Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ApoA5 knockdown improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in high-fat-fed mice by reducing ectopic lipid content

ApoA5 has a critical role in the regulation of plasma TG concentrations. In order to determine whether ApoA5 also impacts ectopic lipid deposition in liver and skeletal muscle, as well as tissue insulin sensitivity, we treated mice with an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) to decrease hepatic expression of ApoA5. ASO treatment reduced ApoA5 protein expression in liver by 60–70%. ApoA5 ASO-treated mice displayed approximately 3-fold higher plasma TG concentrations, which were associated with decreased plasma TG clearance. Furthermore, ApoA5 ASO-treated mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibited reduced liver and skeletal muscle TG uptake and reduced liver and muscle TG and diacylglycerol (DAG) content. HFD-fed ApoA5 ASO-treated mice were protected from HFD-induced insulin resistance, as assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. This protection could be attributed to increases in both hepatic and peripheral insulin responsiveness associated with decreased DAG activation of protein kinase C (PKC)-ε and PKCθ in liver and muscle, respectively, and increased insulin-stimulated AKT2 phosphorylation in these tissues. In summary, these studies demonstrate a novel role for ApoA5 as a modulator of susceptibility to diet-induced liver and muscle insulin resistance through regulation of ectopic lipid accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle.
Survey of 13 trace elements of toxic and nutritional significance in rice from Brazil and exposure assessment

Twenty-seven rice samples from Brazil, four parboiled brown, seventeen white and six parboiled white were analysed by ICP-MS for trace element determination. Concentrations of arsenic varied from 58.8 to 216.9 ng g−1, for cadmium from 6.0 to 20.2 ng g−1, for antimony from 0.12 to 1.28 ng g−1, and for uranium from 0.025 to 1.28 ng g−1. The estimated daily intake through rice consumption was 9.5 µg for As, 2.4 µg for Cd, 0.029 µg for Sb, 0.013 µg for U, 3.1 µg for Co, 0.2 µg for Cu, 85.6 mg for Mg, 1.9 mg for Mn, 333 mg for P, 3.0 µg for Se, 1.6 mg for Zn, 0.9 mg for Rb, and 0.3 µg for V. Found values represent a considerable percentage of the dietary reference intakes and provisional tolerable daily intake for essential and toxic elements, respectively.
Statistical Analysis of the Smallest Singular Value in Ricean Fading MIMO Channels

Using results from multivariate statistical theory, we first derive new expressions of cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the smallest singular value of Ricean fading MIMO channels with arbitrary rank channel means. Then we investigate the corresponding distributions of some special cases, such as independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Rayleigh fading and rank-1 Ricean fading MIMO channels. The formulas of smallest eigenvalue of probability density function (PDF) for complex Wishart matrices are also provided. These new statistical results are then applied to the performance analysis of MIMO systems. Finally, numerical results that confirm the theoretical analysis are presented
Electric field induced desorption of bacteria from a conditioning film covered substratum.

Desorption of three oral bacterial strains from a salivary conditioning film on an indium tin oxide electrode during application of a positive (bacterial adhesion to the anode) or a negative electric current was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. Bacterial adhesion was from a flowing suspension of high ionic strength, after which the bacterial suspension was replaced by a low ionic strength solution without bacteria and currents ranging from -800 to +800 microA were applied. Streptococcus oralis J22 desorbed during application of a positive and negative electric current with a desorption probability that increased with increasing electric current. Two actinomyces strains, however, could not be stimulated to desorb by the electric currents applied. The desorption forces acting on adhering bacteria are electroosmotic in origin and working parallel to the electrode surface in case of a positive current, whereas they are electrophoretic and electrostatic in origin and working perpendicular to the surface in case of a negative current. By comparison of the effect of positive and negative electric currents, it can be concluded that parallel forces are more effective in stimulating bacterial desorption than perpendicular forces. The results of this study point to a new pathway of cleaning industrial and biomedical surfaces without the use of detergents or biocides.
Nucleation and propagation of the collagen triple helix in single-chain and trimerized peptides: transition from third to first order kinetics.

The kinetics of triple helix formation from single non-crosslinked peptide chains were studied for the collagen models (ProProGly)10 and (ProHypGly)10 in a broad concentration range and compared with those in nucleated trimers. At very low peptide concentrations the reaction order is 3 but decreases at higher concentrations. For (ProProGly)10 the third order rate constant is 800 M(-2) x s(-1) at 7 degrees C, which corresponds to a very long half time of 15 hours at 60 microM chain concentration. For (ProHypGly)10 the rate constant is about 1000-fold higher, which is consistent with the stabilizing effect of 4-hydroxyproline in collagens. The concentration dependence of the reaction order is explained by a nucleation mechanism in which a very unstable dimer is in fast equilibrium with the monomeric chains and addition of the third chain occurs in a rate-limiting step. At high concentrations nucleation is faster than propagation of helix formation and propagation becomes rate-limiting. To test this hypothesis an artificial nucleus was introduced by fusion of (ProProGly)10 with the trimeric foldon domain of T4 phage or the crosslinking domain of collagen III GlyProProGlyProCysCysGlyGlyGly. These domains were recombinantly attached to the C terminus of (GlyProPro)10 and link the three chains in a similar way to the C-terminal propeptide domain in collagen III. This results in a local intrinsic chain concentration of about 1 M. A first order reaction is observed for the folding of the triple helix in (GlyProPro)10foldon with a half time of 8.3 minutes, which approximately matches the rate of folding from single chains at 1 M peptide concentration. A high activation energy of 54 kJ/mol is found for this reaction, whereas the temperature dependence of the nucleation step is close to zero, confirming earlier findings on natural collagens that cis-trans isomerization of peptide bonds is the rate-limiting step in propagation.
Studies on voltage fluctuation in the integration of wind power plants using probabilistic load flow

A new method for analyzing voltage fluctuation in the integration of wind power plants using probabilistic load flow is presented in this paper. This method takes many probabilistic factors into consideration such as the generation output variations of wind power plants, load fluctuations, generator outages and branch outages, and then by probabilistic load flow calculation, not only the probabilistic distributions of nodal voltages are obtained, but also voltage fluctuations can be demonstrated. Moreover, the proposed method may help the optimization of reactive power compensation at wind power plants. In addition, a three-parameter Weibull distribution model that takes the location parameter into account is proposed to describe wind speed random fluctuation. Compared with the two-parameter Weibull distribution model, the impact of high speed wind on the power output of the wind turbine is considered by the presented model. Therefore, more satisfactory results can be obtained in the evaluation. The computation results of the IEEE RTS-24 test system with a wind power plant not only show the effectiveness of this method but also indicate that it can provide instructions on reactive power compensation, the location of a wind power plant, generation scheduling and dispatching. As a result, it is a useful tool for electrical engineers to study the voltage quality of the grid and choose a suitable integration location for a wind farm.
Effect of juvenile hormone on senescence in males with terminal investment

Senescence, a decline in survival and reproductive prospects with age, is controlled by hormones. In insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is involved in senescence with captive individuals, but its effect under natural conditions is unknown. We have addressed this gap by increasing JH levels in young and old wild males of the damselfly Hetaerina americana. We assessed survival in males that were treated with a JH analogue (methoprene), which is known to promote sexual activity, and an immune challenge, which is known to promote terminal investment in reproduction in the studied species. We replicated the same procedure in captivity (to control for environmental variation), where males were deprived of any activity or food. We expected old males to show the lowest survival after being treated with JH and immune‐challenged, because the effect of terminal investment on senescence would be exacerbated by JH. However, this should be the case for wild animals, but not for captive animals, as the effects of JH and immune challenge should lead to an increase in high energetic‐demanding activities only occurring in the wild. Old animals died sooner compared with young animals in both the wild and captivity, confirming that males are subject to senescence. In wild but not captive animals, JH decreased survival in young males and increased it in old males, confirming that JH is sensitive to the environment when shaping animal senescence. Immune challenge had no effect on survival, suggesting no effect of terminal investment on senescence. Additionally, contrary to the expected effects of terminal investment, with an immune challenge, recapture rates increased in young males and decreased in old males. Our results show that male senescence in the wild is mediated by JH and that terminal investment does not cause senescence. One explanation is that animals undergoing senescence and terminal investment modify their feeding behaviour to compensate for their physiological state.
Experience with intravenous glucagon infusions as a treatment for resistant neonatal hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND Based on limited anecdotal evidence, glucagon is used for the management of intractable neonatal hypoglycemia persisting in the face of high glucose administration rates. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term response of blood glucose levels to an intravenous infusion of glucagon. DESIGN A retrospective observational study in which all newborns who received glucagon infusions (usual dose, 0.5-1 mg/d) during a 5-year period were identified (N = 55). The common causes of hypoglycemia were perinatal stress, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, and maternal diabetes mellitus. Laboratory blood glucose measurements made between 24 hours before and 72 hours after the start of the glucagon infusion and the rates of glucose administration during the same period were analyzed. The effects of glucagon on sodium and platelet levels were also examined. SETTING University referral hospital. RESULTS A statistically and clinically significant rise in blood glucose concentration, from a mean of 36.3 to 93.0 mg/dL (2.02-5.17 mmol/L), was observed within 4 hours of starting glucagon administration. The change was unrelated to the cause of the hypoglycemia. The frequency of hypoglycemic episodes was significantly reduced, and no further episodes of severe hypoglycemia (glucose level, <20 mg/dL [<1.1 mmol/L]) occurred. Five patients, 4 of whom were preterm newborns with intrauterine growth restriction, required additional glycemic treatment. Seventy-five percent of newborns were thrombocytopenic before starting glucagon infusion, and in 9 newborns platelet counts decreased following glucagon infusion. There was no hyponatremia attributable to glucagon. CONCLUSION Glucagon infusions appear to be beneficial for problematic neonatal hypoglycemia of different causes.
A Longest Matching Segment Approach with Baysian Adaptation - Application to Noise-Robust Speaker Recognition

Temporal dynamics is an important feature of speech that distinguishes speech from noise, as well as distinguishing be-tween different speakers. In this paper, we present an approach to extract long-range temporal dynamics of speech for text-independent speaker recognition. We aim to maximize the noise immunity arising from the distinct temporal dynamics of speech. The new approach achieves this by identifying the longest matching segments between the training data and test data for recognition. Additionally, the new approach combines Bayesian adaptation, multicondition training and missing-feature theory to further advance the ability to model noisy speech. Experiments have been conducted on the NIST 2002 SRE database in the presence of various types of noise including fast-varying song and music. The new approach has shown improved performance over conventional noise-robust techniques.
Crystal structure of an inhibitor complex of the 3C proteinase from hepatitis A virus (HAV) and implications for the polyprotein processing in HAV.

The proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein is an essential step during the life cycle of hepatitis A virus (HAV), as it is in all positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses of animals. In HAV the 3C proteinase is the only proteolytic activity involved in the polyprotein processing. The specific recognition of the cleavage sites by the 3C proteinase depends on the amino acid sequence of the cleavage site. The structure of the complex of the HAV 3C proteinase and a dipeptide inhibitor has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The double-mutant of HAV 3C (C24S, F82A) was inhibited with the specific inhibitor iodoacetyl-valyl-phenylalanyl-amide. The resulting complex had an acetyl-Val-Phe-amide group covalently attached to the S(gamma) atom of the nucleophilic Cys 172 of the enzyme. Crystals of the complex of HAV 3C (C24S, F82A) acetyl-Val-Phe-amide were found to be monoclinic, space group P2(1), having 4 molecules in the asymmetric unit and diffracting to 1.9-A resolution. The final refined structure consists of 4 molecules of HAV 3C (C24S,F82A) acetyl-Val-Phe-amide, 1 molecule of DMSO, 1 molecule of glycerol, and 514 water molecules. There are considerable conformational differences among the four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The final R-factor is 20.4% for all observed reflections between 15.0- and 1.9-A resolution and the corresponding R(free) is 29.8%. The dipeptide inhibitor is bound to the S(1)(') and S(2)(') specificity subsites of the proteinase. The crystal structure reveals that the HAV 3C proteinase possesses a well-defined S(2)(') specificity pocket and suggests that the P(2)(') residue could be an important determinant for the selection of the primary cleavage site during the polyprotein processing in HAV.
Identification of candidate causal genes and their associated pathogenic mechanisms underlying teratozoospermia based on the spermatozoa transcript profiles

Teratozoospermia with unclear pathomechanism is one of the common causes for failed fertilisation. This study aimed to further explore the pathological mechanism for teratozoospermia. Spermatozoal transcript profiles generated from 13 normal fertile men and eight infertile males with a consistent severe heterogeneous teratozoospermia were used. These data were pre‐processed, and differentially expressed genes were screened. Besides, gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed, and then, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and spermatogenesis‐related genes in the PPI network were extracted. As a result, 366 up‐regulated and 2158 down‐regulated genes were identified. Multiple gene ontology terms and pathways including cell–cell signalling and reproduction enriched by differentially expressed genes were obtained. Moreover, four clusters including cluster 1 associated with RNA catabolic process were identified from the PPI network. In addition, genes including cyclin B1, proteasome (prosome, macropain) activator subunit 4, Rac GTPase‐activating protein 1 and pituitary tumour‐transforming 1 were received. In conclusion, abnormal expression of cyclin B1 and Rac GTPase‐activating protein 1, still proteasome (prosome, macropain) activator subunit 4 and pituitary tumour‐transforming 1 would impede cell cycle progression during sperm development and maturation, which may contribute to the occurrence and development of teratozoospermia.
The Retina of Tyrant Flycatchers: Topographic Organization of Neuronal Density and Size in the Ganglion Cell Layer of the Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus and the Rusty Margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis (Aves: Tyrannidae)

Tyrant flycatchers comprise the largest group of passerine birds of the Neotropical region but their retinal organization is unknown. The great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, is categorized as a supreme generalist and utilizes a variety of foraging strategies. The rusty margined flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis, is partially frugivorous and captures insects in the air. Using retinal wholemounts, we described the topographic distribution of density and size of neurons lying in the retinal ganglion cell layer in those two species of tyrant flycatchers. Maps of neuron distribution showing isodensity contours revealed the presence of a pronounced central fovea and a temporal area in both species. Both retinal specializations were circumscribed by an inconspicuous horizontal visual streak. The highest foveal densities ranged from 48,000 to 55,000 cells/mm2 for Pitangus sulphuratus and between 62,000 and 65,000 cells/mm2 for Myiozetetes cayanensis. The peak density in the temporal area was around 40,000 cells/mm2 for Pitangus sulphuratus and 46,000 cells/mm2 for Myiozetetes cayanensis. At central, mid-peripheral and peripheral eccentricities, perikaryon size varied quite similarly in both species. A cohort of giant retinal ganglion cells with perikaryon size > 300 µm2 was observed at the temporal periphery and defines an ‘area giganto cellularis’ described previously in procellariiform seabirds. This specialization is thought to be involved in movement detection and could aid the tyrant flycatchers to capture moving prey. Functionally, the presence of a fovea associated with a temporal area would allow high spatial resolution for capturing insects by the tyrant flycatchers. Nonetheless, even though both species exhibit different foraging strategies, they shared a similar topographic arrangement of neuronal density in the ganglion cell layer. This suggests that the retinal topography did not accompany changes in the foraging ecology throughout evolutionary history for these species of tyrant flycatchers.
Polo-like kinase confers MPF autoamplification competence to growing Xenopus oocytes

During oogenesis, the Xenopus oocyte is blocked in prophase of meiosis I. It becomes competent to resume meiosis in response to progesterone at the end of its growing period (stage VI of oogenesis). Stage IV oocytes contain a store of inactive pre-MPF (Tyr15-phosphorylated Cdc2 bound to cyclin B2); the Cdc25 phosphatase that catalyzes Tyr15 dephosphorylation of Cdc2 is also present. However, the positive feedback loop that allows MPF autoamplification is not functional at this stage of oocyte growth. We report that when cyclin B is overexpressed in stage IV oocytes, MPF autoamplification does not occur and the newly formed cyclin B-Cdc2 complexes are inactivated by Tyr15 phosphorylation, indicating that Myt1 kinase remains active and that Cdc25 is prevented to be activated. Plx1 kinase (or polo-like kinase), which is required for Cdc25 activation and MPF autoamplification in full grown oocytes is not expressed at the protein level in small stage IV oocytes. In order to determine if Plx1 could be the missing regulator that prevents MPF autoamplification, polo kinase was overexpressed in stage IV oocytes. Under these conditions, the MPF-positive feedback loop was restored. Moreover, we show that acquisition of autoamplification competence does not require the Mos/MAPK pathway.
DNA and telomeres: beginnings and endings

How a cell deals with its DNA ends is a question that returns us to the very beginnings of modern telomere biology. It is also a question we are still asking today because it is absolutely essential that a cell correctly distinguishes between natural chromosomal DNA ends and broken DNA ends, then processes each appropriately – preserving the one, rejoining the other. Effective end-capping of mammalian telomeres has a seemingly paradoxical requirement for proteins more commonly associated with DNA double strand break (DSB) repair. Ku70, Ku80, DNA-PKcs (the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase), Xrcc4 and Artemis all participate in DSB repair through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ). Somewhat surprisingly, mutations in any of these genes cause spontaneous chromosomal end-to-end fusions that maintain large blocks of telomeric sequence at the points of fusion, suggesting loss or failure of a critical terminal structure, rather than telomere shortening, is at fault. Nascent telomeres produced via leading-strand DNA synthesis are especially susceptible to these end-to-end fusions, suggesting a crucial difference in the postreplicative processing of telomeres that is linked to their mode of replication. Here we will examine the dual roles played by DNA repair proteins. Our review of this rapidly advancing field primarily will focus on mammalian cells, and cannot include even all of this. Despite these limitations, we hope the review will serve as a useful gateway to the literature, and will help to frame the major issues in this exciting and rapidly progressing field. Our apologies to those whose work we are unable to include.
Plant Defensin type 1 (PDF1): protein promiscuity and expression variation within the Arabidopsis genus shed light on zinc tolerance acquisition in Arabidopsis halleri.

Plant defensins are recognized for their antifungal properties. However, a few type 1 defensins (PDF1s) were identified for their cellular zinc (Zn) tolerance properties after a study of the metal extremophile Arabidopsis halleri. In order to investigate whether different paralogues would display specialized functions, the A. halleri PDF1 family was characterized at the functional and genomic levels. Eleven PDF1s were isolated from A. halleri. Their ability to provide Zn tolerance in yeast cells, their activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonii, and their level of expression in planta were compared with those of the seven A. thaliana PDF1s. The genomic organization of the PDF1 family was comparatively analysed within the Arabidopsis genus. AhPDF1s and AtPDF1s were able to confer Zn tolerance and AhPDF1s also displayed antifungal activity. PDF1 transcripts were constitutively more abundant in A. halleri than in A. thaliana. Within the Arabidopsis genus, the PDF1 family is evolutionarily dynamic, in terms of gain and loss of gene copy. Arabidopsis halleri PDF1s display no superior abilities to provide Zn tolerance. A constitutive increase in AhPDF1 transcript accumulation is proposed to be an evolutionary innovation co-opting the promiscuous PDF1 protein for its contribution to Zn tolerance in A. halleri.
An Analysis of the Behavior of Tourism Demand in Spain: an Application of Cointegrating Techniques

This paper analyze the relationship between the evolution of the demand of the Spanish economy with respect to the main components of tourism expenditure and the degree of dependence on the economic performance of the main tourist outbound countries to Spain. Cointegration techniques are explained to investigate the existence of a relationship between these variables. If this connection is detected it could be estimate error correction models. Specifically, this paper analyzes the behavior of these variables through unit root tests to develop models to detect more accurately these relationships.