Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A dual role of human tRNA methyltransferase hTrmt13 in regulating translation and transcription

Since numerous RNAs and RBPs prevalently localize to active chromatin regions, many RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) may be potential transcriptional regulators. RBPs are generally thought to regulate transcription via noncoding RNAs. Here, we describe a distinct, dual mechanism of transcriptional regulation by the previously uncharacterized tRNA‐modifying enzyme, hTrmt13. On one hand, hTrmt13 acts in the cytoplasm to catalyze 2'‐O‐methylation of tRNAs, thus regulating translation in a manner depending on its tRNA‐modification activity. On the other hand, nucleus‐localized hTrmt13 directly binds DNA as a transcriptional co‐activator of key epithelial–mesenchymal transition factors, thereby promoting cell migration independent of tRNA‐modification activity. These dual functions of hTrmt13 are mutually exclusive, as it can bind either DNA or tRNA through its CHHC zinc finger domain. Finally, we find that hTrmt13 expression is tightly associated with poor prognosis and survival in diverse cancer patients. Our discovery of the noncatalytic roles of an RNA‐modifying enzyme provides a new perspective for understanding epitranscriptomic regulation.
Cystatin C and mortality risk in the general population: systematic review and dose response meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Cystatin C has been identified as an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. This meta-analysis to evaluate the association between serum cystatin C level and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. We additionally conducted a dose-response analysis to examine a linear association between cystatin C and cardiovascular mortality. Methods PudMed and Embase databases were searched until January, 2021. All prospective cohort studies that reported a multivariate-adjusted risk estimated of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for the highest compared with lowest cystatin C level were included. Results 13 prospective cohort studies, a total of 57,214 participants were included in this analysis. Meta-analysis indicated that the highest compared with lowest cystatin C level was associated with an increase of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.01; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.60–2.53; I 2=89%) and cardiovascular mortality (2.62 [1.96–3.51]; I 2=52%). We found a significant log-linear dose-response association between cystatin C and cardiovascular mortality (p < 0.01). Every 0.1 mg/L increase in cystatin C level was associated with a 7.3% increased cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions Elevated serum cystatin C is associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general populations. Particularly, cystatin C level and cardiovascular mortality showed linear correlation.
Stereotypes About Battered Women and Victim’s Self-Defense: Legal Implications

Recent research on the practices of justice operators with women victims of intimate partner violence has evidenced the existence of gender stereotypes and gender-blind practices in the Spanish legal system (Albertín et al., 2020; García Jiménez et al., 2019, 2020), as well as the graves consequences that such practices imply for these women. In this context, the present study explored the existence of a battered woman stereotype and its variation when the victim defends herself from the abuser. An opportunity sample of 505 undergraduates of Law, Psychology and other studies from two Spanish universities assessed some personality characteristics of a woman after watching a 1-minute-long silent video. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three observation conditions (“control”, “victim” or “self-defense victim”), which differed in the previous information given about the target woman. The Principal Components Analysis reduced the information from the questionnaire to three dimensions: “brittleness” (α = .91), “positive” (α = .786), and “hostile” (α = .809). The MANOVA confirmed the battered woman stereotype and its modification when the victim reacts against the abuser in self-defense: in this case the attribution of brittleness decreases and the attribution of hostility increases. The type of academic training showed significant effects on the stereotype, this being more negative among Law students than among Psychology ones. Law students perceive the target woman in the “victim” condition more hostile and manipulator. As for the “self-defense” condition, Law students attribute less brittleness to the victim, and perceive her more manipulator and dangerous. The effect of the observer's gender on the stereotype is consistent with the previous literature. Implications for professional training and judicial practices are discussed.
Autistic characteristics in eating disorders: Treatment adaptations and impact on clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Autistic people with eating disorders (EDs) may have special needs that are not met in standard ED treatment, raising the need for treatment adaptations to accommodate co-existing autism spectrum condition (ASC). Little is currently known about the nature of existing treatment options or adaptations for this population. We conducted a pre-registered systematic review to: (1) identify research articles describing existing interventions for patients with ED and comorbid ASC, and to critically review evidence of their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (Review 1); (2) review the impact of ASC comorbidity on ED clinical outcomes (Review 2). METHOD Peer-reviewed studies published until the end of December 2020 were identified through a systematic search of the electronic databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane Library. RESULTS Only one clinical pathway of treatment adaptations (the 'PEACE' pathway) was identified in Review 1 with early evidence of cost-savings and favourable treatment outcomes. ASC characteristics were shown in Review 2 to have no direct impact on physical outcomes or ED symptoms, but could be associated with higher rates of comorbidities and greater use of intensive ED treatment. Additionally, patients with ASC characteristics may benefit more from individual sessions, rather than group sessions. CONCLUSIONS Any new treatments or treatment adaptations may not directly impact on ED symptoms, but may be better able to support the complex needs of the ASC population, thus reducing subsequent need for intensive treatment. Future research is warranted to explore evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness of interventions for this population.
Higher order visual areas enhance stimulus responsiveness in mouse primary visual cortex

Abstract Over the past few years, the various areas that surround the primary visual cortex (V1) in the mouse have been associated with many functions, ranging from higher order visual processing to decision-making. Recently, some studies have shown that higher order visual areas influence the activity of the primary visual cortex, refining its processing capabilities. Here, we studied how in vivo optogenetic inactivation of two higher order visual areas with different functional properties affects responses evoked by moving bars in the primary visual cortex. In contrast with the prevailing view, our results demonstrate that distinct higher order visual areas similarly modulate early visual processing. In particular, these areas enhance stimulus responsiveness in the primary visual cortex, by more strongly amplifying weaker compared with stronger sensory-evoked responses (for instance specifically amplifying responses to stimuli not moving along the direction preferred by individual neurons) and by facilitating responses to stimuli entering the receptive field of single neurons. Such enhancement, however, comes at the expense of orientation and direction selectivity, which increased when the selected higher order visual areas were inactivated. Thus, feedback from higher order visual areas selectively amplifies weak sensory-evoked V1 responses, which may enable more robust processing of visual stimuli.
Trigeminal Neuralgia and Potential Correlations with Anatomical Variations of the Trigeminal Nerve.

OBJECTIVE Trigeminal neuralgia is a long-term facial pain syndrome. Our aim was to review the anatomy of the trigeminal nerve and its anatomical relationship with the adjacent structures that may contribute to the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia METHODS: Eligible articles were identified by a search of the Medline Embase, Pubmed Cinahl and Google Scholar bibliographical databases. We checked all the references of the relevant reviews and eligible articles that our search retrieved, in order to identify potentially eligible conference abstracts. Titles of interest were further reviewed by abstract. Case reports were excluded. RESULTS Trigeminal neuralgia syndrome seems to be caused by anatomical variations of the trigeminal nerve and its adjacent anatomical structures, mainly through compression. We depict the causes, the pathogenesis, and the clinical manifestations of the syndrome. The classification, diagnostic approach, differential diagnosis, and treatment modalities are also presented and they may be personalized according to the anatomical variations of the trigeminal nerve present, which may lead to trigeminal neuralgia syndrome. CONCLUSION It is very important to be very careful in cases of new emerging neuralgia and to avoid the term "idiopathic" until proven otherwise by validating the newer and more appropriate tests and diagnostic criteria. Current data are insufficient and future research is needed in order to discover innovative and more effective treatments of trigeminal neuralgia, considering the anatomy and the anatomical variations of the trigeminal nerve.
Left atrial function in male veteran endurance athletes with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Aims To assess left atrial (LA) function in sinus rhythm in veteran athletes with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) exposed to prolonged endurance exercise compared with veteran athletes without AF and controls with and without paroxysmal AF from a non-athletic population. Methods and results Three hundred and two male participants from four groups, veteran recreational skiers with paroxysmal AF (n = 62), veteran skiers without AF (n = 89), and controls from a non-athletic population with (n = 62) and without paroxysmal AF (n = 89) underwent an echocardiographic examination in sinus rhythm to evaluate LA anatomy and function. The skiers (mean age 70.8±6.7 years) reported an average exposure to regular endurance exercise for 40–50 years. LA maximum and minimum volumes were larger in skiers (P < 0.001). LA volumes differed within the athletic and non-athletic groups with larger volumes in the AF groups ( P < 0.001). We observed a considerable overlap in LA volumes among non-athletes with AF and athletes without AF. LA reservoir strain (33.6% ± 4.8% vs. 28.3% ± 6.7% P < 0.001) and contractile strain (18.3% ± 4.0% vs. 15.0% ± 5.2% P < 0.001) were lower in both AF groups regardless of athletic status. LA reservoir strain was superior to volumetric measurements at identifying participants with AF (area under the curve 0.740 ±0.041). Conclusion Male veteran athletes had significantly larger LA volumes than non-athletes. In contrast, LA strain values were similar in athletes and non-athletes with paroxysmal AF, and significantly lower than in subjects without AF.
Effect of Vegetation Types on Sarcophagidae (Diptera) in Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park, a Natural Remnant in a Highly Endangered Landscape

Abstract Species diversity can be affected by the structure of vegetation, which may vary in height, density, and distribution of trees, shrubs, and other plant types, configuring different types of habitats. In this study, we evaluated the diversity of sarcosaprophagous Sarcophagidae communities inhabiting the remnant representative habitats protected in Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park: grasslands, forests, and wetlands. We hypothesized that the abundance and diversity of flesh flies would be higher in the grasslands and wetlands than in the forest patches. Samplings were carried out in each habitat type using baited traps during the four seasons in 2015, 2016, and 2019. We collected 585 sarcophagid flies of 17 species. Fifteen species were recorded in grasslands, twelve in the wetlands, and seven in the forests, Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidua (Fabricius) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) being the most abundant (58.3% of the total sample). As expected, the highest abundance was recorded in grasslands whereas the lowest was found in forests. In addition, flesh fly abundance was affected by season. Sarcophagid assemblages differed between habitats and the overall dissimilarity was mainly explained by nestedness. This study provides important information about sarcosaprophagous sarcophagid flies in a little-studied protected natural area in Argentina, which is fundamental for their conservation and useful in forensic investigations. Graphical Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mobbing-Like Behavior against Acanthamoeba castellanii Bacterivore and Its Rapid Control by Quorum Sensing and Environmental Cues

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown previously to attack amoebae and other predators by adhering to them and injecting them with virulent substances. In this work, we show that an active, coordinated group behavior is enacted by the bacteria to utilize these molecular components, responding to both predator and bacterial population density. ABSTRACT Mobbing, group attack of prey on predator, is a behavior seen in many animal species in which prey animals use numbers and coordination to counter individually superior predators. We studied attack behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toward the bacterivore Acanthamoeba castellanii. This behavior consists of directed motility toward and specific adhesion to the predator cells, enacted in seconds and responding to both prey and predator population densities. Attack coordination relies on remote sensing of the predator and the use of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), a P. aeruginosa species-specific quorum sensing molecule. Mutants unable to produce the PQS show unspecific adhesion and reduced survival, and a corresponding increase in predator population occurs as a result of predation. The addition of an external PQS restored some predator-specific adherence within seconds, suggesting a novel response mechanism to this quorum sensing (QS) signal. Fast behavioral response of P. aeruginosa to PQS is also supported by the rate of signal accumulation in the culture, reaching relevant concentrations within minutes, enabling bacteria response to self population density in these short timescales. These results portray a well-regulated group attack of the bacteria against their predator, reacting within seconds to environmental cues and species-specific signaling, which is analogous in many ways to animal mobbing behavior. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown previously to attack amoebae and other predators by adhering to them and injecting them with virulent substances. In this work, we show that an active, coordinated group behavior is enacted by the bacteria to utilize these molecular components, responding to both predator and bacterial population density. In addition to their ecological significance, immediate behavioral changes observed in response to PQS suggest the existence of a fast QS signal cascade, which is different from canonical QS that relies on slow-to-respond gene regulation. Similar regulatory circuits may drive other bacterial adaptations and pathogenicity mechanisms and may have important clinical implications.
The Effects of Physical Environmental Factors on Students’ Perceptions in Computer Classrooms

The environmental setting has a direct impact on perception, comfort, motivation, and concentration in learning environments. Accordingly, in computer classrooms, technological equipment and classroom settings can enhance psychological comfort and the learning environment. With this in mind, seemingly subtle differences in interior design/layout, as opposed to the larger matters of architectural design and floor-plan, were assumed to influence the perceptual performance of design students. To verify this hypothesis, the atmospheric attributes of two computer classrooms used to teach 3Dmax and AutoCAD drawing programs at the Department of Furniture and Decoration of Technical Education Faculty at Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey, were tested by eliciting responses to ten bipolar semantic differential items on a Likert-style scale. Results showed that differences in the environmental settings of each classroom had an important influence on the perceptual evaluations of students. Factors such as proximity/distance of pieces of equipment to one another, roominess/crowdedness in terms of the placement of the PC boxes, the presence of paintings and plants, and attention to circulation and sightlines, were observed to have an effect on whether student participants perceived a space positively or negatively. These results imply that preparing an optimal environment would encourage a good relationship between the student and his or her environment, thereby encouraging more productive learning and better motivation and concentration.
iProbiotics: a machine learning platform for rapid identification of probiotic properties from whole-genome primary sequences

Lactic acid bacteria consortia are commonly present in food, and some of these bacteria possess probiotic properties. However, discovery and experimental validation of probiotics require extensive time and effort. Therefore, it is of great interest to develop effective screening methods for identifying probiotics. Advances in sequencing technology have generated massive genomic data, enabling us to create a machine learning-based platform for such purpose in this work. This study first selected a comprehensive probiotics genome dataset from the probiotic database (PROBIO) and literature surveys. Then, k-mer (from 2 to 8) compositional analysis was performed, revealing diverse oligonucleotide composition in strain genomes and apparently more probiotic (P-) features in probiotic genomes than non-probiotic genomes. To reduce noise and improve computational efficiency, 87 376 k-mers were refined by an incremental feature selection (IFS) method, and the model achieved the maximum accuracy level at 184 core features, with a high prediction accuracy (97.77%) and area under the curve (98.00%). Functional genomic analysis using annotations from gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (RAST) databases, as well as analysis of genes associated with host gastrointestinal survival/settlement, carbohydrate utilization, drug resistance and virulence factors, revealed that the distribution of P-features was biased toward genes/pathways related to probiotic function. Our results suggest that the role of probiotics is not determined by a single gene, but by a combination of k-mer genomic components, providing new insights into the identification and underlying mechanisms of probiotics. This work created a novel and free online bioinformatic tool, iProbiotics, which would facilitate rapid screening for probiotics.
On-line condition monitoring of kinetic-electronic systems

Some experimental results concerning fault diagnosis in power electronics using Park's vector approach are presented. From an analysis of the experimental results it is concluded that characteristic patterns of abnormal behavior can be displayed in the oscilloscope. These patterns are able to pin-point if there is a short circuit or an open circuit on a diode and to identify the faulty element of the bridge. When only one diode is in short circuit, the voltage pattern is the contour of a circle sector corresponding to an arc of 120 degrees . The current patterns can be used to identity a diode in short-circuit and its location, as well as a diode in open circuit and its location. <<ETX>>
The value of drain fluid amylase as a predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticogastrostomy

Drain fluid amylase is commonly used as a predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study aimed to determine the ideal cut‐off value of drain fluid amylase on postoperative day 1 (DFA1) for predicting pancreatic fistula after pancreaticogastrostomy (PG).
A set of accessible enhancers enables the initial response of breast cancer cells to physiological progestin concentrations

Abstract Here, we report that in T47D breast cancer cells 50 pM progestin is sufficient to activate cell cycle entry and the progesterone gene expression program. At this concentration, equivalent to the progesterone blood levels found around the menopause, progesterone receptor (PR) binds only to 2800 genomic sites, which are accessible to ATAC cleavage prior to hormone exposure. These highly accessible sites (HAs) are surrounded by well-organized nucleosomes and exhibit breast enhancer features, including estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), higher FOXA1 and BRD4 (bromodomain containing 4) occupancy. Although HAs are enriched in RAD21 and CTCF, PR binding is the driving force for the most robust interactions with hormone-regulated genes. HAs show higher frequency of 3D contacts among themselves than with other PR binding sites, indicating colocalization in similar compartments. Gene regulation via HAs is independent of classical coregulators and ATP-activated remodelers, relying mainly on MAP kinase activation that enables PR nuclear engagement. HAs are also preferentially occupied by PR and ERα in breast cancer xenografts derived from MCF-7 cells as well as from patients, indicating their potential usefulness as targets for therapeutic intervention.
Longitudinal assessment of adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 at steady state and during vaso‐occlusive crises in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by frequent and unpredictable vaso‐occlusive crises (VOCs). Sickle erythrocytes (SSRBCs) contribute to VOCs by participating in a series of adhesive events with blood cells and the vascular endothelium. Adhesion assays have been used to evaluate the relationship between SSRBC adhesion and SCD severity. We developed a standardized, clinical flow adhesion assay of whole blood to vascular cell adhesion molecule (FA‐WB‐VCAM). The objective of this study was to assess the variability and clinical predictive value of FA‐WB‐VCAM in a six‐month longitudinal, observational study (ELIPSIS) in SCD subjects during at‐home, steady‐state and self‐reported VOCs, and following VOC resolution. We observed a strong relationship between FA‐WB‐VCAM and SCD severity. Adhesion indices were significantly lower in SCD subjects on hydroxycarbamide and increased during VOCs; at‐home VOCs had significantly higher FA‐WB‐VCAM than steady‐state and contact VOCs. SCD subjects with a high frequency of self‐reported VOCs had a pro‐adhesive phenotype at steady state and were stratified into a high‐adhesive phenotype cohort; two years prospectively we observed a higher frequency of VOCs in the high‐adhesion cohort. This study supports stratifying SCD subjects based on steady‐state FA‐WB‐VCAM and suggests that FA‐WB‐VCAM may be a plausible surrogate end‐point for SCD severity.
Integrated fuzzy-optimal motorcycle dynamic control

Active safety is an interesting issue in the case of motorcycles. In this study, an intelligent integrated fuzzy/optimal controller is proposed to enhance motorcycle handling and safety. This controller consists of two layers. In the lower level, there are 13 individual LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) strategies which each one has been designed for a specific region of the performance motorcycle dynamics. These regions have been extracted from the tyre characteristics curve. In the upper layer, a fuzzy composer has been utilised to manage the participation level of each of the LQR controllers in the final controller output. Numerous simulations have been performed and their results show that the fuzzy/optimal controller improves the dynamic behaviour of the motorcycle.