Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of crown-to-implant ratio on stress around single short-wide implants: a photoelastic stress analysis.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the photoelastic fringe patterns around two short-wide implants supporting single crowns with different crown-to-implant (C/I) ratios. MATERIALS AND METHODS External hexagon (EH) cylindrical implants (5 × 7 mm) or Morse Taper (MT) conical implants (5 × 6 mm) were embedded individually into photoelastic resin blocks. Each implant received a single metal-ceramic crown, with a C/I ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 (n = 10). Each set was positioned in a polariscope and submitted to a 0.5 kgf compressive load, applied axially or obliquely (30°). The polariscope images were digitally recorded, and based on isoclinal and isochromatic fringes, the shear stress was calculated at 5 predetermined points around each implant. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). RESULTS Under axial loading, the stress was concentrated at the crestal region, and there were no differences between C/I ratio or implant types. In contrast, under oblique loading, EH implants showed lower stress values than the MT group and the 2:1 C/I ratio showed higher stress concentration for both implant types (p < 0.05). Moreover, MT implants showed stress distribution through a higher area than the EH implant did, with a tendency to direct the stress toward the implant's apex under oblique loading. CONCLUSION MT conical short-wide implants showed higher stress values that were distributed through a higher area directed to the implant apex. The C/I ratio influences the stress distribution only under oblique loading.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis ECF sigma factor σE: role in global gene expression and survival in macrophages †

In previously published work, we identified three Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma (σ) factor genes responding to heat shock (sigB, sigE and sigH). Two of them (sigB and sigE) also responded to SDS exposure. As these responses to stress suggested that the σ factors encoded by these genes could be involved in pathogenicity, we are studying their role in physiology and virulence. In this work, we characterize a sigE mutant of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The sigE mutant strain was more sensitive than the wild‐type strain to heat shock, SDS and various oxidative stresses. It was also defective in the ability to grow inside both human and murine unactivated macrophages and was more sensitive than the wild‐type strain to the killing activity of activated murine macrophages. Using microarray technology and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), we started to define the σE regulon of M. tuberculosis and its involvement in the global regulation of the stress induced by SDS. We showed the requirement for a functional sigE gene for full expression of sigB and for its induction after SDS exposure but not after heat shock. We also identified several genes that are no longer induced when σE is absent. These genes encode proteins belonging to different classes including transcriptional regulators, enzymes involved in fatty acid degradation and classical heat shock proteins.
Genomic Distribution of Maize Facultative Heterochromatin Marked by Trimethylation of H3K27[W]

Chromatin modifications contribute to the regulation of gene expression. The genome-wide distribution of a specific chromatin modification, trimethylation of Lys-27 of histone H3, was profiled in five tissues of maize. There is evidence that this chromatin modification plays an important role in regulating tissue-specific expression for a number of maize genes, including many transcription factors and imprinted genes. Trimethylation of histone H3 Lys-27 (H3K27me3) plays a critical role in regulating gene expression during plant and animal development. We characterized the genome-wide distribution of H3K27me3 in five developmentally distinct tissues in maize (Zea mays) plants of two genetic backgrounds, B73 and Mo17. There were more substantial differences in the genome-wide profile of H3K27me3 between different tissues than between the two genotypes. The tissue-specific patterns of H3K27me3 were often associated with differences in gene expression among the tissues and most of the imprinted genes that are expressed solely from the paternal allele in endosperm are targets of H3K27me3. A comparison of the H3K27me3 targets in rice (Oryza sativa), maize, and Arabidopsis thaliana provided evidence for conservation of the H3K27me3 targets among plant species. However, there was limited evidence for conserved targeting of H3K27me3 in the two maize subgenomes derived from whole-genome duplication, suggesting the potential for subfunctionalization of chromatin regulation of paralogs. Genomic profiling of H3K27me3 in loss-of-function mutant lines for Maize Enhancer of zeste-like2 (Mez2) and Mez3, two of the three putative H3K27me3 methyltransferases present in the maize genome, suggested partial redundancy of this gene family for maintaining H3K27me3 patterns. Only a portion of the targets of H3K27me3 required Mez2 and/or Mez3, and there was limited evidence for functional consequences of H3K27me3 at these targets.
Genome‐wide mapping of myosin protein‐RNA networks suggests the existence of specialized protein production sites

Motor proteins can organize posttranscriptional processes by transporting ribonucleoprotein complexes to specific locations. To investigate a possible role of myosin proteins in gene expression control, I have identified mRNAs associated with five myosin heavy chains in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, by purifying the proteins and identifying bound transcripts using DNA microarrays. Each myosin coimmunoprecipitated with 5–13 different mRNAs (~0.1–0.2% of all genes), including those encoding four different myosin heavy chains. Moreover, one of the myosins (Myol) interacted with mRNAs encoding components of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. These interactions were not observed in control immunoprecipitates. A myosin‐specific chaperone (Rng3) that interacts cotranslationally with myosin mRNAs was essential for the association between myosin proteins and transcripts but not between Myol and other mRNAs. Finally, proteins encoded by the Myo1‐associated mRNAs immunoprecipitated each other's transcripts, but not myosin mRNAs. These interactions suggest the existence of two distinct myosin‐containing ribonucleoprotein complexes: those containing myosin mRNAs and those associated with Myo1. They are distinguished by their mRNA composition, requirement for the Rng3 chaperone and the presence of nonmyosin cytoskeletal proteins. I propose that these complexes represent specialized sites for the production of myosin proteins and the assembly of cytoskeletal components, respectively. —Mata, J. Genome‐wide mapping of myosin protein‐RNA networks suggests the existence of specialized protein production sites. FASEB J. 24, 479–484 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Regulation of fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction by platelet-derived growth factor, interleukin-1 alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1.

We have examined the effects of three macrophage-derived cytokines, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) on the contraction of collagen type I gels populated by human foreskin fibroblasts. Contraction was quantified as loss in gel weight. Both PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB were found to induce a rapid collagen-gel contraction. TGF-beta 1 also stimulated gel contraction but with a delayed onset and at a slower rate than the PDGF-stimulated contraction. Rabbit polyclonal IgGs recognizing PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, respectively, specifically inhibited the effects of the corresponding PDGF isoforms. However, the stimulatory effect of TGF-beta 1 was not affected by any of the anti-PDGF antibodies. The ability of PDGF to stimulate contraction became less pronounced in collagen gel cultures grown in the absence of growth factors over periods of several days. Under the same conditions, the stimulatory effect of TGF-beta 1 was not reduced. The reduced response to PDGF may be due to reduced tension on fibroblasts growing in collagen gels, since fibroblasts on free-floating gels showed a marked reduction in PDGF-BB-induced PDGF beta-receptor aggregates when compared to fibroblasts on attached collagen gels. IL-1 alpha inhibited initial collagen gel contraction, and at later stages induced a visible degradation of the collagen gels, presumably due to the generation of collagenase activity. The combination of IL-1 alpha and PDGF-BB stimulated initial collagen gel contraction, although less effectively than PDGF-BB alone. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lumbar Spine Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Conditions: Current Indications and Recommendations.

The role of arthrodesis in the treatment of degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine is controversial. Most patients with these conditions can be successfully treated nonoperatively. Lumbar fusion, with or without instrumentation, is associated with more complications, especially in the elderly population. Therefore, the potential benefits to be obtained by means of arthrodesis must be measured against the risks. Arthrodesis is indicated as an adjunct to decompression for patients with spinal stenosis associated with degenerative or iatrogenic spondylolisthesis and in the treatment of progressive degenerative lumbar scoliosis and iatrogenic instability resulting from extensive decompression. The occurrence of two or more episodes of disk herniation at the same segment is a relative indication for arthrodesis. In patients with incapacitating nonradicular back pain, arthrodesis should be a consideration only after failure of a trial of nonoperative treatment lasting more than 12 months and after secondary gain issues (e.g., workmen's compensation) have been adequately resolved. Arthrodesis has a poor success rate when used to treat back pain associated with multilevel disk degeneration seen on magnetic resonance images.
A complete set of characterizations on the NbN superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

The recent advancement on niobium nitride (NbN) superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) have drawn considerable attentions by many of their particular figures of merit. In this work, we report our experimental efforts resulting from combinations of dc, RF/microwave and optoelectronic characterizations of this device. The dc IV measurement is under-taken in the full voltage bias range and four distinct regimes are recognized and discussed. The kinetic inductance measurement allows us to gain insights on the electrical properties of the NbN nanowire. An equivalent circuitry model is constructed and simulated for the photoresponse in the course of RF/Microwave S-parameter measurement. The simulated photoresponse qualitatively agrees with the experimental results. Finally we apply continuous wave irradiation to investigate the optical interactions with superconducting nanowires. A relationship between chemical potential and optical power and wavelength has been experimentally confirmed. Two regimes have been identified and physically modeled. The comparison with experimental results displays a good agreement.
Enabling Rapid Classification of Social Media Communications During Crises

The use of social media platforms such as Twitter by affected people during crises is considered a vital source of information for crisis response. However, rapid crisis response requires real-time analysis of online information. When a disaster happens, among other data processing techniques, supervised machine learning can help classify online information in real-time. However, scarcity of labeled data causes poor performance in machine training. Often labeled data from past event is available. Can past labeled data be reused to train classifiers? We study the usefulness of labeled data of past events. We observe the performance of our classifiers trained using different combinations of training sets obtained from past disasters. Moreover, we propose two approaches (target labeling and active learning) to boost classification performance of a learning scheme. We perform extensive experimentation on real crisis datasets and show the utility of past-labeled data to train machine learning classifiers to process sudden-onset crisis-related data in real-time.
Effect of Organic and Bio-Fertilizers as a Partial Substitute for NPK Mineral Fertilizer on Vegetative Growth, Leaf Mineral Content, Yield and Fruit Quality of Superior Grapevine

2 Abstract: This study was carried out during the three consecutive seasons of 2009, 2010 and 2011 in sandy soil at 64 kilometer from Cairo on the desert road to Alexandria on ten years-old "Superior Seedless" grapevines to study the possibility of using the organic and bio fertilization partially instead of completed mineral fertilizers as applied at 25 to 100 % out of the recommended NPK rate. Organic fertilizers (compost) plant residues with two natural rocks, rock phosphate and feldspar were applied with or without biofertilizers (biogen, phosphorin and potassiumag) at 30g/vine. The results indicated that application of 50% (compost, rock phosphate and feldspar) + 50% of the NPK mineral recommended fertilizers N (157 g/vine), P O (87 g/vine) and K O (112 g/vine) 25 2 + bio-fertilizer was the best management system for ensuring the best vegetative growth parameters as shoots length, number of leaves/shoot and leaf area and leaf mineral content and achieving the best yield with its components as number of clusters per vine and weight of each individual cluster, improving the physical and chemical characteristics of berries as total soluble solids, total acidity, TSS/acid ratio and total sugars, but reducing nitrate and nitrite content of berries of Superior Seedless grapevines. Therefore, these organic and natural rocks fertilizers in combination with NPK bio-fertilizers can reduce the need for about 50% of NPK mineral fertilizers. In addition, minimized the production cost and the environmental pollution which could be occurred by excess of chemical fertilizers.
Angiotensinogen M235T genotype predicts progression in chronic renal allograft dysfunction1

Background. Genotypes of the renin-angiotensin system have been implicated in essential hypertension and in progression of native kidney diseases, but gene effects on progression in chronic renal allograft dysfunction are unclear. Methods. To examine gene effects on long-term renal allograft function, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 210 nondiabetic renal allograft recipients younger than 36 years of age who underwent transplantation between 1980 and 1993 and were followed up through 1999. All grafts survived more than 1 year and all subjects received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. DNA was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion and angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T polymorphisms. Linear regression multivariate modeling of the slope of the inverse creatinine-versus-time, survival analyses for time-to-sustained doubling of baseline serum creatinine, time-to-graft loss, and a composite endpoint including patient death were performed. Results. Mean follow-up time was 8.4±3 years. Genotype frequencies for each marker system did not deviate significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The slope of the inverse creatinine-versus-time for AGT 235T/T and M/T was significantly increased compared with M/M (P <0.0001). The AGT 235T/T genotype was also associated with a shorter time-to-sustained doubling of serum creatinine (P =0.001). When subjects were divided into quartiles based on slope magnitude, the frequency of the AGT 235T/T genotype was overrepresented in the fastest progressing group compared with the slowest (P =0.001). The AGT 235T/T genotype was also associated with shorter time-to-graft loss (P =0.007) and the composite endpoint (P =0.001). Conclusion. The AGT 235 T allele independently influences long-term decline in renal allograft function.
Unique Properties of Plasmodium falciparum Porphobilinogen Deaminase*

The hybrid pathway for heme biosynthesis in the malarial parasite proposes the involvement of parasite genome-coded enzymes of the pathway localized in different compartments such as apicoplast, mitochondria, and cytosol. However, knowledge on the functionality and localization of many of these enzymes is not available. In this study, we demonstrate that porphobilinogen deaminase encoded by the Plasmodium falciparum genome (PfPBGD) has several unique biochemical properties. Studies carried out with PfPBGD partially purified from parasite membrane fraction, as well as recombinant PfPBGD lacking N-terminal 64 amino acids expressed and purified from Escherichia coli cells (ΔPfPBGD), indicate that both the proteins are catalytically active. Surprisingly, PfPBGD catalyzes the conversion of porphobilinogen to uroporphyrinogen III (UROGEN III), indicating that it also possesses uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS) activity, catalyzing the next step. This obviates the necessity to have a separate gene for UROS that has not been so far annotated in the parasite genome. Interestingly, ΔPfP-BGD gives rise to UROGEN III even after heat treatment, although UROS from other sources is known to be heat-sensitive. Based on the analysis of active site residues, a ΔPfPBGDL116K mutant enzyme was created and the specific activity of this recombinant mutant enzyme is 5-fold higher than ΔPfPBGD. More interestingly, ΔPfPBGDL116K catalyzes the formation of uroporphyrinogen I (UROGEN I) in addition to UROGEN III, indicating that with increased PBGD activity the UROS activity of PBGD may perhaps become rate-limiting, thus leading to non-enzymatic cyclization of preuroporphyrinogen to UROGEN I. PfPBGD is localized to the apicoplast and is catalytically very inefficient compared with the host red cell enzyme.
Scuttled in the Morning: the discoveries and surveys of HMS Warrior and HMS Sparrowhawk, the Battle of Jutland’s last missing shipwrecks

Abstract Due to the circumstances of the loss of HMS Warrior and HMS Sparrowhawk in 1916, in which subsequent to disablement both had drifted and been towed unknown distances from the Jutland battlefield, they were not located in the 2015 Jutland survey. In August 2016 both ships were located and HMS Warrior was revealed to be a pristine warship wreck, the only example in this condition of the 25 ships sunk in the battle. HMS Sparrowhawk had a similar pattern of disturbance as seven of the other Battle of Jutland destroyer wrecks. The survey of these wrecks draws to a conclusion a long period of discovery at Jutland and raises questions as to how these important cultural artefacts should be treated in the future.
Bedaquiline Metabolism: Enzymes and Novel Metabolites

Bedaquiline is a recently approved drug for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Adverse cardiac and hepatic drug reactions to bedaquiline have been noted in clinical practice. The current study investigated bedaquiline metabolism in human hepatocytes using a metabolomic approach. Bedaquiline N-demethylation via CYP3A4 was confirmed as the major pathway in bedaquiline metabolism. In addition to CYP3A4, we found that both CYP2C8 and CYP2C19 contributed to bedaquiline N-demethylation. The Km values of CYP2C8, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 in bedaquiline N-demethylation were 13.1, 21.3, and 8.5 µM, respectively. We also identified a novel metabolic pathway of bedaquiline that produced an aldehyde intermediate. In summary, this study extended our knowledge of bedaquiline metabolism, which can be applied to predict and prevent drug–drug interactions and adverse drug reactions associated with bedaquiline.
Isolation and Characterization of a Mutant of Trichoderma reesei Showing Reduced Levels of Extracellular β-Glucosidase

Summary: A mutant (D6-13) of Trichoderma reesei that produced low levels of extracellular β-glucosidase was physiologically and biochemically characterized. The mutant was unable to grow and produced very little cellulase activity on Solka-Floc, Avicel, micro-crystalline cellulose and acid-swollen cellulose. Whereas growth was nearly normal on cellobiose, lactose and glucose, cellulase production was slightly decreased on cellobiose and lactose. The mutant produced nearly normal levels of FPA (filter-paper activity) and endoglucanase on sophorose. A distinct lag and a lowered specific sugar consumption rate was observed for the mutant on 0·3% cellobiose; this appeared to be due to lowered wall-bound β-glucosidase activity. The multiplicity and role of different β-glucosidases in T. reesei is discussed.
A Potent Inhibitor of Protein Sequestration by Expanded Triplet (CUG) Repeats that Shows Phenotypic Improvements in a Drosophila Model of Myotonic Dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of adult‐onset muscular dystrophy, originating in a CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK gene. The expanded CUG transcript sequesters MBNL1, a key regulator of alternative splicing, leading to the misregulation of numerous pre‐mRNAs. We report an RNA‐targeted agent as a possible lead compound for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) that reveals both the promise and challenges for this type of small‐molecule approach. The agent is a potent inhibitor of the MBNL1–rCUG complex with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 25±8 nm, and is also relatively nontoxic to HeLa cells, able to dissolve nuclear foci, and correct the insulin receptor splicing defect in DM1 model cells. Moreover, treatment with this compound improves two separate disease phenotypes in a Drosophila model of DM1: adult external eye degeneration and larval crawling defect. However, the compound has a relatively low maximum tolerated dose in mice, and its cell uptake may be limited, providing insight into directions for future development.
Disability, Gender and the Labour Market

Using data from the 2002 LFS, we examine the impact of disability on labour market outcomes by gender. Our results indicate that substantial differences in both the likelihood of employment and levels of earnings exist, despite several years of operation of the Disability Discrimination Act. Significant heterogeneity within the disabled group is identified: those suffering from mental health forms of disability fare particularly badly. Wage decompositions suggest the ‘penalty’ for disability is greater for women than for men. Using the Baldwin and Johnson (1992) methodology, we find the employment effects associated with wage discrimination against the disabled are very small.
Risk assessment for spinal injury after trauma

The guidelines are simple and evidence based About 600-700 people sustain acute traumatic injuries to the spinal cord in the United Kingdom each year. Previously published data indicate that the injury to the spinal cord remains unrecognised in 4-9% of individuals.1 2 Inadequate management of patients with injury to the spinal cord has the potential to lead to neurological deterioration, additional functional handicaps, and possibly medical litigation. Thousands of patients, however, routinely present to primary care centres every day with injuries to the neck and back. The immediate care and appropriate assessment of patients with spinal injury is a skill that is expected of all doctors. General practitioners and hospital doctors with little or no training and experience of caring for patients with trauma might have to help the victims of a recent accident. They will certainly have to advise patients who complain of spinal pain after injury. This article is written to guide clinicians in these situations. The evidence base for this subject has improved recently with some large scale studies from North America.3 4 Several consensus guidelines have been published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the British Trauma Society.5 6 Most of the patients in these studies have been treated in secondary care, but …