response properties. Our study reveals that broadly responsive ORs show elevated basal activity, suggesting a lower activation barrier. Surprisingly, a single amino acid mutation is sufficient to confer high basal activity and broad responsiveness to an OR, which originally shows weak responses to few odorants. Mammals detect and discriminate numerous odors via a large family of G protein-coupled odorant receptors (ORs). However, little is known about the molecular and structural basis underlying OR response properties. Using site-directed mutagenesis and computational modeling, we studied ORs sharing high sequence homology but with different response properties. When tested in heterologous cells by diverse odorants, MOR256-3 responded broadly to many odorants, whereas MOR256-8 responded weakly to a few odorants. Out of 36 mutant MOR256-3 ORs, the majority altered the responses to different odorants in a similar manner and the overall response of an OR was positively correlated with its basal activity, an indication of ligand-independent receptor activation. Strikingly, a single mutation in MOR256-8 was sufficient to confer both high basal activity and broad responsiveness to this receptor. These results suggest that broad responsiveness of an OR is at least partially attributed to its activation likelihood.
Strategies to Regulate Myopia Progression With Contact Lenses: A Review

Purpose: Higher myopic refractive errors are associated with serious ocular complications that can put visual function at risk. There is respective interest in slowing and if possible stopping myopia progression before it reaches a level associated with increased risk of secondary pathology. The purpose of this report was to review our understanding of the rationale(s) and success of contact lenses (CLs) used to reduce myopia progression. Methods: A review commenced by searching the PubMed database. The inclusion criteria stipulated publications of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of CLs in regulating myopia progression based on the primary endpoint of changes in axial length measurements and published in peer-reviewed journals. Other publications from conference proceedings or patents were exceptionally considered when no peer-review articles were available. Results: The mechanisms that presently support myopia regulation with CLs are based on the change of relative peripheral defocus and changing the foveal image quality signal to potentially interfere with the accommodative system. Ten clinical trials addressing myopia regulation with CLs were reviewed, including corneal refractive therapy (orthokeratology), peripheral gradient lenses, and bifocal (dual-focus) and multifocal lenses. Conclusions: CLs were reported to be well accepted, consistent, and safe methods to address myopia regulation in children. Corneal refractive therapy (orthokeratology) is so far the method with the largest demonstrated efficacy in myopia regulation across different ethnic groups. However, factors such as patient convenience, the degree of initial myopia, and non-CL treatments may also be considered. The combination of different strategies (i.e., central defocus, peripheral defocus, spectral filters, pharmaceutical delivery, and active lens-borne illumination) in a single device will present further testable hypotheses exploring how different mechanisms can reinforce or compete with each other to improve or reduce myopia regulation with CLs.
Effects of high environmental temperature on plasma sodium and potassium concentrations in commercial layers

High environmental temperature can influence the acid-base balance in poultry. Among sodium (Na) and potassium (K), the monovalent ions are the key minerals involved in acid-base balance of the body fluids. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high environmental temperature on plasma Na and K concentration in commercial layers. In this study two hundred laying hens (Hy-Line) 40 weeks age were divided randomly into two groups, each group contains 100 hens (control group and purpose group). Every 4 hens were kept in a cage with water and same basal and supplemental diets ad libitum. During the experiments hen houses received 16h of light per day. Hen house’s temperature was measured four times a day (06.00, 12.00, 18.00 and 24.00). The average minimum and maximum daily temperature respectively were 22°C and 36°C that recorded in hot season of year. The length of the experiment was 90 days. The control group was kept in the same experimental situation and average minimum and maximum temperature were 20°C and 26°C respectively. Blood samples were taken weekly, concentration of plasma Na and K measured by the flame photometer. Differences between groups were evaluated by t-tests. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Average Na concentration in purpose and control groups was 140 mmol/L and 123 mmol/L respectively. Average k concentration in purpose and control groups was 6.53 mmol/L and 8.61 mmol/L respectively. Results of present study showed significant (P = 0.001) changes in Na and K plasma concentrations during heat stress period. Our results can be recommended that dietary minerals supplementation be helpful for maximum performance in laying hen under hot climate conditions, especially during the summer months when birds are most susceptible to heat stress.
Relationship between volume of the seminal vesicles and sexual activity in middle‐aged men

The relationship between volume of the seminal vesicles and the frequency of sex and sexual function in middle‐aged men is not clear. This study included 81 patients who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer. Volume of the seminal vesicles was examined using a volume analyser from computed tomography. Sexual function was subjectively evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and Erection Hardness Score. The frequency of sex was surveyed using our original questionnaire. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 67.7 ± 5.3 years. There was no relationship between the volume of seminal vesicles and age of the patients. Volume of the seminal vesicles in patients who answered that they had sexual activity at least once a year was significantly larger than in those who answered no sexual activity for several years (P < .01) Moreover, among sexually active, middle‐aged men, volume of the seminal vesicles was significantly larger in those who had a sexual frequency once every 3 months than in those who had a sexual frequency once every 6 months or once a year (P < .05). Our study suggests that the volume of seminal vesicles of middle‐aged men is correlated with sexual activity.
Is Service Quality a Correlate of Customer Satisfaction? Evidence from Nigerian Airports

This study assesses the relationship between dimensions of service quality and customer satisfaction from the perspectives of passengers that travel through Nigerian airports. Survey methodology was adopted for the study. Cross-sectional data were collected at four International airports with the aid of structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 600 passengers across Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt airports with 71% response rate. Regression analyses reveal that although the relationship between each of the dimensions of service quality and customer satisfaction is significant at 5%, the multiple correlation coefficient ranges from weak to moderate thus suggesting that the dimensions of service quality requires further enhancement for customers satisfaction to be improved upon by the Airport Authority in Nigeria. The study advocate decisive action by the Airport Authority in Nigeria to initiate policies geared at enhancing dimensions of service quality for improved customer satisfaction at various Nigerian Airports.
Anatomic Study of the Middle Genicular Artery

Purpose. To study the anatomy of the middle genicular artery and thus mitigate the risk of vascular injury in knee surgery. Methods. The course, anatomic relations, and variations of the middle genicular artery in 8 cadavers (4 men and 4 women) were studied. Results. The middle genicular artery originated from the anterolateral surface of the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa, 3 to 5 cm proximal to the joint line either alone or having a common origin with the lateral genicular artery. Its diameter varied from 2 to 4 mm and it was 3 to 5 cm long. It was accompanied by 2 venae comitantes. This vascular bundle, including the middle genicular artery, ran distally, anterior to the popliteal artery, and posterior to the joint capsule, sandwiched between them. Distally it pierced the posterior joint capsule and became intra-articular. The relation of the middle genicular artery to the popliteal artery altered with the position of the knee joint. This alteration was secondary to the distal gliding of the popliteal artery with knee flexion. The middle geniculate artery formed an angle of 15° to 30° to the popliteal artery when the knee was extended, which became almost a right angle when the knee was flexed past 90°. Conclusion. Care must be taken when arthroscopic or open intra-articular surgery is performed in the posterior part of the knee joint using chondrotomes and saws, particularly with limited vision. Sharp dissection and diathermy under direct vision should be safer.
Disposition of naloxone: use of a new radioimmunoassay.

Understanding of the pharmacology of the narcotic antagonist naloxone has been limited by the lack of a convenient and sensitive method of assay. A radioimmunoassay for naloxone has been developed and is described. It is applicable for drug analysis in either serum or brain. The limit of sensitivity of the assay was 0.1 ng. Naloxone glucuronide, noroxymorphone (nor-naloxone) and morphine were not recognized by the antibody whereas naltrexone and 6-hydroxynaloxone were able to displace naloxone-3H from the antibody. The assay was of sufficient sensitivity to follow the serum levels of naloxone in man for up to 2 hours after an i.v. injection of 0.4 mg. In animal studies, the biologic half-lives of naloxone or morphine (5 mg/kg) were compared after s.c. injection in rats. The peak serum levels A (1 mu/mo), time to peak serum levels (less than 1/2 hour), and serum half-life (40 minutes) were comparable. However, the brain entry and egress of the two compounds differed markedly. Peak brain levels of naloxone occurred within 15 minutes and had declined by 50% within 1 hour, whereas the peak brain levels of morphine were sustained for up to 2 hours. At peak serum levels, the brain/serum ratio for morphine was 0.1 whereas for naloxone it was 15 times greater. We suggest the high brain/serum ratio of naloxone contributes to its potency whereas the rapid egress from the brain is important in the short duration of action of naloxone.
Primes and fields in stable motivic homotopy theory

Let F be a field of characteristic different than 2. We establish surjectivity of Balmer's comparison map rho^* from the tensor triangular spectrum of the homotopy category of compact motivic spectra to the homogeneous Zariski spectrum of Milnor-Witt K-theory. We also comment on the tensor triangular geometry of compact cellular motivic spectra, producing in particular novel field spectra in this category. We conclude with a list of questions about the structure of the tensor triangular spectrum of the stable motivic homotopy category.
Recovery in memory function in the first year following TBI in children

Primary objective : To examine memory skills, at acute, 6- and 12-monthly stages, following childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research design : Prospective, longitudinal, between-group design, comparing pre-injury and postinjury intellectual and memory measures, across three levels of injury severity. Methods and procedures : Investigation of memory skills in a group of 76 children who had sustained a mild, moderate or severe TBI. Specific tests were used to measure immediate and short-term memory, and more complex multi-trial learning. Main outcomes and results : The severe TBI group exhibited greater deficits on memory tasks, irrespective of modality, in the acute, 6- and 12-month post-injury stages, in comparison to mild and moderate TBI groups. Performance was dependent on both injury severity and task demands. Conclusions : Memory difficulties are present during the acute, 6- and 12-months following childhood TBI. With a clearer understanding of the memory deficits following TBI, appropriate strategies can be taught and interventions implemented for these children.
Public Pensions as the Great Equalizer? Decomposition of Old-Age Income Inequality in South Korea, 1998–2010

ABSTRACT This study examines the redistributive effects of public pensions on old-age income inequality, testing whether public pensions function as the “great equalizer. ” Unlike the well-known alleviating effect of public pensions on old-age poverty, the effects of public pensions on old-age income inequality more generally have been less examined, particularly outside Western countries. Using repeated cross-sectional data of elderly Koreans between 1998 and 2010, we applied Gini coefficient decomposition to measure the impact of various income sources on old-age inequality, particularly focusing on public pensions. Our findings show that, contrary to expectations, public pension benefits have inequality-intensifying effects on old-age income in Korea, even countervailing the alleviating effects of public assistance. This rather surprising result is due to the specific institutional context of the Korean public pension system and suggests that the “structuring” of welfare policies could be as important as their expansion for the elderly, particularly for developing welfare states.
Alternative Treatment to Lymphocyte Immunization for Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: Immunotherapy With Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Prevention of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: European Experience

PROBLEM: Due to its strong “immunomodulating” effect in several well established disorders, high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) has been proposed as an alternative for immunotherapy with allogeneic leucocytes in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. This paper is intended to provide an overview on the European experience in this field.
Introgression maintains the genetic integrity of the mating-type determining chromosome of the fungus Neurospora tetrasperma

Genome evolution is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including selection, recombination, and introgression. The regions determining sexual identity are particularly dynamic parts of eukaryotic genomes that are prone to molecular degeneration associated with suppressed recombination. In the fungus Neurospora tetrasperma, it has been proposed that this molecular degeneration is counteracted by the introgression of nondegenerated DNA from closely related species. In this study, we used comparative and population genomic analyses of 92 genomes from eight phylogenetically and reproductively isolated lineages of N. tetrasperma, and its three closest relatives, to investigate the factors shaping the evolutionary history of the genomes. We found that suppressed recombination extends across at least 6 Mbp (∼63%) of the mating-type (mat) chromosome in N. tetrasperma and is associated with decreased genetic diversity, which is likely the result primarily of selection at linked sites. Furthermore, analyses of molecular evolution revealed an increased mutational load in this region, relative to recombining regions. However, comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the mat chromosomes are temporarily regenerated via introgression from sister species; six of eight lineages show introgression into one of their mat chromosomes, with multiple Neurospora species acting as donors. The introgressed tracts have been fixed within lineages, suggesting that they confer an adaptive advantage in natural populations, and our analyses support the presence of selective sweeps in at least one lineage. Thus, these data strongly support the previously hypothesized role of introgression as a mechanism for the maintenance of mating-type determining chromosomal regions.
Escherichia coli Di-iron YtfE Protein Is Necessary for the Repair of Stress-damaged Iron-Sulfur Clusters*

DNA microarray experiments showed that the expression of the Escherichia coli ytfE gene is highly increased upon exposure to nitric oxide. We also reported that deletion of ytfE significantly alters the phenotype of E. coli, generating a strain with enhanced susceptibility to nitrosative stress and defective in the activity of several iron-sulfur-containing proteins. In this work, it is shown that the E. coli ytfE confers protection against oxidative stress. Furthermore, we found that the damage of the [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters of aconitase B and fumarase A caused by exposure to hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide stress occurs at higher rates in the absence of ytfE. The ytfE null mutation also abolished the recovery of aconitase and fumarase activities, which is observed in wild type E. coli once the stress is scavenged. Notably, upon the addition of purified holo-YtfE protein to the mutant cell extracts, the enzymatic activities of fumarase and aconitase are fully recovered and at rates similar to the wild type strain. We concluded that YtfE is critical for the repair of iron-sulfur clusters damaged by oxidative and nitrosative stress conditions.