Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EGD1 (β‐NAC) mRNA is localized in a novel cytoplasmic structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

RNA localization is a common mechanism for recruiting proteins to specific regions of a cell, which causes cell polarization and sometimes asymmetric division. We found that EGD1 mRNA accumulates dose‐dependently as a cytoplasmic granule in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EGD1 encodes a β‐subunit of the nascent polypeptide‐associated complex (NAC). NAC is a heterodimer consisting of α‐ and β‐subunits, associated with ribosomes and thought to be involved in the folding of nascent polypeptide chains. Analysis of deletion constructs showed that the localization of EGD1 mRNA requires both an upstream region and an ORF of EGD1, suggesting that the translation of Egd1p is important for localization. We also showed that Egd1p and P‐body components are co‐localized with EGD1 mRNA. This granule, named the EGD1 granule, has features similar to cellular inclusions containing aggregated proteins. Disruption of microtubules by treatment with a drug, benomyl, resulted in loss of the EGD1 granule. When the expression level of EGD2 encoding the αNAC increased, the percentage of cells showing the EGD1 granule decreased, suggesting that the granular distribution of EGD1 depends on the quantitative balance between α‐ and β‐subunits of NAC. Taken together, we propose a novel microtubule‐dependent mechanism for controlling NAC through RNA localization.
Reduced microfilament organization in adenovirus type 5-infected rat embryo cells: a function of early region 1a

The actin microfilament organization in rat embryo cells was examined by fluorescence microscopy with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phallacidin and by electron microscopy, after mock infection or infection with adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). Infected cells showed severely reduced numbers of actin microfilaments and stress fibers, detectable early after infection. Mutants defective in Ad5 early genes were used to show that reduced microfilament organization was a function of the Ad5 transformation early gene 1a (E1a) and did not require expression of any other viral gene. The product of the E1a 13s mRNA was essential for the effect, although the 12s mRNA product appeared to contribute. Ad5 infection of the cells had no observable effect on total cell actin levels or on the ratio of monomeric to polymeric actin. E1a, therefore, affected only the higher-order organization of actin.
A Defined, Glucose-Limited Mineral Medium for the Cultivation of Listeria spp

ABSTRACT Members of the genus Listeria are fastidious bacteria with respect to their nutritional requirements, and several minimal media described in the literature fail to support growth of all Listeria spp. Furthermore, strict limitation by a single nutrient, e.g., the carbon source, has not been demonstrated for any of the published minimal media. This is an important prerequisite for defined studies of growth and physiology, including “omics. ” Based on a theoretical analysis of previously published mineral media for Listeria, an improved, well-balanced growth medium was designed. It supports the growth, not only of all tested Listeria monocytogenes strains, but of all other Listeria species, with the exception of L. ivanovii. The growth performance of L. monocytogenes strain Scott A was tested in the newly designed medium; glucose served as the only carbon and energy source for growth, whereas neither the supplied amino acids nor the buffering and complexing components (MOPS [morpholinepropanesulfonic acid] and EDTA) supported growth. Omission of amino acids, trace elements, or vitamins, alone or in combination, resulted in considerably reduced biomass yields. Furthermore, we monitored the specific growth rates of various Listeria strains cultivated in the designed mineral medium and compared them to growth in complex medium (brain heart infusion broth [BHI]). The novel mineral medium was optimized for the commonly used strain L. monocytogenes Scott A to achieve optimum cell yields and maximum specific growth rates. This mineral medium is the first published synthetic medium for Listeria that has been shown to be strictly carbon (glucose) limited.
Admission policy for patients following head injury

In the 2 years following a change in the policy of admission following head injury in Nottingham, the number of patients admitted fell from 941 in 1977 to 536 and 460 in 1978 and 1979 respectively. No detrimental effects resulting from this change in policy have been noted. Previously, all patients who had been unconscious (however briefly) had been admitted. The changed policy stated that: 1. Patients who had been briefly unconscious or amnesic would only be admitted if one of the following factors was also present: abnormal neurological signs or obtunded consciousness on arrival at hospital, fits, vomiting, severe headaches or clinical or radiological evidence of a fracture of the skull.
Two Days of Hypoxic Exposure Increased Ventilation Without Affecting Performance

Racinais, S, Millet, GP, Li, C, Masters, B, and Grantham, J. Two days of hypoxic exposure increased ventilation without affecting performance J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 985-991, 2010-The aim of this study was to test the short-term effects of using hypoxic rooms before a simulated running event. Thirteen subjects (29 ± 4 years) lived in a hypoxic dormitory (1,800 m) for either 2 nights (n = 6) or 2 days + nights (n = 7) before performing a 1,500-m treadmill test. Performance, expired gases, and muscle electrical activity were recorded and compared with a control session performed 1 week before or after the altitude session (random order). Arterial blood samples were collected before and after altitude exposure. Arterial pH and hemoglobin concentration increased (p < 0.05) and PCO2 decreased (p < 0.05) upon exiting the room. However, these parameters returned (p < 0.05) to basal levels within a few hours. During exercise, mean ventilation (VE) was higher (p < 0.05) after 2 nights or days + nights of moderate altitude exposure (113.0 ± 27.2 L·min−1) than in the control run (108.6 ± 27.8 L·min−1), without any modification in performance (360 ± 45 vs. 360 ± 42 seconds, respectively) or muscle electrical activity. This elevated VE during the run after the hypoxic exposure was probably because of the subsistence effects of the hypoxic ventilatory response. However, from a practical point of view, although the use of a normobaric simulating altitude chamber exposure induced some hematological adaptations, these disappeared within a few hours and failed to provide any benefit during the subsequent 1,500-m run.
Long-term effects of inhaled corticosteroids on sputum bacterial and viral loads in COPD

Inhaled corticosteroid-containing medications reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations (mainly infectious in origin) while paradoxically increasing the risk of other respiratory infections. The aim was to determine the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on airway microbial load in COPD patients and evaluate the influence of the underlying inflammatory profile on airway colonisation and microbiome. This is a proof-of-concept prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint study. Sixty patients with stable moderate COPD were randomised to receive one inhalation twice daily of either a combination of salmeterol 50 μg plus fluticasone propionate 500 μg or salmeterol 50 μg for 12 months. The primary outcome was the change of sputum bacterial loads over the course of treatment. Compared with salmeterol, 1-year treatment with salmeterol plus fluticasone was associated with a significant increase in sputum bacterial load (p=0.005), modification of sputum microbial composition and increased airway load of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The increased bacterial load was observed only in inhaled corticosteroid-treated patients with lower baseline sputum or blood eosinophil (≤2%) levels but not in patients with higher baseline eosinophils. Long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment affects bacterial load in stable COPD. Lower eosinophil counts are associated with increased airway bacterial load. Long term inhaled corticosteroids increase airway bacterial load in COPD patients with low eosinophil counts http://ow.ly/8nO530eMSza
Kinetic Characterization of Nonmuscle Myosin IIB at the Single Molecule Level*

Background: Nonmuscle myosin IIB (NMIIB) is a key player in cell motility. Results: Although the individual NMIIB molecules are not processive, NMIIB thick filaments show robust processive motion. Conclusion: NMIIB forms processive thick filament in vitro, which is likely the functional unit in cells. Significance: We demonstrate how processive systems can be formed from nonprocessive individual molecules. Nonmuscle myosin IIB (NMIIB) is a cytoplasmic myosin, which plays an important role in cell motility by maintaining cortical tension. It forms bipolar thick filaments with ∼14 myosin molecule dimers on each side of the bare zone. Our previous studies showed that the NMIIB is a moderately high duty ratio (∼20–25%) motor. The ADP release step (∼0.35 s−1) of NMIIB is only ∼3 times faster than the rate-limiting phosphate release (0.13 ± 0.01 s−1). The aim of this study was to relate the known in vitro kinetic parameters to the results of single molecule experiments and to compare the kinetic and mechanical properties of single- and double-headed myosin fragments and nonmuscle IIB thick filaments. Examination of the kinetics of NMIIB interaction with actin at the single molecule level was accomplished using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) with fluorescence imaging with 1-nm accuracy (FIONA) and dual-beam optical trapping. At a physiological ATP concentration (1 mm), the rate of detachment of the single-headed and double-headed molecules was similar (∼0.4 s−1). Using optical tweezers we found that the power stroke sizes of single- and double-headed heavy meromyosin (HMM) were each ∼6 nm. No signs of processive stepping at the single molecule level were observed in the case of NMIIB-HMM in optical tweezers or TIRF/in vitro motility experiments. In contrast, robust motility of individual fluorescently labeled thick filaments of full-length NMIIB was observed on actin filaments. Our results are in good agreement with the previous steady-state and transient kinetic studies and show that the individual nonprocessive nonmuscle myosin IIB molecules form a highly processive unit when polymerized into filaments.
OQTAL: Optimal quaternion tracking using attitude error linearization

The use of quaternions or quaternion error attitude control strategies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is commonplace. Quaternion tracking error control is usually presented in rather theoretical works, where the control algorithm is almost exclusively chosen to be a suboptimal one. However, the application of optimal control techniques is usually associated to simplified attitude models frequently aimed at solving real-life problems. The work presented in this paper aims to formally merge the development of a complete theoretical quaternion error model with an optimal control strategy. Moreover, the application of optimal control algorithms to a fully defined quaternion error state-space model and the validation of the same in a real-time experimental setup is the focus of this research. The result is a novel controller named Optimal Quaternion Tracking of Attitude Error Linearization (OQTAL). The paper provides a comprehensive proof of stability, full simulation validation for a planetary landing gravity turn trajectory, and evidence of repeatable experimental work for a real-time quadrotor UAV on a motion capture testbed. OQTAL is compared with proven optimal forms of (PID) proportional-integral-derivative control and linear quadratic regulator control and is shown to have a 10%-20% reduction in error for the experimental setup trajectory tracking trials and an even larger tracking error reduction in the gravity turn simulation trials. Furthermore, for close tracking conditions, OQTAL behaves almost like a linear and time-invariant system, therefore requiring limited computation time for performing the trajectory tracking.
Analysis of the Factors that Intervene in the Exports of Wooden Furniture and Its Impact on the Commercial Balance of Ecuador in the Period 2012-2016

Throughout history, Ecuador has been characterized as a traditional exporter of raw materials; however, the beginning of production and export of wooden furniture, a product with added value, undoubtedly contributes with the change of the productive matrix. Otherwise, regional, national and private policies have been occurring in the last five years that are related to exports from Ecuador. This project focuses on analyzing all the economic, social, technological and environmental factors that were related to exports of Ecuadorian wooden furniture during the period 2012-2016. The project is framed by the new concepts of international cooperation, production and responsible consumption, development of cities and sustainable communities, promulgated by international organizations that contribute to the Theory of the Three Dimensions of Sustainability. The proposal started with the study of four tariff items that cover the export subsector, and we conducted research on both secondary data and direct primary sources, which are the exporting companies registered during the study period. The intention was to understand the perspectives and expectations of the businessmen involved. At the end, the analysis of the current state of this branch of production is presented and recommendations are given to both the direct and indirect actors of the subsector.
Evaluation of the role of melatonin in formalin-induced pain response in mice.

BACKGROUND Melatonin, the major secretory product of pineal gland has been suggested to play a regulatory role in the circadian rhythm of body activities including the pain sensitivity. Three subtypes of melatonin receptors, i.e. ML1, ML2 and ML3 have been identified. AIM To investigate the antinociceptive activity of melatonin and to unravel the underlying receptor mechanisms involved in this action. MATERIAL AND METHODS Effect of melatonin (25-100 mg/kg, ip) and its interaction with putative melatonin receptor antagonists and opioidergic and serotoninergic agents have been studied in formalin test, a model of tonic continuous pain. Formalin (0.1 ml of 1% solution) was injected under the plantar surface of right hind paw of mice and the time an animal spent in licking the injected paw was measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS Injection of formalin produced two phases of intense licking, an early phase (0-5 min) and a late phase (20-25 min). Melatonin dose-dependently decreased the licking response in both the phases, effect being more marked in the late phase. Luzindole, a ML1 receptor antagonist did not block but rather enhanced the antinociceptive activity of melatonin. However, prazosin, a ML2 receptor antagonist in the low dose (0.5 mg/kg) significantly attenuated but in higher dose (1 mg/kg) enhanced the analgesic effect of melatonin. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist did not reverse but morphine, an opioid agonist enhanced the antinociceptive activity of melatonin. Both mianserin and ondansetron the 5HT2 and 5HT3 receptor antagonists, respectively increased the analgesic effect of melatonin. CONCLUSION The present results suggest the involvement of ML2 receptors in mediating the antinociceptive activity of melatonin in formalin-induced pain response. Further an interplay between melatonin, alpha-1 adrenergic and 5HT2 and 5HT3 serotoninergic receptors may also be participating in this action.
Macro-Econometric Model for Medium-Term Socio-Economic Development Planning in Vietnam. Part 1: Structure of the Model

Vietnam builds the market economy from the planned economy, in which development plans, especially the medium-term socio-economic development plans, were determined by the leading economic management tools. Currently, the development plans remain the important tools of economic management. However, the contents and methodologies for development planning have changed considerably. The plans have been built according to the direction of the market and consider macroeconomic forecasts as the most important input for planning. The purpose of this paper is to briefly present the structure of a macro-econometric model for medium-term socio-economic development planning in Vietnam. The model is based on the main ideas of the forecasting procedures and the system of forecast models for strategic planning in the Russian Federation. Furthermore, the model utilizes the experience of macro-econometric models in other countries. This model is based on the approaches of supply and demand, and is organized into blocks that have a close relationship to combine forecasts from the built model and using judgmental methods in a favourable way. The model can fully forecast the needs of socio-economic development planning. It is also used to build forecast scenarios and to assess the impact of shocks and economic policies.
Determination of EEG activity propagation: pair-wise versus multichannel estimate

Performance of different estimators describing propagation of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, namely: Granger causality, directed transfer function (DTF), direct DTF (dDTF), short-time DTF (SDTF), bivariate coherence, and partial directed coherence are compared by means of simulations and on the examples of experimental signals. In particular, the differences between pair-wise and multichannel estimates are studied. The results show unequivocally that in most cases, the pair-wise estimates are incorrect and a complete set of signals involved in a given process has to be used to obtain the correct pattern of EEG flows. Different performance of multivariate estimators of propagation depending on their normalization is discussed. Advantages of multivariate autoregressive model are pointed out.
Recombinant human C1-inhibitor prevents non-specific proteolysis by mutant pro-urokinase during optimal fibrinolysis

Summary A single-site mutant of prouPA (M5) spared haemostatic fibrin during thrombolysis in dogs. Zymograms of plasma from these dogs showed an unusual inhibitor complex with C1-inhibitor (C1I). Purified C1I added to human plasma enhanced the fibrinspecificity of M5. In the present study, the effect of recombinant human C1I (recC1I) on high-dose M5 and tPA were compared using fluorescein-labeled standardised clots in a plasma milieu. The shortest time to complete clot lysis (maximum rate) was first determined. This was ∼65% per hour for both activators. By contrast, their top fibrin-specific lysis rate (<20% fibrinogen depletion) was less than half maximum (25–30% per hour). Adding recC1I (250–750 μg/ml) did not affect fibrinolysis, but prevented fibrinogenolysis and plasminogen depletion by M5, raising its fibrin-specific lysis rate to the maximum. With tPA, the recC1I modestly attenuated fibrinogenolysis, raising its fibrin-specific rate to about half the maximum. Consistent with this, the t½ inhibition by C1I was ∼90 min for tPA compared with ∼10 min for tcM5. The t½ of C1I for plasmin was ∼2 min. Zymograms of plasma after clot lysis indicated that recC1I prevented non-specific tcM5 generation from M5, as evidenced by suppression of tcM5:C1I complexes. In conclusion, recC1I raised the fibrin-specificity of M5 in plasma so that a maximum lysis rate could be achieved without fibrinogenolysis. The inhibition by C1I of nonspecific but not fibrin-dependent plasminogen activation could not be duplicated by other serpins. The findings provide a potential means to optimize both the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis.
Energy-Efficient Distributed Adaptive Multisensor Scheduling for Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks

Due to uncertainties in target motion and limited sensing regions of sensors, single-sensor-based collaborative target tracking in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), as addressed in many previous approaches, suffers from low tracking accuracy and lack of reliability when a target cannot be detected by a scheduled sensor. Generally, actuating multiple sensors can achieve better tracking performance but with high energy consumption. Tracking accuracy, reliability, and energy consumed are affected by the sampling interval between two successive time steps. In this paper, an adaptive energy-efficient multisensor scheduling scheme is proposed for collaborative target tracking in WSNs. It calculates the optimal sampling interval to satisfy a specification on predicted tracking accuracy, selects the cluster of tasking sensors according to their joint detection probability, and designates one of the tasking sensors as the cluster head for estimation update and sensor scheduling according to a cluster head energy measure (CHEM) function. Simulation results show that, compared with existing single-sensor scheduling and multisensor scheduling with a uniform sampling interval, the proposed adaptive multisensor scheduling scheme can achieve superior energy efficiency and tracking reliability while satisfying the tracking accuracy requirement. It is also robust to the uncertainty of the process noise.
Modulation of RNA function by aminoglycoside antibiotics

One of the most important families of antibiotics are the aminoglycosides, including drugs such as neomycin B, paromomycin, gentamicin and streptomycin. With the discovery of the catalytic potential of RNA, these antibiotics became very popular due to their RNA‐binding capacity. They serve for the analysis of RNA function as well as for the study of RNA as a potential therapeutic target. Improvements in RNA structure determination recently provided first insights into the decoding site of the ribosome at high resolution and how aminoglycosides might induce misreading of the genetic code. In addition to inhibiting prokaryotic translation, aminoglycosides inhibit several catalytic RNAs such as self‐splicing group I introns, RNase P and small ribozymes in vitro. Furthermore, these antibiotics interfere with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication by disrupting essential RNA–protein contacts. Most exciting is the potential of many RNA‐binding antibiotics to stimulate RNA activities, conceiving small‐molecule partners for the hypothesis of an ancient RNA world. SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) has been used in this evolutionary game leading to small synthetic RNAs, whose NMR structures gave valuable information on how aminoglycosides interact with RNA, which could possibly be used in applied science.