Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partners in crime: The role of tandem modules in gene transcription

Histones and their modifications play an important role in the regulation of gene transcription. Numerous modifications, such as acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, have been described. These modifications almost always co‐occur and thereby increase the combinatorial complexity of post‐translational modification detection. The domains that recognize these histone modifications often occur in tandem in the context of larger proteins and complexes. The presence of multiple modifications can positively or negatively regulate the binding of these tandem domains, influencing downstream cellular function. Alternatively, these tandem domains can have novel functions from their independent parts. Here we summarize structural and functional information known about major tandem domains and their histone binding properties. An understanding of these interactions is key for the development of epigenetic therapy.
Transforming growth factor beta expression in reactive spinal cord microglia and meningeal inflammatory cells during experimental allergic neuritis

Experimental allergic neurities (EAN), an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the peripheral nervous system, is preceded and accompanied by a massive microglial reaction in the spinal cord which occurs in the absence of inflammatory cells infiltrating the cord parenchyma. Since transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) has been shown to play a beneficial role in experimental autoimmune disease and might be involved in the regulation of glial activity, we have investigated the expression of TGF‐β in EAN spinal cord and nerve root tissue. Adoptive transfer EAN was induced by the injection of neurotogenic T‐cells specific for the P2 myelin protein. In normal spinal cord tissue, both TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β3 mRNA were constitutively expressed at low levels. Already 3 days following injection of P2‐specific T‐cells, TGF‐β1 mRNA levels began to increase, peaked at day 6 at levels about tenfold above normal, and thereafter declined. TGF‐β3 was induced even earlier with a sharp rise at day 3 and a peak fourfold above normal at day 4. In situ hybridization for TGF‐β1 performed on spinal cord sections 6 days after injection of cells localized TGF‐β1 mRNA to many nonneuronal cells with the typical morphology of microglia. In addition, TGF‐β1 mRNA was observed in the meninges, and massive accumulation of signal was seen over inflammatory cells infiltrating the nerve roots. Our data indicate that TGF‐β1 and ‐β3 are involved in regulating the glial response in EAN and that activated microglial cells might control their own activity state by expressing TGF‐β1. The expression of TGF‐β1 by infiltrating inflammatory cells in the nerve roots might represent an important endogenous mechanism to limit the extent of inflammation. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phytotoxins eliminated by milk: a review

ABSTRACT: Milk is a complex emulsion of lipids suspended in aqueous protein solution that can be a carrier of various contaminants, but generally it is not an important route of toxic excretion. The main problem is chronic repetitive exposure, as it occurs with ingestion of toxic plants and its potential danger to animals that consume the milk. Previously reported hazardous phytotoxins eliminated by milk include: indolizidine alkaloids, causing oligosaccharide storage disease; piperidine alkaloids, causing acute poisoning or malformations; pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause hepatic lesions; quinolizidine alkaloids, as a cause of skeletal defects; glucosinolates, which cause changes in the thyroid; tremetol (or tremetone), which causes a disease characterized by tremors in animals and milk sickness in humans; sodium monofluoracetate, which causes the death of kids after ingestion of colostrum from goats that have ingested Amorimia septentrionalis during gestation; ptaquiloside, which induces carcinogenesis in animals that ingest milk or derivatives produced by animals that have ingested Pteridium spp. Ipomoea asarifolia, which contains indole diterpenes causing tremors in suckling pups. Chrysocoma ciliata causes alopecia in suckling pups, but its toxic compound is still unknown. Knowledge about the risk of exposure to these substances via milk and its dissemination are important for veterinary and human health.
ViViSnoop: Someone is snooping your typing without seeing it!

In the paper, we present ViViSnoop, a novel video-assisted keystroke inference attack which snoops the victim user's typed input without visually seeing it. Instead, it infers the typed input from the vibration extracted from the video capturing the desk where the physical or virtual keyboard is placed. ViViSnoop is built on the fact that keystrokes on the desk incur mechanical vibrations which are subtle but still extractable through computer vision processing. To further exploit subtle vibration patterns for accurate and reliable keystroke inference, ViViSnoop incorporates a suite of techniques such as vibration-specific video processing to enhance raw vibration quality, a novel virtual sensing array technique to develop fine-grained location signatures, and a two-phase classifier to achieve high accuracy and efficiency. Our extensive evaluation shows that ViViSnoop realizes high-accuracy keystroke inference. ViViSnoop achieves around 55% single-character accuracy in inferring passwords (random inputs). In word and sentence inference, it achieves 71.4% and 59.4% accuracy using top-1 choices and even almost 100% and 75% using top-10 choices. This means there is almost no difficulty in understanding user inputs. It imposes a covert and serious threat to leak user typing in public/office spaces.
Efficient and sensitive identification and quantification of airborne pollen using next‐generation DNA sequencing

Pollen monitoring is an important and widely used tool in allergy research and creation of awareness in pollen‐allergic patients. Current pollen monitoring methods are microscope‐based, labour intensive and cannot identify pollen to the genus level in some relevant allergenic plant groups. Therefore, a more efficient, cost‐effective and sensitive method is needed. Here, we present a method for identification and quantification of airborne pollen using DNA sequencing. Pollen is collected from ambient air using standard techniques. DNA is extracted from the collected pollen, and a fragment of the chloroplast gene trnL is amplified using PCR. The PCR product is subsequently sequenced on a next‐generation sequencing platform (Ion Torrent). Amplicon molecules are sequenced individually, allowing identification of different sequences from a mixed sample. We show that this method provides an accurate qualitative and quantitative view of the species composition of samples of airborne pollen grains. We also show that it correctly identifies the individual grass genera present in a mixed sample of grass pollen, which cannot be achieved using microscopic pollen identification. We conclude that our method is more efficient and sensitive than current pollen monitoring techniques and therefore has the potential to increase the throughput of pollen monitoring.
Methylphenidate treatment for cocaine abusers with adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common among cocaine abusers seeking treatment. This open trial was carried out to assess the efficacy of sustained-release methylphenidate for the treatment of cocaine abuse among individuals with ADHD. METHOD Twelve patients who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for adult ADHD and cocaine dependence were entered into a 12-week trial of divided daily doses of sustained-release methylphenidate ranging from 40 to 80 mg. In addition to the pharmacotherapy, patients also received individual weekly relapse prevention therapy. Individuals were assessed weekly for ADHD symptoms; vital signs and urine toxicologies were obtained 3 times a week. RESULTS Of the 12 patients entered, 10 completed at least 8 weeks of the study and 8 completed the entire study. Using both a semistructured clinical interview and a self-report assessment, patients reported reductions in attention difficulties, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Self-reported cocaine use and craving decreased significantly. More importantly, cocaine use, confirmed by urine toxicologies, also decreased significantly. CONCLUSION These preliminary data suggest that under close supervision, the combined intervention of sustained-release methylphenidate and relapse prevention therapy may be effective in treating individuals with both adult ADHD and cocaine dependence.
Effect of clinical variables and immunosuppression on serum cystatin C and beta-trace protein in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND Cystatin C and beta-trace protein (BTP) are low-molecular-weight proteins that have generated interest as alternative endogenous markers of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Studies examining the effect of demographic, biometric, clinical, and biochemical variables on cystatin C levels have yielded conflicting results, perhaps because of the reliance on inferior methods of GFR determination. The aim of this study is to examine the independent effect of various clinical parameters on serum concentrations of creatinine, cystatin C, and BTP in kidney transplant recipients. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 207 kidney transplant recipients with stable kidney function. PREDICTORS GFR, age, race, sex, body mass index, albumin level, proteinuria, smoking status, prednisone, and calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate mofetil use. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between predictor variables and cystatin C, BTP, and creatinine levels. GFR was measured by using technetium 99m-radiolabeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid clearance. RESULTS After adjusting for GFR, cystatin C and BTP levels were significantly lower in women compared with men. Greater albumin concentration was associated with significantly lower cystatin C and BTP concentrations. There was a statistically significant, but clinically small, association between body mass index and cystatin C level, but no association between the other demographic variables or medications analyzed. LIMITATIONS Predominantly white population; results may not be applicable to other racial groups. CONCLUSION Important nonrenal factors can influence BTP and cystatin C concentrations and need to be considered when interpreting BTP and cystatin C values in kidney transplant patients.
Perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of haemodynamics following stent angioplasty in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery plaque stenosis at the M1 segment

The most effective strategy to assess changes in the brain haemodynamics of stent angioplasty in patients with symptomatic ischemia of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to use perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) to evaluate the effect of stent angioplasty in treating patients with symptomatic MCA plaque stenosis. Stent angioplasty was performed on 23 patients with reduplicative transient ischaemic attack who were refractory to medical therapy. All patients had MCA plaque stenosis at the M1 segment. Brain PWI was obtained from four major regions of interest (ROIs) at the frontal parietal, temporal, lateral ventricle and basal ganglia lobes prior to and following stent implantation. In addition, cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume, mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) parameters derived from PWI were calculated. All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography following surgery to confirm the patency. Computed tomography angiography or PWI was performed 1 week and 3 months post-surgery. According to pre-operative PWI, there was significant hypoperfusion in the symptomatic frontal parietal, temporal, lateral ventricle and basal ganglia lobes. By contrast, the regional CBF and CBF increased in the ROIs of the affected cerebral hemisphere 3 months after stent implantation (P<0.05 vs. pre-operative data). Additionally, post-operative MTT and TTP in the ROIs on the operative side were significantly shorter than pre-operative MTT and TTP (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, the frequency of transient ischaemic attack was reduced or disappeared in all patients during the follow-up. In conclusion, PWI enables an effective and objective assessment of haemodynamics prior to and following stent angioplasty in patients with plaque stenosis of MCA at the M1 segment.
Investigation of communication delays and data incompleteness in multi-PMU Wide Area Monitoring and Control Systems

Phasor based Wide Area Monitoring and Control Systems (WAMC) are becoming a reality with increased international research and development. Many potential control applications based on these systems are being proposed and researched. An aspect which is less well investigated is the WAMC system's dependence on high performance communication systems. This paper presents the results of simulations performed in order to determine the characteristics of communication delays incurred in WAMC systems using multiple PMUs distributed over a large geographic area. Such systems normally include one or several Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) that collect and sort the data from the PMUs. Two specific parameters, completeness and currency of the PMU data has been studied as part of the simulations. The results indicate that configuration of central nodes such as the PDC needs to be optimized based on the intended WAMC application being supported.
Rituximab for patients with refractory mucous membrane pemphigoid.

BACKGROUND Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) still represents a potentially life- and sight-threatening disease. In a subset of patients with severe MMP, conventional immunosuppressants are ineffective or contraindicated. OBSERVATIONS Twenty-five patients with severe refractory MMP, including 5 with mucous membrane-dominant epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, received 1 or 2 cycles of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) weekly for 4 weeks). Twenty-one of the patients were receiving concomitant therapy with dapsone and/or sulfasalazine therapy, which was maintained during rituximab cycles. Complete responses in all affected sites (ocular and/or extraocular) were obtained in 17 patients (68%) by a median time of 12 weeks after the first cycle, and 5 additional patients responded completely after a second cycle, yielding an 88% complete response rate. In all but 1 of the 10 patients with ocular lesions, their eyes became noninflammatory within a mean of 10 weeks. Among the 3 patients (12%) who developed severe infectious complications, 2 (8%) died; they had been receiving concomitant conventional immunosuppressants and high-dose corticosteroids and were hypogammaglobulinemic. Treatment with immunosuppressants was discontinued for all other patients, and no other infection was observed. Ten patients experienced relapse after a mean of 4 (range, 1-16) months after achieving complete responses. CONCLUSIONS Rituximab appears to have rapid and dramatic efficacy in patients with severe, refractory MMP. The occurrence of severe infections in patients receiving concomitant conventional immunosuppressants supports using rituximab without other immunosuppressants. Controlled prospective studies are warranted to define an optimal treatment protocol.
Evidence for linkage of bipolar disorder to chromosome 18 with a parent-of-origin effect.

A susceptibility gene on chromosome 18 and a parent-of-origin effect have been suggested for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). We have studied 28 nuclear families selected for apparent unilineal transmission of the BPAD phenotype, by using 31 polymorphic markers spanning chromosome 18. Evidence for linkage was tested with affected-sib-pair and LOD score methods under two definitions of the affected phenotype. The affected-sibpair analyses indicated excess allele sharing for markers on 18p within the region reported previously. The greatest sharing was at D18S37: 64% in bipolar and recurrent unipolar (RUP) sib pairs (P = .0006). In addition, excess sharing of the paternally, but not maternally, transmitted alleles was observed at three markers on 18q: at D18S41, 51 bipolar and RUP sib pairs were concordant for paternally transmitted alleles, and 21 pairs were discordant (P = 0004). The evidence for linkage to loci on both 18p and 18q was strongest in the 11 paternal pedigrees, i.e., those in which the father or one of the father's sibs is affected. In these pedigrees, the greatest allele sharing (81%; P = .00002) and the highest LOD score (3.51; phi = 0.0) were observed at D18S41. Our results provide further support for linkage of BPAD to chromosome 18 and the first molecular evidence for a parent-of-origin effect operating in this disorder. The number of loci involved, and their precise location, require further study.
Study on Virtual Workflow of Collaborative Commerce Oriented Web Services Composition Path Optimization Algorithm

With the emergence of service-oriented architecture web service and service composition technology have become gradually the important means of improving the agility, flexibility and availability of enterprise information system integration and implementation collaborative commerce among enterprises. Combining web service with workflow, the paper analyses workflow-oriented, cross-organization and distributed dynamic service composition mechanism, then explores the general model of implementing hierarchy composition planning of dynamic web services based on workflow model. Also, considering multi-layers and multi-available services a novel search algorithm of optimized service composition path based on path cost and service preference is designed and illustrated by an example.
Social, psychological and economic challenges faced by transgender individuals and their significant others: gaining insight through personal narratives

Using narrative analysis, this study uses survey data to explore the social, psychological and economic challenges faced by transgender individuals and their significant others. With over 300 participants, this study not only validates the findings of previous yet smaller scale studies surrounding the transgender experience, it adds greater context to our current understanding, specifically because of its inclusion of significant others. Findings include participants' reports of social stigma coupled with psychological pain and economic hardship. The authors discuss the intersectionality of these three variables and the possible implications for understanding the transgender experience and that of their partners.
Male–male competition, female mate choice and their interaction: determining total sexual selection

Empirical studies of sexual selection typically focus on one of the two mechanisms of sexual selection without integrating these into a description of total sexual selection, or study total sexual selection without quantifying the contributions of all of the mechanisms of sexual selection. However, this can provide an incomplete or misleading view of how sexually selected traits evolve if the mechanisms of sexual selection are opposing or differ in form. Here, we take a two‐fold approach to advocate a direction for future studies of sexual selection. We first show how a quantitative partitioning and examination of sexual selection mechanisms can inform by identifying illustrative studies that describe both male–male competition and female mate choice acting on the same trait. In our sample, the most common trait where this occurred was body size, and selection was typically linear. We found that male–male competition and female mate choice can be reinforcing or opposing, although the former is most common in the literature. The mechanisms of sexual selection can occur simultaneously or sequentially, and we found they were more likely to be opposing when the mechanisms operated sequentially. The degree and timing that these mechanisms interact have important implications for the operation of sexual selection and needs to be considered in designing studies. Our examples highlight where empirical data are needed. We especially lack standardized measures of the form and strength of selection imposed by each mechanism of sexual selection and how they combine to determine total sexual selection. Secondly, using quantitative genetic principles, we outline how the selection imposed by individual mechanisms can be measured and combined to estimate the total strength and form of sexual selection. We discuss the evolutionary consequences of combining the mechanisms of sexual selection and interpreting total sexual selection. We suggest how this approach may result in empirical progress in the field of sexual selection.
Current Concepts in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Pharmacotherapeutic Implications

Objective: To review evolution of the vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) construct, including diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic implications, and address challenges that will shape future developments. Data Sources: Literature retrieval was accessed through PubMed, from 1966 to December 2008, using the terms vascular cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, post-stroke dementia, vascular cognitive disorder, mild cognitive impairment, criteria, disease progression, outcomes, treatment, prevention, biomarkers, and neuroimaging. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All articles in published English identified from the data sources were evaluated for inclusion. Regarding pharmacotherapy, prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were included as well as extensions or relevant post hoc analyses. Data Synthesis: In the 1970s, “senile dementia due to hardening of the arteries” was used to describe dementia due to vascular causes. This was a narrow view of what is now known to be a common form of cognitive impairment in older people. Multiple infarct dementia (MID) was first proposed to describe dementia attributable to multiple cerebral infarcts, followed by the vascular dementia (VaD) construct, itself meant to be an improvement over MID. The VaD construct had limitations, not the least of which was that, by the time a patient was diagnosed with VaD, the opportunity for prevention was lost. Thus arose the concept of VCI, representing a group of heterogeneous disorders that share presumed vascular causes. The importance of VCI is centered on the fact that vascular risk factors are treatable, and thus should lead to a reduction in the incidence of cognitive impairment due to vascular causes. There is evidence that treatment of hypertension can lead to a reduction in the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia, and that treatment of VaD with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may be beneficial. Conclusions: Careful attention needs to be given to controlling vascular risk factors in at-risk patients. Pharmacists should play an active role in this important area of geriatric pharmacotherapy.