Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relaxed Transcription in Arabidopsis Mitochondria Is Counterbalanced by RNA Stability Control Mediated by Polyadenylation and Polynucleotide Phosphorylase

ABSTRACT Plant mitochondrial genomes are extraordinarily large and complex compared to their animal counterparts, due to the presence of large noncoding regions. Multiple promoters are common for plant mitochondrial genes, and transcription exhibits little or no modulation. Mature functional RNAs are produced through various posttranscriptional processes, and control of RNA stability has a major impact on RNA abundance. This control involves polyadenylation which targets RNA for degradation by polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase). Here, we have analyzed polyadenylated RNA fragments from Arabidopsis plants down-regulated for PNPase (PNP− plants). Because of their polyadenylated status and the accumulation of the corresponding RNA in PNP− versus wild-type plants, these sequences represent mitochondrial RNA degradation tags. Analysis of these tags revealed that PNPase is involved in degrading rRNA and tRNA maturation by-products but also RNA transcribed from regions that are in some cases highly expressed although lacking known functional genes. Some of these transcripts, such as RNA containing chimeric open reading frames created by recombination or antisense RNA transcribed on the opposite strand of a known gene, may present potential detrimental effects to mitochondrial function. Taken together, our data show that the relaxed transcription in Arabidopsis mitochondria is counterbalanced by RNA stability control mediated by polyadenylation and PNPase.
Implicit Theory of Athletic Ability and Self-Handicapping in College Students

Self-handicapping is a maladaptive behavior which undermines students' achievements, but the antecedents of self-handicapping are not well studied in physical education. The aim was to examine the relations of implicit theory of abilities and self-handicapping in physical education. 264 college students, whose mean age was 20.3 yr. (SD= 1.7), completed the Conceptions of the Nature of Athletic Ability Questionnaire-2 and Self-handicapping Scale for Sport. Analysis indicated entity beliefs positively predicted reduced effort and making excuses. Also, incremental beliefs negatively predicted reduced effort. Results are discussed in terms of implicit theory of ability and self-handicapping. Directions for research and implications are stated.
Organ survival after primary dysfunction of liver grafts in clinical orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract In a retrospective analysis of 632 orthototopic liver transplant procedures performed between 1982 and 1997, the incidence of primary dysfunction (PDF) of the liver and its influence on organ survival were studied. Graft function during the first 3 postoperative days was categorized into four groups: (1) good (GOT max < 1000 U/l, spontaneous PT > 50 %, bile production > 100 ml/day); (2) fair (GOT 1000–2500 U/l, clotting factor support < 2 days, bile < 100 ml/day); (3) poor (GOT > 2500 U/l, clotting factor support > 2 days, bile < 20 ml/day); (4) primary non-function (PNF; retransplantation required within 7 days). The aim of this study was to evaluate graft survival comparing organs with PDF (poor function) and PNF vs organs with initial good or fair function. After a median follow- up of 45 months, initially good and fair function of liver grafts resulted in a significantly better long-term graft survival compared with grafts with initially poor function or primary non-function (if retransplanted) (P < 0.01). The Cox model revealed primary function as a highly significant factor in the prediction of long-term graft survival (P < 0.0001). We conclude that these results confirm the hypothesis that primary graft function is of major importance for the long-term survival of liver transplants. Patients with a poor primary function have the worst survival prognosis, which leads to the interpretation that these patients may be candidates for early retransplantation.
Can Teams Help to Close the Gender Competition Gap?

We investigate the effect that competing in teams has on gender differences in choosing to enter competitions. In our experiment, subjects chose whether to compete based on the combined performance of themselves and a teammate. We find that competing in two‐person teams reduces the gender competition gap by two‐thirds. Independent of the sex of one’s partner, female subjects prefer to compete in teams whereas male subjects prefer to compete as individuals. We find that this result is driven primarily by gender differences in competitive preferences, as opposed to other potential explanations such as risk aversion, feedback aversion or confidence.
Bacillus subtilis alkA gene encoding inducible 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase is adjacent to the ada operon

In Bacillus subtilis, the adaptive response to DNA alkylation depends on the ada operon, which consists of the adaA and adaB genes, which encode methylphosphotriester DNA methyltransferase (AdaA protein) and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (AdaB protein), respectively. A structural gene (alkA) that encodes 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase was found upstream of the ada operon, but in the opposite orientation. This cluster of genes was mapped at about 235 kb from the SfiI recognition site near the origin of replication in the physical map of the B. subtilis chromosome. Disruption of the alkA gene sensitized cells to N-propyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, while its overproduction rendered cells highly resistant to N-propyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, indicating that lethal DNA damage produced by bulky alkylating agents was effectively counteracted by AlkA glycosylase. Transcription of the alkA gene was induced by treating adaA+ cells with methylating agents concurrent with transcription of the ada operon. This was accomplished by using methylated AdaA protein bound to a 30-bp segment in the middle of the 100-bp sequence between the transcriptional start sites of the alkA gene and ada operon. Thus, in this organism, the adaptive response to DNA alkylation is achieved by autologous activation of a divergent regulon composed of the genes for a DNA glycosylase and two species of DNA alkyltransferase.
Aptamers, Intramers, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

The term “aptamer” derives from the Latin aptus, “to fit. ” Aptamers are nucleic acid ligands (RNA, ssDNA, modified ssDNA, or modified RNA) that are isolated from libraries of oligonucleotides by an in vitro selection process. These nucleic acids, because of their complex 3-dimensional structure, bind a wide variety of targets with high specificity and affinity, targets ranging from small molecules to complex structures such as proteins. In some cases, by binding to a molecule, they may inhibit the molecule’s biologic function. In other cases, they may change the shape of the molecule, altering its ability to bind to other molecules. In still other cases, they may have no effect whatsoever on the molecule’s ability to bind to other molecules or its shape. Thus, they can be used as molecular sensors or as functional modifiers.
60 GHz antennas and module development for WiGig applications: “Mm-wave antenna-systems” convened session

During past years, various research teams have been implied in the development of 60 GHz chipset solutions, using both BiCMOS and advanced CMOS technologies. But for the 60 GHz market to flourish not only low cost RFICs are required, low cost antennas and packages are also key points. In order to address these issues, we review in this paper achievable antenna performance discussing possible integration schemes at industrial level, describing industrial substrate solutions for MMW large volume consumer applications, antenna design and 3D on wafer characterization. A focus on High Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (HTCC) substrate based antennas is described with measured maximum gain value of 7.8 dBi at 60 GHz.
Stability analysis for Kalman filtering in a muti-hop network

In this paper, we consider the stability properties for Kalman filtering in a multi-hop network. A time-homogeneous Markov chain is used to characterize the packet loss phenomenon of each relay. Since, after several relays, the average expected estimation error covariance at the terminal is difficult to calculate, we derive lower and upper bounds for the average value. Using these bounds, it is found that the stability is related to one special entry in the channel's transition probability matrix, from which we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the stability of the single-hop case and extend the result to the multi-hop one.
More Buzz, More Vibes: Impact of Social Media on Concert Distribution

This paper examines the impact of social media on decision-making regarding concert locations in the music industry. The use of social media allows musicians to communicate directly with their current and potential fans, which provides useful information about where concerts will be more successful. In particular, with the use of social media, musicians are likely to reach out relatively unexplored regions in choosing their concert locations. To examine the effect of social media use on the distribution of concert locations, we introduce an empirical methodology, using a zero-inflated generalized linear mixed model with a log link function. The model accounts for potential heterogeneous locational and temporal traits, allowing us to measure the impact of characteristics of the population on location selection. The parameters estimated from this model support an argument that the use of social media encourages musicians to pursue unexplored markets that they may not have considered before the use of social media.
Clinical diagnosis of hyper- and hypocortisolism.

The clinical correlate of chronic hypercortisolism is Cushing's syndrome (CS). After exclusion of an iatrogenic cause (glucocorticoid administration), two reliable laboratory methods for establishing the diagnosis are (i) measurement of "free" (unmetabolised) cortisol in a 24-hour urine (UFC) sample and (ii) the low-dose (1 or 1.5 mg) dexamethasone (Dex) test. For the latter, Dex is taken orally at midnight, and plasma cortisol is measured at 8 a.m. In normals and in the absence of CS, the morning cortisol (200-650 nmol/L) is suppressed to <80 nmol/L. In endogenous CS of all causes, cortisol suppression by Dex is absent or incomplete. In patients with severe mental depression or stress, suppression may also be incomplete ("false-positives"). However, UFC is normal or only slight increased in the latter group, while it is always markedly increased in clinically apparent CS. In CS, UFC rises proportionally more than plasma cortisol because the cortisol binding plasma protein (transcortin) can bind only about 500 nmol/L cortisol. Protein-bound cortisol is not excreted by the kidney. After establishing the diagnosis CS, the differentiation between its pituitary (ca. 70%), adrenocortical (ca. 20%) or "ectopic" (ACTH production by non-pituitary tumours) (ca. 10%) origin is made by plasma ACTH measurement, a corticotropin releasing hormone injection test (with plasma ACTH/cortisol measurement) and a high-dose Dex (8 mg or more) suppression test. Chronic hypocorticolism can be primary (adrenal disease, Addison's disease) or secondary (pituitary or hypothalamic disorder). UFC measurement is not an established method for confirming hypocortisolism because most analytical methods are too unspecific and insensitive in the subnormal range. Low-normal or subnormal plasma cortisol plus elevated ACTH is the hallmark of Addison's disease. Injection of high doses of ACTH does not lead to a rise in plasma cortisol in these patients. A clearly subnormal cortisol plus low ACTH proves secondary hypocortisolism. Mild forms with low-normal plasma cortisol, however, are more difficult to prove. So-called "dynamic" tests stimulating the whole hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (insulin hypoglycemia test or metyrapone test) are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with hypocortisolism, depending on disease severity, must be treated permanently or only in stressful situations with hydrocortisone unless they may die after passing the clinical state of an "adrenal crisis".
Cultured vestibular ganglion neurons demonstrate latent HSV1 reactivation

Vestibular neuritis is a common cause of both acute and chronic vestibular dysfunction. Multiple pathologies have been hypothesized to be the causative agent of vestibular neuritis; however, whether herpes simplex type I (HSV1) reactivation occurs within the vestibular ganglion has not been demonstrated previously by experimental evidence. We developed an in vitro system to study HSV1 infection of vestibular ganglion neurons (VGNs) using a cell culture model system.
Trichomonas vaginalis is Highly Prevalent in Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women, and Commercial Sex Workers in Ndola, Zambia

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Trichomonas sp. infection among adolescent girls, pregnant women, and commercial sex workers in Ndola, Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 girls attending school, 307 pregnant women, and 197 commercial sex workers. Self-collected specimens from the vagina, rectum, and mouth were tested by polymerase chain amplification assays for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis, Pentatrichomonas hominis, and Trichomonas tenax. Genotyping was performed on specimens that tested positive for T. vaginalis. Results: The prevalence of vaginal infection with T. vaginalis was 24.6% among the adolescents, 32.2% among the pregnant women, and 33.2% among the commercial sex workers. Trichomonads other than T. vaginalis were rarely found in the vagina, rectum, and mouth. The presence of T. vaginalis in the rectum was associated with T. vaginalis in the vagina. T. tenax was also detected in the vagina. A total of 9 actin genotypes of T. vaginalis were identified. The distribution of the actin genotypes of T. vaginalis was similar in the 3 study groups. Conclusion: We detected high prevalence rates of trichomoniasis among women in Ndola, Zambia. Prevalence among adolescent girls was lower than among pregnant women and commercial sex workers but was still high. We were not able to detect differences in T. vaginalis actin genotypes among the 3 study groups.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Clinical and experimental studies on treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia

Background: Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion may lead to profuse secretion of water and electrolytes. The underlying mechanisms have been related to increased hydrostatic pressure, to denudation of intestinal villi and recently, to adenosine-mediated enhancement of chloride secretion. Methods: We studied the effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation on baseline electrophysiological parameters, on glucoseand glutamine-induced absorption, on secretion induced by carbachol, histamine and forskolin, and on epithelial barrier function to disodium-fluorescein and horseradish peroxidase, in rat ileum mounted in Ussing chambers. Results: We observed that 30 minutes of hypoxia followed by 60 minutes of reoxygenation differentially affected glucoseand glutamine-absorption to respectively 11 % and 42 % of control values. cAMP-mediated secretion induced by forskolin was reduced to 9 % of controls. In contrast, Ca7PKC-mediated secretion induced by carbachol or histamine was only reduced to 35-48 % of controls. Furthermore, the epithelium was fully capable to maintain its barrier function to small and large permeability probes, even after 90 minutes of hypoxia. Conclusion: We conclude that hypoxia and reoxygenation differentially impairs nutrient absorption, corroborating recent absorption data in in vivo models of ischemia, and that it differentially affects secretory capacity in crypts, dependent on the intracellular messenger pathway. The relative persistence of Ca/PKC-mediated secretion to hypoxia and reoxygenation indicates that secretagogues that activate this pathway play a significant role in the intraluminal fluid sequestration and diarrhea observed after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.
Forme fruste or incipient form of widespread‐type amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or motor neuron disease with pallido‐nigro‐luysian atrophy? An autopsy case report

We describe a 52‐year‐old man with body weight loss and bulbar palsy, who exhibited muscle atrophy and weakness with fasciculation especially in the respiratory muscles 4 years prior to death, necessitating respiratory support for 4 years, but who was able to walk until the end‐stage. He had no significant family history. Neuropathological examination revealed severe loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, and ubiquitin‐positive skein‐like inclusions and Bunina bodies in the remaining neurons. In addition, prominent degeneration of the anterolateral funiculus and severe loss of neurons in the intermediate zone of the spinal cord were evident, without marked alteration of the corticospinal tracts. Degeneration of the subthalamic nucleus, increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra, and axonal swelling, residual nodules and acidophilic granules in the spinal ganglia were found. The patient's condition was considered to have been a forme fruste or incipient form of widespread‐type amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease (MND) with pallido‐nigro‐luysian atrophy (PNLA). The neuropathological features of the present case appear to be important for understanding the nature of widespread‐type ALS and MND with PNLA.
Relations between colorblind socialization and children's racial bias: evidence from European American mothers and their preschool children.

To examine European American parents' racial socialization, mothers (n = 84) were videotaped while reading 2 race-themed books to their 4- to 5-year-old children and completed surveys concerning their racial attitudes and behaviors. Children completed measures of their racial attitudes and both groups (mothers and preschoolers) predicted the others' racial attitudes. Results indicated that nearly all mothers adopted "colormute" and "colorblind" approaches to socialization. Furthermore, neither children nor mothers accurately predicted the others' views. Children's racial attitudes were unrelated to their mothers' attitudes but were predicted by their mothers' cross-race friendships; those children whose mothers had a higher percentage of non-European American friends showed lower levels of racial biases than those children whose mothers had a lower percentage of non-European American friends.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with hepatitis C and interferon alpha: A review.

OBJECTIVE Neuropsychiatric symptoms are commonly associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, its sequelae, and its treatment. In particular, interferon, a primary component of treatment for chronic hepatitis C, has been strongly associated with depressive symptoms. This review summarizes current knowledge about the etiology, course, and treatment of neuropsychiatric problems associated with hepatitis C and interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment. METHOD Studies were identified by computerized searches, and further references were obtained from bibliographies of the reviewed articles. RESULTS Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus is a common and growing problem, often affecting persons with psychiatric and substance use problems. Although changes in cognition, mood, and personality have been described in association with hepatitis C and with IFN-alpha treatment, there has been little systematic study of these changes. CONCLUSIONS Psychiatrists should become familiar with the clinical spectrum associated with hepatitis C virus infection as well as the neuropsychiatric symptoms related to hepatitis C and IFN-alpha treatment. More studies are necessary to define the neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with this population and to find possible effective treatments. Furthermore, research is needed so that patients with psychiatric problems are not excluded from effective treatments for this growing medical problem.
Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E2 Protein Has No Effect on Transcription from Episomal Viral DNA

ABSTRACT The human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 protein plays an important role in viral DNA replication. Many studies with high-risk HPVs have demonstrated that the E2 protein can also repress transcription of the E6 and E7 oncogenes. This conclusion, based on experiments carried out with cervical cancer cells bearing integrated HPV genomes, is currently assumed to be applicable to the normal HPV life cycle, in which the viral genomes are episomal. Here, we have tested experimentally whether this assumption is correct. We made use of a pair of isogenic cell lines, W12 and S12. W12 cells contain episomal HPV16 genomes, whereas S12 cells, which are derived from the W12 line, contain HPV DNA as integrated copies. When we expressed E2 in S12 cells, we observed strong repression of E6 and E7 transcription. In contrast, no effect of E2 on the transcription of these genes was detected in W12 cells. While integration of the viral genome into the host DNA contributes to the difference between W12 and S12 cells, integration by itself is not sufficient to explain this difference. Instead, the chromatin structure in the region of the E6 and E7 promoter (p97), which we show to be very different in these two cell lines, is likely to be the cause of the different responsiveness of p97 to the E2 protein. Experiments with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) indicated that the episomal HPV16 DNA is in a relatively inaccessible state prior to TSA treatment. Our results, together with those of others, suggest that any effect of the E2 protein on the expression of the E6 and E7 genes during the normal viral life cycle is of secondary importance compared to the function of E2 in replication.
Alpha C Protein of Group B Streptococcus Binds Host Cell Surface Glycosaminoglycan and Enters Cells by an Actin-dependent Mechanism*

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonizes mucosal surfaces of the human gastrointestinal and gynecological tracts and causes disease in a wide range of patients. Invasive illness occurs after organisms traverse an epithelial boundary and enter deeper tissues. Previously we have reported that the alpha C protein (ACP) on the surface of GBS mediates GBS entry into ME180 cervical epithelial cells and GBS translocation across layers of these cells. We now demonstrate that ACP interacts with host cell glycosaminoglycan (GAG); the interaction of ACP with ME180 cells is inhibited if cells are pretreated with sodium chlorate, an inhibitor of sulfate incorporation, or with heparitinases. The interaction is also inhibited in the presence of soluble heparin or heparan sulfate or host cell-derived GAG. In addition, ACP binds soluble heparin specifically in inhibition and dot blot assays. After interaction with host GAG, soluble ACP enters ME180 cells and fractionates to the eukaryotic cell cytosol. These events are inhibited in cells pretreated with cytochalasin D or with Clostridium difficile toxin B. These data indicate that full-length ACP interacts with ME180 cell GAG and enters the eukaryotic cell cytosol by a mechanism that involves Rho GTPase-dependent actin rearrangements. We suggest that these molecular interactions drive ACP-mediated translocation of GBS across epithelial barriers, thereby facilitating invasive GBS infection.