Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epigenomics: Technologies and Applications

The advent of high-throughput epigenome mapping technologies has ushered in a new era of multiomics where powerful tools can now delineate and record different layers of genomic output. Integrating various components of the epigenome from these multiomics measurements allows the interrogation of cellular heterogeneity in addition to the discovery of molecular connectivity maps between the genome and its functional output. Mapping of chromatin accessibility dynamics and higher-order chromatin structure has enabled new levels of understanding of cell fate decisions, identity, and function in normal development, physiology, and disease. We provide a perspective on the progress of the epigenomics field and applications and anticipate an even greater revolution in our understanding of the human epigenome for years to come.
Metabolic, hormonal and immunological associations with global DNA methylation among postmenopausal women

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification essential for the regulation of gene expression that has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer. Few studies have investigated the wide range of potential predictors of global DNA methylation, including biomarkers. Here, we investigated associations between DNA methylation and dietary factors, sex-steroid hormones, metabolic, lipid, inflammation, immune and one-carbon biomarkers. Data and baseline biomarker measurements were obtained from 173 overweight/obese postmenopausal women. Global DNA methylation in lymphocyte DNA was measured using the pyrosequencing assay for LINE-1 repeats. We used correlations and linear regression analyses to investigate associations between continuous data and DNA methylation, while t-tests were used for categorical data. Secondary analyses stratified by serum folate levels and multivitamin use were also conducted. There was little variability in LINE-1 methylation (66.3–79.5%). Mean LINE-1 methylation was significantly higher among women with elevated glucose levels. Mean LINE-1 methylation was also higher among women with high CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and lower among women with elevated vitamin B6, but neither reached statistical significance. In analyses stratified by folate status, DNA methylation was negatively associated with sex hormone concentrations (estrone, estradiol, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin) among women with low serum folate levels (n = 53). Conversely, among women with high serum folate levels (n = 53), DNA methylation was positively associated with several immune markers (CD4/CD8 ratio, NK1656/lymphocytes and IgA). Results from this screening suggest that global DNA methylation is generally stable, with differential associations for sex hormones and immune markers depending on one-carbon status.
Novel global robust exponential stability criteria for Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays

In this paper, several novel sufficient criteria are derived for checking the uniqueness and global robust exponential stability of the equilibrium point for interval Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays. A new approach combing the Lyapunov functional with the matrix inequality techniques is taken to investigate this problem. Also, some remarks and two examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Social modelling of health behaviours: Testing self-affirmation as a conformity-reduction strategy.

OBJECTIVES Social conformity negatively affects health. Exposure to peers who model unhealthy alcohol or food consumption increases personal consumption. Self-affirmation alters processes related to the motivations underlying conformity. We therefore tested whether self-affirmation reduces conformity to unhealthy behaviour and does so by reducing affiliation needs and/or increasing self-regulation. DESIGN In two studies, participants were randomized to one of four conditions in a 2 (low vs. high peer modelling) × 2 (self-affirmed vs. not) design. METHODS In Study 1 (N = 153), a confederate modelled low or high alcohol consumption. Participants' alcohol consumption was recorded; mimicry of confederates' sips was coded. In Study 2 (N = 122), written information indicated others' snack food intake during the study. Participants' food consumption was recorded. Affiliative interest was assessed in both studies. Inhibitory control and private self-awareness were assessed in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. RESULTS In Study 1, participants exposed to heavy drinking consumed significantly more alcohol and mimicked the confederate more frequently than participants exposed to the light drinking model. Self-affirmation did not reduce this tendency, nor did it affect affiliative interest or inhibitory control. Exploratory analysis supported that mimicry mediated the peer modelling-consumption relationship. In Study 2, participants ate more when they believed others had eaten a lot, as opposed to little. Self-affirmation did not reduce this tendency and did not affect affiliative interest. Self-affirmed participants had higher private self-awareness than those who were not self-affirmed, but self-awareness did not affect consumption. CONCLUSION Peer behaviour strongly influences personal consumption. Self-affirmation did not reduce behavioural conformity. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Exposure to peers who engage in high consumption of alcohol and unhealthy foods is associated with increased personal consumption. Few studies have examined strategies to reduce conformity to consumption behaviours. What does this study add? Across two studies, self-affirmation did not reduce behavioural conformity, despite its' positive effects on private self-awareness. Conformity in face-to-face interactions is largely driven by mimicry.
Functional analysis of neurotransmission at β2‐laminin deficient terminals

β2‐Laminin is important for the formation of neuromuscular junctions in vertebrates. Previously, we have inactivated the gene that encodes for β2‐laminin in mice and observed predominantly prejunctional structural defects. In this study, we have used both intra‐ and extracellular recording methods to investigate evoked neurotransmission in β2‐laminin‐deficient mice, from postnatal day 8 (P8) through to day 18 (P18). Our results confirmed that there was a decrease in the frequency of spontaneous release, but no change in the postjunctional response to such release. Analysis of evoked neurotransmission showed an increase in the frequency of stimuli that failed to elicit an evoked postjunctional response in the mutants compared to litter mate controls, resulting in a 50 % reduction in mean quantal content at mutant terminals. Compared to littermate controls, β2‐laminin‐deficient terminals showed greater synaptic depression when subjected to high frequency stimulation. Furthermore, the paired pulse ratio of the first two stimuli was significantly lower in β2‐laminin mutant terminals. Statistical analysis of the binomial parameters of release showed that the decrease in quantal content was due to a decrease in the number of release sites without any significant change in the average probability of release. This suggestion was supported by the observation of fewer synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2)‐positive varicosities in β2‐laminin‐deficient terminals and by ultrastructural observations showing smaller terminal profiles and increased Schwann cell invasion in β2‐laminin mutants; the differences between β2‐laminin mutants and wild‐type mice were the same at both P8 and P18. From these results we conclude that β2‐laminin plays a role in the early structural development of the neuromuscular junction. We also suggest that transmitter release activity may act as a deterrent to Schwann cell invasion in the absence of β2‐laminin.
Front and Back Illuminated Dynamic and Active Pixel Vision Sensors Comparison

Back side illumination has become standard image sensor technology owing to its superior quantum efficiency and fill factor. A direct comparison of front and back side illumination (FSI and BSI) used in event-based dynamic and active pixel vision sensors (DAVIS) is interesting because of the potential of BSI to greatly increase the small 20% fill factor of these complex pixels. This brief compares identically designed front and back illuminated DAVIS silicon retina vision sensors. They are compared in term of quantum efficiency (QE), leak activity and modulation transfer function (MTF). The BSI DAVIS achieves a peak QE of 93% compared with the FSI DAVIS, peak QE of 24%, but reduced MTF, due to pixel crosstalk and parasitic photocurrent. Significant “leak events” in the BSI DAVIS limit its use to controlled illumination scenarios without very bright light sources. Effects of parasitic photocurrent and modulation transfer functions with and without IR cut filters are also reported.
Preservation of female fertility during cancer treatment

Improvements in the success of cancer treatments have resulted in increased awareness of the long-term effects of treatment, of which gonadal failure is the most significant. Thus, preservation of fertility potential has become a major goal and could be realized by preventing ovarian toxicity or by cryopreservation of reproductive cells/tissues. This review aimed to critically discuss the current protocols for the management of chemotherapy-inducced/radiotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF). A medical approach using the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) may act to protect the gonads during radiation and/or chemotherapy by preferentially steering cells into cell cycle arrest with a decline in responsibility to the chemotherapeutic agents. Ovarian protection by GnRHa cotreatment against chemotherapy can enable the preservation of future fertility in survivors and prevent the bone demineralization and osteoporosis associated with hypestrogenism and POF. In vitro fertilization of retrieved oocytes could enable embryo freezing in some patients. Embryo cryopreservation is considered standard practice and widely available, but may seldom be used because of a lack of a male partner, the need to postpone cancer therapy for a few weeks and the possibility that an estrogen rise may be undesirable in sensitive cancer patients. Improvement in oocyte cryopreservation may offer additional possibilities; the prolonged culture of primordial and primary follicles in vitro is still unfeasible. Currently, the cryopreservation of ovarian cortex, which hosts thousands of immature follicles, is an investigational method, but has the advantage of requiring neither a sperm donor nor ovarian stimulation. Fertility preservation is often possible in women undergoing cancer treatment. To preserve the full range of options, fertility preservation procedures should be considered as early as possible during therapy planning.
Complete Genome Sequence of Nitrilotriacetate-Degrading Aminobacter aminovorans KCTC 2477T

ABSTRACT Aminobacter aminovorans is a Gram-negative, pleomorphic rod-shaped, flagellated, and obligately aerobic bacterium that was isolated from soil. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of A. aminovorans KCTC 2477T, which degrades nitrilotriacetate-metal complexes and iminodiacetate, a metabolic intermediate of nitrilotriacetate.
Shedding of the amyloid precursor protein‐like protein APLP2 by disintegrin‐metalloproteinases

Cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) within the amyloid‐beta (Aβ) sequence by the α‐secretase prevents the formation of toxic Aβ peptides. It has been shown that the disintegrin‐metalloproteinases ADAM10 and TACE (ADAM17) act as α‐secretases and stimulate the generation of a soluble neuroprotective fragment of APP, APPsα. Here we demonstrate that the related APP‐like protein 2 (APLP2), which has been shown to be essential for development and survival of mice, is also a substrate for both proteinases. Overexpression of either ADAM10 or TACE in HEK293 cells increased the release of neurotrophic soluble APLP2 severalfold. The strongest inhibition of APLP2 shedding in neuroblastoma cells was observed with an ADAM10‐preferring inhibitor. Transgenic mice with neuron‐specific overexpression of ADAM10 showed significantly increased levels of soluble APLP2 and its C‐terminal fragments. To elucidate a possible regulatory mechanism of APLP2 shedding in the neuronal context, we examined retinoic acid‐induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. Retinoic acid treatment of two neuroblastoma cell lines upregulated the expression of both APLP2 and ADAM10, thus leading to an increased release of soluble APLP2.
Use of marine toxins in combination with cytotoxic drugs for induction of apoptosis in acute myelogenous leukaemia cells

Intensive chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) results in an overall long-term disease-free survival of < 50%. This percentage reflects an improved survival for certain subsets of patients with low-risk cytogenetic abnormalities after treatment with high-dose cytarabine, whereas lower long-term survival is seen for other patients and especially for the large group of elderly patients. New treatment strategies are therefore considered in AML and one approach is to target the regulation of apoptosis in AML cells with new pharmacological agents. Regulation of apoptosis seems to be clinically important in AML as intracellular levels of apoptosis-regulating mediators can be used as predictors of prognosis in AML. It is also well documented that cytotoxic drugs exert important antileukaemic effects through induction of apoptosis. Marine toxins represent new pharmacological agents with proapoptotic effects and should be considered for combination therapy with cytotoxic drugs. These agents are already useful laboratory tools for in vitro studies of AML cells but it is still too early to conclude whether they will become useful in clinical therapy. One of the major problems to be investigated is the toxicity of combination therapy, although this may be solved by the coupling of toxins to antibodies or growth factors with a preferential binding to AML cells. Other problems that have to be addressed are the possible effect of the toxins’ tumour promoting effects on chemosensitivity in relapsed AML and the possibility of cross-resistance between cytotoxic drugs and toxins.
Rooming-in: An Alternative to Involuntary Detention

Objective: To provide, via ‘rooming-in’, a local, less coercive and less frightening alternative to involuntary detention. Rooming In is the voluntary participation of so-called ‘confidants’, who may be chosen family members or trusted friends, in the management of acute, severe psychiatric disturbance by their providing a 24 hour vigil with the patient in a single, safe hospital room. Method: There were 73 admissions to the rooming-in program at the Manning Base Hospital, Taree, New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 5 August 1986 and 21 September 1992. During the same period 78 patients were remitted from the hospital on an involuntary basis to urban detention centres: ‘scheduled’ under the NSW Mental Health Act. Demographic and diagnostic characteristics of the two populations, both of whom met identical criteria for involuntary detention, are compared in this retrospective, case report study. These two groups constituted only 6% of total psychiatric consults carried out at the hospital over the same 6 year period and those roomed-in represented only 12% of the psychiatric admissions. A quality assurance study evaluated the acceptability of the program. Results: The scheduled patients were more likely to be single, of no fixed abode and without a local family. They were more likely to have a schizophrenic disorder, compounded by polysubstance abuse, than a mood disorder. The average inpatient stay for those roomed-in was 10 days. Seventy per cent of confidants were required for 4 days or less. The rooming-in program was valued highly by nursing staff, patients and their families. Conclusion: A search of the world literature would suggest that rooming-in, as a model of care, is unique, at least in the developed world. It allows some seriously disturbed patients to be provided with a local and less restrictive general hospital alternative.
Strengthening local government in the 1990s

This text is based on the Local Government Conference held by INLOGOV in October 1991 in honour of John Stewart. Key figures in local government debate the key issues facing local government practitioners today. In particular the themes of the accountability of local government and its political role are examined, and lessons are drawn for practical use by local authorities. Contributors include Steven Leach, Rod Rhodes, George Jones, Rodney Brooke, Roger Taylor, Michael Clarke and John Stewart.
The effect of pre-admission education on domiciliary recovery following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this randomised controlled study were to determine if pre-admission patient education affects post-operative pain levels, domiciliary self-care capacity and patient recall following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Participants were randomised to receive the standard preadmission program (SP) or an individualised, education intervention (El). DESIGN A pre-operative questionnaire was administered in the pre-admission clinic to determine participants' knowledge of LC and post-operative management. Telephone follow-up and post-operative questionnaire were conducted approximately 14 days post discharge. SETTING Preadmission clinic of a Sydney, Australia, tertiary referral hospital. SAMPLE Ninety-three elective LC patients. RESULTS EI participants experienced lower pain levels and had significantly greater recall of provided information. However, no significant differences were found between the control and intervention groups for domiciliary self-care. CONCLUSION Pre-admission education intervention helps reduce post-operative pain levels following LC and significantly increases patients' knowledge of self-care and complication management.
A Framework for Decentralising Multi-Cell Cooperative Processing on the Downlink

Multi-cell cooperative processing (MCP) is well acknowledged for significantly improving spectral efficiency and fairness amongst users. Nevertheless MCP comes together with some shortcomings which have also been recognised. Cooperating Base Stations (BSs) need to be inter-connected via a Control Unit (CU) which gathers channel state information (CSI). CU is the entity responsible for performing MS scheduling and defining the transmission parameters. Under a practically feasible linear preceding framework, CU performs user scheduling and designs the beamforming matrix for the chosen users. Therefore MCP implementation adds a very significant infrastructure cost as it requires a CU and low latency links connecting cooperating BSs with it. Furthermore this entails an important protocol complexity in order for all this signaling to be coordinated. In this paper a new framework is proposed that allows MCP on the downlink without the need of costly modifications on the infrastructure comparing to the existing cellular networks. The needed operations are performed in a distributed fashion by the cooperating BSs and this is shown to be a good alternative facilitating MCP implementation.
Amnestic Concentrations of Etomidate Modulate GABAA,slow Synaptic Inhibition in Hippocampus

Background:&ggr;-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor-mediated inhibition in the central nervous system exists in two forms: phasic (inhibitory postsynaptic currents, IPSCs) and tonic (nonsynaptic). Phasic inhibition is further subdivided into fast (GABAA,fast) and slow (GABAA,slow) IPSCs. By virtue of its dendritic location and kinetics, GABAA,slow has been proposed to control synaptic plasticity and memory. Etomidate is a nonbarbiturate, intravenous anesthetic that selectively modulates GABAA receptors and produces amnesia at low doses in vivo. This study tested whether correspondingly low concentrations of etomidate in vitro alter GABAA,fast and GABAA,slow phasic inhibition. Methods:Electrophysiological recordings were obtained from hippocampal slices prepared from postnatal day 3–8 mice and maintained in organotypic culture for 10–14 days. Etomidate was applied at concentrations corresponding to one-half to four times the half maximal effective concentration that impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory – i.e., 0.125–1.0 &mgr;m. Results:Etomidate 0.25 &mgr;m (the half maximal effective concentration) doubled the time constant of decay of GABAA,slow IPSCs, but it had no detectable effect on GABAA,fast IPSCs. Higher concentrations of etomidate had stronger effects on both types of phasic inhibition: 0.5 and 1 &mgr;m etomidate prolonged the time constant of decay by 310% and 410% for GABAA,slow and by 25% and 78% for GABAA,fast. Concentrations of etomidate up to 1 &mgr;m had no significant effects on the amplitudes of either GABAA,fast or GABAA,slow IPSCs. Conclusions:At concentrations that impair hippocampus-dependent memory, etomidate modulates GABAA,slow more strongly than GABAA,fast IPSCs. Effects of etomidate on GABAA,slow IPSCs may contribute to etomidate-induced amnesia.
Neocapitalism and the Reduction of Global Poverty

Justice and well-being are of course necessary conditions for a peaceful world order, and we move closer to this goal as our understanding of social and economic behavior becomes more complete. Here it is certainly true that our knowledge of capital-function in mainstream economics is incomplete. For example - exactly how labor and capital work together, in our planning and decisions, to produce consumables and new capital is not substantively understood in our universities and governments, nor is it understood, not coincidentally, how the (marginal) efficiency or usefulness or productive-power of both labor and capital may increase, or contract, depending on the level of expected investment-risk in our economic planning. This incomplete knowledge is coupled to the need to deepen standard economics to its neuropsychological foundation. Since neoclassical economics and capital-function reside at the heart of capitalism, it follows that this system of high-productivity is not yet comprehensive - a shortcoming that should be considered important, inasmuch as incomplete understanding of any complicated system eventually and inevitably produces unsatisfactory, and often tragic, consequences. As an example, in our global economic system free trade and open markets as policy goals or idealizations may be faulted for increasing expected risk in the economic planning of disadvantaged citizens, thereby tending to discourage their investment in education, skills, and business. Two main themes along this line are addressed: First, that our understanding of economics, and the capitalist ideology, may be rendered "paradigmatically complete" by reaching down to the neuropsychological foundation; and second, that this deeper understanding will help solve the Economic Problem (poverty), and thereby clear the way for defeating the great dangers of our modern world. Principal attention is also given to our "post cold-war" detant or ease-of-tensions, and the unprecedented opportunity for important and continuing progress that it presents.