Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BRCA1 Transcriptionally Regulates Damaged DNA Binding Protein (DDB2) In the DNA Repair Response Following UV-Irradiation

The p53 and BRCA1 tumor suppressors are involved in repair processes and may cooperate to transactivate certain genes, including p21WAF1/CIP1 and GADD45. We find that the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation group E (XPE) mutated Damaged-DNA binding protein p48 (DDB2) is upregulated by BRCA1 in a p53-dependent manner following UVC, Adriamycin, or Cisplatin exposure. BRCA1 enhances p53 binding to the DDB2 promoter in vivo as well as p53-dependent transactivation of DDB2 promoter-reporter constructs through a classical p53 DNA responsive element. Antisense abrogation of BRCA1 expression abrogates upregulation of DDB2 after UVC or cisplatin exposure. Using a host cell reactivation assay, DNA repair activity is more significantly restored by introduction of BRCA1 into wt as compared to DDB2-deficient cells. Furthermore disappearance of the photoproducts cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) and 6-4 photoproduct (6-4PP) was delayed by antisense abrogation of BRCA1 expression in UV-exposed human cells. Thus the DNA repair function of BRCA1 may be attributed in part to p53-dependent transcriptional induction of DDB2. Loss of BRCA1-dependent DDB2 repair function may contribute to cancer susceptibility and cellular sensitivity to DNA damage.
Influence of HLA alleles in response to treatment with pegylated interferon‐alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C

The objective of this study was to analyse the possible role of HLA polymorphism of chronically infected hepatitis C virus patients in the response outcome to treatment with pegylated interferon‐alpha plus ribavirin. To that end, 144 Brazilian patients infected only with genotype 1 of the virus were treated with pegylated interferon‐alpha at 1.5 μg kg−1 in conjunction with ribavirin (1000 mg if patient weight was <75 kg and 1250 mg if >75 kg) for 48 weeks. The patients did not have concomitant HBV or HIV infections or liver disease, did not undergo previous antiviral treatment, and were followed up for 24 weeks after the end of treatment to assure they presented a sustained virological response. Patients were classified according to response to treatment in responsive (SVR), nonresponsive (NRS) and relapsers (REL). HLA class I and class II typing were carried out through PCR‐SSO using Luminex technology. A statistically higher frequency of DRB1*11 patients was observed in the SVR group (39.6% vs. 14.3%P = 0.0012; Pc = 0.0156; OR = 3.94; 95% CI = 1.8–8.8). HLA‐DQB1*03 patients were also more frequent in the SVR group, but the P value lost significance after Bonferroni correction (62.3% vs. 41.7%P = 0.024; Pc = 0.14, OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.14–4.60). HLA class II antigens can positively influence the response to treatment with pegylated interferon‐alpha and ribavirin.
The characteristics of mobile data service users in Australia

Mobile Data Services (MDS) are increasingly important as revenues from voice calling are decreasing for mobile carriers, and there are many predictions that the use of MDS will increase in Australia. To explore the characteristics of MDS users, we conducted a survey with over 6000 respondents in Australia. The findings show that age is the most important demographic variable which influences the pattern of MDS use. In addition, gender and household income have a role in describing each group's consumption of MDS more precisely. We conclude the paper by presenting limitations of the study and outlining some possible future research.
Association of the CAMP phenomenon in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae with the RTX toxins ApxI, ApxII and ApxIII.

A non-hemolytic mutant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 has a deletion spanning the entire apxI operon. Therefore it does not produce ApxI and is unable to secrete ApxII. This mutant also has lost the co-hemolytic CAMP effect which is characteristic of the species A. pleuropneumoniae. The CAMP effect is restored when the mutant is complemented in trans by the apxIBD genes cloned in a broad host range vector, thus permitting secretion of ApxII, or when the entire apxI operon is cloned in the mutant, thus restoring the original toxin phenotype ApxI+ ApxII+. When the toxins ApxI, ApxII or ApxIII individually are expressed and secreted from E. coli harboring recombinant plasmids containing the genes apxICA and apxIBD or apxIICA and apxIBD or apxIIICABD, respectively, the distinct CAMP phenomenon is produced by the recombinant strains. The CAMP phenomenon is strongest by the recombinant E. coli strain expressing the non-hemolytic ApxIII, somewhat less when ApxI is expressed, and weak when ApxII is expressed. In A. pleuropneumoniae the CAMP phenomenon is also strongest in those serotypes which express ApxIII. The CAMP phenomenon of A. pleuropneumoniae is assumed to be directly caused by any of the RTX-toxins ApxI, ApxII or ApxIII. A previously reported gene from A. pleuropneumoniae, named cfp or hlyX, which provides E. coli strains with a hemolytic character and a CAMP phenomenon, shows high similarity to the E. coli global regulation gene fnr, and which is able to complement a delta fnr mutant. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Community-based natural resource management : governing the commons

Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) focuses on the collective management of ecosystems to promote human well-being and aims to devolve authority for ecosystem management to the local (community) level. CBNRM therefore requires strong investments in capacity development of local institutions and governance structures. CBNRM has come under strong criticism for its failures to deliver real benefits to communities. In this paper we explore the reasons for the frequent failure of CBNRM. We postulate that good governance buffers CBNRM against unexpected change, notably conflicts, especially in the early stages when income generation, infrastructure development and capacity development have not yet taken place. We assess the key characteristics of CBNRM governance systems that could perform this buffering function, using case study examples from Macubeni, Nqabara, Makuleke and Richtersveld to support our propositions. In our case studies, 11 strategies have been used to increase the incidence of success of CBNRM: understand and describe the social-ecological system; establish and communicate a clear vision; build on local organizations; plan ahead; create rules for resource use and enforce them; communicate the vision, plan and rules; develop management capacity; finance the initial stages of the initiative; work within available legal frameworks; monitor and learn all the time; and create lasting incentives. Despite these strategies there are, however, a number of obstinate implementation challenges, related to governance shortcomings and external factors which management cannot control. We therefore propose seven additional strategies to promote good governance in CBNRM: 1. Develop knowledge networks that draw on the experience and wisdom of a wide range of key individuals. 2. Establish formalised decision-making structures (e.g. multi-level project steering committees) with clear constitutions and codes of conduct. 3. Clearly define and legitimise conflict resolution procedures. 4. Ensure acceptance of the governance structure by community members. 5. Obtain formal commitment to well-defined roles and responsibilities by key individuals. 6. Establish tangible incentives to key individuals for meeting their commitments. 7. Develop the capacity for facilitation to promote communication. Local communities, government and scientists have important roles to play in maintaining these knowledge and governance networks through adaptive co-management.
Entanglement in SU(2)-invariant quantum spin systems

We analyze the entanglement of SU(2)-invariant density matrices of two spins S1, S2 using the Peres-Horodecki criterion. Such density matrices arise from thermal equilibrium states of isotropic-spin systems. The partial transpose of such a state has the same multiplet structure and degeneracies as the original matrix with the eigenvalue of largest multiplicity being non-negative. The case S1=S, S2=1/2 can be solved completely and is discussed in detail with respect to isotropic Heisenberg spin models. Moreover, in this case the Peres-Horodecki criterion turns out to be a sufficient condition for nonseparability. We also characterize SU(2)-invariant states of two spins of length 1.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage and health-related quality of life. The Quality of Life of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Study Group.

BACKGROUND The American Thoracic Society recently recommended that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease be staged on the basis of the percentage of predicted FEV1. OBJECTIVE To examine 1) the relation between the american Thoracic Society system for staging chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and health-related quality of life and 2) the effect of self-reported comorbid conditions on health-related quality of life. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Outpatient clinics of respiratory departments of four hospitals and one primary health care center in spain. PATIENTS 321 consecutive male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MEASUREMENTS Functional respiratory impairment, FEV1, respiratory symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life were measured by using the Spanish version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and the Nottingham Health Profile. RESULTS Patient scores on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire were moderately to strongly associated with disease staging (r = 0.27 to 0.51). Compared with reference values, values for health-related quality of life for patients with stage I disease were substantially higher on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (6 and 34; p < 0.001) and values for impairment were significantly greater in stage 1 patients with comorbid conditions (19 and 36; P = 0.001). At least one concomitant chronic condition was found in 84% of study patients. Comorbid conditions only partly influenced the observed pattern of deterioration of health-related quality of life with worsening stages of disease. CONCLUSION Staging criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on percentage of predicted FEV1 separated groups of patients with varying degrees of impairment in health-related quality of life. Contrary to expectations, even patients with mild disease showed substantially compromised health-related quality of life. Comorbid conditions influenced the relation between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and health-related quality of life.
Effects of different segmental spinal stabilization exercise protocols on postural stability in asymptomatic subjects: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to assess and compare the postural stability effects of the "Progressive Dynamic Spine Stabilization Exercise Protocols" (PDSSEP) which were designed for different spinal segments. MATERIAL AND METHOD The asymptomatic, sedentary, and female volunteers (21.26 ± 1.30 years old) were allocated randomly into Cervical (n=22), Lumbar (n=21), Thoracic (n=20), Combined (n=20), and Control (n=21) Groups. All training groups participated into the related PDSSEP for six weeks, 3 days/week. The assessments were carried out at the baseline, after 6(th) week, and on the 12(th) week. "Tetrax Interactive Posturography and Balance System" (Tetrax System, Ramat Gan, Israel) was used to assess the overall postural stability (SI), weight distribution (WDI) and somatosensory reactions. "Kruskal Wallis Test" for the differences of the pre-6th weeks, pre-12(th) weeks within the groups, "Mann-Whitney U Test" for control and inter-group comparisons were used. RESULTS The differences were observed for eyes closed SI, and WDI in head right rotated position (p< 0.05) between the baseline and after completing the programs. Eyes closed SI in solid surface was shown statistically different in Thoracic group in comparison to controls (p< 0.02). SI on soft surface, SI head left rotated position and somatosensory reactions with head flexed position improved in Thoracic Group at the 12(th) week (p< 0.01). WDI significantly improved in Cervical Group (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION Thoracic spine can be considered as a hidden source for improving overall postural stability. It may be appropriate to focus on thoracic region in the kinetic chain for the treatment or training. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE A prospective randomized controlled trial, Level 1.
Chronic-Stress-Induced Behavioral Changes Associated with Subregion-Selective Serotonin Cell Death in the Dorsal Raphe

The current study examined the neurochemical mechanisms and neuroanatomical changes underlying coexisting behavioral effects associated with chronic-stress-induced alterations in serotonin (5HT) neurons. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to adult male rats produced depression-like changes with cognitive dysfunction and selective cell death in the interfascicular nucleus of the dorsal raphe (DRif), resulting in decreased 5HTergic innervation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Twenty-one days of CUS decreased basal plasma levels of corticosterone and produced a shorter latency to immobility and longer durations of immobility in the force-swim test that persisted for 1 month after CUS. Deficits in acquisition, recall, perseveration, and reversal learning were evident 1 month after CUS. MK801 treatment during CUS blocked the changes in the forced-swim test and deficits in memory recall. These behavioral changes were associated with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive soma and the eventual loss of 5HT neurons in the DRif and its projections to the mPFC as evidenced by fewer labeled cells in the DRif after retrograde tracer injections into the mPFC of stressed rats. Similar to the effects of MK801 on behavior, MK801 pretreatment during stress blocked the CUS-induced decreases in 5HT soma within the DRif and its projections to the mPFC. Finally, the depression-like behaviors were blocked by acute injection of the 5HT2A/C agonist (−)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride into the mPFC before forced-swim testing. These results identify a cause and mechanism of 5HTergic dysfunction of the mPFC and associated mood and cognitive behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Chronic stress causes persistent mood and cognitive changes typically associated with dysregulated serotonin (5HT) transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but the cause of this dysregulation is unknown. Prior studies have focused on 5HTergic terminals in this region, but this study shows that chronic stress causes NMDA-receptor-dependent and subregion-specific cell death of 5HT neurons in the dorsal raphe. The consequent decreased 5HT innervation of the mPFC was associated with mood and cognitive changes that persisted long after the termination of stress. These findings identify a mechanism of subregion-selective death of 5HT neurons in the dorsal raphe, a defined neuroanatomical pathway, and a behavioral phenotype that mirror stress-associated diseases such as major depressive disorder.
Studies in embryonic and larval development in Amphibia. II. The spinal motor-root.

In 1913 G. E. Coghill initiated a series of papers on the neuro-embryology of the Urodele Ambystoma with a description of the earliest stages of the motor system of the trunk (Coghill, 1913). His main conclusion is stated early in the paper in these words: The neurones … which establish the earliest contact with the cells of the myotome are found in Amblystoma to be at the same time the neurones of the motor tract in the central nervous system. The primary ventral root fibre is a collateral of the tract cell. (Coghill, 1913, p. 121.) Thirteen years later, among a group of other papers on the developing nervous system of Ambystoma, he returned to this theme, and in a series of examples described the form of the first nerve process within the basal plate of the cord.
Determination of Ti from TiO2 Nanoparticles in Biological Materials byDifferent ICP-MS Instruments: Method Validation and Applications

The accurate determination of nanoparticles (NPs) content in biological samples is of great interest for studying its potential impacts on health. This paper describes a method validation process for Ti determination from TiO2 NPs in biological matrixes using a closed-vessel microwave digestion with a mixture of 3 mL of HNO3 and 0.4 mL of HF and a detection by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS), in both standard and collision/ reaction cell (CCT) modes. As no suitable certified reference materials are available, several internal reference materials (IRMs) were prepared precisely and they were used for the optimisation and the analytical quality assurance of the method. Several criteria such as linearity, limits of quantification (LOQ), precision under repeatability conditions and intermediate precision reproducibility were evaluated. Furthermore, the method was compared on different Q-ICP-MS devices and on a high resolution (HR)-ICP-MS using the prepared IRMs and various samples of rat tissues exposed to two different sizes of TiO2 NPs. The results demonstrated that the Q-ICP-MS method evaluated permitted an accurate determination of Ti present as TiO2 NPs in both standard and CCT modes, with a greater accuracy in CCT mode at low concentration levels near the LOQ of 0.10 mg kg-1.
Genetic association tests with age at onset

Many diseases or traits exhibit a varying age at onset. Recent data examples of prostate cancer and childhood diabetes show that compared to simply treating the disease outcome as affected vs. unaffected, incorporation of age‐at‐onset information into the transmission/disequilibrium type of test (TDT) does not appear to change the results much. In this paper, we evaluate the power of TDT as a function of age at onset, and show that age‐at‐onset information is most useful when the disease is common, or the relative risk associated with the high‐risk genotype varies with age. Moreover, an extremely old unaffected subject can contribute substantially to the power of the TDT, sometimes as much as old‐onset subjects. We propose a modified test statistic for testing no association between the marker at the candidate locus and age at onset. The simulation study was conducted to evaluate the finite sample properties of proposed and the TDT test statistics under various sampling schemes for trios of parents and offspring, as well as for sibling clusters where unaffected siblings were used as controls. Genet Epidemiol 24:118–127, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Normal intelligence in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

A case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is presented in which psychological evaluation revealed normal, intellectual potential. It is suggested that formal psychological testing, using a variety of modified instruments, may uncover other patients with essentially normal, intellectual potential. Such testing is essential in order to realistically plan programs of pediatric rehabilitation and to adequately study the effects of various treatment regimes.
FK 506 alleviates blood-retinal barrier breakdown and reduces retinal vascular permeability in early streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy is a complex disease that potentially involves inflammation in its pathogenesis. It has been demonstrated that FK506, one of its potent immunosuppressive agents, possess anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore whether FK506 could reduce vascular damage in experimental diabetic retinopathy. Methods: The streptozotocin-induced model of diabetes was established using Wistar rats. Animals received single intravitreal injections of FK506 or vehicle after seven days. The blood retinal barrier (BRB) was determined using Evans blue permeation, leukostasis was determined using Fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-coupled Concanavalin A lectin, and the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 was detected by western blot. Results: Intravitreal delivery of FK506 protects BRB integrity against vascular leakage by inhibiting diabetic retinal leukocyte adhesion to retinal vessels and downregulating the expression of VEGF during early diabetes. Twenty-four hours after FK506 treatment, VEGF decreased by 82.17%, compared with diabetic rats without treatment (P<0.01). In addition, FK506 inhibited the expression of ICAM-1, a significant inflammation protein. Moreover, ICAM-1 decreased by 74.27% after treatment with 2.5 ng of FK506, when compared with diabetic animals without treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: FK506 could inhibit the degree of retinal inflammation and attenuate neovascularization in early diabetic mice. The topical application of FK506 appears as a highly promising novel approach for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
A comparison of the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers.

OBJECTIVES To describe the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers and to compare the differences between the learning needs of the 2 groups of women. DESIGN Descriptive cross-sectional survey design. SETTING One university hospital and 2 private Midwestern hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 100 women (50 mother/daughter pairs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Postpartum teaching questionnaire-E, postpartum teaching questionnaire-F, and demographic questionnaire. RESULTS There were no group differences between adolescent mothers and their mothers on baby-care items, but there were group differences on 3 maternal-care items: emotional changes (p < .001), resumption of sexual activity (p < .001), and birth control (p = .009). CONCLUSIONS Nurses may need to use different teaching strategies for adolescent mothers and their mothers about resumption of sexual activity, but the teaching strategies necessary for other postpartum topics may be similar. Further research is needed to determine where those similarities may be and to determine the most effective teaching strategies for each group of mothers.
Human Mitochondrial Transcription Revisited

Human mitochondrial transcription is driven by a single subunit RNA polymerase and a set of basal transcription factors. The development of a recombinant in vitro transcription system has allowed for a detailed molecular characterization of the individual components and their contribution to transcription initiation. We found that TFAM and TFB2M act synergistically and increase transcription efficiency 100–200-fold as compared with RNA polymerase alone. Both the light-strand promoter (LSP) and the HSP1 promoters displayed maximal levels of in vitro transcription when TFAM was present in an amount equimolar to the DNA template. Importantly, we did not detect any significant transcription activity in the presence of the TFB2M paralog, TFB1M, or when templates containing the putative HSP2 promoter were used. These data confirm previous observations that TFB1M does not function as a bona fide transcription factor and raise questions as to whether HSP2 serves as a functional promoter in vivo. In addition, we did not detect transcription stimulation by the ribosomal protein MRPL12. Thus, only two essential initiation factors, TFAM and TFB2M, and two promoters, LSP and HSP1, are required to drive transcription of the mitochondrial genome.