Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Second Transforming Function in Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 E6 and the Role of E6 Interactions with Paxillin, E6BP, and E6AP

ABSTRACT Papillomavirus E6 oncoproteins transform mammalian cells through interaction with cellular proteins. Bovine papillomavirus type 1 E6 (BE6) interacts with three previously described cellular targets: the E6AP E3 ubiquitin ligase, the calcium-binding protein E6BP (also known as ERC-55), and paxillin, which is a focal adhesion adapter protein. BE6 interacts strongly with each of these proteins in vitro, binding to similar peptide sequences found in E6AP, E6BP, and paxillin. To determine which BE6 interactions are necessary for transformation by BE6, we used a novel selection strategy for temperature-sensitive BE6 mutants in yeast that could discriminate in their interaction between E6AP, E6BP, and paxillin. All BE6 mutants that retained transforming ability retained association with paxillin, while some mutants that were transformation positive failed to interact with E6AP or E6BP. This study demonstrates that oncogene mutants that are temperature sensitive for transformation can be selected in yeast and that the induction of anchorage-independent cell proliferation by BE6 does not require strong association of BE6 with either E6AP or E6BP. Of particular interest is the identification of a BE6 mutant that interacts strongly with the acidic charged leucine motifs of E6AP, E6BP, and paxillin but is devoid of transformation activity, thereby genetically identifying a second essential transformation function in BE6 that is independent of interaction with acidic charged leucine motifs.
Rapamycin Protection of Livers From Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury Is Dependent on Both Autophagy Induction and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 2-Akt Activation

Background Although rapamycin (RPM) have been studied extensively in ischemia models, its functional mechanisms remains to be defined. Methods We determined how RPM impacted the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in a murine liver partial warm ischemia model, with emphasis on its regulation of hepatocyte death. Results Rapamycin protected livers from IRI in the presence of fully developed liver inflammatory immune response. Rapamycin enhanced liver autophagy induction at the reperfusion stage. Dual mammalian (mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR)1/2 inhibitor Torin 1, despite its ability to induced autophagy, failed to protect livers from IRI. The treatment with RPM, but not Torin 1, resulted in the enhanced activation of the mTORC2-Akt signaling pathway activation in livers after reperfusion. Inactivation of Akt by Triciribine abolished the liver protective effect of RPM. The differential cytoprotective effect of RPM and Torin 1 was confirmed in vitro in hepatocyte cultures. Rapamycin, but not Trin 1, protected hepatocytes from stress and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; induced cell death; and inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine or Akt by Triciribine abolished RPM-mediated cytoprotection. Conclusion Rapamycin protected livers from IRI by both autophagy and mTORC2-Akt activation mechanisms.
Visceral adiposity and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy young men

Abstract Background: Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and develops silently for decades before clinical events such as myocardial infarction or stroke occur. Only few studies have evaluated the relationship between CVD risk factors and carotid artery Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in young asymptomatic people. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with higher Carotid Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in healthy young subjects. Methods: A cohort of 106 healthy young men, mean age 21 ± 2 years (mean ± SD), BMI 24.4 ± 2.8 (kg/m2), on military duty, participated in this cross-sectional study. Waist circumference, carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of relevant metabolic parameters were measured at fasting. Smoking and habitual dietary patterns were evaluated by a semiquantitative questionnaire. Results: The population was divided into two groups on the basis of IMT values: the lowest three quartiles versus the highest quartile (cut-off value = 0.7 mm). BMI, waist circumference, systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were significantly higher in the group with higher IMT (p = 0.02). All other variables, including dietary parameters and smoking, were similar in the two groups. Data analysis showed that IMT values correlated positively with SBP (r = 0.22; p = 0.025), DBP (r = 0.27; p = 0.005), waist circumference (r = 0.29; p = 0.002), and fat mass (r = 0.24; p = 0.01), and negatively with kcal/kg of body weight (r = −0.220.22; p = 0.022) – an indirect marker of physical activity. Based on multiple regression analysis, waist circumference and DBP were the only variables independently associated with IMT (p = 0.029). Conclusions: In a non-selected sample of healthy young adult males, a larger waist circumference and a higher diastolic blood pressure – albeit within normal values – are the only parameters independently associated with higher IMT.
Evaluation of the Illinois High School to College Success Report: Technical Report.

Rationale: The newly designed Illinois High School to College Success Report is one of the first collaborative endeavors among the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to combine their fairly disparate data systems. It fulfills the requirement of Illinois Senate Joint Resolution No. 59 (October 2007) to develop a new report to further inform schools and districts about their graduates’ postsecondary outcomes. As Illinois continues to develop its longitudinal data system using a federated data model, it is critical to evaluate the dissemination and usefulness of the High School to College Success Report, as well as solicit suggestions for improvement, in order to guide development of future reports.
Secure Beamforming with Artificial Noise for Two-way Relay Networks

This paper studies the problem of secure information exchange between two sources via multiple relays in the presence of an eavesdropper. To this end, we propose a relay beamforming scheme, i.e., relay beamforming with artificial noise (RBwA), where the relay beamforming vector and the artificial noise vector are jointly designed to maintain the received signal-to-interference-ratio (SINR) at the two sources over a predefined Quality of Service (QoS) threshold while limiting the received SINR at the eavesdropper under a predefined secure threshold. For comparsion, the relay beamforming without artificial noise (RBoA) is also considered. We formulate two optimization problems for the two schemes, where our goal is to seek the optimal beamforming vector to minimize the total power consumed by relay nodes such that the secrecy of the information exchange between the two sources can be protected. Since both optimization problems are nonconvex, we solve them by semidefinite program (SDP) relaxation theory. Simulation results show that, via beamforming design, physical layer secrecy of two-way relay networks can be greatly improved and our proposed RBwA outperforms the RBoA in terms of both low power consumption and low infeasibility rate.
Cytocompatibility of PLA/Nano-HA composites for interface fixation

Objective: When preliminary tests have confirmed a nano-hydroxyapatite (Nano-HA) content of 20% of the polylactic acid (PLA) composite material of Nano-HA interface fixation material for biomechanical requirements, there is a need for further observation of its biocompatibility and clinical applications, to provide reference data. Methods: Preparation of Nano-HA content of 20% PLA composite Nano-HA bone substitute material and extract. The establishment of the negative control group (containing 10% fetal bovine serum in DMEM complete medium), experimental group (extract), the positive control group (mass concentration of 0.64% phenol), and a co-culture of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSC) and materials extraction liquid. Observation of the morphological changes in rBMSC in culture at time points of 3, 5, and 7 days, the use of the MTT assay, and determination of the relative growth in the above set of rBMSC in cell culture at 3, 5, and 7 days, to judge the material's cytotoxicity. Results: With time, the absorbance value of the three groups of cells were significantly increased (P < 0.01). The relative growth of the rBMSCs in experimental group in the first 3, 5, and 7 days was 95.3%, 96.8% and 97.6%; the cytotoxicity was according to the national standards I; the difference was not significant (P > 0.05) between the the experimental group and the negative control group; there was a significant difference between the positive control group and the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). Cells in the experimental group were seen having normal morphology, and spindle-shaped adherent growth. Conclusion: PLA composite artificial bone materials and Nano-HA show good cell compatibility, and the values for cytotoxicity, with reference to GB/T16886.5. 2003 (China) standards, are in the safe range.
Genomic analysis in Escherichia coli demonstrates differential roles for polynucleotide phosphorylase and RNase II in mRNA abundance and decay

Previous work has shown that simultaneous inactivation of polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and RNase II (both 3′→ 5′ exonucleases) in Escherichia coli leads to the loss of cell viability and the accumulation of partially degraded mRNA species. In order to help to distinguish how these two enzymes globally affect the abundance and decay of mRNAs, we have carried out a genome‐wide analysis of the steady‐state levels of E. coli transcripts using deletion mutations in either rnb or pnp. The data show that, in exponentially growing cells, inactivation of PNPase leads to an increase in the steady‐state level of more expressed mRNAs (17.3%) than inactivation of RNase II (7.3%). In contrast, the steady‐state levels of a large number of E. coli mRNAs (31%) are decreased in the absence of RNase II, including almost all the ribosomal protein genes, suggesting that a major function of this enzyme is to protect specific mRNAs from the activity of other ribonucleases. Array data were confirmed by Northern analysis of 12 individual mRNAs. A comparison between the steady‐state levels and the half‐lives of individual mRNAs indicates that there may be a direct interaction between transcription and mRNA decay for some of the transcripts. In addition, results are presented to show significant phenotypic differences between the pnp‐7 point mutant and the pnpΔ683 deletion allele.
Gross motor functional abilities in preterm‐born children with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia

To describe the impact of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) on gross motor function, data on 59 children (37 males, 22 females) with a gestational age (GA) of 34 weeks or less with cerebral palsy (CP) due to PVL grade I (n=20), II (n=13), III (n=25), and IV (n=1) were studied; (mean GA 29wk 4d [SD 4wk 6d]; mean birthweight 1318g [SD 342]). Two independent raters used the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) at four time points: T1, mean corrected age (CA) 9 months 15 days (SD 2mo 6d); T2, mean CA 16 months (SD 1mo 27d); T3, mean CA 24 months 27 days (SD 2mo 3d); and T4, median age 7 years 6 months (range 2y 2mo–16y 8mo). Interrater reliability and stability across time with respect to the total cohort were κ≥0.86 and ρ≥0.74 respectively. The association between PVL and gross motor outcome at T4 was strong (positive and negative predictive values 0.92 and 0.85 respectively). The proportion of children who remained in the same GMFCS level increased from 27% (T1–T4) to 53% (T2–T4) and 72% (T3–T4). PVL grade I to II, as diagnosed in the neonatal period, has a better functional mobility prognosis than PVL grade III–IV. These findings have implications for habilitation counselling and intervention strategies.
Errors of oscillometric blood pressure measurement as predicted by simulation

ObjectiveTo study factors affecting the accuracy of oscillometric measurement. MethodsBy means of a computer-based simulator, a variety of arterial pressure pulses of different shapes and amplitudes were composed as an input signal of the model, whereas cuff volume oscillations were obtained as an output signal. The shape of the artery–cuff pressure/volume relationship was modified. Thereafter, oscillation envelopes were drawn and an estimation of systolic and diastolic pressures was performed by implementing fixed characteristic ratios. The mean arterial pressure was estimated using the maximum oscillation criterion. Altogether, 32 combinations of four affecting factors were studied. ResultsFor the studied range of affecting factors, the induced errors in systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressures were 15, 14, and 27 mmHg, respectively. Systolic readings moved toward underestimation and diastolic readings moved toward overestimation if pulse pressure increased. Arterial stiffening induced systematic overestimation of the systolic pressure and overestimation or underestimation of the diastolic pressure compared with a normal artery, with errors depending on the interaction of the symmetry and steepness indices of the artery–cuff pressure/volume curve. Errors of mean arterial pressure were proportional to pulse pressure, showing overestimation if stiffness increased and/or arterial pressure pulses became steeper. ConclusionOscillometric readings of systolic and diastolic pressures are strongly influenced by pulse pressure and the shape of the artery–cuff pressure/volume curve, whereas those of the mean arterial pressure are affected by pulse pressure and both the shape of the artery–cuff pressure/volume curve and the shape of the arterial pulse.
Ischemic Strokes Due to Large-Vessel Occlusions Contribute Disproportionately to Stroke-Related Dependence and Death: A Review

Background Since large-vessel occlusion (LVO)-related acute ischemic strokes (AIS) are associated with more severe deficits, we hypothesize that the endovascular thrombectomy (ET) may disproportionately benefit stroke-related dependence and death. Methods To delineate LVO-AIS impact, systematic search identified studies measuring dependence or death [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3–6] or mortality following ischemic stroke among consecutive patients presenting with both LVO and non-LVO events within 24 h of symptom onset. Results Among 197 articles reviewed, 2 met inclusion criteria, collectively enrolling 1,467 patients. Rates of dependence or death (mRS 3–6) within 3–6 months were higher after LVO than non-LVO ischemic stroke, 64 vs. 24%, odds ratio (OR) 4.46 (CI: 3.53–5.63, p < 0.0001). Mortality within 3–6 months was higher after LVO than non-LVO ischemic stroke, 26.2 vs. 1.3%, OR 4.09 (CI: 2.5–6.68), p < 0.0001. Consequently, while LVO ischemic events accounted for 38.7% (CI: 21.8–55.7%) of all acutely presenting ischemic strokes, they accounted for 61.6% (CI: 41.8–81.3%) of poststroke dependence or death and 95.6% (CI: 89.0–98.8%) of poststroke mortality. Using literature-based projections of LVO cerebral ischemia patients treatable within 8 h of onset, ET can be used in 21.4% of acutely presenting patients with ischemic stroke, and these events account for 34% of poststroke dependence and death and 52.8% of poststroke mortality. Conclusion LVOs cause a little more than one-third of acutely presenting AIS, but are responsible for three-fifths of dependency and more than nine-tenths of mortality after AIS. At the population level, ET has a disproportionate benefit in reducing severe stroke outcomes.
Compliance with international financial reporting standards: the case of listed firms in Ghana

Purpose - This study aims to examine the association between five firm-specific characteristics and the level of compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by companies listed on Ghana Stock Exchange. The five firm-specific characteristics are firm size, profitability, leverage, auditor type and firm age. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses dataset from 31 listed Ghanaian firms from 2008 to 2012. Random effect is used to examine the influence of the predictive variables on the level of IFRS corporate compliance. Findings - The result reveals a positive significant relationship between the level of compliance and firm size, auditor type, cross-listing and sector (information and communications technology (ICT) and agro-forestry). On the contrary, the level of compliance exhibits a negative significant association with leverage and firm age. It is observed that the level of compliance is not related to profitability. The results are robust to different model specifications. Practical implications - This study identifies firm-specific characteristics that influence IFRS compliance by listed firms in Ghana. This would aid accounting policy makers to institute strategies to encourage compliance with IFRS by the listed firms. Originality/value - The study contributes to financial reporting literature relating to developing economies and Ghana, in particular.
Dental Amalgam and Antibiotic- and/or Mercury-resistant Bacteria

Mercury emitted from dental amalgam may select for increased numbers of antibiotic- or mercury-resistant commensal bacteria in patients and increase their risk for bacterial diseases that are resistant to common therapies. We hypothesized that the presence of dental amalgams would increase the level of mercury-, tetracycline-, ampicillin-, erythromycin-, or chloramphenicol-resistant oral and urinary bacteria as compared with levels in children receiving composite fillings. Samples were collected at baseline, 3–6 months after the initial dental treatment, and annually for 7 years of follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups in the numbers of bacteria growing on antibiotic- or mercury-supplemented plates. This study provided no evidence that amalgam fillings on posterior teeth influenced the level of antibiotic- or mercury-resistant oral or urinary bacteria as detected by culture.
Protein import into yeast mitochondria is accelerated by the outer membrane protein MAS70.

The yeast mitochondrial outer membrane contains a major 70 kd protein with an amino‐terminal hydrophobic membrane anchor and a hydrophilic 60 kd domain exposed to the cytosol. We now show that this protein (which we term MAS70) accelerates the mitochondrial import of many (but not all) precursor proteins. Anti‐MAS70 IgGs or removal of MAS70 from the mitochondria by either mild trypsin treatment or by disrupting the nuclear MAS70 gene inhibits import of the F1‐ATPase beta‐subunit, the ADP/ATP translocator, and of several other precursors into isolated mitochondria by up to 75%, but has little effect on the import of porin. Intact cells of a mas70 null mutant import the F1‐ATPase alpha‐subunit and beta‐subunits, cytochrome c1 and other precursors at least several fold more slowly than wild‐type cells. Removal of MAS70 from wild‐type mitochondria inhibits binding of the ADP/ATP translocator to the mitochondrial surface, indicating that MAS70 mediates one of the earliest import steps. Several precursors are thus imported by a pathway in which MAS70 functions as a receptor‐like component. MAS70 is not essential for import of these precursors, but only accelerates this process.
Cooperativity between DNA Methyltransferases in the Maintenance Methylation of Repetitive Elements

ABSTRACT We used mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with systematic gene knockouts for DNA methyltransferases to delineate the roles of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) and Dnmt3a and -3b in maintaining methylation patterns in the mouse genome. Dnmt1 alone was able to maintain methylation of most CpG-poor regions analyzed. In contrast, both Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a and/or Dnmt3b were required for methylation of a select class of sequences which included abundant murine LINE-1 promoters. We used a novel hemimethylation assay to show that even in wild-type cells these sequences contain high levels of hemimethylated DNA, suggestive of poor maintenance methylation. We showed that Dnmt3a and/or -3b could restore methylation of these sequences to pretreatment levels following transient exposure of cells to 5-aza-CdR, whereas Dnmt1 by itself could not. We conclude that ongoing de novo methylation by Dnmt3a and/or Dnmt3b compensates for inefficient maintenance methylation by Dnmt1 of these endogenous repetitive sequences. Our results reveal a previously unrecognized degree of cooperativity among mammalian DNA methyltransferases in ES cells.
Efficacy of Myoblast Transplantation in Nonhuman Primates Following Simple Intramuscular Cell Injections: Toward Defining Strategies Applicable to Humans

Nonhuman primates were used to define myoblast transplantation strategies applicable to humans. Nevertheless, previous experiments were based on the use of myotoxins concomitant with the myoblast injections. Since myotoxins must be avoided for clinical applications, we analyzed the efficacy of simple myoblast injections (i.e., myoblasts resuspended only in saline) into monkey muscles. We also evaluated different FK506 dosages (in combination or not with mycophenolate mofetil) for immunosuppression. Allogeneic myoblasts transduced with the beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) gene were implanted in the muscles of 19 monkeys by injections placed 1 to 2 mm from each other. A biopsy was performed at the implanted sites 1 month later, and histologically studied for demonstration of beta-Gal+ myofibers, lymphocyte infiltration, and CD8+ cells. The presence of antibodies against the donor myoblasts and the blood levels of FK506 were analyzed. Our results show that: (1) If myoblast injections are sufficiently close to each other, high percentages of hybrid myofibers can be obtained following myoblast transplantation in primates (25 to 67% with an interinjection distance of 1 mm). (2) Efficient immunosuppression can be reached by increasing FK506 dosages, but also by combining this drug with mycophenolate mofetil, a combination that reduces toxic effects. The present results represent a step towards a better designing of myoblast transplantation strategies in humans.
Immunological demonstration of a unique 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase in soil Arthrobacter strains

Many bacteria biosynthesize 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenases for growth on aromatic acids, but gram-negative organisms have been most extensively studied. A gram-positive strain containing 2,3-dioxygenase activity was identified as Arthrobacter strain Mn-1. The 2,3-dioxygenase from strain Mn-1 was purified to homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography with a Mono Q anion-exchange column. Rabbit polyclonal antidioxygenase antibodies were prepared. Ouchterlony double-diffusion and Western blotting (immunoblotting) protocols were used to probe the distribution of the Mn-1 dioxygenase antigen in soil bacteria. Fourteen 2,3-dioxygenase-containing Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains did not contain immunologically cross-reactive proteins. Six of eight Arthrobacter strains contained 2,3-dioxygenase activity, and all of them produced cross-reactive proteins. The data presented here suggest that a unique type of dioxygenase is geographically widespread but is taxonomically confined to Arthrobacter soil bacteria.