Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the VPg-proteinase (NIa) encoded by tobacco etch potyvirus: effects of mutations on subcellular transport, proteolytic processing, and genome amplification

A mutational analysis was conducted to investigate the functions of the tobacco etch potyvirus VPg-proteinase (NIa) protein in vivo. The NIa N-terminal domain contains the VPg attachment site, whereas the C-terminal domain contains a picornavirus 3C-like proteinase. Cleavage at an internal site separating the two domains occurs in a subset of NIa molecules. The majority of NIa molecules in TEV-infected cells accumulate within the nucleus. By using a reporter fusion strategy, the NIa nuclear localization signal was mapped to a sequence within amino acid residues 40 to 49 in the VPg domain. Mutations resulting in debilitation of NIa nuclear translocation also debilitated genome amplification, suggesting that the NLS overlaps a region critical for RNA replication. The internal cleavage site was shown to be a poor substrate for NIa proteolysis because of a suboptimal sequence context around the scissile bond. Mutants that encoded NIa variants with accelerated internal proteolysis exhibited genome amplification defects, supporting the hypothesis that slow internal processing provides a regulatory function. Mutations affecting the VPg attachment site and proteinase active-site residues resulted in amplification-defective viruses. A transgenic complementation assay was used to test whether NIa supplied in trans could rescue amplification-defective viral genomes encoding altered NIa proteins. Neither cells expressing NIa alone nor cells expressing a series of NIa-containing polyproteins supported increased levels of amplification of the mutants. The lack of complementation of NIa-defective mutants is in contrast to previous results obtained with RNA polymerase (NIb)-defective mutants, which were relatively efficiently rescued in the transgenic complementation assay. It is suggested that, unlike NIb polymerase, NIa provides replicative functions that are cis preferential.
Managerial Accountability: What Impact on International Organisations’ Autonomy?

This contribution explores the relationship between the autonomy and the accountability of international organisations. It argues that the degree of autonomy of an international organisation is a function of the model of managerial accountability applied by this organisation. An appropriate model of managerial accountability, though it may seem to constrain an international organisation’s autonomy, may in fact be a way of enhancing it. If accountability and autonomy are not conceived of as mutually reinforcing then the effectiveness, the legitimacy and, ultimately, the overall authority of the organisation might be severely compromised. Properly functioning managerial accountability systems allow an international organisation to enjoy its autonomy to the fullest extent while limiting the ability of its staff to overstep their margins of discretion. These findings are supported by a study of the managerial accountability practices in major international organisations, notably the UN and the EU, and the recent reforms that these organisations carried in response to scandals such as the resignation of the Santer Commission or the Oil-for-Food scandal.
Seasonal abundance & role of predominant Japanese encephalitis vectors Culex tritaeniorhynchus & Cx. gelidus Theobald in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

Background & objectives: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. The first major JE outbreak occurred in 1978 and since 1981 several outbreaks had been reported in the Cuddalore district (erstwhile South Arcot), Tamil Nadu, India. Entomological monitoring was carried out during January 2010 - March 2013, to determine the seasonal abundance and transmission dynamics of the vectors of JE virus, with emphasis on the role of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. gelidus. Methods: Mosquito collections were carried out fortnightly during dusk hours in three villages viz. Soundara Solapuram, Pennadam, Erappavur of Cuddalore district. Mosquitoes were collected during dusk for a period of one hour in and around the cattle sheds using oral aspirator and torch light. The collected mosquitoes were later identified and pooled to detect JE virus (JEV) infection by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 46,343 mosquitoes comprising of 25 species and six genera were collected. Species composition included viz, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (46.26%), Cx. gelidus (43.12%) and other species (10.62%). A total of 17,678 specimens (403 pools) of Cx. gelidus and 14,358 specimens (309 pools) of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were tested, of which 12 pools of Cx. gelidus and 14 pools of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were positive for JE virus antigen. The climatic factors were negatively correlated with minimum infection rate (MIR) for both the species, except mean temperature (P<0.05) for Cx. gelidus. Interpretation & conclusions: High abundance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. gelidus was observed compared to other mosquito species in the study area. Detection of JEV antigen in the two species confirmed the maintenance of virus. Appropriate vector control measures need to be taken to reduce the vector abundance.
Worldwide Timing of Growth Faltering: Revisiting Implications for Interventions

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to describe worldwide growth-faltering patterns by using the new World Health Organization (WHO) standards. METHODS: We analyzed information available from the WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition, comprising data from national anthropometric surveys from 54 countries. Anthropometric data comprise weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and weight-for-length/height z scores. The WHO regions were used to aggregate countries: Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; North Africa and Middle East; South Asia; and sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS: Sample sizes ranged from 1000 to 47 000 children. Weight for length/height starts slightly above the standard in children aged 1 to 2 months and falters slightly until 9 months of age, picking up after that age and remaining close to the standard thereafter. Weight for age starts close to the standard and falters moderately until reaching approximately −1 z at 24 months and remaining reasonably stable after that. Length/height for age also starts close to the standard and falters dramatically until 24 months, showing noticeable bumps just after 24, 36, and 48 months but otherwise increasing slightly after 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of child growth patterns in 54 countries with WHO standards shows that growth faltering in early childhood is even more pronounced than suggested by previous analyses based on the National Center for Health Statistics reference. These findings confirm the need to scale up interventions during the window of opportunity defined by pregnancy and the first 2 years of life, including prevention of low birth weight and appropriate infant feeding practices.
Carotid stenting

Purpose of reviewCarotid angioplasty and stenting is potentially an alternative to carotid endarterectomy in carotid stenosis, but it remains unclear whether it confers significant advantages over carotid endarterectomy. We reviewed evidence on carotid angioplasty and stenting in carotid stenosis. Recent findingsCarotid angioplasty and stenting is neither safer nor associated with better short-term outcomes in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who are not at increased surgical risk. It has not been evaluated sufficiently in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis who are good candidates for carotid endarterectomy. Patients at perceived high surgical risk may be good candidates for carotid angioplasty and stenting, but there is variability in the definition of high risk, and this procedure has been compared with carotid endarterectomy in only one small randomized trial. Many registries suggest that carotid angioplasty and stenting is as safe as carotid endarterectomy, but it is uncertain whether those patients really benefit from any carotid revascularization strategy. SummaryCarotid endarterectomy is still the ‘gold standard’ for treatment of patients with carotid stenosis who are good candidates for carotid endarterectomy. Although carotid angioplasty and stenting may be an acceptable option in selected patients, much remains to be done to identify patients who benefit more from it than from carotid endarterectomy.
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and depression: treatment implications

Purpose of review Depression in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease is increasingly recognized to be a heterogeneous condition with diverse underlying predisposing and precipitating factors. Although there is a growing awareness regarding the benefits of integrating behavioral health into medical care, the way psychiatric treatments can best target different aspects of depression and related dysfunction has not been systematically explored. Recent findings This review discusses neurobiological risk factors for depression in inflammatory bowel disease including inflammation, associated anti-inflammatory treatment with corticosteroids, pain, and sleep disturbance, as well as psychosocial factors including reactions to illness, illness perception, and disease and environmental stressors with an emphasis on how these factors can influence treatment decisions. Empirically supported psychosocial and psychopharmacological interventions are discussed within this context. Summary Understanding the diverse pathways that can lead to depression in youths with inflammatory bowel disease can lead to the development of more targeted interventions and better integration of psychosocial care into the medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Physical symptoms as indicators of depression and anxiety.

Psychological problems are the single most common reason for attrition from U.S. Navy basic training. A contributing factor is that, although military entrance processing station physicians assess numerous aspects of physical health, there is little rigor behind attempts to identify psychological disorders. In the present study, we highlight previous research indicating that patterns of physical health symptoms can provide a gauge of psychological dysfunction. We also report significant relationships between physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression in a sample of more than 2,000 sailors. Therefore, given the links between physical symptoms and psychological problems, it may be feasible for physicians who screen military applicants to use routinely gathered physical health information as part of an improved system to detect psychological disorders.
The H1 Phosphorylation State Regulates Expression of CDC2 and Other Genes in Response to Starvation in Tetrahymena thermophila

ABSTRACT In Tetrahymena thermophila, highly phosphorylated histone H1 of growing cells becomes partially dephosphorylated when cells are starved in preparation for conjugation. To determine the effects of H1 phosphorylation on gene expression, PCR-based subtractive hybridization was used to clone cDNAs that were differentially expressed during starvation in two otherwise-isogenic strains differing only in their H1s. H1 in A5 mutant cells lacked phosphorylation, and H1 in E5 cells mimicked constitutive H1 phosphorylation. Sequences enriched in A5 cells included genes encoding proteases. Sequences enriched in E5 cells included genes encoding cdc2 kinase and a Ser/Thr kinase. These results indicate that H1 phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating the pattern of gene expression during the starvation response and that its role in transcription regulation can be either positive or negative. Treatment of starved cells with a phosphatase inhibitor caused CDC2 gene overexpression. Expression of the E5 version of H1 in starved cells containing endogenous, wild-type H1 caused the wild-type H1 to remain highly phosphorylated. These results argue that Cdc2p is the kinase that phosphorylates Tetrahymena H1, establish a positive feedback mechanism between H1 phosphorylation and CDC2 expression, and indicate that CDC2 gene expression is regulated by an H1 phosphatase.
Modeling of trabecular bone and lamina dura following selective alveolar decortication in rats.

BACKGROUND Modifying the balance between resorption and apposition through selectively injuring the cortical plate of the alveolus has been an approach to speed tooth movement and is referred to as periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics. The aim of this study was to investigate the alveolar response to corticotomy as a function of time and proximity to the surgical injury in a rat model. METHODS Maxillary buccal and lingual cortical plates were injured in 36 healthy adult rats adjacent to the upper left first molars. Twenty-four animals were euthanized at 3, 7, or 11 weeks. In one group, the maxillae were removed and stripped of soft tissues, and histomorphometric analysis was performed to study alveolar spongiosa and periodontal ligament (PDL) modeling dynamics. Catabolic activity was analyzed with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts and preosteoclasts. Anabolic actions were measured using a fluorescent vital bone stain series followed by sacrifice at 30 and 51 days. To further analyze the new bone formation, a separate group of animals were fed with calcein fluorescent stain and processed for non-decalcified fluorescent stain histology. RESULTS At 3 weeks, the surgery group had significantly (P <0.05) less calcified spongiosa bone surface, greater periodontal ligament surface, higher osteoclast number, and greater lamina dura apposition width. The catabolic activity (osteoclast count) and anabolic activity (apposition rate) were three-fold greater, calcified spongiosa decreased by two-fold, and PDL surface increased by two-fold. Surgical injury to the alveolus that induced a significant increase in tissue turnover by week 3 dissipated to a steady state by postoperative week 11. The impact of the injury was localized to the area immediately adjacent to the decortication injury. CONCLUSION Selective alveolar decortication induced increased turnover of alveolar spongiosa, and the activity was localized; dramatic escalation of demineralization-remineralization dynamics is the likely biologic mechanism underlying rapid tooth movement following selective alveolar decortication.
Fast and Adaptive 3D Reconstruction With Extensively High Completeness

The seed-and-expand scheme is appropriate for multiple view stereo, since it can build dense point clouds adaptively by avoiding unnecessary computation. However, due to the irregularity of the algorithm, it is not suitable for parallel computing on general public utilities (GPU). This paper is the first attempt to implement the irregular seed-and-expand method on GPU for multiple view stereo problems. Meanwhile, a hierarchical parallel computing architecture is also proposed to maximize the usage of both CPU and GPU. The adaptivity of the seed-and-expand scheme is pushed further by processing a pixel several rounds while, in order to maintain regularity for GPU implementation, every seed has exactly the same behavior in a single round of optimization. The high adaptivity also improves the robustness of the proposed method, thus aggressive matching score and a view selection method can be used to improve the reconstruction completeness extensively, without smearing out local details and lowering the accuracy. Compared with the state of the art, the proposed method achieves higher accuracy and completeness on standard datasets. The proposed method is also very fast. It is maximally five times faster than other methods running on a CPU and is on par with the regular depth map-based methods on GPU, which are naturally suitable for GPU acceleration.
Maxillary reconstruction: Current concepts and controversies

Maxillary reconstruction is still an evolving art when compared to the reconstruction of the mandible. The defects of maxilla apart from affecting the functions of the speech, swallowing and mastication also cause cosmetic disfigurement. Rehabilitation of the form and function in patients with maxillary defects is either by using an obturator prosthesis or by a surgical reconstruction. Literature is abundant with a variety of reconstructive methods. The classification systems are also varied, with no universal acceptance of any one of them. The oncologic safety of these procedures is still debated, and conclusive evidence in this regard has not emerged yet. Management of the orbit is also not yet addressed properly. Tissue engineering, that has been hyped to be one of the possible solutions for this vexing reconstructive problem, has not come out with reliable and reproducible results so far. This review article discusses the rationale and oncological safety of the reconstructing the maxillary defects, critically analyzes the classification systems, offers the different reconstructive methods and touches upon the controversies in this subject. The management of the retained and exenterated orbit associated with maxillectomy is reviewed. The surgical morbidity, complications and the recent advances in this field are also looked into. An algorithm, based on our experience, is presented.
Down-regulation of transforming growth factor-alpha by tamoxifen in human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The influence of tamoxifen treatment on transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) levels in human breast cancer rarely has been studied in vivo. METHODS Postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive primary breast cancer underwent two fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNA) of the tumors. Between the two FNAs, 10 patients received no treatment (control group), and the other 10 patients received tamoxifen (20 mg/day) for 10 (8-12) days (TAM group). TGF-alpha levels in FNA samples were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS No significant difference was found in TGF-alpha levels between the first and second FNA samples in the control group. On the other hand, in the TAM group, TGF-alpha levels in the second FNA samples (2.5 +/- 0.5; mean +/- SEM ng/mg.DNA) were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those in the first (4.5 +/- 0.8). Studies on the influence of tamoxifen treatment on TGF-alpha levels in ER-negative and PR-negative breast cancer showed that TGF-alpha levels were not affected by tamoxifen treatment. Positivity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was 60% in ER-negative and PR-negative breast cancer and 30% in ER-positive and PR-positive breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Tamoxifen downregulates TGF-alpha levels in ER-positive and PR-positive breast cancers through ER. The significance of TGF-alpha as an autocrine growth factor appears to be more important in ER-negative and PR-negative breast cancer with high EGFR positivity than in ER-positive and PR-positive breast cancer with low EGFR positivity.
Psychiatric disorders in rescue workers after the Oklahoma City bombing.

OBJECTIVE Psychiatric disorders were studied in a volunteer group of 181 firefighters who served as rescue/recovery workers after the Oklahoma City bombing. METHOD Approximately 34 months after the disaster, the authors retrospectively assessed psychopathology both before and after the bombing with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Findings for male rescue workers were compared with those of male primary victims who had been in the direct path of the blast and who had been assessed with the same instrument. RESULTS The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder related to the bombing was significantly lower in male rescue workers (13%) than in male primary victims (23%). High rates of alcohol disorders (postdisaster: 24%; lifetime: 47%) were seen among all rescue workers, with virtually no new cases occurring after the bombing. CONCLUSIONS The resilience seen in firefighters may be related to their career selection, their preparedness and experience, the fewer injuries they suffered, and postdisaster mental health interventions. However, alcohol disorders were endemic before the disaster, indicating a need for ongoing programs targeting this problem.
Improved visibility of colorectal flat tumors using image‐enhanced endoscopy

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for detecting colorectal tumors; however, conventional colonoscopy can miss flat tumors. We aimed to determine whether visualization of colorectal flat lesions was improved by autofluorescence imaging and narrow‐band imaging image analysis in conjunction with a new endoscopy system. Eight physicians compared autofluorescent, narrow‐band, and chromoendoscopy images to 30 corresponding white‐light images of flat tumors. Physicians rated tumor visibility from each image set as follows: +2 (improved), +1 (somewhat improved), 0 (equivalent to white light), −1 (somewhat decreased), and −2 (decreased). The eight scores for each image were totalled and evaluated. Interobserver agreement was also examined. Autofluorescent, narrow‐band, and chromoendoscopy images showed improvements of 63.3% (19/30), 6.7% (2/30), and 73.3% (22/30), respectively, with no instances of decreased visibility. Autofluorescence scores were generally greater than narrow‐band scores. Interobserver agreement was 0.65 for autofluorescence, 0.80 for narrow‐band imaging, and 0.70 for chromoendoscopy. In conclusion, using a new endoscopy system in conjunction with autofluorescent imaging improved visibility of colorectal flat tumors, equivalent to the visibility achieved using chromoendoscopy.
Luminal leptin inhibits intestinal sugar absorption in vivo

Aim: We have previously demonstrated that leptin inhibits galactose absorption in rat intestinal everted rings and that leptin receptors are present in the apical membrane of the enterocytes. This adipocyte‐derived hormone is also secreted by gastric mucosal cells and is able to reach the intestinal lumen. The goal of the present study was to prove whether luminal leptin acts on intestinal sugar absorption in vivo both at low (basal state) and high sugar concentration (post‐prandial state).
Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of crude root extract and solvent fractions of Cucumis ficifolius in mice model

Background: Societies in developing countries use traditional medicine as alternatives for management of pain and inflammation. The plant Cucumis ficifolius has been used in Ethiopia to treat many ailments including inflammation and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the crude root extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius. Methods: The analgesic activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius was evaluated with acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and formalin-induced paw licking tests. The anti-inflammatory effect of crude methanolic root extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema. The crude extract was given at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. Butanol and aqueous fractions were given at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses. The negative control groups were treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg). Standard drugs used were acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in acetic acid, formalin tests and carrageenan-induced paw edema and morphine (20 mg/kg) in hot plate test. Results: The crude extract, at its maximum dose, produced comparable analgesic activity (72.5%) to ASA in acetic acid writhing test. In the hot plate test, both the crude extract and solvent fractions exhibited a significant prolongation of nociception reaction time. Formalin test result indicated a significant reduction of mean lick time with maximal protection of 64% (early phase) and 83% (late phase). Aqueous and butanol fractions showed good analgesic activity in the three models. Inflammation was decreased by 69% with butanol (200 mg/kg); 71% (800 mg/kg) of crude extract and by 41% and 56% with the use of aqueous fraction at 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study indicates that the crude methanolic root extract, as well as butanol and aqueous solvent fractions, showed anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.