Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental Regulation of bicoid mRNA Stability Is Mediated by the First 43 Nucleotides of the 3′ Untranslated Region

ABSTRACT During the transition from the maternal to the zygotic developmental program, the expression of genes important for pattern formation or cell cycle regulation changes dramatically. Rapid changes in gene expression are achieved in part through the control of mRNA stability. This report focuses on bicoid, a gene essential for formation of anterior embryonic structures in Drosophila melanogaster. bicoid mRNA is synthesized exclusively during oogenesis. Here, we show that bicoid mRNA stability is regulated. While bicoid mRNA is stable in retained oocytes, in unfertilized eggs, and during the first 2 h of embryogenesis, specific degradation is activated at cellularization of the blastoderm. To identify cis-acting sequences required for bicoid mRNA’s regulated stability, fusions betweenbicoid and genes producing stable mRNAs were introduced into the Drosophila germ line by P-element-mediated transformation. The analysis of the fusion mRNAs identified abicoid instability element (BIE) contained within a 43-nucleotide sequence immediately following the stop codon. The BIE is sufficient to destabilize the otherwise-stable ribosomal protein A1 mRNA and is separable from the previously identified bicoidmRNA localization signals and from the “nanos response element. ” Similar mechanisms may regulate a class of developmentally important maternal genes whose mRNA has a temporal profile similar to that of bicoid.
Derived Arterial Stiffness is Increased in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Periodic Limb Movements during Sleep.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Both periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OSA has also been linked to increased large arterial stiffness, which is considered an independent risk factor for CVD. We utilized a previously validated index of large artery stiffness (SIDVP) derived from the digital volume pulse (DVP) to seek comparison in patients with PLMS and OSA. METHODS Forty-nine adult male subjects, without known comorbidities that could affect arterial stiffness or on vasoactive medication, were retrospectively identified and categorized into controls (n = 8), PLMS (n = 13), OSA (n = 17), and OSA/PLMS (n = 11). The cutoff for PLMS was a periodic limb movement index (PLMI) > 15 events/h, and for OSA an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 events/h. SIDVP was derived from the raw data of photoplethysmography of the nocturnal polysomnography, averaged for 2 min prior to sleep study initiation (baseline), after completion in the morning, and every half hour after sleep onset. RESULTS The groups were age/body mass index-matched. Controls showed lower baseline, morning, and overall SIDVP compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). Patients with PLMS (PLMI: 50.69 ± 9.7 events/h) and the OSA group (AHI: 29.7 ± 2 events/h) demonstrated similar overall SIDVP (6.78 ± 0.08 versus 6.94 ± 0.04, respectively, p = 0.5), whereas the OSA/PLMS (AHI: 29.35 ± 8, PLMI: 50.63 ± 7.2) group demonstrated the highest (7.40 ± 0.06, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on an easily reproducible and applicable marker of large arterial stiffness, patients with significant PLMS had higher SIDVP when compared to controls and comparable to those with moderate/severe OSA. The OSA/PLMS group had the highest SIDVP, implying a possible additive effect of OSA and PLMS on arterial stiffness.
Norwegian adolescents with asthma are physical active and fit *

Background: Evidence regarding habitual physical activity levels and aerobic fitness of asthmatic compared to nonasthmatic children and adolescents is contradictory, and it is unclear if low physical activity levels can contribute to asthma development. The present study therefore aimed to determine whether adolescents with asthma have reduced physical activity levels and aerobic fitness, or increased energy intake and body fat compared to controls.
3-D Retinal Surface Inference: Stereo or Monocular Fundus Camera?

Three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of the eye fundus, and in particular of the optic disc, is widely used to assess glaucoma progression over time. In the literature, 3-D images of the optic disc have been obtained from stereo and monocular fundus cameras. While stereo systems are the gold standard for optic disc examination, monocular systems are less expensive, and therefore of more practical use. This stimulated a thorough investigation of the limits and advantages of these two imaging modalities. Our conclusion is that monocular imaging is generally not suitable for 3-D estimation. This is attributed to the fact that monocular systems do not allow a change in the vantage point from which the retinal surface is observed, despite variations in the relative pose between the eye and the fundus camera. To validate this analysis we carry out several experiments on both stereo and monocular fundus cameras with standard 3-D reconstruction algorithms. Furthermore, we devise a calibration procedure to quantify experimentally the highest accuracy achievable with a stereo system.
Fabrication of a multi-scale nanostructure of TiO2 for application in dye-sensitized solar cells

We propose a highly ordered multi-scale nanostructure of TiO2 for applications as an anode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure is composed of a TiO2 blocking layer, a TiO2 inverse opal main body, regularly arranged transport channels between contacting spherical voids of the TiO2 inverse opal, and TiO2 nanoparticles coated on the spherical surfaces of the voids. The ordered and continuous backbone of the inverse opal serves as the fast electron transport pathways while the regularly arranged transport channels enable easy transport of dye and electrolyte within the structure. A multi-cycle procedure was developed to enable fabrication of thick inverse opals and easy adjustment of the inverse opal thickness. An example structure was constructed, involving a blocking layer of 90 nm thickness, an inverse opal of 100 nm voids, transport channels of 30–50 nm openings, and nanoparticles 10–15 nm in size. An open-circuit voltage decay investigation showed a significant improvement in electron lifetime for the proposed multi-scale TiO2 nanostructure based DSSC than that of a TiO2 nanoparticle film based DSSC, revealing the superior electron recombination characteristic offered by the proposed TiO2 nanostructure. The conversion efficiency of the DSSC assembled from such an anode structure can reach 4% with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 8.7 mA cm−2 and open-circuit potential (Voc) of 0.76 V under AM 1.5 (100 mW cm−2) illumination.
Impaired Arterial Pressure Regulation During Exercise Due to Enhanced Muscular Vasodilatation in Calponin Knockout Mice

Calponin is known to be an actin binding protein in smooth muscle, inhibiting actomyosin ATPase activity in vitro. We previously reported that α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction in calponin knockout (KO) mice was reduced compared with that in wild‐type C57BL/6J (WT) mice and, as a compensation, arterial baroreflex sensitivity in KO mice was enhanced at rest. In the present study, we assessed arterial pressure regulation in WT and KO mice during graded treadmill exercise at 5, 10, and 15 m min‐1. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) in KO mice fluctuated more than that in WT mice at every speed of exercise with two‐fold higher variances (P < 0.001). The baroreflex sensitivity (ΔHR/ΔMAP) in WT mice (n= 6), determined from the heart rate response (δHR) to spontaneous change in MAP (δMAP), was ‐5.1 ± 0.6 beats min‐1 mmHg‐1 (mean ±s.e.m.) at rest and remained unchanged at ‐5.0 ± 0.9 beats min‐1 mmHg‐1 during exercise (P < 0.01), while that in KO mice (n= 6) was ‐9.9 ± 1.7 beats min‐1 mmHg‐1 at rest, significantly higher than that in WT mice (P < 0.001), and was reduced to ‐4.7 ± 0.4 beats min‐1 mmHg‐1 during exercise (P < 0.01), not significantly different from that in WT mice. In another experiment, we measured muscle blood flow (MBF) in the thigh by laser‐Doppler flowmetry, electromyogram (EMG), and MAP during voluntary locomotion in KO (n= 7) and WT (n= 7) mice. Muscle vascular conductance, MBF/MAP, started to increase immediately after locomotion, judged from EMG, and reached 50 % of the maximum after the time of 2.3 ± 0.2 s in KO mice, shorter than 5.8 ± 0.6 s in WT mice (P < 0.001). Prior administration of α‐adrenergic blockade (phentolamine) shortened the time in WT mice to that in KO mice (P < 0.001), but did not shorten the time in KO mice. Thus, impaired MAP regulation in KO mice during exercise was caused by a blunted muscle vascular α‐adrenergic contractile response and by the attenuated HR response to spontaneous change in MAP due to reduced baroreflex sensitivity.
Reliability of Lumbar Lordosis Measurement in Patients With Spondylolisthesis: A Case-Control Study Comparing the Cobb, Centroid, and Posterior Tangent Methods

Study Design. A radiologic analytical study. Objective. To compare the reliability of lumbar lordosis (LL) measurement in cases of spondylolisthesis using the Cobb, vertebral centroid, and posterior tangent methods. Summary of Background Data. Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of the several different types of lumbar curvature analysis have been reported using various methods for measurement; however, in patients with spondylolisthesis, it has not been studied till yet. Methods. A radiologic analytical study was performed in 50 patients who had spondylolisthesis (28 at L4–L5, 22 at L5–S1) with lysis in the lumbar spine. All patients had instability of more than 10° on the lumbar spine flexion and extension radiogram. A total of 26 patients who presented for backache without spondylolisthesis were considered as control group. Three observers measured the global and segmental angle for LL using various methods for measuring the LL using the Cobb, vertebral centroid, and Harrison's posterior tangent methods. All measurements were done by each of the observers on the same computer by keeping at least 2 weeks of interval between 2 sets of measurements. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability was calculated among all the 3 observers' 2 sets of measurements by using the inter- and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test on SPSS program. Results. Five global and 17 segmental angles measured overall. Results showed an excellent ICC (>0.7) while measuring the global LL using any method, the Cobb (T12–S1 or L1–L5), vertebral centroid, and Harrison's posterior tangent (T12–S1 or L1–L5) methods, in both subject and control groups. Similarly measuring the segmental angles, it exhibited excellent intraclass correlation (ICC, >0.7) coefficient by using all 3 methods for all segmental angles in both groups. However, interclass correlation coefficient was excellent (ICCs, >0.7) in both global as well as segmental angles for vertebral centroid and posterior tangent methods in subject and control groups, but it was poor or fair for the Cobb methods in segmental angles and good or excellent in global angles. Measuring the segmental angles, standard error of mean (SEM) was <2° at all the levels by all methods in both subject and control group except the L4–L5–S1 level by centroid method in subject group where SEM >2° was found. Conclusion. Posterior tangent method should be used for the global and segmental angle analysis for the LL in cases with spinal instability because of (a) higher correlation coefficient for segmental angle measurements; (b) lower SEM at the instability level than the centroid method despite similar correlation coefficients; and (c) similar to the engineering analysis.
Chromosomal variation in Argentine populations of Akodon montensis Thomas, 1913 (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae)

Abstract The genus Akodon Meyen, 1833 is one of the most species-rich among sigmodontine rodents and has great chromosome variability. Akodon montensis has a relatively broad distribution in South America, and Argentine populations are located in the southernmost region of its range. Brazilian populations have important chromosomal variability, but cytogenetic data from Argentina are scarce. We performed a chromosome characterization of natural populations of Akodon montensis using conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NORs and base-specific fluorochromes. A total of 31 specimens from five localities of Misiones Province, in Argentina, were analyzed. The 2n=24 chromosomes was the most frequently observed karyotype. However, five individuals presented 25 chromosomes due to a supernumerary B-chromosome; and one individual had 2n=26 due to one B plus a trisomy for chromosome 11. Additionally, two XY females and two variants of the X chromosomes were found. C-positive centromeric bands occurred in all chromosomes; additional C-bands were observed in some autosomes, the X, Y and B chromosomes. Ag-NORs were observed in five autosomes, and the B chromosome was frequently marked. Fluorochrome banding was similar among karyotypes of the analyzed populations. Comparisons of cytogenetic data among populations of Argentina and Brazil showed the presence of high intraspecific variability in Akodon montensis and some differences among regions.
Changes in the Direct-Current Electroretinogram of Albino Rabbits during Prolonged Intermittent Recording

The study investigated the pattern of the direct-current electroretinogram (ERG) of albino rabbits during prolonged intermittent recording, and whether different initial dark adaptation periods or starting the experiments at different times influenced the results. We examined 27 rabbits under general anesthesia, in three experiments, each comprising nine animals. Five series (experiments 1 and 3) or four series (experiment 2) of ten repeated light stimuli were presented to the eyes with 30 minutes of dark adaptation before experiments 1 and 3, and 90 minutes before experiment 2. The dark adaptation of experiments 1 and 2 began at 10.30 a.m. and that of experiment 3 at 3.30 p.m. The interval between consecutive series of light stimuli was 33 minutes. Stimulus intensity was 680 lux, stimulus duration 10 seconds, and the interval between stimuli 3 minutes. The mean b-wave amplitude of the ten recordings in each series of stimuli increased up to the series beginning 3.5 hours (experiments 1 and 2) or 2.5 hours (experiment 3) after the start of dark adaptation. The mean c-wave amplitude increased throughout experiments 1 and 3, and up to the series beginning 3.5 hours after the start of dark adaptation in experiment 2. The mean a-wave amplitude was more stable. It seemed irrelevant for the long-term development of the mean ERG amplitudes whether the eye was dark adapted (experiment 2) or exposed to repeated light stimuli (experiments 1 and 3) during the first part of the experiment, and whether the experiments started in the morning or in the afternoon.
Comparison of the Business Ethics Practices of Private and Public Organizations in South Korea

This study investigated differences in business ethics (BE) between members of private- and public-sector organizations in South Korea. The primary data were collected by means of a survey conducted in 2014 and 2015. Our focus was on the respondents’ perceptions regarding:<br><br>1) their responsibility toward various stakeholders, <br><br>2) ethical conflicts, <br><br>3) decisions relating to ethics, <br><br>4) the promotion of an ethical environment in their organizations, <br><br>5) unethical practices, <br><br>6) the reporting of unethical practices, <br><br>7) the evolution of ethical standards, and <br><br>8) behaviors in situations involving unethical conduct. <br><br>We found that, in most cases, respondents from the private and public sectors responded in similar ways. The most significant differences between the two groups were that, first, in making (un)ethical decisions, respondents from public organizations preferred personal ethics over institutional interests more often than those from private organizations, while the latter reported having observed unethical practices more often. Further, respondents from public organizations tended to view more optimistically the changes in ethical standards over the past ten years. When it came to reporting unethical practices, the respondents’ managerial status seems to have been a more significant factor than the private or public status of the organizations at which they were employed. Lastly, within the group of respondents from the public sector, the views of those associated with state-owned-enterprises (SOEs) tended to be distinct from those associated with other types of enterprises.
The Latent Class Structure of ADHD Is Stable Across Informants

Abstract Previous studies have looked at the structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using latent class analysis (LCA) of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) symptom structure. These studies have identified distinct classes of children with inattentive, hyperactive, or combined subtypes and have used these classes to refine genetic analyses. The objective of the current report is to determine if the latent class structure of ADHD subtypes is consistent across informant using the Conners' Rating Scales (CRS). LCA was applied to CRS forms from mother, father, and teacher reports of 1837, 1329 and 1048 latency aged Dutch twins, respectively. The optimal solution for boys was a 5-class solution for mothers, a 3-class solution for fathers, and a 4-class solution for teachers. For girls, a 4-class solution for mothers and a 3-class for fathers and teachers was optimal. Children placed into a class by one informant had markedly increased odds ratio of being placed into the same or similar class by the other informants. Results from LCA using Dutch twins with the CRS show stability across informants suggesting that more stable phenotypes may be accessible for genotyping using a multi-informant approach.
Optimal Input Design for Autoregressive Model Discrimination with Constrained Output Variance

The optimal input design problem is considered for discriminating two autoregressive models when the output variance is constrained. It is shown that a Ds-optimal input design can be achieved with an input comprising a finite number of sinusoidals with amplitudes and frequencies determined by solving a system of nonlinear equations. Digital simulation studies illustrate the usefulness of the proposed Ds-optimal input for autoregressive model discrimination.
Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Global Myocardial Performance Beyond Obesity

We aimed to assess the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the left ventricular (LV) function independent of obesity using the myocardial performance index (Tei index) and the global longitudinal LV strain (GLS) and its reversibility after surgery. Twenty‐five newly diagnosed OSA patients, normal weight (n = 15) and obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25; n = 20) controls without OSA were enrolled and underwent transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation. The OSA and obese groups had a significantly comparable increased BMI and LV chamber dimension, prolonged isovolumic relaxation time, reduced early mitral filling velocity, and increased late mitral filling velocity and Tei index as compared to the normal weight group. However, GLS was significantly reduced only in the OSA group (–16.5 ± 1.9%) as compared to the normal weight group (–20.6 ± 2.0%, P < 0.001) and obese group (–19.1 ± 2.5%, P < 0.001). As a treatment, 13 of 25 patients underwent surgical modification, and the follow‐up echocardiogram revealed significantly improved Tei index and GLS as compared to baseline (0.37 ± 0.06 and –18.9 ± 3.3% vs. 0.42 ± 0.04 and –16.3 ± 2.4%, P = 0.006 and 0.031, respectively), which was comparable to the obese controls. A reduction in the apnea‐hypopnea index had a significant effect on the improvement in the GLS (r = 0.73, P < 0.001). LV systolic and diastolic function significantly deteriorated in the patients with OSA beyond obesity, and an improvement in the LV function was observed within 6 months after the surgical modification. GLS is considered to be one of the parameters that can be used in the early detection of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with OSA and a normal ejection fraction.
On the stochastic properties of bursts of single ion channel openings and of clusters of bursts.

Characteristics of observed bursts of single channel openings were derived recently for two particular ion channel mechanisms. In this paper these methods are generalized so that the observable characteristics of bursts can be calculated directly for any mechanism that has transition probabilities that are independent of time as long as the process is at equilibrium or is maintained in a steady state by an energy supply. General expressions are given for the distributions of the open time, the number of openings per burst, the total open time per burst, the gaps within and between bursts, and so on. With the aid of these general results a single computer program can be written that will provide numerical values for such distributions for any postulated mechanism, given only the transition rates between the various states. The results are illustrated by a numerical example of a mechanism in which two agonist molecules can bind sequentially, and either singly or doubly occupied receptor ion channels may open. The analogous theory is also given for the case where bursts of channel openings are grouped into clusters; many of the results bear a close analogy with those found for simple bursts.
A Case control study to evaluate oxidative stress in plasma samples of oral malignancy

Background: Imbalances between the oxidant –antioxidant status have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in the venous blood samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients of different Clinicopathologic stages in comparison with the healthy controls. Setting and Design: A Case control study was designed in a hospital (Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, Annamalai University) based setting. Materials and Methods: Twenty new histopathologically proven oral carcinoma patients, and equal number of age, sex and habit matched healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Their blood samples were subjected to evaluation of Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) using spectrophotometric methods. Statistical Analysis: The data are expressed as mean±SD. The statistical comparisons were performed by independent Student's t-test and One Way ANOVA. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Karl Pearson correlation was performed for the biochemical parameters within the group and between the groups. For statistically significant correlations, linear regression was performed. Results: Significant enhanced lipid peroxidation (P<0.001) with decrease in antioxidants (P<0.001) was observed in the venous blood of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared with the healthy controls. Accordingly, significant (P<0.001) pattern of progression in TBARS levels was observed at various clinical stages of patients. (GSH) showed significant (P<0.01) negative correlation with TBARS and positive correlation (P<0.001) with SOD. On linear regression analysis, GSH showed significance for SOD (P<0.001), GPx, CAT and TBARS (P<0.01). It was also found that, 70% of variance in SOD can be attributed to the influence of GSH alone. Conclusion: Enhanced lipid peroxidation and compromised antioxidant defense in plasma indicate development of oxidative stress. Amongst the antioxidant enzymes, (GSH) appears to have a profound role in carcinogenesis.