Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poc1A and Poc1B act together in human cells to ensure centriole integrity

Summary Proteomic studies in unicellular eukaryotes identified a set of centriolar proteins that included proteome of centriole 1 (Poc1). Functional studies in these organisms implicated Poc1 in centriole duplication and length control, as well as ciliogenesis. Using isoform-specific antibodies and RNAi depletion, we have examined the function of the two related human proteins, Poc1A and Poc1B. We find that Poc1A and Poc1B each localize to centrioles and spindle poles, but do so independently and with different dynamics. However, although loss of one or other Poc1 protein does not obviously disrupt mitosis, depletion of both proteins leads to defects in spindle organization with the generation of unequal or monopolar spindles. Our data indicate that, once incorporated, a fraction of Poc1A and Poc1B remains stably associated with parental centrioles, but that depletion prevents incorporation into nascent centrioles. Nascent centrioles lacking both Poc1A and Poc1B exhibit loss of integrity and maturation, and fail to undergo duplication. Thus, when Poc1A and Poc1B are co-depleted, new centrosomes capable of maturation cannot assemble and unequal spindles result. Interestingly, Poc1B, but not Poc1A, is phosphorylated in mitosis, and depletion of Poc1B alone was sufficient to perturb cell proliferation. Hence, Poc1A and Poc1B play redundant, but essential, roles in generation of stable centrioles, but Poc1B may have additional independent functions during cell cycle progression.
Sanguineous normothermic machine perfusion improves hemodynamics and biliary epithelial regeneration in donation after cardiac death porcine livers

The effects of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) on the postreperfusion hemodynamics and extrahepatic biliary duct histology of donation after cardiac death (DCD) livers after transplantation have not been addressed thoroughly and represent the objective of this study. Ten livers (5 per group) with 60 minutes of warm ischemia were preserved via cold storage (CS) or sanguineous NMP for 10 hours, and then they were reperfused for 24 hours with whole blood in an isolated perfusion system to simulate transplantation. In our experiment, the arterial and portal vein flows were stable in the NMP group during the entire reperfusion simulation, whereas they decreased dramatically in the CS group after 16 hours of reperfusion (P < 0.05); these findings were consistent with severe parenchymal injury. Similarly, significant differences existed between the CS and NMP groups with respect to the release of hepatocellular enzymes, the volume of bile produced, and the levels of enzymes released into bile (P < 0.05). According to histology, CS livers presented with diffuse hepatocyte congestion, necrosis, intraparenchymal hemorrhaging, denudated biliary epithelium, and submucosal bile duct necrosis, whereas NMP livers showed very mild injury to the liver parenchyma and biliary architecture. Most importantly, Ki‐67 staining in extrahepatic bile ducts showed biliary epithelial regeneration. In conclusion, our findings advance the knowledge of the postreperfusion events that characterize DCD livers and suggest NMP as a beneficial preservation modality that is able to improve biliary regeneration after a major ischemic event and may prevent the development of ischemic cholangiopathy in the setting of clinical transplantation. Liver Transpl 20:987–999, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
A Sign-Component-Based Framework for Chinese Sign Language Recognition Using Accelerometer and sEMG Data

Identification of constituent components of each sign gesture can be beneficial to the improved performance of sign language recognition (SLR), especially for large-vocabulary SLR systems. Aiming at developing such a system using portable accelerometer (ACC) and surface electromyographic (sEMG) sensors, we propose a framework for automatic Chinese SLR at the component level. In the proposed framework, data segmentation, as an important preprocessing operation, is performed to divide a continuous sign language sentence into subword segments. Based on the features extracted from ACC and sEMG data, three basic components of sign subwords, namely the hand shape, orientation, and movement, are further modeled and the corresponding component classifiers are learned. At the decision level, a sequence of subwords can be recognized by fusing the likelihoods at the component level. The overall classification accuracy of 96.5% for a vocabulary of 120 signs and 86.7% for 200 sentences demonstrate the feasibility of interpreting sign components from ACC and sEMG data and clearly show the superior recognition performance of the proposed method when compared with the previous SLR method at the subword level. The proposed method seems promising for implementing large-vocabulary portable SLR systems.
A reduced order discrete-time approximation of continuous-time models

In this paper, a technique to obtain a reduced order discrete approximation of a continuous-time model is proposed. This technique is based on the search of the best fit of the frequency response at a finite and probably large set of frequency points. The approximation uses orthogonal bases, where prior knowledge about the underlying system dynamics can be integrated. This strategy can be combined with an iterative procedure to obtain a discrete-time model of increased accuracy. The proposed technique also allows to emphasize the accuracy of the model in prescribed frequency bands, depending on the particular application.
Differential relationships between anthropometry measures and cardiovascular risk factors in boys and girls.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare commonly used anthropometry for cardiovascular risk factors in 14-year-olds. METHODS A total of 1 149 children of an Australian pregnancy (Raine) cohort with recruitment 1989-1991 were assessed for anthropometry and fasting lipids, insulin, and blood pressure. RESULTS There were significant distinctions in the associations between anthropometry and groups of cardiovascular risk factors. These distinctions differed by gender. Insulin resistance, triglycerides, C-reactive protein levels, low density lipoprotein (LDH)/high density lipoprotein (HDL) and total/HDL cholesterol ratios had the strongest association with waist, waist/height ratio and body mass index. By contrast, in boys, height was the strongest independent predictor (in a negative direction) of total and LDL-cholesterol. Blood pressure and uric acid was most strongly correlated with body weight and height (heavier and taller boys). Taller male adolescents had highest blood pressures and lowest cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS No single adolescent anthropometric measure best predicted all cardiovascular risk factors. Each measure showed distinct relationships with specific groups of risk factors. Contrasting associations may reflect different pathogenesis by which gender, puberty, and adiposity affect metabolic risk. No single anthropometric measurement in childhood would appear to be superior or sufficient when investigating the developmental origins of cardiovascular health and related metabolic disease.
Religiosity and consumer behavior in developing countries: An exploratory study on Muslims in the context of Burkina Faso

The interest of researchers on religiosity and consumer behavior is explained by the fact that religion has an influence, not only on the social behavior of individuals, but also on their consumption behavior (Fam et al., 2004; Nasse, 2006; Mansori, 2012; Diop, 2012). Most of the studies on the topic are from Western and Asian countries. Little research on the subject has been conducted in Africa and particularly in Burkina Faso. Therefore, this study aims to explore the concepts of religiosity and consumer behavior in Burkina Faso in order to consider the role of culture in management and marketing products such as "halal" products. Burkina Faso is a country where religion plays an important role while a definite portion of believers contribute to increase the consumption of industrial alcoholic drinks, and ignorance in the sector of marketing seems also to be a barrier that slows down the production and the consumption of industrial non-alcoholic drinks. The approach is a mixed one based both on a qualitative survey and a quantitative survey. The results show that Muslims religiosity affects consumer behavior in the context of Burkina Faso. Key words: Religiosity, consumer behavior, non-alcoholic drinks, consumption, marketing.
In Vitro and in Vivo Testing of a Novel Regulatory System for Gene Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Study Design. In vitro and in vivo testing of a gene expression control system. Objective. The purpose of this study is to establish the ability of controlling gene expression using an adeno-associated viral vector containing a novel control system (AAV-RheoSwitch GFP [Intrexon Corp., Blacksburg, VA]) in intervertebral disc cells for potential use in gene therapy trials. Summary of Background Data. Gene therapy for disc degeneration shows promise; however, concern remains regarding safety. Careful control of gene expression is needed to facilitate translation into clinical trials. Methods. Rabbit nucleus pulposus cells were treated in vitro with increasing multiplicities of infection of AAV-RheoSwitch GFP, followed by increasing concentrations of Intrexon's activator ligand, and examined for fluorescence during and after removal of ligand. New Zealand white rabbits were injected with AAV-RheoSwitch GFP and killed either before or after 5 days of daily ligand injection. Tissues were analyzed for the presence of green fluorescent protein (GFP) with fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. Results. In vitro, GFP expression was noted to be dose and time dependent, decreased 24 hours after removal of ligand, and was minimally detectable in cells after 48 hours. In vivo, increasing GFP expression was seen in animals treated with viral vector and ligand. No GFP expression was evident in tissues from rabbits that received only virus, or activator ligand alone. In addition, no GFP expression was evident in the adjacent discs, spinal cord, dura, bone, liver, or brain of any animals. Conclusion. These data demonstrate that in vitro ligand-induced gene expression can be stimulated and effectively turned off by removal of the ligand. In addition, we demonstrated the in vivo utility of this system through showing up-regulation of GFP without nonspecific gene expression or expression in adjacent tissues. This system, therefore, has the potential to increase the safety of gene therapy in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
[Procedural pain perception of preterm newborn in neonatal intensive care unit: assessment and non-pharmacological approaches].

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction to the procedural pain of preterm newborn and to demonstrate the different effectiveness of the two analgesic and not pharmacological techniques of recent clinical acquisition, the use of glucose solution and the sensorial saturation, in order to identify an optimal strategy for the prevention and pain treatment. METHODS We take a sample of 28 preterm newborns of 30-35 weeks. The subjects are divided in two randomized groups following the kind of analgesia used during the hematic sample from heel: the first group (group A) included 14 subjects, who received glucose solution associated to no nutritive suction; the second group (group B) included 14 subjects who received the sensorial saturation. The symptoms associated with pain at the moment of venous sample are measured through premature infant pain profile (PIPP) scale. RESULTS Results show that the score was lower in the group treated with sensorial saturation (media 6.52; P<0.001) than in the group treated with glucose (media 13.80; P<0.05). CONCLUSION The use of "care" techniques (in our case sensorial saturation) ameliorates the quality of life in NICU and reduces the pain threshold perceived by newborn, reducing therefore the exposition to the pain stimulus and the possibility that some consequences due to an inadequate pain treatment in neonatal age could develop.
Confronting Conflict: Addressing Institutional Conflicts of Interest in Academic Medical Centers

Individual conflicts of interest are rife in healthcare, and substantial attention has been given to address them. Yet a more substantive concern-institutional conflicts of interest (“ICOIs”) in academic medical centers (“AMCs”) engaged in research and clinical care—have yet to garner sufficient attention, despite their higher stakes for patient safety and welfare. ICOIs are standard in AMCs, are virtually unregulated, and have led to patient deaths. Upon review of ICOIs, we find a clear absence of substantive efforts to confront these conflicts. We also assess the Jesse Gelsinger case, which resulted in the death of a study participant exemplifying a deep-seated culture of institutional indifference and complicity in unmanaged conflicts. Federal policy, particularly the Bayh-Dole Act, also creates and promotes ICOIs. Efforts to address ICOIs are narrow or abstract, and do not provide for a systemic infrastructure with effective enforcement mechanisms. Hence, in this paper, we provide a comprehensive proposal to address ICOIs utilizing a “Centralized System” model that would proactively review, manage, approve, and conduct assessments of conflicts, and would have independent power to evaluate and enforce any violations via sanctions. It would also manage any industry funds and pharmaceutical samples and be a condition of participation in public healthcare reimbursement and federal grant funding. The ICOI policy itself would provide for disclosure requirements, separate management of commercial enterprise units from academic units, voluntary remediation of conflicts, and education on ICOIs. Finally, we propose a new model of medical education—academic detailing—in place of current marketing-focused “education. ” Using such a system, AMCs can wean themselves from industry reliance and promote a culture of accountability and independence from industry influence. By doing so, clinical research and treatment can return to a focus on patient care, not profits.
MERTK rs4374383 variant predicts incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes: role of mononuclear cell activation and adipokine response to dietary fat

&NA; The loss‐of‐function rs4374383 G > A variant in Myeloid‐epithelial‐reproductive Tyrosine Kinase (MERTK) gene has been linked to hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. MERTK is expressed by immune and non‐immune cells involved in inflammation, metabolism and vascular homeostasis. We assessed the impact of MERTK rs4374383 G > A variant on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incidence and severity and on glucose and lipid metabolism. We followed‐up 305 healthy nonobese nondiabetic, metabolic syndrome‐free insulin sensitive participants in a population‐based study, characterized for MERTK G > A polymorphism, adipokine profile and inflammatory markers. An independent cohort of 69 biopsy‐proven nondiabetic NAFLD patients and 69 healthy controls underwent indirect calorimetry, an OGTT with Minimal Model analysis of glucose homeostasis, and an oral fat tolerance test with measurement of plasma lipoproteins, adipokines, MCP‐1, and of Nuclear Factor (NF)‐&kgr;B activation in circulating mononuclear cells (MNCs). In the longitudinal cohort, MERTK G > A polymorphism protected against 9‐year incident NAFLD (OR:0.48,95%CI:0.26‐0.79) and diabetes (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.19‐0.87). In the cross‐sectional cohort, MERTK A‐allele carriers had higher fat oxidation rates and tissue insulin sensitivity. Despite comparable fastign and postprandial lipid profiles, MERTK A‐allele carriers showed lower resistin and MCP‐1 responses, milder MNC NF‐&kgr;B activation, and a higher postprandial adiponectin response to fat, which predicted tissue insulin resistance hepatocyte apoptosis and liver histology. MERTK G > A variant affects liver disease, nutrient oxidation and glucose metabolism in NAFLD. The modulation of adipokine, chemokine and pro‐inflammatory MNC activation in response to fat ingestion may contribute to the observed effects on liver and metabolic disease.
“People first”: Factors that promote or inhibit community transformation

ABSTRACT Residents are key assets in community change. Despite this, little is known about residents’ perspectives regarding factors that facilitate or inhibit successful planning for neighborhood transformation. We conducted focus groups with residents of a low-wealth community involved with a neighborhood planning initiative and examined a planning document to elicit lived experience perspectives. Using Colaizzi’s approach to phenomenology, the following themes emerged: (1) trust; (2) resident-driven transformation; (3) sense of community and cohesion; (4) engagement and collective action; and (5) openness to transformation. Attending to the factors identified by neighborhood residents can inform community development planning and practice.
The yeast SSS1 gene is essential for secretory protein translocation and encodes a conserved protein of the endoplasmic reticulum.

The SEC61, SEC62 and SEC63 yeast gene products are membrane components of the apparatus that catalyses protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the hope of uncovering additional components of the translocation apparatus, we sought yeast genes whose overexpression would restore partial thermoresistance in a sec61 translocation‐deficient mutant. The first extragenic Sec sixty‐one suppressor, SSS1, is an essential single copy gene whose overexpression restores translocation in the sec61 mutant. Another extragenic suppressor was identified as TDH3, which encodes the major isozyme of the most abundant yeast protein, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. TDH3 overexpression could exert an indirect effect by competitively inhibiting protein synthesis, thereby allowing the impaired translocation apparatus to cope with a reduced flow of newly synthesized secretory proteins. Depletion of the Sss1 protein rapidly results in accumulation of multiple secretory or membrane proteins devoid of post‐translational modifications; the normally secreted alpha‐factor accumulates on the cytosolic side of ER membranes. Thus, the SSS1 gene is required for continued translocation of secretory preproteins beyond their early association to ER membranes. Consistent with its essential role in protein translocation, the Sss1 protein localizes to the ER and homologues were detected in higher eukaryotes.
Colonic volvulus in children: value of barium enema for diagnosis and treatment in 14 children.

OBJECTIVE Colonic volvulus is a rare type of intestinal obstruction in children. We reviewed our experience in 14 cases to determine the specific portion of the colon involved and the value of barium enema for diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical and radiologic records of 14 cases of colonic volvulus in children at the Children's Hospital of St. Paul from 1955 to 1992. Both abdominal plain radiographs and barium studies were examined. The children were 3 months to 15 years old. RESULTS Two cases involved the transverse colon, two were cecal, and 10 occurred in the sigmoid colon. Findings on barium enema indicated colonic volvulus in all 14 children. The barium enema also was successful therapy in 11 of the 14 cases. CONCLUSION As unusual as colonic volvulus is in children, it should remain in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain of sudden onset in this age group. Fourteen cases were detected at our institution alone, two of which involved the transverse colon. The barium enema can be used to confirm the diagnosis and frequently is therapeutic.
Hypertonic Saline Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis

Recent data indicate the clinical benefit of nebulized hypertonic saline in cystic fibrosis lung disease, with a proposed mechanism involving sustained increase in airway surface liquid volume. To account for the paradoxical observation that amiloride suppresses the beneficial effect of hypertonic saline, it has been previously concluded (Donaldson, S. H., Bennett, W. D., Zeman, K. L., Knowles, M. R., Tarran, R., and Boucher, R. C. (2006) N. Engl. J. Med. 354, 241-250) that amiloride-inhibitable aquaporin (AQP) water channels in airway epithelia modulate airway surface liquid volume. Here, we have characterized water permeability and amiloride effects in well differentiated, primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells, stably transfected Fisher rat thyroid epithelial cells expressing individual airway/lung AQPs, and perfused mouse lung. We found high transepithelial water permeability (Pf, 54 ± 5 μm/s) in airway epithelial cells that was weakly temperature-dependent and inhibited by >90% by reduced pH in the basal membrane-facing solution. Reverse transcription-PCR and immunofluorescence suggested the involvement of AQPs 3, 4, and 5 in high airway water permeability. Experiments using several sensitive measurement methods indicated that amiloride does not inhibit water permeability in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) or CF airway epithelia, AQP-transfected Fisher rat thyroid cells, or intact lung. Our data provide evidence against the mechanism proposed by Donaldson et al. to account for the effects of amiloride and hypertonic saline in CF lung disease, indicating the need to identify alternate mechanisms.
IL‐1β‐mediated up‐regulation of DEC1 in human gingiva cells via the Akt pathway

Growing evidence indicates that inflammation is a contributing factor leading to cancer development. However, pathways involved in this progression are not well understood. The involvement of DEC1 in cancer prompted us to examine whether pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) induces the expression of DEC1 in oral inflammation. We found that IL‐1β up‐regulated DEC1 and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) protein and elevated the HIF‐1α‐responsive gene vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human primary gingival cells. HIF‐1α and DEC1 immunoreactivity were significantly higher in the cases of gingival inflammation. We demonstrate that IL‐1β up‐regulates DEC1 and HIF‐1α protein through a classical inflammatory signaling pathway involving Akt. Our data strongly suggest that PI‐3K–Akt is an upstream participant in IL‐1β‐mediated DEC1 and HIF‐1α induction. This is supported by the following data: (1) IL‐1β induces 473 serine phosphorylation of Akt; (2) IL‐1β‐mediated Akt activation occurs in a PI‐3K‐dependent manner, and specific inhibition of PI‐3K prevents Akt phosphorylation; and (3) inhibition of Akt prevents IL‐1β‐mediated DEC1 and HIF‐1α induction. Taken together, these results suggest that DEC1 is one of the important transcription factors in inflammation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3246–3253, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.