Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and functional characterization of human 11β hydroxylase expressed in Escherichia coli

The human 11β‐hydroxylase (hCYP11B1) is responsible for the conversion of 11‐deoxycortisol into the major mammalian glucocorticoid, cortisol. The reduction equivalents needed for this reaction are provided via a short electron transfer chain consisting of a [2Fe‐2S] ferredoxin and a FAD‐containing reductase. On the biochemical and biophysical level, little is known about hCYP11B1 because it is very unstable for analyses performed in vitro. This instability is also the reason why it has not been possible to stably express it so far in Escherichia coli and subsequently purify it. In the present study, we report on the successful and reproducible purification of recombinant hCYP11B1 coexpressed with molecular chaperones GroES/GroEL in E. coli. The protein was highly purified to apparent homogeneity, as observed by SDS/PAGE. Upon mass spectrometry, the mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) of the protein was estimated to be 55 761, which is consistent with the value 55 760.76 calculated for the form lacking the translational initiator Met. The functionality of hCYP11B1 was analyzed using different methods (substrate conversion assays, stopped‐flow, Biacore). The results clearly demonstrate that the enzyme is capable of hydroxylating its substrates at position 11‐beta. Moreover, the determined NADPH coupling percentage for the hCYP11B1 catalyzed reactions using either 11‐deoxycortisol or 11‐deoxycorticosterone as substrates was approximately 75% in both cases. Biacore and stopped‐flow measurements indicate that hCYP11B1 possesses more than one binding site for its redox partner adrenodoxin, possibly resulting in the formation of more than one productive complexes. In addition, we performed CD measurements to obtain information about the structure of hCYP11B1.
Partitioning of tryptophan side-chain analogs between water and cyclohexane.

We have measured the partitioning of the tryptophan side-chain analogs 3-methylindole and N-methylindole between water and cyclohexane over the temperature range 8-55 degrees C to investigate the relative contribution of the imine-NH- to the free energy of transfer. We take advantage of the fact that the indole imine nitrogen is blocked by a methyl group in N-methylindole. Unlike previous studies, we take into account the water present in the cyclohexane phase. Free energies of partitioning were calculated using mole-fraction, volume-fraction, and Flory-Huggins-corrected volume-fraction partition coefficients [De Young, L. R. , & Dill, K. A. (1990) J. Phys. Chem. 94, 801-809; Sharp, K. A. , Nicholls, A. , Friedman, R. , & Honig, B. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 9686-9697]. These approaches account for configurational entropy changes in different ways and thus lead to different values for the calculated free energies of transfer. There is a 2-3-fold difference in the free energies calculated from our measurements, using the different units. Independent of units, the partitioning of both compounds involves identical entropy changes. However, 3-methylindole has an additional unfavorable enthalpic contribution to partitioning into cyclohexane of +1.6 kcal/mol (independent of units) which is presumably the cost of removing the indole -NH- group from water and transferring it to cyclohexane. In cyclohexane, 3-methylindole forms hydrogen bonds with water that cause water to copartition into cyclohexane with the solute. A method is described which allows the partitioning process to be examined independent of subsequent interactions with water in the solvent.
Do football teams learn from changing coaches? A test of the deceleration hypothesis

Abstract The paper explores the nature of change and finds evidence in favor of deceleration hypothesis: prior changes of a given type decrease the likelihood of a subsequent change of the same type while controlling for unobserved heterogeneity. We analyze leadership changes by explaining factors that influence football teams to replace their coaches. We use panel data for 33 National Football League’s teams from 1976 to 2008.
The Current Status of Stem Cell Regeneration in Intra Oral Applications—A Systematic Review

Aim: 1) To review the literature of various applications of stem cell regeneration in dentistry from 2010 to 2016. 2) To review these studies and to summarize the current status of stem cell regeneration in intra oral applications. 3) To present the available successful data with regard to stem cell regeneration in dentistry and to highlight the future trends. Materials and Methods: Search Protocol: A systematic search was made in the PubMed database with the key words gingiva, papillary reconstruction, periodontal ligament, dental pulp, salivary gland, enamel re-mineralization, dentin, cementum, bone, whole tooth, cleft palate, regeneration and stem cells. All articles from 2010 to 2016, relevant to the topic were included. After the search a total of 1826 articles were obtained which were screened and categorized by three independent reviewers as review papers, in vitro, animal and human studies, pertaining to stem cell regeneration in intra oral applications. On the basis of the extracted data and outcome measures, conclusions were drawn. Results: Maximum number of animal studies has been done to regenerate periodontal tissues, bone, dentin and pulp tissues. Few human studies have been done till date. Although clinically, researchers have been able to regenerate periodontal-like tissue, bone and pulp-like tissue, they still haven’t been able to regenerate tissues that completely resemble tissues in their natural form. Conclusion: The future of stem cell therapy in dental applications looks promising. The predictability and efficacy of outcomes, as well as safety concerns of stem cell therapy is yet to be fully established. Ongoing research and development of newer scaffolds, understanding various signaling molecules and their cues, understanding gene expression and proteomics of stem cells are the future directions that will take us a step forward to achieving successful regeneration.
TRiC subunits enhance BDNF axonal transport and rescue striatal atrophy in Huntington’s disease

Significance Degeneration of the corticostriatal circuit is a key neuropathological and clinical feature of Huntington’s disease (HD). To define disease mechanisms and explore treatments, we recreated the corticostriatal circuit in microfluidic chambers using neurons from the BACHD mouse model of HD and WT controls. We showed that expression of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) induced defects in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transport in BACHD cortical axons that resulted in atrophy of striatal target neurons. Introducing subunits of the cytosolic chaperonin T-complex 1 (TCP-1) ring complex (TRiC) into BACHD cortical neurons reduced mHTT, rescued defects in BDNF transport, and normalized the size of striatal neurons. These findings encourage studies to explore a role for TRiC reagents as possible treatments for HD. Corticostriatal atrophy is a cardinal manifestation of Huntington’s disease (HD). However, the mechanism(s) by which mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein contributes to the degeneration of the corticostriatal circuit is not well understood. We recreated the corticostriatal circuit in microfluidic chambers, pairing cortical and striatal neurons from the BACHD model of HD and its WT control. There were reduced synaptic connectivity and atrophy of striatal neurons in cultures in which BACHD cortical and striatal neurons were paired. However, these changes were prevented if WT cortical neurons were paired with BACHD striatal neurons; synthesis and release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from WT cortical axons were responsible. Consistent with these findings, there was a marked reduction in anterograde transport of BDNF in BACHD cortical neurons. Subunits of the cytosolic chaperonin T-complex 1 (TCP-1) ring complex (TRiC or CCT for chaperonin containing TCP-1) have been shown to reduce mHTT levels. Both CCT3 and the apical domain of CCT1 (ApiCCT1) decreased the level of mHTT in BACHD cortical neurons. In cortical axons, they normalized anterograde BDNF transport, restored retrograde BDNF transport, and normalized lysosomal transport. Importantly, treating BACHD cortical neurons with ApiCCT1 prevented BACHD striatal neuronal atrophy by enhancing release of BDNF that subsequently acts through tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor on striatal neurons. Our findings are evidence that TRiC reagent-mediated reductions in mHTT enhanced BDNF delivery to restore the trophic status of BACHD striatal neurons.
A new two-dimensional transfer functions for volume rendering

Most direct volume rendering produced today still employ one-dimensional (1D) transfer function. The 1D transfer function is very convenient, but their capability for extracting specific material boundaries is not entirely satisfactory. The two-dimensional (2D) transfer functions are known as a very effective way to extract specific material boundaries and convey subtle surface properties, though they are not convenient enough for operators. That makes the 2D transfer functions not been wildly used yet. This paper demonstrates a new 2D transfer functions which based on 1D transfer function and combined with methods of traditional 2D transfer functions. That means this new 2D transfer functions are convenient as the 1D function and capable as the traditional 2D transfer functions.
A COMPARISON OF IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR LIMITING EXPOSURE TO EMF INCLUDING THE SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE

A comparison of Eastern (from Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, and the Czech Republic) and Western (represented by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers standards) radiofrequency standards reveals key differences. The Eastern approach is to protect against non-thermal effects caused by chronic exposure to low level exposure, and the occupational basic restriction is power load (the product of intensity and exposure duration). In contrast, the Western approach is to protect against established acute biological effects that could signal an adverse health effect, and the principal basic restriction is the specific absorption rate to protect against thermal effects. All of the standards are science-based, but a fundamental difference arises from a lack of agreement on the composition of the reference scientific database and of which adverse effect needs to be protected against. However, differences also exist between the ICNIRP and IEEE standards. An additional complication arises when standards are derived or modified using a precautionary approach. For ELF the differences between ICNIRP and IEEE are more fundamental; namely, differences in the basic restriction used (induced current; in-situ electric field) and the location of breakpoints in the strength-frequency curves result in large differences. In 2006, ICNIRP will initiate the review of their ELF and radiofrequency guidelines, and this will provide an opportunity to address differences in standards and the move towards harmonization of EMF standards and guidelines.
Arthroscopic Anatomic Single Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has become a commonly performed procedure. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated that conventional singlebundle ACL reconstruction techniques are only successful in limiting anterior tibial translation but less effective for restoring rotatory laxity. Aim of the work: The purpose of this study was to report the results of anatomic single bundle (ACL) reconstruction by two anteromedial portals technique. Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on thirty patients with complete ACL tear in Zagazig University in Sharqia between 2012 and 2014. All patients were treated by anatomic single bundle ACL reconstruction using two anteromedial portals. The patients were followed up for 24 months. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores were used for comparing the pre and postoperative results. Results: At the final follow up, the Lysholm score was 29 patients (96.7%) had excellent and good results, while 1 patient (3.3%) had fair results with final postoperative mean (93.4±16.8). The IKDC score was 29 patients (96.7%) were normal(A) and near normal(B), while 1 patient(3.3%) was abnormal(C). The pivot shift and Lachman tests were negative in 27 patients(90%). The results are statistically significant. Conclusion: Anatomic single bundle ACL reconstruction by two anteromedial portals is an effective surgical technique that restores the rotational stability with excellent clinical results.
Homeobox Genes Exhibit Evolutionary Conserved Regionalization in the Central Nervous System of an Ascidian Larva

Abstract Animals in each subgroup of the phylum Chordata exhibit a similar process by which they form a tubular central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about spatial relationship among the CNSs of chordates; vertebrates, cephalochordates and urochordates (tunicates). Ascidians constitute a major animal group in the subphylum Urochordata. In the present study, we examined the expression patterns of labial and orthodenticle related genes of the ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, in the developing larval CNS. These homeobox genes exhibited region-specific expression patterns that are strikingly similar to those of murine Hoxb-1 and Otx2. The regionalization as characterized by the expression of these genes supports the division of the ascidian larval CNS suggested by the previous morphological studies. Furthermore, conservation of the expression pattern of the homeobox genes suggests that such regionalization occurred in the CNS of a putative common ancestor of chordates.
Large scale MD simulations of nucleation

We present preliminary results from large scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of homogenous vapor to liquid nucleation. The simulations contain between one and eight billion Lennard-Jones atoms and were run for up to 56 million time-steps. The large particle numbers (over 104 times larger than previous simulations, see e.g. [2]) have several advantages: i) Resolving and quantifying nucleation at low supersaturations becomes possible within an accessible number of simulation time-steps, in spite of the very slow nucleation. ii) Even after forming many stable droplets the depletion of the vapor phase is negligible, i.e. the supersaturation remains constant during the simulations. iii) Excellent statistics on liquid droplet abundances and microscopic properties over a wide range in droplet sizes. iv) Simulations can be run efficiently on a large number of cpus. First, direct comparisons to laboratory experiments[6] are now possible: we find excellent agreement in the nucleation rates at kT = 0.3e and s.
Agent virtuel signeur - Aide à la communication des personnes sourdes

Les travaux presentes dans cette these sont dedies a la conception et l'animation d'entites virtuelles autonomes et realistes, capables de generer des gestes de la Langue des Signes. L'accent est mis sur la qualite expressive des gestes. Nous montrons que les aspects expressifs du geste, en plus de conferer au mouvement un aspect realiste, participent a la construction du sens dans le cadre de la visee iconisatrice de la langue des signes. Nous proposons un modele du discours prenant en compte les visees illustrative et non illustrative de la langue des signes ainsi que ses principales structures de grande iconicite. Ce modele appelle une specification des gestes capable de gerer les differentes modes expressifs. Une phase d'analyse nous permet ensuite d'identifier certains parametres d'expressivite. Cette analyse s'applique sur une sequence de gestes en langue des signes francaise realisee par un locuteur sourd selon differentes qualites expressives. Enfin, nous proposons une methode de generation de mouvement compatible avec le modele de description des gestes. Cette methode de generation met en oeuvre differentes methodes de generation de mouvement dont un modele de controle sensorimoteur capable de s'adapter aux variabilites spatiales et temporelles induites par les parametres d'expressivite.
Myocardial and coronary endothelial protective effects of acetylcholine after myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion in rats: role of nitric oxide

1 Recent experiments suggest that acetylcholine (ACh) may exert myocardial protective effects during ischaemia (I) and reperfusion (R). The present study was designed (i) to assess whether ACh limits infarct size and protects coronary endothelial cells in a rat model of I and R, (ii) to evaluate the role of ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and nitric oxide (NO) in the beneficial effect of ACh (iii) to evaluate whether the protective effect of ACh also extends to coronary endothelial cells and (iv) to assess whether ACh contributes to the beneficial effect of preconditioning. 2 Anaesthetized rats were subjected to 20 min I (left coronary artery occlusion) and 2 h of R. Infarct size was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) staining and expressed as a % of the area at risk (India ink injection). Vascular studies were performed on 1.5–2 mm coronary segments (internal diameter 250–300 μm) removed distal to the site of occlusion and mounted in wire myographs. 3 ACh limited infarct size (from 59 ± 3 to 26 ± 5%, P < 0.01), and this was prevented by atropine (46 ± 7%; P < 0.05 vs ACh), but not by the inhibitor of KATP channels, glibenclamide (29 ± 8%). The inhibitor of NO synthesis NG‐nitro l‐arginine did not affect infarct size (54 ± 5%) but abolished the beneficial effect of ACh (59 ± 8%; P < 0.05 vs ACh), whereas the NO donor 3‐morpholinosydnonimine‐N‐ethylcarbamide (SIN‐1 limited infarct size to the same extent as ACh (28 ± 6%). Preconditioning also limited infarct size (5 ± 2%, P < 0.01 vs control), and this was not affected by atropine (6 ± 2%). I and R induced a significant decrease in the endothelium‐dependent relaxations of isolated coronary arteries to ACh (maximal response: sham: 58 ± 4; I/R: 25 ± 5%; P < 0.01) and this dysfunction was prevented by prior in vivo treatment with ACh (55 ± 7%; P < 0.01 vs I/R) or (SIN‐1 50 ± 5%; P < 0.05 vs I/R). 4 Thus, in the rat model, ACh is able to stimulate potent endogenous protective mechanisms during I and R, which are evident both at the level of myocardial and coronary endothelial cells, and appear entirely mediated through the production of NO. Pharmacological stimulation of this endogenous protective mechanism may constitute a new approach in the treatment of acute myocaridal ischaemia.
Client Violence Against Youth Care Workers: Findings of an Exploratory Study of Workforce Issues in Residential Treatment

Residential treatment centers (RTCs) for youth are plagued by high turnover of youth care workers who provide round-the-clock treatment and supervision to youth with severe affective and behavioral problems. This article presents findings from a 15-month ethnographic study of workforce issues in one RTC related to youth care workers’ exposure to client violence (CV). Findings are based on 65 semistructured interviews and 490 hours of participant observation with consenting employees. Participants reported CV incidents, including punching, kicking, biting, hair pulling, choking, threats or assaults with a weapon, and other physical and sexualized violence. Workers viewed CV as an inevitable aspect of youth care work that could be reduced—though not eliminated—through proper use of de-escalation and behavior management techniques. Participants reported that exposure to CV sometimes resulted in serious physical injury and/or missed work, as well as substance abuse, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and memory loss. Participants reported that CV was the most difficult part of their jobs and cited it as a reason for leaving or wishing to leave youth care work. We conceptualize youth care workers in RTCs as a vulnerable class whose biopsychosocial well-being must be protected to better serve the vulnerable youth in their care. To that end, we suggest directions for future research on CV in residential treatment and propose measures RTCs can take immediately to better understand and prevent CV in their organizations.
ECDC publishes 2013 surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial consumption in Europe.

On the occasion of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November 2016, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control will release 2015 data on antimicrobial resistance [1] and antimicrobial consumption [2] from 30 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The data are accompanied by summaries highlighting the latest trends [3,4].
Optimal kernels for unsupervised learning

We investigate the optimal kernel for sample-based model selection in unsupervised learning if maximum likelihood approaches are intractable. Given a set of training data and a set of data generated by the model, two kernel density estimators are constructed. A model is selected through gradient descent w.r. t. the model parameters on the integrated squared difference between the density estimators. Firstly we prove that convergence is optimal, i.e. that the cost function has only one global minimum w.r. t. the locations of the model samples, if and only if the kernel in the reparametrized cost function is a Coulomb kernel. As a consequence, Gaussian kernels commonly used for density estimators are suboptimal. Secondly we show that the absolute value of the difference between model and reference density converges at least with 1/t. Finally, we apply the new methods to distribution free ICA and to nonlinear ICA.
Dimorphecolic Acid Is Synthesized by the Coordinate Activities of Two Divergent Δ12-Oleic Acid Desaturases*

Dimorphecolic acid (9-OH-18:2Δ10trans,12trans) is the major fatty acid of seeds of Dimorphotheca species. This fatty acid contains structural features that are not typically found in plant fatty acids, including a C-9 hydroxyl group, Δ10,Δ12-conjugated double bonds, and trans-Δ12 unsaturation. Expressed sequence tag analysis was conducted to determine the biosynthetic origin of dimorphecolic acid. cDNAs for two divergent forms of Δ12-oleic acid desaturase, designated DsFAD2-1 and Ds-FAD2-2, were identified among expressed sequence tags generated from developing Dimorphotheca sinuata seeds. Expression of DsFAD2-1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and soybean somatic embryos resulted in the accumulation of the trans-Δ12 isomer of linoleic acid (18: 2Δ9cis,12trans) rather than the more typical cis-Δ12 isomer. When co-expressed with DsFAD2-1 in soybean embryos or yeast, DsFAD2-2 converted 18:2Δ9cis,12trans into dimorphecolic acid. When DsFAD2-2 was expressed alone in soybean embryos or together with a typical cis-Δ12-oleic acid desaturase in yeast, trace amounts of the cis-Δ12 isomer of dimorphecolic acid (9-OH-18:2Δ9cis,12cis) were formed from DsFAD2-2 activity with cis-Δ12-linoleic acid. These results indicate that DsFAD2-2 catalyzes the conversion of the Δ9 double bond of linoleic acid into a C-9 hydroxyl group and Δ10trans double bond and displays a substrate preference for the trans-Δ12, rather than the cis-Δ12, isomer of linoleic acid. Overall these data are consistent with a biosynthetic pathway of dimorphecolic acid involving the concerted activities of DsFAD2-1 and DsFAD2-2. The evolution of two divergent Δ12-oleic acid desaturases for the biosynthesis of an unusual fatty acid is unprecedented in plants.