Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
14C-Dead Living Biomass: Evidence for Microbial Assimilation of Ancient Organic Carbon During Shale Weathering

Prokaryotes have been cultured from a modern weathering profile developed on a ∼365-million-year-old black shale that use macromolecular shale organic matter as their sole organic carbon source. Using natural-abundance carbon-14 analysis of membrane lipids, we show that 74 to 94% of lipid carbon in these cultures derives from assimilation of carbon-14–free organic carbon from the shale. These results reveal that microorganisms enriched from shale weathering profiles are able to use a macromolecular and putatively refractory pool of ancient organic matter. This activity may facilitate the oxidation of sedimentary organic matter to inorganic carbon when sedimentary rocks are exposed by erosion. Thus, microorganisms may play a more active role in the geochemical carbon cycle than previously recognized, with profound implications for controls on the abundance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere over geologic time.
Regionale verschillen in criminaliteit onder inwoners van Turkse origine

In dit onderzoek is nagegaan of er ook regionale verschillen in criminaliteit bestaan onder in Nederland woonachtige Turken en zijn twee mogelijke verklaringen voor deze verschillen onderzocht. Allereerst wordt er gesteld dat verschillen in het ervaren van etnische dreiging onder autochtonen, gemeten door het percentage PVV stemmen in een gemeente, een rol spelen. Labeling, gemeten als het ervaren van discriminatie, zou een mogelijke medierende factor kunnen zijn. Daarnaast zouden ook verschillen in symbolische representatie, gemeten door etnische diversiteit binnen politiekorpsen, het criminele gedrag onder Turken kunnen verklaren. Hierbij kan mediatie plaatsvinden door legitimiteit. De verklaringen zijn getoetst via een logistische multilevel analyse op data over zelfgerapporteerde criminaliteit verkregen uit de NELLS. De belangrijkste bevindingen zijn dat het wonen in gemeenten met een hoog percentage PVV stemmen voor Turken niet significant de kans verhoogt op het vertonen van crimineel gedrag. Verder blijkt er geen verschil te bestaan tussen informele delinquentie (niet strafbaar gedrag) en criminaliteit. Ook de hypothese over symbolische representatie moet worden verworpen.
Suppression of Interferon‐Mediated Antiviral Immunity by Hepatitis B Virus: An Overview of Research Progress

Interferon (IFN)‐α is an indispensable drug for hepatitis B treatment in clinical settings. However, hepatitis B virus (HBV) can attenuate IFN‐mediated antiviral responses to avoid being inhibited or cleared. Much progress has been made in exploring how the IFN‐induced anti‐HBV effect is inhibited. This review examines and summarizes new advances regarding the molecular mechanism underlying the HBV‐induced suppression of type I IFN‐mediated antiviral immunity.
The development of hypophosphataemic osteomalacia with myopathy in two patients with HIV infection receiving tenofovir therapy

We report two cases in which osteomalacia developed in patients on tenofovir‐containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the context of Fanconi syndrome with hypophosphataemia. Bone pain was the presenting feature and myopathy followed in one case. Disability was reversed with withdrawal of the drug and with mineral supplementation. The cases highlight the importance of considering the diagnosis of osteomalacia in patients treated with tenofovir. A possible association with incipient acute renal failure, particularly during nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, needs further investigation.
Fusing remote sensing with sparse demographic data for synthetic population generation: an algorithm and application to rural Afghanistan

We develop a new algorithm for population synthesis that fuses remote-sensing data with partial and sparse demographic surveys. The algorithm addresses non-binding constraints and complex sampling designs by translating population synthesis into a computationally efficient procedure for constrained network growth. As a case, we synthesize the rural population of Afghanistan, validate the algorithm with in-sample and out-of-sample tests, examine the variability of algorithm outputs over k-nearest neighbor manifolds, and show the responsiveness of our algorithm to additional data as a constraint on marginal population counts.
Mutually repressing repressor functions and multi‐layered cellular heterogeneity regulate the bistable Salmonella fliC census

Bistable flagellar and virulence gene expression generates specialized Salmonella subpopulations with distinct functions. Repressing flagellar genes allows Salmonella to evade caspase‐1 mediated host defenses and enhances systemic colonization. By definition, bistability arises when intermediate states of gene expression are rendered unstable by the underlying genetic circuitry. We demonstrate sustained bistable fliC expression in virulent Salmonella 14028 and document dynamic control of the distribution, or single‐cell census, of flagellar gene expression by the mutually repressing repressors YdiV and FliZ. YdiV partitions cells into the fliC‐OFF subpopulation, while FliZ partitions cells into the fliC‐HIGH subpopulation at late time points during growth. Bistability of ΔfliZ populations and ydiV‐independent FliZ control of flagellar gene expression provide evidence that the YdiV‐FliZ mutually repressing repressor circuit is not required for bistability. Repression and activation by YdiV and FliZ (respectively) can shape the census of fliC expression independently, and bistability collapses into a predominantly intermediate population in the absence of both regulators. Metered expression of YdiV and FliZ reveals variable sensitivity to these regulators and defines conditions where expression of FliZ enhances fliC expression and where FliZ does not alter the fliC census. Thus, this evolved genetic circuitry coordinates multiple layers of regulatory heterogeneity into a binary response.
PRMT5 (Janus Kinase-binding Protein 1) Catalyzes the Formation of Symmetric Dimethylarginine Residues in Proteins*

We have identified a new mammalian protein arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT5, formerly designated Janus kinase-binding protein 1, that can catalyze the formation of ω-N G -monomethylarginine and symmetric ω-N G ,N G′ -dimethylarginine in a variety of proteins. A hemagglutinin peptide-tagged PRMT5 complex purified from human HeLa cells catalyzes theS-adenosyl-l-[methyl- 3H]methionine-dependentin vitro methylation of myelin basic protein. When the radiolabeled myelin basic protein was acid-hydrolyzed to free amino acids, and the products were separated by high-resolution cation exchange chromatography, we were able to detect two tritiated species. One species co-migrated with a ω-N G -monomethylarginine standard, and the other co-chromatographed with a symmetric ω-N G ,N G′ -dimethylarginine standard. Upon base treatment, this second species formed methylamine, a breakdown product characteristic of symmetric ω-N G ,N G′ -dimethylarginine. Further analysis of these two species by thin layer chromatography confirmed their identification as ω-N G -monomethylarginine and symmetric ω-N G ,N G′ -dimethylarginine. The hemagglutinin-PRMT5 complex was also able to monomethylate and symmetrically dimethylate bovine histone H2A and a glutathioneS-transferase-fibrillarin (amino acids 1–148) fusion protein (glutathione S-transferase-GAR). A mutation introduced into theS-adenosyl-l-methionine-binding motif I of amyc-tagged PRMT5 construct in COS-1 cells led to a near complete loss of observed enzymatic activity. PRMT5 is the first example of a catalytic chain for a type II protein arginineN-methyltransferase that can result in the formation of symmetric dimethylarginine residues as observed previously in myelin basic protein, Sm small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, and other polypeptides.
Relationships Between Fine-Motor, Visual-Motor, and Visual Perception Scores and Handwriting Legibility and Speed

ABSTRACT Occupational therapists assess fine motor, visual motor, visual perception, and visual skill development, but knowledge of the relationships between scores on sensorimotor performance measures and handwriting legibility and speed is limited. Ninety-nine students in grades three to six with learning and/or behavior problems completed the Upper-Limb Speed and Dexterity Subtest of the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration—5th Edition, the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills—Revised, the Visual Skills Appraisal, and a handwriting copying task. Correlations between sensorimotor performance scores and handwriting legibility varied from . 07 to . 38. Correlations between sensorimotor performance scores and handwriting speed varied from . 04 to . 42. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the variance in handwriting explained by these measures was ≤20% for legibility and ≤26% for speed. On the basis of multivariate analysis of variance only scores for the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration differed between students classified as “skilled” and “unskilled” handwriters. The low magnitude of the correlations and variance explained by the sensorimotor performance measures supports the need for occupational therapists to consider additional factors that may impact handwriting of students with learning and/or behavior problems.
Prise en compte du mouvement dans les systèmes de communication sans fil

Fruits des progres de l'informatique embarquee et des technologies de communication sans-fil, des terminaux d'un nouveau type sont recemment apparus. Disposant d'une capacite de calcul non negligeable, ils peuvent de plus echanger des informations directement avec leurs pairs ou bien par le biais d'un reseau relais. La portee de communication dont ils disposent etant limitee, le mouvement de ces terminaux joue un role immediat dans le fonctionnement de leurs echanges. La prise en compte de cette mobilite apparait alors comme une perspective interessante a developper lors de l'elaboration de systemes mettant en oeuvre ces terminaux. L'objectif de ce document est d'examiner et de classifier les differentes techniques employees afin de permettre aux systemes informatiques d'effectuer cette prise en compte. Nous verrons qu'elle depasse le cadre des systemes adaptatifs.
Are doctors altruistic?

There is a growing belief in the US that medicine is an altruistic profession, and that physicians display altruism in their daily work. We argue that one of the most fundamental features of medical professionalism is a fiduciary responsibility to patients, which implies a duty or obligation to act in patients' best medical interests. The term that best captures this sense of obligation is “beneficence”, which contrasts with “altruism” because the latter act is supererogatory and is beyond obligation. On the other hand, we offer several examples in which patients act altruistically. If it is patients and not the doctors who are altruistic, then the patients are the gift-bearers and to that extent doctors owe them gratitude and respect for their many contributions to medicine. Recognising this might help us better understand the moral significance of the doctor-patient relationship in modern medicine.
Evaluation of Applicability of Noncontact Analysis Methods to Detect Rust Regions in Coated Steel Plates

The applicability of noncontact analysis methods to the detection of rust in coated steel plates used for outdoor equipment has been examined. Reflection intensity measurements from a sample coated with epoxy resin show that optical coherence tomography using near-infrared (IR) light and THz waves can detect the hidden rust region, since near-IR light and THz waves can pass through the coating. This region can be reproduced by so-called THz imaging without contact. In contrast, neither X-ray fluorescence nor Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can detect the rust, because of the strong X-ray and IR absorption peaks of the coating.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PREPARATIONS PRODUCED FROM CHLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM ( L . ) AT EXPERIMENTAL TOXIC DAMAGE IN WISTAR RATS

Researches of age-dependent changes of liver functions and their correction with the use of various biologically active substances are an important issue of modern biomedicine. Investigation of the influence of the enzymatic hydrolyzate and DMSO extract of Chlorophytum comosum (L.) on the liver of rats at the age of 18 months at its experimental toxic damage showed that the substrate has expressed a pronounced hepatoprotective effect. Under its influence morphological changes in the rat liver induced by CCl4 are much less pronounced than in the controls. There are also less significant deviations from normal levels of Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alanine transaminase (AST) and Total Bilirubin in blood plasma. Information analysis of the state of the organ indicates that the level of adaptation and regeneration opportunities of the liver of rats treated with an enzymatic hydrolyzate of Chlorophytum comosum (L.) is significantly higher than at the liver of rats with experimental toxic liver damage without the use of studied substrate. Histopathological analysis confirmed the alleviation of liver damage in connection with use of enzymatic hydrolyzate of Chlorophytum comosum (L.)
Altered white and gray matter metabolism in CADASIL

Objective: Subcortical white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and small cystic lesions are the radiologic hallmark of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), a hereditary angiopathy causing stroke in young adults. To further characterize the cerebral pathology in vivo we analyzed metabolite concentrations in normal and abnormal appearing brain tissue using single and multiple voxel proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS and 1H-MRSI). Methods: Twenty patients with CADASIL and 21 age-matched controls were studied with 1H-MRSI at the level of the centrum semiovale; short echo time 1H-MRS was performed in six patients (WMH) and 10 controls. LCModel fits were used to estimate absolute and relative concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), total creatine (Cr) within WMH, normal appearing white matter (NAWM), and cortical gray matter (GM) as well as myo-inositol (mI) and lactate in WMH. Results: 1H-MRSI—Patients with CADASIL showed significantly reduced NAA, Cho, Cr, and total metabolite content (Mettot) in WMH and NAWM. Normalization to Mettot revealed that NAA/Mettot was reduced in all regions, whereas Cho and Cr were relatively elevated in WMH. Short echo time 1H-MRS showed decreased NAA, Cr, Mettot, and NAA/Mettot and elevated mI/Mettot and lactate in WMH. Metabolite changes were larger in severely affected subjects. Rankin scores correlated negatively with NAA/Mettot (all regions) and NAA/Cho (WMH), and positively with Cho/Mettot (WMH) and Cr/Mettot (NAWM). Conclusion: Marked metabolic abnormalities were observed in abnormal and normal appearing white matter in patients with CADASIL. The findings suggest axonal injury, enlarged extracellular spaces, myelin loss, and gliosis. The cortical abnormalities may reflect structural damage or functional neuronal impairment secondary to white matter pathology. NAA reductions were correlated with clinical disability emphasizing the clinicopathologic relevance of axonal injury in CADASIL.
Minimum bit error rate (MBER) pre-FFT beamforming for OFDM communication systems

In broadband wireless communication, the adaptive antenna array (AAA) is combined with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to combat the inter-symbol interference (ISI) and the directional interferences. One of the two main techniques which are used in OFDM systems is called Pre-FFT, where an optimum weight set is obtained in time domain before Fast Fourier Transform (Pre-FFT). In this paper, the optimum weight set is obtained based on minimum bit error rate (MBER) criteria in pilot-assisted OFDM systems under multipath fading channel. Here, the development of a block-data adaptive implementation of the MBER beamforming solution is based on the Parzen window estimate of probability density function (pdf). The simulation results show that the MBER technique utilizes the antenna array elements more intelligently than the standard minimum mean square error (MMSE) technique. The MBER technique can be used to achieve excellent performance since it directly minimizes the BER and requires shorter training symbols.
Fibronectin-binding proteins and clumping factor A in Staphylococcus aureus experimental endocarditis: FnBPA is sufficient to activate human endothelial cells

Summary Surface molecules of Staphylococcus aureus are involved in the colonization of vascular endothelium which is a crucial primary event in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis (IE). The ability of these molecules to also launch endothelial procoagulant and proinflammatory responses, which characterize IE, is not known. In the present study we investigated the individual capacities of three prominent S. aureus surface molecules; fibronectinbinding protein A (FnBPA) and B (FnBPB) and clumping factor A (ClfA), to promote bacterial adherence to cultured human endothelial cells (ECs) and to activate phenotypic and functional changes in these ECs. Non-invasive surrogate bacterium Lactococcus lactis, which, by gene transfer, expressed staphylococcal FnBPA, FnBPB or ClfA molecules were used. Infection of ECs increased 50- to 100-fold with FnBPA- or FnBPB-positive recombinant lactococci. This coincided with EC activation, interleukin- 8 secretion and surface expression of ICAM-1 andVCAM-1 and concomitant monocyte adhesion. Infection with ClfA-positive lactococci did not activate EC. FnBPA-positive L. lactis also induced a prominent tissue factor-dependent endothelial coagulation response that was intensified by cell-bound monocytes. Thus S. aureus FnBPs, but not ClfA, confer invasiveness and pathogenicity to non-pathogenic L. lactis organisms indicating that bacterium-EC interactions mediated by these adhesins are sufficient to evoke inflammation as well as procoagulant activity at infected endovascular sites.
Brainstem auditory and, shortrlatency somatosensory evoked responses in brain death

Thirty-five patients who met all clinical criteria for brain death and 53 patients who did not were tested with brainstem auditory (BAER) and short-latency somatosensory (SER) evoked resonses. Of the brain-dead patients, 77% had no waves present in the BAER, including wave I, whereas 69% had medulla components present in the SER. These data suggest that the SER has greater clinical utility in the brain-death setting, because it is important to have a wave present that establishes that the input signal has reached the central nervous system. No brain-dead patients had subsequent waves in either test. These results are correlated with neuropathologic findings and contrasted with data obtained in the comatose but riot brain-dead patients.
Decreased expression of Gab2 in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and pilocarpine‐induced rat model

Growth factor receptor bound protein‐2 associated binding protein‐2 (Gab2) is widely expressed in the central nervous system, and participates in multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies showed that Gab2 was involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Gab2 reduces tau phosphorylation levels and is associated with cellular apoptosis and differentiation. However, whether Gab2 was also involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of Gab2 protein in brains with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in pilocarpine‐induced rat model of TLE. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to assess the location and the expression level of Gab2 in the neocortex of the temporal lobe in patients with TLE and in rat model of epilepsy. Results showed that Gab2 protein was expressed mainly in the membranes and cytoplasm of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. Gab2 protein expression was remarkably reduced in temporal neocortex of TLE patients. In hippocampus and adjacent cortex in rat epilepsy model, Gab2 expression was decreased at different time points after kindling compared with the controls, and the lowest level of Gab2 expression occurred at 1 week. Thus, significant reductions of Gab2 protein in both TLE patients and epilepsy rats suggest that Gab2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TLE. Synapse 68:168–177, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Biogeochemical Cycles of Trace Metals in the Oceans

Planktonic uptake of some essential metals results in extraordinarily low concentrations in surface seawater. To sequester or take up these micronutrients, various microorganisms apparently release strong complexing agents and catalyze redox reactions that modify the bioavailability of trace metals and promote their rapid cycling in the upper water column. In turn, the low availability of some metals controls the rate of photosynthesis in parts of the oceans and the transformation and uptake of major nutrients such as nitrogen. The extremely low concentrations of several essential metals are both the cause and the result of ultraefficient uptake systems in the plankton and of widespread replacement of metals by one another for various biochemical functions.
Development of loteprednol etabonate-loaded cationic nanoemulsified in-situ ophthalmic gel for sustained delivery and enhanced ocular bioavailability

Abstract A novel cationic nanoemulsified in-situ ophthalmic gel of loteprednol etabonate (LE) was developed to improve the permeability and retention time of formulations for overall improvement of drug’s ocular bioavability. Capryol 90 (oil phase), tween 80 (surfactant) and transcutol P (cosurfactant) was selected as formulation excipients to construct pseudoternary phase diagrams and nanoemulsion region was recognized from diagrams. Spontaneous emulsification method was used to manufacture LE nanoemulsion and it was optimized using 32 factorial design by considering the amount of oil and the ratio of surfactant to cosurfactant (Smix) as independent variables and evaluated for various physicochemical properties. Optimized NE was dispersed in Poloxamer 407 and 188 solution to form nanoemulsified sols that were predictable to transform into in-situ gels at corneal temperature. Drug pharmacokinetics of sterilized optimized in situ NE gel, NE-ISG2 [0.69% w/w Capryol 90, 0.99%w/w Smix (3:1), 13% Poloxamer 407, 4% w/w Poloxamer 188] and marketed formulation were assessed in rabbit aqueous humor. The in-situ gels were clear, shear thinning in nature and displayed zero-order drug release kinetics. NE-ISG2 showed the minimum ocular irritation potential and significantly (p < 0.01) higher Cmax and AUC(0–10 h), delayed Tmax, extended mean residence time and improved (2.54-fold times) bioavailability compared to marketed formulation.
Trimerization and Triple Helix Stabilization of the Collagen XIX NC2 Domain*

The mechanisms of chain selection and assembly of fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACITs) must differ from that of fibrillar collagens, since they lack the characteristic C-propeptide. We analyzed two carboxyl-terminal noncollagenous domains, NC2 and NC1, of collagen XIX as potential trimerization units and found that NC2 forms a stable trimer and substantially stabilizes a collagen triple helix attached to either end. In contrast, the NC1 domain requires formation of an adjacent collagen triple helix to form interchain disulfide bridges. The NC2 domain of collagen XIX and probably of other FACITs is responsible for chain selection and trimerization.